In the American city of Petaluma, the local government is committed to the disappearance of petrol stations. The city in California is doing this because of its fight against climate change.
The US state of California is one of the most progressive states in the US and combating climate change is high on the list of priorities. The city council of Petaluma, a city of roughly 60,000 inhabitants, is no exception. This is evident from a plan that was recently presented. In Petaluma, they want to work towards the end of traditional petrol stations, so reports The San Francisco Chronicle.
First of all, it has been decided that no more new filling stations may be built in Petaluma. Existing petrol stations are also being ‘tackled’. They are no longer allowed to expand, renovate or move. The goal behind this is of course that they also have to close their doors in the long run, but there is another option: they can renovate things if they continue as a charging station or hydrogen filling station.
There are currently 16 gas stations in the city north of San Francisco, and one more is under construction. Since permits have already been issued for this, they can simply be issued. For the time being, the owners of fuel cars in Petaluma do not have to refuel outside their own place. The initiator of the local legislative change, D’lynda Fischer, hopes that Petaluma will serve as an example for other cities.