Petaluma, Calif., recently banned the construction of new gas stations within the city limits.
The city totals less than 15 square miles and has 16 gas stations. A new law caps the number of stations at 16, even if some go out of business, and prohibits existing facilities from adding additional pumps.
The ban comes as the number of gas stations nationwide is steadily declining, with big retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and Safeway adding gas fueling services at their stores. Some smaller stations have gone out of business as a result, and when that happens it creates an environmental problem.
Defunct businesses cannot pay for the removal of underground fuel storage tanks and environmental remediation of leaks. That means the properties cannot be redeveloped until such remediation is performed.
California will ban new gas car sales in 2035, so Petaluma’s action may spark a trend in the Golden State.
Related Stories
| Nov 26, 2012
How to boost resilient systems that are sustainable
Cities of the future can be both more resilient and more sustainable by promoting strategies that include solar power and green roofs, programs that minimize demand for energy, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.
| Nov 26, 2012
Developer of nation’s first LEED platinum skyscraper focuses on carbon reduction
The Durst Organization, the developer of the first LEED platinum certified skyscraper in the country, says it will not seek LEED certification for its residential pyramid planned for New York’s West 57th Street.
| Nov 26, 2012
Questions linger over ability of Miami's newer high-rises to withstand hurricanes
Some towers in Miami, rebuilt after a hurricane in 2005, were allowed to be constructed under older building codes instead of newer ones created after Hurricane Wilma.
| Nov 26, 2012
Changes in development and building standards needed for health of Potomac River
The Potomac River’s health stands to suffer if the region does not change its development and building standards, according to the Potomac Conservancy.
| Nov 16, 2012
South Dakota prefers LEED over building code on state projects
“(LEED is) much better than a mandatory building code because you get a little wiggle room in these projects,” said Mike Mueller, a spokesman for the South Dakota Bureau of Administration.
| Nov 16, 2012
AAMA publishes quality assurance guidelines for Polyamide Thermal Barriers
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers.
| Nov 16, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standards developed for educational seating
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the newly developed safety and performance standard for educational seating: ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2012—the first of its kind.
