The city of Sacramento proposes banning new gas stations

The ban has been made public in its 2040 General Plan, which excludes locations that provide electric vehicle charging.

The city of Sacramento, California, has published its 2040 General Plan, which proposes a ban on new gas stations and adding to existing ones.

The proposition excludes locations that provide electric vehicle charging services of 50kW or greater. Each new gas fuel nozzle will have to be installed alongside one charging station, as stated in LUP-4.13 in the plan. In response to this announcement, the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance (CFCA) submitted a letter of opposition to the city.

In its statement, the CFCA underscored the impact of both the fuel and convenience industries on other sectors, supporting $7.4 billion in labor statewide.

“Gas station bans threaten local economies with increased job loss, decreased tax revenue and will only lead to more pain at the pump for consumers. Empowering businesses, promoting competition and considering the diverse economic landscapes within a community are vital elements in shaping a resilient future for the fuel and convenience industry,” the CFCA stated.

In 2022, a similar announcement was made by the city of Novato, also in California, which passed an ordinance that banned the construction of new gas stations or expanding any of the 12 existing sites. Last year, the city's urban planning commission reviewed the proposal, as it prevented repair or reconstruction work of these outlets even when suffering minor damage.