By Woody Hastings & Jenny Blaker
Sonoma Group & CONGAS
On Sept. 13, the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority Board, consisting of representatives of Sonoma County and its nine cities, unanimously passed a resolution that “recommends ceasing acceptance of all applications for new gas stations or expansion of existing gas station infrastructure.”
The board committed RCPA staff to facilitating a meeting with planning staff from all the jurisdictions to discuss a coordinated approach and opportunities for resource sharing. This is a milestone in our efforts to stop the construction of new gas stations in Sonoma County.
On Sept. 6, the Sierra Club Sonoma Group voted to support a ban of new construction or expansion of gasoline infrastructure at existing stations. On Sept. 25, a similar resolution was on the agenda of the Club’s California Conservation Committee, brought forward by the Redwood Chapter.
On the same day as the RCPA vote, we learned that an application for a new gas station at 874 North Wright Rd. in Santa Rosa, which has been pending an appeal by the Coalition Opposing New Gas Stations (CONGAS) since December 2019, has been withdrawn. This leaves us with three active proposals for new gas stations in the midst of unprecedented climate-related catastrophe occurring on a daily basis.
One is in Santa Rosa, and two are in unincorporated parts of the county. To find out more about these proposals, visit: http://con-gas.org/take-action/
In order to avoid the need to battle these ill-advised proposals, several cities in the county are already taking steps to move things along on the new gas station ban.
In Santa Rosa, the Climate Action Subcommittee, made up of the mayor and two city council members, asked city staff to draft an ordinance. It is expected to come first to that committee, then to the Planning Commission, then to the full City Council. If you live in Santa Rosa, join with others to help spur them on. Updates and information can be found here when available: https://srcity.org/3107/Climate-Action-Subcommittee
Cotati staff is drafting an ordinance, and it seems that passage of a strong prohibition is likely.
Sebastopol is on a similar track. The Sebastopol Climate Action Committee has reviewed the matter and forwarded a recommendation to the City Council to pursue a prohibition.
Action is underway at most other cities, including Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg and the City of Sonoma. That leaves only Cloverdale.
Calling on you Cloverdale Sierra Club members, to step up and ask your council members about it!
Sonoma County has again achieved a national first on the struggle to address the climate crisis. Its action will inspire other cities and counties across the country to do the same.
Outside of Sonoma County, the Redwood Chapter city of American Canyon in Napa County imposed a moratorium on the processing of new gas station applications, pending a long-term decision.
In areas near the Redwood Chapter region, and in part as a result of the influence of activities in Sonoma County, we have the following updates:
In Novato, northern Marin County, the City Council approved an application for a mega 28-pump Costco gas station. Costco is expanding its gas stations nationwide and undercutting local station’s prices in order to increase its membership. The Novato application is currently tied up in a citizens’ CEQA lawsuit against Costco. See www.nonewgasnovato.com for information.
In August, the Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter went on record in support of a new gas station ban in San Francisco.
To stay up-to-date and see how you can help, please visit www.con-gas.org