In a moment when cities across the country are waking up to the hidden health hazards that surround us, Santa Rosa stands at a crossroads. The City’s forward-thinking 2022 ordinance banning new gas stations was a landmark move, protecting neighborhoods, water, and air from an outdated and toxic fossil fuel infrastructure. But now, under pressure from vague business interests, some are seeking to weaken this essential protection. The science is clear: gas stations are public health hazards. The City Council must uphold the current ordinance, without amendments or loopholes, and prioritize the well-being of its people.
The Toxic Truth About Gas Stations
While gas stations may appear harmless parts of our everyday landscape, a growing body of scientific evidence points to severe and long-term health risks tied to their operation. According to the nonprofit Safe Separations, fuel stations emit hazardous air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene, all known carcinogens. These substances pose the greatest risk to people living or working within 500 feet of a gas station, a category that includes thousands of residents, children, and school campuses nationwide.
These emissions don’t simply vanish, they accumulate in our environment and our bodies. Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing lungs and immune systems. Studies have shown increased rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and even leukemia among children living near fueling stations. Benzene, in particular, has been linked directly to childhood leukemia.
It doesn’t stop there. Underground fuel storage tanks (USTs) often leak over time, contaminating soil and groundwater with petroleum products. According to the U.S. EPA, even double-walled tanks are not foolproof. Leaks can go undetected for years, creating petroleum brownfields, toxic sites that become unusable and impose millions in future clean-up costs, often left to taxpayers when operators walk away.
Santa Rosa’s Bold Action, and the Push to Undermine It
In 2022, Santa Rosa wisely adopted an ordinance that prohibits the construction of new gas stations and the expansion of fossil fueling infrastructure. This decision was not rash, it followed growing local concerns, years of environmental science, and recognition of climate and public health priorities.
Crucially, this ordinance does not prevent existing stations from making safety improvements, such as upgrading tanks or improving stormwater systems. Nor does it block the addition of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. In other words, it allows for modernization, just not expansion of a dying and dangerous fossil fuel business model.
Yet, some now claim the ordinance lacks flexibility. These claims are unfounded. The truth is, no compelling public interest has been provided for revisiting the ordinance. Instead, it appears to be an attempt to open the door to more gas stations, despite ample evidence that we already have more than enough.
Communities Bear the Costs
Gas stations are disproportionately located in lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color. This environmental injustice means that already vulnerable populations face heightened health threats while benefiting the least from fuel sales. As gas-powered cars are phased out over the next two decades, the number of contaminated sites is likely to grow, not shrink.
Moreover, these stations create long-term economic drag. Contaminated land can take decades to remediate, reducing property values and blocking future housing or business development.
The climate argument is just as urgent: building more fossil fuel infrastructure in 2026 directly contradicts our stated climate goals. If Sonoma County is to lead on climate, as it has pledged, we must phase out, not expand, polluting systems.
A Clear Call to Action
To the Santa Rosa City Council: Do not undo your progress. Do not reopen a toxic chapter.
The Council is being asked to consider changes to the ordinance under the guise of “renovations” or “relocations,” with no transparency or public benefit outlined. This move threatens to gut the purpose of the ban: stopping the creation of new toxic sites and shifting us away from gasoline dependency.
CONGAS, the Coalition Opposing New Gas Stations, and thousands of local residents have spoken clearly: support Option 4.a of the Staff Report, retain the existing Zoning Code regulations with no changes.
Let Santa Rosa continue to be a model for the state and nation. We cannot afford to trade short-term business interests for long-term health harms.
What You Can Do:
- Write to the City Council at citycouncil@srcity.org and urge them to uphold the gas station ban.
- Join local efforts with CONGAS and Sonoma County Conservation Action to advocate for clean air, clean water, and environmental justice.
- Speak at City Council meetings to let elected officials know you care about your health and your community’s future.
We don’t need more gas stations, we need more courage, more vision, and more protection for the people of Santa Rosa.
