Louisville's cap on gas stations follows several other local legislatures in banning new gas stations in the name of climate change, including in Santa Rosa, California. 'The proposal for a cap but not a full ban on new gasoline and automobile service stations is in recognition that there will continue to be some demand for gasoline and automobile service stations as more EVs enter the market and gasoline vehicles are transitioned out of the market over time.' 'Gasoline station bans may also be seen as promoting the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), thus, reducing vehicle emissions and encouraging low-carbon and cleaner energy options for transportation,' it says. The community has also set goals of reducing its greenhouse gas emission levels in the coming years, and generating 75 percent of its residential, commercial and industrial needs with carbon-free sources by 2030.īefore the gas-cutting measures already made their way through the local legislature, a review by the Louisville Sustainability Advisory Board this month also recommended the number be reduced to five.Īccording to the recently approved policy, the law's authors felt a push to introduce electric cars will entice motorists to make the switch away from gas. ![]() Louisville's green policies are intended to meet several of its climate change fighting goals, including meeting the entire city's municipal electricity needs with carbon-free sources by 2025. 'We should be taking whatever incremental steps to not create additional fossil fuel infrastructure,' said the councilmember, who also serves on the city's Economic Vitality Committee. Speaking before the vote, councilwoman Most admitted that the move wouldn't stop climate change, but said the small community should continue with the plan anyway. ![]() ![]() The plans also include a ban on all gas stations within 1,000 feet of existing stations, and special use approvals for existing gas stations will be needed if any station is closed for a year. The suburb, around 20 miles outside of Denver, currently has five gas stations, and although a sixth was recently approved for development, the resolution could make that facility its last. The proposal includes a spate of climate-oriented provisions intended to reduce Louisville's emissions.Īlongside limiting gas stations in the town, new or modified stations will also be required to install at least two charging ports for electric vehicles. Local city council member Maxine Most, pictured, said she feels an 'obligation to take every step possible' to battle global warming
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