Unintended results

While I have complete support for worthwhile efforts to protect the environment, banning new gas stations is not the answer. The result in Petaluma, where gas prices are routinely higher than other towns and cities in the area, has been to maintain high prices. The movement started with the blocking of a Safeway gas station adjacent to the market that would have provided significantly lower-priced gas to Petaluma residents. All that has been achieved is that residents must have higher costs or, as many do, drive even further out of town to purchase it cheaply. This results in more miles being driven creating more pollution.