TELL WINDSOR:
Don't Pick Winners and Losers. Repeal the Ban. Restore Fairness and Equal Opportunity
Read why CFCA is urging Windsor
to repeal the gas station ban
Watch Windsor officials discuss the Town's gas station ban:
May 6, 2026 Town Council Meeting
Attend the July 15 Town Council Meeting
Windsor Town Council is expected to consider the future of the Town’s gas station ban at its July 15 meeting. Community members, local business owners, and supporters of fair competition are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard.
Date: Wednesday, July 15
Time: 6:00PM PST
Location: Windsor Town Council Chambers
Address: 9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Building 400, Windsor, CA 95492
Windsor’s gas station ban shows what happens when local policy limits business opportunity:
it also limits a community’s economic growth and economic health.
Fuel stations and convenience stores are more than places to fill up. They are local employers, taxpayers, service providers, and small business anchors that contribute directly to the communities they serve.
As Windsor reconsiders its gas station ban, the data below provides important context on the economic contributions of fuel retailers and what communities may sacrifice when future opportunities are restricted.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Small Businesses
61 Percent
of the owners are first generation, foreign-born immigrants - the highest of any industry in the U.S.
Over 95 Percent
of fueling establishments in California are operated by small business owners of branded franchise gasoline establishments or independent gasoline establishments.
About 60 Percent
of gasoline establishments are operated by owners that own just one station.
Industry's Economic Footprint
10,423
fueling establishments in California
8,900
(about 85%) are connected to convenience stores
$5.7 Billion
in wages annually
$15 Billion
gross state product annually
66,000
workers directly employed
59,000
jobs indirectly supported
Nearly $10 Billion
paid in taxes to state and local governments in California, supporting roads, transit, schools and other state and local government services
Negative Consequences of Such Bans
Loss of jobs, income and small business ownership opportunities in the fueling and convenience industry.
Loss of fueling option for consumers, adding time and vehicle miles traveled for refueling activities.
Loss of opportunity to convert fueling establishments to dispensers of hydrogen, electrical charging, and other alternative fuels.
Less competition and higher prices for gasoline during the energy transition, especially in growing regions of the state.
Report for Impacts of a Statewide Ban on New Construction and Upgrades to Fueling Establishments in California
Written May 2023
Explore the essential role that the fuel industry plays in sustaining California’s communities, from supporting local economies and providing critical services to the economic impacts that adoption of a statewide ban or
widespread adoption of local bans would have on the California economy.
Read the key findings HERE
Small Businesses, Not Big Oil
Did you know that California is home to more than 12,000 convenience stores and nearly 10,000 gas stations spread across the state?
Interestingly, almost 90% of these gas stations are owned and operated by independent business owners rather than by major oil companies. This means that the vast majority of fueling locations in California are run by local entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in serving communities while navigating a complex regulatory environment.
Gas stations and convenience stores provide employment for roughly 193,000 people across California. When you also include fuel delivery drivers and other roles connected to keeping our vehicles fueled, the total number of Californians working in this essential sector approaches 200,000.
