San Francisco bars new fossil‑fuel leases on city land, orders inspections and ‘just transition’ planning

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance banning the city from entering into or extending leases that allow extraction of fossil fuels from city‑owned land and to require inspections and planning for future, constructive uses of any such properties.

Supervisor John Avalos, the ordinance sponsor, said the measure is intended to move city land out of fossil‑fuel production and toward renewable uses. Avalos described a “just transition” process that would inspect city properties, verify compliance with environmental laws by current lessees and evaluate uses such as solar arrays, recreation or habitat restoration while considering local job impacts. “For city property that is currently leased for fossil fuel production … the ordinance directs the director of real estate to create a just transition plan for the property,” Avalos said.

Why it matters: The ordinance targets city control of its land and revenue streams tied to extraction. Avalos said the city receives dwindling royalties from legacy leases — including proceeds that support the public library and Recreation and Park —…