In April 2020, Costco Wholesale proposed to add a gas station adjacent to the existing Costco Wholesale store, located in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center. This is Costco’s second attempt to build a mega gas station next to its store.

If build it would become the largest gas station in Marin.

The project includes the construction of an approximately 10,000 square-foot canopy that will cover 14 fuel dispensers that accommodate 28 fueling positions. Additionally, it includes three 40,000-gallon gasoline underground storage tanks (UST), one 1,500-gallon additive UST.

Why is it important to oppose a mega gas station in Novato?

The location of the planned Costco gas station, is very close to a pristine watershed and near a vast wildlife area. Right next to it is a pediatric clinic.

The huge UST's would be buried in low-lying ground with high water table.

Gas stations are classified as toxic hot spots and can negatively affect heath and air, water and soil quality. Local health risks from mega gas stations will increase because of the large number of fueling positions.

We are all affected by the Climate Emergency. Global temperature are rising fast, and extreme weather events are a wake-up call, letting us know that our survival is at stake. We must transition away from burning fossil fuels for transportation and all other energy consumption.

Scientists urge people and governments of cities, counties, states, and countries to target net-zero emission in five to eight years to combat Climate Chaos and to avoid a catastrophic ‘Hothouse Earth’.

In November 2020, the Novato City Council acknowledged the Climate Crisis by declaring a Climate Emergency. In the Climate Emergency Resolution, the City of Novato announced that it will elevate climate issues in its goal-setting process; give precedence to climate mitigation and adaptation when evaluating policies and purchases, planning for projects.

In March 2021, Novato City granted a use permit to Costco to build a mega Gas Station in front of its warehouse in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, but a lawsuit from concerned residents has halted the process. 

In November 2022, Novato approved an Ordinance to prohibit New Gas Stations from being built in Novato. Because it was already under city review before the ordinance was passed, the ban does not affect the planned Costco gas station.

Right now, the City of Novato is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) of the Gas Station to comply with a court order.  Very likely it is up for public review in May 2024. After a review, the City Council Members will vote again, making the next few months a crucial time for action.

Let the Novato City know: This project is entirely incompatible with the Climate Emergency Crisis we are in and counterproductive!

It makes no sense to approve the largest Gas Station in Novato and Marin in 2024, which provides gas for a discount price for Costco members and helps keep dirty Co2 emitting transportation going.

This project fosters only short-term financial gains at the expense of already constructed local stations and doesn’t consider the price taxpayers, of this and next generations have to pay for heath and  environmental degradation.

We must build and invest in a livable and healthy future for us, our children and grandchildren by transitioning to 100% clean & renewable energy.

The solution is to decarbonize our economy by electrifying transportation and private and business infrastructures as quickly as possible.

Therefore, please sign the petition to tell the Novato City Council, "No Costco Mega Gas Station!"