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?

 Location of the Costco gas station. Three 40,000-gallon gasoline underground storage tanks (UST), one 1,500-gallon additive UST, would be next to a near-pristine watershed and wildlife area.

All or most of that shopping center was built on bay mud. It was all a former tidal marsh. Buildings on bay mud are extremely susceptible to liquefaction from earthquakes. Liquefaction is most likely to happen in reclaimed land. Areas with shallow water tables and close to the sea or rivers are also susceptible to liquefaction. UST are notorious for leaking and the liquefaction/earthquake hazard increases the likelihood of this happening.  

 Low-lying ground will be affected by sea level rise. City of Novato General Plan 2035 Policy White Paper SEA LEVEL RISE AND ADAPTATION March 2015 states:

Appendix A Novato’s Levees and Shorelines Section A: Vintage Oaks

“Threatened by sea level rise, this plaza is vulnerable on low-lying ground throughout the property.” untitled (pacinst.org)

 High water table. Groundwater in the project area is at approximately 10 feet and is as shallow as 3 to 5 feet, depending on the underlying soil. Costco Fuel Facility | City of Novato, CA

We are in a Climate Crisis. Droughts, heatwaves, and horrendous wildfires are a wake-up call, letting us know that our survival is at stake. We have to stop 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 ten years to combat Climate Chaos and to avoid a catastrophic ‘Hothouse Earth’.

On September 23, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an executive order ending sales of new gas-powered cars in the state by 2035 as a measure to combat the rise of greenhouse gas emissions. General Motors announced in January 2021 it will stop making gas-powered cars, tucks and SUVs by 2035.

On November 10, 2020, the Novato City Council acknowledged the Climate Crisis by declaring a Climate Emergency. In the Climate Emergency Resolution, the City of Novato declared 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.

This project is entirely incompatible with the Climate Emergency Crisis we are in.

Therefore, it makes no sense to approve this fossil fuel installation, 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, next generations and the environment have to pay in the long run. 

We have to stop burning fossil fuels. We need to build and invest in a livable future for our children and grandchildren by transitioning to 100% clean & renewable energy. De-carbonizing our economy by electrifying transportation, private and business infrastructures as quickly as possible is the way to go. Therefore, please sign the petition to protect our climate and environment.