Costco’s Massive Gas Station Plan is Stirring Anger in California
Costco is known for bulk groceries, long checkout lines, and some of the cheapest gas prices around. But a proposal to build a massive new Costco gas station in Northern California has sparked an unusually intense backlash, turning a routine expansion into a heated local fight. In Novato, a Bay Area city north of San Francisco, residents and environmental groups are pushing back against what they see as a project that clashes with the region’s climate goals.
At the center of the controversy is a plan to add a large fuel facility next to an existing Costco warehouse. Supporters argue it would provide relief in a region with some of the highest gas prices in the country. Opponents say it represents a step backward at a time when California is trying to move away from fossil fuels.
What began as a routine permitting process has now become a flashpoint for broader debates about climate policy, traffic, and community health.
What Costco Wants to Build
The proposed project would add a one-acre gas station to the Costco site at the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center in Novato. Plans call for a 10,000-square-foot canopy, 14 fuel dispensers, and 28 fueling positions, along with three 40,000-gallon underground gasoline storage tanks and an additional additive tank.
The gas station would sit near a pediatric clinic and close to wetlands that feed into a larger watershed. City documents show that the facility is expected to generate thousands of additional vehicle trips each day, significantly increasing traffic in an already busy retail area.
Although Novato passed an ordinance in 2022 banning new gas stations, the Costco project is exempt because it entered the city’s review process earlier. A court later ruled that the city must conduct a full environmental review, which is now underway.
Why Residents Are Pushing Back
Opposition to the project is rooted largely in climate and public-health concerns. Novato has declared a climate emergency and adopted a Climate Action Plan that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. City data shows that transportation accounts for roughly 64% of local emissions, making fuel infrastructure a sensitive issue.
Environmental groups argue that building one of the largest gas stations in Marin County runs counter to those commitments. Critics also point to projections that the station could add more than 4,600 daily vehicle trips, worsening congestion and local air quality. Concerns have also been raised about the long-term risk of fuel leaks near wetlands and residential areas.
Costco, for its part, has emphasized safety systems and compliance with environmental regulations. But opponents say the broader issue isn’t whether the station meets minimum standards — it’s whether expanding fossil-fuel infrastructure makes sense as California pushes toward electric vehicles and cleaner transportation.
What This Fight Says About the Bigger Picture
The Costco gas station debate reflects a larger tension playing out across California. Cities are balancing consumer demand for cheaper fuel against long-term climate goals and evolving transportation trends.
In Novato, where a growing share of new vehicles are electric, critics question whether large gas projects risk becoming outdated before they pay off.
For now, the project remains in limbo as the city reviews environmental impacts and gathers public input. The outcome could shape not only what gets built in Novato, but how other communities respond when big retailers pursue fuel expansion in an era increasingly defined by climate limits rather than convenience alone.
