The Novato City Council's approval of the mega Costco gas station is a small setback on what is a major environmental challenge facing our Nation. As was recently reported by the New Yorker, Costco makes billions of dollars each year from its gas stations. That amount equivocated to 11% total net sales for Costco in 2019 alone. Read the New Yorker article here. Costco operated 615 gas stations at the end of 2020 representing 9% of total net sales. The amount of revenue Costco is getting from its mega gas stations is a major incentive for the company to continue expanding its mega gas stations. Costco buys the gas then sells it at a cheaper price to incentivize its members to both shop inside the store and then fill up their vehicles. 

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In California alone, Costco is pushing forward with adding hundreds of gas pumps to new and existing stores. In addition to the 14 fuel pumps in Novato, Costco has recently either proposed or has gotten approvals for hundreds of new fuel pumps at the following locations: 

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• San Ramon - City Council approved 32 fuel pumps

• Pleasanton - City Council approved 20 fuel pumps

• Vallejo - Planning Commission approved 30 fuel pumps

• Napa - City Council approved 20 fuel pumps

• Redding - City Council approved 30 fuel pumps

• Loomis - City Council approved 24 fuel pumps

• Foster City - proposed 32 fuel pumps

• Tracy - Planning Commission approved expansion of 16 fuel pumps

• Seaside - City Council approved 24 fuel pumps

• Murrieta - City Council approved 32 fuel pumps

• Tustin - City Council approved 16 fuel pumps (second Costco gas station in the City)

• Santa Clarita - City Council approved 30 fuel pumps

• Chino Hills - City Council approved 32 fuel pumps

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The number of electric vehicle charging stations Costco has proposed can be counted on both hands. Costco is not concerned with electric cars or public transportation to its stores because it doesn't help the bottom line.