Thanks to everyone who contacted Fort Collins City Council members in early April asking them to consider adopting a “Large Methane User Fee” (LMUF) to help our city meet its climate pollution reduction and building electrification goals.  Unfortunately, three councilmembers were absent from that meeting, and one of the councilmembers who was present suggested that we repeat our ask at the next meeting.  We will do that at the council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th.

Please write a short e-message to City Council at CityCouncil@fcgov.com letting them know you support a LMUF – particularly if you were unable to write to them last time.  If you are able to attend the council meeting on May 6th in person and speak in support of a LMUF, that would also be very helpful.  Public comment is taken starting at 6:00 p.m., and you will need to register in advance here if you wish to speak.  Please note that you must sign up by 5:30 p.m. that afternoon in order to speak.

Talking points for your letters and comments follow.  Additional information on the LMUF is available here.  A sample letter appears at the end of this Action Alert.

Thank you for taking action!

Talking points:

  • A LMUF would nudge businesses subject to the fee toward reducing their methane use, which they otherwise might not do.
  • One way businesses subject to the LMUF could reduce their methane use would be to replace gas technologies with electric technologies.  Therefore, a LMUF would promote the City’s goal of building electrification.
  • A LMUF would complement other City efforts by addressing GHG emissions and energy use in buildings not covered by Building Performance Standards and Zero-Carbon Building Energy Codes.
  • A 15% LMUF on all methane use exceeding 10,000 therms per year would raise $3.8 million to help reduce climate pollution.
  • This is comparable to the $5 million raised per year for climate programs by the recent ½ % sales tax increase approved by voters.
  • Making improvements to the 730 buildings paying the fee and eligible for incentives would generate construction jobs.
  • Along with the recent sales tax increase, other City General Fund spending on climate programs, and more wind and solar electricity from the PRPA, a LMUF could help us reach our 2026, 2030, and 2050 climate pollution reduction goals. We are not currently on track to meet the 2026 or 2030 goals.

Sample message to council.  (Add to it if you can, but sending “as is” would be fine!)

Dear Council members:

I support adoption of a Large Methane User Fee (LMUF) as proposed by the Fort Collins Sustainability Group, 350 Northern Colorado, Community for Sustainable Energy, Democratic Socialists of America – Fort Collins, Larimer Alliance for Health, Safety, and the Environment, League of Women Voters of Larimer County, Northern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, and Sierra Club Poudre Canyon Group.  Please ask city staff to develop a proposal for a LMUF for you to consider and vote on later this year.

Sincerely,

Your name