The Fort Collins Sustainability Group (FCSG) and seven community partners are asking the Fort Collins City Council to consider adopting a “Large Methane User Fee” (LMUF) to help our city meet its climate pollution reduction and building electrification goals.  We are proposing that the LMUF would apply to all methane (aka “natural gas”) use exceeding 10,000 therms per year (that’s a lot!) by individual businesses.  The revenue collected would go into a fund that could be accessed by businesses subject to the fee to implement projects that would reduce their methane use.  Examples include adding insulation, improving building controls and purchasing electric appliances to replace gas-burning appliances.  For more information on the LMUF proposal, visit this page.

Please consider speaking during the public comment period at the beginning of the Fort Collins City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15th to ask council to consider adopting a LMUF.  You will need to register in advance here to make your public comment.  Here are some of the benefits of adopting a LMUF that you can mention:

  • 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.

If you cannot speak during the public comments period on April 15, please write a short e-message to City Council at CityCouncil@fcgov.com letting them know you support a LMUF.  Short messages are fine.  Here is an example:

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

Thank you for taking action!