Livermore council unanimously backs Pacific Fusion project, authorizes staff to negotiate incentives

The Livermore City Council voted unanimously Sept. 8 to support staff recommendations that would allow the Pacific Fusion project to move forward in the city’s entitlement process and permit staff to negotiate an economic incentives package to improve Livermore’s competitiveness.

Emily Ladoux, assistant planner, told the council that Pacific Fusion proposes a 14‑acre campus at the eastern parcel of the S&P 39 site with a research and development facility that could reach 110 feet to accommodate specialized fusion equipment. The entitlements before council included adoption of a CEQA addendum to the S&P 39/40 environmental impact report, a plan‑development amendment to allow the height increase, site‑plan and design review, and a conditional use permit.

Staff said the project would widen West Jack London Boulevard, add a 10‑foot multi‑purpose trail along the frontage, locate parking on the east side of the parcel and loading docks on the west, and include public‑art requirements to be approved during post‑entitlement review. Ladoux said the proposal is positioned as the commercialization of an advanced manufacturing green energy technology and that staff recommended directing the planning manager to file a notice of exemption and notice of determination in accordance with CEQA if the council adopted the resolutions and introduced the ordinance.

The staff recommendation also asked council to authorize negotiation of potential economic incentives, including an unsecured property tax rebate of up to 80% of Livermore’s share of unsecured property tax on specialized equipment for up to 10 years, elimination or waiver of the city’s one‑time industrial construction tax for qualifying projects, and potential use of a community facilities district to defer certain upfront public‑improvement costs. Those terms, staff emphasized, would be formalized in separate agreements and return to council for final approval.

Supporters said the project would advance Livermore’s climate and economic goals. Rick Stulan, speaking for Quest Science Center, said Quest endorses the proposal and called it a “world‑class fusion energy technology development project” that would provide regional educational and workforce partnerships. Katie Marcel, CEO of Innovation Tri Valley, told the council Pacific Fusion has secured nearly $1 billion in private investment and could generate about 250 high‑quality jobs.

Opponents raised technical and safety questions at the public hearing. Greg Scott called the project “a colossal boondoggle,” criticized fusion’s current supply‑chain and radioactive‑isotope issues and warned against calling it clean energy without addressing tritium handling. The council and staff acknowledged those concerns and noted that safety, hazard and environmental conditions would be addressed as part of permitting and regulatory review and by applicable state and federal oversight.

Council members questioned landscaping and pollinator plant palettes, public‑art themes, trail access and technical safety considerations. Vice Mayor Branning and others emphasized the city’s unique local assets — including proximity to national laboratories and a skilled workforce — as reasons to compete for fusion‑technology investment while avoiding over‑leveraging the city fiscally.

Council Member Dunbar moved to support the staff recommendations (including the environmental addendum, introduction of the plan development amendment, and direction to staff to negotiate incentive terms); the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The council’s action allows staff to proceed with negotiating incentive terms and preparing required ordinances and resolutions; any final incentive agreements would return to the council for formal approval.