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Livermore Council unanimously approves Pacific Fusion entitlements and authorizes negotiation of incentives
Summary
The Livermore City Council on Sept. 8 unanimously approved entitlements for the Pacific Fusion research-and-development facility on the S&P 39 annexation site and authorized staff to negotiate an economic-incentive package, including an 80% unsecured property-tax rebate proposal and other tools to make the city competitive for the project.
The Livermore City Council on Sept. 8 voted unanimously to approve staff-recommended entitlements for the proposed Pacific Fusion research-and-development facility and to authorize staff to negotiate an economic-incentive package to attract the company to the S&P 39 annexation site.
Assistant Planner Emily Ladoux told the council the project proposes a light-industrial research and development facility for advanced manufacturing (fusion) on a 14-acre parcel, with a planned-development amendment to allow a 110-foot building height to accommodate specialized equipment, a vesting tentative tract map, site-plan review, a conditional-use permit and an environmental review addendum to existing certified S&P 39/40 environmental impact reports. Ladoux said the project would include two access points, widened frontage on West Jack London Boulevard, and a 10-foot multipurpose trail along the road.
Staff also asked the council to authorize negotiation of an economic-incentive framework to make Livermore competitive. The package discussed in the staff presentation included an unsecured-property-tax abatement rebating 80% of Livermore’s share of unsecured property tax on specialized equipment for up to 10 years, a municipal-code amendment to allow waiver or adjustment of the city’s one‑time industrial construction tax for unique businesses, and the possible formation of a community‑facilities district (CFD) to defer upfront impact-fee costs and fund public improvements via bond issuance.
The project’s supporters emphasized local benefits. Katie Marcel, CEO of Innovation Tri‑Valley Leadership Group, described the proposal as “a $1,000,000,000 facility investment” that could bring about 250 jobs and deepen partnerships with local institutions. Rick Stulan, former Sandia National Laboratories executive speaking for the QUEST Science Center, endorsed the technology and the regional fit. Several council members said Livermore’s research workforce and proximity to national laboratories make the city a natural location for fusion R&D.
Opponents and skeptics raised technical and safety questions during public comment. Longtime resident Greg Scott called the project “a colossal boondoggle,” raised concerns about tritium and radioactive byproducts, and questioned timeline and supply-chain feasibility. Council members and technical speakers addressed safety and regulatory oversight and noted that the project’s entitlements and any economic agreements would return for additional approvals.
Vice Mayor Branning moved to support staff recommendations and direct staff to negotiate incentive terms; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Mayor Marchand said council members look forward to the applicant returning with final agreements and that staff will prepare the related ordinance and documents required for formal approvals and CEQA filings.
What’s next: council directed staff to negotiate the incentive package and prepare the implementing documents, which will be presented to council for additional review and final action if terms are reached.
