Council to Consider Sale of Land to Pacific Fusion
On June 17, City Council will consider various actions related to the potential sale of 13 acres in the Enterprise District of Alameda Point to Pacific Fusion and Hines for a next-generation nuclear fusion research and development facility.
Below is a summary of what is proposed and how to participate.
[1]Pacific Fusion research and development facility
Pacific Fusion [2], a clean energy startup based in Fremont has identified Alameda Point as a potential site to build a new 12-acre headquarters facility to advance nuclear fusion research and development. Pacific Fusion staff introduced the project to the community at a town hall meeting [3] on May 1 and presented its plan to the Planning Board on May 12 [4].
Staff reports that the project qualifies for streamlined environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), requiring no further review due to consistency with the 2014 Alameda Point Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the General Plan 2040 [5] EIR.
City Council will consider a resolution declaring City-owned Property at Alameda Point, including the site of this project and a potential future phase, to be exempt from the Surplus Land Act. Council will also consider approving a purchase option agreement allowing Pacific Fusion and Hines to buy the land for $28.88 million, paid through off-site infrastructure improvements such as roads, utilities, and stormwater systems. Pacific Fusion has partnered with Hines, a global commercial real estate company, to advance the real estate and entitlement process involved in considering Alameda. If there are cost overruns, the City and the developer will split these costs up to a total City maximum of $2.5 million.
The purchase option includes milestones, progress requirements, and completion guarantees. The purchase is contingent on the developers obtaining entitlements and a Development Agreement, with final approval expected in late 2025.
The project promises 250 jobs, $1.1 million/year in future tax revenue, and aligns with City goals for clean energy and economic development. The facility will not generate electricity but will host tritium and deuterium-based fusion reactions for research purposes.
Pacific Fusion is also evaluating a site in Livermore. Alameda’s approval is critical for potential project selection. Staff is recommending that Council approve the CEQA findings, surplus land exemption, and purchase option to support economic growth and innovation at Alameda Point.
[6]How to participate
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue.
Members of the public are welcome to participate in person or via Zoom. They may comment on the Non-Agenda, Consent Calendar, and Regular Agenda portions of the Meeting Agenda [7] (link downloads document).
The Non-Agenda portion of the meeting provides a chance to address the Council regarding any matter not on the agenda over which the Council has jurisdiction. The Consent Calendar is intended for routine items and approved by a single motion. The Regular Agenda is the central portion of the meeting, where each issue receives a presentation and time for Council discussion and public comment.
Complete this online form [8] to request reasonable accommodation.
Click here [9] for Zoom registration. The Zoom phone number for telephone participants is 669-900-9128; the Meeting ID is 834 8889 8933.
Information to assist with remote participation is available online in the Public Comment and City Council Meeting Guide [10]. The meeting can also be viewed on the City of Alameda’s Facebook page [11]. Note that comments posted there are not monitored.
For each issue, public speakers will have three minutes to speak if there are fewer than five speakers or two minutes to speak if there are five or more speakers.
Community members may also email Council Members [12] on issues of interest before meetings.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post [13]. Contact her via [email protected] [14]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen [15] and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen [16].