From: Ruth Abbe
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item 7-B Adoption of Resolution Approving a 24-Month Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Pacific Fusion
Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 3:39:38 PM
Attachments: CASA Pacific Fusion 2-18-25.pdf
Please see our letter attached regarding Agenda Item 7-B Adoption of Resolution Approving a 24-Month Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Pacific Fusion. Thanks, Ruth …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… February 18, 2025 Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft Vice Mayor Michele Pryor Councilmember Greg Boller Councilmember Tony Daysog Councilmember Tracy Jensen RE: Agenda Item 7-B Adoption of Resolution Approving a 24-Month Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Pacific Fusion Dear Members of the City Council: Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) is a community-wide coalition dedicated to raising awareness, mobilizing community action, and facilitating the implementation of the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and more generally to increase community sustainability and well-being. We are thrilled that Alameda Point has been the destination for so many green tech companies, including Pacific Fusion. We are writing to support the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Pacific Fusion. § Pacific Fusion is demonstrating technology that could help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change. If successful, Pacific Fusion could change our path towards adaptation and resilience and reduce the impacts of sea level rise. § Pacific Fusion will be an anchor facility in the Site B Enterprise District at Alameda Point and will contribute to the development of the utility and streets infrastructure. § Pacific Fusion will create 250 clean tech jobs in Alameda and will significantly contribute to Alameda’s economy. § Pacific Fusion has committed to address concerns that the public has about safety and radioactive waste. As an island city, Alameda is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We need to invest in those solutions and providing a long-term support to Pacific Fusion is part of that solution. Sincerely, Ruth Abbe, Steering Committee Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda
From: Shelby S
To: Tony Daysog; Greg Boller; Tracy Jensen; City Clerk; Michele Pryor Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment 7-B: Fusion-Someone needs to warn Fusion the City is not an authorized lead agency for CEQA
Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 1:23:53 PM
Councilmembers--
Given that City Council is aware that the City does not have valid CEQA procedures, it is your duty to alert applicants that your CEQA Exemption determinations are not valid.
Thus, this project cannot be approved by the City Council by Exemption. Further, no CEQA Exemptions apply to ANY project at Alameda Point, and this Exemption is invalid on separate and independent grounds.
--
Shelby
510-435-9263
From: Thushan Amarasiriwardena
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Michele Pryor; Greg Boller; Tony Daysog; Tracy Jensen; Economic Development; Manager Manager; City Clerk; Allen Tai; Jennifer Ott
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Pacific Fusion – a chance to spark change in Alameda Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 9:42:21 AM
Attachments: PACIFICFUSION-RE_18_FEB_2025_AGENDA ITEM_ 2025-4757-ThushanAmarasiriwardena.pdf Included below and attached is a letter in support of Pacific Fusion. As always, appreciate you thoughtfully fighting for progress in Alameda.
—
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Pryor, and Councilmembers Boller, Daysog, and Jensen, City Manager Ott and Director Thorne-Lyman,
I’m writing to express strong support for Pacific Fusion securing a negotiation window for property at Alameda Point. This project isn’t just about filling a blank lot—it’s about sparking a transformation that could energize our city’s economy, workforce, and signal that our island is a magnet for deep tech companies working on clean energy solutions of the future.
A Hub for Jobs & Innovation
I had the exciting opportunity to talk to a 1000+ Alamedans directly across the Island last year.
Alamedans are an opinionated lot; but one area of general agreement I heard was hope and excitement about the potential for the Point. People want it to be a place where ideas ignite and glow. We’ve seen how companies like Makani, Saildrone, Kairos and Rain created a cross-pollination of talent on the Island.
The same happens in biotech between Penumbra, Abbott and Excelxis. Pacific Fusion could anchor a new sector in clean energy and advanced manufacturing, bringing high-skilled jobs for scientists and engineers while also fueling the construction, and skilled labor needed to build it out. Like investing, we want a diversified portfolio for The Point. Successful cities are a beautiful mix of housing, recreation, and jobs. We’ve had a history of grand ideas that haven’t fully catalyzed for our furthest western reaches.
What I appreciate here is that this project doesn’t aim to wholly set in plan a massive project, but is a clear step function that we can learn and iterate from for the rest of the Enterprise district.
Fusion, Not Fission
In watching the public discussion, it’s clear that nuclear anxiety is real, and we shouldn’t dismiss Alamedans concerns. I think it's important that you as leaders of our city push Pacific Fusion to be transparent and accountable—that we put the safeguards and monitoring in place with regulators to keep Alamedans safe. This is vanguard technology, and Alamedans need to be part of the journey through education and visibility at every stage. In this negotiation period we’ll be able to judge how well Pacific Fusion is at being a part of Alameda’s fabric before committing. But this isn’t fission—there are no chain reactions, no risk of meltdowns, and no long-lived radioactive waste. This is fusion, a process as old as the sun itself, and it’s heavily regulated and safe. Humans have an insatiable appetite for energy. Today our easiest solution is to burn old sunlight, polluting our atmosphere. Fusion instead has the promise of bringing mini-suns here to create clean, cheap, and near-limitless energy. I hope we can make Alameda the home to such leaps.
The Changing Winds
As an island city, we’re going to feel the first waves of climate change directly. Alameda can’t afford to sit back and wait. The political winds in Washington have unfortunately regressed dramatically on numerous fronts, including climate and energy—one that will inevitably make things worse. Those who want progress will have to chart their own course. Cities that embrace next-generation industries have a proven track record of thriving. We must be proactive, not reactive. Pacific Fusion represents an opportunity for Alameda to step up, lead, and shape ours, America’s, and the world’s future. If we want Alameda Point to be more than just vacant lots and unrealized potential, we need to seize opportunities like this—ones that invest in both our land and our people.
Let’s spark the future, right here Alameda.
Thushan Amarasiriwardena
Alamedean—Santa Clara & Willow
--
Thushan Amarasiriwardena
413.230.4773
[email protected]
http://thushan.net
Support for Pacific Fusion's Proposal at Alameda Point
February 10, 2025
Via email: [email protected]
Dear Mayor Ezzy-Ashcraft and City Council,
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Pacific Fusion’s proposal to construct a fusion research facility at Alameda Point. This facility, referred to as a Demonstration System, aims to prove that it is possible to generate more fusion energy than what is consumed in its operation — a milestone known as net facility gain. Achieving this milestone is essential for integrating carbon-free electricity into the grid.
California's ambitious goal to attain a net-zero carbon economy by 2045 necessitates new sources of cheap, safe, carbon-free, on-demand power. Transitioning to clean energy sources will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, lower electricity costs, and ensure a clean energy future for the next generation. Fusion energy represents one of the most promising paths to achieving these objectives.
It is important to emphasize that Pacific Fusion’s proposal is for a research facility, not a power plant. The system will use a passive water shield to capture neutrons and intense light from fusion, confining them to the system’s center and preventing radiation from escaping. From a radiological safety standpoint, this facility is more akin to a medical center than a nuclear reactor. Like many biotech labs and medical facilities on the island, Pacific Fusion will handle tiny amounts of radiological material, specifically Tritium. California’s Department of Public Health Radiological Health Branch strictly regulates these materials to ensure safe operations. When I was in the Assembly, I chaired the committee that oversaw this Department, and I guarantee that the Department is very thorough.
Pacific Fusion’s use of Tritium will be governed by a license like those issued to hospitals, universities, and research institutions for medical treatments, such as radiation therapy or scientific research. This license will oversee Tritium storage and requires that any waste be managed by a state-registered waste materials broker. As part of the licensing process, Pacific Fusion must also demonstrate that any radiation is contained within a limited area of the facility and poses no risk to the surrounding community.
Harnessing fusion on Earth could provide limitless carbon-free power. It is a unique opportunity to have make this community a leader in this technology. This could lead to further industrial development and local high paying jobs. I strongly encourage the City of Alameda to explore the opportunity to bring Pacific Fusion’s research facility to Alameda Point.
Sincerely,
Bill Quirk, PhD Astrophysics
Assembly Member, Retired
From: Jonathan DeLong
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: Becca Perata
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Feb 18: Support for Pacific Fusion Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 10:07:15 AM
Attachments: Letter of Rec - REAP for Pacific Fusion - 013125.pdf Dear Mayor Ezzy-Ashcraft and City Council:
I have attached a letter of support for Pacific Fusion related to the February 18th City Council agenda. I hope to see you then. As always, please let me know if I can be of service.
In Solidarity,
Jonathan
Jonathan DeLong | Executive Director | REAP Climate Center C: 415-225-5552 | Pronouns: he - him - y'all
[email protected]
| https://reapcenter.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbdelong | TED Talk
1/31/25 Via email: [email protected] Dear Mayor Ezzy-Ashcraft and City Council: The REAP Climate Center strongly advocates for Pacific Fusion’s proposed facility at Alameda
Point.
We
align
regarding
job
creation,
clean
and
safe
renewable
energy,
innovation
opportunities
for
our
community,
and
overall
positive
economic
impact.
At REAP, we provide ecological experiences and climate job pathways. We also offer the
tools
and
trades
to
grow
Earth-conscious
industries.
Our
mission
sometimes
involves
breaking
through
stereotypes
and
misunderstandings
of
emergent
technology
and
transformative
practices.
Addressing
the
climate
crisis
while
supporting
our
most
vulnerable
communities
is
complex
and
vital
work.
While monitoring some public discourse about Pacific Fusion’s proposed facility, I have
noticed
considerable
misunderstanding
and
misrepresentation
about
fusion
and
its
benefits
-
many
people
mistaking
it
for
nuclear
fission.
I
invite
The
Council
to
join
scientific
experts
and
curious
people
working
to
understand
this
critical
carbon-free
energy
source.
Fission
and
fusion
processes
could
not
be
more
different
from
each
other,
and
their
elements
occupy
opposite
ends
of
the
periodic
table.
They
share
a
similar
name
and
offer
a
dense
energy
source,
but
that’s
about
it.
I
genuinely
hope
to
dispel
some
unfounded
fear.
Fusion does not use materials like uranium and does not have dangerous nuclear fission
byproducts.
It
only
generates
helium,
which
has
its
own
uses.
Fusion
can
easily
be
turned
on
and
off
as
needed.
One
fun
fact
is
that
even
a
small
breath
of
air
can
disable
the
process.
If
the
vacuum
is
ever
breached,
the
entering
air
is
an
inherent
safeguard.
There
are
no
runaway
chain
reactions
that
create
risks
of
meltdown.
415-225-5552 | [email protected] | LinkedIn @jonathanbdelong | www.reapcenter.org Physical Site: 2133 Tynan Ave, Alameda, CA, 94501 Mailing: 909 Marina VIllage Pkwy, #234, Alameda, CA, 94501
The magnet tech is also remarkable, innovative, and proven safe. Since 2018, I have been following Commonwealth Fusion Systems out of Cambridge. They have been working on the same problem—using fusion to create clean energy—and have a safe track record. I also think they’ve raised about $3B for their potential contributions to global decarbonization and clean energy, a transformative influx of investment.
I like Pacific Fusion for the same reasons and all the jobs they will bring to the Island. I enjoy balancing our new housing with new jobs to reduce traffic driving off and on the island. Their campus here could also anchor an innovation hub for residents of all ages. The list goes on.
These things are dear to my heart. Beyond being REAP’s Executive Director, I serve on the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, I’m a member of the EPA & US Navy Restoration Advisory Board for Alameda’s former Naval Air Station, and actively contribute to the Alameda Urban Forestry Planning Group and the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Group for the Oakland/Alameda Estuary and San Leandro Bay.
Plus, I’m an impact and workforce advisor to the Alameda Chamber, was a biodiversity facilitator at the 2024 MIT Sustainability Summit, and gave a 2023 TED Talk about climate solutions. I hold certificates from the UC Berkeley School of Law in Sustainable Capitalism for Directors, Harvard Business School in Sustainable Business Strategies, and Wharton for M&A and Corporate Development Strategies.
Additionally, I have experience in Design Science and Systems Thinking from the Buckminster Fuller Institute and Soil Advocacy Training from the Kiss the Ground organization. Mostly, I just love our island.
In Solidarity,
Jonathan DeLong
415-225-5552 | [email protected] | LinkedIn @jonathanbdelong | www.reapcenter.org Physical Site: 2133 Tynan Ave, Alameda, CA, 94501
Mailing: 909 Marina VIllage Pkwy, #234, Alameda, CA, 94501