Livermore, California, has lost out to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in its ambitious bid to host Pacific Fusion’s $1 billion nuclear fusion research facility. The Livermore City Council had earlier approved a proposal packed with financial and tax incentives, but despite the effort, Pacific Fusion selected Albuquerque as the home for its new 225,000-square-foot research center.

What Livermore Offered

The city went all-in to attract Pacific Fusion, compressing an entitlement process that normally takes a year into just four months. The proposed incentive package included:

• An 80% rebate of Livermore’s share of unsecured property taxes for 10 years

• Industrial construction tax adjustments, estimated to save around $630,000

• A Community Facilities District spreading $8 million in fees over 30 years

Mayor John Marchand congratulated Pacific Fusion and Albuquerque while emphasizing Livermore’s growing reputation as a hub for science and technology. He said the effort strengthened the city’s infrastructure and readiness for future R&D investments.

Why Albuquerque Won

Albuquerque, already home to Sandia National Laboratories, proposed a highly attractive incentive plan that tipped the scales. The city offered $776 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds, which will abate property taxes for 20 years. Pacific Fusion will unlock these benefits upon meeting commitments for job creation and capital investment.

The new facility, located at Mesa del Sol near Sandia National Laboratories, will focus on nuclear fusion technology, which mimics the energy process of the sun by fusing hydrogen atoms. Advocates argue it could become a breakthrough in providing clean, renewable, and limitless energy without producing nuclear waste.

While Livermore lost this particular bid, city officials announced they will launch a new strategic program in 2026 designed to attract high-tech companies and innovative research firms. With compressed timelines and enhanced economic incentives, the city aims to position itself for the next big opportunity in science and technology.