Key facts
- Solano County supervisors voted 3-2 to reject a plan backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom for a California Forever shipyard.
- The proposal would have allowed the use of an 18-year-old environmental report for the shipbuilding facility.
- The vote effectively ends legislative efforts for this year to advance the project.
- California Forever, a company led by tech billionaire Jan Sramek, has acquired nearly 70,000 acres in Solano County.
- Proponents argued the project could create at least 10,000 jobs and boost the local economy.
Solano County supervisors have rejected a controversial plan backed by California Governor Gavin Newsom that would have allowed a billionaire-backed development company, California Forever, to build a shipbuilding facility. The surprise 3-2 vote effectively halts the initiative for this year, representing a significant setback for the governor's economic development agenda in the region.
The proposed "Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act" aimed to exempt 1,350 acres along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for maritime and manufacturing uses. Proponents, including California Forever and the governor's office, argued that the project could create at least 10,000 jobs and revitalize the county's economy, which has the highest unemployment rate in the Bay Area.
However, supervisors expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the legislative process, the adequacy of environmental protections, and the exclusion of certain labor and tribal groups. Supervisor Mitch Mashburn, who voted against the proposal, stated that the county should not rush such a significant decision and that there is sufficient time to consider it properly. Other supervisors agreed to revisit the proposal next year.
California Forever, founded by Czech entrepreneur Jan Sramek, has been quietly acquiring land in Solano County since 2018, accumulating nearly 70,000 acres. The company's initial vision included building a new city of 400,000 people, a manufacturing hub, and a state-of-the-art shipyard. The secretive beginnings and perceived antagonistic relationship with local farmers and environmental advocates have fueled distrust among residents.
Records obtained by CalMatters revealed aggressive lobbying efforts by California Forever representatives, who pressured county staff and officials to support legislation they had barely reviewed, warning of the loss of jobs and revenue. Governor Newsom, while expressing strong support for the project's economic potential, criticized the supervisors' decision as a delay that could be tantamount to denial in a competitive landscape.