The proponents of California Forever, a large-scale city project proposed for Solano County, are urging Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers to remove regulatory obstacles they claim are hindering the development. The project, backed by Silicon Valley billionaires and investors, aims to create a new community on 25,000 acres between San Francisco and Sacramento, envisioned as a hub for manufacturing, shipbuilding, and housing.
Push for Legislative Changes
Former legislative leaders Bob Hertzberg and Darrell Steinberg, now working for California Forever, are lobbying for a package of changes before the current legislative session concludes. They argue that these modifications are crucial to attract major employers and address California's persistent housing shortage and lack of high-wage industrial jobs. Hertzberg specifically cited the loss of a potential tenant, Saronic Technologies, a defense manufacturer that opted to build a factory in Brownsville, Texas, instead.
"I’m sick and tired of the brand of California. Texas has beaten us. This state’s beaten us," Hertzberg stated, emphasizing the need to eliminate "impediments that slow down the ability for people to want to come."
The proposed changes do not seek to override environmental laws, according to Hertzberg and Steinberg. Instead, they are requesting accelerated timelines for certain processes, including a 270-day environmental review and the use of a 2008 environmental impact report for a proposed shipyard. Additionally, they are seeking a framework for resolving disputes between cities and counties over the allocation of tax revenue generated by large developments.
These concessions would only become active if a significant employer commits to relocating to the project site. Backers are reportedly aiming to incorporate these changes into a budget trailer bill, which would allow for a faster legislative process.
Opposition and Concerns
The California Forever initiative faces strong opposition from a coalition called Solano Forever, comprised of local residents, leaders, and organizations. This group has publicly called on Newsom and legislative leaders to reject the proposed changes, warning of potential harm to Solano County communities and the environment. Critics have raised concerns regarding the project's potential strain on water resources, land use, and the ecological sensitivity of local marshlands. The absence of direct voter approval for the development has also been a point of contention, particularly after a related ballot measure was withdrawn in 2024.
California Forever's representatives have presented the project as a vital opportunity to introduce new employment and housing options in an area that has remained largely undeveloped for decades. While the overall site is vast, comparable to more than five times the size of Manhattan, the immediate objective, according to Steinberg, is to secure one or two major employers and construct housing to accommodate their workforce.