Two tax measures targeting energy and tourism in unincorporated Solano County appear to have failed in Tuesday’s election, according to the latest returns from the Solano County Registrar of Voters.
As of Monday evening, Measure E, a proposed tax targeting wind energy fields, solar facilities and future data centers appeared to be rejected by 62.4%, or 91,104 of 146,085 ballots tallied.
Measure H, a transient occupancy tax measure levied at hotels and short-term rentals, was rejected by 64.6%, or 95,016 of 147,096 votes reecorded.
Updated results will be released by the end of Tuesday, the deadline for receiving ballots postmarked by Election Day.
Measure E
Measure E proposed the first increase in taxes on commercial wind turbines and solar energy since 1994, upping the rate from $0.00003 to $0.00008 per kilowatt-hour. Under the proposal, energy produced by natural gas wells would have been taxed $0.30 per thousand cubic feet.
In anticipation of planned battery energy storage systems (BESS) and possible future data centers, the county proposed a $1.50 per megawatt-hour tax for BESS facilities and $5 per square foot tax on data centers, to be based on the entire footprint of the facility.
A future data center was estimated to bring in a possible $2 million a year, according to a July presentation to the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
If Measure E fails, wind energy facilities will continue to be the only energy production facilities taxed in unincorporated Solano County.
Measure H
Measure H sought to raise Solano County’s transient occupancy tax, which is levied on rent charged for short-term stays at hotels, rentals, inns, campgrounds, RV parks and other establishments.
County officials proposed upping the tax rate from 5% to 12% and would have generated an estimated $58,000 in revenue for the county’s general fund. The tax was established in 1964, according to a report presented to supervisors in June.