S.F. takes step toward being green-powered
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
October 27, 2009
The City is charging forward with a plan to establish its own power program.
By May 2010, The City could have an agreement that aims to provide San Francisco’s power consumers with less-expensive energy from more renewable sources.The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation Tuesday authorizing the issuance of requests for proposals, which asks companies to submit their plans to implement The City’s Community Choice Aggregation, otherwise known as CleanPowerSF.
“The City is committed to developing CleanPowerSF as an endeavor to increase reliance on renewable energy, and reduce the amount of pollution and greenhouse gasses generated by the production of the electricity necessary to serve San Francisco’s residents and businesses,” the draft proposal says.
Companies have until the end of the year to submit plans, which will be rated based on how close they come to meeting the program’s goals.
“Proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that achieve The City’s adopted goals of 51 percent renewable generation mix by 2017, and make significant progress towards that goal in the intermediate,” the draft proposal says.
The proposal also seeks plans that “should” compete with energy rates that would be offered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. CleanPowerSF customers are expected to generate $350 million annually. Seven years ago, state legislation passed that enables cities to adopt such programs. San Francisco would become the first major city to do so.
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who is a leader in the effort, said the proposal is the answer to “what it means to do our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and forwarding an aggressive renewable energy plan that lessens our reliance on foreign oil or even on fossil fuels.”
IN OTHER ACTION
- Legislation changing The City’s sanctuary policy was adopted in a second and final vote 8-3 to prohibit city officials from reporting undocumented youth arrested on felony charges to federal authorities for possible deportation. They can only be reported if there is a conviction. Supervisors Sean Elsbernd, Michela Alioto-Pier and Carmen Chu opposed the bill.
- Board of Supervisors President David Chiu introduced a request for ongoing hearings before the Public Safety Committee to supervise the Entertainment Commission’s and Police Department’s efforts to crack down on violence associated with nightclubs.
jsabatini@sfexaminer.com
