San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting – September 8, 2026

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at approximately 9:45 AM. The meeting included a land acknowledgment, a tribute to former Commissioner Ann Muller Kane (who served from 1997 to 2020 and passed away on August 7, 2026), approval of minutes, quarterly budget and audit reports, a consent calendar, a major public hearing on the proposed CleanPowerSF solar billing tariff, and several contract awards. Commissioners present: President Arce, Vice President Leverone, Commissioner Jantar, Commissioner Stacy, and Commissioner Thurlow (quorum achieved).

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0) the consent calendar, which included routine approvals. Commissioner Stacy asked about Item 6M (equipment/software maintenance contract increase due to a five-year extension). Commissioner Thurlow asked about Item 6i (expansion of four infrastructure contracts, noting low encumbrance to date; staff explained that legacy work from prior contracts had been carried over, necessitating the amendment). No items were separated for individual vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Francisco de Casta alleged that OSHA has charged the SFPUC Water Department on five counts related to fired employees and criticized lack of empathy. Ty Seals Jackson (descendant of indigenous Aborigines) asked for status on an educational building at the Southeast Community Facility. Eileen O'Neil (via remote) urged the commission to revise the “design drought” and opposed the West Side Portable Emergency Firefighting Water System.
• Item 7 (GM Selection): Francisco de Casta urged respect for indigenous rights regarding Hetch Hetchy water and called for an engineer, not an attorney, as the next General Manager.
• Item 8 (Solar Billing Plan – Public Hearing): Over a dozen speakers testified, including representatives from Environmental Working Group, Local Clean Energy Alliance, 350 Bay Area, Environment California, Solar Rights Alliance, Albion Power Company, and local installers. All urged the commission to delay or reject the proposed solar billing plan, arguing it undervalued rooftop solar benefits, did not account for avoided transmission costs, and would slow clean energy adoption. Several noted that a meeting with the mayor's office was being scheduled and that adopting the plan today would undercut that conversation.
• Items 9-12 (Contracts): No public comments were made on these items.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – General Manager Report: Included Q4 budget status (water surplus $21.4M, wastewater surplus $10.6M, power surplus $66.8M, CleanPowerSF surplus $71.3M; all financial policy targets exceeded). Audit and performance review (13 financial audits completed, 10 open recommendations; CSA accepted all). Wastewater Capital Improvement Program report (127 projects, $9B budget, $4.2B remaining; key project updates on nutrient reduction, biosolids digesters, headworks).
• Item 7 – General Manager Selection Update: Commissioner Stacy reported that CPS Human Resources Consulting Services was selected by DHR; contract finalized August 26. Job posting expected in "the next few days." Public and employee surveys will be conducted online. Resume submittal deadline is October 16, 2026. Commission review will follow. No action required.
• Item 8 – Public Hearing on CleanPowerSF Solar Billing Plan: Assistant General Manager Michael Himes presented a revised net billing tariff (solar billing plan) to replace net energy metering for rooftop solar customers. The proposal compensates solar exports at CleanPowerSF's retail generation rate minus 15% administrative costs, effective May 2027. Of approximately 14,000 solar customers, about 1,400 would be transitioned; 80% would see monthly impacts of $5 or less, 13% more than $5. Staff estimate annual ratepayer savings of $2M by 2030 and $6M by 2040. The plan is more generous than other CCAs in PG&E territory. Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between solar customer compensation and non-solar ratepayer costs. Commissioner Jandar expressed interest in delaying to allow consultation with the mayor's office. After debate, a motion to approve with a commitment to report back by May 2028 was made by Vice President Leverone and seconded by Commissioner Stacy. The motion passed 4-1 (Commissioner Jandar dissenting).
• Item 9 – Water Supply Assessment for Treasure Island Residential Project: Approved (5-0) the WSA for an additional 1,400–2,800 residential units on Treasure Island, to be forwarded to the Planning Commission for CEQA review.
• Item 10 – Contract WD-2915 (Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 Reach 5 Lining Replacement): Awarded to Mitchell Engineering for $63,102,346 (960 days). A bid protest regarding LBE shortfall (13.59% vs 14%) was resolved as excusable error by CMD. Approved 5-0.
• Item 11 – Contract WW-770 (Oceanside WPCP HVAC Upgrades): Awarded to Monterey Mechanical Co. for $22,309,000 (970 days) for functional replacement of 1990s-era ventilation systems. Approved 5-0.
• Item 12 – Amendment No. 2 to Contract CS-249 (Mountain Tunnel Improvements): Approved $2 million increase (no additional time) for engineering support during construction, necessitated by descoped South Fork siphon work and need for additional monitoring. Approved 5-0.
• Closed Session (Items 15-18): The commission voted to assert attorney-client privilege and later voted not to disclose closed session discussions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously (5-0).
• Item 8 (Solar Billing Plan) approved 4-1 (Commissioner Jandar dissenting). Staff to return with a report by May 2028. The new tariff takes effect May 2027.
• Items 9, 10, 11, 12 all approved unanimously (5-0).
• General Manager Search is underway; resume deadline October 16, 2026.
• Quarterly financial and audit reports were accepted as presented.