Rules Committee advances Megan Thurlow nomination to SFPUC after supporters testify

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Monday voted to forward Mayor London Breed’s (as referenced by the clerk’s nomination package) nomination of Megan Thurlow to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for consideration by the full Board with a recommendation of approval.

Thurlow, introduced to the committee by Chair Supervisor Shamone Walton, told supervisors she is a lecturer at UC Berkeley and previously served as chief technology officer at a climate-tech startup. She described leading a multi-million-dollar air-quality monitoring initiative covering 64 communities and said her academic background includes a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Harvard and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s business school. Thurlow said that experience working with utilities, regulators and communities informs her approach to environmental justice, local hiring and service affordability at the PUC.

The nomination matters because the PUC oversees major infrastructure projects in San Francisco, including sewer and water work and the city’s broader discussions about public power. Committee members pressed Thurlow on accountability for community benefits and hiring commitments tied to large-scale projects such as the Sewer System Improvement Program. Thurlow said publicly visible performance metrics and transparency that hold contractors and the PUC accountable would be important tools to ensure commitments are met.

Public supporters appeared to speak in favor of Thurlow. Megan Zweig, who identified herself as CEO of Rock Health Advisory and a classmate from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, praised Thurlow’s data-driven approach and integrity. Matt Hill, who said he worked with Thurlow at the climate-tech startup Acoma and served as that company’s chief operating officer, told the committee Thurlow combines scientific rigor with real-world pragmatism.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey moved to amend the committee motion by striking the word “rejecting” and to forward the nomination with a recommendation of approval. The committee recorded votes of "aye" from Vice Chair Supervisor Cheryl, Supervisor Matt Dorsey and Chair Supervisor Shamone Walton; the motion passed without objection. No speakers registered opposition during public comment.

The nomination, if approved by the full Board, would be for a term ending Aug. 1, 2028. The Rules Committee record shows public comment and the nominee’s remarks were part of the hearing file to be included with the Board packet.