Board confirms Ike Kwan to Public Utilities Commission amid questions about ratepayer-advocacy background

The Board of Supervisors unanimously confirmed the mayor’s nomination of Ike Kwan to fill an unexpired seat on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 24.

Supporting the nomination, Supervisor John Avalos outlined Kwan’s record as general manager at the California Academy of Sciences and his neighborhood leadership in the Sunset District. Avalos said Kwan demonstrated an ability to advocate for public access and operational changes at the Academy and had shown enthusiasm for expediting the city’s CleanPowerSF program. Several supervisors — including Jane Kim, Scott Wiener, and Eric Mar — spoke in favor, highlighting Kwan’s sustainability credentials and neighborhood ties.

Supervisor Eric Mar acknowledged petitions from organizations urging opposition, but said he nonetheless supported the appointment. Kwan’s supporters emphasized his community advocacy and management experience at the Academy, noting its sustainability-first operations.

The board recorded a unanimous roll-call confirmation. No supervisors registered dissent during the vote.

Why it matters: The five-member PUC oversees water, power, and sewer services for the city. The commission seat’s charter language references ratepayer and consumer advocacy; some raised that Kwan’s background is not in regulatory ratepayer advocacy, but supporters argued his management experience and community ties qualify him to serve. The vote places Kwan on the commission as the city proceeds with CleanPowerSF implementation planning and other utility policy work.