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Supervisors back independent analysis, fiscal study of proposed SFPUC peaker project and refer measures to committee
Summary
The Board adopted two resolutions calling for an independent analysis and a fiscal feasibility study of the SFPUC's proposed combustion-turbine "peaker" project. The board referred the items to committee for study after public comment and a roll-call vote.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on April 15 to adopt two resolutions supporting independent review of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's proposed combustion-turbine "peaker" project and to request a fiscal feasibility study. The measures were adopted on the adoption-without-committee‑reference calendar and were then referred to committee for further study.
Why it matters: The proposed peaker project — a plan to add combustion-turbine generation to address local reliability and to enable closing older plants — drew sustained public comment. Community groups, environmental advocates and local residents urged the board to reconsider a 2004 action plan and to require updated analyses that account for new transmission projects and cleaner alternatives.
Public comment and council discussion: Dozens of speakers during public comment urged a new, updated energy action plan. Joshua Arcey (Bridal Defense Project) said the board should produce a 2008 action plan before committing to new fossil-fuel generation and noted the California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) had indicated the Transbay cable reduces the need for 200 megawatts previously called for. Community speakers from the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Bayview Hunters Point residents and environmental groups also urged caution and an updated assessment.
Votes and referral: During the adoption of calendar items introduced without committee reference, Supervisors Maxwell and others asked that items 28 and 33 be moved to committee. The board adopted the resolutions and referred them to committee; the roll call recorded 10 ayes for the referral/adoption on the calendar (Dufty absent). The clerk subsequently read items 28 and 33 as "resolution supporting an independent analysis of the SFPUC's proposed combustion turbine peaker project" and "resolution supporting a fiscal feasibility study," respectively; both were recorded as adopted on the calendar and then referred to committee.
Next steps: The referral places the two resolutions under further committee consideration. The measures ask for updated technical and fiscal study of the peaker project and, per public comment, explicitly contemplate alternatives such as improved transmission (the Transbay cable), energy-efficiency, and renewable options.
