Supervisors adopt framework for community choice aggregation, urge PUC to issue RFI

San Francisco9s Board of Supervisors voted on June 12 to adopt a framework for a Community Choice Aggregation program and urged the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to issue a request for information within 20 days of the ordinance9s effective date.

The measures, advanced by Supervisor Tom Ammiano and co-sponsored by other supervisors, create a program description and a draft implementation plan intended to guide the SFPUC as it solicits industry input and later issues a request for proposals to select a supplier. Ammiano told the board the effort "would be used to write a request for proposals needed to seek a supplier who can build 360 megawatts of green energy facilities and provide a new power service to San Franciscans that will be 51% renewable by 2017."

Why it matters: The legislation lays out policy goals and governance but does not commit the city to specific contracts or bond issuance. The board inserted language described as a "program description and revenue bond action plan," and the city attorney said the amendments are technical and do not, by themselves, authorize revenue bonds or finalize implementation details.

What the board approved: Supervisors adopted technical amendments to the file that (among other edits) expanded the ordinance title to include a program description and revenue bond action plan and updated the date on the attached draft implementation plan. The board approved a separate, explicit urging that the SFPUC issue an RFI; that urging passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The remaining balance of the ordinance passed first reading by a recorded vote of nine ayes and two noes; a separate ordinance establishing CCA governance (item 16) passed on first reading with 11 ayes.

Board members and city attorneys stressed limits on the current action. Deputy City Attorney Teresa Mueller told the board the amendments were "not substantive, but technical in their nature." Board members repeatedly noted that future steps 9999999999999999999999999would require additional approvals: the SFPUC would issue an RFI and eventual RFP, and any bond issuance or final implementation plan would return to the appropriate bodies for approval.

Support and concerns: Supporters framed the measure as a practical path toward cleaner local power and greater competition with the incumbent utility. Supervisor Ross Mercarimi described the plan as "a turning point" that gives ratepayers an option they do not now have. Several supervisors, while supportive of launching the RFI, voiced concerns about consumer protection, long-term rate competitiveness and the program9s opt-out effects on lower-income residents. One supervisor said the board should expect economic and financial feasibility analyses when suppliers are selected.

Next steps: With the board9s action, the SFPUC is authorized to begin information-gathering and procurement steps: an RFI followed by an RFP process. Any selection of a supplier, adoption of a final implementation plan or issuance of revenue bonds would require subsequent approvals.

Votes at a glance: The narrow procedural votes recorded on June 12 were: an 11-0 roll call urging the SFPUC to issue an RFI; a 9-2 recorded vote approving the balance of the ordinance on first reading; and an 11-0 vote on the governance ordinance (item 16) on first reading.

Quotes: "These documents will allow and encourage their participation. I hope that our collective goodwill leads us toward a clear path," Supervisor Tom Ammiano said while urging passage of the documents.

Background: The ordinance references the state Public Utilities Code and the legal framework for CCA (the ordinance text and the draft implementation plan reference Public Utilities Code section 366.2). The package directs the SFPUC to pursue procurement and oversight steps but preserves later approvals for bond actions and a final implementation plan.

What the board did not do: The ordinance and amendments do not bind the city to specific contracts, commit the city to revenue bond issuance, or select a supplier. Those actions remain subject to later review and approval.