SFPUC delays decision on PG&E cross‑bore agreement extension amid performance concerns

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday postponed a vote on authorizing a 3.5‑year extension to its gas pipeline cross‑bore agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., directing staff to return with clearer performance metrics and reporting. Deputy General Manager Michael Garland told commissioners crews remain active in the field but completing televising and repairs across the city's laterals and sewers has taken longer than initially estimated.

Commissioners questioned whether the proposed extension simply lengthens the deadline without concrete milestones. One commissioner said, "I still feel that 3 years is way too long," and several asked whether the contract contains enforceable performance requirements beyond weekly status reports. Garland said the contract defines the universe of repairs, requires corrections for discovered defects, and provides for cost recovery; he added there are weekly field reports and two‑week look‑ahead schedules that staff can roll into quarterly summaries for the commission.

Staff described technical hurdles that have slowed completion, including difficulties getting inspection cameras up some laterals, the need to clean or clear lines before televising, coordination with the Municipal Transportation Agency when work requires street closures, and assimilation of as‑built data into the SFPUC asset management system. Garland noted the original timeline was optimistic and that the work involves roughly 1,200 miles of sewer pipeline plus laterals.

Because the current term has lapsed for some work, commissioners debated whether to extend now or continue the item so staff can present a timeline, performance thresholds and an enforcement framework. Commissioners asked staff to include: the number of miles inspected and repaired to date, a projected completion schedule, the count of priority‑1 cross‑bores and timelines for those repairs, and documentation of contractual remedies if PG&E fails to perform. Garland said staff can provide a quarterly roll‑up showing progress and problem areas.

After debate the commission voted to continue the item to a future meeting to allow staff time to assemble the requested performance metrics and clarifications about contract enforceability. The continuance was taken to ensure field work continues while the commission receives additional data for a subsequent vote.