SFPUC recommends Board approve PG&E easement in Crystal Springs watershed with follow‑up on workforce questions

The commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a sale of an easement in the Crystal Springs Watershed to Pacific Gas and Electric Company to expand a valve lot (fair‑market value cited in the staff report as $15,400).

Staff told commissioners that PG&E already occupies the area under an existing easement and would maintain the expanded valve lot in the same fashion as current operations. Commissioner Courtney and others pressed PG&E and staff for specifics about workforce impacts, training and whether local hiring ordinances would apply to future maintenance; PG&E representatives said regular maintenance would continue under existing arrangements and said operations are carried out by the local transmission/regulation team based in San Carlos.

Commissioner Courtney said the land transfer raises important questions about jobs and safety for employees previously responsible for maintaining the land; she asked staff to obtain clear answers. The chair and staff proposed a contingency: forward the easement to the Board of Supervisors with the condition that staff meet with PG&E and return to the commission with ‘‘reasonable answers’’ on workforce and maintenance at the next meeting. That contingency was accepted and the motion was moved by Commissioner Courtney, seconded by Commissioner Kane, and carried by voice vote.

Quotes: Commissioner Courtney said, “When we start trading land … what should go and run with that land are those kinds of responsible, labor and training and safety components.” PG&E’s Mike Reardon said the property “will continue to be maintained in the same way that the existing valve lot is being maintained.”

What’s next: The matter will go to the Board of Supervisors; staff will brief the commission on PG&E’s maintenance arrangements and applicable local ordinances before the Board acts.