Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Renewable Energy Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SFPUC to own three federally funded renewables; Bass Electric wins two-site design‑build contract amid single-bid concerns
Summary
SFPUC will use federal clean renewable energy bond allocations to fund solar PV at Davies Symphony Hall and City Hall and a micro-hydro pilot; the commission approved a design‑build contract to Bass Electric for two small rooftop PV projects after staff said only one qualified bidder responded and pledged local-hire follow-up.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said it secured Clean Renewable Energy Bond allocations from the 2009 federal Recovery Act to fund three renewable projects and voted to award a design‑build contract for two small municipal solar installations.
Barbara Hale, assistant general manager for power, said the SFPUC has access to low-interest federal funds for three projects: a 214‑kW solar system at Davies Symphony Hall (about $2.6 million), a 100‑kW City Hall solar PV system (about $1.5 million), and a 200‑kW University Mound micro‑hydro project (about $2.5 million). Hale described the CREBs as low-interest allocations that expand SFPUC’s ability to add renewable generation.
Separately, the commission considered Item 11 — a design‑build award to Bass Electric (DB‑117) for PV installations at the Chinatown Public Health Center and the Muni Woods Motor Coach facility. Staff explained these are city‑owned systems that SFPUC will own from day one (design‑build then operate), not power‑purchase agreements. The commission moved to award the contract; during debate commissioners raised competitiveness and process questions because only one bid was received from a pool of five qualified bidders.
Commissioners and public commenters asked staff to pursue stronger upfront local‑hire discussions and to explore contracting reforms (reducing document size/administrative hurdles and bundling projects to increase competition). Hardin Kelly, assistant general manager, said the PUC has contract provisions supporting local hiring and recently added staff dedicated to maximizing local participation; staff also said bundling future projects should increase competitiveness.
Public commenter Eric Brooks urged commissioners to pull the item and rebid to attract more competition and to front-load local‑hire commitments in future renewable procurement. Staff and several commissioners said they supported moving the project forward while continuing to pursue contracting improvements for subsequent awards.
