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PUC staff outlines expanded solar plans, Hunters Point interconnection and regional outreach
Summary
PUC staff said it is scaling renewable programs—including thin-film rooftop and reservoir solar—pursuing Hunters Point interconnection and negotiating with Lennar for service terms; staff also described regional outreach to county and city agencies and a new small-business bidding preference for regional projects.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission staff told commissioners on Sept. 26 that the agency is intensifying its renewable-energy efforts and regional outreach as part of its capital program.
Deputy General Manager Tony Irons described ongoing WECIP/WISA capital work and contracting reforms while staff and managers outlined plans to experiment with new thin-film solar technology, which staff said is lighter and potentially much lower-cost than standard photovoltaic panels.
General Manager Susan Liao and external-affairs staff said the PUC is pursuing multiple fronts: an interconnection application to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for Hunters Point (submitted Aug. 11), active negotiations with Lennar BVHP on service terms, and procurement preparations that will not commit funds until interconnection and service arrangements solidify. "We are anticipating having a strong renewable component, and we would like to very much leverage the federal tax incentives and other opportunities available to the private sector to make it the most cost effective approach possible," staff said.
Laura Spangen, in External Affairs, summarized regional outreach efforts with Alameda and San Mateo counties, noting staff meetings with public-works and planning officials to prepare jurisdictions for major projects, permitting needs and traffic/encroachment impacts. Staff also described a regional small-business program (a bidding advantage or preference) that gives qualifying small firms an edge in evaluations. President Sklar observed that the program provides a bidding advantage rather than an outright discount and that the choice raises social policy trade-offs.
Staff also reported on Sunol and Niles dam removals on Alameda Creek and a press tour; the PUC has committed funds for creek restoration once dam removal is complete, and thanked many stakeholders and project staff for facilitating the effort.
The commission heard a staff update on University Mound (potentially 8–10 megawatts) and discussed the strategic possibility of packaging multiple city projects to attract private capital for larger-scale build-own-operate-transfer arrangements that could reduce capital costs and accelerate deployment.
Next steps: staff will continue interconnection negotiations with PG&E, pursue procurement steps consistent with commercial timelines, and expand regional outreach and small-business engagement programs.
