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Clean Power SF says service will remain online during COVID‑19, offers bill credits and outreach
Summary
Michael Himes, director of Clean Power SF at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told LAFCO that the program remains fully operational, will not return customers to PG&E for nonpayment, and that eligible customers will receive California Climate Credits totaling $35.73 in April and $17.87 in May and June.
Michael Himes, director of Clean Power SF at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission on April 17 that the program "remains fully operational and our electricity service to customers will not be impacted by COVID‑19." He said Clean Power SF and the SFPUC have adopted measures to help customers facing economic hardship and are coordinating with city and state emergency orders.
Himes detailed relief steps already in place: service disconnections are suspended during the emergency, Clean Power SF will not return customers to PG&E for payment delinquency during this period, and flexible payment plans are available. He said the program has created a COVID‑19 information page at www.cleanpowersf.org/covid‑19 and is arming its call center, social media and an electronic newsletter to direct customers to assistance.
Himes also announced the amounts customers will receive under the California Climate Credit Program this year: "Clean Power SF customers will be receiving a $35.73 credit on their April electricity bills and $17.87 on their May and June bills," he said, explaining that the second of the two annual credits was moved up and split between May and June to provide near‑term relief.
On operations, Himes said most Clean Power SF staff are working remotely, with a small number on site for essential tasks while following personal‑protective protocols. He told commissioners that supply‑chain disruptions and shelter‑in‑place restrictions have affected some construction schedules but that "neither of the two projects we have under construction this year have reported delays" and that they are expected to begin delivering renewable power starting in September and December.
Himes described shifts in electricity demand since shelter‑in‑place: total Clean Power SF usage is down about 7–9% compared with pre‑order levels, residential usage has risen roughly 12%, and nonresidential usage has fallen about 20–25%. He said Clean Power SF will continue to monitor demand and share analyses with stakeholders.
Commissioners asked whether the program was proactively notifying non‑English speakers and other vulnerable customers about relief; Himes said staff would follow up on ethnic‑media outreach and would consider targeted physical mailers in addition to electronic messaging. He said the program is coordinating its recovery planning with the SFPUC, the Mayor's office and the California Public Utilities Commission, which has postponed some IRP deadlines and expected to issue final guidance in mid‑May.
Next steps: Clean Power SF will continue tracking demand changes, follow up on outreach to non‑English speakers and stakeholders, and incorporate PUC guidance into its integrated resource planning process.
