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LAFCO accepts report on undergrounding utility wires and fiber expansion; next steps lie with city agencies
Summary
LAFCO accepted a final report on undergrounding utility wires and expanding San Francisco’s fiber network and recommended waiting for the city’s Budget and Legislative Analyst and other departments to produce implementation and business-model assessments before further LAFCO action.
The Local Agency Formation Commission on July 24 accepted a final report on the feasibility and opportunities for undergrounding utility wires and expanding the city’s fiber network, and recommended waiting for follow-up studies from city offices before pursuing implementation actions.
Jason Fried, LAFCO executive officer, presented a final version of the study and said he had incorporated stakeholder feedback. Fried recommended LAFCO accept and finalize the report and noted Supervisor Tang’s office and the city’s Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) will be positioned to lead next steps: estimating costs, exploring a 'dig-once' policy tied to street resurfacing, and studying a potential city-owned fiber business model or public–private partnership.
Commission discussion focused on how the report would be used and whether LAFCO should pursue additional study. Commissioners voiced support for community input as follow-up work proceeds. Commissioner Maher thanked community groups and activists for raising the issue and urged ongoing public engagement.
Public commenters urged the commission and city to update earlier broadband studies (citing a past Amiano study) and recommended that any BLA or Board review address a local-build and job-development component tied to Clean Power SF and fiber expansion. Eric Brooks of San Francisco Clean Energy Advocates asked that the city ensure the program promotes local jobs and local build-out for renewables.
Fried said he would accept the report now and defer additional action until the Budget and Legislative Analyst and other city offices complete their analyses. The commission approved finalizing the report by motion and took that action without objection.
