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SFPUC budget ramps up Clean Power SF roll‑out, flags workforce retirements and major water/sewer capital needs
Summary
SFPUC managers told supervisors they plan a major citywide roll‑out of Clean Power SF that will greatly increase power enterprise revenues, while also warning of near‑term retirement eligibility among mission‑critical staff and large ongoing water and sewer capital programs.
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission presented a comprehensive two‑year operating and capital plan that centers on completing multi‑billion‑dollar water and sewer programs and on a major expansion of the city—s Clean Power SF program.
General Manager Harlan Kelly said the agency is aligning its budget with the SFPUC 2020 strategic plan and stressed three priorities: completing the Water System Improvement Program and the Source System Improvement Program, expanding power distribution and implementing the Clean Power SF citywide roll‑out.
On Clean Power SF, Kelly said the utility serves roughly 150 megawatts today and plans to expand capacity substantially. The rollout will add hundreds of thousands of accounts and materially increase power enterprise revenues; CFO Eric Sandler said Clean Power SF is the single largest driver of budget increases and that the two‑year rollout includes new on‑budget positions mostly tied to the program.
The SFPUC also flagged workforce risk: an aging staff with a meaningful share eligible to retire in the next five years, particularly on the water and wastewater side. Kelly said the agency is investing in apprenticeships, internships and school partnerships to build a pipeline into mission‑critical trades.
The commission adopted rate increases that will raise water and wastewater bills roughly 8.5 percent annually over the next four years; the SFPUC emphasized programs to mitigate hardship, including a community assistance credit for low‑income household water bills and elimination of several fees that disproportionately affect low‑income customers.
Supervisors and the agency discussed capital bond timing, Clean Power SF pricing relative to PG&E and staffing plans to address retirements. The hearing produced requests for follow‑up on rate impact, affordability protections and long‑term workforce plans.
