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PUC reports progress on water and sewer programs, CleanPowerSF expansion and a $4.8B water program
Summary
Harlan Kelly of the Public Utilities Commission told the Budget & Finance Committee the PUC is advancing the Water System Improvement Program (about $4.8 billion) with Calaveras Dam over 80% complete, has launched CleanPowerSF with about 76,000 accounts, and will seek supplemental resources after a renewable supply RFP; the agency projects a $1.57 billion operating budget across water, wastewater and power enterprises.
Harlan Kelly, presenting for the Public Utilities Commission, gave the committee a mid‑cycle assessment of the PUC’s three enterprises (water, wastewater and power). He framed the PUC’s recent priorities as reliable water and sewer service, maintaining critical infrastructure, and protecting ratepayer affordability.
Highlights from the presentation
- Water System Improvement Program (WSIP): Kelly said the WSIP is a roughly $4.8 billion program to enhance drinking water reliability; he reported the Calaveras Dam project is over 80 percent complete.
- CleanPowerSF growth: The PUC reported approximately 76,000 CleanPowerSF accounts and about 2,500 'super green' accounts enrolled to receive 100 percent renewable power. Kelly said the program has a low opt‑out rate (~3 percent) and that the PUC plans phase‑two enrollment citywide by May 2019 (or sooner if feasible); an RFP for renewable power supplies is underway and staff will return with requests for supplemental resources following the RFP outcome.
- Budget composition: The PUC’s approved biannual operating budget for the three enterprises was cited at about $1.57 billion; roughly 47 percent of that is water, 29 percent wastewater and the remainder power. Kelly said debt service for both WSIP and the sewer program drives much of the increase in costs.
Other details
- Real property purchase: Kelly mentioned a Rollins Road property that the Water Quality Division has leased since 1999 is available to buy; PUC staff will bring a capital investment request because ownership would produce net savings over time.
- Hydropower and Hetch Hetchy: Presentation materials separated local water enterprise budgets from Hetch Hetchy Water and Power (the upcountry reservoirs and power operations) and noted wholesale customers pay two‑thirds of some Hetch Hetchy costs.
Questions and follow up: Supervisors asked about LAFCO’s role in CleanPowerSF growth and about quick‑charging for electric vehicles. Kelly said LAFCO helped in planning the growth strategy and the PUC is coordinating with city staff on EV infrastructure and renewable procurement. The PUC will return to the Board after the RFP to request supplemental resources if needed.
Committee action: The committee moved to file the PUC mid‑cycle update; the motion passed with no objections.
Sources: Presentation and Q&A by Harlan Kelly and PUC staff to the Budget & Finance Committee (transcript).
