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Committee forwards ordinance to ban new fossil-fuel leases on city land and require inspections, transition planning
Summary
Supervisor Avalos' ordinance to prohibit entering or extending leases for fossil‑fuel extraction on city‑owned land — and to require inspections and a just‑transition plan for affected parcels — was forwarded with a positive recommendation after presentations from Real Estate and the SFPUC and extensive public comment urging a 'keep it in the ground' approach.
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to forward an ordinance introduced by Supervisor John Avalos that would prohibit the City and County of San Francisco from entering into or extending leases for fossil‑fuel extraction on city‑owned land and would require inspections and evaluation of future constructive uses for those properties.
Supervisor Avalos framed the measure as local climate action and described the Alfred Furman bequest that conveyed thousands of acres in Fresno and Kern counties to the city; roughly 1,400 acres remain and about 800 acres in the Kern River oil field have historically produced oil and gas. John Updike, Director of Real Estate, explained that Chevron currently holds a lease that was amended in the 1990s and expires in 2020; the city’s royalty revenues from the field have declined in recent years and the real estate office identified significant acreage potentially suitable for solar development.
Laurie Mitchell of the SFPUC summarized a feasibility study that identified solar potential and preliminary lease‑rate benchmarks for solar in the region; LAFCO staff described potential local job creation and regional partners for renewable procurement. Budget analyst Mr. Rose summarized revenue history and forecasted the loss of royalty revenue at lease expiration.
Public comment was extensive and strongly supportive: speakers included representatives of 350 Bay Area, the Center for Biological Diversity, community advocates and residents who urged the Board to ‘‘keep fossil fuels in the ground’’ and suggested solar or community ownership of renewables on the lands. Jed Holtzman and other activists were credited with bringing the Furman property to attention and urging action.
The ordinance as amended adds inspection requirements, environmental cleanup and a just‑transition plan including evaluation of habitat restoration and renewable power options. The committee adopted cleanup and transition amendments, thanked staff and advocates for their work, and forwarded the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
Next steps: the Board will consider the ordinance and any required follow‑up approvals. The Real Estate office and SFPUC were asked to cooperate on a just transition plan and future feasibility work for solar and other productive uses of the lands.
