Major Victory Against PG&E
SF Chronicle: Court sides with S.F. in its claim that onerous PG&E requirements hold up projects
San Francisco has achieved a major victory in our ongoing legal battle with PG&E. An appeals court rejected a federal commission's approval of PG&E practices that, as we have been citing for years, has led to obstruction of projects across San Francisco and has blocked progress on our most critical priorities. This has culminated in years of delays and millions of dollars wasted, representing thousands of affordable housing units, closed schools, parks, unfinished community spaces, and more.
The San Francisco Chronicle covered this victory against PG&E’s obstructionist ways here, and for more on the court’s decision, read the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) press release here.
“This is a clear victory for fairness,” SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera said. “For years, PG&E has been unlawfully trying to stymie competition by holding affordable housing, medical facilities, and other public projects hostage, denying them access to PG&E’s grid. This ruling sends a clear message that PG&E’s obstruction wasn’t justified. It also underscores why we should own our local electric distribution network rather than be subject to the whims of PG&E, a repeat convicted felon.”
“This ruling recognizes that PG&E has spent years obstructing San Francisco’s efforts to power our own municipal services using our own clean power,” said City Attorney David Chiu. “The Court requires FERC to ensure PG&E’s rules are actually needed for safety and reliability so that PG&E cannot use its monopoly to derail San Francisco’s efforts to provide affordable, public power.
The court decision comes as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Transportation Committee is set to hold a hearing on PG&E’s obstruction of public projects at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022.
San Francisco is now moving full steam ahead for full public power. Join us and show your support on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s #OurCityOurPower.