Public Power is our Past and our Future
Did you know that San Francisco was nearly set to establish its own local power grid almost a century ago?
The Raker Act of 1913, brokered by Congressman John Edward Raker, permitted the city to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park with a key condition: this dam must serve as the backbone for a public power system.
However, the journey wasn't smooth. Despite steady progress building miles of transmission lines from Yosemite to the South Bay, financial challenges halted the city's efforts to run power lines all the way to San Francisco. At this pivotal moment, PG&E stepped in, agreeing to distribute the city's power using its existing infrastructure. What was intended as a temporary solution became a long-term dependency as PG&E, time and time again, fought measures to fund the city’s own power system.
Today, San Francisco is determined to make good on the original intent of the Raker Act to ensure that our public power serves the greater public good. That is why the city’s leaders are united behind acquiring the local power grid to ensure affordable electricity service for customers and end our long-standing reliance on PG&E.
In April, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) hosted a public webinar about the growing movement for public power in San Francisco. If you missed it, you can read a short recap here or watch the recorded session here.
For over a century, Hetch Hetchy Power has been a cornerstone of clean public power for San Francisco. It powers San Francisco’s airport, public hospitals, police stations, firehouses, schools, and Muni transit system. CleanPowerSF is San Francisco’s community choice aggregation program that sources clean, renewable electricity for over 385,000 customers. Together, these two public programs supply about 75% of San Francisco's electricity.
Despite these successes, PG&E’s monopoly over the local grid continues to drive up costs for San Franciscans, who are paying more for less reliable power . However, there is an alternative: expanding public power through public ownership of the local electric grid. That will provide the benefits of public power to all San Franciscans, including:
More affordable rates, because public power requires no shareholder dividends, executive bonuses, or added costs for profits
A safer and more reliable grid, because public power frees up money to be reinvested in grid resiliency
Cleaner energy. San Francisco’s approach to power is much more climate-friendly than PG&E’s. Without PG&E, San Francisco has a clearer, quicker path to our goal of 100% clean energy.
All of this can happen without diverting money from other city priorities. The cost of buying San Francisco’s electric grid from PG&E would be paid for through electric rates – not taxes. San Francisco would see the benefits of public power without impacting tax dollars for critical city priorities, like affordable housing and public safety.
This journey to full public power is a collective effort, and your support is vital. Here’s how you can get involved:
Sign Up for Updates: Get the latest developments about public power directly in your inbox.
Endorse our campaign: Join fellow community members in advocating for local control of our energy future.
Invite us to present: Spread awareness by hosting a presentation on public power for your community group or organization.
Follow us on social media: Stay connected and engaged with our campaign on social platforms.
Inform your elected officials: Make your voice heard! Reach out to your representatives and express your support for public power.
Stay informed. Stay empowered. Together, let’s power San Francisco forward.
Because – it's Our City and Our Power!
