San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors Met on January 31st to Hold PG&E Accountable for Obstruction to Streetlights, Parks, and Muni Facilities
On January 31st, Supervisor Hillary Ronen called for a hearing on PG&E’s continued obstruction at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee.
The SF Recreation and Park Center presented on the ongoing obstruction to multiple sites, including the Gene Friend Rec Center in SoMa; and the SFMTA presented on their plans to transform the city’s entire bus fleet to become fully electric, citing the importance of having a reliable partner delivering clean energy to be successful.
In response, PG&E delivered the same baseless talking points they’ve been using for years to defend their unnecessary delays and obstruction to San Francisco energy priorities. Instead of taking responsibility, Aaron Johnson, Regional Vice President for PG&E pointed the finger and said, “It’s very challenging for PG&E to come to an agreement since every member of the city family thinks something different.”
But let’s make no mistake, when it comes to PG&E, 70% of San Franciscans agree that it’s time for public power, including the Board of Supervisors:
District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen said, “When it comes to PG&E and the level of really below the belt actions you brought to the city, we are together more than we have ever been brought together before, and we speak with one voice when we say that your actions to delay these projects is unconscionable."
District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston said, “There are moments when the failure of the private sector and the absolute need for the public sector to step in are self-evident, and I would say that this is one of them.”
District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar said, “In this instance, we totally agree, in terms of public utilities being a public good, and with a few other things like healthcare and childcare, I think it’s a foundation of a society that works well. We are on the same page with that.”
District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin said, “I just want to reiterate for the record that the City and County of San Francisco has offered Pacific Gas and Electric $2.5 billion dollars, and if you would like there to be one entity and get rid of those complications, we have been willing to put our money where our mouth is, and you can get rid of that hassle and take our money and we’ll take over the PG&E portion of the system.”
Despite PG&E’s continued obstruction, San Francisco is united like never before in our mission to pursue full public power.
You can find the recording of January 31st’s Board of Supervisors meeting here (beginning at the 1:27:27 mark), and to learn more about PG&E’s obstruction of over 70 public projects throughout San Francisco neighborhoods click here.