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Power

Celebrating Public Power Week: San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy Power

San Francisco skyline with Ferry Building and Embarcadero
  • Donald Pollitt II

When October rolls around, our minds often turn to apple picking, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and spooky Halloween decorations. Yet, there's another reason to get excited this month: Public Power Week!  

SFPUC power workers with vests and hard hats.
Keeping the lights on is one of the many responsibilities of the SFPUC's Utility Field Services team and we're thankful for all the hard work they do for us and the city.

Every year, during the first full week of October, public power utilities throughout the United States celebrate Public Power Week. This event highlights the numerous benefits of community-owned electricity providers, such as lower rates, access to cleaner energy, and a stronger sense of community oversight.

At the forefront of this celebration in San Francisco is Hetch Hetchy Power, the public power utility operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). For over a century, Hetch Hetchy Power has provided San Francisco with 100% greenhouse gas-free energy.

Hetch Hetchy Power proudly serves more than 4,000 customer accounts, including essential municipal facilities such as public libraries, San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco International Airport, public and affordable housing sites, iconic landmarks like the Ferry Building, and an increasing number of new developments such as The Bristol on Yerba Buena Island. As PG&E rates continue to climb, Hetch Hetchy Power continues to offer the lowest electricity rates in San Francisco.  

Nicole Burke, co-owner of Burke & Black, a Black, woman-owned catering business and CleanPowerSF customer.
Nicole Burke, co-owner of Burke & Black, a Black, woman-owned catering business and CleanPowerSF customer.

But Hetch Hetchy Power isn't San Francisco's only claim to public power fame. The SFPUC also operates CleanPowerSF, the city's community choice energy program. CleanPowerSF provides clean, affordable electricity to more than 380,000 residents and businesses in San Francisco. Together, Hetch Hetchy Power and CleanPowerSF meet about 75% of the electricity used in San Francisco today.  

From powering the new Southeast Community Center to energizing businesses like Burke & Black, our programs are designed to put the needs of the local community first. What sets these public power initiatives apart is their not-for-profit model. Our power programs do not need to focus on generating profits for shareholders; instead, our revenues are reinvested back into services and programs that benefit customers and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The SFPUC's Utility Field Service all smiles after completing their 8th solar installation at a SFUSD school.
The SFPUC's Utility Field Service all smiles after completing their 8th solar installation at a SFUSD school.

So, as we celebrate Hetch Hetchy Power and public power utilities nationwide, let’s tip our hats to the dedicated employees of the Power Enterprise like Yoga Mike, and all our SFPUC colleagues who help deliver our public power services with pride. Join the #PublicPowerWeek conversation this week on our social media channels for more stories and to learn about our continued efforts to expand public power in San Francisco.

This October, as you sip your pumpkin spice latte and prepare for Halloween festivities, take a moment to appreciate the power of community-owned electricity providers like Hetch Hetchy Power, lighting the way towards a greener, more sustainable San Francisco for us all.

Happy Public Power Week!