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Power

We’ve Got the Power: A Year in Review 

  • Donald Pollitt II

As we bid farewell to 2023 and take some time to recharge our batteries, the SFPUC wants to take a moment to reflect on our successes this past year. 

Rooftop solar panels on SF War Memorial Opera House
Rooftop solar panels on SF War Memorial Opera House

For the SFPUC Power Enterprise, we continued to make progress on the City’s ambitious climate goals while ensuring cleaner energy remains affordable and accessible through our Hetch Hetchy Power and CleanPowerSF programs. As an agency, we underscored our commitment to expanding public power and acquiring PG&E’s local assets so we can serve clean, safe, reliable, and affordable power to all San Franciscans.  

As we get energized for 2024, here are some notable highlights that helped power our success in 2023:

 

Kirkwood Powerhouse
Kirkwood Powerhouse

Hetch Hetchy Power: A Century of Green Energy Leadership 

For over a century, Hetch Hetchy Power has been the backbone of San Francisco's clean energy journey, providing 100% greenhouse gas-free power. With more than 4,000 customer accounts, including vital municipal facilities and iconic landmarks, Hetch Hetchy Power currently offers the lowest electricity rates in the city, helping to shield ratepayers from the relentless rise in PG&E rates. 

2023 Highlights 

  • Provided nearly 20% of the City’s electricity with 100% greenhouse gas-free energy.
  • Energized new solar arrays at Marina Middle School, EV charging stations at the Bristol, and new affordable housing units for formerly unhoused veterans at Maceo May Apartments.
  • Engaged hundreds of customers living in affordable and public housing through town hall events.
  • Empowered the next generation of climate change and clean energy leaders via energy education and career awareness through our ongoing partnership with Abraham Lincoln High School’s Green Academy Program.
  • Created a first of its kind “What is Public Power” video to highlight the numerous benefits of community-owned electricity providers like Hetch Hetchy Power  
  • Celebrated SFPUC Power staff like Ernest Terraza and Terry Elisaia II who help keep the lights on for San Franciscans. 

 

Chase Center
Chase Center

CleanPowerSF: Powering Progress for the Community 

CleanPowerSF, the city's community choice energy program, has been instrumental in providing clean, affordable electricity to more than 380,000 residents and businesses across the city. Together with Hetch Hetchy Power, the SFPUC provides more than 75% of the electricity used in San Francisco today. 

2023 Highlights: 

  • Saved CleanPowerSF Green residential customers an average of $60.80 for the year.
  • Enrolled 1,175 customers in SuperGreen Saver, a savings program for eligible customers with low-incomes.
  • SuperGreen sales reached 13% of CleanPowerSF’s total load this year.
  • Major iconic downtown properties, including the Transamerica Pyramid and Chase Center, transitioned to SuperGreen, our 100% renewable electricity option.  
  • CleanPowerSF was recognized as a Green Power Leader by the National Renewable Energy Lab.
  • A successful "Break Up with Gas" campaign encouraged San Franciscans to embrace electrification and clean-powered appliances, resulting in more than 70 new heat pumps being installed.

 

Our City. Our Power. billboard
Our City. Our Power. billboard

Our City. Our Power. Recognized Excellence 

San Francisco boasts a rich history of public power and Hetch Hetchy Power stands as a testament to the city's commitment to community-owned public power.  In 2023, the American Public Power Association (APPA) once again recognized the SFPUC for outstanding public power communications, Our City. Our Power. was recognized with an Award of Excellence for a targeted advertising campaign to raise awareness amongst residents about public power via neighborhood billboards, Muni bus shelter ads, and digital ads.

 

 

CleanPowerSF SuperGreen Experience
CleanPowerSF SuperGreen Experience

Community Impact and Outreach 

Our commitment to the community goes beyond simply providing clean energy. In 2023, we: 

  • Achieved 142 sign-ups to the Customer Assistance Program, ensuring that more eligible customers benefit from monthly discounts  
  • Held three Community Power Update meetings, including a public webinar on Grid Reliability in a Changing Climate that saw more than 300 registered attendees.  
  • Staffed 38 community outreach events, including tabling at community events and rolling out our CleanPowerSF SuperGreen booth to various neighborhoods! 

As we step into a new year, we're excited about the future and the continued commitment to serving our customers. Here's to a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable 2024!