When she was young, Daniela Brandao knew she wanted to work in water. “Growing up in Brazil, we had abundant water resources, but I realized that a large part of our population did not have access to clean water or sanitation.”
San Francisco’s skyline is iconic, recognized worldwide for its unique structures surrounded by sparkling bays and bridges. And thanks to bold climate action from some of the City’s largest buildings, San Francisco’s cityscape just became even more special. The Transamerica Pyramid and Chase Center, along with other large downtown properties like 560 Mission Street and Salesforce Tower, have upgraded to 100% renewable electricity through CleanPowerSF, the community choice energy program operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Each building will be energized by electricity generated entirely from clean sources like solar and wind, such as the solar installation atop the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco and a wind project in Mojave, California.
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and electrifying vehicles is a key step in reducing their impact on the planet and as well as our local communities. As more San Franciscans contemplate going electric, having EV charging infrastructure at or close to home can make-or-break the choice about getting an electric vehicle.
San Francisco health clinics provide access to crucial primary care by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, and accessibility for their patients. However, like many buildings across San Francisco, operating these facilities with natural gas heating appliances generates emissions and contributes to the City’s carbon footprint.
Today’s vote repeals the City’s drought surcharge adopted in 2021 in response to exceptionally dry weather conditions across the state.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)’s Green Infrastructure Grant Program is a resource for property owners, providing up to $2 million per project to install green infrastructure that captures stormwater runoff from at least 0.5 acres of impermeable surface. The Spring 2023 Grant Cycle is open, and applications are due Friday, June 2. Green infrastructure, like rain gardens, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavement, captures stormwater runoff from rain that falls on our rooftops, driveways, streets, and sidewalks. During heavy storms, this relieves the burden on our city’s combined sewer system, which treats both stormwater runoff and sewage before releasing them into the bay or ocean. By adding plants and soil to the urban landscape, green infrastructure also reduces urban heat island effect, provides natural habitat for wildlife, cleans our air, and makes our streets more beautiful and enjoyable.