SFPUC Celebrates Public Power Week by Encouraging Employees to Take Part in Clean Energy Challenge
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Will Reisman
415-551-4346
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2019
SFPUC Celebrates Public Power Week by Encouraging Employees to Take Part in Clean Energy Challenge
New effort focuses on local residents upgrading to 100 percent renewable energy in their homes
San Francisco, CA—To celebrate national Public Power Week and Energy Awareness Month, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is asking local workers to participate in the Clean Energy Employee Challenge, a focused effort to encourage employees to upgrade to 100 percent renewable energy plans for their homes.
“We understand that combatting climate change requires partnership and collaboration and we are fortunate to have so many residents and businesses dedicated to helping us tackle this challenge,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. “Small changes can add up to something big—if we all pitch in and work together, we have the ability to make a real impact. The Clean Energy Employee Challenge is a great way to encourage that mindset.”
Lead by CleanPowerSF, the Clean Energy Employee Challenge is a regional campaign among Bay Area Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs that will focus on employees at companies that are already enrolled in a 100 percent renewable energy option. The challenge is also an opportunity for participating companies to share their sustainability stories, generate friendly competition, and foster workforce pride.
The SFPUC launched CleanPowerSF in 2016 with a mission to provide San Francisco residents and businesses with the choice of having their electricity supplied from clean, renewable sources at competitive rates. There are two enrollment options for customers—Green service, which is comprised of 48 percent renewable energy sources—and the SuperGreen service, which is 100 percent renewable energy, and costs a few extra dollars more a month.
Following the largest and last enrollment period in April of this year, CleanPowerSF now serves more than 376,000 customers in San Francisco, a 360 percent increase from the year prior. With a 96 percent participation rate, the program is popular among businesses and residents.
Along with CleanPowerSF, the SFPUC operates the Hetch Hetchy Regional Power System, which provides 100 percent greenhouse gas free energy to public facilities, such as City Hall, San Francisco International Airport, Muni buses, schools and libraries. Collectively, the two programs meet approximately 80 percent of the electricity demand in San Francisco.
Cities across the country are joining San Francisco in recognizing public power week, which runs from October 6 – 12. On average, public power costs significantly less and is more dependable, according to the California Municipal Utilities Association. About one in four Californians receive their power from more than 40 publicly owned utilities such as the SFPUC. Nationwide, there are more than 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities nationwide that collectively provide electricity to 49 million Americans, according to the CMUA.
“Public Power Week is a great reminder that publicly owned utilities provide clean, reliable, affordable and safe electricity service that local communities across California count on 24/7, each and every day,” said Barry Moline, executive director of the California Municipal Utilities Association. “We are governed by a local board and pride ourselves on reflecting the values and needs of our communities. It’s power to the people.”
October is also Energy Awareness Month. Every year, the Department of Energy designates October as Energy Awareness Month as a way to encourage energy efficiency and conservation activities.
About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and generates clean power for municipal buildings, residents, and businesses. Our mission is to provide our customers with high quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. Learn more at www.sfwater.org.
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