San Francisco is weighing a public takeover of PG&E’s local grid as the utility appeals the city’s environmental review. The city valued the system at $3.4 billion in April; PG&E’s estimate is due Oct. 20 and is expected to be much higher.
The city is examining revenue bonds to finance a purchase rather than moving straight to eminent domain. If supervisors deny PG&E’s appeal, San Francisco would move one step closer to the possible use of eminent domain.
PG&E calls the environmental report “deficient,” saying it leaves out effects the public should weigh, including years of construction, traffic, noise and air-quality impacts. The utility also calls the city’s $3.4 billion valuation “unrealistic,” arguing it excludes billions needed to physically separate San Francisco’s system from PG&E’s grid, along with other major expenses.
