LAFCO and SFPUC continue negotiating MOU over Clean Power SF oversight and funding

LAFCO Executive Officer Jeremy Pollock updated commissioners on a proposed memorandum of understanding with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission that would set terms for LAFCO’s work on Clean Power SF. Pollock said the MOU was discussed at the SFPUC’s January meeting, where several commissioners asked for more information; since then LAFCO and SFPUC staff have met and identified a few technical amendments.

Key open points include whether LAFCO’s oversight of Clean Power SF should be explicitly reimbursable under the MOU and whether unused funds should 'shall' carry forward to the next fiscal year (LAFCO’s preference) or remain at the SFPUC’s discretion. Pollock said he and SFPUC staff and leadership (including direct discussions between LAFCO leadership and SFPUC general management) expect to continue negotiations and return a proposed MOU soon; he suggested a special meeting or the next regular meeting to keep the timeline moving.

Commissioners, including Vice Chair Jackie Fielder, Commissioner Hope Williams and Commissioner Dean Preston, expressed concern about removing oversight from the MOU and urged contractual language that preserves carryover and certainty for multi‑year LAFCO budgeting. Pollock and an SFPUC representative said the PUC acknowledges LAFCO’s oversight role and that the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution reiterating that request; both sides said they anticipate continuing detailed review whether or not oversight appears in the MOU’s reimbursable scope.

During public comment, Eric Brooks (Californians for Energy Choice / Our City SF) said a clause allowing the SFPUC to halt or cut the MOU budget in economic hard times would risk putting LAFCO at a disadvantage if policy disagreements arise; Pollock said staff are continuing to negotiate the scope and technical language. Commissioners asked for further details and said they hope to resolve outstanding language before budget adoption.