Commission approves contract amendment to expand business energy-efficiency incentives

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment voted Sept. 26 to amend the environment department's contract with TRC Engineers to support the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) business program.

Cara Battista Rao, senior energy specialist, told commissioners the existing contract was $4.1 million and described two requested changes: a two‑year extension (from Oct. 18, 2023, to Oct. 18, 2025) and an incentives-budget increase of $4,593,000. She said the increase would bring the program’s incentives funding to about $7.5 million and allow the department to serve more businesses in need of energy-efficiency upgrades.

Commissioners asked for implementation and budget details; Battista Rao said the current incentives budget is about $2.9 million, and the requested addition would bring the total incentives to about $7.5 million. After routine public-comment checks, Commissioner Sullivan moved approval; Commissioner Hunter seconded. The item passed on a roll-call vote with aye votes from commissioners present.

The amendment authorizes additional incentive payments and an extension of the contractor’s term so the department can continue issuing rebates and providing technical assistance under the BayREN business program.