Commission approves Climate Equity Hub grant and commuter-benefits contract; department updates EV and e-bike pilots

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment on May 23 approved a set of clean-transportation actions and heard program updates aimed at advancing electrification and equitable access to charging.

For the Climate Equity Hub, the department ran a competitive solicitation and tentatively selected Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates with HR&A Advisors to lead a hub that will centralize information on building electrification, workforce development, incentives and tenant protections. "We're focusing on the benefits and challenges of electrification of existing structures centered on these underlying principles," said Tony Kelly of Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates, emphasizing outreach and restorative justice for historically overburdened neighborhoods.

The commission also approved a five-year contract to continue administering the city's pretax commuter benefits program. Staff said WageWorks (the incumbent) was selected through a public solicitation to manage enrollment and program software for a new $1,000,000 contract.

In a separate program update, Clean Transportation staff detailed a $2.4 million California Energy Commission grant supporting four actions from the city's EV road map. Anna Sheruto described an e-bike pilot that will enroll 30 app-based delivery workers as the pilot group and 30 drivers as controls across two cohorts; participants who complete the six-month program will keep the e-bike. Nicole Appenzeller, the city's newly funded electric vehicle ombudsperson, described a role to streamline permitting and deployment of public chargers and to serve as a single point of contact for providers, utilities and communities.

Staff told commissioners the city needs roughly 700 Level 2 chargers and 150 DC fast chargers by 2030 to meet modeled demand; the CEC grant will fund outreach, an EV fast-charging plaza engagement and equipment for a disadvantaged-community hub. Commissioners asked for clearer metrics on enrollment and eligible populations; staff said they will provide dashboard data and quarterly updates.

Next steps: department staff will return with progress reports on the Climate Equity Hub advisory board and the e-bike pilot selection; grant-driven projects will proceed subject to partner coordination and additional approvals.