San Francisco committee backs sending resolution urging Gov. Newsom to withhold PG&E safety certificate

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on July 7 voted to send a resolution to the full Board urging Gov. Gavin Newsom and state regulators to withhold issuance of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s safety certificate until the utility is held accountable.

Vice Chair Connie Chan, sponsor of the item, said in opening remarks that PG&E’s negligence has "continued to contribute to our worsening climate crisis and caused devastating wildfires," and that utility delays have hindered city projects. Antonio Diaz of Poder (People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights) and Jessica Tovar of the Local Clean Energy Alliance described the impacts of power shutoffs, higher ratepayer costs and the need for public‑power alternatives. Diaz said some state agencies have failed in oversight and urged the Board to press the governor and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to act.

Public commenters, including advocates with the Reclaim Our Power campaign and disability and youth organizations, urged supervisors to support the resolution and to press for a safety certification pause until PG&E’s wildfire‑mitigation plans and accountability are assured. One commenter told the committee that PG&E project delays cost San Francisco "more than $10,000,000 annually."

Vice Chair Chan indicated her intent to move the resolution to the full Board with recommendation. The committee voted in favor (Mandelmann aye; Chan aye; Preston I), sending the item forward.

Next steps: The resolution will go to the full Board for consideration; the committee’s action records the Board’s support to urge state action and oversight.