San Francisco
City Scorecard Rank
1
San Francisco, CA
74.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 7 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
San Francisco City Ordinance 81-08 established a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, with an interim reduction goal of 40% reduction by 2025. In 2018, Mayor Mark Farrell committed San Francisco to a 100% greenhouse gas emissions reduction citywide by 2050. Environment Code Section 902 formally codified San Francisco’s citywide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will meet its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
The city has conducted a greenhouse gas inventory for 2016. The city also released emissions data on an open data portal and on an online dashboard.
Energy Reduction Goal
We did not find information regarding a community-wide energy reduction goal for the city.
Renewable Energy Goal
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s 2011 Updated Electricity Resource Plan lays out actions to meet a goal of generating 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030.
Last updated: August 2023
Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All
Equity-Driven Community Engagement
As part of the Climate Action Plan development process, SF Environment led 11 online workshops, with 2 workshops conducted exclusively in Chinese and Spanish.
Equity-Driven Decision-Making
SF Environment convened an Anchor Partners Network and established community-based organizations familiar with building and energy policies and programs that provided critical feedback on how to integrate social and racial equity into potential building sector policies and programs.
Equity Accountability Measures
SF Administrative Code 12A.19(d)(4) directs the Office of Racial Equity to conduct a racial and social equity assessment on all legislation. All new legislation must be referred to the Office of Racial Equity within eight days of its introduction.
SF Environment is currently preparing a major update to the communitywide Climate Action Strategy and is anticipating applying an Equity Assessment Tool developed by Race Forward for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance “Zero Cities” project. This tool and supporting report provide metrics and suggested methodology for energy cost burden on people of color, distribution of economic prosperity, gentrification and displacement, health risks associated with housing, environmental justice/locational exposure to environmental risk, urban heat island, and community engagement.
Last updated: August 2023
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Last updated: August 2023
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
Urban Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs
The city has adopted a Better Roofs Ordinance which requires new residential, commercial, and municipal buildings to have either green roofs or roofs with solar systems. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Stormwater Management compliance guidelines require developments of over 2,500 square feet to use green infrastructure.
Resilience Hubs
Through the Neighborhood Empowerment Network, the city supports the creation of resilience hubs in disadvantaged communities. The resilience hubs feature clean energy technologies.
Last updated: August 2023
Buildings Policies
Score: 21 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of California allows its local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes that are more stringent than the mandatory state codes. Title 24 outlines all California building codes. Title 24, Part 6 includes the California Energy Code and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES). Title 24, Part 11 includes the California Green Building Code. The 2022 codes exceed the 2021 IECC standards and ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2019. To learn more about California’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
San Francisco amended the California Green Building Code to create the more stringent San Francisco Green Building Code for commercial buildings.
In 2020, San Francisco adopted an ordinance requiring: (A) All-Electric commercial and multifamily to meet the California Energy Code (e.g. no change from state code), and (B) mixed-fuel commercial and multifamily must be designed and constructed to use 10% less energy than allowed by California Energy Code. See the CEC's list of approved Local Ordinances Exceeding the 2022 Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 49.1.
Residential
San Francisco amended the California Green Building Code to create the more stringent San Francisco Green Building Code for residential buildings.
Similar to RESNET HERS and ICC Energy Rating Index, the California Energy Design Rating compares the proposed building to a circa-2006 reference home. California's Energy Efficiency Standards require a "Total Energy Design Rating" inclusive of mandatory solar PV, and an "Efficiency Energy Design Rating". In California Energy Commission compliance Climate Zone 3 (San Francisco), Title 24 requires a Total EDR of 24 or less. San Francisco has adopted a local ordinance which allows all-electric new residential to comply with a Total EDR of 24 and a stricter efficiency requirement for mixed-fuel homes (e.g. buildings that install natural gas). Mixed-fuel new residential construction must achieve a Total EDR of 14. See the CEC's list of approved Local Ordinances Exceeding the 2022 Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 58.1.
Solar-readiness policies
From 2019-2022, California Energy Standards required installation of solar on residential new construction of 3 floors or less (and San Francisco maintained the previously adopted code mandating PV on multifamily of 4-10 floors.)
From January 2023 onward, the 2022 California Energy Standards require mandatory installation of solar and battery storage on multifamily, and prescriptively require solar PV installation, plus wiring for future installation of batteries, in single family.
EV-charging readiness policies
For new construction and major renovations, San Francisco requires developers install EV-ready infrastructure into 20% of parking spaces, and provide sufficient electrical service to be able to expand charging services to 100% of spaces. For existing commercial parking, San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 30 requires EV charging stations to be installed in a minimum of 10% of spaces in any commercial parking lot with 100 or more spaces by the end of 2023. There are more than 300 facilities in San Francisco subject to this requirement.
Low-energy use requirements
Since 2008, San Francisco has required residential and commercial new construction to achieve GreenPoint Rated v7.0 and LEED Silver (multifamily high-rises)/LEED Gold respectively.
In 2020, San Francisco adopted an ordinance requiring all-electric commercial and multifamily buildings to meet the California Energy Code (e.g. no change from state code). Mixed-fuel commercial and multifamily must be designed and constructed to use 10% less energy than allowed by the California Energy Code.
Electrification policies
The (2020) All-Electric New Construction Ordinance amended the San Francisco Building Code to require all new construction be all-electric on the basis of health and safety.
Last Updated: August 2023
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
San Francisco requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify code compliance. This includes plan review of all energy code compliance documentation specified by CA Energy Commission. We were unable to determine the amount of staff effort dedicated to energy code enforcement. San Francisco offers upfront support through pre-application technical reviews. The city also invites developers and/or owners to contact the DBI Energy/Green Building/Mechanical Services office.
Last Updated: August 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Retrofit requirements
San Francisco’s Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance requires a minimum set of retrofits at time-of-sale. This applies to residential properties built before 1978.
Commercial and multifamily benchmarking
Chapter 20 of the San Francisco Environment Code requires all commercial buildings 10,000 square feet and greater and multifamily buildings 50,000 square feet and greater to benchmark energy data in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The policy covers 88% of commercial buildings. The city’s compliance rate is 84%. The program has achieved energy savings of 6.1% among buildings that benchmarked energy data between 2014-2018.
Cross-cutting requirements
Chapter 20 of the San Francisco Environment Code, the city’s benchmarking ordinance, requires commercial building owners to conduct an energy audit or retrocommissioning every five years.
Other requirements
The 100% Renewable Electricity for Commercial Buildings Ordinance (Environment Code Chapter 30) requires large commercial buildings to obtain all electricity from 100% renewable sources. On-site generation is welcomed, but the primary means to comply is subscription to one of 3 utility and CCA-offered programs which provide qualified generation and procurement via the grid.
Incentives
San Francisco provides commercial and residential property owners a range of financing options and incentives for energy efficiency projects through the Energy Watch and BayREN programs.
The city also offers property assessed clean energy financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects in both residential and commercial buildings.
San Francisco’s GoSolarSF program offers several incentives for property owners installing solar PV systems. There are additional incentives set aside for income-eligible homeowners.
SFPUC Hetch Hetchy Power offers energy efficiency rebates to its customers, including new construction and retrofits.
Program outcomes
The city collects data on its programs to understand participation rates and allocation of program benefits among disadvantaged communities.
Voluntary programs
SF Environment developed the Strategic Energy Assessment, a long-term financial planning approach to managing energy efficiency and carbon emissions. Through the Strategic Energy Assessment (SEA), SFE seeks to improve the capital planning process and output to be more carbon aware for building owners. The SEA has been introduced as a voluntary option, and is accepted as a voluntary alternative to a conventional ASHRAE Level 2 audit or retrocommissioning study required by San Francisco’s Existing Buildings Ordinance.
Last Update: August 2023
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Workforce development for disadvantaged workers
The City of San Francisco is a participant in a cross-sector, multi-stakeholder, and grant-funded project called the "High Road Training Partnership," which aims to create a residential building decarbonization industry that supports quality jobs, engages a qualified workforce, and provides stable career pathways for disadvantaged workers while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building more resilient communities. Led by Rising Sun Center for Opportunity (with partners such as the Cities of Oakland and Berkeley, Construction Trades Workforce Initiative, Union contractors and other industry employers, CCA program administrators and others), the project goals include: 1) To establish an ongoing, formal partnership that is able to understand and address existing and future workforce challenges related to the residential building decarbonization industry; 2) To ensure that residential building decarbonization jobs are high road by creating policies, programs, and labor standards that are rooted in a deep understanding of the industry, consumer market, and labor market and promote the competitiveness of contractors that meet high road employer standards, and 3) To ensure that high road, residential building decarbonization jobs are accessible to all by defining pathways to high road careers and prioritizing access for residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income residents, and individuals with barriers to employment.
Workforce development for the broader community
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from the broader community to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Outcomes tracking
We could not determine if the city has instituted a mechanism to measure the performance and/or success of equitable workforce development initiatives focused on the clean energy sector.
Last updated: August 2023
Transportation
Score: 25 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The San Francisco Transportation Plan 2050 was released in 2022 and includes sustainable transportation strategies. It also includes strategies specifically benefitting disadvantaged communities.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City of San Francisco does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of San Francisco does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Last Updated: August 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
California's SB 9 became law in 2021 and went into effect in 2022. This allows lots in single-family zones throughout the state to be split into two lots, and allows up to two units to be built on each lot, effectively increasing the number of units permitted per lot from one to four in single-family zones. SB 9 applies to residential zones in all California cities, including San Francisco.
Parking Requirement
San Francisco has eliminated parking minimums citywide.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
San Francisco offers a density bonus for mixed-use developments through the HOME-SF bonus program.
Affordable Housing around Transit
San Francisco has an inclusionary housing policy which requires that all housing developments larger than 10 units, including those near transit, have a certain percent of deed-restricted below market rate units.
Last Updated: August 2023
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
According to San Francisco's Climate Action Plan, released in 2021, the City has a goal of 80% of trips being made by walking, biking, transit, and shared electric vehicles by 2030.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City has not published mode share data since its goal was updated in 2021.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options
BayWheels, the bike share operator in San Francisco, offers a discounted membership to residents who qualify for CalFresh, SFMTA Lifeline Pass, or the PG&E CARE utility discount through its Bike Share for All program. Additionally, residents with a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less can receive a Clipper START card and purchase transit fare at a discounted rate.
Last Updated: August 2023
Public Transit List All
Transit Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of San Francisco have received $731,123,099.00 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $835.56 per capita between 2017 and 2021 within the service area.
Access to Transit Services
The AllTransit Performance Score measures a given community's transit access and performance. The score considers connections to other routes, access to jobs, service frequency, and the percent of commuters who ride transit to work. The City of San Francisco's AllTransit Performance Score is 9.6, scoring the full 4 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: August 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Efficient Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Pacific Gas & Electric offers $1,000 rebates on the purchase or lease of a pre-owned electric vehicle, and a $4,000 rebate for income-qualified individuals.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Incentives
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission offers incentives of $2,000 - $3,000 per level 2 EV charger for new commercial and residential developments, and $2400 - $3600 per level 2 EV charger for affordable housing developments.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The California Green Building Code requires multifamily properties with 20 or more units and hotels with 20 or more guest rooms to install level 2 EV chargers in five percent of the total parking spaces.
EV Charging Ports
The City of San Francisco has 104.6 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
San Francisco Unified School District set a goal of transitioning to electric school buses by 2030. Students with an individualized education plan (in other words, students with disabilities that need curb-to-curb transportation) will be prioritized during the rollout of electric transportation services.
Electric Transit Bus Goal
The City of San Francisco set a goal of transitioning to an all-electric transit bus fleet by 2035. This is 5 years ahead of the state-mandated 2040 deadline. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency plans to prioritize routes serving disadvantaged communities (identified by the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool) as it transitions to electric buses.
Last Updated: August 2023
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of San Francisco does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place. However, the city is pushing some freight deliveries to off-peak hours by establishing peak-hour loading restrictions on Market Street.
Open Data Portals
The City of San Francisco does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: August 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 13.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
CleanPowerSF is San Francisco's Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, which allows the city to purchase clean energy for its residents. CleanPowerSF provides a variety of clean energy options, with its green service providing 48% renewable energy and its "supergreen" service providing 100% renewable energy. In addition, San Francisco submitted a bid to purchase PG&E’s electricity distribution assets serving San Francisco and associated transmission infrastructure, though the bid was rejected by PG&E in 2019.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is currently the primary natural gas and electric distribution and transmission utility and energy efficiency provider serving the City of San Francisco. The City of San Francisco is an active promoter of the efficiency programs providing technical assistance, quality assurance, contractor training, marketing and outreach, and incentives. On the regional level, the city plays a leadership role in the Bay Area Regional Energy Network and is active in the Bay Area Climate Collaborative. On the state level, San Francisco is a founding member of Green Cities California and helped form the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition. The city works with those organizations and independently strongly advocates at the state level for policies that promote greater reach and depth of energy efficiency programs and additional spending requirements for energy efficiency projects for all of its utilities.
The State of California requires spending and savings targets for its utilities through an EERS and regulates and funds local government-utility partnerships through the California PUC. In 2021, California regulators updated state energy efficiency policies to focus on reducing carbon emissions. The state’s new rule rules value efficiency as a grid and decarbonization resource, encourage utilities to offer more programs that primarily serve communities of color and low-income residents, and encourage workforce development programs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the California page of the State Database.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, a municipally-owned utility, serves the city with access to drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management, and also provides electricity to the city's municipal departments and other retail customers (described in greater detail in the Local Government section).
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, PG&E reported 1,253,154 MWh of net incremental electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.60% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only San Francisco. In 2019, PG&E spent $219,637,147 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.72% of its retail revenue.
In 2019 PG&E reported 27.64 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 1.40% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, PG&E spent $69,359,099 on natural gas energy efficiency, which equates to $16.19 per natural gas residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover PG&E’s entire service jurisdiction, not just the City of San Francisco.
PG&E offers electric and natural gas efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
The City of San Francisco partners with its energy utility through EnergyAccessSF. The partnership offers support to residents and businesses by connecting them with energy programs, rebates, and services. EnergyAccessSF aims to improve access to incentive programs for low-income residents and businesses in San Francisco. In addition to EnergyAccessSF, San Francisco is an active participant and partner in the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), a regional collaboration of the 9 counties that comprise the San Francisco Bay Area.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
PG&E offers the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) to qualified low-income residential customers. The program provides in-home energy education, and direct installation of weatherization and hot water measures, lighting efficiency upgrades, HVAC tune-ups, smart power strips, and refrigerator recycling/replacement at no charge in order to reduce energy consumption in low-income households. The program provides health and safety measures such as the repair and replacement of water heaters and furnaces and minor home repairs. This program is implemented statewide by investor-owned utilities under the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission. It leverages the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Low-Income Weatherization Program offerings.
The ESA Program’s objective is to assist income-qualified customers to reduce their energy consumption and costs while increasing their health, comfort and safety. PG&E has also administered the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program to qualifying customers since 1989. The CARE program provides a monthly discount on energy bills for qualifying single-family residential households, tenants of sub-metered residential facilities, non-profit group living facilities, agricultural employee housing facilities, and migrant farmworker housing centers throughout PG&E’s service area.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC) strongly encourages utilities to leverage funds for low-income energy efficiency and weatherization. PG&E’s ESA Program leverages water agency, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) funding through individually negotiated agreements with the other agencies.
In 2019, PG&E achieved energy savings of 68,951 MWh and 0.47 MMtherms, while spending $96,478,592 and $50,711,276 on its electric and natural gas low-income programs, respectively. PG&E served 17,169 electric and 7,877 natural gas customers with its low-income program in 2019.
In 2020, the San Francisco Department of the Environment launched EnergyAccessSF, specifically targeting energy efficiency services to residents and businesses of CalEnviroScreen 3.0-designated census tracts disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution, as well as economically disadvantaged.
Multifamily Programs
PG&E offers the California New Homes Multifamily Program, Multifamily Upgrade Program, and Multifamily Cooling Optimizer Program. California New Homes Multifamily Program provides support and incentives for multifamily new construction projects to encourage builders to exceed California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards. The Multifamily Upgrade Program promotes and facilitates energy-efficient retrofits of existing multifamily buildings through technical support and incentives. The Multifamily Cooling Optimizer Program is a direct install program focused on HVAC measures in tenant spaces. PG&E also implements the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) for income-qualified multifamily customers.
In 2019, PG&E achieved energy savings of 3,322MWh and 0.23 MMtherms, while spending $6,333,027 on its electric and natural gas multifamily programs. PG&E served 3,322 electric housing units, 26 electric multifamily properties,3,594 natural gas housing units, 3,594 natural gas housing units, and 9 natural gas multifamily properties with its multifamily program in 2019.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
PG&E uses the Green Button data sharing platform for electricity data only. The utility provides automatic data entry into Portfolio Manager if given written consent by the customer. The City of San Francisco and PG&E participated in the US DOE Energy Data Accelerator. In addition, San Francisco, through the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC), participated in CPUC’s Energy Data Access proceeding.
PG&E provides non-confidential, aggregated energy usage data to the public through its Energy Data Request Program. Energy data is publicly released on a monthly basis at the ZIP code level, with significant redaction or further aggregation as needed to comply with California energy data privacy regulations. In addition, PG&E provides citywide energy usage data annually by fuel and customer segment for use in the city’s greenhouse gas inventory. In 2020, BayREN launched the BayREN Energy Atlas, which combines energy usage data with demographic and geographic data prior to publication, allowing more accurate and detailed insight within the limits of California's energy data regulations.
The City of San Francisco and PG&E participated in the US DOE Energy Data Accelerator. In addition, San Francisco, through the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC), participated in CPUC’s Energy Data Access proceeding and served on the Energy Data Access Committee. San Francisco is currently a partner to the Energy Data Vault, a US DOE-funded project developing open source tools and standard methods for the application of differential privacy to advance the distribution of energy usage data and attributes while complying with applicable laws protecting consumer and business energy data privacy.
Last Updated: July 2021
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In 2018, the State of California set a goal of achieving zero-emission energy sources for its electricity generation by 2045. To achieve this goal, PG&E will need to reduce emissions by 3.7% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
CleanPowerSF is the City’s Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, delivered in partnership with PG&E. CleanPowerSF began delivering cleaner energy to San Francisco neighborhoods in May 2016, and currently serves more than two thirds of San Francisco’s total citywide electricity use. In 2020, the program entered into new contracts to add 260 MW of battery storage to expand renewable energy reliability and capacity.
Currently, over 380,000 customers are enrolled in CleanPowerSF. CleanPowerSF has a target of retaining 95% of its active services and have 5% of eligible accounts enrolled in SuperGreen. As of spring 2020, 2% of customers had opted into the SuperGreen program, with an overall program retention rate of 96.1%.
Clean Distributed Energy Resources
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
San Francisco has installed more than 3.5 MW of solar PV on city facilities, and an additional 5 MW on the Sunset Reservoir. San Francisco municipal facilities are served by the Hetch Hetchy Power System, a municipal utility that exclusively generates renewable electricity, comprised of 385 MW hydroelectric capacity, 8.5 MW solar PV, and 3.1 MW biogas.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
The city also offers property assessed clean energy financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects in both residential and commercial buildings.
San Francisco’s GoSolarSF program offers several incentives for property owners installing solar PV systems. There are additional incentives set aside for income-eligible homeowners.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The City of San Francisco and PG&E do not offer joint water and energy efficiency programs, but the city does have water-saving rebates independent of the energy utility. The City has updated codes requiring water-efficient fixtures/systems such as toilets, irrigation systems, and shower heads. Rebates are offered for high-efficiency washers and low-flow toilets, as well as free water saving kits. The City’s water conservation program was expanded to offer custom rebates based on projected savings as well as fixed rebates for common measures, similar to its energy efficiency programs. Additionally, the City provides a rebate for residences building a graywater recycling system on-site. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.
San Francisco aims to use less than 50 gallons of water per capita per day city-wide. Water use in the city has remained below 50 gallons per capita per day since 2014.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
Energy efficiency projects have been completed at 11 water and wastewater facilities, with additional efficiency improvements planned as part of ongoing system renewal work. For example, through the Sewer System Improvement Program, the Southeast Treatment Plant is undergoing operational improvements and upgrades that will include increased energy efficiency and resource recovery.
The SFPUC has installed large electric cogeneration plants that utilize digester gas at two of its wastewater treatment plants, Southeast and Oceanside. Though no energy-savings target has been set, these systems generate 2 MW and 1 MW at peak, respectively. The electricity generated is used on-site. The SFPUC has also installed six different solar photovoltaic projects at its facilities, including a 5 MW solar project at Sunset Reservoir.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
7.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of San Francisco requires all departments to complete annual greenhouse gas reports in its Departmental Climate Action Plans.
Climate Mitigation Goal
Environment Code Section 902 formally codified San Francisco’s citywide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Section 902 establishes an emissions reduction goal of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, with an interim reduction goal of 40% below 1990 levels by 2025. In 2018, the city’s 2050 goal was updated so that the city must now achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will meet its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
We did not find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission provides city buildings with 100% fossil fuel-free electricity and aims to continue to do so. San Francisco's goal is to transition all operations to carbon-free sources by 2050.
Last updated: May 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
San Francisco's Zero Emissions Vehicle Municipal Fleet Ordinance requires 75% of light duty vehicles parked at city facilities (8500 pounds curb weight or less) must be ZEV by 2022. Of this number, no more than 25% can be PHEV. Additionally, all trolley busses, historic cable cars, and light rail vehicles are electric – and electricity for the entire electric transit fleet is 100% GHG-free, supplied by San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. San Francisco’s 2017 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Readiness Plan set objectives for transitioning to alternative fueled and fuel-efficient vehicles for public fleets. San Francisco’s fleet is composed of 19% efficient vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric.
Public Lighting
San Francisco follows California Title 24 Party 6 Energy Standards for outdoor lighting. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has completed conversion of all 18,500 city-owned streetlights to LEDs. Both prior and updated LED fixtures use photocell controls.
Inclusive procurement
Under California law governments cannot give preferential treatment to WMDVLGBTBE suppliers. However, through San Francisco's 14B Local Business Enterprise ordinance the City offers local, certified firms business development and contracting opportunity assistance to help LBEs compete for award of City contracts, enforcement of Bid Discounts/Rating Bonuses, and LBE subcontracting participation requirements. For example, in 2021 CleanPowerSF identified five prime contractors working with nine LBEs. SFPUC operates the Social Impact Partnership (SIP) program where firms voluntarily commit to deliver financial and/or labor support to non-profit organizations and public education. The program is guided by environmental justice, community benefit, and racial justice. Participation in SIP awards bonus points in competitive bidding, as a component of professional services or construction contrract awards of $5M or larger. San Francisco Contract Monitoring Division in the City Administrator's office provides workshops and technical help to bidders, contractors, and City staff; assesses bidder and proposer eligibility for bid discounts and bonus ratings; investigates and mediates disputes; and tracks LBE participation or non-compliance. San Francisco City contractors are subject to the Citywide Project Labor Agreement, adopted via Ordinance 1-19.
Last updated: September 2023
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
San Francisco benchmarks 100% of municipal buildings. The Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance (ECBO) requires the benchmarking of public and private (non-residential) buildings of more than 10,000 square feet, using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The ordinance requires disclosure of the ENERGY STAR score or the energy usage intensity if a score is not available. The 2017 Energy Benchmark Report for Municipal Buildings complies with the ECBO, and voluntarily includes all buildings with non-trivial energy use, regardless of size. The smallest benchmarked municipal building is the Cow Hollow Clubhouse at 675 square feet.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Retrofitting is accounted for annually through budgeting for energy efficiency, by the SFPUC, with retrofits prioritized based on total energy use and other key factors. With the entire municipal portfolio benchmarked annually, the city uses this data to retrofit on the basis of capital budget, utility (SFPUC) efficiency budget, and maintenance status. The city dedicates energy efficiency funding in its annual budget.
Last updated: May 2021