Candidate for
Director; Proposed San Francisco-Brisbane Municipal Utility District; Ward 3

WHAT WILL BE PHIL TING'S PRIORITIES AS MUD DIRECTOR?

San Francisco needs to join the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and other regions in California and declare our independence from in-state and out-of-state power suppliers who are gouging our city. The time to take back control over our natural resources is now. The question is not whether we need public power, but what is the most practical and feasible way to implement it. We cannot take a chance with unsound policies and special interest politics.

As a Director of the Municipal Utility District Board ("MUD"), I will immediately address the issues of decreasing energy demand as well as increasing supply. I will call for (1) implementation of policies to develop renewable energy resources, (2) preservation of current jobs and the need to insure fair wages and benefits for future employees, (3) feasibility studies to examine the public ownership options of electricity generation, transmission and distribution for San Francisco and (4) a review of incentives and tax advantages for consumers and businesses that want to conserve energy.

Renewable energy plays a major role in ensuring we expand energy conservation and efficiency measures. And energy conservation works: already the State has reduced its energy usage by 20% since the start of the energy crisis. Now, we must look at renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. For example, in Sacramento, the MUD uses the methane from a landfill site for natural gas.

The MUD needs to preserve the jobs of working people. Cost saving should not and will not come at the expense of the people employed in the energy industry.

By calling for feasibility studies, the MUD could immediately investigate different options to take over electricity delivery in San Francisco. While feasibility studies take time, they are an important component to make sure MUD properly implements a good service provision strategy. It is critical that MUD purchase and/or generate enough power to service all its customers at a reasonable price.

A critical component of MUD's success will be its ability to ensure lower costs to the consumer. Additional MUD programs should include rebates for residential and small business customers, loan guarantees for the business community, incentives for renewable generators, and an aggressive public awareness campaign.

Although we need to address our energy crisis immediately, we need to ensure a thoughtful process and an open dialogue with key constituencies from all over the city. Full participation and open disclosure will be my top priority and should be everyone else's, because we cannot get through this unless we work together. We must put an end to the back room and secret negotiations.