The more electricity we save, the fewer power plants need to be built, the more reliable our energy supply becomes. Reducing consumption also is a much cheaper option than building more generation. For several years, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commision has been saving City departments and millions of kilowatt-hours of electricity through energy conservation and efficiency programs.

Energy efficiency is so important to San Francisco that in 2001 Mayor Willie Brown created the Mayor's Energy Conservation Account, which has directed $25 million to finance aggressive energy efficiency projects in city buildings and facilities.

In promoting energy efficiency, the Power Enterprise is following abundant policy guidance for carrying on energy efficiency work in municipal facilities. The Power Enterprise focuses energy efficiency programs on the largest municipal consumers.

Retrofit projects include: light retrofits, HVAC and other equipment modifications or replacement, and automation. Recent retrofit projects include the Moscone Convention Center Energy Project (lighting and controls - 800 kW peak savings), SF General Hospital Lighting project (700 kW peak savings), and current projects at powerhouses and cottages at Moccasin as well as SF General Hospital central plant. A typical project cycle is approximately three years for planning, development, construction and activation. The investment in efficiency projects can be recovered quickly, often in less than five years.