The head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission says Monday's announcement by Pacific Gas & Electric that it plans to file for bankruptcy protection has led the city to consider buying some of PG&E's electricity distribution system.
The comments by SFPUC General Manager Harlan Kelly came after Mayor London Breed reassured residents in the city — where PG&E is headquartered — that their gas and electric service will not be affected by the company's financial problems.
"People will still have complete access to power in their homes, their businesses, and throughout the city," Breed said in a statement.
PG&E said it plans to file for bankruptcy protection because it's facing potentially vast liabilities resulting from wildfires that devastated parts of Northern California in 2017 and 2018.
The move came after the utility announced that its CEO, Geisha Williams, has resigned.
Mayor Breed said she has directed the SFPUC to study any impacts the PG&E bankruptcy will have on the city, and to identify options the city has "to ensure that everyone in San Francisco has access to clean, safe, and reliable power."