Goal 8 Energy Utilities

Goal PFS-8: Ensure the provision of adequate gas and electric services to Hayward residents and businesses, and ensure energy facilities are constructed in a fashion that minimizes their impacts on surrounding development and maximizes efficiency. 

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides electrical and natural gas service to the Hayward Planning Area. PG&E maintains three major transmission lines running west to east across Alameda county to substations in Hayward, San Mateo, and Fremont. There are also several renewable energy facilities (e.g., Water Pollution Control FacilityCogeneration System, CSU East Bay Fuel Cell Station, and the Hayward Wastewater Solar Facility) and many smaller onsite renewable energy facilities on .

Policies in this section support the maintenance and expansion of city electricity and gas service.  Utility providers will ensure that transmission facilities incorporate safety features and the latest technological advancement.The City will require utility facilities to reduce habitat and visual impacts, and will encourage utility rights-of-way to be used as open space.

The City shall continue to work closely with energy providers (e.g., PG&E) to ensure that adequate electricity and natural gas services are available for existing and newly developing areas.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall encourage utility providers to provide efficient, reliable, affordable, and state-of-the-art service, and shall promote technological improvements and upgrading of utility services.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall coordinate with energy providers (e.g., PG&E)in the siting and design of gas and electric facilities to minimize environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall work with regulators and energy providers (e.g., PG&E) to regularly monitor, evaluate, and maintain the safety of utility facilities (e.g., gas pipelines and electric lines and transformers). Where facilities are found to be a potential safety concern,especially those that could be impacted by seismic events, the City shall support utility provider efforts to repair and/or replace the affected facilities.

Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall require that all new utility lines constructed as part of new development projects are installed underground or, in the case of transformers, pad-mounted.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall encourage the undergrounding of existing overhead facilities.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)

The City shall encourage energy providers (e.g., PG&E) to maintain and repair gas pipelines and electric utility lines, both overhead and underground) to ensure reliable service and limit service disruptions. The City shall inform energy providers of upcoming roadway or other public projects that provide opportunities to inspect or repair underground utility lines.

City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)Inter-governmental Coordination (IGC)Joint Partnerships with the Private Sector (JP)

The City shall encourage energy providers (e.g., PG&E) to offer their support and assistance in integrating individual renewable energy systems (e.g., solar systems) into the electricity grid.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Public Information (PI)

The City shall ensure that PG&E rights-of-way are considered for use as public or private open space, trails, parkland, community gardens, or other compatible passive recreational uses.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)Public Information (PI)