PG&E CEO Withdraws Claim of Opera House Power Request During Blackout
On December 21, a blackout impacted approximately one-third of San Francisco, leaving many areas, including City Hall, without power. However, the War Memorial Opera House received special attention, as it hosted performances of “The Nutcracker.” The discrepancy raised questions about why PG&E prioritized the opera house while other parts of the city remained dark.
PG&E’s Response During the Blackout
During a Board of Supervisors hearing, PG&E CEO Sumeet Singh stated that Mayor Daniel Lurie had requested power restoration for the opera house. Nevertheless, Singh later retracted his assertion, suggesting it was a misunderstanding. He noted that when the mayor made the request, about 10% of PG&E customers were still facing blackouts due to a fire at a substation on Eighth and Mission Streets.
Critical Performance Dates and Ticket Sales
The opera house’s performances were crucial during the holiday season. The San Francisco Ballet’s productions can generate over $450,000 in ticket sales during weekends. The mayor’s daughter, Taya Lurie, played the lead role of Clara in the matinee performance on the day of the blackout.
- Date of Blackout: December 20
- Performance of “The Nutcracker”: December 21
- Estimated Ticket Sales: More than $450,000
Controversy Surrounding Restoration Requests
Criticism arose about PG&E’s choice to prioritize the arts venue over residential areas. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood questioned why the opera house was selected for power restoration when many residents in single room occupancies faced outages. In response, Singh emphasized that the mayor’s request influenced their decision.
Mayor Lurie’s office contested Singh’s claims, stating that the mayor had worked tirelessly to restore power throughout San Francisco. His spokesperson clarified that the mayor never directed PG&E to focus on specific venues.
Community Impact and Future Actions
The blackout created widespread disruption across San Francisco. It affected traffic signals, public transportation systems, and local businesses. As the situation evolved, discussions about transitioning to public power reignited, with state Senator Scott Wiener announcing plans to introduce legislation enabling cities to move away from reliance on PG&E.
With ongoing petitions to assess the value of PG&E’s electric assets in San Francisco and an environmental analysis in progress, the future of the utility in the city remains uncertain. The final report on public power efforts is expected in April.
