# City officials call PG&E’s $20B grid price 'absurd'

> San Francisco officials dismiss PG&E’s $20 billion grid valuation as 'absurd' amid ongoing public power debate.
- Title: City officials call PG&E’s $20B grid price 'absurd' | Shortify
- Summary: San Francisco officials dismiss PG&E’s $20 billion grid valuation as 'absurd' amid ongoing public power debate. San Francisco city officials reject PG&E’s…
- Keywords: san francisco, pge, public utilities commission, city council, grid takeover, electricity, blackout, public power, news, local, City, officials
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/15/pge-public-power-patti-poppe-utilities-bill
- Published: 2026-10-15T22:22:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: san francisco, pge, public utilities commission, city council, grid takeover, electricity, blackout, public power, news, local
## City officials react to PG&E’s $20B grid price
City leaders called PG&E’s $20 billion figure for San Francisco’s grid 'absurd', 'fantasy', and 'inflated'.

> Absurd. Fantasy. Inflated.
## City’s $16.9B budget vs PG&E’s $20B claim
The city’s annual budget is $16.9 billion, while PG&E’s grid price tag is nearly six times higher than the city’s estimate.
## PG&E CEO Patti Poppe’s $20B figure
PG&E CEO Patti Poppe announced the $20 billion figure Wednesday, claiming it reflects the true value of San Francisco’s grid assets.
## City’s $3.4B grid valuation
The city estimates San Francisco’s grid at $3.4 billion, stating it includes updated cost estimates and asset details from PG&E.
## PG&E’s justification for $20B price
PG&E says the city’s estimate leaves out key costs like severance payments for remaining customers and wildfire risk reduction programs.
## City’s public power takeover push
The city has argued that a municipal-owned utility would be cheaper for ratepayers than PG&E’s investor-owned model.
## PG&E’s opposition to takeover
PG&E has opposed city-led grid takeover for years, claiming the city lacks the capacity to manage infrastructure.
## CPUC valuation process timeline
The city has until February 22 to respond to PG&E’s CPUC filing, with a second response due by March 24.
## Loretta Lynch’s warning
Former CPUC president Loretta Lynch warned state regulators might be too deferential to PG&E during valuation proceedings.
## Mayor Lurie’s stance
Mayor Daniel Lurie said all options are on the table but remains unhappy with PG&E’s performance, especially after December’s blackout.
## Key takeaway

San Francisco city officials reject PG&E’s $20 billion grid price tag as inflated, claiming the city’s $3.4 billion estimate includes key costs PG&E says are missing.