San Francisco health clinics provide access to crucial primary care by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, and accessibility for their patients. However, like many buildings across San Francisco, operating these facilities with natural gas heating appliances generates emissions and contributes to the City’s carbon footprint.

Today’s vote repeals the City’s drought surcharge adopted in 2021 in response to exceptionally dry weather conditions across the state.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)’s Green Infrastructure Grant Program is a resource for property owners, providing up to $2 million per project to install green infrastructure that captures stormwater runoff from at least 0.5 acres of impermeable surface. The Spring 2023 Grant Cycle is open, and applications are due Friday, June 2. Green infrastructure, like rain gardens, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavement, captures stormwater runoff from rain that falls on our rooftops, driveways, streets, and sidewalks. During heavy storms, this relieves the burden on our city’s combined sewer system, which treats both stormwater runoff and sewage before releasing them into the bay or ocean. By adding plants and soil to the urban landscape, green infrastructure also reduces urban heat island effect, provides natural habitat for wildlife, cleans our air, and makes our streets more beautiful and enjoyable.

In a field crowded with male engineers, Grace Samish is thriving. And now, after almost six years in the industry, she recalls her path to a career in Mechanical Engineering was not typical. “It all started when I was at City College taking general courses. I didn’t know what I wanted to do.”

This Women's History Month, Carla Vaughn recalls the challenges women have had to overcome and how society and progressive movements are helping pave the future.