How PG&E is Addressing Legacy Sediment Contamination in San Francisco’s Northern Waterfront

As a part PG&E’s commitment to the planet, we are cleaning up impacts to sediment from historic operations. This project will improve water quality and habitat in San Francisco Bay. We have been coordinating work with regulatory agencies, the Port of San Francisco and stakeholders. Work will begin this summer to remediate underwater sediment from former manufactured gas plant operations. The former Beach Street plant operated more than a century ago.

Cleaning up Legacy impacts to sediment 

In the mid-1800s to early 1900s, manufactured gas plants operated throughout the United States. MGPs were advanced technology at that time. The gas plants used coal and oil to produce gas for heating, cooking and lighting.

The former Beach Street plant started operating in 1899 and PG&E purchased it in 1911. The gas plant was located near today’s Fisherman’s Wharf. By providing energy to the city, these gas plants helped create the city that we know today.

By 1931, natural gas became widely available in San Francisco, and PG&E shut down the Beach Street plant. As was common at the time, byproducts of the gas-making process were left buried on and next to the site. In their current state, impacted sediment do not pose a human health or ecological risk.

Cleanup is needed to be protective of marine life in the event of future dredging activities.

This is a joint project with the Port of San Francisco. The goal of the project is to address potential impacts from the MGP following today’s regulatory standards. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region will oversee all work.

The remediation is expected to take five years. Work consists of the removal and/or in-place capping of impacted sediment between Piers 39 and 43½. In-water work will take place between June and November of each year. This work window is protective of migratory fish (salmon and steelhead).

Working with our neighbors

The project area is home to many maritime tenants. Close coordination has been required to prepare for the in-water work. In some cases, temporary relocation of maritime operations is needed to make way for the cleanup efforts.

Since February of this year, some maritime tenants have been relocating operations. These relocations will end in May before remediation work beginning in June. PG&E is helping with the costs of the relocations. 

PG&E is committed to working with our neighbors. PG&E has conducted more than 60 working group meetings over the past several years. We have been meeting with those most impacted to listen, address concerns and reduce impacts.

“We had concerns about temporarily relocating our fleet vessels, but PG&E listened and was responsive. Ultimately, PG&E paid for the costs associated with the relocation, and they and the Port of San Francisco are committed to ensuring the relocation efforts go smoothly,” said Tyler Foster, managing director of Red and White Fleet.

Protecting wildlife and bay waters

Maritime vessel operators are not the only neighbors PG&E is working with on this project. We are making sure to protect the area’s most popular tenants, the California sea lions.

PG&E has prepared a plan to protect sea lions and other marine mammals near the work area. This includes staffing the work areas with specialized marine mammal monitors. The monitors will keep an eye on marine mammals to ensure they do not get too close to work. PG&E has shared work and marine mammal protections plans with The Marine Mammal Center and is coordinating with the center on potential educational opportunities.

The project provides additional ecological protection for these marine mammals and other aquatic species during future port dredging activities.

“PG&E has been proactive with reaching out to our organization, providing information on the project, encouraging collaboration to protect marine mammals and creating educational opportunities around the work,” said Jeff Boehm, chief external relations officer of The Marine Mammal Center.

Upholding our commitment to communities

PG&E has a longstanding commitment to serve the planet. This project is one of the many ways we deliver on this purpose. To learn more about PG&E’s efforts to take responsibility and cleanup legacy contamination, visit pge.com/environmentalremediation.

Contact us

PG&E is committed to keeping our neighbors and stakeholders informed about our work. If you have any questions about this project, please reach out to: (415) 973-0270 or email remediation@pge.com.

For more information about the project, visit sfport.com/beachstreet. You can also learn more in this project fact sheet.

Visit pge.com/mgp for more information about former manufactured gas plants.