Forty-Year Old Potrero Power Plant Continues to Pollute Southeast San Francisco

By Deia de Brito

Almost a decade ago the Potrero Power Plant Citizen’s Task Force was created by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to examine Mirant Corporation’s proposal to construct a 540 megawatt (MW) generating station to replace the existing Potrero Power Plant, San Francisco’s largest single pollution source.  Had the California Energy Commission approved the proposal, the new, larger facility would have operated for at least a third of a century.  Mirant pitched the plant, in part...

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Opera Singing Mom Competes in Classical Music’s “American Idol”

By Lori Higa

To Heidi Moss, opera singing and science are a lot alike. “Both require a strong foundation of nitty-gritty work, but once you get into the lab, or start the music, that’s when magic happens through creative leaps.”  The petite, blond Potrero Hill resident created some magic when she became one of three finalists for the top spot in classical radio station KDFC’s 2008 Classical Star Search, a kind of American Idol meets YouTube contest where the winner gets $2,500.  What...

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Some Hill Residents Unhappy with Proposed Muni Route Changes

By Heather World

After months of study and public input, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA) recently released its suggested changes to the City’s public transit system, including proposals to add and eliminate Southeast San Francisco routes.  If adopted, SFMTA’s Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP) would trigger the most comprehensive changes to San Francisco Municipal Railway, known as “Muni,” routes in a quarter-century.    ...

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Issue Highlight

Contemporary Jewish Museum

By Jim Van Buskirk

Opening next month, the Contemporary Jewish Museum is a dramatic addition to South-of-Market, and one of the last pieces of the City’s decades-long redevelopment of Yerba Buena.  The Museum, which was designed by internationally-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, imaginatively incorporates reuse of the landmark Jessie Street Pacific Gas and Electric Company substation, which played a key role in restoring electricity to San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire. ...