Acting Director Harvey told the Board of Public Utilities that on Oct. 31, 2025 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission circulated notice accepting PG&E’s Potter Valley Project license‑surrender application and related filings. At the direction of the BPU and the Santa Rosa City Council, the city filed a motion to intervene in the FERC proceeding on Nov. 24, 2025 to monitor and participate in what staff expects to be a multi‑year administrative process related to PG&E’s proposed decommissioning and license surrender.

Harvey said intervention gives the city party status to receive notices and to participate as appropriate. Staff said it will continue to provide the board with timely updates on Potter Valley developments, including any proposed construction of a new Eel‑to‑Russian River diversion facility intended to allow continued diversions after decommissioning.

Public commenter Michael Hilbert urged caution, saying diversions under the proposed plan may be limited to wet months and questioned whether the diversion facility could reliably top up storage in Lake Mendocino during successive drought years. He recommended the public remain skeptical of assurances that storage will be topped up even in severe drought conditions.

Staff did not announce new city actions beyond the intervention filing; staff said it will monitor the FERC schedule and provide clarification about intervener rights to the full board.