San Francisco is a first among American cities when it comes to environmental leadership.

Our Climate Action Plan seeks to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.5 million tons by 2012, exceeding even the Kyoto Protocol. Our new SFGreasecycle program, which turns used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, has sparked inquiries from cities around the world. Our recycling rate is the highest in the United States. And our municipal fleet is among the cleanest.

I could go on at length about the many other green innovations San Francisco is making, but I believe the point is clear: As a city, we understand that if we don’t act now to reverse global warming, the opportunity may be lost forever. This is exactly why we must look for alternatives to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission plan to build three new fossil-fuel burning power plants right in the middle of The City.

The SFPUC plan would replace one polluting power plant with another. It would cost the ratepayers up to an estimated $250 million. And it would violate our city’s commitment to protecting the environment.

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Rather than moving forward with a plan to build expensive and polluting power plants, why don’t we develop a plan to meet The City’s power needs through clean and renewable energy?

Solar, wind and hydroelectric power are now more viable and plentiful than ever before. They offer a practical and green alternative to increasing our reliance on fossil fuels — an alternative that we must fully explore.

Building new gas-burning power plants is a throwback to the days when our reliance on fossil fuels was unquestioned. What’s more, the California Public Utilities Commission has said that the new power plants proposed by the SFPUC are not necessary to meet The City’s energy needs. And a study conducted at The City’s request made clear that we could ensure the closure of the polluting Mirant Power Plant without building a single new gas-burning plant.

With a decision of this importance before us, it is critical that we weigh the facts and consider the alternatives before making a permanent black mark on San Francisco’s record of environmental stewardship.

Michela Alioto-Pier represents District 2 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.