Costa Mesa, September 6, 2025
News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has voted to draft an ordinance to enroll local ratepayers in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), a community choice aggregation program that aims to enhance renewable energy usage and potentially lower energy costs. The decision, made with a 5-2 vote, follows analysis from OCPA on Costa Mesa’s energy demand. While the potential financial benefits are positive, concerns about transparency and management practices within OCPA have been voiced. Further discussions are scheduled for an upcoming council meeting.
California – The Costa Mesa City Council has taken a significant step towards participating in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) by voting 5-2 to draft an ordinance that would enroll local ratepayers in a community choice aggregation (CCA) program. This initiative aims to increase the use of renewable energy and possibly reduce energy costs for residents.
The OCPA, which was established in 2020, empowers its member cities to make critical decisions related to renewable energy purchases, rate-setting, and allocation of surplus revenue toward community energy programs and sustainability projects. Following a council decision in July, the OCPA conducted an analysis of Costa Mesa’s energy load data provided by Southern California Edison (SCE) to evaluate the feasibility of joining the program. The results of this analysis were reported during a recent council meeting by OCPA’s chief executive.
According to the OCPA, its reserves currently represent 16% of its operating costs, with projections indicating an increase to 30% by next year. The agency highlights that community choice aggregation has proliferated in California since 2002, with 25 CCAs now serving 14 million customers, amounting to 26% of the total energy load in the state. In Costa Mesa alone, 50,558 customers consumed 631,172 megawatt-hours of energy between 2023 and 2024.
The anticipated financial impact for Costa Mesa includes expected revenues of $75.1 million by the 2027-28 period, with operating expenses projected at about $64.1 million. For the city to officially join OCPA, the board of directors must vote on membership by December, with service expected to commence by March 2027. Currently, other members of OCPA include cities like Irvine, Buena Park, and Fullerton, with Fountain Valley planning to join by October 2026.
One of the notable successes mentioned is Buena Park’s reported decrease in carbon emissions by over 350 million pounds since integrating with OCPA, which is equivalent to taking approximately 38,000 gas-powered vehicles off the road. However, there is skepticism surrounding the OCPA due to previous challenges, particularly after the exits of Huntington Beach and Orange County, which raised concerns through audits about management and financial practices. Issues included allegations of misrepresentation regarding rates and plan options, leading to questions about the transparency of the organization’s dealings with member cities.
Moreover, the council has expressed worries about OCPA’s operational history, citing recent leadership changes and potential deviations from standard procurement procedures. Councilman Don Harper specifically highlighted concerns regarding the independence of feasibility studies conducted by OCPA.
The upcoming council meeting on October 7 will continue discussions regarding the proposed ordinance, with an emphasis on reviewing community energy goals and evaluating the available options. Mayor Pro Tem Chavez has voiced the necessity for lowering energy costs for residents, suggesting the inclusion of an opt-out clause if expected savings fall short. Cautious members of the council may seek additional data and independent analyses before making a final determination to participate fully in the OCPA program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA)?
How will joining the OCPA benefit Costa Mesa residents?
What steps does Costa Mesa need to take to join OCPA?
Key Features of OCPA and Costa Mesa’s Involvement
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Agency Purpose | Increase renewable energy use and lower costs for consumers. |
| Membership | Current members include Irvine, Buena Park, and Fullerton. |
| Projected Revenues | Estimated $75.1 million from Costa Mesa by 2027-28. |
| Energy Consumption | Costa Mesa had a total energy use of 631,172 megawatt-hours between 2023-2024. |
| Skepticism | Concerns about management practices and financial transparency. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Leaning Toward Joining O.C. Power Authority
- Wikipedia: Community Choice Aggregation
- Orange County Register: Costa Mesa Considering Switching to Green Power Agency
- Google Search: Costa Mesa energy costs
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Explores Joining Orange County Power Authority
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Renewable Energy
- Orange County Register: Irvine Threatens to Leave O.C. Power Authority
- Google News: Orange County Power Authority
