Costa Mesa, California, September 6, 2025
News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved a proposal to draft an ordinance for joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) with a 5-2 vote. This initiative aims to enhance renewable energy use and potentially lower energy costs for the city’s residents. The OCPA, established in 2020, allows its members to control their renewable energy purchases and allocate revenues for community needs. However, concerns about OCPA’s management and stability have led to cautious deliberations by the council, with further discussions scheduled for October 7.
California – The Costa Mesa City Council has taken a significant step towards joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) by approving a 5-2 vote to draft an ordinance that will facilitate the enrollment of ratepayers in a community choice aggregation (CCA) program. This decision aims to enhance the use of renewable energy in the city while potentially lowering energy costs for residents.
Established in 2020, OCPA is an initiative designed to provide sustainable energy solutions and customer-focused programs. The authority allows its members to decide on the amount of renewable energy they wish to purchase, set customer rates, and allocate surplus revenues towards community energy programs and sustainability efforts. Currently, OCPA has established itself with a reserve amounting to 16% of its operating costs, which is projected to increase to 30% by next year.
In July, the Costa Mesa City Council authorized OCPA to conduct an analysis of the city’s energy load data from Southern California Edison. This analysis aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the city joining the OCPA program. The results from this assessment were presented on Tuesday by OCPA’s chief executive, Joe Mosca. Costa Mesa has approximately 50,558 customers who collectively utilized 631,172 megawatt-hours of energy between 2023 and 2024. Expected revenues from Costa Mesa for OCPA are projected to be $75.1 million by the fiscal year 2027-28, against an operating expense forecast of $64.1 million.
In order for Costa Mesa to officially become a member of OCPA, a decision must be reached by December, with the aim of initiating service by March 2027. Current OCPA members include cities such as Irvine, Buena Park, and Fullerton, with Fountain Valley expected to join by October 2026. Notably, Buena Park has witnessed a decrease in carbon emissions by over 350 million pounds since joining OCPA, equivalent to removing approximately 38,000 gas-powered vehicles from the roads.
Despite these potential benefits, skepticism remains regarding OCPA’s operations. The recent departures of Huntington Beach and Orange County have raised questions about audits that examined the authority’s management and financial practices. Additionally, OCPA has been criticized for its interactions with municipalities, which included allegations of misrepresentation about rates and energy plan options.
The Costa Mesa City Council has expressed caution regarding OCPA’s troubled history, particularly due to recent leadership changes and accusations of not adhering to procurement policies. During discussions, Councilman Don Harper raised concerns regarding the independence of feasibility studies conducted by OCPA. The proposed ordinance declaring Costa Mesa’s intent to join OCPA will be further reviewed during the upcoming council meeting scheduled for October 7. The council is expected to evaluate community energy goals and discuss potential options.
Amidst these deliberations, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez highlighted the necessity for reduced energy costs for local residents, probing into the possibility of incorporating an opt-out clause should projected savings not materialize. Council members are proceeding with caution and may seek additional data as well as an independent analysis before making a final decision regarding participation in the program.
Key Highlights of OCPA and Costa Mesa’s Potential Membership
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 2020 |
| Current Reserves | 16% of operating costs |
| Projected Future Reserves | 30% of operating costs |
| Projected Revenues by 2027-28 | $75.1 million |
| Estimated Operating Expenses | $64.1 million |
| Number of Customers in Costa Mesa | 50,558 |
| Energy Consumption (2023-2024) | 631,172 megawatt-hours |
FAQs
What is the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA)?
The OCPA is a community choice aggregation program formed to increase the use of renewable energy and potentially lower customer energy rates for member cities in Orange County.
What does joining OCPA entail for Costa Mesa residents?
If Costa Mesa joins OCPA, the authority will purchase renewable energy on behalf of the city’s residents, set energy rates, and determine how to utilize surplus revenue for community projects.
When would Costa Mesa start receiving services from OCPA?
The anticipated service commencement date for Costa Mesa, if membership is approved, is March 2027.
What are the concerns related to OCPA?
Concerns include skepticism surrounding OCPA’s management, audits of financial practices, misrepresentation of information about rates, and recent leadership changes.
What is the next step for the Costa Mesa City Council?
The city council will discuss the proposed ordinance further on October 7, focusing on community energy goals and the viability of joining OCPA.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Leaning Towards Joining OCPA
- Wikipedia: Community Choice Aggregation
- OC Register: Costa Mesa Considering Green Power Agency
- Google Search: Costa Mesa OCPA
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Explores OCPA Feasibility
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Choice Aggregation
- Los Angeles Times: OC Supervisors Withdraw From OCPA
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