Orange County Power Authority
{{Infobox government agency
| seal = File:Orange-County-Power-Authority-Logo.svg
| formed = 2021
| jurisdiction = Government of Orange County, California
| chief1_name = Joe Mosca
| chief1_position = CEO{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.ocpower.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Orange County Power Authority |language=en-US}}
| website = https://www.ocpower.org/
| agency_type = Community Choice Aggregation
}}
The Orange County Power Authority (abbreviated to OCPA) is a joint municipal power authority in Orange County, California currently serving Buena Park, Irvine, Fullerton, and Fountain Valley. It is a community choice aggregation authority, purchasing power on behalf of ratepayers, while Southern California Edison operates local transmission infrastructure and billing.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-19 |title=Community Choice Energy & OCPA |url=https://www.cityofirvine.org/energy/community-choice-energy |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=City of Irvine |language=en}} It purchases an equivalent amount of energy that customers use and puts it on the CAISO grid, balancing supply and demand.
It currently procures renewable electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass sources, and non-renewable energy from nuclear and fossil gas sources. Three energy rates are provided, "100% Renewable", "Smart Choice" at 72% renewable, and "Basic Choice" at 44% renewable.{{Cite web |title=Commercial Renewable Energy Plans - OCPA |url=https://www.ocpower.org/your-options/commercial/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Orange County Power Authority |language=en-US}}
History
In 2019, the Irvine City Council voted unanimously to consider forming a CCE authority with other cities. In 2021, Irvine approved the creation of the Orange County Power Authority. In 2022, Irvine and Buena Park approved the default use of 100% renewable energy for their ratepayers, while Fullerton selected 70%. Service began for commercial customers in April 2022 and residential customers in October 2022.
In February 2023, the California State Auditor conducted an audit, highlighting lack of board oversight and qualified staff, and the loss of customers, and poor administrative processes. 3 other audits were conducted with similar results. In April 2023, the board of the power authority fired CEO Brian Probolsky in a split vote after audits found Probolsky approved $1.8 million in contracts without board approval.{{Cite web |last=Biesiada |first=Noah |date=2023-04-19 |title=Orange County Power Authority Fires Controversial CEO After Two Years of Unrest |url=https://voiceofoc.org/2023/04/orange-county-power-authority-fires-controversial-ceo-after-two-years-of-unrest/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Voice of OC |language=en-US}} In May 2023, Huntington Beach voted to withdraw from the OC Power Authority, which was completed on July 1, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Biesiada |first=Noah |date=2024-10-08 |title=What is the Future of the Orange County Power Authority? |url=https://voiceofoc.org/2024/10/what-is-the-future-of-the-orange-county-power-authority/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Voice of OC |language=en-US}}
The Power Authority completed its improvement plan following the recommendations, which included improving transparency and oversight, along with the hiring of more qualified personnel for power procurement and administration.{{Cite web |title=OCPA Improvement Plan |url=https://www.ocpower.org/resources/improvement-plan/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Orange County Power Authority |language=en-US}} It also improved processes for reviewing contracting proposals to ensure fair bidding and track project completion. Joe Mosca was promoted from interim CEO to CEO in March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Peter J. |date=2024-03-19 |title=OC Power Authority Names Permanent CEO |url=https://www.ocbj.com/uncategorized/oc-power-authority-names-permanent-ceo/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Orange County Business Journal |language=en-US}}
Costa Mesa is considering joining the OC Power Authority.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-19 |title=Costa Mesa considering switching from Edison to green power agency |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/07/19/costa-mesa-considering-switching-from-edison-to-green-power-agency/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}} Fountain Valley joined OCPA in November 2024 at the default Smart Choice rate.{{Cite web |last=Tour |first=Jesse La |date=2022-09-01 |title=New Electric Service Begins in October |url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2022/09/01/new-electric-service-begins-in-october/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Fullerton Observer |language=en-US}}
The City of Irvine has considered leaving the power authority.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.ocpower.org/}}