Irvine City Council Calls Special Meeting To Consider Withdrawing From The Orange County Power Authority
The Irvine City Council has scheduled a special meeting for this Thursday at 8:00 am for one closed session item and one business agenda item (possibly related) to discuss the City’s future involvement in the controversial Orange County Power Authority.
Agenda Item 2.1 – Consideration and direction regarding withdrawal and conditions for continued participation in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA).
This hastily planned discussion by the City of Irvine follows the recent vote by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to leave the OCPA and a vote by the City of Huntington Beach to consider leaving the agency.
At its meeting on December 20, 2022, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to leave the OCPA because of concerns over OCPA business practices, management issues, transparency, and its failure to deliver on commitments to provide cheaper and cleaner energy.
Supervisor Katrina Foley, who cast the deciding vote for the unincorporated areas of Orange County to leave the OCPA, said, “It boils down to trust and transparency for me, and I don’t trust the information. I don’t think we’ll be able to fix what I think are systematic operational issues.”
The City of Huntington Beach voted at its December 20, 2022, meeting to consider withdrawing from the controversial agency. Councilmember and newly appointed OCPA Boardmember Casey McKeon said, “It’s been well documented in the press of how much of a dumpster fire the Orange County Power Authority is,”
The Orange County Power Authority has a troubled short history. The Orange County Grand Jury audited the agency and issued a scathing report. To read the grand jury report, click here. The OC Board of Supervisors conducted internal and outside audits of the OCPA. Both validated many of the serious concerns expressed by members of the public, the press, and the Grand Jury audit. The County’s internal audit report can be read HERE. The County’s outside performance audit can be read HERE.
How to Participate in Irvine City Council Meetings
Members of the public can always attend City Council meetings in person at Irvine City Hall and make public comments. If you are not able to attend in person, you can view City Council meetings on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 30 and U-Verse Channel 99. In addition, City Council meetings are available via live webcast and anytime for replaying through the City’s ICTV webpage at cityofirvine.org/ictv. You may submit comments on any item in writing by email to [email protected]; or through e-comment at cityofirvine.org/ictv. You may also provide live comments via “zoom.”
