Costa Mesa, California, September 6, 2025
News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council voted 5-2 to draft an ordinance to enroll local ratepayers in the Orange County Power Authority, a move aimed at increasing renewable energy use and potentially lowering energy costs for residents. Following an analysis of energy load data from Southern California Edison, the city may become an official OCPA member by December 2026, with services expected to start by March 2027. Despite many benefits, council members expressed concerns over OCPA’s past operations and have called for additional data before finalizing the membership.
California – The Costa Mesa City Council has voted 5-2 in favor of drafting an ordinance to enroll local ratepayers in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), a community choice aggregation (CCA) program aimed at increasing renewable energy usage and possibly reducing energy costs for residents. This decision could see Costa Mesa become an official member of OCPA, with a membership vote expected by December 2026 to allow service to commence by March 2027.
Established in 2020, the OCPA allows member cities to collectively purchase energy, thus having the power to set energy rates and make decisions on the proportion of renewable energy to buy. The authority also aims to direct surplus revenue into various community energy programs and sustainability initiatives.
In preparation for this potential membership, the council had previously authorized OCPA to analyze the city’s energy load data from Southern California Edison (SCE), a vital step in assessing the feasibility of joining the program. Results from this analysis were presented by OCPA’s chief executive, Joe Mosca, during a recent council meeting.
Currently, OCPA has reserves that account for 16% of its operating costs, with projections indicating an increase to 30% by 2024. Additionally, since the launch of CCAs in California in 2002, 25 such organizations now service approximately 14 million customers across the state, representing 26% of its energy load. For its part, Costa Mesa serves around 50,558 customers, which collectively consumed 631,172 megawatt-hours of energy between 2023 – 2024.
Expected revenues for OCPA from Costa Mesa are projected at $75.1 million by 2027-28, against anticipated operating expenses of $64.1 million. Current members of the OCPA include Irvine, Buena Park, and Fullerton, with Fountain Valley expecting to join by October 2026.
Buena Park has notably reported a significant reduction in carbon emissions since joining OCPA, with declines of over 350 million pounds equivalent to taking 38,000 gas-powered vehicles off the roads. However, despite these successes, skepticism looms over OCPA’s operations due to previous controversies. Doubts were amplified following Huntington Beach and Orange County’s departure from OCPA, further fueled by audits that questioned its management practices and financial viability.
Some council members raised concerns regarding the transparency and accuracy of OCPA’s past communications with cities, including allegations of misrepresenting rates and plan options. Furthermore, Councilman Don Harper pointed to the independence of feasibility studies conducted by OCPA as an area of concern.
As discussions continue, the proposed ordinance will be reviewed again in a council meeting scheduled for October 7, where members plan to delve into the community’s energy goals and evaluate potential options. Mayor Pro Tem Chavez has expressed the importance of ensuring lower energy costs for residents and suggested the necessity of an opt-out clause should projected savings fail to manifest.
There’s a cautious approach from the council members as they proceed. They have indicated a desire for additional data and independent analyses before making any final decisions about fully committing to the OCPA program.
FAQ
What is the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA)?
The OCPA is a community choice aggregation program designed to empower local governments to purchase and provide renewable energy to their residents, aimed at enhancing sustainability and potentially lowering energy costs.
How does becoming a member of OCPA benefit Costa Mesa residents?
Membership in OCPA is intended to bolster the availability of renewable energy and can lead to lower energy costs for residents, along with funding for community energy programs focused on sustainability.
What are the current reserves and revenue projections for OCPA?
OCPA’s current reserves stand at 16% of operating costs, projected to rise to 30% next year. Expected revenues from Costa Mesa by 2027-28 are estimated at $75.1 million, with operating expenses of approximately $64.1 million.
What concerns have council members raised regarding joining OCPA?
Council members have expressed skepticism regarding OCPA’s management history, including past departures of member cities, financial audits, and questions about the accuracy of provided information about energy rates and options.
When will Costa Mesa make a final decision about joining OCPA?
A final decision is expected in December 2026, with services projected to start in March 2027 after the required membership vote takes place.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Vote Outcome | Costa Mesa City Council voted 5-2 in favor of drafting an ordinance to join OCPA. |
| OCPA Formation | Established in 2020 to enhance renewable energy and potentially lower rates. |
| Projected Revenue | Estimated at $75.1 million by 2027-28 for Costa Mesa, with operating expenses of $64.1 million. |
| Current Members | Includes Irvine, Buena Park, Fullerton, and Fountain Valley set to join by 2026. |
| Concerns Raised | Skepticism regarding audits, management practices, and independent feasibility studies. |
| Next Steps | Ordinance to be discussed on October 7, with final vote anticipated in December 2026. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Leaning Toward Joining O.C. Power Authority
- Wikipedia: Community Choice Aggregation
- OC Register: Costa Mesa Considering Switching to Green Power Agency
- Google Search: California Green Power
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Explores Joining O.C. Power Authority
- Google Scholar: Community Choice Aggregation California
- OC Register: Irvine Threatens to Leave O.C. Power Authority
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California Energy Policy
- Los Angeles Times: O.C. Supervisors Pull Out of O.C. Power Authority
- Google News: Costa Mesa Orange County Power Authority
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
