News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved drafting an ordinance to enroll in the Orange County Power Authority’s community choice aggregation program. This decision allows OCPA to purchase electricity for around 50,000 customers in the city. With rising Southern California Edison rates, Costa Mesa’s renewed interest in OCPA signifies a potential shift toward renewable energy. The anticipated final vote could lead to a service launch by March 2027, amidst ongoing discussions about economic benefits and the credibility of the power authority.
Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa City Council has voted 5-2 to draft an ordinance that will allow the city to enroll in the Orange County Power Authority’s (OCPA) community choice aggregation (CCA) program. This decision is poised to enable OCPA to purchase electricity for approximately 50,000 residential and commercial customers in the city. A final vote on the ordinance is anticipated by the end of the year, which, if approved, would facilitate a potential service launch date in March 2027.
The decision marks a significant shift for Costa Mesa, which previously hesitated to join OCPA when it was established in 2020. Concerns regarding the agency’s direction and leadership led to this initial reluctance. However, the renewed interest in joining OCPA reflects a growing recognition of its potential benefits, especially in light of ongoing increases in Southern California Edison (SCE) rates, which have risen by 85% over the past decade.
Joining OCPA aligns with a broader trend in California, where 25 community choice programs currently serve over 14 million customers. Other cities, such as Buena Park, Fullerton, and Fountain Valley, have already enrolled in OCPA, underscoring the momentum towards community choice energy solutions.
The OCPA offers various energy plans, including three default options with differing levels of renewable content: a basic plan featuring 47% renewable energy, a smart choice plan comprising 55% renewable energy, and a plan that guarantees 100% renewable energy. Notably, the basic plan is priced at 3% lower than SCE’s rates, making it a more affordable choice for residents while still ensuring that they are billed by SCE for transmission and delivery.
Joe Mosca, CEO of OCPA, emphasized that increasing the number of member cities would help in lowering energy costs through the pooling of more customers. The agency aims to achieve an operating margin of $11 million by the end of the 2027-28 season, which would coincide with its inaugural year of service in Costa Mesa.
Additionally, OCPA has gained popularity for its rebate programs, which include $1,000 for home battery storage and electric vehicle chargers. Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder has highlighted the positive impact that OCPA’s 100% renewable plan has had on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in her city, reinforcing the environmental benefits linked to joining the power authority.
Despite these advantages, some Costa Mesa leaders have expressed caution. Concerns regarding affordability and the need for tangible cost savings for residents remain pivotal factors in the decision-making process. Councilmember Manuel Chavez specifically noted the need for assurance that joining OCPA would benefit the residents economically.
The OCPA has grappled with challenges, including departures of member cities like Huntington Beach and the County of Orange, which cited management and financial issues revealed through audits. Critics continue to voice skepticism about the agency’s history and transparency, despite recent leadership changes that aim to bolster its credibility and performance.
The anticipated steps for Costa Mesa include careful evaluation of the proposed ordinance and consideration of its potential impact on the community. Should the city proceed with the plan, it would join the growing list of communities leveraging community choice aggregation as a means of achieving renewable energy goals and cost savings for their residents.
The final vote on the ordinance before the City Council will determine Costa Mesa’s path forward regarding energy sourcing and sustainability initiatives as the city seeks to address rising utility costs and pursue its environmental objectives.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Rising Costs for Orange County Taxpayers Amid City Official Departures
Irvine City Council Votes to Stay with Orange County Power Authority
Costa Mesa Explores Membership in Orange County Power Authority
Costa Mesa City Council Approves OCPA Ordinance Drafting
Additional Resources
- OC Register: OC Power Authority Eyes Expansion
- Wikipedia: Community Choice Aggregation
- LA Times: Costa Mesa Leaning Toward Joining OCPA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electricity
- OC Register: Irvine Will Stay with OCPA
- Google News: OCPA News
- LA Times: Costa Mesa Explores Joining OCPA
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.
