Orange County Power Authority

Orange County Power Authority
Agency overview
Formed2021
TypeCommunity Choice Aggregation
JurisdictionGovernment of Orange County, California
Agency executive
Websitehttps://www.ocpower.org/

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[2]

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.[4] In May 2023, Huntington Beach voted to withdraw from the OC Power Authority, which was completed on July 1, 2024.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

Costa Mesa is considering joining the OC Power Authority.[8] Fountain Valley joined OCPA in November 2024 at the default Smart Choice rate.[9]

References

  1. ^ "About Us". Orange County Power Authority. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ a b "Community Choice Energy & OCPA". City of Irvine. 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  3. ^ "Commercial Renewable Energy Plans - OCPA". Orange County Power Authority. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  4. ^ Biesiada, Noah (2023-04-19). "Orange County Power Authority Fires Controversial CEO After Two Years of Unrest". Voice of OC. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  5. ^ Biesiada, Noah (2024-10-08). "What is the Future of the Orange County Power Authority?". Voice of OC. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  6. ^ "OCPA Improvement Plan". Orange County Power Authority. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  7. ^ Brennan, Peter J. (2024-03-19). "OC Power Authority Names Permanent CEO". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  8. ^ "Costa Mesa considering switching from Edison to green power agency". Orange County Register. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  9. ^ Tour, Jesse La (2022-09-01). "New Electric Service Begins in October". Fullerton Observer. Retrieved 2024-11-27.