Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Huntington Beach Votes To Leave Orange County Power Authority
An aerial view shows oil pumpjacks at the Huntington Beach Oil Fields on April 20, 2020 in Huntington Beach, California.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
The Huntington Beach City Council voted to exit the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) late Tuesday.
The decision is a major setback for the clean energy agency, which recently fired its CEO and made other major changes in an effort to address transparency and management concerns and improve its public image.
The vote was 4 to 3 and led by the city's newly elected council, which has a Republican majority.
About 30% of the OCPA's residential and business customers are in Huntington Beach, so leaving will shrink the clean power agency unless it finds new cities to sign on.
Support for LAist comes from
Why now?
The city's council had expressed concerns about the agency in recent months and asked to review the OCPA's power purchase agreements. But Tuesday's last-minute special meeting to vote on withdrawing from the OCPA came as a surprise to many of those closely involved with the power authority and city government.
What happens next?
The split from the agency won't take full effect until July 2024 per the rules of the joint powers agreement that governs the OCPA.
More From OC
But the exit announcement is a big blow to the clean energy agency and Orange County's ability to meet climate goals.
Support for LAist comes from
The county withdrew from the OCPA in December and all of the other member cities — Irvine, Buena Park and Fullerton — have recently considered withdrawing. Huntington Beach is the first city to take that step. (Lake Forest was initially a member of the OCPA but pulled out before the agency started offering electricity service to customers.)
What can customers expect?
Huntington Beach residents and businesses will likely no longer be able to choose to pay for 100% renewable energy. And their electricity bills may actually go up — currently OCPA's basic rate plan is cheaper than the one offered through Southern California Edison.
Updated May 17, 2023 at 9:59 AM PDT
This story was updated with details from the vote on Tuesday.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist