Year: 2025
Publisher’s Perspective: OCPA Continues to Break Its Promises
Three years ago, the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) became our City’s electricity provider — promising Irvine customers greener electricity at lower monthly rates. OCPA also promised to create green programs to boost our local economy. None of those promises have been kept!
Broken Promise #1: Greener Electricity
During the November 12th Irvine City Council meeting, it was revealed that OCPA has been purchasing dirtier energy than SCE for two of the agency’s three energy tiers — including the “Basic Choice” tier in which Irvine ratepayers are enrolled.
Broken Promise #2: Lower Monthly Rates
For two years, OCPA charged Irvine customers the highest monthly electricity rates in all of Orange County!
Broken Promise #3: Green Programs
OCPA’s promise to boost the local economy through the establishment of green programs (and green jobs) never materialized.
Enter Mayor Agran’s Tree Photo Contest
Mayor Larry Agran is a big fan of trees! In fact, years ago he worked alongside other early leaders to expand our City’s park system. Today, Irvine’s parks are ranked No. 1 in California and No. 2 in America according to the Trust for Public Land. And 94% of our residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
The City is now working to implement Mayor Agran’s latest tree project — the Irvine Urban Forest Master Plan — which has secured Council and community support. The plan includes tens of thousands of new trees planted throughout the City to help decrease Irvine’s carbon footprint, reduce storm water runoff, increase biodiversity, address the urban heat island effect, cool the City, and clean the air.
Mayor Agran’s office has announced a fun new community engagement project to attract fellow tree (and photo) enthusiasts.
Sean Crumby is Irvine’s New City Manager
Irvine has a new City Manager. On October 28th, the City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Sean Crumby, who has more than three decades of executive leadership experience in municipal government.
Mr. Crumby had been serving as interim City Manager after Irvine’s former City Manager Oliver Chi accepted a position in Santa Monica.
A registered Civil Engineer, Crumby was brought in by Chi in April 2023 to serve as the City’s first Director of Project Delivery & Sustainability, where he was responsible for managing and implementing hundreds of millions of dollars in projects annually.
In December 2024, Mr. Crumby was promoted to Assistant City Manager where he has led the development of the Great Park while continuing to oversee the City’s public works, transportation, and sustainability operations.
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