ICNV Staff

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City Council Hears Nearly 3 Hours of Testimony from Residents Voicing Their Concerns Over Toxic Emissions from Asphalt Plant

The September 14th Irvine City Council meeting included nearly three hours of public comments from frustrated residents in north Irvine who believe that emissions from the asphalt plant located about a mile from their homes has led to a public health crisis.

All year, homeowners have pleaded with the Mayor to have the City step in and help. Those requests have largely been denied. Advocating on behalf of the residents, Councilmember Agran has repeatedly requested that the Mayor schedule a special City Council meeting and public hearing on the matter. Agran’s requests have also been denied by the Mayor and her Council majority.

The issue finally made it onto the Council agenda as a City staff “presentation.” However, residents took advantage of the Public Comments portion of the meeting to voice their concerns over the plant’s proximity to homes and schools.

Irvine Taxpayers Advance Another $5 Million to OC Power Authority as Environmental Leaders Speak Out Against the Energy Start-Up

The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) was established last year, promising to sell Irvine and other Orange County residents cleaner, less expensive electricity than what they currently purchase from Southern California Edison (SCE).

Nearly a year after those promises were made, a growing number of environmental leaders who originally supported the OCPA say the energy start-up appears to have no real interest in delivering clean energy from renewable sources.

According to an article in the Orange County Register, OCPA’s target of 57% clean energy (free from fossil fuels) by 2030 doesn’t even meet the State’s minimum goal of 60% by 2030. It is worth noting that SCE is on track to reach 80% renewable energy sources (mainly solar and wind) by 2030.