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OCPA Charges Higher Rates for Dirtier Electricity

In 2022, Irvine electricity customers were transferred from the City’s previous provider, Southern California Edison (SCE), and automatically enrolled in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA).

For the next few years, members of the OCPA board — including Irvine City Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, who serves as Irvine’s representative on the OCPA board — falsely told our City’s electricity customers they were paying lower monthly rates. Councilmember Treseder and others quoted the price for OCPA’s lowest-priced plan (Basic Choice) even though Irvine ratepayers had been enrolled in OCPA’s most expensive plan (100% Renewable), resulting in higher monthly rates.

In 2025, the City Council voted to change the default tier for Irvine ratepayers to OCPA’s least expensive plan, Basic Choice. However, OCPA continues to charge Irvine customers higher rates than SCE.

Marine Way Underpass Project at the Great Park

With so many new amenities coming to the Great Park, the City is working to improve access and traffic circulation into and around the park.

A portion of Marine Way runs along the southern perimeter of the Great Park, north of the Metrolink railway. However, there is currently no direct rail crossing or direct road access into the Great Park from Marine Way and Barranca.

Construction is now underway to extend Marine Way and create a new rail undercrossing to provide a direct connection between the Great Park and the Spectrum area.

New Transportation Program for Irvine Seniors

More than a year before New York City made news for a plan to no longer charge residents for riding the bus, Irvine established its own program that provides residents with free transportation to parks, schools, hospitals, and shopping centers through the Irvine CONNECT shuttle bus service.

The Irvine CONNECT program has proven to be especially helpful for students traveling to and from school and for residents who want to leave their cars at home while running errands around town.

The City is now launching a new transportation program for Irvine seniors 60 years of age and older with its WeRide program, which is a same-day, on-demand transportation service powered by volunteer drivers.

Sweet Shade Universal Playground: Best Project of the Year

Sweet Shade Universal Playground has been named the Best Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter!

The project, which involved intentional design and comprehensive planning, was selected from more than 200 nominations submitted by 75 agencies throughout the region.

The universal playground is located within the 7.9-acre Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park. The park is also home to the Sweet Shade Ability Center, where the City’s Disability Services program offers activities for individuals with sensory, physical, or cognitive disabilities to enjoy alongside their families. The creation of the City’s first universal playground complements the Ability Center and expands inclusive recreational opportunities for all Irvine residents.

Community Meeting Regarding Progress at the Great Park

A lot of new amenities are coming to the Great Park — including a grand promenade, peaceful walking trails, two lakes, a meadow with tree-top walks, the Veterans Memorial Park & Gardens, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Pretend City Children’s Museum, and the Asian American History Museum.

In addition, The Canopy will open later this year on the corner of Bosque and Great Park Boulevard, and will include a specialty grocer, restaurants, and cafes for nearby residents and park visitors.

On Monday, March 2nd from 4-6pm, the City of Irvine will host a community meeting, providing residents an opportunity to learn about key project highlights and speak with subject-matter experts about the features coming to the park.

Local Musicians Headed to National Trumpet Competition

Irvine City Council Approves Economic Development Blueprint

The Irvine City Council has unanimously approved the City’s 2026-2028 Economic Development Blueprint.

The Blueprint prioritizes business retention and expansion; growth of Irvine’s venture capital and innovation ecosystem; workforce and talent-pipeline development; and enhancement of Irvine’s national and global competitiveness.

The Blueprint also lays the groundwork for the City to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce to establish an Irvine Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The new Center will serve as Irvine’s hub for startups and innovators by connecting entrepreneurs with investors, providing resources for early-stage companies, and making it easier to start and grow a business in Irvine.

Irvine is the Fourth Greenest City in America

Thanks to its abundance of parks, bikeways, open spaces and trees, Irvine is now ranked the fourth Greenest City in America and the greenest city in Southern California according to the finance website WalletHub.

Each year, WalletHub compares the nation’s 100 largest cities to compile its “Greenest Cities” list, using 28 key indicators — ranging from greenhouse gas emissions per capita to water quality and green jobs.

The City’s high percentage of green space and its environmental leadership has been part of Irvine’s foundation since its earliest planning. The City’s Master Plan called for parks, open space, walking trails, and bike paths to be woven throughout neighborhoods.

An impressive 28% of Irvine’s land is dedicated to parks and green spaces, which is nearly double the national average. And 96% of Irvine residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Irvine’s New Public Library System

Last August, the City of Irvine celebrated the official opening of its new City-run public library system, with more than 1,200 residents in attendance.

Under the previous library system, Irvine taxpayers were contributing roughly $17 million annually to the Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL). However, the libraries operated by OCPL in Irvine were receiving only $5 million annually in services, with Irvine residents being underserved by the City’s three small libraries.

The transition has allowed the City to begin expanding and modernizing existing branches; plan for new branches in town; tailor library services to better meet the needs of the City’s residents; and expand programming, collections, and services.

Things To Do While Self-Distancing

Even during this period of physical distancing, there are lots of fun, free activities available online that we can do from the safety of our homes.

Irvine Community News & Views has compiled a long list of resource links to keep your family engaged and even entertained from the safety of our homes.

Staying Active During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In addition to taking care of your physical health, it’s important to also focus on your mental well being. Exercise can help with that. Even during this period of physical distancing, it’s important to get out and take a walk to keep our bodies moving and lower our stress levels.

Coronavirus Impacting Irvine: What’s Open & What’s Closed

Irvine Community News & Views is closely monitoring the coronavirus locally and how the global health crisis is impacting Irvine residents so that we can provide our community with accurate and timely information.

All IUSD schools (and Irvine schools in Tustin) are closed until further notice and our three local library branches are closed.

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Category: Featured

Sweet Shade Universal Playground: Best Project of the Year

Local Musicians Headed to National Trumpet Competition

Irvine City Council Approves Economic Development Blueprint

Irvine is the Fourth Greenest City in America

Irvine’s New Public Library System

Things To Do While Self-Distancing

Staying Active During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus Impacting Irvine: What’s Open & What’s Closed

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