Critics of the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) are beginning to question whether the agency is engaged in ongoing consumer fraud, which involves misrepresentation and deceptive practices in connection with the sale or advertisement of goods and services.
The case against OCPA appears to be straight forward. Cities joining OPCA were promised cleaner electricity at lower monthly rates than those of Southern California Edison (SCE), a falsehood. OPCA also promised that the new agency would offer the community full transparency, another misrepresentation.
Last year, Irvine residential households and businesses were automatically enrolled into the new OCPA electricity plan — without a vote of the people. Now, those ratepayers are being charged more for the same 100% renewable electricity that SCE provides its customers.
And, OCPA has refused to respond to a host of official requests from the media, member cities, and its own customers regarding the agency’s operations. For example, OCPA has not provided proof that they have purchased 100% renewable electricity for all of its Irvine customers.
While its customers are being charged significantly higher monthly rates and Irvine taxpayer dollars are helping to fund the agency, the OCPA Board seems to have no problem wasting money. The Board recently fired its inexperienced CEO, but only after giving him $450,000 — four times the severance pay provided for in his contract. The Board then put the agency’s Communications Director in charge, providing him with $750,000 for a six-month media campaign to improve OCPA’s image.
Since being elected in 2020, Irvine City Councilmember Larry Agran has publicly pointed out OCPA’s significantly higher electricity rates, its lack of transparency, and the agency’s questionable financial dealings. To protect Irvine’s taxpayers and ratepayers, Agran made a formal motion last December for the City of Irvine to give OCPA a notice of withdrawal, effective July 2023. (Only Councilmember Mike Carroll supported Agran’s motion, which was defeated on a 2-3 vote.)
Meanwhile, Irvine’s two OCPA representatives — Councilmember Tammy Kim and Kathleen Treseder — continue to promote OCPA while attacking Agran and Carroll for publicly discussing the problems at OCPA during Council meetings. Councilmember Kim went so far as to chastise her colleagues for adding an item to the City Council agenda regarding OCPA Board votes.
Residents who wish to opt-out of OCPA can do so by clicking here.
You will need to scroll down to the bottom of the webpage where you will see an opt-out form (located along the right side of the page). You can also call: (866) 262-7693 to opt-out by phone.
NOTE: So many Irvine residents are opting-out of OCPA and signing up for the SCE 100% renewable plan that there is now a waiting list.
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