Elliott & Maestas: This Independence Day, Irvine Must Defend our Energy Freedoms

June 30, 2025

As we prepare to commemorate Independence Day, we are reminded of the timeless American principles of freedom, personal choice, and a government that answers to its people. This year, Irvine faces a pivotal test of those principles: our City Council is poised to finalize a letter withdrawing from the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), jeopardizing a prized local freedom – the right to choose affordable, clean energy.

In December 2024, the Council authorized the City Manager to draft a letter of intent to withdraw from OCPA in 2025. Overwhelmingly opposed by the community, the City Manager’s newfound authority to draft the letter has thrown into question whether Irvine families can continue to enjoy lower rates and the ability to choose their renewable energy sources. Rescinding the City Manager’s withdrawal authority would be a step toward recommitting Irvine to its leadership on community choice, energy affordability, and economic justice.

OCPA exists because Irvine had the courage to demand a better option than investor-owned utilities could provide. We chose cleaner energy at competitive rates while reinvesting in our community’s needs. That investment has paid off; just this year OCPA announced more than $250,000 in new rebates for Level 2EV charging stations, solar panels, and battery storage systemsthat were previously inaccessible for working families.

These programs matter in a city where over 55% of residents are renters, many of whom are from lower income households who have long been excluded from the clean energy transition. Community Choice programs like OCPA redress decades of inequities faced by our most vulnerable populations who have long suffered the worst impacts of SoCal Edison’s monopolistic practices.

No one chose SCE; the corporation simply crowned itself as our community’s power provider and has framed its century-long monopoly as an inevitable fact of life. The company has raised rates by 90% inthe past ten years, and the Public Advocates Office (PAO) warns of another 45% increase by 2030. The catastrophic economic impacts to our community are not difficult to imagine; the CPUC estimates that of the Irvine residents that decided to stay with SCE, over 7,784 are currently delinquent on their bills. This predatory behavior by a self-appointed monopoly is not only unfair, but deeply un-American.

By contrast, OCPA’s rates continue to remain lower than Edison’s. At its most recent budget meeting, the Board of Directors reapproved the 3% discount on Basic Choicethat most Irvine residents enjoy. These benefits matter deeply to families already facing rising housing costs, inflation, and increasing premiums on homeowners insurance. Returning to SCE’s onerous rates is simply a price our residents should not be forced to pay.

City leaders initially raised valid points about transparency and financial oversight when OCPA first launched. The agency has worked to fully address these gaps in its 2023 Improvement Plan. And with a Net Rate Stabilization Reserve that’s set to increase to $76 million by the end of next year, OCPA is in the financial position to guarantee the affordability that our community deserves.

Our city owes it to our neighbors to strengthen the only alternative option to SCE’s monopoly by committing to community choice. The years of work we invested into our CCE has resulted in a robust and locally-controlled program with three tiers of renewable energy for families to choose from. Rescinding the draft notice of intent to withdraw would send a strong signal of economic certainty to struggling residents when they could use it most.

This Independence Day, let’s celebrate more than fireworks. Let’s honor real independence – the freedom to choose where our power comes from, at a fair price, with local oversight. That’s energy freedom. That’s community empowerment. And Irvine families deserve nothing less.

Doug Elliott is an attorney and Irvine resident. He is a retired civil servant who has spent most of his legal career in the public sector. He currently serves on the Irvine Community Services Commission and the Orange County Power Authority’s Community Advisory Committee. The opinions stated do not reflect the views of either organization.

Adriana Maestas is an Irvine resident and business owner. She currently serves on the Irvine Community Services Commission. The views expressed in this piece do not reflect that organization.

Opinions expressed in community opinion pieces belong to the authors and not Voice of OC.

Voice of OC is interested in hearing different perspectives and voices. If you want to weigh in on this issue or others please email opinions@voiceofoc.org.

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