Huntington Beach Saves Over $200,000 Annually Changing Plans With Energy Provider: Officials

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland (C) speaks at a city council meeting at the Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The Huntington Beach City Council voted Jan. 17 to change the city’s energy plan option for all the city’s customers with the Orange County Power Authority—a non-profit public agency that offers energy to Southern California cities—from the 100 percent renewable plan to one at 38 percent.

The vote—motioned by Councilman Casey McKeon—was approved 4–3, with McKeon and the other newly electeds Mayor Tony Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark, and Councilman Pat Burns in favor, and council members Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser, and Rhonda Bolton against.

According to city officials, the switch will save the city over $200,000 annually for its over 450 municipal accounts.

Residents gather for a city council meeting at the Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

But some residents in emails to city officials were not in favor of the change.

This “seems to be a financial decision with little consideration for the environment,” said resident Danny Gray. “It would be appropriate to remove any references that claim that the city is a ‘Green’ city.”

During the meeting, McKeon, who was recently named to the power authority’s board of directors, said the savings could be better used for city projects, such as enforcing laws regarding homelessness in the city.

Huntington beach City Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark listens to public commenters during a city council meeting at the Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Huntington Beach joined the Orange County Power Authority in 2020. Municipal and commercial energy services were first offered to the city in 2022 and residential energy options were added in October 2022.

According to a presentation from city staff at the meeting, the possibility of withdrawing the city from the power authority entirely is under consideration, but study sessions and evaluating other options must occur before a decision is made.

The Orange County Power Authority was formed in 2020 to provide energy, offering renewable options, to some residents and businesses in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, and Fullerton, as well as some unincorporated areas of the county.

Huntington Beach City Councilwoman Rhonda Bolton at a city council meeting at the Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

But the agency has faced scrutiny since a June 2022 Grand Jury Report titled “Orange County Power Authority: Come Clean,” raised concerns over an alleged lack of transparency and inexperienced management.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors later conducted an audit of the power authority, which found in December the agency’s prices were up to 7 percent higher for residential consumers, compared to its competitor Southern California Edison.

After the audit, the agency announced its Basic Choice plan rates would be 2 percent cheaper beginning mid-January than Edison’s.