Ride into summer with OCPA customer perks

Take an E-bike Safety Class and Save Big on a New E-bike

We are launching a new E-bike Safety and Incentive Pilot Program this summer to offer e-bike and helmet discount vouchers at local bike shops worth between $600-$1,500 for the first eligible 100 customers who complete e-bike safety training. This training will be offered both online and in-person to qualified Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) customers ages 18 and above. Be sure to follow @ocpowerauthority on Instagram to be the first to know when details are announced!

Now Accepting Applications: Bright Futures Grants Available to Inform Communities about Renewable Energy

OCPA is accepting applications for our annual Bright Futures Grant program, aimed at supporting efforts by local nonprofits, schools, and educators to inform communities about the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation. We are offering grants up to $20,000 each for the most creative and unique ideas from organizations headquartered within our member communities of Buena Park, Fullerton and Irvine. Particular emphasis will be given to those organizations and other customer applicants who are focused on outreach to multilingual and underrepresented communities. The deadline for applications is July 1 and grants will be awarded later this summer.

Apply Here »

Apply to Join OCPA's Community Advisory Committee

OCPA is seeking applicants for two at-large positions on our Community Advisory Committee. This committee consists of two representatives from each member city and two at-large members who offer essential guidance as OCPA continues to expand and evolve our offering of clean power and related programs in Orange County. This is a great opportunity to give back and help influence the positive impact of renewable energy in your community. Applicants will be considered on a rolling deadline until the two at-large positions are filled.

Apply Here »

OCPA Seeks Developers for Small Renewable Energy Generators

For the first time, the Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) program is available to community energy providers, and OCPA is one of the first in California to participate. Facilitated through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the BioMAT program is now available for small bioenergy renewable generators less than 5 MW in size, located in OCPA member cities.

Small-scale bioenergy projects can be procured in three categories:

Biogas from wastewater treatment, municipal organic waste diversion, food processing, and co-digestion
Dairy and other agricultural bioenergy
Bioenergy using byproducts of sustainable forest management

Interested parties can find additional information at the link below.

Apply Now »

Views From a Pollution Expert - Joe Mosca Interviews UC Irvine Environmental Scientist Shahir Masri, Ph.D.

In the latest episode of Sustainability Speaking hosted by OCPA CEO Joe Mosca, UC Irvine air pollution exposure expert Shahir Masri, Ph.D. details the clear benefit that limiting fossil fuel use can have in both improving local air quality and combating the larger climate change problem. “The majority of the air pollution we’re all exposed to … comes from combustion of fossil fuels,” Dr. Masri explained to Joe. “We need to see action at the local level.” That includes efforts by CCAs such as OCPA to give communities the opportunity to use cleaner power. “That transition toward renewables can’t happen quickly enough,” Dr. Masri said.

Watch the Full Conversation »

What is Community Choice Aggregation and Why Should You Care?

In this video, OCPA Board Member and Irvine City Councilmember Tammy Kim lays out the case for California’s network of not-for-profit Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agencies, of which OCPA is a proud member. CCAs can be created by communities who want to accelerate their use of renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The 25 California CCAs, representing 14 million customers in 200 communities, are “better, cleaner, faster” than traditional power providers, says Director Kim. “Now that’s the power of community.”

Watch: What is a CCA? »

Director Kathleen Treseder: Why Residents Should Re-Enroll with OCPA

OCPA Board Member and Irvine City Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, Ph.D., an endowed chair and professor at the University of California Irvine, made the case in the Voice of OC for residents to take advantage of the best opportunity in Orange County to receive cleaner energy at competitive rates. Treseder said she is hearing “justified anxiety” from her students about the warming planet. But, she added, we all can make meaningful changes to address climate change through OCPA’s service and programs, which help more than 230,000 residential and commercial customers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and create a healthier, more sustainable future.

Read the Article »

Five Simple Ways to Lower Your Summer Energy Bill

Staying cool this summer shouldn’t break the bank. We recommend five simple and effective ways our customers can battle the summer heat and limit their summer electricity usage:

Embracing the use of curtains and other shades during the hottest parts of the day
Circulating the air in your home with ceiling or box fans rather than relying solely on air conditioning
Sticking to off-peak hours to run heavy-energy appliances such as the oven, dishwasher and dryer
Sealing any gaps or cracks in windows and doors with weatherstrips or caulk to keep warmer air out and cooler air inside the home
Plus, OCPA customers can get a smart pug or advanced power strip at the OCPA Marketplace to make it easier to turn off devices when not in use

By making these small adjustments, you are likely to see a huge difference!

Read the Full Blog »

Get a Free Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat

The OCPA Marketplace has an awesome deal: A free Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat! The Honeywell Home Wi-Fi FocusPRO 7-day programmable thermostat will help save you money, offers a simple setup, and Wi-Fi remote access from anywhere using the free mobile app or a computer. Best of all: multiple rebates bring down the $100 retail cost to free!

Check Out the Deal »

CFO Tiffany Law Recognized as 2024 Leader by Los Angeles Times

Our Chief Financial Officer Tiffany Law has been recognized as a CFO leader by the Los Angeles Times. Tiffany is a nominee at the L.A. Times B2B Publishing CFO Forum and Leadership Awards being held on June 13 due to her exemplary leadership and fiscal stewardship at OCPA and contributions to our community. Way to go, Tiffany!

Irvine's First Car-Free "CicloIrvine" was a Tremendous Success

For several hours on May 4, nearly two miles of roadway in Irvine were dominated not by cars but by runners, walkers, cyclists and skaters. We were a proud sponsor of the city’s first-ever car-free “CicloIrvine,” inspired by the weekly ciclovia (Spanish for cycleway) originating in Bogota, Columbia. Other cities have held their own ciclovias, including Santa Ana and Los Angeles. The event showcased the city’s commitment to sustainability, including being one of OCPA’s founding member cities.

Meet Green P100NEER: Orange County Soccer Club

Did you know? Orange County Soccer Club is a 100% Renewable Choice customer of OCPA! They are leading the way among sports facilities committed to carbon reduction, as one of only two sports facilities in Southern California to choose 100% renewable energy. When you are enjoying an OC Soccer Club game at the Great Park in Irvine, know that you are making a difference by supporting an organization that's championing a more sustainable future.