Community advocates call for shutdown of Ormond Beach generating station in Oxnard

The State Water Resources Control Board convened on June 3, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding water management and environmental justice in California. The meeting featured significant public comments focused on the Ormond Beach Generating Station, located in South Oxnard, and its impact on local communities.

The session began with a passionate plea from a community member advocating for the immediate shutdown of the Ormond Beach plant. She highlighted the detrimental effects of the facility on the health and quality of life for residents, particularly emphasizing the need for clean coastal access. The speaker urged the board to prioritize community voices in decision-making processes and to develop a comprehensive community engagement plan that accommodates the needs of monolingual Spanish and Mixteco speakers.

Following this, Odette Morgan, a youth organizer, echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment over previous extensions granted to the power plant. She called for transparency and meaningful community involvement in discussions about the plant's future, stressing the importance of restoring access to the wetlands and ensuring that local voices are prioritized in environmental decisions.

Aurora, another community representative, reinforced the call for the board to commit to not extending the power plant's operations further. She urged the board to enhance communication with other agencies involved in the decision-making process and to ensure that community members are actively engaged in discussions about restoration projects and environmental impacts.

Board members responded to the public comments by acknowledging the importance of community engagement and the need for transparency in the decision-making process. They discussed the challenges of balancing regulatory requirements with the need for timely project implementation, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the board to consider the community's requests regarding the decommissioning of the Ormond Beach facility and to explore ways to improve engagement with local residents. The board also planned to discuss the Chowchilla Groundwater Subbasin in the next agenda item, indicating a continued focus on sustainable water management practices.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in California, particularly for marginalized communities seeking a voice in decisions that directly affect their health and environment. The board's acknowledgment of these concerns marks a step towards more inclusive governance in water resource management.