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Buena Park temporarily shifts OCPA default to mid-tier Smart Choice to curb rate impact
Summary
The council voted unanimously to temporarily designate Smart Choice (55% renewable / 40% carbon-free in 2025) as the city's default Orange County Power Authority product for residents, businesses and city accounts through 2026, with an automatic return to 100% renewable in January 2027; customers can opt in or out at any time.
Buena Park ' The City Council on Jan. 28 voted unanimously to temporarily change the city's default Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) generation product from 100% renewable to the mid-tier Smart Choice option for calendar years 2025 and 2026, returning automatically to 100% renewable in January 2027.
OCPA CEO Joe Mosca and Director of Communications Jackie Henderson briefed the council on market headwinds that drove the recommendation: sharp increases in the cost of qualified renewable energy and resource adequacy, and downward pressure on some utility generation revenue. Mosca said moving the default to Smart Choice (55% renewable plus 40% carbon-free resources in 2025, rising to 60% renewable in 2026) would preserve OCPA's rate design and avoid price shocks while retaining a higher renewable content than Southern California Edison's basic product.
Henderson outlined a planned outreach campaign including two direct-mail notifications to Buena Park customers, consumer contact options, and an opt-up window for customers who want to remain at 100% renewable. Staff estimated the change could save the city's general fund about $55,000 annually if municipal accounts are switched to Smart Choice.
Council members debated the balance between affordability and climate goals. Council Member Susan Sani and others emphasized residents' ability to opt up to 100% renewable and recommended robust, multilingual communications. The council approved the temporary designation unanimously.
What happens next: OCPA will proceed with outreach in February and March; the change will take effect on customers' regular meter-read dates in February/March 2025. Residents can opt up to 100% renewable or down to Basic Choice at any time.
Sources: Presentations by Joe Mosca and Jackie Henderson; staff recommendation from Assistant City Manager Eddie Fenton; council discussion and recorded vote.
