Laguna Beach Environmental Sustainability Committee - May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach Environmental Sustainability Committee met on May 18, 2026, with Council Member Jones absent, to discuss microplastics pollution, utility affordability, and the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) work plan. - The Committee recommended City Council send a letter to state legislators supporting utility affordability legislation by authorizing the chair to submit a support letter for the resolution and directing the energy subcommittee to review bills for conformance with the city's legislative platform. - Melissa Morris from the Five Gyres Institute presented the Microplastic Prevention Resolution, requesting cities voice support for the next governor to take action on microplastics elimination following Governor Newsom's vetoes of two related bills (ABH23 and AB1628). - The energy subcommittee reported on OCPA financial analysis, finding the organization financially healthy with $54 million cash on hand, though rates are approximately $20-26 higher per month than Southern California Edison (SCE). - The Committee discussed collapsing the two transportation-focused subcommittees into one and creating a new communications subcommittee to support public education ef

Key Decisions

- Approved the minutes from the April 20, 2026 meeting with corrections to Mike's last name spelling. - Directed Chair Steve to submit a letter to City Council in support of the utility affordability resolution. - Directed the energy subcommittee to review state utility legislation bills for conformance with the city's legislative platform and work with staff to develop position letters to submit to state legislators before June 10 and June 24 hearings. - Agreed to consider the microplastics prevention resolution at a future meeting, with potential customization to highlight Laguna Beach's mar