On May 24, Councilmember Agran provided the public updates on three environmental matters during the Irvine City Council meeting and in his podcast “Conversations with Councilmember Larry Agran.”

Climate Activists Organize

 Councilmember Agran praised members of the Irvine Climate Coalition, of which he was a co-founding member, for hosting the City’s inaugural Earth Year event at Heritage Park. Said Larry:

“Thanks to City staff and these organizations for their hard work and support…I expect to see this event become a tradition in our City promoting climate action.”

Unprecedented Pollution Emanates from Asphalt Plant

Then, Councilmember Agran addressed news of alarming self-reported data from the company All American Asphalt (AAA), stationed north of Jeffrey Road in North Irvine. According to data from the South Coast Air Quality Management, AAA reported the highest volume of benzene emissions in the City, higher even than facilities forced to report their emissions under Title V of the Clean Air Act. 

At the dais, Larry decried:

“We have had failure across multiple levels of government — federal, state, and local — to hold AAA accountable. I expect our City to be better advocates for all our residents.”

Irvine’s Power Provider Fined Millions

Finally, Councilmember Agran renewed calls for transparency and oversight of Irvine’s power purchaser Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). This agency, funded through $7.75 of Irvine’s taxpayer resources, received a $1.9 million fine from the California Public Utilities Commission. This state agency penalized OCPA for failing to acquire enough power in its startup phase to meet the Commission’s Resource Adequacy requirement, which ensures that power providers can supply customers with uninterrupted service.

Councilmember Agran concluded:

“We need answers right now because our City’s future, both economic and environmental, is at stake.”

Councilmember Agran will pursue action with the community and governmental partners to protect Irvine’s environment and safeguard its future.