Advocates urge Laguna Woods to support state utility reforms as power bills bite seniors
May 20, 2026 | Laguna Woods City, Orange County, California
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Residents and advocates pushed the City Council on May 20 to take a public stand on electricity affordability and to support state legislation aimed at restraining investor-owned utility profits.
Tomas Castro, an organizer with the Climate Action Campaign, told the council that rising costs and recent corporate profits underscore the need for reforms. "A resolution from Laguna Woods supporting affordability reforms would send a strong message that protecting families from rising utility bills must be a state priority," Castro said, then pointed to pending bills he said would help rein in excessive spending and protect ratepayers.
Laguna Woods Village president Vicky Johnson countered that the Orange County Power Authority’s recent performance and rate changes have raised costs for seniors on fixed incomes. Johnson told councilors that OCPA lost nearly $50 million in 2024 and that some low-income-care (CARE) customers are now paying roughly $25 a month more under OCPA than they would as direct customers of Southern California Edison; she urged the council to protect seniors by remaining cautious about OCPA participation.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff clarifying questions about affordability programs and municipal options; however, the council did not adopt a resolution during the meeting. City staff noted that cities may choose to place resolutions on future agendas and that such a resolution would send a policy signal to Sacramento but would not itself change utility regulation.
What was asked: Advocates requested that Laguna Woods adopt a resolution in support of state measures (participants named several bills) to curb utility profits and expand affordability protections. Council members asked for more detail and possible staff follow-up before placing any item on a future agenda.
What’s next: No formal action was taken at the May 20 meeting. Residents and advocacy groups may return with a drafted resolution and supporting data for council consideration.
Tomas Castro, an organizer with the Climate Action Campaign, told the council that rising costs and recent corporate profits underscore the need for reforms. "A resolution from Laguna Woods supporting affordability reforms would send a strong message that protecting families from rising utility bills must be a state priority," Castro said, then pointed to pending bills he said would help rein in excessive spending and protect ratepayers.
Laguna Woods Village president Vicky Johnson countered that the Orange County Power Authority’s recent performance and rate changes have raised costs for seniors on fixed incomes. Johnson told councilors that OCPA lost nearly $50 million in 2024 and that some low-income-care (CARE) customers are now paying roughly $25 a month more under OCPA than they would as direct customers of Southern California Edison; she urged the council to protect seniors by remaining cautious about OCPA participation.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff clarifying questions about affordability programs and municipal options; however, the council did not adopt a resolution during the meeting. City staff noted that cities may choose to place resolutions on future agendas and that such a resolution would send a policy signal to Sacramento but would not itself change utility regulation.
What was asked: Advocates requested that Laguna Woods adopt a resolution in support of state measures (participants named several bills) to curb utility profits and expand affordability protections. Council members asked for more detail and possible staff follow-up before placing any item on a future agenda.
What’s next: No formal action was taken at the May 20 meeting. Residents and advocacy groups may return with a drafted resolution and supporting data for council consideration.
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