By David Courtland
By a 4-3 vote at their Nov. 18 meeting, Oxnard City Council members narrowly approved a controversial proposal to let Ormond Beach Power Plant owner Genon turn the site into a lithium battery storage facility.
Councilmembers Bert Perello, Gabriela Rodriguez, Michaela Perez and Gabriela Basua voted yes; Councilmembers Aaron Starr, Gabe Turan and Mayor Luis Mc Arthur voted no.
City Manager Alex Nguyen will now ask the state to approve the change, which would extend the plant’s life beyond the December 2026 closure it is now on track for.
“I want to reiterate that this is a long shot, even if the council approves it tonight that doesn’t mean it happens,” cautioned Nguyen, noting the final decision is up to state agencies.
Local environmentalists have long lobbied to get the plant closed down because of air and soil pollution, with the late Councilmember Carmen Ramirez spearheading those efforts.
But City Manager Alex Nguyen recommended approval of the proposal because Genon is prepared to invest $45 million in South Oxnard to create a non-profit legal aid organization.
The legal aid service would offer low-income residents help in the areas of immigration, housing, and employment rights.
“We’ve listened time and again to people say that there’s need in this community,” said Nguyen. “This would be that organization that could fight for our families.”
Nguyen recommended local attorney Barbara Macri-Ortiz to run the new organization’s board of directors.
But a total of 42 people who attended the meeting or phoned in to comment overwhelmingly opposed the proposal, accusing the City Council of going back on its word to close the plant down.
Caller CeCe Todd said she was speaking for other high school students who opposed keeping the plant open any longer.
“During this time my peers and I are losing trust in our governments – not just youth but adults too,” said Todd, who said she is a District 2 resident and a student at Pacifica High School. “We expect the city to make decisions beneficial to Oxnard residents.”
“By extending the life of the power plant you will be destroying the trust that the community has given to you,” Todd continued, noting that the city would be reversing an April resolution to close the plant.
“We have worked hard to make sure this plant shuts down by 2026,” said Todd, adding that it is important to her that the council renegotiates the proposal because “the City of Oxnard is my future.”
But Perello said he is “willing to roll the dice on this one,” as he moved to approve the proposal, seconded by Basua.
“Obviously this is an item that weighs heavy with this community,” said Perez, noting a decision regarding the plant ultimately rests with the 14 state agencies that have jurisdiction.
“I don’t take this decision lightly, Carmen Ramirez’ name was brought up, her leadership when it comes to this specific topic weighs on me,” said Basua.
“I get that there’s a need for legal aid services but I wouldn’t spend $45 million on it,” said Starr, adding he felt like he was being rushed into a decision because he hadn’t known the plant was going to be discussed until the meeting agenda was published.
But the mayor said he was voting no because the city would lose credibility with the community.
“It comes at the cost of a loss of trust in us,” said Mc Arthur. “That’s something I think is more injurious.”