Policy Pulse: June 20, 2025
- ACC-OC
- Jun 19
- 6 min read
We're still celebrating the 2025 ACC-OC Leadership Summit & Golden Hub of Innovation Awards!
The energy, insights, and recognition shared at this year’s summit continue to inspire us. Whether you joined us in person or couldn’t attend, there’s still time to experience the highlights.
Click the links below to explore event photos and see the full list of our 2025 Nominees, Honorable Mentions, and Award Winners. Let’s continue to celebrate the leadership and innovation shaping our Orange County communities.
Join us this August at UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education for the Public Policymaker’s Academy (PPMA)—an intensive, modular leadership development program designed for public officials at every stage of their civic journey. Held over four consecutive Fridays in August, this program delivers timely, practical, and regionally-focused policy education that helps Orange County leaders lead with confidence and impact.
Whether you're a newly elected city councilmember now six months into your first term, a seasoned public official looking to refresh your expertise, or a City Staff or ACC-OC Affiliate member eager to broaden your understanding of regional issues—this academy is built for you!
Get ready for an evening of fun, connection and celebration at the Annual ACC-OC Summer Legislative Reception:
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring the Orange County Non-Profit Expo and Live Music by 90's cover band Diego's Garage, featuring OCTA's CEO Darrell Johnson. Splash into summer with local leaders, community changemakers, and nonprofit champions - all at Orange County's favorite waterpark!
This event is open to ACC-OC Members Only and includes complimentary full day park access for members and their families. Registration is required.
Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Project
This July, ACC-OC is partnering with OC Sanitation District (OC San) to spotlight their Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Project—a next-generation solution for biosolids management that positions Orange County as a national leader in sustainability and innovation. Whether you're exploring biosolids alternatives, looking to build local capacity in sustainability, or simply interested in innovation in the public sector—this is a must-attend
ACC-OC 2025 Washington DC Advocacy Trip
Be part of the ACC-OC 2025 Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip, where Orange County leaders come together to champion regional priorities at our Nation’s Capital.
The Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) applauds the decisive actions taken by Orange County representatives in defeating the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Proposed Amended Rules (PARS) 1111 and 1121 at the June 6 AQMD Governing Board meeting.
These proposed amendments would have placed undue burdens on local jurisdictions by significantly increasing housing construction and retrofit costs, while also reducing energy redundancy — a critical concern during wildfire season, extreme heat events, and utility shutoffs.
We extend our sincere thanks to AQMD Board Members Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Yorba Linda Councilman Carlos Rodriguez for their leadership and advocacy to protect our residents and businesses. A special note of appreciation to ACC-OC Board President Jamey Federico, Council Member for the City of Dana Point, for testifying in person at the AQMD hearing in opposition to the attempted regulatory overreach. Their efforts, alongside those of other engaged local officials, led to the 7–5 defeat of the proposed rules.
This outcome is a major win for:
Local control and the ability of cities to shape energy and housing policy in a way that meets the needs of our communities
Energy resiliency, ensuring residents are not left vulnerable during grid instability
Affordability, preventing increased construction costs that would exacerbate Orange County’s already challenging housing market
ACC-OC will continue to advocate for pragmatic, locally informed approaches to clean air and sustainability — ones that respect the economic realities and infrastructure needs of our communities.
If you have any questions about the rules or would like more information on how to support future advocacy efforts, please contact:
Wendy Strack (Director of Legislative Affairs, ACC-OC) - wstrack@accoc.org
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to Orange County’s residents
View ACC-OC's Letter
ACC-OC is proud to serve as the SoCalGas Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, helping cities and public sector organizations improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Benefits of Participating:
✔ No-cost energy assessments to identify saving opportunities
✔ Financial support for energy-efficient equipment upgrades
✔ Expert guidance from energy professionals on best practices
✔ Reduced energy consumption to meet state and local sustainability goals
✔ Project management assistance to streamline implentation
Through programs like the Large Public Sector Program and Public Direct Install Program, eligible organizations can receive:
Whole facility energy audits to create customized energy-saving roadmaps
No-cost efficiency upgrades, including hot water insulation, low-flow fixtures, and commercial kitchen improvements
Rebates and on-bill financing for energy-efficient equipment installations
To learn more about how your city or organization can benefit, contact Marlene Barraza (mbarraza@accoc.org) to schedule a meeting or ask questions!
Large Public Sector Program | Public Direct Install Program |
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Join MWDOC on Thursday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. at The Westin South Coast Plaza as they are privileged to welcome The Honorable Troy Edgar, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as their keynote speaker.
Sustain Southern California
Join Sustain SoCal at our 12th Annual Driving Mobility Event! This event, focused on sustainable transportation solutions, will include a professional program and extensive clean vehicle expo. Topics will include autonomous vehicles, EV battery recycling, vehicle to grid, fuel cell vehicles, and micro-transport.
Details:
Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 1 pm - 7 pm
Location: UCI Beall Applied Innovation
50% off code: DM12ACCOC50
City of Irvine
The City of Irvine, in partnership with the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, is hosting the annual Field of Valor event July 1–13 at the Irvine Civic Center Lawn. Members of the community are invited to honor veterans, active duty, or fallen service members by either sponsoring a flag or visiting the flag display.
Honor a loved one by sponsoring a Field of Valor display flag :
Each flag is 3 by 5 feet on a 10-foot pole
Each flag is individually illuminated
Sponsors can name a flag in honor of a veteran or active duty service member
Flag sponsorship is $65 per flag, available through June 20, 2025
Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis at cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor
Proceeds benefit the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee
Mesa Water District
Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) is proud to congratulate young filmmakers from Costa Mesa High School for their innovative and original videos promoting Mesa Water’s 100% local water supply and use of water, straight from the tap.
Monetary prizes were awarded to the following winners:
1st Place – $1,000 – India Howerton and Graydon Sage
2nd Place - $750 – Alejandro Sanchez
3rd Place - $500 – Logan Bell and Diego Perez
Additionally, Mesa Water presented a $500 Amazon gift card for classroom supplies to an instructor of the third-place winners – Sarah Portwood, drama teacher at Costa Mesa High School, who encouraged her students’ participation in the contest.
City of Laguna Niguel
City of Laguna Niguel wants your opinion on mobility enhancement alternatives and intersection improvement options along La Paz Road from Aliso Creek Road to Crown Valley Parkway.
Cal Assist Mortgage
Applications for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund are now open to California homeowners impacted by recent disasters.
The State of California’s new $105 million mortgage relief fund is administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and will provide three months of mortgage payments, up to $20,000, to eligible homeowners.
Low- to middle-income households may qualify if they are currently displaced from their home that was destroyed or left uninhabitable as the result of a qualified disaster that occurred between January 2023 and January 2025, such as the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Park Fire and San Diego floods.
Cox Communications
Community Grants – Orange County
Conservation & Sustainability: Funding available for projects or programs that promote positive environmental change in Orange County. Grants will be awarded between $5,000 and $25,000.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Samueli Foundation
Build OC Fund
Capital Funding: A $5 million Build OC Fund to support Orange County-based nonprofits’ capital projects, consisting of individual grants up to $1M.
Application Deadline: June 27, 2025
Department of Housing and Community Development
Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2023 PLHA NOFA
This program provides long-term funding to support affordable housing, homeless prevention programs, and other housing-related projects. Funds are allocated based on California jurisdictions’ housing needs.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2027
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
This program provides technical and financial support to conserve priority coastal ecosystems. Through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies, the Coastal Program aims to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats on both public and private lands.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Samueli Foundation
LFI and Leadership Accelerator Program
The Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator program, run by the renowned Bridgespan Group, provides scholarship-supported access to strategic coaching, leadership development and peer-learning opportunities for 100 nonprofit executive teams. Through a mix of classroom workshops, team-led projects and executive coaching, LFI equips leaders with the skills and tools to strengthen their organizations, drive long-term sustainability and increase their community impact. Participating organizations contribute a portion of the program cost, ensuring shared investment in their growth and success.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
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