The ACC-OC Leadership Summit Registration is now open. Join us for an event featuring the prestigious Golden Hub of Innovation Awards and the installation of our 2024 Board of Directors. Let's celebrate changemakers, innovation, and regional impact together.
Categories Include:
Technology-Driven Transparent Governance Excellence
Collaborative Community Development & Innovation
Community Safety and Resilience Excellence
Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Transportation Innovation and Mobility Solutions
ACC-OC Innovator of the Year
City Staff Leader of the Year
City Manager of the Year
First Responder of the Year
Legacy Award (Judges' Choice)
Join the Conversation on ACC-OC's City Square Podcast
-Where Orange County Comes to Connect-
Catch up on the latest episode of City Square, Where ACC-OC Board President Stephanie Klopfenstein hosts Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima. Together, they explore the crucial services provided by CalOptima, ensuring equitable access to health and human services for all Californians. A special thanks to our sponsor, AIM Youth Mental Health, for supporting this episode.
Our latest episode of City Square podcast is live!
Stay tuned for our next episode-its something you won't want to miss!
Listen on all platforms
We're thrilled to announce our upcoming events and can't wait to share them with you all! Visit our website to register and secure your spot for these exciting opportunities.
We're excited to announce that our upcoming trip to Sacramento for the ACC-OC Advocacy Trip on April 8-9th is now sold out! This opportunity offers attendees the chance to engage directly with legislative leaders and advocate for policies vital to our region, covering areas such as energy, infrastructure, housing, public safety, water, and more. Thank you to everyone who registered, and we look forward to a productive and impactful trip!
MWD Colorado River Aqueduct Tour
Registration is now open! Join ACC-OC and MWD to tour their state-of-the-art Colorado River Aqueduct.
May 17-19
ACC-OC Washington DC Legislative Advocacy Trip
Join us as at the Nation’s Capital to advocate on Orange County’s top issues at the federal level.
September 16-19th
Phoenix Park Hotel, Washington DC
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the disapproval South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) Contingency Measure Plan for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, a decision that could have severe implications for our community's health and environment.
After receiving urgent requests to extend the 30-day public comment period, including a letter from ACC-OC and OCCOG, EPA has extended the deadline to April 3, 2024. Attached is the EPA notice to extend the deadline.
South Coast AQMD has created a webpage to provide current information on EPA’s proposed disapproval, CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
View ACC-OC's Action Alert
City of Irvine
The City of Irvine is pioneering a comprehensive sustainability initiative, partnering with various organizations and volunteers to combat climate change. Through the innovative Cool Block program, residents are empowered to lead their neighborhoods in sustainaility efforts, educing emissions and ulitility billd while enhancing resilience against climate disasters. With over 25 community organizations involved and 200 dedicated volunteers, Cool Block teams are tackling topics like energy efficiency, water conservation, and emergency preparedness, offering actionable solutions for a greener, more resilient future.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Join CPUC's Water Division webinar on April 3, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. to learn about their efforts in ensuring affordable, safe, and accessible water service. Topics include water rates, consumer assistance programs, compliance monitoring, water quality, conservation, and coordination during emergencies. Attendees can participate in a Q&A session to share opinions and ask questions.
Two Updates from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Track Protection Project at Mariposa Point
UPDATE: As of Monday, March 25, 2024, the regular passenger rail service has been reinstated through San Clemente, thanks to the completion of a catchment wall at Mariposa Point. This milestone restores a crucial link in Southern California's transportation system, achieved ahead of schedule through expedited work facilitated by strong cooperation between transportation agencies and the State, including CalSTA. Metrolink passengers can now access the latest updates on train schedules at metrolinktrains.com, while Pacific Surfliner passengers are encouraged to visit pacificsurfliner.com/alerts for the most current information.
Looking ahead, OCTA and its rail partners remain committed to working with local, state, and federal stakeholders on both immediate and long-term solutions to safeguard rail movement along this critical corridor. Efforts are already underway on the first of two studies, with listening sessions initiated for the OCTA-led Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study. This study aims to protect the rail line for the next 10 to 30 years and invites stakeholders and the public to participate in upcoming meetings to share insights and perspectives. For more information and to register for these sessions, please visit cta.net/CRRS.
For more information, visit the project page.
Taxpayer Oversight Committee
The Orange Country Transportation Authority (OCTA) is looking for volunteers from the first, second, fourth, and fifth supervisorial districts to join their Taxpayer Oversight Committee. Applications are open until May 3 for these four positions. Candidates must be Orange County residents, at least 18 years old, and live in the district they aim to represent. APPLY HERE
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently provides two types of grants. One focuses on climate initiatives, while the other is dedicated to environmental justice efforts
EPA has announced two competitions for CPRG implementation grants – a general competition for applications from states, municipalities, tribes, tribal consortia, and territories, and a competition only for tribes, tribal consortia, and territories. These competitions are open to entities that received planning grants to develop Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAPs) under phase 1 of the CPRG program, as well as entities that did not directly receive a planning grant that are applying for funds to implement measures included in an applicable PCAP. Eligible applicants may only apply for funding to implement measures contained in an applicable PCAP.
EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) announced its Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2024 funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003158). This funding opportunity will invest up to $30 million across nine topic areas to research, develop, and validate technologies with the potential to significantly advance building decarbonization.