Oxnard Approves Controversial Plan to Convert Power Plant into Lithium Battery Facility
City Council greenlights Genon's proposal to delay Ormond Beach plant shutdown in exchange for $45 million legal aid investment.
Here’s the breakdown
Read this especially if you're following environmental justice, local government accountability, or the future of renewable energy infrastructure.
What’s Going On
On November 18, Oxnard City Council narrowly voted 4–3 to allow Genon, owner of the Ormond Beach Power Plant, to convert the aging facility into a lithium battery storage site.
This plan extends the plant’s life beyond its scheduled 2026 shutdown, sparking intense local backlash and accusations of broken promises.
Supporters cited a proposed $45 million investment in legal aid for low-income residents, but critics said the vote undermines years of community efforts to retire the plant and protect public health.
Who Voted and Why It Matters
- In favor: Councilmembers Bert Perello, Gabriela Rodriguez, Michaela Perez, Gabriela Basua
- Opposed: Mayor Luis McArthur, Councilmembers Aaron Starr, Gabe Turan
City Manager Alex Nguyen, who recommended the proposal, argued that the funding would help create a legal aid nonprofit focused on housing, immigration, and employment issues.
He acknowledged the move is not final. Approval from 14 state regulatory agencies is still needed before the site can transition.
What’s at Stake
The plant has long been targeted by environmental groups due to its proximity to residential areas and environmental risks.
Youth advocates and local residents packed the meeting, demanding the city honor its April resolution to close the plant in 2026.
The vote comes despite past promises to decommission the plant as part of broader environmental justice goals.
One student, CeCe Todd from Pacifica High School, said the vote represented a betrayal:
“We expect the city to make decisions beneficial to Oxnard residents... you will be destroying the trust the community has given to you.”
Voices on Both Sides
🔸 Supporters
Argued the lithium project could transform the plant into a clean-energy hub.
Emphasized the rare opportunity to launch a powerful legal aid service for underserved communities.
Perello: “I’m willing to roll the dice on this one.”
🔸 Opponents
Said the move was rushed and undermined years of advocacy.
Called out lack of transparency and credibility.
Mayor McArthur: “It comes at the cost of a loss of trust in us.”
Why This Matters
This decision represents a local flashpoint in the broader national debate about how communities manage the clean energy transition, especially when the interests of corporate investment, environmental justice, and public trust collide.
It also shows how communities can be offered much-needed services, like legal aid, in exchange for extending environmentally harmful operations.
Why You Should Care
If you care about clean energy, environmental racism, or how cities negotiate corporate deals with social trade-offs, Oxnard’s vote is a revealing case.
It shows how local decisions can reshape community health, climate goals, and civic trust, all in one night.