Local Government

Orange County Power Authority lets controversial CEO go (updated 5/3/2023)

Brian Probolsky, CEO of the controversial Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), was let go by the board members in a closed session on April 19. His dismissal comes after two years in which he oversaw the agency’s creation and successful launch, followed by four failed audits, including one that found he improperly approved contracts without the board’s approval.

Irvine Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Tammy Kim, and Buena Park Councilman Jose Trinidad Castaneda voted to remove Probolsky. Orange County representative Don Wagner voted against dismissal. OCPA chair and Fullerton representative Fred Jung abstained from the vote, and Huntington Beach representative Casey McKeon was absent from the meeting.

Following the closed session report, Jung thanked CEO Probolsky on behalf of the board for his service.

Probolsky’s last day will be on May 30. There has been no public announcement or vote by the OCPA board to appoint an interim CEO. The OCPA’s Board will name an interim CEO in the coming weeks.


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    • OC Power Authority is a Community Cooperative; it buys clean energy for our electricity. When it works it is great for the community, but when it is bad it is not good for anyone. So far, it has not been good. Hopefully, the OCPA will get better at outreach, education, and transparency.