Pioneer Community Energy

In January 2022, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors directed staff to research how Community Choice Aggregation could benefit the residents of Nevada County.  

The CCA in our region, Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer), was formed in 2017 and launched in 2018. Pioneer is governed by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from each member agency. This board sets rates and procurement policies. All meetings are open to the public.

Visit the Pioneer Community Energy website to learn more.

Following extensive research on CCA programs, staff has identified the following potential benefits of Nevada County partnering with Pioneer Community Energy. These potential benefits include:

Consumer Choice

When Pioneer service goes live in Nevada County (targeted for October 2027), Nevada County customers will be automatically enrolled with Pioneer. However, each customer will have the option to opt out of Pioneer service and stay with PG&E.

Customer Savings

On average, Pioneer provides an opportunity for customer savings. 

Consistency with Neighboring Communities

Pioneer currently provides energy to many of our neighboring communities, including Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Rocklin, Loomis, Placerville, unincorporated Placer County, and unincorporated El Dorado County.  In addition to Nevada County, twelve other jurisdictions, including Sutter County, Tuolomne County, Butte County, Chico, Live Oak, Oroville, Paradise, Sonora, Yuba City, Glenn County, Orland, and Willows, are pursuing joining Pioneer. 

Opportunities for Local Economic Development

Given its nonprofit JPA structure, excess revenues from Pioneer's operations will be reinvested in the local communities of the member agencies. The board of the JPA maintains the authority to approve the allocation of the excess funds. As a JPA member, Nevada County has a seat on the board. 

In addition, Pioneer prioritizes purchasing power from local renewable energy providers, supporting local jobs and contributing to the sustainability of local businesses. 

Renewable Energy Option

Pioneer offers customers a 100% Renewable Plan option whereas PG&E does not currently offer a 100% renewable energy plan option.

Additional Benefits to Solar Customers

• Pioneer currently pays ½ cent more than PG&E for excess kWh (Net Surplus Compensation)
• Pioneer solar customers pay monthly when consumption exceeds generation instead of receiving one annual electric true-up bill.
• If a NEM produces less electricity than they generate, they receive the same discount to PG&E as non-NEM customers receive.
• Unused solar generation credits rollover from month-to-month with Pioneer.
• Consumer Choice: Nevada County customers will have the option to stay with PG&E.

Maintenance of CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline Benefits

All current members of these programs will see no changes to their benefits.

Background

• August 8, 2023: Pioneer Community Energy and Nevada County staff gave informational programmatic presentation to the Board of Supervisors.
• October 2023: Board of Supervisors received presentation on impact assessment. Given the unfavorable financial feasibility, the Board decided not to move forward with Pioneer at that time. 
• Summer 2024: Following staff research and evaluation of the energy markets, the County commissioned another impact assessment study.
• November 2024: Board of Supervisors received a presentation on updated impact study, which indicated a favorable outlook for Pioneer to move forward with adding Nevada County.
• December 2024: Pioneer Board of Directors approved moving forward with addition of Nevada County and 12 other jurisdictions to the CCA.
• February 2025: Ordinance and resolution to join Pioneer Community Energy approved by Board of Supervisors. 
  • Board of Supervisors' Meeting Agenda 
  • Staff Report 
• March 2025: Implementation plan filed, with subsequent approval by the CPUC. 

Next Steps 

• 2025: Pioneer begins to procure power for expansion territories
• 2026: Nevada County will launch community outreach and education efforts. 
• October 2027: Target for Pioneer to launch service in unincorporated Nevada County. 

About Community Choice Aggregation

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a program that allows local governments in California to purchase and/or generate electricity for their residents and businesses instead of relying on investor-owned utilities like PG&E. 

Visit the CalCCA website to learn more about Community Choice Aggregation.

How It Works

Under the CCA program, the provider manages where and how local electricity is generated while the local investor-owned utility (IOU) provider (PG&E in Western Nevada County) continues to deliver the power to the community. The CCA program allows for consumer options, local economic development (profits are invested back into the local community instead of paid out to shareholders), transparency in rate setting, and cleaner energy opportunities. PG&E continues to be responsible for customer billing.

Once a local government decides to partner with a CCA, all customers within the jurisdiction will be automatically enrolled in the CCA; however, customers retain the option to “opt out” of the CCA program and continue to receive power from PG&E.