Coming in October 2027: Pioneer is expanding into 13 new territories. Learn More Today!

Launching Service in 13 New Communities in
October 2027

Your Power. Your Choice.

Meet Pioneer Community Energy

Beginning in October 2027, Pioneer will become the electricity provider for residents and businesses in the counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, the cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City and the Town of Paradise.

Pioneer is a locally owned not-for-profit electricity provider — powering unincorporated Placer and El Dorado counties and the incorporated cities of Auburn, Colfax, Grass Valley, Lincoln, Nevada City, Placerville, Rocklin, and the Town of Loomis with competitive rates, exceptional local service, and a choice in energy options. Pioneer operates for the benefit of the communities we serve. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pioneer supplies the electricity generation portion of the bill, while gas and transmission/distribution charges come from PG&E. Want to learn about the details? Visit our What we do page. To understand how to calculate your savings, visit our Understanding Your Bill page. By exploring this website, customers can learn about Pioneer’s commitment to ensuring competitive rates, investing in the communities we serve, and advocating for legislative and regulatory policies and issues important to our customers.

Electricity

Pioneer buys electricity on the open market from various suppliers. Pioneer’s buying team works with local sources to negotiate pricing and ensure a steady energy supply.

utility-poles2

Delivery

PG&E delivers electricity, maintains the infrastructure of power lines and poles, and send out bills to customers.

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Customer

As a customer of both Pioneer and PG&E, customers get a choice in electricity providers. With Pioneer, customers receive competitive rates, energy options, and exceptional local service.

How does Pioneer save you money?

As a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA), Pioneer is a locally owned, not-for-profit energy provider committed to keeping rates stable and competitive. California’s first CCA launched in 2010, and CCAs now serve more than 200 cities, towns and counties, providing electricity generation to more than 14 million customers.

Since our beginning in 2018, Pioneer has saved customers $108 million – and Pioneer continues to support local economic development by reinvesting our savings into the communities we serve.

When will service begin?

Service begins in October 2027, on the day after PG&E reads a customer’s meter — which marks the first day of a new billing cycle.

Will my home or business be enrolled in Pioneer?

Yes. Pioneer will become the default energy provider for all unincorporated areas of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne counties, and the incorporated areas of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Paradise, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City. Please call Pioneer’s office at (916) 758-8969 if you have questions.

Why are homes and business automatically enrolled?

California law (2002 AB 117) requires auto-enrollment in CCA programs to ensure that all ratepayers have fair and equal access to the benefits of CCAs, including cost savings and a choice in energy options.

How will new communities learn about Pioneer?

Pioneer is proud to be a part of the communities it serves. As such, Pioneer will begin working with new members to share information about Pioneer. In advance of the October 2027 service launch, Pioneer will host town halls, meet with local leaders and organizations, and communicate extensively about what to expect as part of the service launch. 

What about customers who have solar?

Pioneer currently serves more than 43,000 solar customers and pays a ½-cent premium for net surplus compensation for customers that generate more power than they consume. When a community enrolls in Pioneer, solar customers are automatically enrolled in our NEM program near their true-up date, but customers can also enroll early. Although the true-up process is different, Pioneer still benefits solar customers.

How much do you pay for net surplus?

Pioneer pays a ½-cent premium per kWh on top of PG&E’s net surplus compensation rate. In spring 2025, Pioneer paid $1 million to 7,400 customers.

Do I get to keep my discount programs like CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline?

Yes, and no action is required. Customers will continue to receive the full benefits of the programs you are enrolled in and will not receive a reduction to your discount. To verify this, give Pioneer a call at (916) 758-8969.

When will service begin?

Service begins in October 2027, on the day after PG&E reads a customer’s meter — which marks the first day of a new billing cycle.

Will my home or business be enrolled in Pioneer?

Yes. Pioneer will become the default energy provider for all unincorporated areas of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne counties, and the incorporated areas of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Paradise, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City. Please call Pioneer’s office at (916) 758-8969 if you have questions.

Why are homes and business automatically enrolled?

California law (2002 AB 117) requires auto-enrollment in CCA programs to ensure that all ratepayers have fair and equal access to the benefits of CCAs, including cost savings and a choice in energy options.

What if I have solar?

Pioneer currently serves more than 43,000 solar customers and pays a ½-cent premium for net surplus compensation for customers that generate more power than they consume. When a community enrolls in Pioneer, solar customers are automatically enrolled in our NEM program near their true-up date, but customers can also enroll early. Although the true-up process is different, Pioneer still benefits solar customers.

How much do you pay for net surplus?

Pioneer pays a ½-cent premium per kWh on top of PG&E’s net surplus compensation rate. In spring 2025, Pioneer paid $1 million to 7,400 customers.

Do I get to keep my discount programs like CARE, FERA and Medical Baseline?

Yes, and no action is required. Customers will continue to receive the full benefits of the programs you are enrolled in and will not receive a reduction to your discount. To verify this, give Pioneer a call at (916) 758-8969.

How will new communities learn about Pioneer?

Pioneer is proud to be a part of the communities it serves. As such, Pioneer will begin working with new members to share information about Pioneer. In advance of the October 2027 service launch, Pioneer will host town halls, meet with local leaders and organizations, and communicate extensively about what to expect as part of the service launch. 

What Are My Energy Choices?

Pioneer is proud to offer customers a choice in electricity providers. Customers can choose between Pioneer’s standard rate and Green100 (the only 100% renewable product in the region), or customers can remain with PG&E. Visit our Green100 page to learn more.

Pioneer-standard-logo-lockup

39.4%
Renewable

$ 223.99 average total electric bill
  •  
pioneer-green100-lockup

100%
Renewable

$ 230.66 average total electric bill
  •  

PG&E

32.8%
Renewable

$ 245.95 average total electric bill
  •  

Based on average residential usage of 613 kWh per month