Understanding Your Energy Bill

About Your Commercial Energy Bill

Customers who receive their electric supply from Pioneer Community Energy receive a consolidated bill issued by PG&E that includes PG&E’s delivery charges (transmission and distribution), various surcharges collected by PG&E and Pioneer’s electric generation charges. This is not a double bill or charge. In partnership with Pioneer, PG&E collects payments on behalf of Pioneer.

Business utility bills can be very confusing. A business can be assigned many different rates. If you have questions about your business or commercial account’s PG&E-assigned rate category, please contact your Pioneer team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by phone at (916) 758-8969. The Pioneer customer service team will be happy to work with you and help you understand your electric utility bill, rates and charges.

UPDATE: Understanding Natural Gas Charges

Many customers are experiencing a higher PG&E bill due to charges for natural gas. Natural gas is a PG&E service and is a part of your PG&E bill. Pioneer does not manage natural gas. To better understand PG&E natural gas charges, please visit PG&E.

Pioneer procures your electricity, and we are committed to keeping costs low. Pioneer’s Board of Directors recently approved rates starting in January 2023 that will save all Pioneer customers an average of 15% compared with PG&E’s electricity procurement costs.

If you have questions or want to speak to someone directly, please contact your Pioneer Community Energy team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by calling (916) 758-8969.

Rate	Season*	Category	Time of Day
B1	Summer	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Partial-Peak	2 pm to 4 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

	Winter	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Super-Off-Peak	9 am to 2 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

B6	Summer	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

	Winter	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Super-Off-Peak	9 am to 2 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

B10	Summer	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Partial-Peak	2 pm to 4 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

	Winter	Peak	4 pm to 9 pm
		Super-Off-Peak	9 am to 2 pm
		Off-Peak	All Other Hours

Your Commercial Energy Bill Explained

The charges you see on your electricity bill can be simplified into four categories: electric generation, delivery and surcharges, power charge indifference adjustment (PCIA) fees and franchise fee surcharges.

Electricity Delivery and Surcharges

This charge is for the electricity you consume, as provided by Pioneer. You will no longer be charged by PG&E for your electricity generation. The amount paid varies greatly based on the season and the time of day.

Your bill will show you what you would have paid PG&E if you were still buying power from them, shown on your bill as a “Generation Credit”. You can compare this number to the Pioneer generation total PLUS the PCIA – listed on your bill. For more information about the PCIA “exit fee” see our page Understanding the PCIA.

Your bill could include demand charges (kW). These charges are based on the highest energy consumption in a set period of time within a billing month.

Your electricity will continue to be delivered by PG&E, which continues to own, operate, and maintain the transmission and delivery system (wires and poles). PG&E charges for transmitting and delivering your electricity (kWhs). The transmission and delivery charges are the same for everyone, regardless of whether you are a CCA Program customer or not.

Your bill could include demand charges (kW). These charges are based on the highest energy consumption in a set period of time within a billing month.

Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA)

An “exit” fee (PCIA) is charged to CCA customers which includes Pioneer customers. This fee is charged by PG&E to pay for the electricity it purchased through long-term contracts on behalf of CCA customers prior to their electricity being provided by a CCA. The PCIA varies by “vintage year.” The vintage year is determined by PG&E and can be found on every customer’s bill. This fee is adjusted annually and is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. For more information see our page Understanding the PCIA.

Franchise Fee Surcharge (FFS)

The Franchise Fee Surcharge (FFS) is intended to reimburse local governments for use of public rights of way and other public services. All ratepayers, whether or not they are served by a CCA like Pioneer, are subject to the FFS fee.

Pioneer customers are also PG&E customers. Because Pioneer and PG&E work together to provide your electric service to your home, your bill includes charges from both PG&E (for the fees applicable to gas) and Pioneer (for the fees applicable to energy). There will never be any duplicate charges. PG&E will continue to bill for your gas usage separately.

Total Amount Due

Every customer makes one payment to PG&E each month. If a customer is a Pioneer customer, PG&E will transfer the applicable funds to Pioneer on behalf of the customer.

If you have questions, about your bill or any of the related energy production fees, please contact your Pioneer Community Energy team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by calling (916) 758-8969.