PG&E has increased rates for all customers to support their poles and wires (T&D). This affects Pioneer and non-Pioneer customers equally – everyone’s rates will go up the exact same dollar amount.
Don’t be misled. We guarantee that Pioneer’s savings over PG&E have not changed. Calculate your savings in El Dorado and Placer County.

Pioneer Community Energy Reminds You to Plan Ahead: Prepare for Power Outages, and Keep Your Cool!

Family playing outdoors

Plan Ahead: Prepare for Power Outages, Stay Safe and Reduce Stress

Power outages in our service area can happen without notice or be planned events. While it’s easier for residents and businesses to prepare for a scheduled outage that occurs with adequate advance notice, some power outages happen suddenly due to storms, vehicle accidents, fires or other causes.

By taking steps now to prepare for future outages, you can keep your family, employees, and customers safe, reduce stress and minimize potential challenges.

STOP! Is Your Power Off?

To report a power outage or get current information on outages in your area, visit  pge.com/outagealerts or call (800) 743-5000.

Prepare Now: Be Ready and Stay Safe

A little proactive planning now can make life much easier when the power goes out. Consider these items as you prepare to help ensure you’re ready for the next outage.

  • Basic needs: These include water, nonperishable food, medication, and first aid for your family, pets, and livestock. Keep enough water on hand to provide for them and household needs, such as cooking. If your home is on a well system with an electric pump, you will need extra water for hand washing, flushing toilets, etc.
  • Communication: Plan how you will stay informed and in touch. A radio with extra batteries is essential, along with batteries or battery-powered chargers for phones and other communication devices.
  • Safety: You will need flashlights, lanterns, lights and plenty of extra batteries. Fire extinguishers are also critically important to have on hand at all times.
  • Transportation: Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas or is completely charged. If you need to evacuate quickly, this can make a big difference.
  • Cash: Power outages can affect ATMs and credit card equipment, so keep some extra cash on hand just in case.
  • Emergency/evacuation plan: It’s smart to have an emergency/evacuation plan ready. Your family members should have an agreed-upon plan in place; in an emergency, you may be in various locations and unable to coordinate. Having a prearranged plan ensures that your loved ones know where to go and what to do.

Be Smart About Backup Power Options

Many businesses and some homes make use of backup power equipment during power outages. If you are adding or using battery or generator backup, be sure to:

  • Use a licensed, qualified professional to install stand-by and permanent generation to ensure safety and code compliance.
  • Choose a system that matches your critical electrical needs.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and installation.

Stay Informed and Sign Up for Alerts

For a complete list of emergency preparedness tips and to sign up for the “CodeRed” alert notification system, visit the El Dorado County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) page.

For more helpful information from Pioneer, visit our Understanding Outages page.

More News from Pioneer

More News from Pioneer

Solar Customers Receive Annual True-Up

Pioneer issued checks to solar customers with a cumulative net surplus of energy (known as Net Surplus Generators) during May for the March/April billing period if their credit balance (calculated at the Net Surplus Compensation Rate) for the past 12 months exceeded $25.00. Credit balances of less than $25.00 were rolled forward and applied to the next bill.

A few of our clients have contacted us to confirm the check’s authenticity. Rest assured, it is indeed real! If you receive a Blue or Orange check from Bill.com with a reference to Pioneer, it is safe to deposit. 

We take pride in helping our solar customers save; Pioneer pays $.005 (1/2 cent) per kWh more than PG&E for any over-production sold back to the grid (Net Surplus Compensation Rate or NSC).Â