California community choice aggregator Pioneer Community Energy on July 16 announced its expansion into 13 new communities. A service launch date is set for October 2027.
Communities joining Pioneer include 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.
“We are thrilled to bring the many benefits that Pioneer offers to so many like-minded communities. This expansion brings a choice in energy providers that these customers previously have not had,” said Pioneer Board Chair and Auburn City Councilmember Alice Dowdin Calvillo. “Plus, all of these communities will benefit from Pioneer’s commitment to keeping rates competitive, which helps customers save money.”
Pioneer will purchase electricity (represented as the generation portion of customer bills), while Pacific Gas and Electric will deliver the energy through its lines and poles (represented as transmission and distribution on customer bills).
The expansion process began in 2024, with each of the new members evaluating the benefits of community choice aggregation in general, and Pioneer specifically. Joining Pioneer was discussed at several public meetings of each of the governing bodies and culminated with each jurisdiction voting to join Pioneer.
Upon approval by its Board of Directors, Pioneer submitted an amended Implementation Plan to the California Public Utilities Commission, which certified the plan on June 11, 2025. Final documents were submitted to the California Secretary of State and California State Controller’s Office on July 9, 2025.
“We look forward to working in partnership with our 13 new members so that they fully understand and take advantage of the savings, programs, and community reinvestment opportunities that Pioneer offers,” said Pioneer Chief Executive Officer Don Eckert.
Since launching in 2018, Pioneer has saved customers more than $108 million, with an additional $38 million in anticipated savings for 2025. Savings are reinvested in the communities Pioneer serves through economic development projects, local power purchase agreements, participation in community events, and the purchase of goods and services. This expansion more than doubles Pioneer’s current number of customers.
Pioneer plans to work with local leaders in each of the new communities to conduct a comprehensive community education and outreach effort in advance of the service launch.
