Pioneer Community Energy board votes to reduce rates during hot summer months

Pioneer Community Energy announced this week the approval of a mid-year rate reduction during the hot summer months. The vote by the Pioneer Board lowers rates for the summer by an average of 5 percent. Additionally, the rate adjustment is retroactive to July 1. Many Pioneer customers will receive a credit on their August bill to reflect the money-saving action. "As part of our commitment to provide customer savings, the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board approved at its July 18 meeting a mid-year rate adjustment to lower summer electricity rates, ensuring Pioneer customers save money during the summer, when rates and usage are at their highest," said Alice Dowdin Calvillo, board chair of Pioneer and Auburn City Councilmember. Pioneer powers homes and businesses by purchasing energy from cost-effective sources while using existing PG&E transmission lines. The Community Choice Aggregator provides electricity to 170,000 meters in Auburn, Colfax, Grass Valley, Lincoln, Loomis, Nevada City, Placerville, Rocklin, unincorporated Placer County and unincorporated El Dorado County. Donald Eckert Jr., Pioneer CEO, said this action was taken partly in response to the extreme weather this summer. "This is turning out to be a long and hot summer and Pioneer has responded with an average 5 percent reduction in our rates that remain below PG&E's generation rate," he said. "We can do this through strong fiscal management and expertise in our power procurement. We are not-for-profit and our shareholders are the communities we serve." The electricity provider has saved its customers more than $85 million since 2018, powering the communities it serves with competitive rates and a choice in energy options. Eckert said lowering summer rates is another way Pioneer "helps our customers when they need it most." "I am pleased that the Pioneer board voted to offer reduced rates to the communities we serve, furthering our commitment to saving customers money and providing exceptional local service," Dowdin Calvillo said. For more information, visit pioneercommunityenergy.org.