Pioneer Energy executive director resigns

Stating that her professional training and experience don't align with board direction given Monday on debt and fiscal management, Pioneer Community Energy Executive Director Jenine Windeshausen issued a letter of resignation Tuesday. Windeshausen, the Placer County treasurer for more than 25 years, said she will work to assist the board with recruitment of a new executive director "unless the board chooses otherwise." The board voted 4-2 on Monday to direct Pioneer staff to bring a finance plan back to its Aug. 5 meeting that provided the most rate relief for customers out of three options considered at the meeting. But Windeshausen warned that the lowest-rate option came with a price — dropping the amount of funding that could be put into debt repayment and reserves. Voting in favor of an option that gives residential customers a 17 percent discount to Pacific Gas & Electric rates and a 2 percent overall increase were Placer County Supervisor Kirk Uhler, Colfax City Councilman Kim Douglass, Rocklin City Councilman Greg Janda and Lincoln City Councilman Peter Gilbert. Voting against the motion were Auburn Mayor Cheryl Maki and Loomis Town Councilman Jeff Duncan. Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes was at the meeting for the first 1 3/4 hours but left well before the vote, saying he had another meeting to attend.