Pioneer Community Energy Lowers Electricity Rates for Third Consecutive Year

ROCKLIN, CA – As part of its commitment to ensuring competitive and sable rates for its customers, the Pioneer Community Energy Board of Directors at its January meeting approved lowering its electricity generation rates to create a 10 percent discount to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on the generation portion of the bill for the calendar year 2026. This action marks the third consecutive year that the Pioneer Board has voted to reduce generation rates. 

Pioneer sets the generation rate, while PG&E, the investor-owned utility in Pioneer territory, sets transmission and distribution rates. 

“Despite volatility in the energy market, we are committed to keeping our generation rates low to save our customers money in the long run,” said Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Pioneer Board Chair and Auburn City Councilmember.

Through 2025, Pioneer has saved customers an estimated $145 million. Savings by area include:

Pioneer reinvests savings into the communities it serves in several different ways including through local power purchase agreements, economic development projects, and purchasing local goods and services.

To further help customers save money, Pioneer offers a variety of rebate and incentive programs that help offset electricity costs. Additionally, income qualified customers can take advantage of the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs, which apply a discount to electricity bills. For Pioneer’s Net Energy Metering customers, Pioneer will continue to offer a one-half cent premium over PG&E’s Net Surplus Compensation rate in 2026.

For additional information, visit PioneerCommunityEnergy.org.