Orland approves resolution joining Pioneer Community Energy; council also authorizes CCA implementation ordinance

Orland City Council on Feb. 4 approved joining Pioneer Community Energy by adopting an amended and restated joint powers agreement and authorized an ordinance to begin the community choice aggregation (CCA) implementation process.

Pioneer Community Energy representatives presented the results of an impact assessment study that the city and nearby jurisdictions commissioned to determine whether expansion into Glenn County, including Orland and Willows, would be financially feasible and whether Pioneer could secure sufficient power and resource adequacy for the additional load. Lisa Delavi, community outreach manager for Pioneer Community Energy, and Taylor Smith, Pioneer communications specialist, explained the study findings and next steps.

The study examined two years of PG&E customer data, projected revenues under Pioneer’s rate products, resource adequacy constraints and renewable energy availability. Delavi said the analysis found expansion into the jurisdictions under study would not financially harm existing Pioneer customers and that Pioneer has the power-supply resources to serve the three immediate jurisdictions (Glenn County/Orland/Willows). The recommended launch window for the full 13-jurisdiction expansion remains October 2027; the CPUC requires about a one-year review for an implementation plan.

Council and public questions focused on customer opt-out rights, impacts on solar customers, emergency shutoffs, how service and billing are handled with PG&E, and the source of Pioneer’s rate savings. Delavi said customers are automatically enrolled but may opt out online at no cost and that PG&E will continue to own and operate transmission and distribution lines, handle outages and billing. Pioneer’s business model, she said, depends on not-for-profit governance, local power purchase agreements and a leaner operating structure compared with investor-owned utilities.

Council action: The council voted to adopt the amended and restated Joint Powers Agreement (resolution) to expand Pioneer membership and then voted to authorize the ordinance authorizing the implementation of a CCA program and submission of an implementation plan to the CPUC under Public Utilities Code section 366.2. The resolution passed (3–2). The vote on the implementing ordinance passed as recorded in the roll call (members recorded as voting Yes: Council Member Barr, Council Member Smith, Council Member McDermott, Vice Mayor Toll; Mayor Romano recorded No); the council completed the required roll calls and recorded the outcome.

Next steps: Council staff and Pioneer will finalize ordinance language and the implementation plan for CPUC submission, continue community outreach and execute the enrollment and education timeline that aims for an October 2027 launch if CPUC approval and other milestones proceed.

Why it matters: Joining a CCA changes which entity negotiates and procures generation on behalf of ratepayers while PG&E continues to operate the grid and bill customers. The decision commits Orland to a multi-year implementation timeline and starts the administrative process that allows residents to be auto-enrolled (with an opt-out) into Pioneer’s rate products once the CPUC approves the plan.

Votes at a glance: The council adopted the amended and restated joint powers agreement (resolution) to join Pioneer Community Energy (motion passed 3–2). The council also approved an ordinance to authorize submission of the CCA implementation plan to the CPUC (roll-call votes recorded; ordinance authorization carried).