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Tuolumne supervisors vote unanimously to join Pioneer Community Energy CCA
Summary
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 4 to join the Pioneer Community Energy joint powers authority, authorizing staff to proceed with steps required by the California Public Utilities Commission and waiving the first reading of a county ordinance needed for CCA implementation.
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted 5‑0 on Feb. 4 to join Pioneer Community Energy, a community choice aggregation (CCA) joint powers authority that will buy electricity on behalf of participating local governments while PG&E continues to deliver power across the county’s distribution network.
Robbie Bergstrom of Tuolumne County Economic Development presented the staff recommendation and said Pioneer’s impact study showed potential customer savings and an optimal launch for county customers in October 2027. Pioneer staff said they plan to submit an implementation plan to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in March 2025; if the CPUC approves the plan the county retains a final opportunity to opt out before service launch.
The board approved a resolution and an amended and restated joint powers agreement naming Tuolumne as a voting member of Pioneer’s JPA. The board also waived the first reading and set a second reading and adoption of a local ordinance that would amend the county code to permit participation, per Public Utilities Code section 366.2.
Board members asked technical questions about rate adjustments, exit options and Pioneer’s financial strength. Pioneer representatives said rates are generally adjusted annually in an open meeting, that there are no exit fees but timing constraints apply for leaving the JPA, and that Pioneer had an S&P financial rating reported as A‑minus. Pioneer said some member jurisdictions that joined earlier saw larger generation‑portion discounts in 2025 and estimated average generation savings of about 10% across all customers in the 2025 cycle; savings estimates apply to the generation portion of customers’ bills and not to PG&E transmission and delivery charges.
Supervisor Brandon moved the motion to approve Pioneer membership and the associated ordinance action; Supervisor Campbell seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor of the staff recommendations.
Staff said Pioneer will conduct a countywide public outreach program if the county remains in the implementation plan that Pioneer files with the CPUC; the county would hold a further decision point after CPUC approval and before any customer enrollment begins. The board also was told that if the county later sought withdrawal it must follow the JPA’s timing and financial notice provisions and that some continuing liabilities may remain through a member’s date of withdrawal under the JPA language.
