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Butte County moves to join Pioneer Community Energy; board waives first reading
Summary
The Board unanimously approved waiving the first reading of an ordinance to join Pioneer Community Energy, a community choice aggregator. Staff said joining could provide lower rates and customer service options while PG&E would continue to own transmission lines; implementation would require CPUC approval and community outreach.
Butte County supervisors voted Jan. 28 to waive the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the county to join Pioneer Community Energy, a community choice aggregator (CCA) that would procure electricity on behalf of participating jurisdictions while PG&E continues to transmit power over its lines.
Joshua Pack, director of public works, said an impact assessment completed last year supported moving forward and noted that the cities of Chico and Oroville and the town of Paradise are pursuing parallel actions. "Once that happens, Pioneer will begin working to procure power on behalf of us and our other partners," Pack said, adding that Pioneer anticipates community outreach and that customers would have the option to remain with PG&E.
Pack said the county completed a prescreening and that Pioneer’s board had approved expansion and JPA amendments in December. He recommended placing a consent‑agenda resolution on the Feb. 11 meeting packet to finalize the county’s participation.
Public comment included support from a community member who said reducing dependence on PG&E and pursuing Pioneer was a good fit. The board voted unanimously to move forward on the first reading waiver.
Next steps: staff will place the ordinance/resolution on a future consent agenda, coordinate outreach with Pioneer, and file the implementation plan with the California Public Utilities Commission for final approval before any customer opt‑in occurs. Pack said the earliest expected timeline for operational participation is fall 2027.
