Pioneer Community Energy or PG&E: what a household pays beta
Pioneer Community Energy buys the electricity for 8 member cities; PG&E delivers it and sends the bill. Pick your city, rate plan and usage to see the official comparison of a typical bill on each Pioneer Community Energy product and on PG&E, with an estimate for your own usage.
Every plan on the official comparison
The typical monthly bill printed on the comparison for each residential rate plan, and the difference from PG&E (red: more, blue: less).
Placer County area
PG&E–Pioneer Community Energy joint rate comparison: PG&E rates utilize the 2026 PCIA vintage and are current as of March 1, 2026 · Pioneer rates utilize the 2017 PCIA vintage and are current as of March 2026. Source (fetched 2026-10-20).
| Plan | Typical use | PG&E | Pioneer Community Energy default | Pioneer Green100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 Tiered · sheet: E-1 | 580 kWh | $229.20 | $249.19 +8.7% | $255.50 +11.5% |
| E-1 CARE Tiered · sheet: E-1 CARE | 566 kWh | $129.71 | $149.22 +15.0% | $155.38 +19.8% |
| E-TOU-C Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOU C | 576 kWh | $227.05 | $247.07 +8.8% | $253.33 +11.6% |
| E-TOU-C CARE Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOU C CARE | 554 kWh | $125.55 | $144.79 +15.3% | $150.83 +20.1% |
| E-TOU-D Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOU D | 961 kWh | $364.87 | $398.24 +9.1% | $408.69 +12.0% |
| E-TOU-D CARE Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOU D CARE | 934 kWh | $212.47 | $244.90 +15.3% | $255.06 +20.0% |
| E-ELEC Electric home · sheet: E-ELEC | 1,324 kWh | $468.31 | $516.36 +10.3% | $530.77 +13.3% |
| E-ELEC CARE Electric home · sheet: E-ELEC CARE | 1,218 kWh | $260.19 | $304.25 +16.9% | $317.51 +22.0% |
| EV2-A Electric vehicle · sheet: EV2-A | 1,052 kWh | $341.22 | $378.92 +11.0% | $390.37 +14.4% |
| EV2-A CARE Electric vehicle · sheet: EV2-A (CARE) | 1,097 kWh | $206.03 | $245.49 +19.2% | $257.43 +24.9% |
El Dorado County, Grass Valley and Nevada City
PG&E–Pioneer Community Energy joint rate comparison: PG&E rates utilize the 2026 PCIA vintage and are current as of March 1, 2026 · Pioneer rates utilize the 2017 PCIA vintage and are current as of March 2026. Source (fetched 2026-10-20).
| Plan | Typical use | PG&E | Pioneer Community Energy default | Pioneer Green100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 Tiered · sheet: E-1 | 543 kWh | $213.71 | $241.07 +12.8% | $246.98 +15.6% |
| E-1 CARE Tiered · sheet: E-1 CARE | 574 kWh | $129.75 | $158.69 +22.3% | $164.94 +27.1% |
| E-TOU-C Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOU C | 587 kWh | $225.33 | $255.17 +13.2% | $261.56 +16.1% |
| E-TOU-C CARE Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day · sheet: E-TOU C CARE | 595 kWh | $130.80 | $161.07 +23.1% | $167.55 +28.1% |
| E-TOU-D Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOU D | 971 kWh | $368.06 | $417.21 +13.4% | $427.77 +16.2% |
| E-TOU-D CARE Time-of-use, peak 5–8 pm weekdays · sheet: E-TOU D CARE | 907 kWh | $206.20 | $252.05 +22.2% | $261.92 +27.0% |
| E-ELEC Electric home · sheet: E-ELEC | 1,290 kWh | $453.48 | $521.05 +14.9% | $535.08 +18.0% |
| E-ELEC CARE Electric home · sheet: E-ELEC CARE | 1,571 kWh | $326.87 | $409.51 +25.3% | $426.60 +30.5% |
| EV2-A Electric vehicle · sheet: EV2-A | 1,041 kWh | $337.13 | $391.04 +16.0% | $402.36 +19.3% |
| EV2-A CARE Electric vehicle · sheet: EV2-A (CARE) | 1,241 kWh | $233.82 | $298.22 +27.5% | $311.73 +33.3% |
- Both Pioneer sheets say Pioneer rates "utilize the 2017 PCIA vintage", yet this one prints a higher exit fee (PCIA/FF) than the Placer sheet. The figures are shown as printed.
Why the bills differ
The delivery part of the bill goes to PG&E whichever provider you choose. What differs is the price of the power itself and the exit fee (the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment, PCIA): a charge on CCA customers for power contracts the utility signed before they left, set by the CPUC each year by the year the customer's community left (its “vintage”). How it moved since 2018, by utility and vintage: the exit fee by year.
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), Pioneer Community Energy: the power price is 11.31¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.48¢ (1.16¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 3.72¢ for Pioneer Community Energy customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (4.64¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 3.47¢ a kWh, or $20.02 on the typical 576 kWh bill (+8.8%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), CARE, Pioneer Community Energy: the power price is 11.34¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.51¢ (1.17¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 3.72¢ for Pioneer Community Energy customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (4.64¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 3.47¢ a kWh, or $19.24 on the typical 554 kWh bill (+15.3%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), Pioneer Community Energy: the power price is 11.18¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.33¢ (1.15¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 5.31¢ for Pioneer Community Energy customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (6.23¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 5.08¢ a kWh, or $29.84 on the typical 587 kWh bill (+13.2%).
Time-of-use, peak 4–9 pm every day (E-TOU-C), CARE, Pioneer Community Energy: the power price is 11.12¢ a kWh against PG&E's 12.26¢ (1.14¢ lower). The exit fee and franchise fee (PCIA/FF) is 5.31¢ for Pioneer Community Energy customers and −0.92¢ for PG&E customers (6.23¢ more). Delivery is the same. Net: 5.09¢ a kWh, or $30.27 on the typical 595 kWh bill (+23.1%).
The difference over time
Every comparison found from 2021 on, most of them from archived copies (utilities overwrite these sheets in place).
| Rates as of | Plan | Utility bill | Products (vs the utility) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG&E March 1, 2026 / CCA March 2026 Placer County (Pioneer 2017 vintage) | E-1 · 580 kWh | $229.20 | Pioneer Community Energy default $249.19 +8.7% Pioneer Green100 $255.50 +11.5% | source |
| PG&E March 1, 2026 / CCA March 2026 El Dorado County, Grass Valley, Nevada City (2022 vintage) | E-1 · 543 kWh | $213.71 | Pioneer Community Energy default $241.07 +12.8% Pioneer Green100 $246.98 +15.6% | source |
| September 1, 2025 Placer County | E-1 · 632 kWh | $276.13 | Pioneer Community Energy default $272.20 −1.4% Pioneer Green100 $279.07 +1.1% | source |
| September 1, 2025 El Dorado County, Grass Valley, Nevada City (2022 vintage) | E-1 · 590 kWh | $255.01 | Pioneer Community Energy default $233.87 −8.3% Pioneer Green100 $240.29 −5.8% | source |
| March 1, 2025 Pioneer service area | E-1 · 613 kWh | $272.60 | Pioneer Community Energy default $268.78 −1.4% Pioneer Green100 $275.45 +1.0% | source |
| January 1, 2025 Pioneer service area | E-1 · 613 kWh | $268.50 | Pioneer Community Energy default $264.68 −1.4% Pioneer Green100 $271.35 +1.1% | source |
| July 1, 2024 Pioneer service area | E-1 · 612 kWh | $258.08 | Pioneer Community Energy default $255.21 −1.1% Pioneer Green100 $261.87 +1.5% | source |
| April 1, 2024 Pioneer service area | E-1 · 612 kWh | $283.55 | Pioneer Community Energy default $272.73 −3.8% Pioneer Green100 $279.39 −1.5% | source |
| March 1, 2022 Placer County area | E-1 · 690 kWh | $241.02 | Pioneer Community Energy default $230.71 −4.3% Pioneer Green100 $238.22 −1.2% | source |
| June 21, 2021 Placer County area (pre-2022 service area) | E-1 · 741 kWh | $213.46 | Pioneer Community Energy default $221.68 +3.9% Pioneer Green100 $229.74 +7.6% | source |
Your options
Switch to another Pioneer Community Energy product
Web form (popup 'account information form' on the page) or phone (844) 937-7466. Pioneer Community Energy: change your product (archived copy: the site blocks automated checks).
Return to PG&E
Pioneer Community Energy: opt out (archived copy: the site blocks automated checks) · 1-844-937-7466 (1-844-YES-PIONEER).
“Is there a fee to opt out? There is no fee from Pioneer for opting out of energy service with us.” source
“Yes, customers who request to leave Pioneer Community Energy can rejoin Pioneer at a later date. However, if you leave Pioneer after the first 60 days of service, PG&E will require you to remain with PG&E's bundled service for one year. In order to rejoin Pioneer after leaving, you will need to contact Pioneer Community Energy directly at (844) YES-PIONEER.” source
PG&E's rules for returning customers
After 60 days: six months’ notice: “Former Bundled Service Customers that have been Automatically Enrolled in CCA Service returning to bundled service after the Follow-up Notification Period must provide the CCA with a six (6) month advance notice and are subject to the terms and conditions of Bundled Portfolio Service (BPS) as set forth below.” source
Or return at once: “Alternatively, customers have the ability to return immediately (at or about the next scheduled meter read) to Utility service and receive Transitional Bundled Service (TBS) commodity pricing terms as set forth in PG&E Schedule TBCC and be subject to the provisions and applicable charges of the CCA Cost Responsibility Surcharge as set forth in Schedule CCA-CRS for 6 months after returning to utility service.” source
Then a minimum stay: “Customers receiving this service make a one-year commitment and shall not be allowed to return to CCA service until their one-year minimum period has been completed. ... In the event a customer receives service under TBS during the six-month advance notice period, the time served under TBS shall apply toward the one-year BPS commitment.” source
Re-entry fee: “b. CUSTOMER RE-ENTRY This charge is imposed on the customer. This fee covers the cost of processing customer requests to switch back to PG&E Bundled Service after the Opt-Out period has expired. Fee ... $4.24 account” source
Member cities and their default product
The default product is the one a city's customers are enrolled in unless they choose another; where a CCA offers several, each member city's council chooses it. Every city's default and the council decisions behind it.
| City | Default product | Comparison | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | Pioneer Community Energy | Placer County area | source |
| Colfax | Pioneer Community Energy | Placer County area | source |
| Grass Valley | Pioneer Community Energy | El Dorado County, Grass Valley and Nevada City | source |
| Lincoln | Pioneer Community Energy | Placer County area | source |
| Loomis | Pioneer Community Energy | Placer County area | source |
| Nevada City | Pioneer Community Energy | El Dorado County, Grass Valley and Nevada City | source |
| Placerville | Pioneer Community Energy | El Dorado County, Grass Valley and Nevada City | source |
| Rocklin | Pioneer Community Energy | Placer County area | source |
| Chico service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Colusa service planned 2027-10-01 | — | ||
| Live Oak service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Orland service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Oroville service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Paradise service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Sonora service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Williams service planned 2027-10-01 | — | ||
| Willows service planned 2027-10 | — | ||
| Yuba City service planned 2027-10 | — |
Pioneer Community Energy in the CCA money pages: finances, credit ratings, money returned to customers, and money between Pioneer Community Energy and its member city governments. · Every CCA