Board of Directors
Chair: Alice Dowdin Calvillo
Vice Chair: Greg Janda
City of Auburn
Alice Dowdin Calvillo
Sandra Amara, Alternate
City of Colfax
Sean Lomen
Kim Douglass, Alternate
County of El Dorado
Lori Parlin
Brian Veerkamp, Alternate
City of Grass Valley
Tom Ivy
Jan Arbuckle, Alternate
City of Lincoln
Richard Pearl
John Reedy, Alternate
Town of Loomis
David Ring
Danny Cartwright, Alternate
Nevada City
Gary Petersen
Lou Ceci, Alternate
County of Placer
Anthony DeMattei
Suzanne Jones
Bonnie Gore, Alternate
City of Placerville
Ryan Carter
David Yarbrough, Alternate
City of Rocklin
Greg Janda
David Bass, Alternate
Pioneer Community Energy
Board of Directors
MAY 15, 2025
REGULAR MEETING and PUBLIC HEARING
3:00 PM
Pioneer Community Energy Board Room
2510 Warren Drive, Suite B, Rocklin, CA 95677
Remote Location:
Nevada City – City Hall, Wetherall Conference Room
317 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts at Pioneer Community Energy under Assembly Bill 2561 Persons may address the Board in person at the address above; by remitting written comment by mail or by email to: [email protected] received no later than 1:00 PM on day of meeting; or, by accessing the Zoom webinar link listed below. Comments are limited to three minutes.
This regular meeting will convene in person at the address printed above, be accessible on the Zoom platform at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89020017279;
and live streamed for viewing on the Pioneer website:
https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and-agendas/.
Members of the public may participate in person or by remote audio/visual access.
Those who participated remotely and wish to comment should be prepared to use the Zoom platform via computer or telephone. Public comment will be opened for each agenda item in sequence.
How to Participate Using Zoom
You can join the meeting using the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89020017279.
When you join the meeting, you will be muted by default. To inform the Clerk that you would like to make a public comment, you will use the “Raise Hand” feature.
Public Comment via Computer or Smartphone
If you would like to make a comment, you will use the “Raise Your Hand” feature.
Please note that you should only raise your hand during the item to which you will comment. Instructions for using the “Raise Hand” feature when using a computer or mobile device can be found at the link:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205566129-Raising-your-hand-in-a-webinar Public Comment via telephone (Audio Only Option)
1. Dial 1 (699) 900-6833
2. When asked for the meeting ID, enter 890 2001 7279#
3. When asked for your participant ID, press # to continue.
You will be muted by default. To inform the Clerk that you would like to make a comment, during each agenda item, dial *9 to “Raise your hand.” When it is your turn to speak, the Clerk will identify you by the last three digits of your phone number; at that time, dial *6 to unmute yourself and state your name and comment for the record. Please note that you should only raise your hand during the item to which you will comment.
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
I. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION – PART 1
A. CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call
B. AGENDA REVIEW
C. PRESENTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA WITHIN THE
JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD
Persons may address the Board on items not on this agenda. Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. According to State Law (the Brown Act), items must first be noticed on the agenda before any discussion or action. The Board is prohibited from discussing issues not on the agenda brought to them at this time.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
1) APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Consent Agenda have been recommended for approval by the Chief Executive Officer.
All Consent items will be approved by a single vote. Anyone may ask to address Consent items prior to the Board acting, and the item may be moved for discussion. a) ADMINISTRATION
Approve the minutes of the April 17, 2025 regular meeting. (ECKERT) b) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Receive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through March 2025. (KOEHN) c) ADMINISTRATION
Adopt Resolution to Delegate Authority to the Governance Committee to discuss and Provide Recommendations to the Board Regarding Employee Compensation and Benefits and Authorize those Discussions to be Conducted in Closed Session Under the Brown Act. (ECKERT) d) ADMINISTRATION
Adopt Resolution establishing July 1, 2027, for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City; the Town of Paradise; and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, as the effective date for Representatives of the New Members to assume office as voting members of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board. (ECKERT) III. REGULAR AGENDA
2) PRESENTATION
Presentation on California Community Choice Association (DISCUSSION-ECKERT) Receive presentation by Beth Vaughn, Chief Executive Officer of California Community Choice Association, on its mission, past victories, and future challenges facing the industry.
PUBLIC HEARING
Persons may address the Board in person; by remitting written comment by mail or by email to:[email protected] received no later than 1:00 PM on day of meeting; or, by accessing the Zoom webinar link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89020017279. Comments are limited to three minutes. 3) PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts at Pioneer Community Energy under Assembly Bill 2561; and Approve Resolution Adopting Procedures for Holding Public Hearings and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code § 3502.3) (ACTION-KOEHN)
Recommendation: Conduct Public Hearing on the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts; and adopt Resolution which adopts procedures for holding Public Hearings and reporting on Pioneer Community Energy workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code § 3502.3).
4) PROGRAMS
Presentation on the Calpine Energy Solutions Community Give Back Program (DISCUSSION- STASSI-VANACORE)
Recommendation: Receive presentation on the Calpine Energy Solutions Community Give Back Program. 5) PROGRAMS
Update on Program Efforts (DISCUSSION- STASSI-VANACORE) Recommendation: Receive update on program efforts including reigniting programs from last year and the introduction of new programs as we approach the cooling season. 6) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget (DISCUSSION-KOEHN)
Recommendation: Receive presentation on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and provide direction as appropriate. The Recommended Budget will be brought to the Board for approval at the June 19, 2025, Board meeting.
IV. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION – PART 2
V. BOARD MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
1. Audit & Finance Committee Summary Report (COMMITTEE CHAIR RING)
2. Energy Procurement Review ad hoc Committee Summary Report (COMMITTEE CHAIR PETERSEN)
3. Board Member Communications
VI. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMUNICATIONS
VII. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
1. Glossary of Terms
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Upcoming Meeting of the Board
June 19, 2025
Accommodations
Pioneer Community Energy is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with the resources to participate fully in its public meetings. If you are hearing impaired, we have listening devices available. If you require additional disability-related modifications or accommodations, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Clerk of the Board. If requested, the agenda shall be provided in appropriate alternative formats for persons with disabilities. All requests must be in writing and must be received by the Clerk five business days prior to the scheduled meeting for which you are requesting accommodation. Requests received after such time will be accommodated only if time permits.
Affidavit of Posting
I, Teresa Willock, Board Secretary, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing agenda for the May 15, 2025 meeting of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board was posted and available for public review on May 12, 2025 at the offices of Pioneer Community Energy, 2510 Warren Drive, Suite B, Rocklin, CA 95677; at remote location Nevada City – City Hall, Wetherall Conference Room, 317 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959; and, was on the Pioneer website at: https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and-agendas/.
All public materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Governing Board after distribution of the agenda packet are also made available for public inspection on Pioneer’s website at:
https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and-agendas/. Any document provided at the meeting by staff or by the public will be provided by the Board Clerk upon request by phone at (916) 758-8946, or by email at: [email protected].
DRAFT
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
MINUTES
April 17, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Entry No. 1
Heard General Administrative Functions – Part I
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in regular session at 3:00 PM on April 17, 2025. The Members convened in person and the meeting was accessible to the public at Pioneer Community Energy, 2510 Warren Drive, Suite B, Rocklin, California 95677; the meeting was accessible for viewer participation on the Zoom platform at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89020017279; and, was live streamed for viewing on the Pioneer website at: https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and-agendas/.
Roll Call
Present: City of Auburn (Dowdin Calvillo), County of El Dorado (Parlin), City of Grass Valley (Ivy), City of Lincoln (Pearl), Town of Loomis (Ring), Nevada City (Petersen), County of Placer (Jones), City of Placerville (Carter), City of Rocklin (Janda).
Absent: City of Colfax (Lomen), County of Placer (DeMattei).
Chair Dowdin Calvillo presided over the meeting.
Agenda Review
Reviewed and made no revision to the meeting agenda.
Public Comment
There were no comments from members of the public on items not listed on this agenda.
Directors DeMattei and Lomen joined the meeting prior to the Consent Agenda.
Entry No. 2
Acted on the Consent Agenda as follows:
Approved the amended minutes of the March 20, 2025 regular meeting.
Received Fiscal Year 2024-25 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through February 2025.
Adopted Resolution 2025-14 to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute an agreement with Kosmatka Donnelly & Co., LLP for financial audit services for an amount not to exceed $132,000 for an initial three-year term.
MOTION: Petersen/Pearl. Vote: 11:0:0.
ROLL CALL: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Petersen, Petersen, Ring.
No/Abstain: None.
Absent: None.
ITEM 1a
DRAFT – April 17, 2025 – page 2
Entry No. 3
2025 Pioneer Legislative Policy and Platform
Receive and approve the 2025 Pioneer Legislative Policy and Platform that includes the following current recommendations to adopt support positions on Assembly Bill (AB) 706 (Aguiar-Curry), Senate Bill (SB) 88 (Caballero), AB 66 (Tangipa), AB 442 (Hadwick), and SB 540 (Becker).
Director Ivy moved staff’s recommendation to approve the 2025 Pioneer Legislative Policy and Platform and directed staff to provide the Board with continued updates on legislation in this area. Director DeMattei seconded the motion.
Director Ring made a substitute motion to adopt the Legislative Policy and Platform as proposed then separate the priority Bills for voting purposes. Chair Dowdin Calvillo seconded the motion.
MOTION: Ring/Dowdin Calvillo. Vote: 10:1:0.
Ayes: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Ring.
No: Petersen.
Director Lomen moved staff’s recommendation to support all five priority bills. Director DeMattei seconded the motion.
Director Ring made a substitute motion to separate out Assembly Bill 66 and Assembly Bill 442 and to support Assembly Bill 706, Assembly Bill 88, and Senate Bill 540. Director Janda seconded the motion.
MOTION: Ring/Janda. Vote: 11:0:0.
Ayes: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
No/Abstain: None.
Director Janda moved to support Assembly Bill 66 and Assembly Bill 442. Director Petersen seconded the motion.
MOTION: Janda/Petersen. Vote: 9:2:0.
Ayes: DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen.
No: Carter, Ring.
Director Jones excused herself from the meeting at 4:02 PM due to a scheduling conflict.
Entry No. 4
Adopt Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Execute an Agreement with Energy Mission Control dba FuSE Carbon Technologies for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program Services
The Program uses public sector-owned chargers (transportation); and, FuSE is paid with 10% of revenue generated from selling credits (CARB).
Pioneer not penalized or obligated to a minimum number of credits. Once a Master Agreement with Pioneer and FuSE is approved, then each Member Agency will have opportunity to participate in the program.
Adopted Resolution 2025-15 approving and authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute an agreement with Energy Mission Control dba FuSE Carbon Technologies for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program Services.
MOTION: Ring/Pearl. Vote: 10:0:1.
ROLL CALL: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Petersen, Petersen, Ring.
Absent: Jones.
DRAFT – April 17, 2025 – page 3
Entry No. 5
AMI Audit Review and Cybersecurity Assessment Report
Received report of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Audit on the Cybersecurity Assessment for Pioneer Community Energy and found that Pioneer maintained its excellent third party risk score of 740/820 and remediations are minor in nature and already underway. Overall, Pioneer takes duty to care for customer information very seriously.
Entry No. 6
State of Pioneer
Received Chief Executive Officer Eckert’s update on the State of Pioneer Community Energy.
Board Chair Dowdin Calvillo commented that public perception has much improved with positive comments.
Entry No. 7
Heard General Administrative Function – Part II
Board Member Communications
Audit & Finance Committee
Director Ring reported that the Audit & Finance Committee met on April 7, 2025, to select officers for 2025; announced that he will be serving as Chair and that Director Pearl will be serving as Vice Chair; and, informed the Board that the Audit & Finance Committee will meet again in May to discuss the first draft of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget and Facility Options.
Governance Committee
Board Chair Dowdin Calvillo reported that the Governance Committee met on April 15, 2025, to discuss the General Governance of the Board with regards to Expansion and Member Voting with a consensus to (1) not make changes to the voting structure prior to the new members joining the Board; and, (2) to have future discussions regarding committee structure and remote participation.
The Committee also considered and discussed the timing of New Members joining the Board of Directors.
Then, recommended that (1) the New Members join the Board on July 1, 2027; and, (2) for that recommendation to be made to the Board at the May 15, 2025 meeting.
Received an Overview of the Triennial Compensation Study. Then, (1) Approved the commissioning of the Compensation Study; (2) Approved the list of survey agencies minus one agency; and, (3) Requested staff to schedule a Committee closed session meeting in late June/early July to discuss the preliminary results of the Compensation Study prior to making their recommendation for the July 17, 2025 Board of Directors meeting.
Director Ring reported that he attended the Greater Sacramento Economic Development Council and was interested in coordinating Community Choice Aggregators and Pioneer in lobbying efforts, not marketing.
Chief Executive Officer Communications
Chief Executive Officer Eckert welcomed and introduced the newest member of the Pioneer team – Lee Ewing, Manager of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs; and extended well wishes to everyone for a Happy Easter.
Items for Information
Received the Glossary of Terms.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:39 PM.
Staff Report – Item 1b
To: The Governing Board
From: Eric Acedo, Sr. Financial Analyst
Item 1b: Receive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Draft Monthly Financial Reports Through March 2025 Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Receive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through March 2025.
BACKGROUND
The Year-To-Date (YTD) financial reports are produced by Maher Accountancy for Board member and management review. Although these reports are unaudited, they provide the most up-to-date financial data for Pioneer Community Energy. The mPOWER program accepted its last application August 2021 and mPOWER activity is now limited to administering the outstanding mPOWER Bonds. Financials for the mPOWER program will be included in the audited year-end reports. For March 2025, the financial reporting package includes the following reports for the CCA Fund only:
• Statement of Net Position (Balance Sheet) – Accounting of Assets, Liabilities and Net Position as of the reporting period end date for the CCA program. • Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position (P&L) – Accounting of all revenues, expenses, and changes in net position on a YTD basis through the reporting period end date for the CCA program.
• Budgetary Comparison Schedule (Budget to Actuals) – Comparison of budget to actuals on a YTD basis through the reporting period end date for the CCA program.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority: Be Fiscally Strong and Resilient
FISCAL IMPACT
The YTD change in net position through nine months of the fiscal year is $39.8 million.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Financial Reports through March 31, 2025
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
1 ACCOUNTANTS’ COMPILATION REPORT
Management
Pioneer Community Energy
Management is responsible for the accompanying financial statements of the CCA Fund of Pioneer Community Energy (a California Joint Powers Authority) which comprise the statement of net position as of March 31, 2025, and the related statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in net position for the nine months then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have performed a compilation engagement in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services promulgated by the Accounting and Review Services Committee of the AICPA. We did not audit or review the accompanying statements nor were we required to perform any procedures to verify the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by management. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion, conclusion, nor provide any assurance on these financial statements.
Management has elected to omit substantially all of the disclosures and the statement of cash flows required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in these interim financial statements. Pioneer Community Energy’s annual audited financial statements include the note disclosures and statement of cash flows omitted from these interim statements. If the omitted disclosures and the statement of cash flows were included in these financial statements, they might influence the user’s conclusions about Pioneer Community Energy’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Accordingly, these financial statements are not designed for those who are not informed about such matters.
We are not independent with respect to Pioneer Community Energy because we performed certain accounting services that impaired our independence.
Maher Accountancy
San Rafael, CA
May 6, 2025
1101 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200 San Rafael, CA 94901 415 459 1249 mahercpa.com MAHER
ACCOUNTANCY
CCA Program
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 44,427,439$
Investments 115,130,111
Accounts receivable, net of allowance 20,192,367
Accrued revenue 8,817,414
Other receivables 1,208,526
Interest receivable 811,483
Prepaid expenses 4,618,219
Deposits 127,588
Total current assets 195,333,147
Noncurrent assets
Capital assets, net of depreciation and amortization 1,146,305 Deposits 220,231
Total noncurrent assets 1,366,536
Total assets 196,699,683
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accrued cost of electricity 16,228,646
Accounts payable 458,246
Other accrued liabilities 486,803
Lease liability 123,221
Note payable 869,638
Interest payable 5,969
Deposits 1,470,000
Total current liabilities 19,642,523
Noncurrent liabilities
Lease liability 800,490
Note payable 926,178
Supplier security deposits 282,000
Total noncurrent liabilities 2,008,668
Total liabilities 21,651,191
NET POSITION
Net investment in capital assets 222,594
Unrestricted net position 174,825,898
Total net position 175,048,492$
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
STATEMENT OF NET POSITION
As of March 31, 2025
CCA PROGRAM
See accountants' compilation report. 3
CCA Program
OPERATING REVENUES
Electricity sales, net 184,074,160$
Other income 13,056
Total operating revenues 184,087,216
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of electricity 139,737,735
Contract services 4,672,755
Staff compensation 2,960,744
Other operating expenses 1,348,033
Depreciation and amortization 140,800
Total operating expenses 148,860,067
Operating income (loss) 35,227,149
NONOPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES)
Investment income 4,736,155
Interest and financing expense (132,531)
Nonoperating revenues (expenses), net 4,603,624
NET POSITION
Change in net position 39,830,773
Net position at beginning of period 135,217,719
Net position at end of period 175,048,492$
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025
AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES
CCA PROGRAM
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
See accountants' compilation report. 3
Participation Rates – March 2025
Participation Rate January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 March 2024 AUBURN INC 85.57% 85.62% 85.35% 85.54%
COLFAX INC 87.69% 87.69% 87.67% 88.36%
GRASS VALLEY INC 96.85% 96.76% 96.42% 96.90%
LINCOLN INC 82.66% 82.60% 82.60% 82.82%
LOOMIS INC 87.08% 86.97% 86.91% 87.65%
NEVADA CITY INC 97.86% 97.87% 97.70% 96.26%
PLACERVILLE INC 85.40% 85.37% 85.27% 85.98%
ROCKLIN INC 90.19% 90.26% 90.05% 90.61%
UNINC EL DORADO CO 79.72% 79.68% 79.51% 80.44%
UNINC PLACER CO 84.67% 84.69% 84.66% 84.89%
Grand Total 84.27% 84.26% 84.13% 84.67%
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Total Pioneer Customers(# of Accounts)
174,000 173,534
173,000 172,310 172,572
172,000
171,000
170,000
169,000 168,189
168,000
167,000
166,000
165,000
March 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025
1 ACCOUNTANTS’ COMPILATION REPORT
Board of Directors
Pioneer Community Energy
Management is responsible for the accompanying special purpose budgetary comparison schedule for the CCA Program of Pioneer Community Energy, a California Joint Powers Authority, for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, and for determining that the budgetary basis of accounting is an acceptable financial reporting framework. We have performed a compilation engagement in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services promulgated by the Accounting and Review Services Committee of the AICPA. We did not audit or review the accompanying statement nor were we required to perform any procedures to verify the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by management. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion, a conclusion, nor provide any assurance on this special purpose budgetary comparison statement.
The special purpose statement is prepared in accordance with the budgetary basis of accounting, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This report is intended for the information of the Board of Directors of Pioneer Community Energy.
Management has elected to omit substantially all of the note disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in these interim financial statements.
Pioneer Community Energy’s annual audited financial statements include the note disclosures omitted from these interim statements. If the omitted disclosures were included in these financial statements, they might influence the user’s conclusions about Pioneer Community Energy’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Accordingly, these financial statements are not designed for those who are not informed about such matters.
We are not independent with respect to Pioneer Community Energy because we performed certain accounting services that impaired our independence.
Maher Accountancy
San Rafael, CA
May 6, 2025
1101 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200 San Rafael, CA 94901 415 459 1249 mahercpa.com MAHER
ACCOUNTANCY
2024/25 YTD
Amended
Budget
2024/25 YTD
Actual
2024/25 YTD
Variance
(Under) Over
2024/25
YTD
Actual/
Budget %
2024/25
Amended Budget
2024/25
Amended
Budget
Remaining
ENERGY REVENUES
Energy Sales $ 187,135,000 $ 186,539,324 $ (595,676) 100% $ 235,801,000 $ 49,261,676 Green100 Sales 157,000 53,844 (103,156) 34% 200,000 146,156 Congestion Revenue Rights and Battery Optimization 7,714,286 9,534,289 1,820,003 124% 10,000,000 465,711 Less Uncollectible Accounts (2,528,000) (2,519,006) 8,994 100% (3,186,000) (666,994) Total Operating Revenues 192,478,286 193,608,451 1,130,165 242,815,000 49,206,549
ENERGY EXPENSES
Power Supply 161,524,015 149,272,024 (12,251,991) 92% 208,976,000 59,703,976 OPERATING MARGIN 30,954,270 44,336,427 13,382,156 33,839,000 (10,497,427)
OPERATING EXPENSES
Administration
Compensation 589,968 493,046 (96,921) 84% 816,385 323,339 Contract services 238,744 123,756 (114,988) 52% 318,325 194,569 Operating expenses 854,223 571,004 (283,219) 67% 941,796 370,792 Total Administration expenses 1,682,935 1,187,807 (495,128) 71% 2,076,506 888,699 Finance
Compensation 834,359 725,696 (108,662) 87% 1,101,050 375,354 Contract services 452,963 265,127 (187,835) 59% 591,000 325,873 Operating expenses 287,275 198,474 (88,801) 69% 357,700 159,226 Total Finance expenses 1,574,596 1,189,297 (385,299) 76% 2,049,750 860,453 Power Procurement
Compensation 807,301 519,571 (287,730) 64% 1,027,592 508,021 Contract services 2,715,114 1,652,725 (1,062,389) 61% 3,143,538 1,490,813 Operating expenses 188,268 160,219 (28,049) 85% 291,500 131,281 Total Power Procurement expenses 3,710,683 2,332,515 (1,378,168) 63% 4,462,630 2,130,115 Customer Care
Compensation 319,252 328,540 9,289 103% 449,002 120,462 Contract services 2,040,000 2,171,614 131,614 106% 2,720,000 548,386 Operating expenses 161,063 134,127 (26,936) 83% 214,750 80,623 Total Customer Care expenses 2,520,314 2,634,281 113,967 105% 3,383,752 749,471 Marketing & Communications
Compensation 556,460 426,157 (130,302) 77% 741,946 315,789 Contract services 326,625 22,891 (303,734) 7% 420,000 397,109 Operating expenses 634,763 88,310 (546,452) 14% 846,350 758,040 Total Marketing expenses 1,517,847 537,358 (980,489) 35% 2,008,296 1,470,938 Legislative & Regulatory
Compensation 395,610 302,944 (92,665) 77% 553,670 250,726 Contract services 283,355 179,879 (103,477) 63% 377,807 197,928 Operating expenses 6,225 5,685 (540) 91% 8,300 2,615
Total Legislative expenses 685,190 488,508 (196,681) 71% 939,777 451,269 Programs
Compensation 220,009 150,992 (69,017) 69% 293,345 142,353 Contract services 925,838 - (925,838) 0% 1,456,341 1,456,341 Operating expenses 1,432,354 382,464 (1,049,889) 27% 1,909,805 1,527,341 Total Programs expenses 2,578,201 533,456 (2,044,744) 21% 3,659,491 3,126,035 Total Operating Expenses 14,269,765 8,903,223 (5,366,542) 62% 18,580,202 9,676,979
NON-OPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES)
Investment gains (losses) 2,153,250 4,736,155 2,582,905 2,871,000 (1,865,155) Miscellaneous income - 13,056 13,056 - (13,056)
Term Loan Debt Service (712,500) (683,522) 28,978 96% (950,000) (266,478) Additional Term Loan Principal (2,100,000) (2,100,000) - (2,100,000) - Line/Letter of Credit Fees (562,500) (224,709) 337,791 40% (750,000) (525,291) Financial Security Requirement (800,000) - 800,000 0% (800,000) (800,000) Nonoperating revenues (expenses), net (2,021,750) 1,740,980 3,762,730 (1,729,000) (3,469,980) Total Expenses and Non-Operating Activity 177,815,531 156,434,268 (21,381,263) 229,285,202 72,850,935 Contribution to/(from) Reserves 14,662,755$ 37,174,183$ 22,511,428$ 13,529,798$ (23,644,386)$
BUDGETARY COMPARISON SCHEDULE
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
CCA PROGRAM
397654.1 Page 1 of 2
Staff Report – Item 1c
To: The Governing Board
From: Brad Koehn, Director of Finance and Administrative Services Item 1d: Approve Resolution to Delegate Authority to the Governance Committee to Discuss and Provide Recommendations to the Board Regarding Employee Compensation and Benefits and Authorize those Discussions to be Conducted in Closed Sessions Under the Brown Act.
Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Resolution to Delegate Authority to the Governance Committee to discuss and Provide Recommendations to the Board Regarding Employee Compensation and Benefits and Authorize those Discussions to be Conducted in Closed Session Under the Brown Act.
BACKGROUND
The Board at the December 19, 2024, meeting established the Governance Committee. The responsibilities of the Committee include:
o Review potential amendments to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and make recommendations to the Board.
o Review potential amendments to the CEO’s contract and make recommendations to the Board. o Review and make recommendations on matters referred to the Committee by a majority vote of the Board present.
o Review the Board’s policies and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness and propose changes to the Board, as needed.
o At the request of the CEO, review proposed policies and make recommendations to the Board.
In many counties and cities, employees have formed employee associations or unions, and a union/association representative(s) will negotiate with the county/city over wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment.
However, Pioneer employees are not represented by a recognized bargaining unit, and employee compensation and benefits have been granted or modified by the Board over time by various resolutions. For the past few years, the Board has created an Ad Hoc Committee for Employee Health and Welfare purposes, and the Committee then made recommendations to the Board regarding employee salary and benefits.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
The Board has reviewed annually and provided employee benefits and salary cost of living adjustments after the Ad Hoc Committee has analyzed, discussed and made recommendations to the Board. In addition to the annual review, the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan has an objective to be an Employer of Choice and the task to conduct a triennial compensation study which is currently underway.
It is recommended that instead of recreating the Employee Health and Welfare Ad Hoc Committee that the Board delegate the authority to discuss and review the Compensation Study and any compensation and benefit changes to the Governance Committee. As with all labor negotiation issues, discussion concerning employee salaries and fringe benefits may occur in closed sessions, and it is therefore recommended that the Governance Committee be able to do so as well. Finally, as an advisory committee, the Governance Committee will make Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Agenda Item: [Keywords] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
397654.1 Page 2 of 2
any employee salary or benefit adjustment recommendations to the Board for consideration and possible adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT
Delegating authority to the Governance Committee has no fiscal impact. Any recommendations that the Committee may make to the Board will have an estimated fiscal impact when the Board deliberates those recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution to Delegate Authority to the Governance Committee to discuss and Provide Recommendations to the Board Regarding Employee Compensation and Benefits and Authorize those Discussions to be Conducted in Closed Sessions.
2. Redlined showing changes made between this recommendation and original policy. 1c
397657.1
Before the Governing Board of
Pioneer Community Energy
Resolution No.: ____________
The following Resolution was duly passed by the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy at a regular meeting held May 15, 2025 by the following vote on roll call:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Signed and approved by me after its passage.
______________________________
Chair of the Governing Board
Attest:
_______________________
Secretary
WHEREAS, the Board has established a Governance Committee; and WHEREAS, the Governance Committee consists of the Board Chair, Board Vice Chair, and the Chairs of each of Pioneer’s committees, with the prior year’s Board Chair (unless already serving as the Chair of one of these committees) serving in a non-voting ex officio capacity; and WHEREAS, the responsibilities of the Governance Committee include reviewing and making recommendations on matters referred to it by a majority vote of the Board present; and WHEREAS, the Board has in the past reviewed and adjusted employee salaries and benefits annually based on recommendations from the Employee Health and Welfare Ad Hoc Committee; and
WHEREAS, per the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan a triennial compensation study is currently underway; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to delegate authority to the Governance Committee to review, analyze, and discuss the Compensation Study and any employee salary and benefit modifications instead of creating the Ad Hoc Committee; and
In the matter of: RESOLUTION TO DELEGATE
AUTHORITY TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE BOARD REGARDING EMPLOYEE
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AND AUTHORIZE
THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO BE CONDUCTED IN
CLOSED SESSIONS UNDER THE BROWN ACT
Resolution 2025-___
May 15, 2025
2 397657.1
WHEREAS, as a subordinate committee subject to the Brown Act, the Governance Committee may meet in closed session to instruct its representatives on employee salaries and fringe benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Governance Committee will make recommendations to the Board for any employee salary or benefit modifications.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy, State of California, hereby finds, declares, and resolves as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct.
2. The Board delegates authority to the Governance Committee to discuss and provide recommendations to the Board regarding employee compensation and benefits and authorize those discussions to be conducted in closed session.
3. The revised Governance Committee Policy is hereby amended to include this delegated authority.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Exhibit A: Governance Committee Policy
Exhibit A
Category: Administration
Page | 1 Adopted: December 19, 2024
Proposed Amendment: May 15, 2025
383931.6
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Governance Committee is to make policy recommendations and provide strategic direction to the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy (“Pioneer”), as needed.
II. BROWN ACT REQUIREMENT
The Governance Committee is a permanent standing committee and is subject to the Brown Act for all meetings.
III. MEMBERSHIP
A. From the Governing Board:
1. Board Chair
2. Board Vice Chair
3. Chair of Audit & Finance Committee
4. Chair of Energy Procurement Review Committee
5. Chair of Expansion Committee
6. The immediate past Board Chair shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member unless he/she is serving on the Committee as the Chair of one of the advisory committees listed above.
B. The following staff shall provide support to the Governance Committee:
1. Chief Executive Officer
2. Chief Operating Officer
3. Director of Finance & Administration
4. Board Clerk
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COMMUNITY ENERGY
Exhibit A
Category: Administration
Page | 2 Adopted: December 19, 2024
Proposed Amendment: May 15, 2025
383931.6
IV. DUTIES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
A. Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to:
1. Review potential amendments to the Joint Powers
Agreement and make recommendations to the Board.
2. Review potential amendments to the CEO’s contract and make recommendations to the Board.
3. Discuss and provide recommendations to the Board
regarding employee compensation and benefits and
authorize those discussions to be conducted in closed
session.
4. Review and make recommendations on matters referred to by the Committee by a majority vote of the Board present.
5. Review the Board’s policies and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness and propose
changes to the Board, as needed.
6. At the request of the CEO, review proposed policies and make recommendations to the Board.
B. Such other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the Governing Board by resolution.
V. LIMITATION OF GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The Governance Committee has no final decision-making authority unless otherwise delegated by resolution of the Governing Board.
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COMMUNITY ENERGY
PIGDNEER Attachment 2
COMMUNITY ENERGY Category: Administration
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Governance Committee is to make policy recommendations and provide strategic direction to the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy ("Pioneer"), as needed.
II. BROWN ACT REQUIREMENT
The Governance Committee is a permanent standing committee and is subject to the Brown Act for all meetings.
III. MEMBERSHIP
A. From the Governing Board:
1. Board Chair
2. Board Vice Chair
3. Chair of Audit & Finance Committee
4. Chair of Energy Procurement Review Committee
5. Chair of Expansion Committee
6. The immediate past Board Chair shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member unless he/she is serving on the Committee as the Chair of one of the advisory committees I isted above.
B. The following staff shall provide support to the Governance Committee:
1. Chief Executive Officer
2. Chief Operating Officer
3. Director of Finance & Administration
4. Board Clerk
IV. DUTIES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
383931.6
A. Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to:
1. Review potential amendments to the Joint Powers
Agreement and make recommendations to the Board.
Adopted: December 19, 2024
PIGtNEER Attachment 2
COMMUNITY ENERGY Category: Administration
L_Review potential amendments to the CEO's contract and make recommendations to the Board.
3. Discuss and provide recommendations to the Board
regarding employee compensation and benefits and
authorize those discussions to be conducted in closed
session.
-2--;--'-4"--. --
3-;-5. Review and make recommendations on matters
referred to by the Committee by a majority vote of the
Boa rd present.
4.-6. Review the Board's policies and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness and propose
changes to the Board, as needed.
-5--;-7. At the request of the CEO, review proposed policies and make recommendations to the Board.
B. Such other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the Governing Board by resolution.
V. LIMITATION OF GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The Governance Committee has no final decision-making authority unless otherwise delegated by resolution of the Governing Board.
Page I 2 Adopted: December 19, 2024
383931.6
397936.1 Page 1 of 2
Staff Report – Item 1d
To: The Governing Board
From: Donald Eckert Jr., Chief Executive Officer
Item 1d: Adopt Resolution Establishing July 1, 2027, for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, as the Effective Date for Representatives of these New Members Agencies to Assume Office as Voting Members of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board
Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution Establishing July 1, 2027, for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne (“New Members”), as the Effective Date for Representatives of the New Members to Assume Office as Voting Members of the Pioneer Community Energy (“Pioneer”) Governing Board.
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
At the April 15, 2025, Governance Committee, the Committee discussed various options regarding when the New Members should join Pioneer’s Governing Board. The Committee recommended July 1, 2027.
BACKGROUND
At the February 27, 2025, Governing Board meeting, the Governing Board adopted Amendment No. 7 to Pioneer’s Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (“JPA”) to allow expansion to the New Members contingent upon certification of Addendum No. 3 to the Implementation Plan and Statement of Intent by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”).
As of the date of submittal of this report, Pioneer has not received certification from the CPUC.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
Pioneer’s JPA and By-Laws are silent on the timing of when new voting members may join the Governing Board. With prior expansions, new members would join the Governing Board within a few months of Pioneer receiving certification from the CPUC because the launch of service to the new members was within less than a year.
This expansion is different due to the delay between certification from the CPUC and launch of service as certification from the CPUC is expected in June 2025 and launch of service to the New Members wouldn’t occur until October 2027.
The recommendation of July 1, 2027 for when the New Member representatives would be sworn-in and seated on the Governing Board aligns with the start of Pioneer’s fiscal year and is three (3) months prior to launch of service to the New Members. This schedule would allow time for New Board members to become familiar with Pioneer’s Board and staff to provide educational workshops.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendation supports the Operational Optimization Goal of the Strategic Plan.
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Agenda Item: X Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
397936.1 Page 2 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution - Establishing July 1, 2027, for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, as the Effective Date for Representatives of these New Members Agencies to Assume Office as Voting Members of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board
1d
397937.1
Before the Governing Board of
Pioneer Community Energy
Resolution No.: ____________
The following Resolution was duly passed by the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy at a regular meeting held May 15, 2025, by the following vote on roll call:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Signed and approved by me after its passage.
______________________________
Chair of the Governing Board
Attest:
_______________________
Secretary
WHEREAS, the Pioneer Community Energy (“Pioneer”) Governing Board desires expansion of membership to the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (“JPA”) when it is financially feasible and with like-minded communities; and WHEREAS, on February 25, 2025, the Governing Board adopted Amendment No. 7 to the Amended and Restated JPA to provide for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and Unincorporated Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, to become Voting Members conditioned on an effective upon receipt of certification of Addendum No. 3 to the Implementation Plan and Statement of Intent from the California Public Utilities Commission; and WHEREAS, the Governance Committee discussed various options for timing of New Members joining the Pioneer Governing Board and recommended July 1, 2027; and WHEREAS, the Pioneer Governing Board establishes July 1, 2027, as the effective date for Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, as the Effective Date for Representatives of these New Members Agencies to Assume Office as Voting Members of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board.
In the matter of: ADOPT RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHING JULY 1, 2027, FOR THE CITIES OF
CHICO, LIVE OAK, ORLAND, OROVILLE, SONORA,
WILLOWS, AND YUBA CITY, THE TOWN OF
PARADISE, AND THE COUNTIES OF BUTTE, GLENN,
NEVADA, SUTTER, AND TUOLUMNE, AS THE
EFFECTIVE DATE FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF
THESE NEW MEMBERS AGENCIES TO ASSUME
OFFICE AS VOTING MEMBERS OF THE PIONEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY GOVERNING BOARD
2 397937.1
BE IT RESOLVED, the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy, State of California, hereby finds, declares, and resolves as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct.
2. The Governing Board does hereby approve July 1, 2027, for the Cities of Chico, Live Oak, Orland, Oroville, Sonora, Willows, and Yuba City, the Town of Paradise, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Nevada, Sutter, and Tuolumne, as the Effective Date for Representatives of these New Members Agencies to Assume Office as Voting Members of the Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board
3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Resolution 2025-xx
May 15, 2025
Staff Report – Item 2
To: The Governing Board
From: Donald Eckert Jr., Chief Executive Officer
Item 2: Receive a Presentation on California Community Choice Association Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a Presentation by Beth Vaugh, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of California Community Choice Association (“CalCCA”), on its mission, past victories, and future challenges facing the industry.
BACKGROUND
Pioneer Community Energy (“Pioneer”) is a member of CalCCA since our launch in 2018. CalCCA is the trade association representing twenty-four (24) Community Choice Aggregators (“CCAs”) in California. To-date, CCAs service over 200 communities, representing 14 million people and have signed over 18,000 Megawatts of new clean energy power purchase agreements.
CalCCA’s principal mission is to create a legislative and regulatory environment that supports the development and long-term sustainability of locally-run CCA providers in California.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
Beth is CalCCA’s first CEO. She joined CalCCA in 2017 as the Executive Director and was named CEO in 2024. Beth oversees the association’s advocacy, policy, and communications efforts, coordinating a diverse and growing membership of CCAs serving customers across California. She frequently presents CalCCA’s positions on various policy issues at the California Legislature and California Public Utilities Commission and is a regular speaker at energy industry events. Prior to joining CalCCA, Beth served as executive director of the California Cogeneration Council where she advocated for companies operating combined heat and power facilities. She has worked extensively in both the public and private energy sectors, consulting with government agencies, non-profits, and private sector interests on energy, climate, and environmental public policy issues. Beth served five years as senior advisor to environment and conservation cabinet ministers in the New Zealand parliament. She earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Queen’s University of Canada, and Master of Science from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendation supports the Strategic Plan as CalCCA advocates for CCAs, including Pioneer, on issues that impacts all the goals of the strategic plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
There are no attachments to the report.
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397933.1 Page 1 of 2
Staff Report – Item 3
To: The Governing Board
From: Brad Koehn, Director of Finance and Administrative Services David Ruderman, General Counsel
Item 3: 1) Approve Resolution Which Adopts Procedures For Holding Public Hearings and Reporting on Pioneer Community Energy Workforce Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3); and
2) Conduct Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts at Pioneer under AB 2561.
Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts and Approve Resolution Which Adopts Procedures For Holding Public Hearings and Reporting on Pioneer Community Energy Workforce Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov.
Code § 3502.3).
BACKGROUND
AB 2561 was introduced to address the issue of job vacancies in local government, which adversely affects the delivery of public services and employee workload. AB 2561 requires public agencies to hold at least one public hearing per fiscal year to discuss vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. This report discusses Pioneer’s legal obligations under the new law, which took effect on January 1, 2025. This report recommends the adoption of measures intended to ensure compliance with such legal obligations.
In compliance with the new legal obligations, Pioneer is required to do the following:
1. Public Hearing: At least once each fiscal year, at a public hearing before the Governing Board, Pioneer shall present information regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts (Gov.
Code § 3502.3(a)(1)) and identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process (Gov. Code § 3502.3(a)(3)).
If the Governing Board adopts an annual or multiyear budget during the fiscal year, this presentation must occur prior to Pioneer’s adoption of the final budget for Pioneer (Gov. Code § 3502.3(a)(2).)
2. Employee Organization Participation: Allow the recognized employee organization for each bargaining unit at Pioneer to make presentations during the public hearing concerning vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(b).)
3. Additional Reporting for High Vacancy Rates: If vacancies within a single bargaining unit meet or exceed 20% of authorized full-time positions in that bargaining unit, upon request of the recognized employee organization for that bargaining unit, Pioneer must provide additional information during the public hearing, including the following: (1) the total number of vacancies; (2) the number of applicants; (3) the average time to fill positions; and (4) opportunities to improve compensation and working conditions for employees in the bargaining unit. (Gov. Code § 3502.3(c).) Plf)NEER
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Agenda Item: [Keywords] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
397933.1 Page 2 of 2
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
The Procedures for the Public Hearing on Pioneer’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts (“Procedures”), attached hereto as the Resolution attachment Exhibit A, establish protocol for Pioneer’s public hearings on vacancies to ensure a fair, orderly, and efficient hearing process.
The Procedures set forth specific requirements concerning matters such as the provision of notice to recognized employee organizations regarding the public hearing and their right to make a presentation at the hearing, the length and order of Pioneer’s and the employee organizations’ presentations, and the standards of discourse during the public hearing.
Although Pioneer does not have any recognized employee organizations or bargaining units, that could change in the future. The Procedures for an AB 2561 Public Hearing anticipate and details the protocol and engagement with employee organization if and when Pioneer employees are in a recognized organization.
The status of Pioneer’s Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts:
Fiscal Year 2024-25 began with 20 full time authorized positions, including 3 vacant positions including 2 newly authorized positions. During both December and February, the Board authorized additional positions for a total of 22 full-time positions.
There were no additional position vacancies from any employee terminations during the fiscal year.
Pioneer posts each position recruitment brochure on Pioneer’s Career Opportunities page and also contracted with two recruitment firms to widely advertise the opportunity and find qualified applicants.
With an offer of employment for the 22nd position accepted and scheduled to start employment on June 2nd, Pioneer will have filled each of the 22 authorized full-time positions.
The Board has provided salary adjustments, enhanced employee benefits and directed two compensation studies to ensure that Pioneer’s compensation package is competitive. These actions have been significant factors in attracting qualified candidates and retaining high performing employees.
There are no recommended modifications to policies, procedures, or recruitment activities in Pioneer’s hiring process.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendation supports the Be a Great Place to Work Priority.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recruitment and retention costs will be included in the recommended budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Which Adopts Procedures For Holding Public Hearings and Reporting on Pioneer Community Energy Workforce Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3
3 Before the Governing Board of
Pioneer Community Energy
Resolution No.: ____________
The following Resolution was duly passed by the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy at a regular meeting held May 15, 2025 by the following vote on roll call:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Signed and approved by me after its passage.
______________________________
Chair of the Governing Board
Attest:
_______________________
Secretary
WHEREAS, On January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3) went into effect requiring public agencies to hold at least one public hearing per fiscal year to report on the Pioneer’s workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts; and WHEREAS, AB 2561 requires the Pioneer to present information regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts prior to the adoption of the final budget for Pioneer; and
WHEREAS, AB 2561 requires Pioneer to allow recognized employee organizations for each Pioneer bargaining unit to make presentations during the public hearing concerning vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts; and
In the matter of: APPROVE RESOLUTION
WHICH ADOPTS PROCEDURES FOR HOLDING
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REPORTING ON
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKFORCE
VACANCIES, AND RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION EFFORTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
ASSEMBLY BILL (“AB”) 2561 (GOV. CODE §
3502.3).
WHEREAS, AB 2561 requires Pioneer, if requested, to provide additional information during the public hearing if vacancies within a single bargaining unit is 20% or more of the authorized full-time positions; and
WHEREAS, The Board desires to establish protocol and additional requirements for Pioneer’s public hearings pursuant to AB 2561, including the provision of notice to recognized employee organizations regarding the public hearing, the recognized employee organizations’ right to make a presentation at the hearing, the length and order of the presentations and the standards of discourse during the public hearing.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy, State of California hereby finds, declares, and resolves as follows:
1. Pioneer Community Energy hereby adopts the Procedures for Public Hearings on Pioneer’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts as set forth in Exhibit “A”.
2. The Resolution is hereby adopted and becomes effective and in full force immediately upon adoption.
Exhibit A: Procedures for Public Hearings on Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Resolution 2025-__
May 15, 2025
Exhibit A
394327.1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
PROCEDURES FOR AB 2561 PUBLIC HEARINGS
Introduction and Scope:
Effective January 1, 2025, Government Code section 3502.3 requires Pioneer to present information on the status of vacancies at Pioneer and Pioneer’s recruitment and retention efforts at a public hearing before the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy at least once per fiscal year.
Government Code section 3502.3 also requires Pioneer to identify during the public hearing any necessary changes to Pioneer policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may contribute to obstacles in our hiring process.
At the public hearing, a recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit is entitled to make a presentation to Pioneer addressing the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts for positions within that bargaining unit.
The purpose of these procedures is to establish protocol for the Pioneer’s public hearings on vacancies in order to ensure a fair, orderly, and efficient hearing process.
Pioneer reserves the right to schedule separate public hearings for different bargaining units and is not limited to one public hearing to address all vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts within Pioneer.
Notice Requirements:
1. When Pioneer schedules a hearing pursuant to the obligations set forth under Government Code section 3502.3 (“AB 2561 Hearing” or “Hearing”), Pioneer will notify in writing each recognized employee organization about which the Hearing is being held that Pioneer will hold an AB 2561 Hearing (“Pioneer and Employee Organization may hereafter be referred to collectively as “Parties”). The notice will provide each Employee Organization with the opportunity to identify any negotiable impacts/effects regarding Pioneer’s compliance with Government Code section 3502.3 and Pioneer’s policy.
2. Pioneer will notify in writing each Employee Organization of the date, time and place of the Hearing at least 10 calendar days in advance of the Hearing, if the Hearing is regarding a bargaining unit represented by that Employee Organization.
In the notice, Pioneer will inquire whether the Employee Organization intends to make a presentation to the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy at the Hearing. Pioneer will request that, for planning purposes, the Employee Organization provide written notice to the Human Resources Department at least 5 Exhibit A
394327.1
calendar days in advance of the Hearing indicating whether the Employee Organization intends to make a presentation at the Hearing.
The notice will also include information about the amount of time that the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy has allotted to the Employee Organization(s) for the Employee Organization(s) presentation at the Hearing.
3. In the event the vacancy rate for a Pioneer bargaining unit is at least 20% of the total number of authorized full-time positions in the bargaining unit, the Employee Organization that represents the bargaining unit may request that Pioneer present “additional information” related to the vacancies as permitted by Government Code section 3502.3, subd. (c). Pioneer will request that the Employee Organization submit its request for the Pioneer’s presentation of such information to the Human Resources Department in writing at least 5 calendar days in advance of the Hearing.
The “additional information” constitutes the following: (1) the total number of job vacancies within the bargaining unit; (2) the total number of applicants for vacant positions within the bargaining unit; (3) the average number of days to complete the hiring process from when a position is posted; and (4) opportunities to improve compensation and other working conditions.
4. Pioneer will provide notice of the Hearing to the public in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. (Gov. Code §§ 54950-54963.)
5. A staff report regarding vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts may be published as part of the agenda packet for the Hearing.
6. Pioneer and applicable Employee Organization(s) may agree to exchange presentation materials in advance of the Hearing.
Order of the Hearing:
The Hearing will proceed in the following order:
1. Pioneer Presentation: Pioneer will present information pursuant to the Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy pursuant to Pioneer’s obligations set forth under Government Code section 3502.3. Pioneer’s presentation will be limited to 10 minutes for each bargaining unit about which the AB 2561 Hearing is held.
Pioneer may choose to 1) present data on all applicable bargaining unit(s) at once, after which consolidated presentation, the applicable Employee Organization(s) will present; or 2) to present data for each applicable bargaining unit individually followed by the corresponding Employee Organization presentation.
2. Employee Organization Presentation: Following Pioneer’s presentation, each applicable Employee Organization will have the opportunity to make a presentation for each of the applicable bargaining units that the Employee Organization represents. For each bargaining unit, the Employee Organization presentation will Exhibit A
394327.1
be limited to 10 minutes and should not contain bargaining proposals to Pioneer on matters that have not been presented in bargaining.
3. Governing Body Questions: The Governing Board of Pioneer Community Energy may ask questions of Pioneer and the Employee Organization presenter(s). The time spent for the Governing Board questions and the Parties’ responses to the Governing Board questions will not be included in the Parties’ 10 minute presentations.
4. Final Pioneer Comments: Final Pioneer comments will be limited to 3 minutes per bargaining unit and will take place following the Employee Organization presentation. Pioneer may choose to 1) present final comments on all applicable bargaining unit(s) at once, after which consolidated presentation, the applicable Employee Organization(s) will present its final comments; or 2) to present final comments for each applicable bargaining unit individually followed by the corresponding Employee Organization final comments.
5. Final Employee Organization Comments: Following Pioneer’s final comments, each applicable Employee Organization will have the opportunity to make final comments for each of the applicable bargaining units that the Employee Organization represents. For each bargaining unit, the Employee Organization’s final comments will be limited to 3 minutes per bargaining unit and should not contain bargaining proposals to Pioneer on matters that have not been presented in bargaining.
6. Public Comment: Public comment regarding the AB 2561 Hearing will be limited to 3 minutes per person and any other lawful restrictions on public comments that the Pioneer Governing Board may impose.
Standards of Discourse:
The Governing Board should recognize that engaging with diverse perspectives is vital for effective governance and a vibrant community. To ensure full expression of such diverse perspectives, the Governing Body should provide that participants follow the principles of respectful and civil discourse.
Staff Report – Item 4
To: The Governing Board
From: Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Director of Communications
Item 4: Presentation on the Calpine Energy Solutions Community Give Back Program Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation on the Calpine Energy Solutions Community Give Back Program.
BACKGROUND
At its November 16, 2023 meeting, the Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer) Board of Directors approved the extension of Pioneer’s contract with Calpine Energy Solutions (Calpine) for data management, billing and customer call center support for a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2024, and running through December 31, 2026. In addition to specified services, this amended contract includes a community benefits grant program that allows for a three percent (3%) reinvestment into the communities Pioneer serves for each year of the contract. The amount is based on annual billing under the contract. The program is administered independently by Calpine.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
Pioneer Community Energy currently has available $63,357 for community benefit through Calpine’s Community Give Back program, which reflects a 3% return on calendar year 2024 invoices from Calpine. Funds for this program are designated to provide financial support for IRS designated 501(c)3 non-profit organizations serving Pioneer’s service territory. Funding is not permitted for political action committees, trade associations, government entities or political candidates.
A total of three to five awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 each are available under this program. Funding categories include research and planning related to wildfire mitigation; education; support for economically disadvantaged groups/individuals; and an “other” category for projects that do not fall into the above categories but align well with Pioneer’s mission.
Calpine will administer the program, including reviewing all applications and selecting the recipients. Pioneer will work cooperatively with Calpine to publicize funding availability and the application process to help drive application response, elevate Pioneer’s visibility, and reinforce our shared commitment to community partnership.
Applications will be available beginning June 2, 2025. Pioneer and Calpine will promote and host a joint webinar during the week of June 16 to answer questions. Completed applications must be received by July 14, 2025.
Calpine will review all applications, and awards will be announced at Pioneer’s November 20, 2025, Board meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN
This effort aligns with Pioneer’s ‘Be a Community Partner” strategic priority.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact with this report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Community Benefits Grant Program 2025-26 Funding Application Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Community Benefits Grant Program
2025-2026 Funding Application
As part of its ongoing commitment to local communities, energy equity and diversity, and environmental stewardship, Calpine Community Energy, in partnership with Pioneer Community Energy, is pleased to provide local financial support through its 2025-2026 Community Benefits Grant Program. Qualifying entities must be IRS designated 501(c)3 non-profit organizations serving Pioneer’s service territory. Please note that funding is not permitted for political action committees, trade associations, government entities or political candidates. Awards will range from $10,000 to $25,000.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY 5PM PST JULY 15TH TO :
[email protected]
Evaluation Criteria
501(C)3 NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION’S IMPACT AND VISIBILITY IN PIONEER’S TERRITORY
EXTENT TO WHICH LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS WILL BE DELIVERED IN ALIGNMENT WITH GRANT GOALS OF ADVANCING CLEAN ENERGY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY THROUGH THE FUNDING CATEGORIES BELOW.
TELL US ABOUT YOU
Name of Organization
Applicant’s Name
Applicant’s Title Organization Website
Phone Number
Street Address
EIN/Tax ID #
Organization Description/Mission (500 word maximum)
Email
Funding Amount Requested
o:fo~~~!~~ENERGY [ ] Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
""'=============~
FUNDING CATEGORY
Support for Economically Disadvantaged Groups/
Individuals
Research/Planning for Wildfire Mitigation
Education Workforce Development
Other (Please Specify)
Required Attachments:
A DETERMINATION LETTER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION OR YOUR FISCAL SPONSOR IF WORKING WITH A FISCAL SPONSOR, YOUR FISCAL SPONSOR WILL NEED TO PROVIDE:
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP LETTER TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION’S FISCAL ADMINISTRATION.
LETTER OF REQUEST AUTHORIZING YOUR ORGANIZATION TO APPLY TO THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS GRANT FOR THE AMOUNT YOU ARE REQUESTING.
BUDGET OF PROPOSED PROJECT, PROGRAM, OR INITIATIVE (SEE ATTACHMENT A) COUNTIES SERVED:
CITIES/COMMUNITIES SERVED:
Auburn
Unincorporated Placer
County
Grass Valley
Lincoln
Unincorporated El
Dorado County
Nevada City
Placerville
Rocklin
Colfax Loomis
Grant funds may be used to support a specific program and/or general operations. Please provide a brief de-scription of how your organization proposes to use awarded funds. If requesting general operational support, include how it will support the funding categories you’ve selected above. Please attach a budget (Attachment 1), to assist the grant selection committee in understanding the proposed use of funding. (1000 word max).
PROPOSED USE OF FUNDS
I certify that our organization provides services in Pioneer’s service area(s) I certify that no one in our organization’s leadership is directly affiliated with Pioneer. If this is not the case, please specify:
I certify that our organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service
ATTESTATIONS
SIGNATURE DATE
I certify that I will ensure reporting requirements are complete if selected to receive funding.
Attachment A. Sample Budget
ITEM(S) BUDGETED ($)
ACTUAL
(TO BE COMPLETED
ONE-YEAR POST
AWARD)
DIRECT COSTS
(HARD COSTS SUCH AS
SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT,
PRINTING, ETC.)
STAFF LABOR COSTS
(NUMBER OF HOURS,
JOB TITLES, AND
HOURLY RATE OF ALL
STAFF THAT WILL WORK
ON THE PROJECT)
OTHER
(ANY COSTS THAT DO
NOT FIT INTO THE
ABOVE CATEGORIES)
Staff Report – Item 5
To: The Governing Board
From: Paige Garcia, Programs Manager
Item 5: Receive Update on Programs Efforts
Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on program efforts including reigniting programs from last year and the introduction of new programs as we approach the cooling season.
BACKGROUND
The Board provided directions on future programs at the June 15, 2023, meeting. With a focus on the residential sector and with input from the Community Advisory Committee, Pioneer staff began reviewing potential program options and program partnerships.
In July 2023, the Board approved the first program related contract with Electrum to create an online marketplace. Considerable time and attention was given to evaluating the programs that best align with Board directives and meet customer needs, including researching multiple vendors to ensure Pioneer was offering the best program option. Throughout 2024, Pioneer launched five residential programs including the online marketplace, LED product in-store discounts, an AC tune-up rebate program, GridGen, and PowerShift Rewards.
So far in 2025, Pioneer and the Board have worked to expand the GridGen program, approve the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, and re-launch the seasonal AC Tune-Up Rebate and the PowerShift Rewards programs.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
LED Discount Program
The Greenlite program launched in January 2024, with the goal of providing significant discounts on LED products and partnering with local retailers. There are currently 26 stores enrolled in the program with orders to carry Pioneer-branded discounted LED products and display point-of-sale information. The program was recently expanded to include Dollar Tree stores to expand reach in Pioneer territory, especially where we were unable to locate local hardware stores. Pioneer has a page on the website dedicated to the program which provides customers with a list of participating stores so they know where they can go to take advantage of the discounted products. The current stores participating are as follows:
STORE NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop 2376 Grass Valley Hwy Auburn Colfax Thrift 130 N Main St Colfax
Do It Best Hills Flat Lumber 1000 S Canyon Way Colfax
Dollar Tree 2136 Grass Valley Hwy Auburn
Dollar Tree 3386 Coach Lane Cameron Park
Dollar Tree 53 Lincoln Blvd. Lincoln
PIC)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Agenda Item: 5 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Dollar Tree 720 5Th Street Lincoln
Dollar Tree 1480 Broadway Placerville
Dollar Tree 3261 Stanford Ranch Rd Rocklin
Dollar Tree 6656 Lonetree Blvd #E Rocklin
Goodwill 2460 Grass Valley Hwy Auburn
Goodwill 3868 Forni Rd. Placerville
Goodwill Grass Valley 1145 Sutton Way Grass Valley
Habitat For Humanity Restore 12359 Loma Rica Dr Grass Valley Hills Flat Lumber Co. 380 Railroad Ave Grass Valley
Hospice Gift & Thrift Of Grass Valley 840 E Main St Grass Valley Lake Of The Pines Ace Hardware 10868 Combie Rd Auburn
Mt St Mary's Thrift Store 410 S Church St Grass Valley
Placerville True Value Hardware 441 Main St Placerville Pleasant Valley Ace Hardware 4570 Pleasant Valley Rd Placerville Pollock Pines True Value Hardware 6416 Pony Express Trl Pollock Pines Snowline Hospice Thrift Store 3300 Coach Ln Cameron Park Snowline Hospice Thrift Store 3961 El Dorado Rd Placerville Swasey's Hardware & Hobbies 140 E Mcknight Way #12 Grass Valley Sweet Life Thrift 144 Hughes Rd Ste E Grass Valley
True Value Hardware 4571 Missouri Flat Rd Placerville
Online Marketplace
Pioneer’s online marketplace was launched March 22, 2024. Since launch, there have been 19 leads to utilize the marketplace. The marketplace has 6 active installers in our service area. Pioneer has been working with Electrum and local contractors to add additional verified partners to continue to grow the platform. Pioneer continues to host the marketplace on its website and promote the marketplace to our customers.
AC Tune-Up Rebate
Pioneer’s AC Tune-Up Rebate program, a seasonal program, re-launched April 1, 2025. Since the re-launch of the program, Pioneer has received over 80 applications. The response from customers about this program has been overwhelmingly positive, including appreciative comments about Pioneer providing this type of incentive and program. The program closes on October 1st for the year but will continue to accept applications up to two weeks after the closed date as long as the service was performed by the October 1st deadline. The program is being marketed through email campaigns, social media, online advertising, radio ads, and social media.
Important to note is that this program has driven 5-star Google reviews.
GridGen
The GridGen program launched in August 2024 and has had significant interest from residents. To date 240 customers have expressed interest in the program, with 11 customers completing installation and receiving permission to operate (PTO). Customer interest and support of the GridGen program is expected to increase as the GridGen expansion program, which will offer battery retrofit to residents who already have solar, launches this summer. The program is being promoted through marketing emails, online advertising, social media, and radio ads.
Agenda Item: 5 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
PowerShift Rewards
The PowerShift Rewards, a demand response program, relaunched May 1, 2025. Enrollment already has surpassed 600 customers and will continue to increase now that the program season has started. No alerts have been called at this time but will be called in accordance with CAISO Flex Alerts, extreme weather, or market conditions. PowerShift is being marketed through email campaigns, online advertising, social media, and radio ads.
Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot
The Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot (HFPP) launched earlier this year in partnership with PG&E. In April PG&E announced that the program has already reached capacity and is closing enrollments while they determine a plan to accommodate additional participants.
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program was approved by the Board in April. Staff are working with FuSE to begin outreach and communication to member agencies about the program.
Community Advisory Committee
Staff continues to meet with the Community Advisory Committee every other month for discussion and recommendation of future programs to present to the Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendation supports local engagement and quality in service priorities. r
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact with the recommendation. The referenced programs have been budgeted for.
ATTACHMENTS
There is no attachment to the report.
Staff Report – Item 6
To: The Governing Board
From: Brad Koehn, Director of Finance and Administration Item 6: Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget
Date: 5/15/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and provide direction as appropriate. The Recommended Budget will be brought to the Board for approval at the June 19, 2025, Board meeting.
AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEW
The Audit & Finance Committee members received a staff presentation of the Proposed FY 2025-26 Budget at the May 12, 2025, meeting. The members provided feedback on the presentation which, along with the Board feedback received today, will be incorporated in the recommended budget that will be presented to the Board in June.
BACKGROUND
The Proposed Budget is the first review of Pioneer Community Energy’s (“Pioneer”) operating budget by the Governing Board (“Board”) with staff incorporating feedback and recommendations from this review into the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget for adoption at the June Board meeting. The FY 2025-26 Budget is effective July 1, 2025.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
The Proposed FY 2025-26 Budget does rely on a small contribution from reserves, less than 1% of total expenses or $2.16 million but still leaves Pioneer in a healthy financial condition. The Proposed Budget projects total revenues of $245.6 million and total expenses at $247.7 million. The table below summarizes the proposed budget at a high level:
FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 Variance
$ in Millions Amended Budget Proposed Budget $ %
Revenues $245.69 $245.59 ($0.10) 0.0%
Power Supply $208.98 $222.65 $13.67 6.5%
Contribution Margin $36.71 $22.94 ($13.77) -37.5%
Operating Expenses $18.58 $21.89 $3.31 17.8%
Operating Margin $18.13 $1.05 ($17.08) -94.2%
Non-Operating Net Expenses $4.60 $3.20 ($1.40) -30.4%
Contribution To Net Position $13.53 ($2.16) ($15.68) -115.9% Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Revenues
Pioneer receives most of its revenue through
rates ($231 million). Revenues reflect the
rate change effective March 2025. The
budget assumes no changes to rates. There
is a forecasted $10 million contribution from
Congestion Revenue Rights (“CRRs”) and the
Battery Optimization efforts. CRRs are
financial instruments that are issued to
Pioneer from CAISO that are intended to
offset/manage variability in congestion
costs. CRRs are acquired primarily for
offsetting integrated forward market
congestion costs that occur in the day-ahead
market and are charged to Pioneer by
CAISO. The Battery Optimization effort
optimizes battery charge and discharge for
the Yellow Pine Solar/Battery project.
Interest earnings are Pioneer’s third revenue
generator; while only reflective of under 2%
of revenue, the $4.15 million interest gains
generated from Pioneer’s increased cash
position and higher interest rates are still
notable. Pioneer does not receive any
subsidies from our member agencies.
Expenses
Pioneer’s power supply costs represent the
most significant expenses, reflecting 90% of
total expenses. The majority of remaining
expenses, referred to here as operating
expenses, include compensation, consultant
services and other operating expenses (such
as rent, lease, utilities, insurance, CalCCA
membership, software and professional
development), which comprise a much
smaller portion of the budget.
Energy Sales
(Net)
94%
CRR's &
Battery
Optimization
4% Interest
Earnings
2%
Revenues: $245.6 million
Power Supply
90%
Operating
Expenses 9%
Debt Service
1%
Expenses: $247.7 million
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Notable Operating Expense Adjustments
Power Supply Costs
Power supply costs increased by about $13.7 million compared to the prior fiscal year budget, primarily due to the increase in energy prices. The Feed in Tariff contributes $1.5 million toward the increased cost, which offers developers incentives to build local biomass, small hydro, and battery storage projects in Pioneer’s service territory. Consistent with prior fiscal years, an extreme weather event contingency of $10 million is also included in the power supply budget.
Projected Expansion Costs
Preparation for the planned expansion to 13 new communities during the Fall of 2027, pending CPUC approval, has also had an impact on the proposed budget.
1. Office Facility Expansion - Expanded facility capacity will be needed to serve both Board meeting needs and office space needed since the existing facility is at capacity. The number of Board members will soon increase by 13 members to a 24-member Board, pending CPUC approval. Pioneer’s current Board room will not be able to accommodate this expanded Board membership. In addition, the current office space is inadequate to meet Pioneer’s staffing needs. The estimated cost of additional facility space has been included in the budget.
2. New Personnel - The expansion will also increase Pioneer’s energy load, with customer accounts anticipated to more than double. This increased demand will require increased staffing capacity to secure and manage new energy/RA/REC contracts to serve the new customers. The significant increase in new customers will also require additional dedicated staff capacity (as well as increased marketing and communication resources) to introduce Pioneer to its existing and future customers and support their needs.
Personnel
Fiscal Year 2024-25 ended the year with 22 full-time positions and one part-time position. The Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget proposes an addition of the following four full-time positions resulting in a total of 26 full-time positions and one part-time position:
a) Power Resource Manager (increasing from 1 to 2)
b) Customer Care Specialist
c) Community Outreach Specialist
d) Legislative and Regulatory Analyst (increasing from 1 to 2) This staff increase in the Power Procurement, Communications and Customer Care Divisions is requested to prepare Pioneer and its future customers for a successful expansion launch. The additional Legislative & Regulatory position would primarily be focused on the regulatory aspects of microgrids, Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Enhanced Power Safety Settings, and potential related grants.
A full year’s salary and benefit cost for the addition of the following four positions is estimated to be $800 thousand.
The organizational chart on the following page illustrate the changes in the Proposed Budget:
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Chief Operating
Officer
Legislative &
Regulatory
Manager
Legislative &
Regulatory
Analyst I
CalCCA
(Advocacy
Services)
Legislative/
Regulatory
Legal Counsel
State Lobbyist
Power
Resources
Manager
Manager, Quant. Analysis
& Modeling
Power Supply
Contracts
Manager
Scheduling
Coordinator
Power
Procurement
Consulting
Power
Procurement
Legal Counsel
CRR Broker
Battery
Optimization
Service
Board Clerk/
Executive
Assistant
Project
Development
Manager
Director of
Finance &
Administration
Information
Technology
Analyst
Information
Technology
Services
IT Auditor
Custodial
Services
Controller
Senior Financial
Analyst (2)
Financial &
Administrative
Analyst I
Human
Resources
(Recruitment)
Human
Resources
(Employee
Relations)
Financial
Advisor
► 26 Full-time Positions
,.. 4 New Positions
► 1 Part-time Position
► Kev Consultant Services
Intern
(Part-time)
Customer
Billing (PG&E)
Marketing
Services
Customer Care
Manager
Customer Care
Coordinator
Communications
Coordinator (2)
Data
Management
Services
Customer Call
Center
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
*Data gathered
May 2025 3CE Pioneer
(Current) VCE Pioneer (Proposed) AVA SVCE PCE MCE SCP RCEA FTEs 56 22 9 26 98 62 61 106 49 39
TWh 5.1 1.8 0.7 1.8 6.6 3.9 3.4 5.6 2.2 0.6
Ratio 11.0 12.3 13.8 14.5 15.0 15.8 18.0 18.8 22.7 61.9
Programs
Proposed in the Budget is an increase in the program funding stream from 1% to 2% of energy revenues. This increased allocation will allow existing programs to expand their reach and allow for new programs that will bring value to Pioneer customers in addition to customer rate savings. This is consistent with the strategic plan priority of being a Community Partner by bringing additional value to customers.
Implemented and Ongoing Near-term Under Development
✓ LED Rebate Program
✓ Solar/Battery/HPWH/EV Charging Online Marketplace
✓ AC Tune-up Rebate Program
✓ PowerShift Rewards
✓ GridGen Solar/Battery Lease Program (Phase 1)
✓ Ice Energy Program
✓ Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
□ Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot
□ GridGen Solar/Battery Lease Program
(Phase 2 - Expansion)
□ Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate Program
□ Electric Vehicle Incentive/Rebate Program
□ Energy Savings & Incentive Finder
Programs Outlook
70 60
50 40
30 20
10 0
# of Full-Time Employees per TWh of Load
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Power Division Software Enhancements
The Power Division includes costs for new software that will provide additional scenario analysis and should result in better forecasting of energy demand that is expected to result in energy procurement cost savings over time.
Division Comparisons
The budget comparison between Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Fiscal Year 2025-26 by Division and in aggregate for Compensation, Consultant Services and Operating Expenses has significant swings in both the positive and negative directions. The Notable Operating Expense Adjustments that are discussed above are key drivers of those swings but there are other contributing factors such as new or increased costs for various areas such as power brokerage costs, power counsel services, software enhancements, analytic subscriptions, and IT/cybersecurity services.
Financing Highlights
Term Loan
In May 2021, Pioneer entered into a 15-year $10.5 million term loan with Umpqua Bank that was used to pay in full Pioneer’s loan obligation with Placer County which provided necessary start-up funding for Pioneer’s CCA operations. While the annual debt service is $950 thousand, the terms of the loan allow Pioneer to pay up to $2.1 million annually in extra principal payments without being subject to a prepayment penalty. A $2.1 million extra principal payment was made in each of the past three fiscal years. A $700 thousand extra principal payment is proposed for FY 25-26 that will pay in full the term loan during the upcoming fiscal year.
Line of Credit
Pioneer has established with Umpqua Bank a Line of Credit for the purpose of issuing Letters of Credit to energy suppliers (including CAISO) when collateral is required. The Letters of Credit allow Pioneer to avoid using cash as collateral thereby improving Pioneer’s liquidity position. As Pioneer prepares for expansion this may become a more valuable tool in providing any possible required collateral when Pioneer executes future energy contracts.
The budget has planned funding of $750 thousand for this purpose.
Financial Security Requirement
The California Public Utility Commission is contemplating a change to the Financial Security Requirement that is posted by CCAs, such as Pioneer. Although this process is not finalized, estimates anticipate that additional funds will be required. The budget includes funding of $800 thousand to meet this requirement.
Power Prepay
On October 20, 2022, the Board authorized Pioneer to execute a 30-Year Energy Prepayment Transaction (“Prepay”), which enables tax-exempt entities like Pioneer to bundle certain long-term power agreements into a long-term financial transaction for a discount on the associated power costs. Since additional power agreements under the Prepay will be included in the upcoming year, the estimated savings will increase from almost $1.2 million in Fiscal Year 24-25 to $1.7 million in Fiscal Year 25-26. These savings are reflected in a reduction to Power Supply cost.
Reserves
During Fall 2021, the Board approved a revised Reserve Policy that established a minimum target of 160 days of cash liquidity and a timeline to achieve that minimum target in 3 to 5 years. That minimum target was reached during Fiscal Year 2024-25. Staff estimates, using Fiscal Year 25-26 proposed budget expenses to calculate the days of liquidity on hand, that Fiscal Year 24-25 will end at almost 240 days. The current projection for the end of Fiscal Year 25-26 (assuming existing rates and power expenses) that Pioneer would still be over 235 days of liquidity by June 2026.
The following chart illustrates Pioneer’s expected days of liquidity compared to other credit rated Community Choice Aggregators:
Agenda Item: 6 Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
A healthy Reserve position allows Pioneer to weather small projected deficits without impacting customer rates or causing a deteriorating balance sheet.
Reserve Target
The existing Reserve Policy targets a minimum target of 160 days of liquidity. At the November 2024 Board meeting, the Board considered increasing the reserve target to 270 days with any amount exceeding the 270 days reserve to be returned to customers through a bill credit in the subsequent fiscal year, thereby establishing a ‘ceiling’ on any future reserve amount. The Board deliberated and decided that the best timing for a change to the Reserve Policy would be with the consideration of the budget. That topic is planned for the June Board meeting.
mPOWER
Pioneer’s non-CCA mPOWER program was closed to new applications on August 31, 2021. Staff is working with Placer County to appropriately program a Fiscal Year 25-26 Budget for mPOWER. The mPOWER program is fully funded by assessments of the property owners that received improvements and is legally separate and distinct from the CCA energy operations funded by ratepayers. Ongoing assessment revenue, bond servicing costs and administration costs will continue until the last Bond is paid in full. The mPOWER budget will be included in the Recommended Budget to the Board in June.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Proposed FY 2025-26 Budget includes total revenues of $245.6 million and total expenses of $247.7 million resulting in a small contribution from Reserves of $2.2 million.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Summary
600
500
400
300
200
100
0 CCA Reserves Comparison
{Days of Liquidity)
I I
MCE Pioneer AVA SVCE PCE
(Projected
FY26)
SCP
Attachment 1
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
$ in Thousands
Revenues
Total Energy Revenues
Total Revenues
Energy Expenses
Total Energy Expenses
Operating Margin
OPERATING EXPENSES
By Division
By Expense Type
Total Operating Expenses
Total Expenses
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY (CCA)
Fiscal Vear 2025-26 Budget Summary
Dec 2024 Amended
FY 2024·25
Energy Sales $235,801,000
GreenlOO Sales $200,000
CAR & Battery Optimization $10,000,000
Less Uncollectable Accounts ($3,186,000)
$242,815,000
Investment gains (losses) $2,871,000
$245,686,000
Power Supply $208,976,000
Power Supply Feed in Tariff
$208,976,000
$36,710,000
Dec 2024 Amended
FY 2024·25
Administration
Proposed
FY 2025·26
$234,389,000
$217,000
$10.000,000
($3,167,181)
$241,438,819
$4,150,000
$245,588,819
$221,145,000
$1,500,000
$222,645,000
$22,943,819
Proposed
FY 2025·26
----------------- --------------- -------------- ----------------- Compensation $816,385 $1,002,200 Variance
$ %
($1,412,000) ·0.6%
$17,000 8.5%
$0 0.0%
$18,819 ·0.6%
($1,376,181) ·0.6%
$1,279,000 44.5%
($97,181) 0.0%
$12,169,000 5.8%
$1,500,000 0.0%
$13,669,000 6.5%
($13,766,181) •37.5%
Variance
$ %
$185,815 22.8%
Consultant Services $318,325 $492,800 $174,475 54.8%
............. Operating Expenses .................................... $941,795 .... ........... $971,750 ............ $29,955 .. ..... 3.2% -~~.~ ln.i~J~atlon.~~!al ............................................. $2,076,505 .............. S2,466,750 ··· ........ $390,245 ...... 18,~'lli Finance
. .. .......... Compensation .... ............ ............. . ......... $1,101,050 ... .......... $1,190,745 ............ $89,695 ....... 8.1% Consultant Services $591,000 $641,550 $50,550 8.6%
... Operating Expenses $357,700 $357,675 ......... ($25) 0.0% Finance Total .......... .. $2,049,750 .$2,189,970 $140,220 6.8% Power Procurement
. .. .......... compensation ....................................... $1,027,592 ... .......... $1,249,593 ........... $222,001 . ..... 21.6% ............. Consultant Services ................................. $3,143,537 .............. $3,349,187 ........... $205,650 ....... 6.5% ............. Operating Expenses ............... ..................... $291,500 ............... $447,500 ........... $156,000 ...... 53.5% Power Procurement Total ........................................ $4,462,629 ............. $5,046,280 ........... $583,651 .. .... 13.1% Customer Care ·----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------· ............. Compensation ......................................... $449,002 ............... $806,672 ........... $357,670 ...... 7~-?.'!li . . . co.n.su(t.a.nt S_e_rvice.s. ... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . $2,720,000 $2,870,000 $1500000 5.5% ............. Operating Expenses .................................... $214,750 ............... $129,050 .... . ...... JS85,700) ... _-39.9% Customer Care Total ............................................. $3,383,752 ............. $3,805,722 ........... $421,970······ 12.5% Communications
·-·········---·-·········-----··········----·········-----··········----············---·-··-······---·-··········----···········---··· ............. Compensation ......................................... $741,946 ............... $952,599 ........... $210,653 ..... 28.4% ............. S:.~nsu.ltant.~~0.c.es .................................... $420,000 ............... $500,000 ............ $80,00o ..... }~-~·'!b· ............. Operating Expenses .................................... $846,350 .............. Sl,002,400 ........... $156,050 ..... 18.4% Communications Total ........................................... $2,008,296 ............. $2,454,999 ........... $446,703 ...... 22.2% _Legislative & Regulatory ........................ .......... ............................................................................ .
Compensation $553,670 $942,100 $388,430 70.2%
............. Consultant Services .................................... $377,807 .... ........... $327,807 ........... ($50,000) .... ·13.2% ............. Operating Expenses ....................................... $8,300 ................. $30,600 ........... $22,300 .... 268.7% Legislative.&.Regulatory Total .. ........ $360,730 38.4% Programs _____ _
............. Compensation ......................................... $293,345 ............... $461,568 ........... $168,223 ..... 57.3% ............. Consultant Services .................................. $1,456,341 .... .......... $1,460,000 ....... ...... $3,659 ...... 0.3% ............. Operating Expenses .................................. $1,909,805 .............. $2,707,208 ........... $797,403 ..... 41.8% Programs Total $3,659,491 $4,628,776 $969,285 26.5%
Aggregation of aU Divisions
Compensation $4,982,990 $6,605,477 $1,622,487 32.6%
I Consultant Services $9,027,010 $9,641,344 $614,334 6.8% Operating Expenses $4,570,200 $5,646,183 $1,075,983 23.5% $18,580,200 $21,893,004 $3,312,804 17.8%
Debt Service
Term Loan Debt Services $950,000 $950,000 $0 0.0%
Addiitonal Term Loan Principal $2,100,000 $700,000 ($1,400,000) ·66.7% Line/Letter of Credit Fees $750,000 $750,000 $0 0.0%
Financial Security Requirement $800,000 $800,000 $0 0.0% Debt Service Total $4,600,000 $3,200,000 ($1,400,000) ·30.4% $232,156,200 $247,738,004 $15,581,804 6.7%
Contribution to/(from) Net Position $13,529,800 ($2,149,185) ($15,678,985) ·115.9%
Staff Report – Item IV-B
To: The Governing Board
From: Donald Eckert Jr., Chief Executive Officer
Item IV-B: CEO Report
Date: 5/15/2025
PERSONNEL
An offer was accepted for the Senior Financial Analyst position with an expected start date of June 8th. Our newest team member will be introduced to the Board at the June meeting.
There are no active recruits as all positions are currently filled.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AGREEMENTS EXECUTED (NON-POWER SUPPLY) The following agreements have been carried out by the Chief Executive Officer, consistent with the authority delegated by the Board:
Joint Representation Agreement with BRB Law for PG&E Resiliency Issues with a cost allocated on an equal percentage basis for 8 clients (Counties of Marin, Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma; City of Santa Rosa, Marin Clean Energy, Pioneer Community Energy, and Sonoma Clean Power).
AB706 UPDATE
AB706 – Forest Organic Residue, Energy, and Safety Transformation (“FOREST”) and Wildfire Prevention Fund Act continues to gain momentum. This effort has been a collaboration between Pioneer and many biomass allies such as California Biomass Association and CalForest. The bill has passed through the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. Next step is presentation to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
CalCCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CalCCA is the trade association for all Community Choice Aggregators. The annual conference this year was in Irvine and set a record for attendance. The event ended with a CEO panel that included Pioneer, speaking on the challenges facing the industry in the short term.
Next year’s conference will be in Sacramento and will be co-hosted by Pioneer and Valley Clean Energy as the two CCAs closest to Sacramento. It will also be a celebration of CalCCA’s ten-year anniversary. This will be an opportunity for Pioneer’s Board and Legislators in our service territory to participate. The conference will be in May 2026.
GUEST SPEAKERS FOR THE BOARD
I am pleased to report on a series of guest speakers before our August break that will educate the Board on issues impacting our industry:
• May – Beth Vaugh, CEO of CalCCA, will speak on the mission of CalCCA, past victories, and future challenges facing our industry.
• June – CAISO will present their summer readiness program. • July – Dr. Faruqui will return to speak on the state of the electric utility industry in California. His candor and humor is always appreciated.
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Agenda Item: IV-B Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER POWER SUPPLY CONTRACTS EXECUTIED The following agreements have been carried out by the Chief Executive Officer, consistent with the authority delegated by the Board:
Presentations and Relevant Meetings attended by the Chief Executive Officer
1. Participated in CalCCA Weekly/Monthly Board meetings.
2. Participated in a meeting with staff from Tehama County regarding expansion.
3. Attended a ribbon cutting event at Western Placer Waste Management Authority
4. Attended the Celebrity Waiter luncheon in Lincoln
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agenda Planning Document
2. Legislative and Regulatory Report
3. Communications Report
4. Programs Report
Counterparty Name
Execution
Date Type Product Start Date End Date Notional Value
Dynasty Power Inc. 4/2/2025 Sell Renewable Energy Credits 4/2/2025 12/31/2025 $ 4,900,000 Agenda Planning Document – Pioneer Community Energy ATTACHMENT 1 05-12-25
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
MAY 15, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
3:00 PM
(Post Agenda: May 9)
JUNE 19, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
3:00 PM
(Post Agenda: June 13)
JULY 17, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
3:00 PM
(Post Agenda: July 11)
IN THE FUTURE
Special Meeting
[time]
NO MEETING IN AUGUST
Next Meeting: SEPT 18, 2025
Regular Meeting
3:00 PM
Consent 1a Minutes for Approval-APR 17, 2025 Minutes for Approval-MAY 15, 2025 Minutes for Approval-June 19, 2025 1b Receive Draft Financials: MAR 2025
(Koehn)
Receive Draft Financials: APR 2025
(Koehn)
Receive Draft Financials: MAY 2025
(Koehn)
1c RES delegating compensation/benefits
to Governance Committee(Eckert/GC)
RES Joint Rate Mailer
(Stassi-Vanacore)
RES Contract – Amperon (Kang)
1d RES setting date for New Members to
join Board of Directors (Eckert/GC)
RES amending Resolution 2021-1 re:
Long-term PPAs (Kang/GC)
RES EE Health & Welfare (Koehn)
1e RES Contract – NPA (Kang)
1f RES Contract – Stephen Hall (Kang)
1g RES Contract – PEA(Kang)
1h RES Contract – cQuant renewal (Kang)
Presentation 2 presentation (Beth Vaughn, CalCCA) –
overview of CalCCA program
CAISO Summer Readiness (discussion-Eckert) guest presenter-remotepresentation (Dr. Ahmad Faruqui) RES Revised NEM Policy (action-Koehn)
Public Hearing 3 PH & RES AB 2561 re: job vacancies &
recruitments (action-Koehn/GC)
Power Supply Market Update
(discussion-Kang)
Update on advertising campaign
(discussion- Stassi-Vanacore)
RES EV Charging Station Grant
(discussion- Stassi-Vanacore)
Regular 4 Calpine Community Benefit Program
(discussion- Stassi-Vanacore)
guest presenter-remote
RES Recommended Budget
(action-Koehn)
PCIA update (discussion-Ewing)
5 Summer 2025 Programs update
(discussion- Stassi-Vanacore)
RES contract – printing services
(action- Stassi-Vanacore)
SEPT RES Power Content Label
(action- Stassi-Vanacore)
6 Proposed Budget (discussion-Koehn) Outreach Plan for Expansion Communities
(discussion- Stassi-Vanacore)
JAN Annual Appointment of EPRC
Members (2026)
General Function II Chief Executive Officer’s Report
REG Reports: Leg/Reg; Communications; Programs;
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
REG Reports: Leg/Reg; Communications; Programs;
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
REG Reports: Leg/Reg; Communications; Programs;
QTRLY Updates requested by the Board
Strategic Plan Objectives
Sponsorship Activity
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
QTRLY Updates requested by the Board
JAN – APR – JULY – OCT
Strategic Plan Objectives
Sponsorship Activity
Informational Items
Glossary of Terms
Informational Items
Glossary of Terms
Board Workshop (discussion-Eckert)
Informational Items
Glossary of Terms
I I
l I
I
I I
Agenda Planning Document – Pioneer Community Energy ATTACHMENT 1 05-12-25
AUDIT/FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE SCHEDULED
in-person & remote locations IN THE FUTURE
David Ring, Chair
Richard Pearl, Vice Chair
Greg Janda
Gary Petersen
ENERGY PROCUREMENT REVIEW
AD HOC COMMITTEE
TO BE SCHEDULED
zoom only IN THE FUTURE
Gary Petersen, Chair
Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Vice Chair
Ryan Carter
Greg Janda
Sean Lomen
(JAN-BOARD) Annual Appointment of EPRC Members (2026)
EXPANSION
AD HOC COMMITTEE
TO BE SCHEDULED - JULY
zoom only IN THE FUTURE
Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Chair
Tom Ivy, Vice Chair
Suzanne Jones
Lori Parlin
o Potential Expansion opportunities
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO BE SCHEDULED – JUNE/JULY
in-person & remote locations IN THE FUTURE
Board - Chair
Board - Vice Chair
Committee Chairs
Board Chair, Ex Officio (prior year)
o Closed Session (Compensation Study)
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JUNE 25, 2025 IN THE FUTURE Meets on the 4th Wednesday
(even-numbered months)
Attachment 2: Legislative and Regulatory Update
Date: 5/15/2025
Legislative Affairs
• On April 17, 2025, Pioneer Staff presented the 2025 Legislative Policy and Platform to the Board of Directors. Pioneer staff recommended and submitted letters of support for the following bills based on the Board’s approval:
o AB 706 (Aguiar-Curry): This is a Pioneer sponsored bill that would establish the FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund, to promote biomass utilization that contributes to California’s wildfire fuel reduction targets while providing clean firm energy to improve grid resiliency. o AB 66 (Tangipa): This bill would provide a temporary CEQA exemption, until January 1, 2032, for projects that create or improve emergency egress routes in residential areas and communities that currently lack a secondary route.
o SB 88 (Caballero): This bill would require the California Air Resources Board, CalFire and the California Energy Commission to take specific steps to track, locate, and quantify the emissions from the burning of forest and agricultural waste. This bill intends to monetize the value of avoided emissions during biomass waste utilization processes and encourage the beneficial use of biomass residues to prevent wildfires and avoid managed open pile burning. o AB 540 (Becker): This bill would provide the California Independent System Operation (CAISO) with authority to implement the “Pathways Initiative”, which would allow CAISO to tap into a wider market of electricity sources throughout the broader Western region. Many studies have shown establishing a regional energy market stands to provide Californians with significant cost savings, enhanced grid reliability, and reduced air pollution. • Pioneer removed AB 442 (Hadwick) from its “High: Support” category on the 2025 Legislative Policy and Platform due to it being gutted and amended. In its original form, AB 442 would have provided a CEQA exemption for prescribed fire, thinning, or fuel reduction projects undertaken within communities with a single ingress and evacuation route. In its amended form, the bill would expand the harvest area of a working forest management plan. Due to the change in topic and relevancy to Pioneer, the bill will continue to be monitored.
• CalCCA’s Legislative Committee and Executive Board voted to take positions on the following bills:
o “Support” position for AB 706 (Aguiar-Curry): This is a Pioneer sponsored bill that would establish the FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund, to promote biomass utilization that contributes to California’s wildfire fuel reduction targets while providing clean firm energy to improve grid resiliency.
o “Oppose unless amended” position for AB 306 (Schultz): This bill would impose a 6- year moratorium on state building code updates and local government reach codes for residential development, to decrease construction costs and increase housing supply. CalCCA supports adding amendments to clarify this bill only applies to new construction, so existing buildings can still undergo electrification updates, and to clarify the process for the next cycle of building code updates in 2031.
o “Support” position on Sonoma Clean Power’s Geothermal Development package which consists of AB 526 (Papan), AB 527 (Papan), and AB 531 (Rogers): This package of bills aims to streamline regulatory policies and processes such as strategic planning, CEQA exemption, and permitting rules, to expedite the development of geothermal energy projects. o “Support” position on AB 941 (Zbur): This bill would require the CPUC to certify a CEQA negative declaration within 270 days of a complete application for a transmission project, effectively cutting the CEQA review time in half.
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
o “Support” position on SB 254 (Becker): This is the Senate’s affordability bill, containing broad provisions aimed at improving oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, creating a clean energy infrastructure authority to develop transmission, modifying the climate credit to better serve CARE/ FERA customers, establishing the POWER fund to support policy-driven energy programs, among other things to alleviate ratepayer costs. o “Support if amended” position on SB 283 (Laird): This bill would conform state codes and safety certification requirements to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 standards for battery storage facilities. This bill provides practical and reasonable requirements consistent with national standards, while maintaining local control and allowing for continued development of battery storage facilities. o “Support” position on SB 302 (Padilla): This bill would conform California’s tax code to the federal tax code to make the state eligible for certain tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act that would help clean energy project developers.
o “Support” position on SB 330 (Padilla): This bill would authorize the governor to establish pilot projects to develop, finance, and operate electrical transmission infrastructure, to promote affordable development of transmission infrastructure.
o “Oppose” position on SB 541 (Becker): This bill would require the CPUC to enforce a requirement for all LSEs, by 2028, to offer optional dynamic pricing tariffs consistent with CEC Load Management Standards and CPUC CalFuse regulations.
Regulatory Proceedings
Below is a summary table of the key terms and issues, followed by further details on activities since our last Board Meeting on a few ongoing priority Pioneer regulatory proceedings and matters. More updates will follow at future Board meetings as regulatory proceedings and matters evolve.
Key Terms
CPUC- California Public Utilities Commission CAISO- California Independent System Operator CEC- California Energy Commission OIR- Order Instituting Rulemaking/ “Proceeding” LSE- Load Serving Entity AL- Advice Letter
IOU- Investor Owned Utility PD- Proposed Decision
ALJ- Administrative Law Judge
Proceeding Issue Pioneer Position
R.22-10-010 OIR to Implement AB 843 (2022) –
The Bioenergy Adjusting Tariff
Program (BioMAT)
Expeditiously implement AB 843 to
allow CCA access to the BioMAT
program for future subsidies for
biomass procurement
R.20-05-003 OIR to Continue Electric Integrated
Resource Planning (IRP) and
Related Procurement Processes
Advocate for procurement planning
policies that prioritize affordable
baseload resources such as biomass
energy
R.24-01-017; CEC OIR 21-RPS-02
OIR to Continue Implementation
and Administration, and Consider
Further Development, of California
Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program (RPS)
Ensure Pioneer maintains
compliance with RPS mandates and
advocate for fair inclusion of
biomass in RPS guidelines
R.23-10-011 OIR to Oversee the Resource
Adequacy (RA) Program, Consider
Program Reforms and Refinements,
Refine the current RA Program
construct; reduce volatility of RA
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
and Establish Forward Resource
Adequacy Procurement Obligations
prices; increase RA procurement
availability and grid reliability
R.22-07-005 OIR to Advance Demand Flexibility
Through Electric Rates
Limit negative impacts of the
Income Based Graduated Fixed
Charge and educate Pioneer Board
and customers prior to the rollout.
A.20-02-009; A.21-03-008;
A.21-06-001; A.22-05-029;
A.24-05-009
PG&E 2019 Energy Resource
Recovery Account (ERRA)
Compliance Application; PG&E 2020
ERRA Compliance Application; 2021
ERRA Compliance Application; 2022
ERRA Compliance Application; 2023
ERRA Compliance Application; 2023
ERRA Forecast Application; 2024
ERRA Forecast Application; 2024
ERRA Compliance Application; 2025
ERRA Forecast Application
Reduce the ERRA impact on the
PCIA; increase data transparency
from the IOUs
R.21-03-011 OIR to Implement Provider of Last
Resort (POLR)
Limit the impacts of changes to the
Financial Security Requirement
(FSR)
R.18-12-005 Utility De-energization, Public
Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), and
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings
(EPSS)
Reduce impacts of PSPS and EPSS
events; increase coordination and
communications with IOUs to
ensure public safety during de-energization; limit PSPS and EPSS impacts on CCA load scheduling
CEC 21-OIR-03; 23-LMS-01 Load Management Standards (LMS) Ensure Pioneer maintains compliance with CEC mandates and
requirements
R.25-02-005 OIR to Update and Reform Energy
Resource Recovery Account (ERRA)
and Power Charge Indifference
Adjustment (PCIA) Policies and
Processes
Advocate for ERRA and PCIA
reforms that will not result in unfair
cost shifts between bundled and
unbundled customers
AB 843 BioMAT Implementation:
• October 20, 2022- The OIR was opened to examine the implementation of AB 843. • November 30, 2023- The CPUC voted to approve the revised PD which clarified many of the issues raised in the comments of the PD, while retaining the favorable outcome for CCAs. • January 2, 2024- The IOUs submitted their Tier 2 ALs modifying the BioMAT Tariff to incorporate CCAs. • January 29, 2024- 60 days from the Decision- CCAs finalized two provisions with Accion for website work and third-party administrator. In addition, CCAs submitted a revised tariff, a program participation request, power purchase agreement, rate schedule, and balancing statement as part of a Tier II AL to the CPUC. • February 1, 2024- Tier III ALs were submitted by 4 CCAs indicating interest in participating in the BioMAT program (3CE, Pioneer, RCEA, and OCPA).
• February 23, 2024- CalCCA submitted a 15-day extension until March 14 to meet the requirement for the central BioMAT Accion webpage and standard framework for individual CCA webpages within 90 days of the decision due to an issue raised by Accion in the third-party administrator Statement of Work that the CCAs, IOUs, and Accion are attempting to resolve.
• February 25, 2024- RCRC submitted reply comments in support of the Joint CCAs proposal to consider extending the BioMAT program sunset date.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
• March 1, 2024- A group of CCAs (Pioneer, RCEA, 3CE, OCPA, MCE, and VCE) submitted comments in the RPS proceeding asking the CPUC to consider expediting consideration of an extension to the BioMAT program beyond 2025.
• March 5, 2024- There is an agreement with Accion as the Third-Party Administrator. The agreement has been reviewed and signed by Pioneer as well as the other 3 CCAs. • March 21, 2024- There was a meeting with CPUC staff on implementation of AB 843. Brad Hill will be moving over to Natural Resources Agency.
• March 28, 2024- Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry submitted a letter of support to the CPUC for the extension of the BioMAT program. This letter included the support of other legislators: Senator Alvarado-Gil, Senator Dahle, Senator Talamantes Eggman, and Assembly Member Dahle. • March 28, 2024- CalCCA submitted a third request for extension of time for an additional 31-day extension of time (until April 29) for the central BioMAT Accion webpage and standard framework for individual CCA webpages to be completed within 90 day of the effective date of the decision. Work has been delayed pending final agreement from all parties to revisions to the third-party administrator Statement of Work. • April 4, 2024- There was a prehearing conference to address the preliminary scope of issues in the OIR for IRP where the Joint CCAs are asking for an extension of the BioMAT program. During this conference, Scott Blaising represented the Joint CCAs and asked for 1) the CPUC to expedite the extension of the BioMAT program and 2) broadly review the program.
• May 1, 2024- CPUC approved the joint CCAs Tier 2 Advice Letter which approved the BioMAT standard program documentation which included the tariff, the pro-forma power purchase agreement, program participation request forms, BioMAT program website and portal development contracts, independent third-party contracts, initial balancing account statements, and non-bypassable charge rate scheduled. • Pioneer has completed the implementation of the BioMAT program. The website and all necessary documents for BioMAT are live.
• June 20, 2024- CPUC issued a Draft Resolution to approve participating CCAs’ forecast revenue requirements, which is $0 for 2024-2025 for all participating CCAs, since no BioMAT projects are forecasted to COD before then.
• September 1, 2024- CPUC granted the joint CCAs’ extension request for the BioMAT application for prudent contract management, since there are no BioMAT contracts to report on. The new deadline will be 6 months after the first BioMAT contract is executed or September 1, 2025, whichever date comes first. • January 31, 2025- Pioneer submitted a Tier 3 AL to seek cost recovery for forecasted revenue requirements for 2026, which are $0.
• March 6, 2025- The CPUC issued a notice to Pioneer, informing us that our Tier 3 AL seeking cost recovery for BioMAT forecasted revenue requirements for 2026 is suspended for review for up to 120 days beginning March 3, 2025.
• April 7, 2025- Pioneer filed supportive reply comments to the Bioenergy Association of California (BAC)’s Petition to Modify (PFM) CPUC Decision 20-08-043 in the 2018 RPS proceeding, regarding changes to the BioMAT program. In its PFM, BAC urged the CPUC to extend or remove the sunset date on the BioMAT program, along with other program revisions, to ensure the program can meet its statutory requirement of enabling the procurement of 250 MW of distributed generation bioenergy. Pioneer, in partnership with the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA), filed comments, detailing our BioMAT project development efforts and urging the CPUC to consider expedited action on the extension of the BioMAT program, considering it is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025. Pioneer’s comments also echoed BAC’s other requested changes to the BioMAT program to enable more subscription, including improving interconnection issues and removing cost caps for Category 3 projects using forest biomass waste.
Integrated Resource Planning:
• October 7, 2015- The California Legislature adopted SB 350, the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, which increased the state’s greenhouse gas reduction target, requiring 50% renewable electricity procurement by 2030, and mandating a doubling of energy efficiency. To meet these goals, SB 350 ordered Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
large utilities to develop and submit integrated resource plans (IRPs), which will be reviewed by the CPUC.
The IRP proceeding serves as the vehicle for the CPUC to evaluate utilities’ progress towards meeting the SB 350 goals, as well as the general planning proceeding to consider California’s long-term energy needs and electric procurement policies.
• June 24, 2021- In Decision 21-06-035, the CPUC ordered the collective procurement of 11,500 MW of new net qualify capacity (NQC) to come online in 2023-2026. 2,000 MW NQC must come from long lead-time resources providing clean firm power or long duration energy storage. • March 13, 2023- In Decision 23-02-040, the CPUC ordered the collective procurement of an additional new 4,000 MW NQC in 2026-2027. The decision also extends the deadline for procurement of new long lead-time resources to 2028.
• October 7, 2024- Pioneer filed reply comments in response to the ALJ’s ruling seeking comments on the proposed resource portfolios for the 2025-2026 Transmission Planning Process (TPP). Pioneer urged the Commission to recognize the value of biomass as a clean firm resource needed to meet reliability and renewable energy goals. Our comments ultimately recommended an increase of 0.1 GW growth of biomass in the proposed portfolio. January 10, 2025- The CPUC issued the PD transmitting electricity resource portfolios to the CAISO for the 2025-2026 TPP. The PD failed to adopt many of the requests made by party comments, including Pioneer’s recommendation to increase the growth of biomass. • January 10, 2025- The Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council filed a petition for modification (PFM), urging the CPUC to clarify that derated short-duration battery energy storage cannot be used to meet the mid-term reliability procurement obligation for long-duration storage, as ordered in Decision 21-06-035.
Pioneer does not have any derated short-duration battery energy storage resources in our portfolio that would be negatively impacted if the PFM were to go into effect. • February 10, 2025- CalCCA responded to the LDES Council’s PFM, recommending the CPUC to deny the petition due to the clear nature of the language already present in the original decision, as well as to avoid the precedent of retroactive policymaking which would disadvantage LSEs who already made procurement decisions based on the given language.
• February 20, 2025- The CPUC issued the final decision (D. 25-02-026) transmitting electricity resource portfolios to the CAISO for the 2025-2026 TPP, which adopted the originally proposed base case and sensitivity portfolios.
• April 29, 2025: The CPUC issued a Staff Proposal on Reliable and Clean Power Procurement Program (RCPPP), with an ALJ ruling seeking comments. RCPPP is a new proposal for a long-term procurement planning framework, intended to forecast procurement needs for reliability and GHG reduction goals 10 years forward. Staff will review and work with CalCCA to provide comments.
Renewables Portfolio Standards:
• September 12, 2002- The California Legislature adopted SB 1078 which established the renewables portfolio standards (RPS) program with the initial requirement that 20% of electricity retail sales must be served by renewable resources by 2017. The program was accelerated in 2015 with SB 350 which mandated a 50% RPS target by 2030. The RPS proceeding at the CPUC serves as the vehicle for the CPUC to implement and administer RPS compliance rules for LSEs including Pioneer. Concurrently, the CEC is responsible for the certification of electrical generation facilities as eligible renewable energy resources and adopting regulations for the enforcement of RPS procurement requirements.
• July 22, 2024- Pioneer filed our Draft 2024 RPS Procurement Plan to the CPUC. • August 1, 2024- Pioneer submitted our 2023 RPS Compliance Reporting materials to the CPUC. • November 1, 2024- Pioneer filed comments on the CEC RPS docket, regarding the Draft 10th Edition of the RPS Eligibility Guidebook. Our comments urge the CEC to consider changes to the Guidebook that would reduce barriers to the certification of biomass facilities and burdens associated with reporting and verification. Furthermore, Pioneer recommended that the Guidebook should provide guidance to potential developers on eligible biomass conversion technologies and ensure accurate accounting of the generation from these sources.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Resource Adequacy:
• May 25, 2023- The CPUC issued a PD barring non-compliant LSEs from expansion for two calendar years following a system RA deficiency.
• June 14, 2023- CalCCA filed comments recommending the CPUC fully reject the PD’s restrictions on LSE expansion due to RA deficiencies and modify the RA deficiency penalty.
June 29, 2023- The CPUC issued a decision adopting a one percent minimum threshold for RA deficiencies that would limit CCA expansions; clarifying that if an LSE “cures” its year-ahead RA deficiency in the month-ahead timeframe, the year-ahead deficiency will not be applied to the expansion requirement. • July 26, 2023- CalCCA and CCCE filed two Applications for Rehearing (AfR) of the decision to limit CCA expansion for two years due to uncured RA deficiencies. CalCCA’s PfR cited a lack of CPUC statutory authority to limit CCA expansion, and that it gives itself new unauthorized powers to needlessly discriminate against CCAs to prevent their growth; it also asserted, that without credible evidence, the CPUC determined that addition of new CCA load would be detrimental to grid reliability, and that the decision violates the CPUC’s legal requirement to apply RA enforcement measures in a nondiscriminatory manner, not just to CCAs.
• On September 19, 2023, PG&E and SCE submitted their annual central procurement entity (CPE) reports.
PG&E is short RA for all months - up to 4,400 MW.
• October 12, 2023- The Commission opened the new RA proceeding through OIR R.23-10-011, which proposes the scope, schedule, and administration of this next RA proceeding. • November 9, 2023- CalCCA submitted comments recommending additional scoping items for the RA proceeding, including additional refinements to the RA program for the local RA CPE, compliance and penalty structure, slice-of-day (SOD) transactability, and RA import rules. • December 14, 2023- CPUC denied CalCCA’s request for a rehearing of the decision on RA procurement obligations and the prohibition against CCA expansion for failure to comply. • January 17, 2024- Petition for Writ of Review prohibition of CCA expansion filed. Shell also filed a petition for somewhat different reasons. CPUC is seeking to consolidate since there are two filings. CalCCA did not oppose the motion.
• January 19, 2024- Proposals due in the RA proceeding for Track 1, addressing time-sensitive issues that must be resolved for the 2025 RA compliance year. CalCCA has identified 3 major problems that the RA proposals should address: RA market scarcity, the potential exercise of market power, and removing the economic incentives not to comply. CalCCA is seeking to remove the prohibition from CCA expansion in the event of noncompliance and add the ability for the CPUC to waive penalties if CCAs can show reasonable efforts to comply were unsuccessful. The RA proposal approved by CalCCA’s Board included a temporary waiver proposal for system and flexible RA from 2025 to 2027. Partial waivers would waive the penalty points and non-fiscal consequences, and a full waiver would also be available that would waive financial penalties as well under certain circumstances. A slice of day waiver would also be available. • February 23, 2024- There was a SOD proposal workshop. CalCCA is asking for a delay in SOD implementation from 2025 until 2026 because the showing and compliance tools are not working properly. • March 22, 2024- CalCCA submitted comments on the RA Program with regards to considering RA reforms and refinements and establishing forward RA procurement obligations. CalCCA believes the focus should be to adopt proposals that protect customers against excessive RA costs and increase RA capacity availability. • June 6, 2024- CalCCA filed comments on the CPUC’s RA Track 1 PD, regarding key issues with SOD implementation. CalCCA emphasized how customer affordability will be put at risk due to the hourly transactability issue, and the CPUC’s refusal to delay SOD implementation or offer system RA waivers. The comments also included a host of other issues including the CPUC’s insistence on using a higher than necessary planning reserve margin (PRM), exclusion of existing resources in cure period extensions, restrictions on the amount of RA imports allowed, and concerns about the resource counting methodology. • June 14, 2024- CalCCA filed comments on the Assigned Commissioner’s Scoping Memo and Ruling on Track 2, proposing an adjustment of the CPE timeline. Currently, the Commission authorizes the CPE to procure local RA until 2 months before LSEs must submit their year-ahead RA showings. This leaves LSEs with limited time to fill their shortages in response to CPE allocation. CalCCA’s proposal urges the Commission to Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
require the CPE provide their LSEs with their local RA allocations at least 1 year prior to their year-ahead RA filings.
• June 20, 2024- The CPUC issued a decision to adopt local capacity requirements for 2025-2027, flexible capacity requirements for 2025, and refinements to the RA program as scoped in Track 1. The Commission maintains that the 2025 RA compliance year will be the first year for the new SOD framework, but remains open to considering hourly transactability after implementation, should any issues arise. • August 23, 2024- CalCCA filed reply comments on the ALJ ruling modifying the Track 2 schedule, expressing concerns about the upcoming loss of load expectation (LOLE) study and how it will be used to set the PRM for SOD implementation, and the proposed changes to the CPE framework and timeline. • August 30, 2024- Energy Division (ED) published the revised version of their RA LOLE study, which the CPUC will use to calibrate the PRM for the 2026 SOD implementation. Based on the LOLE study, ED staff recommended the CPUC adopt a 26.5% PRM during the months of January to May and a 23.5% PRM during the months of June through December, to maintain the target reliability level of 1 day in 10 years (0.1 LOLE). This recommended PRM is much higher than the originally set 17% PRM in the 2025 SOD implementation framework.
• September 9, 2024- CalCCA filed comments on the published RA LOLE study, urging the Commission to conduct further analysis before adopting the recommended PRM of 26.5% PRM during the months of January to May and a 23.5% PRM during the months of June through December. CalCCA cited concerns with potential study methodology flaws and significant impacts to ratepayer affordability associated with the recommended PRM.
• September 19, 2024- PG&E released their 2024 CPE Annual Compliance report. The report shows they are short in their centralized procurement of RA for 3 years forward. • October 29, 2024- The CPUC issued a PD for RA Track 2, which deals with the PRM and CPE framework.
Regarding the proposed PRM, the Commission agreed additional vetting and further analysis is needed, authorizing ED to undertake a further revision of the 2026 PRM analysis which will be considered in Track 3 of the proceeding. As for the CPE framework, the Commission successfully adopted CalCCA’s proposal to lock in CPE allocations one year earlier, giving LSEs more time to self-procure, along with various other revisions.
• November 18, 2024- CalCCA filed comments on the RA Track 2 PD, recommending that the CPUC recognize the significant impact that changes to the PRM can have on reliability and affordability, and allow for earlier adoption of the 2026 PRM if thorough analysis is completed by all relevant stakeholders in advance of the Track 3 timeline. CalCCA also urged the CPUC to adopt revisions to the CPE framework as outlined in the PD, with an opportunity to review their effectiveness at the end of 2027. • December 20, 2024- ED published another revised version of their RA LOLE study, recommending an updated 2026 PRM of 21% for the months of October to May and 22.5% for the months of June to September. Due to affordability concerns, ED also included two proposals to mitigate adverse effects of the high PRMs. The first proposal entails adopting a 17% PRM as an RA requirement, paired with an effective PRM of 22.5% which only IOUs are required to comply with; this proposal would extend the current 2025 status quo. The second proposal entails adopting a 22.5% PRM, but with an option for LSEs to apply for temporary System Waivers in peak months (June to September) for requirements above a 17% PRM based on a cost threshold.
• January 17, 2025- CalCCA filed their RA Track 3 proposals, recommending the CPUC to allow LSEs to transact load obligations on an hourly basis, address co-located generation and RA needs, and incorporate the local RA CPE data request process into the existing RA filing rather than the IRP data collection process. • February 25, 2025- ED issued a correction to their LOLE study, updating their recommended 2026 PRM to 20% for the months of November to May (off-peak) and 21% for the months of June through October (peak). Under this new PRM, the two price mitigation proposals change accordingly. Proposal A entails adopting a 17% PRM as an RA requirement, paired with an effective PRM of 21% in the peak months of June through October, which only IOUs are required to comply with; this proposal would extend the current 2025 status quo. Proposal B entails adopting a 20% PRM for off-peak months and 21% PRM for peak months, paired with an option for LSEs to apply for temporary System Waivers in peak months for requirements Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
above a 17% PRM based on a cost threshold.
• February 28, 2025- The CalCCA Board voted to support Proposal B, which would require LSEs to adopt an increased PRM of 20% in the off-peak months and a 21% PRM in the peak months, with the option of applying for a System Waiver in the peak months for obligations above a 17% PRM. • March 3, 2025- Opening comments were filed on the RA Track 3 Proposals. Most parties, except the IOUs, supported CalCCA’s proposals to adopt hourly load transactability and allow co-located energy only resources to count as RA under SOD. Furthermore, most parties opposed the price mitigation Proposal B which would allow for System RA waivers, and instead recommended the adoption of a PRM that will allow the grid to consistently meet the pre-determined target of 0.1 LOLE. • March 17, 2025- Reply comments were filed on the RA Track 3 Proposals. CalCCA urged the CPUC to reject arguments made by PG&E, SDG&E, and Middle River Power regarding the hourly transactability proposal. As for the proposed PRM and price mitigation proposals, CalCCA reasserted that the CPUC should adopt a 21% PRM in peak months, 20% PRM in off peak months, along with a system RA waiver option in peak months for obligations above a 15.5% PRM, as indicated by SCE’s independent PRM study. However, due to the ongoing disputes over a correct PRM to meet the 0.1 LOLE target, CalCCA urges the CPUC to continue refining their LOLE modeling for the upcoming 2027 PRM. • April 16, 2025 - CalCCA held ex-partes with CPUC Commissioners to continue advocating for adoption of the hourly load obligation trading proposal, setting the PRM at 21% in peak months and 20% in off-peak months with an option for system RA waiver for requirements above 15.5% consistent with Southern California Edison’s modeling results, and enabling increased co-located resource RA participation under the RA slice-of-day framework.
Demand Flexibility:
• June 30, 2022- AB 205 passed giving the CPUC the authority to approve a pricing structure that incorporates an Income Based Graduated Fixed Electricity Charge (IGFC). • July 14, 2022- The Commission issued an OIR to begin this proceeding to establish demand flexibility policies and modify electric rates to advance the following objectives: 1) enhance the reliability of California’s electric system; 2) make electric bills more affordable and equitable; 3) reduce the curtailment of renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with meeting the state’s future system load; 4) enable widespread electrification of buildings and transportation to meet the state’s climate goals; 5) reduce long-term system costs through more efficient pricing of electricity; and 6) to enable participation in demand flexibility by both bundled and unbundled customers. • July 31, 2023- Parties submitted Comments on the IGFC Implementation Pathways considering the ALJ Ruling’s questions.
• August 21, 2023- CalCCA submitted Reply Comments to refute parties’ arguments regarding including the PCIA or Competitive Transition Charge (CTC) as fixed costs eligible for inclusion in the IGFC. • October 27, 2023- 22 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the CPUC asking for an extension of the timeline for the proceeding and require public participation hearings before implementing an IGFC. • November 3, 2023- Track A (IGFC)- CalCCA filed a reply brief continuing to refute party proposals that the PCIA be included in the IGFC and noting that the parties advocating for inclusion of the PCIA have not addressed the arguments put forth by CalCCA.
• December 15, 2023- Track B (demand flexibility)- The CPUC issued a PD which directs PG&E to expand the Valley Clean Energy Ag-Fit pilot program. CCAs that participate in the expanded pilot may receive $20/kW for each year of customer enrollment in the PGE Ag-Fit pilot as an incentive. The incentive is capped at $1.8 million for PG&E’s territory. The budgets are for all the CCAs wanting to participate to share. PG&E will be administering the pilot so there will be no administrative costs, but several of the CCAs want to have a say in how the pilot is administered and the education and outreach of the pilot. December 18, 2023- Track A (IGFC)- CPUC issued a ruling requesting implementation information from the IOUs on the IGFC. The ruling directs the IOUs to file additional information about the proposed budgets for implementing the first income-graduated fixed charges by January 24, 2024.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
• January 23, 2024- (Track B) There was a revised PD on the expanded pilots. Pioneer is considering offering the expanded Ag-Fit program to its customers. The pilot will be administered by PG&E so it will involve minimal work on behalf of Pioneer staff, but it will also bolster our Load Management Standards program and keep us competitive with PG&E.
• January 26, 2024- The CPUC approved the expanded pilots revised decision. In D.24-01-032 to Advance Demand Flexibility Through Electric Rates, the CPUC directed PG&E to expand the Valley Clean Energy Ag Real Time Pricing Pilot (VCE AgFIT Pilot). The decision orders PG&E to extend the duration and expand participation of the VCE AgFIT Pilot to agricultural customers throughout PG&E’s service territory. • January 30, 2024- (Track A)- There was a press conference held by a group of 20 Democratic Legislators calling for the repeal of income-graduated fixed charge. AB 1999 would repeal the income-graduated fixed charge approved under AB 205 (2022) and replace it with a $5 fixed charge for CARE customers and a $10 fixed charge for all other residential customers.
• February 13, 2024- Pioneer staff sent PG&E an email indicating interest in possibly participating in the expanded pilot expansion program, particularly the Ag Pilot. • February 13, 2024- at the Senate Utilities, Energy and Communications hearing the IGFC was brought up by CPUC president, Alice Reynolds, who indicated the CPUC was working on an IGFC decision possibly by the end of Q1.
• March 1, 2024- There is an expanded pilot workshop to address dual participation, since some demand flexibility programs are dual enrollment prohibited. Dual Participation is allowed for- Critical Peak Pricing:
(Peak Day Pricing and SmartRate), Electrification Rates: (E-ELEC), TOU Rates (E-TOU, E-TOU-D), Simple NEM and NBT, and ELRP Subgroup A: (A1-A6). Dual Participation is Prohibited- Supply-Side DR Programs (BIP, CBP, ART, DRAM, non-DRAM DR RA Contracts, DSGS Option 2), Flex Market Pilot, DAHRTP, ELRP Subgroup B: B1-B2, and Other Event-Based Load-Modifying Programs (OBMC, SLRP). • March 25, 2024- PG&E submitted their Tier 2 AL for implementation plans for PG&E’s Expanded Ag Pilot. 5 CCAs have expressed an interest in participating in PG&E’s Ag Pilot in 2024 (Ava, SVCE, VCE, 3CE, and Pioneer). PG&E will launch the pilot in June of 2024. Participants will continue to pay their current bill and will receive the shadow bill, which they will not pay. The shadow bill will illustrate a customer’s potential savings under the dynamic pilot rate. There is also a $20 per unbundled kW per year incentive, subject to a $1.8 million cap for all CCA incentives.
• March 27, 2024- The CPUC issued a proposed decision addressing AB 205 (Income Graduated Fixed Charge) requirements for electric utilities. The earliest this proposed decision could be adopted is May 9, 2024. This decision authorizes all IOUs to shift the recovery of a portion of fixed costs from volumetric rates to a separate, fixed amount on bills without changing the total costs that utilities may recover from customers.
As a result, this decision reduces the volumetric price of electricity (in cents per kilowatt hour) for all residential customers of IOUs. The CPUC did not adopt the IOUs’ proposal and instead the proposal would have Tier 1 (customers enrolled in CARE) pay $5 a month, Tier 2 (customers enrolled in FERA or who live in affordable housing restricted to residents with incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income) pay $12 a month, and Tier 3 (all other customers) pay $24.15 per month. This new billing structure would apply to all residential rates of the IOUs, except for master-meter rates that are not sub-metered. • May 9, 2024- CPUC approved implementation of the Income Graduated Fixed Charge without any changes to the structure described in the previous bullet.
• June 12, 2024- CalCCA filed reply comments on the Track B Proposal, urging the CPUC to reconsider the process for updating marginal cost values and to clarify a cost recovery structure that ensures CCA customers do not get double-charged for being unbundled.
PG&E ERRA Compliance and ERRA Forecast:
• The ERRA proceedings act as a review of an IOU’s prior year portfolio management and accounting and seeks to identify errors and discrepancies between PG&E’s revenue requirements vis-à-vis collected revenues through the IOUs’ General Rate Case (GRC) which ultimately affects CCA rates through the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA).
• May 14, 2023- PG&E’s 2023 – 2024 ERRA Forecast and Testimony was released. • June 1, 2023- NewGen sent over the new rate forecast spreadsheet. The forecast looks good with the PCIA remaining negative over many vintages, but this will change before the October Update.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
• June 16, 2023- Keyes and Fox filed a Protest to PG&E's Forecast Application. • August 10, 2023- CalCCA filed a Protest to PG&E’s ERRA Trigger Application proposing a rate increase in November to correct and account for under-collections.
• September 6, 2023- CalCCA provided Testimony on the 2024 PG&E ERRA Forecast case and touched upon the fixed generation cost issue.
• October 16, 2023- PG&E’s October Update to its 2024 ERRA Forecast came out. Energy prices have softened relative to PG&E’s original forecast (which would, all else equal, cause PCIA rates to increase), but RA and RPS benchmarks have increased significantly since PG&E's filing (dampening the impact of energy prices).
All told, forecast rates increased relative to the original forecast across the board, but forecast rates remain negative for vintages 2021 and later.
• November 1, 2023- Keyes and Fox submitted comments on PG&E’s ERRA Trigger proposal and comments on PG&E’s October update.
• November 16, 2023- The CPUC unanimously approved the Alternate Proposed Decision and indicated that “the decision balances a myriad of competing interests- affordability, feasibility, safety, and reliability.” PG&E requested $15.4 billion for 2023 and the decision reduced that amount by $1.8 billion to $13.5 billion.
This is an 11% increase from the authorized 2022 revenue requirement. For the typical residential customer, their combined monthly electric and natural gas bill will increase by $32.62 or 12.8%, compared to PG&E’s request of $38.73 or 17.9% increase.
• November 30, 2023- The PD for the PG&E 2024 ERRA Forecast came out. There were a couple of disputed issues including whether to amortize the 2023 trigger balance over 6 months or 12. CalCCA was asking for 12 and PG&E was asking for 6 months. The CPUC adopted PG&E’s recommendation. The second issue was whether PG&E should apply a first-in-first-out methodology to the use of excess prior year RECs or a last-in-first-out methodology. The CPUC ruled with PG&E on a last-in-first-out methodology. • December 12, 2023- A revision to the proposed decision came out and CalCCA won its argument on first-in-first-out, meaning the CPUC is requiring PG&E to use a first-in-first-out methodology for RECs banked in or after 2019.
• December 29, 2023- PG&E submitted their Annual True-Up to change PG&E’s electric rates on January 1, 2024.
• March 21, 2024- There was a Preliminary Issue Review with Keyes and Fox. 2021 ERRA proceeding is still open but coming to an end, 2022 is still busy and 2023 is just starting up. Some of the big issues to watch include PG&E’s RA Sales and Accounting; DWR reimbursement to PG&E; and Retained, Sold and Unsold RPS. • June 12, 2024- The Assigned Commissioner issued the Scope Ruling in PG&E’s 2023 ERRA Compliance proceeding. The ruling does not adopt CalCCA’s recommendation to expressly clarify that the reasonableness of PG&E’s record year RA activities and sales is within the scope of this proceeding. It excludes the RA scoping issue out of this proceeding altogether, possibly in hopes the issue will be settled in PG&E’s 2022 ERRA Compliance proceeding. The Scope Ruling also lays out the procedural schedule. NewGen and Keyes & Fox will continue to work on discovery and reconvene with CalCCA before Intervenor testimony is due in September.
• June 17, 2024- CalCCA filed a protest to PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast application. In this proceeding, the 2025 levels for the PCIA will be established. Due to forecasted low brown energy prices and high RA prices, the PCIA is expected to decrease, which will result in increased generation rates for PG&E’s bundled customers. PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast application proposes a new ratemaking method to ensure reasonable rates for bundled ratepayers, by freezing the RA market price benchmark (MPB) at its 2024 forecast level, rather than using the 2025 forecast or the 2024 actual RA MPBs. CalCCA responded, urging the Commission against considering these broad policy questions, which fall outside the scope of the ERRA Forecast proceeding. CalCCA also argues that implementing an RA value cap would inappropriately inflate PCIA rates, shifting costs to unbundled customers, in violation of the PCIA ratemaking framework that has been established.
• July 25, 2024- The CPUC issued an ALJ ruling in PG&E’s 2022 ERRA Compliance proceeding, re-opening discovery to examine potential RA withholding actions taken by PG&E. • August 1, 2024- Assigned Commissioner issued a Scoping Memo and Ruling in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
application, supporting CalCCA’s protest that this proceeding is not the correct venue to address the RA MPB issue.
• September 3, 2024- CalCCA filed a direct testimony, prepared by Brian Dickman, in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding on behalf of CCAs. The testimony urges the CPUC to reject PG&E’s proposed change to its common cost allocation method and its proposal to create a new category of RPS-eligible resources outside of the previously recognized context of the PCIA calculation. The testimony also calls upon PG&E to make corrections to their calculation of “negative retained system RA” and “amount included as the amortization of the gain on the sale of its San Francisco General Office headquarters”. • October 4, 2024- CalCCA filed an opening brief, prepared by Keyes and Fox, in PG&E’s 2022 ERRA Compliance proceeding regarding the issue of PG&E withholding excess RA. CalCCA urged the Commission to revisit PG&E’s Bundled Procurement Plan in the IRP proceeding to ensure PG&E is making its excess RA available to the market in a timely and comprehensive manner, which is critical due to current RA market shortages. The brief incorporated the new discovery responses received from PG&E, once the ALJ re-opened the discovery window for CalCCA in July 2024.
• October 4, 2024- Energy Division released the 2024 Final MPBs and 2025 Forecast MPBs that are used to calculate the PCIA in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding. They have since issued corrections to the MPBs several times.
• October 8, 2024- In the PG&E 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding, the ALJ issued an email ruling asking for comments regarding the impact of the recently released MPBs. The questions posed ask parties whether they expect the released MPBs to have a significant impact on the issues within the scope of the proceeding, and to offer any procedural options to address these impacts. • October 14, 2024- PG&E and CalCCA replied to the ALJ ruling asking for party comments relating to the impact of the released MPBs. PG&E stated the released RA MPBs will result in a $500 million increase to the bundled customer generate revenue requirement, while departed load customers would see a net reduction of $500 million through their PCIA. Furthermore, the released RPS MPB would increase the bundled service customer generation revenue requirement by an additional $250 million, with a corresponding reduction to departed load customers. For these reasons, PG&E asks the Commission to delay the procedural timeline and consider various mitigation methods such as producing additional rate-setting scenarios and establishing a tracking account to remediate any potential cost shifts while further investigating this issue.
CalCCA stated in their replies that the RA MPB is operating as the Commission intended, therefore, no modifications to the ratemaking process in this proceeding are warranted. CalCCA reiterated that proposals to modify the PCIA revenue requirement calculation methodology are outside the scope of this proceeding and should not be considered in response to the ALJ ruling. • October 23, 2024- PG&E filed their Fall Update, in which they argue the recently released MPBs were wrongly calculated and inflated. Considering how the high price of the RA MPB does not appropriately incentivize procurement compliance, PG&E urges the Commission to consider mitigation measures. They present various mitigation proposals which involve freezing the RA and/ or RPS MPBs to 2024 forecast levels and tracking the differences in a balancing account.
• October 31, 2024- CalCCA filed a motion to strike PG&E’s MPB discussion and mitigation proposals from the record, as they were already deemed out of scope for this proceeding in a previous ALJ ruling. CalCCA also filed a reply brief which reiterates that the Commission should not consider MPB mitigation measures in this proceeding, and argues that the “gross revenue requirement” methodology equitably allocates common costs to customers.
• November 15, 2024- CalCCA held an ex parte and met with Maria Sotero from Commissioner Reynold’s office to discuss the MPB issues and better understand what strategies the CPUC wants to pursue in this case. The CPUC expressed understanding of CalCCA’s recommendation to maintain consistent usage of the MPB methodology in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding, but did indicate a desire to open a new rulemaking to consider changes to the MPB methodology.
• November 15, 2024- PG&E submitted their Annual Electric True-Up to change PG&E’s electric rates on January 1, 2025.
• November 25, 2024- The CPUC issued a PD for the PG&E 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding which maintained Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
that PG&E’s RA mitigation proposal is out of scope, securing CalCCA’s win in preventing $1B in costs to the PCIA. PG&E was ordered to use the 2024 MPBs that ED released. However, the PD states that the CPUC may open a new rulemaking to consider modifications to MPB methodology, with possible retroactive rate collections in PG&E’s 2025 Annual Electric True-Up. Furthermore, the PD adopts PG&E’s common cost allocation proposal, but sides with CalCCA that the change should be applied prospectively in 2025 and forward, not to 2024 costs.
• December 2, 2024- CalCCA filed opening comments to the PD in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding, emphasizing the importance of providing adequate timelines and discovery rights for non-IOU parties in any future proceeding that will deal with modifications to the RA MPB methodology. Considering recent changes in the RA market including System RA scarcity and sharp price increases in short-term RA, CalCCA does not oppose revisiting the RA MPB methodology, but urges the Commission to consider a more comprehensive evaluation of the methodology. CalCCA’s comments also push back on the CPUC’s adoption of PG&E’s common cost allocation methodology and urges the CPUC to instead adopt CalCCA’s proposal based on gross revenue requirements.
• December 19, 2024- The CPUC issued a final decision in PG&E’s 2025 ERRA Forecast proceeding, bringing it to a close. The decision adopts PG&E’s revised proposal of common costs allocation beginning with January 1, 2025 rates. PG&E’s estimated 12-month net revenue requirement for 2025 is $2.25 billion, resulting in an expected decrease of bundled residential customers’ rates by 2% and a decrease of unbundled residential customers’ rates of 4.4%.
• December 30, 2024- PG&E filed their final Annual Electric True-Up, reflecting the CPUC’s final decision, to update their electric rates effective January 1, 2025.
• February 3, 2025- CalCCA filed an opening brief in the PG&E 2024 ERRA Forecast proceeding recommending that the CPUC should not modify the definition of fixed generation costs, which most other parties were in consensus with. CalCCA also encouraged the CPUC to address any changes in the common cost allocation methodology in a separate, non-expedited rulemaking with all three IOUs as parties, in order to ensure consistency in their practices.
• February 28, 2025- PG&E filed their 2024 ERRA Compliance Application. ERRA Compliance proceedings review PG&E’s activities in the prior year related to its ERRA and PCIA to ensure that those activities were reasonable and comply with Commission decisions and that associated accounts are accurate. • April 4, 2025 – CalCCA filed a Protest of PG&E’s 2024 ERRA Compliance Application, arguing that the Commission should set the matter for hearing to provide CalCCA an opportunity to analyze the application, including preliminary issues it identified concerning PG&E’s RA sales activities, PG&E contract amendments, changes to PG&E’s Retained RA Tracker, and PG&E’s treatment of “banked” renewable energy credits to meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement. CalCCA also argues that the Commission should explicitly include PG&E’s attempts to sell excess RA consistent with its Bundled Procurement Plan in 2024 within the scope of the proceeding.
• April 23, 2025 – The ALJ issued a Proposed Decision in PG&E’s 2022 ERRA Compliance proceeding that found that issues concerning PG&E's sales or attempts to sell excess RA during the summer of 2022 are not relevant to issues in the proceeding. CalCCA will file comments on the Proposed Decision pushing back on this finding given that the ERRA Compliance proceedings are the only venue we have to examine PG&E’s excess RA transactions.
• May 2, 2025 – The ALJ in PG&E’s 2024 ERRA Compliance proceeding issued a scoping ruling that included CalCCA's request to include as an issue whether PG&E made reasonable attempts to sell excess RA consistent with its Bundled Procurement Plan. This Scoping Ruling conflicts with the 2022 ERRA Compliance Proposed Decision, providing support for CalCCA’s arguments in comments on that Proposed Decision.
Provider of Last Resort (POLR):
• October 2, 2019- SB 520 passed requiring the establishment of a POLR. As part of the proceeding to implement SB 520, the CPUC is seeking to establish new policies to plan for and prevent catastrophic failures in the event of an unplanned return en masse of CCA customers to IOU service. Additionally, the CPUC will review and update existing procedures and policies for Financial Security Requirements (FSR), Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
re-entry fees, and LSE de-registration process and compliance requirements. • July 31, 2023- CalCCA's Reply Briefs were submitted and address PG&E’s proposal to modify the FSR to reflect two months of forecast energy costs, other parties’ recommendations on elements of the existing FSR calculation, mandatory contract assignments, financial monitoring, and the duration of POLR service. • March 14, 2024- The CPUC issued a PD, with a mix of favorable and unfavorable decisions. For example, it rejected PG&E’s proposal to require FSR postings to reflect 2 months of POLR service, it maintains the ability to use service bonds, and it keeps confidential the information about LSEs that trigger financial monitoring.
However, the proposed decision also approved using PG&E’s Administrative Fee ($4.24) without sufficient evidence of the costs, the CPUC should clarify that November 2024 FSR Calculation would be the earliest possible calculation under the new rules, and the CPUC should clarify the timing of the second tier of reporting requirements so CCAs know when to evaluate their metrics. The biggest issue the PD addressed was updating the FSR requirements. The minimum FSR remains $147,000, but now CCAs must use the IOU’s Administrative Fee multiplied by the number of accounts the CCA has, and post whichever amount is higher. For CCAs in PG&E’s territory the administrative fee is $4.24 per customer, while the other IOUs’ administrative fees are significantly less (around $.50 per customer). If the final decision requires CCAs within PG&E’s service territory to use PG&E’s administrative fee, all CCAs within PG&E’s service territory will likely be paying an FSR well over the $147,000 minimum. • April 23, 2024- CPUC adopted a revised POLR Decision inclusive of several of CalCCA’s requests.
Specifically:
o Reducing RA costs in the FSR by accounting for returning CPE RA allocations, in addition to the CAM and DR RA allocations.
o Nets PCIA in the FSR whether the PCIA is positive or negative. o Affirms current timing for calculating FSRs.
o Provides CCAs with an additional 60 days to file first FSR following IOU tariffs implementing this decision.
o Requires CCAs to file the Tier 1 audited financial report to Energy Division once a year, in January or July, whichever comes earlier relative to the availability of the audited financial statement.
o Allows 90 days for CCAs to submit joint advice letter on new CCA registration process • July 12, 2024- CalCCA, on behalf of Pioneer, filed a Tier 2 AL to formalize the Financial Monitoring and Reporting Guidance document. The CPUC requires financial reporting to be done on a 2-tier system. Tier 1 requires every CCA to submit an annual audited financial report. Tier 2 requires CCAs to submit additional financial reporting, if certain trigger events such as a change in credit rating occur. This document clarifies the process and procedures CCAs must follow to comply with Tier 2 financial reporting conditions. o July 22, 2024- The joint IOUs filed a protest to the joint CCAs’ AL on Financial Monitoring and Reporting Guidance, insisting CCAs’ use “lines of credit” instead of “letters of credit” as the primary financial instrument to demonstrate days of liquidity of hand (DLOH). The IOUs also insisted CCAs report financial triggers 10 days after they occur, instead of the proposed 60 days.
o September 6, 2024- CalCCA met with Energy Division to express that CCAs agree to comply with the joint IOUs’ request to use “lines of credit” to calculate DLOH. On the issue of minimum days required to report financial trigger events, CCAs insist on keeping 60 days, as this is the minimum amount of time required to prepare accurate financial statements due to complex billing and accounting systems.
• July 17, 2024- CalCCA, on behalf of Pioneer, filed a Tier 2 AL to clarify requirements for the new CCA registration process and implementation plan. These requirements include (1) submission of a feasibility study and pro forma financial statement with the Implementation Plan, (2) establishment of annual assumptions to be included in the pro forma financial statement, (3) establishment of milestones for critical implementation action and review progress, and (4) submission of an updated proforma financial statement six months prior to launch. The AL served to provide additional examples for annual assumptions and critical milestones.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
o August 6, 2024- PG&E filed a protest to the joint CCAs’ AL on additional implementation plan requirements, citing the proposal would limit the CPUC’s ability to assess whether enhancements to the implementation plan would result in cost shifts to bundled customers. o August 13, 2024- CalCCA filed a reply to PG&E’s protest on the additional implementation plan requirements, citing the additional requirements proposed are correctly slotted under the umbrella of CPUC authority to certify implementation plans and determine a cost-recovery mechanism for CCA customers that prevents cost shifts to bundled customers. • August 6, 2024- An ALJ Ruling was issued to define the scoping issues in Phase 2 of the POLR proceeding, which will be primarily concerned with clarifying requirements for an application for a non-IOU LSE to become the POLR.
• August 23, 2024- The prehearing conference for Phase 2 was held, in which CalCCA filed a statement agreeing with the current set of questions proposed in the Phase 2 scope. In its statement, CalCCA also urged the CPUC to reject PG&E’s request to scope in issues regarding the liquidity needs of the POLR and analysis of seasonal RA pricing.
• October 24, 2024- The CPUC issued a scoping ruling for Phase 2 of the POLR proceeding which sets two primary topic areas. The first is establishing the regulatory framework for non-IOU POLRs and the second is the development of the joint application for a non-IOU LSE to serve as POLR. • November 12, 2024- The IOUs filed their ALs for the bi-annual FSR updates. CalCCA compiled the IOU ALs and confirmed they all made their FSR calculations consistent with the current authorization. Given that the IOU ALs implementing Phase 1 are still pending resolution, the FSR updates use the methodology in place without the Phase 1 Decision modifications. Due to the hold on the ALs, all CCAs will be obliged to post the minimum FSR of $147,000 come January 1, 2025.
• November 26, 2024- The CalCCA Regulatory Committee voted in favor of CalCCA engaging in Phase 2 of the POLR proceeding on behalf of its members, to ensure CCAs have a voice in the discussion for how a non-IOU POLR will be established and regulated. CalCCA will present the results of the Regulatory Committee’s vote to the Executive Committee on December 3, 2024, and to the CalCCA Board on December 12, 2024. • December 12, 2024- CalCCA’s Board of Directors voted to engage in Phase 2 of the POLR proceeding. • January 10, 2025- Opening comments were filed on the CPUC’s Phase 2 threshold questions. No IOUs expressed interest in transferring their POLR responsibilities. However, all three IOUs argued that any non-IOU LSE that serves as POLR should be subject to full CPUC jurisdictional authority. Furthermore, no non-IOU LSEs expressed interest in becoming the POLR, except for Shell Energy who only wants to serve commercial and industrial customers.
• January 24, 2025- CalCCA filed reply comments on the CPUC’s Phase 2 threshold questions, recommending the CPUC to establish a core framework for non-IOU LSE requirements and joint application process, but stopping short of building out the entirety of the framework due to the current lack of interest by parties in the designated POLR role. CalCCA also rejected arguments regarding the need for broad jurisdictional CPUC authority of a designated POLR.
• April 28, 2025- The CPUC approved PG&E’s AL 7326-E and 7326-E-A, allowing PG&E to update the FSR methodology. The decision implemented by this AL also now requires CCAs to post the greatest value out of the minimum requirement of $147,000, the per-customer administrative fee (# accounts * $4.24 for PG&E), or the FSR calculation. CCAs will have 60 days after the IOU POLR informs us of our new FSR calculation to complete our first FSR posting. After that, it will return to the normal deadlines of January 1 and July 1.
Changes to the FSR methodology include:
o Use the CPUC’s RA MPB to value RA, instead of the current RA Report by ED o Use the IOU POLR’s system average residential and nonresidential customer generation rates, instead of the system average rates
o Account for CCA customers’ allocation of RA from the IOU POLR’s cost allocation mechanism (CAM), central procurement entity (CPE) allocations, and demand response (DR) resources o Remove revenues from PCIA rates of CCA customers from the IOU POLR’s generation revenues
o Incorporate seasonal generation rates
o Remove the netting of negative procurement costs against the incremental administrative costs
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
Utility Deenergization, PSPS, and EPSS:
• July 12, 2022-Pioneer, along with Joint CCAs, Joint Local Governments, and Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), filed a motion with the CPUC on July 12, 2022, to consider EPSS issues in the Deenergization or its own Proceeding. The arguments in the motion seek to treat EPSS events with the same regulations and oversight as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. • September 21, 2023- The CPUC approved a PSPS citation program for violations of the established PSPS guidelines.
• August 30-31, 2023- PG&E provided a post PSPS report. A total of 3,928 customers were deenergized. • October 10, 2023- The Joint CCAs, RCRC, and Joint Local Governments had a meeting with the Public Advocates Office to see if there is agreement on the need to further do more with regards to Fast Trips. The Public Advocates Office indicated that the CPUC and Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety are not inclined to act to regulate Fast Trips and that more data is needed. The Public Advocates Office is looking to submit a report in the beginning of 2024.
• January 16, 2024- The data for December’s Fast Trips and YTD data came out. These are the following circuits in Pioneer’s territory with 8 or more outages in 2023:
o Placerville 2106 (EDC)- 19
o Apple Hill 2102 (EDC)- 18
o Shingle Springs 2109 (EDC)- 11
o Mountain Quarries 2101 (EDC)- 11
o El Dorado PH 2101 (EDC)- 11
o Clarksville 2104 (EDC)- 9
o Apple Hill 2104 (EDC)- 9
o Lincoln 1101 (Placer)- 8
o Penryn 1103 (Placer)- 8
o Penryn 1107 (Placer)- 8
o Brunswick 1105 (Nevada)- 17
o Brunswick 1106 (Nevada)- 15
• January 29, 2024- A data request was made by joint CCAs (including Pioneer) using the circuits listed above to PG&E requesting the number of customers served by each circuit, the number of life support customers, the number of medical baseline customers, and the number of critical facilities served by each circuit. • March 8, 2024- Part of the information we were seeking regarding the data request came back. Pioneer staff will be reviewing this information.
• August 23, 2024- PG&E completed our data request made in January, except for information regarding hardening projects on the circuit including their pole numbers, project location and timeline, and type of hardening work to be completed, on the grounds these questions are out of scope and are unduly burdensome. Pioneer staff will be reviewing the rest of the data request provided. • May 8, 2025 – The CPUC will host a workshop regarding outage data collection, specifically focusing on data definitions and reporting.
CEC Load Management Standards (LMS):
• October 12, 2022- The CEC adopted the Load Management Standards regulation which requires the development of a statewide standard tool for authorized rate data access by third parties that is compatible with each IOU, large POUs, and large CCAs with the idea that electricity customers or their authorized third-party agents can look at rates that the customer is eligible to switch and allow the customer to change the customer’s current rate to rates they are eligible for. • June 8, 2023- CEC staff provided a schedule of the key LMS adoption and compliance dates. • August 1, 2023- Pioneer, through Calpine, uploaded its rates and will continue to work with Calpine on uploading all time dependent rates to meet deadlines.
• January 17, 2024- Workshop on implementation of LMS. Comments on the workshop are due on January
31. • March 21, 2024- Pioneer’s LMS plan presented to the Pioneer’s Board for approval.
Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
• March 26, 2024- Pioneer submitted the Board-approved LMS plan. • April 1, 2024- All large CCAs are required to file their plan for compliance with LMS regulations. • April 16, 2024- CEC held a scoping meeting to discuss development of the statewide rate access tool.
Discussions on how the tool will be funded are ongoing. • May 31, 2024- CPUC granted PG&E’s request to delay commencement of enrollment in its dynamic rates pilots from June 1, 2024 to November 1, 2024.
• July 15, 2024- The CEC requires LSEs to jointly develop and submit a Single Statewide Tool (SST) for their review by October 1, 2024. The joint IOUs, led by SDG&E, released a 50-page draft of a proposed model for the SST, and will host weekly workshops to receive input from CCAs and POUs. • September 4, 2024- Pioneer met with CEC staff to receive feedback on our LMS Compliance Plan and discuss the development of our LMS programs.
• October 1, 2024- In compliance with LMS regulation requirements, Pioneer filed the Single Statewide Tool concept design, terms and conditions, and pleading document, jointly with the IOUs, Large CCAs, and POUs.
In addition, Pioneer submitted our individual LMS Load Flexibility Programs List to the CEC. • January 17, 2025- CalCCA filed comments on the LMS docket, urging the CEC to pause its LMS implementation and assess next steps in regard to the necessity for LMS requirements and funding for the SST development.
• February 21, 2025- A small group of CalCCA Directors met with CEC Commissioner McCallister to discuss issues with the current application of LMS regulations by CEC staff, including how inconsistent the regulations are being applied among different CCAs and the steering of certain outcomes versus a non-biased review process based on economic and technological feasibility. Commissioner McCallister stated his intentions to work with his LMS staff to expedite CCAs’ LMS Compliance plans for approvals through increased flexibility.
• March 5, 2025- Pioneer corresponded with CEC LMS staff regarding program development in our LMS Compliance Plan. We provided an update that our LMS programs are not currently set up to connect price signals to the CEC’s MIDAS system, which is currently not functioning well per an operations update from our vendor who handles MIDAS interactions, Calpine. Pioneer will continue to monitor the situation to see if it is technologically and financially feasible to add this component of MIDAS price signals to our LMS programs in the future, when the MIDAS system issues are resolved. • May 8, 2025- The CEC, in a business meeting, will vote to delay the SST submission until May 8, 2026.
Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA):
• February 20, 2025- The CPUC issued a new rulemaking to update and reform ERRA and PCIA policies and processes. This rulemaking was created as an avenue to deal with the RA MPB issue in the previous PG&E ERRA 2025 Forecast, where PG&E argued a new RA MPB methodology is needed to bring down the price.
Track 1 of the proceeding will consider changes to the RA MPB calculation on an expedited basis, aiming to implement the updated methodology in the upcoming October release of the annual MPBs. Track 2 of the proceeding will consider broader issues including review of revisions to the MPBs, evaluating need for ERRA-specific implementation guidance for RA program changes including SOD, how to reduce rate volatility, additional guidance for vintaging resources, and evaluating need for changes to bundled procurement plan processes. All CCAs are named as individual respondents, but all CCAs will file our responses collectively under CalCCA.
• March 18, 2025- CalCCA filed opening comments on the PCIA OIR, arguing that the CPUC has an obligation to both bundled and unbundled customers to administer the PCIA framework fairly and accurately, to ensure indifference. CalCCA included arguments that caution the CPUC against making changes to the PCIA framework or MPB methodology that would only serve to benefit bundled customers in current market conditions, which is considered a cost-shifting, not affordability measure. CalCCA also commented on the five RA MPB revision proposals set forth by ED, advocating for the CPUC to (1) reject including historic RA transactions in the RA MPB, (2) utilize a single RA MPB incorporating system, flex, and local values, (3) exclude affiliate transactions from the RA MPB, (4) exclude swap and sleeve transactions from the RA MPB, and (5) utilize monthly values for the RA MPB, instead of the current annual one to more accurately reflect Attachment 2
[Publish Date] Agenda Date: 5/15/2025
seasonality. Opening comments by the Joint IOUs argued to include revisions to the RPS MPB in Track 1, as well as requesting the CPUC to consider the issue of their portfolio management and negative PCIA rates. • April 2, 2025- CalCCA filed reply comments on the PCIA OIR, reasserting the CCAs’ positions on the RA MPB revision proposals, and arguing that the Joint IOUs’ proposals to incorporate RPS MPB revisions and portfolio management concerns are not within the scope of Track 1, and the issue of negative PCIA rates should not be re-opened altogether.
• April 8, 2025- The Scoping Ruling for Track 1 was issued, setting a narrow focus on revisions to the RA MPB methodology, including the consideration of incorporating historic RA transaction data, combining of system, local, and flex values, and eliminating transactions that are duplicative or not reflective of market-based transactions. The Joint IOUs’ proposal to consider revisions to the RPS MPB, portfolio management, and negative PCIA rates were not included in the Track 1 scope. The ruling directs all parties to address the issue of retroactive rate setting in their opening briefs, making an argument on whether it is appropriate to apply a revised RA MPB methodology to the 2025 ERRA true-up. The ruling aims to produce a Track 1 PD by May 2025 and final decision by June 2025.
• April 21, 2025 - Parties submitted opening briefs. The briefs were largely legal arguments, with CalCCA arguing that application of any changes to the RA MPB to true-up 2025 rates is not allowed under the prohibition against retroactive ratemaking and that any decision must be supported by substantial evidence and narrowly tailored to the supposed transaction volume problem. The IOUs also filed testimony with substantive arguments supporting their position that the CPUC should look at historic RA transactions when determining the RA MPB.
• April 23, 2025 - CalCCA filed an opposition to the IOUs' motion to admit testimony, arguing that such testimony is inconsistent with the procedures established by the Administrative Law Judge and prejudices other parties.
• April 30, 2025 - Parties filed reply briefs primarily focusing on the legal arguments and the issue of whether to include historic RA transactions in the calculation of the RA MPB. CalCCA also filed its own testimony in response to the IOUs'. This may create a procedural and due process problem for the CPUC that could possibly delay a decision.
Attachment 2
1 Attachment 3 Communications and Outreach Updates
Date: 5/15/2025
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS – APRIL 2025
• The release of our quarterly newsletter on April 9 created significant interest in Pioneer – driving increased engagement across all mediums -- social media (especially on LinkedIn), website, and chatbot activity.
• Social media activity continues to grow. Pioneer’s LinkedIn following has more than doubled in less than a year.
INTEREST IN PRGORAMS DRIVES WEBSITE TRAFFIC
April brought a nearly 40% increase in website traffic. April 9 was our highest single day of traffic with 1,393 unique visitors. Top five pages were: home; AC Tune-Up Rebate; Choose Pioneer; PowerShift Rewards; and GridGen.
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
Outreach took place in various forums during April, including with stakeholders like the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and other CCAs at the annual CalCCA conference. Specific activity included:
Community Outreach
• Thank you outreach to Top 100 commercial & industrial (C&I) accounts • Placer County Association of Realtors Rocklin Presentation • Placer County Business Summit
• Jessup University Career & Internship Expo
• Sierra College Job Fair
• Placer Community Foundation Meeting
• El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Meeting
• Placer County Joint Government Relations Committee Meeting • Loomis Chamber GRC Meeting
• Rocklin Chamber Breakfast Meeting
• Sunrise Rocklin Chamber Meeting
• Rocklin Chamber Board of Directors Meeting
Customer Care Field Days
• Auburn Senior Center
• Cameron Park Library
Stakeholder outreach
• Tour of CAISO for Board and staff
• Attend and participate in breakout session/presentations at CalCCA statewide conference Expansion-related efforts
• Call with Butte County staff regarding biomass and developer opportunities
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our social media following continues to grow, especially on LinkedIn, with considerable engagement derived from the launch of our Ice Energy program, and engagement from CalCCA program promotion Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
in the monthly Aggregator. Placer for Business and Sierra College thanked Pioneer on their LinkedIn posts for our sponsorship of the upcoming 2025 Workforce Summit (posts were focused on registration for the event).
Top performing posts for April 2025:
Instagram
Savings Tip Tuesday
LinkedIn
CalCCA conference
participation
Facebook & LinkedIn
CAISO Tour
O
CUSTOMER CARE FOCUS ON RE-ENROLLMENTS CONTINUES
Our customer care team received a total of 392 calls during April, a slight increase from March. The most common topics were billing (15.88%) and NEM (14%). Consistent with website, social media, and chatbot activity, April 9 was the busiest day.
A total of 87 surveys completed with a 92% satisfaction rate, with 13 re-enrollments in Pioneer.
The chatbot continues to ease pressure on our call center, with a total of 359 interactions in April and 66 live conversations (up 113%).
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Attachment 4 Program Updates
Date: 5/15/2025
AC Tune-Up (rebates for AC tune-up)
• The tune-up program relaunched April 1, 2025
• The current application count for the program season is 90 • A direct mail piece to all customers with delivery during the week of May 5. • An ad campaign to support the program launched the week of May 5.
GridGen (solar + storage)
• The expansion of the GridGen program to include battery retrofit, CARE offering, and commercial and industrial customers will open to customers in May 2025. • 38 customers in the active pipeline
• 11 have reached permission to operate
• 7 additional customers have signed contracts
• Pioneer is collecting customer testimonials to further leverage and promote the program PowerShift Rewards (incentives for energy conservation) • PowerShift Rewards relaunched on May 1, 2025
• Enrollment has surpassed 600 customers
• Pioneer expected to receive CAISO certification as a Demand Response program • This program was included in the direct mail piece to all customers with delivery during the week of May 5.
LED Discount (discounted LEDs at local hardware stores) • The LED Discount program has expanded to include Dollar Tree stores, making the total number of participating stores 26.
• Given the popularity of this program, Pioneer is planning to extend the program through 2025 Online Marketplace (solar and/or battery storage purchasing) • Nineteen (19) leads have been generated through the Electrum Marketplace. • Pioneer is working with Electrum to improve local contractor participation in the program to increase utilization of the marketplace.
Ice Energy Storage (ice technology used for AC energy reduction) • The Ice Energy team have started outreach to commercial customers, and a larger marketing effort is expected to launch Q2 2025.
• Initial outreach focuses on Ice Emergy’s existing network of customers, but Pioneer has provided support as needed.
• This program has been promoted to all area Chambers of Commerce for visibility in the business community.
Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot (credits for energy conservation for Ag customers) • The Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot enrollment is currently closed because PG&E reported that it reached capacity for the pilot and has closed enrollments while they determine next steps. • Pioneer expects enrollments will re-open in the future, but no decision on timeline has been made yet.
Plf)NEER
COMMUNITY ENERGY
Agenda Item: x Agenda Date: 5/25/2023
Community Advisory Committee
• The Community Advisory Committee met April 23, 2025, and discussed potential programs for Pioneer to launch in the future.
• The next Community Advisory Committee meeting will be held on June 25, 2025.
Attachment 4
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Pioneer Community Energy
Glossary of Terms
CAISO - California Independent System Operator - a non-profit independent system operator that oversees the operation of the California bulk electric power system, transmission lines and electricity market generated and transmitted by its members (~80% of California's electric flow). Its stated mission is to "operate the grid reliably and efficiently, provide fair and open transmission access, promote environmental stewardship and facilitate
effective markets and promote infrastructure development. CAISO is regulated by FERC and governed by a five-member governing board appointed by the governor.
CALCCA - California Community Choice Association -Association made up of Community Choice Aggregation {CCA) groups which represents the interests of California's community choice electricity providers.
CARB - California Air Resources Board - The CARB is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change in California.
CEC- California Energy Commission
CPUC - California Public Utility Commission
C&I - Commercial and Industrial - Business customers
CP - Compliance Period -Time period to become RPS compliant, set by the CPUC {California Public Utilities Commission)
DA- Direct Access - An option that allows eligible customers to purchase their electricity directly from third party providers known as Electric Service Providers (ESP).
DA Cap- the maximum amount of electric usage that may be allocated to Direct Access customers in California, or more specifically, within an Investor-Owned Utility service territory.
DA Lottery - a random drawing by which DA waitlist customers become eligible to enroll in DA service under the currently-applicable Direct Access Cap.
DA Waitlist - customers that have officially registered their interest in becoming a DA customer but are not yet able to enroll in service because of DA cap limitations.
DAC - Disadvantaged Community
DASR - Direct Access Service Request - Request submitted by C&I to become direct access eligible.
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Demand - The rate at which electric energy is delivered to or by a system or part of a system, generally expressed in kilowatts {kW), megawatts {MW), or gigawatts {GW), at a given instant or averaged over any designated interval of time. Demand should not be confused with Load or Energy.
DER - Distributed Energy Resource -A small-scale physical or virtual asset {e.g., EV charger, smart thermostat, behind-the-meter solar/storage, energy efficiency) that operates locally and is connected to a larger power grid at the distribution level.
Distribution - The delivery of electricity to the retail customer's home or business through low voltage distribution lines.
DLAP- Default Load Aggregation Point- In the CAISO's electricity optimization model, DLAP is the node at which all bids for demand should be submitted and settled. Pioneer settles its CAISO load at the PG&E DLAP as Pioneer is in the PG&E transmission access charge area.
DR - Demand Response - An opportunity for consumers to play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.
DWR - Department of Water Resources - DWR manages California's water resources, systems, and infrastructure in a responsible, sustainable way.
ELCC- Effective Load Carrying Capacity -The additional load met by an incremental generator while maintaining the same level of system reliability. For solar and wind resources the ELCC is the amount of capacity which can be counted for Resource Adequacy purposes.
EPIC - Electric Program Investment Charge -The EPIC program was created by the CPUC to support investments in clean energy technologies that provide benefits to the electricity ratepayers of PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric Company {SDG&E), and Southern California Edison Company {SCE) ERRA - Energy Resource Recovery Account - ERRA proceedings are used to determine fuel and purchased power costs which can be recovered in rates. The utilities do not earn a rate of return on these costs, and only recover actual costs. The costs are forecast for the year ahead. If the actual costs are lower than forecast, then the utility gives money back, and vice versa.
ESP- Energy Service Provider - An energy entity that provides service to a retail or end-use customer.
EV - Electric Vehicle
GHG - Greenhouse gas - water vapor, carbon dioxide, tropospheric ozone, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). A gas that causes the atmosphere to trap heat radiating from the earth. The most common GHG is Carbon Dioxide, though Methane and others have this effect as well.
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GRC- General Rate Case - Proceedings used to address the costs of operating and maintaining the utility system and the allocation of those costs among customer classes. For California's three large IOUs, the GRCs are parsed into two phases. Phase I of a GRC determines the total amount the utility is authorized to collect, while Phase II determines the share of the cost each customer class is responsible and the rate schedules for each class. Each large electric utility files a GRC application every three years for review by the Public Advocates Office and interested parties and approval by the CPUC.
GWh - Gigawatt-hour - The unit of energy equal to that expended in one hour at a rate of one billion watts. One GWh equals 1,000 megawatt-hours.
IEP - Independent Energy Producers - California's oldest and leading nonprofit trade association, representing the interest of developers and operators of independent energy facilities and independent power marketers.
IOU - Investor Owned Utility- A private electricity and natural gas provider.
IRP- Integrated Resource Plan -A plan which outlines an electric utility's resource needs in order to meet expected electricity demand long-term.
kW - Kilowatt - Measure of power where power (watts)= voltage (volts) x amperage (amps) and 1 kW= 1000 watts
kWh - Kilowatt-hour - This is a measure of consumption. It is the amount of electricity that is used over some period of time, typically a one-month period for billing purposes. Customers are charged a rate per kWh of electricity used.
LCFS- Low Carbon Fuel Standard -A CARB program designed to encourage the use of cleaner low-carbon fuels in California, encourage the production of those fuels, and therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LCR - Local (RA) Capacity Requirements -The amount of Resource Adequacy capacity required to be demonstrated in a specific location or zone.
LMP - Locational Marginal Price - Each generator unit and load pocket is assigned a node in the CAISO optimization model. The model will assign a LMP to the node in both the day- ahead and real time market as it balances the system using the least cost. The LMP is comprised of three components: the marginal cost of energy, congestion, and losses. The LMP is used to financially settle transactions in the CAISO.
Load - An end use device or customer that receives power from an energy delivery system. Load should not be confused with Demand, which is the measure of power that a load receives or requires.
See Demand.
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SE - Load-serving Entity- Entities that have been granted authority by state, local law, or regulation to serve their own load directly through wholesale energy purchases and have chosen to exercise that authority.
NEM - Net Energy Metering -A program in which solar customers receive credit for excess electricity generated by solar panels.
NRDC- Natural Resources Defense Council
OIR - Order Instituting Rulemaking - A procedural document that is issued by the CPUC to start a formal proceeding. A draft OIR is issued for comment by interested parties and made final by vote of the five Commissioners of the CPUC.
MW - Megawatt - measure of power. A megawatt equals 1,000 kilowatts or 1 million watts.
MWH - Megawatt-hour- measure of energy
NP-15 - North Path 15 - NP-15 is a CAISO pricing zone usually used to approximate wholesale electricity prices in northern California in PG&E's service territory.
PCCl - RPS Portfolio Content Category 1- Bundled renewables where the energy and REC are dynamically scheduled into a California Balancing Authority (CBA) such as the CAISO. Also known as "in-state" renewables.
PCC2 - RPS Portfolio Content Category 2 - Bundled renewables where the energy and REC are from out-of-state and not dynamically scheduled to a CBA.
PCC3 - RPS Portfolio Content Category 3 - Unbundled REC PCIA or "exit fee" - Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) is an "exit fee" based on stranded costs of utility generation set by the California Public Utilities Commission. It is calculated annually and assessed to customers of CCAs and paid to the IOU that lost those customers as a result of the formation of a CCA.
PCL - Power Content Label - A user-friendly way of displaying information to California consumers about the energy resources used to generate the electricity they sell, as required by AB 162 (Statue of 2009) and Senate Bill 1305 (Statutes of 1997).
PD- Proposed Decision -A procedural document in a CPUC Rulemaking process that is formally commented on by Parties to the proceeding. A PD is a precursor to a final Decision voted on by the five Commissioners of the CPUC.
Pnode - Pricing Node - In the CAISO optimization model, it is a point where a physical injection or withdrawal of energy is modeled and for which a LMP is calculated.
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PPA- Power Purchase Agreement -A contract used to purchase the energy, capacity, and attributes from a renewable resource project.
RA - Resource Adequacy - Under its Resource Adequacy (RA) program, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires load-serving entities-both independently owned utilities and electric service providers-to demonstrate in both monthly and annual filings that they have purchased capacity commitments of no less than 115% of their peak loads.
RE - Renewable Energy - Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
REC - Renewable Energy Certificate - A REC is the property right to the environmental benefits associated with generating renewable electricity. For instance, homeowners who generate solar electricity are credited with 1 solar REC for every MWh of electricity they produce. Utilities obligated to fulfill an RPS requirement can purchase these RECs on the open market.
RPS - Renewable Portfolio Standard - Law that requires CA utilities and other load serving entities (including CCAs) to provide an escalating percentage of CA qualified renewable power (culminating at 33% by 2020) in their annual energy portfolio.
SCE - Southern California Edison
SDG&E - San Diego Gas & Electric
SGIP - Self-Generation Incentive Program - A program which provides incentives to support existing, new, and emerging distributed energy resources (storage, wind turbines, waste heat to power technologies, etc.)
TCR EPS Protocol - The Climate Registry Electric Power Sector Protocol - Online tools and resources provided by The Climate Registry to assist organizations to measure, report, and reduce carbon emissions.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates - The pricing of delivered electricity based on the estimated cost of electricity during a particular time-block. Time-of-use rates are usually divided into three or four time-blocks per 24-hour period (on-peak, mid-peak, off-peak and sometimes super off peak) and by seasons of the year (summer and winter). Real time pricing differs from TOU rates in that it is based on actual (as opposed to forecasted) prices that may fluctuate many times a day and are weather sensitive, rather than varying with a fixed schedule.
TURN - The Utility Reform Network - A ratepayer advocacy group charged with ensuring that California IOUs implement just and reasonable rates.
Unbundled RECs - Renewable energy certificates that verify a purchase of a MWH unit of renewable power where the actual power and the certificate are "unbundled" and sold to different buyers.
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VPP - Virtual Power Plant - A cloud-based network that leverages an aggregation of distributed energy resources (DERs) to shift energy demand or provide services to the grid. For example, thousands of EV chargers could charge at a slower speed and hundreds of home batteries could discharge to the grid during a demand peak to significantly reduce the procurement of traditional supply resources.