Entry No. 1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
March 19, 2026
MINUTES
Heard General Administrative Functions - Part I
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in open session at 3:00 PM on March 19, 2026. 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 the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/i/89020017279 ; and, was live streamed for viewing on the Pioneer website: https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/about-us/meetings-and -agendas/.
A. Roll Call
Present: City of Auburn (Dowdin Calvillo), City of Colfax (Lomen), County of El Dorado (Parlin), City of Grass Valley (Ivy), City of Lincoln (Reedy), Town of Loomis (Ring), County of Placer (DeMattei), City of Placerville (Carter), City of Rocklin (Janda).
Absent: Nevada City (Petersen), County of Placer (Jones).
Alternate Director Reedy attended for City of Lincoln. All Directors present participated in person at Pioneer Community Energy, 2510 Warren Drive, Suite B, Rocklin, California 95677. No remote locations were utilized for this meeting.
Chair Dowdin Calvillo presided over the meeting.
B. Public Comment
There were no comments from members of the public on items not listed on this agenda.
C. Agenda Review
Reviewed and made no revision to the meeting agenda for March 19, 2026.
Entry No. 2
Acted on the Consent Agenda as follows:
Approved the minutes of the February 26, 2026 Regular meeting.
Received Fiscal Year 2025-26 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through January 2026.
Adopted Resolution 2026-9 authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute a second amendment to the agreement with Colantuono Highsmith Whatley, PC for an increase of $300,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $650,000 .
March 19, 2026 - page 2
MOTION: DeMattei/Lomen. Vote: 9:0:2
ROLL CALL: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Reedy, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: Petersen, Jones.
Director Jones arrived following consideration of the Consent Agenda.
Entry No. 3
Power Prepay Bond
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced the item by summarizing the purpose and need for power prepay transactions. In 2022, the Board of Directors approved Pioneer's first long-term power prepay transaction as a low-risk to no-risk opportunity for Pioneer with advantage over competitors and tax-exempt financing.
This is a tried and true transaction as it has been used for 30 years with municipalities and more recently with CCAs for renewable energy purchases.
Pioneer is in market now and in the last year has closed roughly $2 billion in notional value power prepay agreements in preparation to 1) meet requirement for renewable energy to make up sixty percent of Pioneer's energy portfolio; and, 2) in preparation for expansion. Pioneer should take advantage of tax savings and financing to save rate payer dollars. The impact of the first power prepay transaction is that Pioneer realized savings of about $2.3 million per year, about $400 million in notional value. The new transaction will be about $1-2 billion in notional value bringing even greater savings.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced Michael Berwanger, PFM Financial Advisors, who guided Pioneer through the first prepay transaction and through process for obtaining a credit rating.
Received an overview of the long-term power prepay transaction from Michael Berwanger, PFM Financial Advisors.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert discussed the prepay bond schedule being compressed to realize savings in second half of 2026 if the market is more favorable, informed the Board of Directors that staff will be bringing the consultant agreements for the Board's consideration in April and that the final agreement will be considered in May.
Entry No. 4
Adopt Resolution Authorizing Teleconferencing as an Eligible Multijurisdictional Body Board Chair Dowdin Calvillo introduced the item as it provides an additional opportunity for members who live twenty or more miles from a meeting location to utilize personal remote participation.
Received an overview of authorized teleconferencing as an eligible multijurisdictional body from General Counsel David Ruderman, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC.
This would authorize the Board to use teleconferencing pursuant to the limitations and procedures outlined in Government Code section 54953.8. 7:
a. The agenda for the teleconferenced Board meeting must (i) identify each Board member who plans to participate remotely and (ii) identify and include an opportunity for the public to attend the meeting and provide public comment via a call-in or internet-based service option.
March 19, 2026 - page 3
b. The Board member attending remotely shall participate using audio-visual technology. c. At least a quorum of Board members shall participate from one or more physical locations that are open to the public and within the boundaries of Pioneer's jurisdiction. d. The Board member attending remotely shall be more than 20 miles each way from any physical location of the meeting that is open to the public and within the boundaries of Pioneer's jurisdiction. e. Each Board member shall not participate remotely at more than two meetings per year. f. A Board member shall not participate remotely if they receive compensation for their services on the Board, excluding reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses. g. A Board member who participates from a remote location must disclose, before any action is taken, whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are present in the room at the remote location, and the general nature of the Board member's relationship with the individual(s). h. In the event of a disruption that prevents the Board from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within Pioneer's control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the Board shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored. i. The Board must provide reasonable time to members of the public participating remotely to provide public comment via the call-in option or internet-based service option. j. The minutes of a meeting at which a Board member participates remotely pursuant to this authority must identify (i) the member(s) participating remotely and (ii) the specific provision of law (Gov.
Code§ 54953.8.7) relied upon to permit participation by teleconferencing. k. All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall.
This is not to limit a Board member's right to participate remotely in Board meetings as a reasonable accommodation for a disability.
Adopted Resolution 2026-10 authorizing Teleconferencing as an Eligible Multijurisdictional Body.
MOTION: Ring/Lomen. Vote: 10:0:1
ROLL CALL: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Reedy, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: Petersen.
Entry No. 5
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Extend the AC Tune-Up Rebate Program to Commercial and Industrial Customers
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced the item and relayed that a common theme heard at last year's Placer Business Alliance conference was that we need to do more for our commercial and industrial customers. As we are starting the programs season, our focus is to help our commercial and industrial customers as much as we can and this is the first step in that direction by extending the AC Tune-Up Rebate Program to Commercial and Industrial customers.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Director of Communications, who presented an overview of the AC Tune-Up Rebate Program. For residential customers, the program was very popular with customers and participating contractors resulting in about 2,100 rebates issued in 2025.
March 19, 2026 - page 4
Business customers have inquired about rebate programs and recommendations to expand the program to business customers has come from several sources. Staff surveyed participating contractors to gauge interest for a possible AC Tune-Up rebate and the interest was high and very positive. The proposed incentive amount for Commercial and Industrial Customers would be $150 per tune-up per customer per season.
Based on the number of businesses in our service area and current program participation rates, staff estimates that 500 businesses potentially would take advantage of this offer in 2026 for a fiscal impact of $75,000.
Staff confirmed that businesses with multiple locations would be eligible to remit one application per address per season; confirmed energy savings being that customers save on efficiency and extending the life of the AC unit; and, discussed that this program generates positive feelings, not so much tangible savings to Pioneer but good for customers.
The Board authorized the Chief Executive Officer to extend the AC Tune-Up Program to commercial and industrial customers.
MOTION: Jones/Carter. Vote: 10: 0: 1
ROLL CALL: Carter, DeMattei, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Jones, Lomen, Parlin, Reedy, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: Petersen.
Entry No. 6
Programs Update
Received an update on Pioneer Community Energy's Programs.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced Gina Stassi-Vanacore, Director of Communications, who presented an overview of Pioneer Community Energy's Programs.
Pioneer currently offers eleven different programs, each with a distinct offering. All programs align with 2024-27 Strategic Plan; and, for Fiscal Year 2025-26, the Programs budget represents roughly one percent of Pioneer's overall budget ($2.1 million).
Programs fall into three broad categories and advance strategic objectives:
1) Customer facing money-saving programs: SC Tune-Up Rebate, PowerShift Rewards, GridGen/GridGen CARE, and LED Discount Lighting.
2) Demand response and load management programs advance regulatory compliance: PowerShift Rewards, GridGen/GridGen CARE, Hourly Flex Pricing Program Pilot, and Ice Energy. 3) Member only programs create shared benefits: Clean Fleet Revenue, Solar RECs.
The majority of Pioneer's programs are cost-neutral and some generate revenue (GridGen, clean Fleet Revenue Program, Solar RECs).
Planning for 2026 includes: bringing back popular seasonal programs (AC Tune-Up Rebate, PowerShift Rewards), recruit additional members to the Community Advisory Committee, expand AC Tune-Up Rebate to commercial and industrial customers, continue GridGen promotion (emphasis from now through mid-June on July 4 expiration of federal subsidies, create additional programs that align with strategic priorities, meet customer needs), promote cost-neutral program participation to expansion communities, and closely monitor programs for effectiveness and success.
March 19, 2026 - page 5
The Directors expressed appreciation of staff on the presentation and their work.
Staff confirmed GridGen (solar+battery) successful with about 250 projects in the system at differing stages; and, confirmed that staff is capitalizing on marketing to reach interested customers before the tax incentive expires.
Director Janda requested information on detailed results as a handout, not necessarily an agenda item.
Entry No. 7
Rates Messaging
Received a presentation on messaging related to 2026 rates, the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment and Pacific Gas & Electric's Base Services Charge.
Nicole Sena, Customer Care Manager, presented an overview of 2026 rates effected by 1) PG&E lowering its generation rate effective January 1, 2026; 2) The PCIA rate paid by CCA customers dramatically increased effective January 1, 2026; and, 3) the Pioneer Board approved lowering Pioneer's electricity generation rates by 16 percent to create a 10 percent discount to PG&E rates for the calendar year 2026.
Since January, Chief Executive Officer Eckert had a series of one-on-one meetings with Board Members about messaging and approach and staff queried other CCAs on messaging. The general consensus was to avoid focus on the PCIA and instead maintain focus on 1) providing rate stability and competitiveness; and, 2) added value Pioneer offers through local investment and engagement, sponsorships, and programs.
Provide localized messaging with focus on 1) cumulative savings of $145 million through 2025; 2) local presence with sponsorships, programs, and community reinvestment; and, 3) regional impact with local power purchase agreements, advocacy, economic development projects like microgrids and biomass.
Staff confirmed Pioneer's new generation rates are effective March 1, 2026 and the April billing will show all new rates (Pioneer's new generation rate and PG&E's new Base Service Charge); and, recognized messaging regarding PG&E's gas rates and higher usage in winter increases bills, not due to Pioneer's electric generation rate.
Staff informed the Board that talking points specific to their customer area have been provided for their reference and use.
Entry No. 8
Heard General Administrative Function - Part II
Board Member Communications
There were no reports from the Members of the Board of Directors.
Chief Executive Officer Communications
Chief Executive Officer Eckert congratulated Board Chair Dowdin Calvillo for participating in an interview with COMSTOCK magazine that included a feature of women in leadership but also an endorsement of Pioneer.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert informed the Board that the Community Advisory Committee ("CAC") meets every other month to discuss and brainstorm programs for Pioneer customers. Pioneer is fortunate to have CAC members who are committed to Pioneer and have a depth of understanding about energy policy and innovation. Ideally, the CAC should have representatives from each of our member agencies. Staff are trying to recruit additional new members to CAC, particularly people who are interested in developing programs at the customer level. Then, requested the Board to direct interested individuals to contact Programs staff.
March 19, 2026 - page 6
Chief Executive Officer Eckert announced that Pioneer had been confirmed to join the Greater Sacramento Economic Council ("GSEC") Board of Directors. This will be a good partnership as GSEC is looking for the energy players in the region to be represented on their Board and our current and future service territory overlaps much of GSEC's area. This will create excellent networking opportunities for Pioneer and provide early signals for load growth in our service territory that will enhance planning .
Items for Information
Received the Glossary of Terms.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4 :15 PM.
ATTEST:
Minutes approved as presented by a majority
vote of the Governing Board on April 16, 2026.
Teresa
~~ Willock, Board Secretary