Entry No. 1
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY
GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
April 16, 2026
MINUTES
Heard General Administrative Functions - Part I
Call to Order
Pioneer Community Energy Governing Board met in open session at 3 :02 PM on April 16, 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; remote location at County of El Dorado, 330 Fair Lane, Building A, Placerville, California 95667; 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-aqendas/.
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 (Pearl), Town of Loomis (Ring), Nevada City (Petersen), City of Placerville (Carter), City of Rocklin (Janda).
Absent: County of Placer (DeMattei), County of Placer (Jones).
Director Parlin (County of El Dorado) participated by teleconferencing from a remote location (Zoom); the remote location was noticed on the meeting agenda as County of El Dorado, 330 Fair Lane, Building A, Placerville, California 95667; and, it was open to the public.
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 April 16, 2026.
Entry No. 2
Acted on the Consent Agenda as follows:
Approved the minutes of the March 19, 2026 Regular meeting.
Received Fiscal Year 2025-26 Draft Monthly Financial Reports through February 2026.
Adopted Resolution 2026-11 authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute consultant services agreements with Chapman & Cutler, LLP to serve as Legal Counsel; PFM Financial Advisors, LLC to serve as Municipal Financial Advisors; and, PFM Swap Advisory Services related to Pioneer's second energy prepayment transaction.
April 16, 2026 - page 2
Adopted Resolution 2026-12 approving and authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement No. 1 and execute any and all related documents and agreements to modify Line of Credit and Letter of Credit agreements with Columbia Bank.
MOTION: Pearl/Carter. Vote: 9:0:2
ROLL CALL
Ayes: Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: DeMattei, Jones.
Entry No. 3
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Explore the Opportunity for Pioneer to Expand its Territory to include the City of South Lake Tahoe
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced Sara Letton, Sustainability Coordinator for City of South Lake Tahoe, who provided an overview of the City's situation having received notice from Nevada Energy that they would no longer be providing energy to the City after May 2027, and what steps need to be taken to secure another energy provider.
Chief Executive Officer Eckert provided an overview and the challenges to serving the City of South Lake Tahoe in that the California Public Utilities Commission would consider the possibility of serving the City; the current power supply is with the Nevada Balancing Authority and not in CAISO, learning how Liberty Utilities is viewing the situation, understanding how the billing process would work with Calpine; and, an Impact Assessment Study would show the feasibility of the financial responsibility.
The Board further discussed the situation and found that the majority of the City's load serves approximately 50,000 accounts, mostly residential customers within parts of Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Alpine, Mono, and Sierra counties; found that Nevada Energy is redirecting the power, and perhaps Liberty Utilities only needs to procure energy from another source to cover the City of South Lake Tahoe.
Mention of legislation passed to create the Western Regional Authority would be help in future transitions to new power provider; confirmed that Pioneer does maintain a diversified power supply portfolio and continues to better understand the impact of large load data centers.
The Board was reminded that Pioneer's original intention was to add eastern Placer County to Pioneer's territory; that along with the City of South Lake Tahoe, Liberty Utilities territory is and, the Board expressed appreciation for staff considering the City's situation and bringing it before the Board.
Authorized the Chief Executive Officer to explore the opportunity to expand its territory to include the City of South Lake Tahoe; and, to apprise the Board as progress and issues unfold.
MOTION: Dowdin Calvillo/Pearl. Vote: 9:0:2
ROLL CALL
Ayes: Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: DeMattei, Jones.
April 16, 2026 - page 3
Entry No. 4
2026 Pioneer Legislative Policy and Platform
Pioneer's Lobbyist, Cassandra Mar for Niemela Pappas and Associates, commended Chief Executive Officer Eckert and Board Chair Dowdin Calvillo on the transformation of people knowing who Pioneer is; and, presented a 2026 Legislative Overview highlighting Utilities and Energy Priorities and Legislative Engagement in that this is the second year of a two-year legislative cycle with approximately eighty bills in the Utilities and Energy space; reviewed priority bills and the 2026 Legislative and Funding Priorities including Assembly Bill 706, FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund, and Assembly Bill 1761, Power Cost Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Data Transparency, which is in suspense until May 14.
Lee Ewing, Legislative and Regulatory Manager, presented the 2026 Legislative Policy and Platform for Pioneer Community Energy with key themes of "Affordability" and "Large Loads." Reviewed Pioneer's Legislative Policy, and added "to provide economic and resiliency benefits to its customers and the communities it serves." And, added "support any forthcoming bill that extends the operations of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, so long as any such bill would not unfairly disadvantage unbundled customers relative to bundled customers" to the Legislative Platform Objectives.
The Board was provided with an overview of the Priority Bills to support along with one to oppose and other bills being watched.
Received and approved the 2026 Pioneer Legislative Policy and Platform that includes the following current recommendations: (1) Adopt support position on: Assembly Bill (AB) 706 (Aguiar-Curry), AB 1761 (Rogers), AB 2266 (Schultz), Senate Bill (SB) 1138, SB 875; and, (2) Adopt oppose position on: SB 1295 (Stern).
MOTION: Janda/Lomen. Vote: 9:0:2
ROLL CALL
Ayes: Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: DeMattei, Jones.
Entry No. 5
Adopt Resolution Approving a Power Charge Indifference Adjustment Offset Credit for Large Load Customers from April 2026 through December 2026
Chief Executive Officer Eckert introduced the item and stated that this being a public meeting, we will not be mentioning any customer names to protect customer confidentiality, but if the Board would like a list of the Top Ten Customers, we will provide that to you offline.
Brad Koehn, Director of Finance and Administration, provided a presentation discussing a concept for presenting a PCIA offset credit for our large load customers.
The top ten customers (Commercial and Industrial) represent about seven percent of Pioneer's total load and Pioneer has already contracted power to serve those customers in our portfolio and the loss of the large customers would result in abandoned power, reduced revenue, and it would shift the cost burden to remaining customers.
April 16, 2026 - page 4
Pioneer was recently contacted by a large load customer exploring opting out of Pioneer service, so staff has developed this concept of a PCIA Offset Credit for Board consideration. The PCIA Offset Credit considerations include (1) Pioneer would proactively apply credit to specific rates for customers who exceeded 7.0 million kWh in 2025 usage; (2) The credit would be reflected on May statements for April usage and would expire after December 2026 usage; (3) Resulting in large customers receiving rates, at minimum, at par with PG&E or at a small discount; and, (4) The large load customer who contacted Pioneer has committed to staying with Pioneer if the proposed PCIA Offset Credit is approved by the Board.
Additionally, consider that about $10 Million of revenue would be at risk by large load customers opting out and the cost of the PCIA Offset Credit to stay competitive for large customers would be about $3. 75 Million.
The proposed PCIA Offset Credit aligns with Pioneer's Strategic Plan Goals in being a community partner and to provide an exceptional customer experience.
General Counsel provided clarification that there is no conflict of interest with the Board of Directors for any of these top ten large customers unless the member has a financial interest in a business procuring its own energy.
Staff provided clarification in response to questions from the Board in that although the CCAs do have the authority to initiate a PCIA, no CCA, including Pioneer, has that mechanism in place. If the customer opts out, one year must pass before coming back to Pioneer; and, we can sell unused purchased power back to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) at the current rate which may be lower than the original purchase price.
Discussed the possibility of building partnerships with these large customers in that they join Pioneer for the benefit of better rates then stay if higher rates are adjusted, but later when the rates are better they agree to a lower discount to offset the previous adjusted rate; however, this could bring a greater risk so tariffs or special contracts will probably be the way this will be handled in the future.
Public Comment received from James Ensten.
Mr. Ensten addressed the Board of Directors regarding the proposed PCIA Offset Credit for the large load customers, stating that the proposed credit of $3.75 Million was approximately 37, five percent of the $10 Million of potential lost revenue which is almost identical to the PCIA surcharge that he is paying as a residential customer which then masks entirely the discount at the El Residential service rate that I am receiving from Pioneer. The PCIA is volumetric which has nothing to do with tiers.
Mr. Ensten informed the Board of numerous emails sent without acknowledgement and several visits to Pioneer about the PCIA and what Pioneer is prepared to do for residential customers, for the community. Yet, the answer is almost nothing. We (Pioneer) have hired a public relations firm to create talking points city by city, we've spent rate payer dollars on that to say we've saved $145 million over the last ten years.
Mr. Ensten continued, that he had asked about the $221 Million in cash reserves, which is practically 271 days of operating reserves. I've been told it is for expansion, but this is money that was built on the backs of the families of Lincoln, Rocklin, the original founders - rate payers.
We funded that and continue to fund the $2 Million a month, mostly of profit that Pioneer is pocketing. Why are we considering a $3. 75 Million rebate for the largest millionaire billionaire corporations that we have. I heard the comment that they will provide jobs but that's the municipality's worry. The tax revenue basis for municipalities, not for the CCA to worry about.
April 16, 2026 - page 5
Mr. Ensten requested the Board to take care of their residential customers. Four hundred dollars a year matter to us. I think there's enough money in the reserves to do something for the balance of this year to make sure families in the community are taken care of and represented.
The Board expressed that reserves for a municipality or individual are not the same as for CCAs which use reserves for the customer power supply, ensuring enough reserves to buy extra power during energy events when usage is higher than expected over longer periods; the Board commented that they take setting rates very seriously and make customer rates a priority; and, following extensive discussions in January, the Board deliberated and agreed to take from the reserves to reduce rates for 2026.
Staff find that the $3.75 million is equal to ten days of reserves and still above Pioneer's 270 days threshold so somewhat confident with using the $3.75 million. However, if credit to all customers, it would equal 86 days of reserves, which is below the threshold potentially compromising risk, pricing on power procurement, and lowered credit rating.
As this is a one-time limited action, the Board directed staff with concerns for equity and considered long-term arrangements with the large customers.
Adopted Resolution 2026-13 approving a Power Cost Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Offset Credit for Large Load Customers from April 2026 through December 2026.
MOTION: Petersen/Pearl. Vote: 9:0:2
ROLL CALL
Ayes: Carter, Dowdin Calvillo, Ivy, Janda, Lomen, Parlin, Pearl, Petersen, Ring.
Noes: None.
Abstain: None.
Absent: DeMattei, Jones.
Entry No. 6
Due to the late hour, the Board agreed to continue Item 5, Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff Projects; and Item 6, Information Technology and Security Audit presentations to a future Board of Directors meeting.
Entry No. 7
Heard General Administrative Function - Part II
Board Member Communications
Director Petersen offered appreciation to the Committee which operates very well; and, reported that the Audit & Finance Committee met on April 7, 2026. The Committee selected Director Petersen as Committee Chair and Director Pearl as Committee Vice Chair to serve as Committee Officers for 2026. The Committee approved the meeting minutes of February 18, 2026; received and discussed presentations on the Information Technology Audit; a proposed Economic Incentive; and use of Put Options as a PCIA Hedge.
The Committee will convene again in May to review the power prepay transaction, and provide feedback on the FY 2026-27 Operating Budget.
Director Carter reported that the Energy Procurement Review ad hoc Committee met on April 9, 2026. A quorum of members was present. Pioneer staff, support including Commercial Counsel and General Counsel, were also in attendance. The Committee selected Director Carter as Committee Chair and Director Dowdin Calvillo as Committee Vice Chair to serve as Committee Officers for 2026. Staff proposed eight long-term biogas Power Purchase Agreements with Vespene Energy, Inc., for project locations at: Westwood Farms, Diamond D Dairy, Hillcrest Dairy, Lakeshore Dairy, Del Arco Dairy, Vida Boa Dairy, Vanderham East Dairy, April 16, 2026 - page 6
and, D&V Dairy of which the terms were reviewed by the Committee which provided advice and recommendation on the proposed transaction. Director Carter also reported that the biogas process is very interesting and would like to have a presentation or tour for the Board.
Chief Executive Officer Communications
Chief Executive Officer Eckert informed the Board that the 2026 CalCCA Annual Conference will be held in Sacramento on May 12-14, 2026; and, to contact the Board Clerk if interested in attending.
Items for Information
Received the Glossary of Terms.
Adjourned to Closed Session
Adjourned to Closed Session at 4:36 PM.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (GC §54956.9(d)(1)) The Governing Board finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the local agency in the litigation.
Name of Case: Kolpitcke v. Pioneer Community Energy.
Names of Parties: Plaintiff Kirstin Kolpitcke; Defendant Pioneer Community Energy.
Case No. S-CV-0054062 (Placer County Superior Court).
A. Public Report of Closed Session
Reconvened to Open Session at 4: 57 PM, and provided a public report of Closed Session:
In the matter of Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (GC §54956.9(d)(l)), no reportable action was taken.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:58 PM.
ATTEST:
Minutes approved as presented by a majority vote
of 'J~ 2026
Teresa Willock, Board Secretary