Pioneer Community Energy | Nevada County, CA Pioneer Community Energy In January 2022, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors directed staff to research how Community Choice Aggregation could benefit the residents of Nevada County. The CCA in our region, Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer), was formed in 2017 and launched in 2018. Pioneer is governed by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from each member agency. This board sets rates and procurement policies. All meetings are open to the public. Following extensive research on CCA programs, staff has identified the following potential benefits of Nevada County partnering with Pioneer Community Energy: Consumer Choice: When Pioneer service goes live in Nevada County (targeted for October 2027), Nevada County customers will be automatically enrolled with Pioneer. However, each customer will have the option to opt out of Pioneer service and stay with PG&E. Customer Savings: On average, Pioneer provides an opportunity for customer savings. Consistency with Neighboring Communities: Pioneer currently provides energy to many neighboring communities, including Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Rocklin, Loomis, Placerville, unincorporated Placer County, and unincorporated El Dorado County. In addition to Nevada County, twelve other jurisdictions, including Sutter County, Tuolomne County, Butte County, Chico, Live Oak, Oroville, Paradise, Sonora, Yuba City, Glenn County, Orland, and Willows, are pursuing joining Pioneer. Opportunities for Local Economic Development: Given its nonprofit JPA structure, excess revenues from Pioneer's operations will be reinvested in the local communities of the member agencies. The board of the JPA maintains the authority to approve the allocation of the excess funds. As a JPA member, Nevada County has a seat on the board. In addition, Pioneer prioritizes purchasing power from local renewable energy providers, supporting local jobs and contributing to the sustainability of local businesses. Renewable Energy Option: Pioneer offers customers a 100% Renewable Plan option whereas PG&E does not currently offer a 100% renewable energy plan option. Additional Benefits to Solar Customers: Pioneer currently pays ½ cent more than PG&E for excess kWh (Net Surplus Compensation). Pioneer solar customers pay monthly when consumption exceeds generation instead of receiving one annual electric true-up bill. If a NEM produces less electricity than they generate, they receive the same discount to PG&E as non-NEM customers receive. Unused solar generation credits rollover from month-to-month with Pioneer. Maintenance of CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline Benefits: All current members of these programs will see no changes to their benefits. Background: August 8, 2023: Pioneer Community Energy and Nevada County staff gave informational programmatic presentation to the Board of Supervisors. October 2023: Board of Supervisors received presentation on impact assessment. Given the unfavorable financial feasibility, the Board decided not to move forward with Pioneer at that time. Summer 2024: Following staff research and evaluation of the energy markets, the County commissioned another impact assessment study. November 2024: Board of Supervisors received a presentation on updated impact study, which indicated a favorable outlook for Pioneer to move forward with adding Nevada County. December 2024: Pioneer Board of Directors approved moving forward with addition of Nevada County and 12 other jurisdictions to the CCA. February 2025: Ordinance and resolution to join Pioneer Community Energy approved by Board of Supervisors. March 2025: Implementation plan filed, with subsequent approval by the CPUC. Next Steps: 2025: Pioneer begins to procure power for expansion territories 2026: Nevada County will launch community outreach and education efforts. October 2027: Target for Pioneer to launch service in unincorporated Nevada County. About Community Choice Aggregation: Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a program that allows local governments in California to purchase and/or generate electricity for their residents and businesses instead of relying on investor-owned utilities like PG&E. How It Works: Under the CCA program, the provider manages where and how local electricity is generated while the local investor-owned utility (IOU) provider (PG&E in Western Nevada County) continues to deliver the power to the community. The CCA program allows for consumer options, local economic development (profits are invested back into the local community instead of paid out to shareholders), transparency in rate setting, and cleaner energy opportunities. PG&E continues to be responsible for customer billing. Once a local government decides to partner with a CCA, all customers within the jurisdiction will be automatically enrolled in the CCA; however, customers retain the option to opt out of the CCA program and continue to receive power from PG&E.

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HAHarvey Walden

2 hours ago

Nevada County Official Website - Main Page

The Nevada County, CA official website serves as a central hub for county information and services. The site includes language options for Español, 한국어, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt, and 繁體中文. Featured news items include: CAL FIRE Suspending Burn Permits in Nevada County due to increasing fire danger from high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions. Nevada County Board of Supervisors June 16, 2026, Regular Meeting Agenda is available for viewing with public comment information. Nevada County is launching a Summer River Shuttle Pilot to improve safety and reduce traffic at South Yuba, running from July 3 to September 6, Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with shuttles every 30 minutes. The site provides quick links to various services including: Current Incidents, Emergency Alerts, Burn Permits, Winter Preparedness, Transit Schedules & Routes, Solid Waste, Building Permits, Planning Department, Birth Certificate services, Marriage Certificate services, Cal-Fresh Food Assistance, In-Home Supportive Services, Medi-Cal & Healthcare, Section 8 Housing Choice, and Veterans Benefits. Board of Supervisors representatives listed are: Heidi Hall (District 1), Robb Tucker (District 2), Lisa Swarthout (District 3), Susan Hoek (District 4), and Hardy Bullock (District 5).

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HAHarvey Walden

2 hours ago

Nevada County Official Website - Main Page

Community Remembrances

Administrative Hearings - April 1, 2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing

29 minutes ago

"Administrative Hearings - 2021 Agenda items listed: 1. Apr 1, 2021 — Amended Mar 26, 2021 1:52 PM Cancelled: 4-1-2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing agenda (Download available) 2. Apr 1, 2021 — Amended Mar 26, 2021 1:42 PM Cancelled: 4-1-2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing agenda (Download available) 3. Apr 1, 2021 4-1-2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing agenda (Download available) This page is part of Nevada County's Agenda Center, which provides access to current agendas and minutes for all boards and commissions. Previous years' agendas and minutes can be found in the Document Center."

Administrative Hearings - April 1, 2021

2 hours ago

"Administrative Hearings agenda for April 1, 2021. The page shows three agenda entries for this date: two versions marked as 'Cancelled: 4-1-2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing agenda' (both amended on March 26, 2021 at different times - 1:52 PM and 1:42 PM) and one active '4-1-2021 Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing agenda'. All entries are available for download from the Agenda Center."

Nevada County Planning Commission Meeting - June 25, 2026

6 hours ago

"Search autocomplete is currently not responding. Please try again later. Nevada County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - June 25, 2026 "

Upcoming LAFCo Meetings in Nevada County

6 hours ago

"View information about the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting."

Nevada County Sustainability Summit Program

7 hours ago

"Program Coffee and Connection Opens at 9 AM in Martis Camp's newly constructed Camp Barn, just down the path from the main stage. Enjoy some pastries, network, and engage with local partner organizations showing off their work to increase climate resilience in our region! Welcome 10:00 AM Ted Owens, MC Martis Camp Welcome Scott Bower, General Manager, Martis Camp Community / Director of Grounds, Martis Camp Club Opening Remarks Hardy Bullock, District 5 Supervisor, County of Nevada Sue Hoek, District 4 Supervisor, County of Nevada Resilient Landscapes Panel 10:20 AM Moderated by Nevada County District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek Panelists: David Mercer, Alpenglow Timber; Jo Ann Fites, Nevada County Fire Safe Coalition; Rich Johansen, NID Director and Former Member of Agricultural Advisory Commission; Phil Saksa, Blue Forest 11:00 AM Audience Q & A Break 11:10 AM Need to stretch your legs? Enjoy a short walk through the Martis Camp forest and hear from Martis Camp's Scott Bower and David Mercer of Crosscheck Solutions about their recently completed project to reduce fuel load and increase forest resiliency. Resilient People Panel 11:30 AM Moderated by Greg Williams, Executive Director of Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship Panelists: Dr. Scott Neeley, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital; John Svahn, Truckee Donner Land Trust; Mark Cameron, Tahoe Pyramid Trail; Scott Amick, Paradise Recreation and Park District; Serrell Smokey, Chairman of the Washoe Tribe of NV and CA 12:10 PM Audience Q & A LUNCH 12:20 PM Break 12:45 PM Need to stretch your legs? Enjoy a short walk around the Martis Camp pond, in conversation with Truckee Town Council member Anna Klovstad. Resilient Youth Panel 1:05 PM Moderated by Hardy Bullock, Nevada County District 5 Supervisor Panelists: Oona Davis, Truckee High School; Tosh Spurlock-Lamb, Truckee High School; Ella Lee, Ghidotti High School; Taylor Browning, Nevada Union High School; Walter Helvin, UC Davis; Jailene Rey, Washoe Tribe of NV and CA 1:45 PM Audience Q & A Break 1:55 PM Keynote Speaker: Lucy Blake, President of Northern Sierra Partnership 2:15 PM Including conversation with Supervisor Hardy Bullock and Supervisor Susan Hoek. 2:50 PM Audience Q & A Closing Remarks 3:05 PM Hardy Bullock, District 5 Supervisor, Nevada County Reception 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM"

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Upcoming Local Events

Jun16

Nevada County Board of Supervisors June 16, 2026, Regular Meeting Agenda

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Jun16

Nevada County Board of Supervisors Meeting

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Jun19

Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission Meeting

TBD North Fort Myers Stadium

Jun25

Nevada County Planning Commission Regular Meeting

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Jun30

The Resilience Project of Western Nevada County to Host Community Meeting on June 30

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