PARADISE, Calif. — The Paradise Town Council is set to discuss the potential authorization of Pioneer Community Energy, a move that would offer residents more freedom in choosing their utility services.
While electricity would still be delivered through PG&E’s infrastructure, billing would be managed by Pioneer.
Paradise is following in the footsteps of nearby cities like Chico and Oroville, which have explored joining the Community Choice Aggregation program. Mayor Steve Crowder said residents would be automatically enrolled in Pioneer Energy and must opt-out to remain with PG&E.
Crowder expressed concerns about the impact on solar energy users, but he confirmed that residents could switch back to PG&E while maintaining the same solar rate.
He emphasized the benefits of the resolution for the town’s ongoing recovery from the 2018 Camp Fire.
“If the town could save $1,000 a month off of their utility bill, it gives them that much more money that they can apply to other programs, maybe road programs or beautification or improvements to a park that we own or something like that. We could just use it to improve the community,” Crowder said.
He noted that customers could expect an estimated 10% reduction in their bills, with some households potentially facing bills as high as $900 during the summer months.
The transition to Pioneer Community Energy is projected to occur in 2027.