Logo courtesy of Pioneer Community Energy

ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) - Pioneer Community Energy has signed six long-term power purchase agreements valued at nearly $517 million to support new biomass energy projects across Northern California.

The 20-year agreements, awarded through California's Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) program, were signed with renewable energy developers West Biofuels and Phoenix Energy. The projects are designed to expand renewable energy production while supporting wildfire mitigation and electric grid reliability.

Pioneer officials said the contracts were approved before the BioMAT program ended on Dec. 31, 2025, making the agency one of the few Community Choice Aggregators to secure contracts under the program.

"This demonstrates how local energy providers can leverage public policy, market opportunities and long-term planning to deliver meaningful benefits for both customers and communities," Pioneer Chief Operating Officer Sam Kang said.

BioMAT was established by the California Public Utilities Commission under Senate Bill 1122 to encourage development of small-scale bioenergy facilities through long-term fixed-price contracts. Pioneer said it worked to expand the program to Community Choice Aggregators through Assembly Bill 843 in 2021, with the expansion implemented by the CPUC in 2024.

Five of the projects will be developed by West Biofuels and one by Phoenix Energy. The facilities will be located in Nevada, Mariposa, Plumas, Yuba, Calaveras and Butte counties.

According to Pioneer, five of the projects will use forest-sourced biomass to convert excess woody material into renewable electricity, helping reduce forest fuel loads and support wildfire mitigation efforts. The sixth project, located in Butte County, will use agricultural and organic waste as its fuel source.

Chief Executive Officer Don Eckert said the agreements will strengthen the agency's long-term energy portfolio as Pioneer prepares to expand service in 2027.

"As we prepare to more than double the number of customers we serve in 2027, securing reliable, renewable generation resources today helps ensure we can continue delivering affordable, sustainable energy to the communities that depend on us," Eckert said.

Eckert noted that the Grass Valley and Butte County projects are located within Pioneer's current or planned service areas.

Pioneer Community Energy, a locally owned not-for-profit electricity provider headquartered in Rocklin, began serving customers in 2018. The agency said it has returned more than $145 million in customer savings while supporting regional economic development and community partnerships.