Getting power from Pioneer Community Energy is not more expensive than PG&E, nor is it a scam or out of town hoax. Pioneer's basic residential rates are cheaper than PG&E rates, and their 100% green energy rate (Green100) costs less than PG&E's default rates. Pioneer is known as a CCA, or Community Choice Aggregator, which is a growing form of how CA communities can combine their buying power to serve their needs, and is run as a local nonprofit entity run by a Board of Directors comprised of local elected officials. 

For more info see: 

PIONEER: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/faq/ 

CA PUBLIC UTILITES COMMISSION: CONSUMER INFO ON CCAs https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/consumer-programs-and-services/electrical-energy-and-energy-efficiency/community-choice-aggregation-and-direct-access-/consumer-information-on-ccas---frequently-asked-questions 

CA STATEWIDE CCA GROUP

https://cal-cca.org/