ROUND UP: More Canceled Jobs and Rate Hikes as Trump’s War in Iran Kickstarts a Global Energy Crisis 

Customers in 7 states faced rate hikes as high as $15 per month as Trump says he will take even more energy options off the grid 

Trump and the GOP have gutted American EV manufacturing — stripping Americans of their choice in vehicles as Trump’s war sends gas prices through the roof 

Washington, DC – We are just 8 months away from the midterm elections and Donald Trump is making it increasingly difficult for Republicans to spin his disastrous agenda. His reckless energy policies have left a trail of canceled jobs and utility rate hikes, and now, his war in Iran is spiking gas prices at the fastest pace since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Instead of investing in homegrown clean energy that protects Americans from energy shocks, Trump is paying energy companies a billion taxpayer dollars to keep energy options off the grid as demand soars. 

At the same time, Trump and Republicans have completely destroyed American EV manufacturing, stripping Americans of their choice in vehicles and giving China the upper hand in the global EV economy. Last week, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in North Carolina announced it was significantly downsizing its plans, canceling more than 6,000 jobs. 

North Carolina 

• VinFast, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing factory that had planned to bring 7,500 jobs to Chatham, North Carolina, announced it is significantly downsizing its plans, cutting more than 6,000 jobs.

Colorado

• Atmos Energy filed an application with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission seeking a 28% average increase to its base natural gas rate. The proposed increase was projected to increase average residential customer bills by 8.5% to 10.1%, or $5.32 to $5.61/month.

Massachusetts

• 15 towns in Franklin County were set to see increases in their electricity costs after they contracted with Colonial Power Group for their municipal energy aggregation program, resulting in average monthly bill increases of $7.

Minnesota

• Xcel Energy proposed a gas rate increase that would increase average residential customer bills by 8.7%, or $7.11/month.

New York

• National Grid’s rate hike was set to go into effect in April 2026, adding around $14.50 to the delivery charges for average households using electricity and gas.

Ohio

• The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved AEP Ohio’s rate increase, which was expected to increase average monthly bills by $7.90.
• The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved Suburban Natural Gas’ annual revenue increase request, which was expected to increase average residential customer bills by $4.73.

Pennsylvania

• PPL Electric Utilities reached a settlement in its rate case that, if approved, would increase average residential monthly bills by 4.9%. Under the agreement, residential customers will pay a monthly $15 charge, up from $14.09.

Virginia

• The Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative is seeking a rate hike that would increase average residential electric bills by 3.7%, or $7.31/month.