ROUND UP: Energy Costs Continue to Climb on Trump’s Watch as He Takes Clean Energy Projects Off the Grid 

Last week, inflation spiked at the fastest pace in three years, rising to 4.2%, driven mainly by skyrocketing energy costs 

Washington, DC – On the campaign trail in 2024, Donald Trump promised to slash utility bills in half, but instead, electricity prices have spiked by 16% on his watch. In fact, far from focusing on how to lower energy costs for American families, Trump and Republicans in Congress have squeezed energy supply as demand skyrockets, canceling enough clean energy projects to power over 17 million homes. Trump’s Department of Defense has held up nearly 250 wind projects, preventing 30 gigawatts of energy from coming online, including nine wind projects in Illinois that could have powered more than 400,000 homes. 

Soaring electricity prices come as Americans brace for an El Niño that experts predict will cause record heat across the country. But with inflation spiking at the fastest pace in three years thanks to Trump and congressional Republicans’ reckless energy policies, American families are having to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their homes cool.  

Ohio

• The Ohio Supreme Court approved an increase in natural gas bills, allowing Duke Energy to charge customers $2.9 million per year over 10 years. 

Virginia

• Appalachian Power filed its 2026 biennial base rate review with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, requesting a $61.4 million increase that would add a net monthly increase of about $9.10 to the average residential electric bill.

Illinois 

• NextEra Energy’s Knox County Wind project in Illinois was canceled because of federal permitting delays, which have substantially increased under Trump. As a result, workers were uninstalling their progress on the site, and nearly 40 workers were sent home. The 147-megawatt wind project was expected to support 300 construction jobs and to provide $35 million to landowners and $40 million to Knox County, including about $1 million per year in revenue for the school district, across the project’s 30-year lifespan. 
• Apex Renewable’s wind project in McClean County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 300-megawatt project, enough energy to power 112,500 homes, was expected to support up to 250 jobs near Heyworth, Illinois. The project was also expected to provide tens of millions in local payments to landowners, schools, and the county across its lifetime.
• EDP’s Bright Stalk II Wind Farm in McClean County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 150-megawatt wind farm, enough energy to power more than 53,000 homes, was expected to support 240 construction jobs and eight permanent jobs. Bright Stalk II was expected to provide $49 million in payments to local governments and $1.5 million to local landowners across its lifetime.
• Repsol’s Four Creeks Wind Farm in Peoria County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 500-megawatt project, enough energy to power more than 160,000 homes, was expected to support more than 230 construction jobs and 10 permanent maintenance roles once operational. Four Creeks Wind was also expected to provide more than $144 million in property tax revenue to the Princeville and Brimfield School Districts, $33.9 million in revenue to Peoria County and local townships, and $35 million in local property taxes to enhance local services across its lifetime. 
• Apex Clean Energy’s Goldrush Apple Wind Farm in Peoria, Stark, and Putman Counties was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 900-megawatt project was expected to support over 300 jobs while providing $232 million in local tax revenue and $189 million in school funding across its lifetime.
• EDP’s Rail Splitter II Wind Farm in Tazewell County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 100-megawatt project, enough energy to power more than 35,000 homes, was expected to support 85 construction jobs and five permanent jobs once operational. Rail Splitter II required a $140 million capital investment and was expected to provide $39 million in tax revenue to local governments across the project’s lifetime.
• Leeward Renewable Energy’s Braided Creek Wind Farm in Bureau County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 147-megawatt project, enough energy to power more than 57,000 homes, was expected to support 400 construction jobs. The $344 million wind farm was expected to generate $48.8 million in property tax revenue over its lifetime.
• Apex Clean Energy’s Milkweed Wind Farm in Iroquois County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 300-megawatt project was expected to support up to 300 jobs, provide over $58.7 million in school district property taxes, and provide over $10.1 million in county property taxes over the project’s lifetime.
• RWE’s Camp Creek I Wind Farm in McDonough County was delayed because of the Trump administration’s moratorium on wind energy projects. The 200-megawatt project, enough energy to power more than 46,000 homes, was expected to support over 240 construction jobs. Camp Creek I was also expected to provide $63.1 million in property taxes to the county over the project’s lifetime.
• Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), announced that customers should expect monthly electricity bills to increase by $2 to $3 beginning June 1.