Trump’s Energy Crisis Hits Americans Across the Country

Washington, D.C. – This week, Climate Power launched its first Energy Crisis Snapshot, which highlights the devastating impacts of the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. Their donor-driven war on clean energy is triggering a self-inflicted energy crisis—spiking utility costs, driving job losses, stalling clean-energy investment, and leaving families scrambling to pay their bills. Household electric bills are up 10% nationally since Trump took office, and they are rising at twice the rate of inflation. 

A new study this week from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association warns that Americans will pay 7.6% more on their energy bills this winter.

• Nationwide, unpaid energy bills are up 31% since December 2023.

In the last month alone, new rate hikes were announced in states like California, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, and Virginia. Here are just a few of the headlines and devastating results:

VIRGINIA

Dominion Energy proposes price increase of $21 over the next two years

• Thousands of Dominion customers spoke out against the proposed increase in a State Corporate Commission hearing.
• Virginians testified that higher rates will force parents to cut back on food and clothes, seniors to skip essentials, and working families to struggle just to keep the lights on.
• One resident warned: “We are already stretched thin, and I just don’t know what I’ll do.”

INDIANA

Energy prices are rising, Duke Energy rate payers could see another rate hike in the near future

• Duke Energy is seeking a rate increase related to the construction of a new gas-fired power plant that could raise customer bills by $29 each month by 2030.
• Indiana households and small businesses are already strained by rising utility bills.
• Rio White, a small business owner, reported energy bills have doubled: “Last year we paid around $200 to $225. This year, our last bill was $445. It’s an extreme difference in just one year.”

KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky residents could soon see an increase in their power bill

• Eastern Kentucky residents face a proposed 14.9% increase on household power bills.
• Commercial and industrial customers could see rates climb 13–15%.
• Kentucky Power’s latest rate increase request follows a 6% rate increase already approved this summer.

CALIFORNIA

Edison Electric bills set to rise 10% under state plan. More hikes coming soon.

• The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to approve Southern California Edison’s plan, which was expected to raise average customer bills by 10%—about $17 per month.
• With housing and living costs already among the highest in the nation, California families will be pushed further into financial distress.

NEW YORK

Why your energy bills are going up – again

• The Wellsville Sun reports that 75% of New York electricity customers have pending or recently approved hikes.
• The New York Power Authority revised—but did not cancel—its plan that would have tripled rates by 2028. Instead, rates will now rise by $1 per year for six years for the average customer.

Across the country, the Republican Rate Hike is making energy unaffordable, and the crisis is just beginning. Donald Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is delivering broken promises: higher bills, lost jobs, and weaker energy security.