US summer home power bills to jump by nearly 8%, energy policy organizations say

SUMMARY

U.S. home energy bills are projected to rise by 7.9% this summer, with cooling costs increasing nearly 30% since 2020. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the Center for Energy, Poverty, and Climate report that Mid-Atlantic and West Coast states will see the largest increases, about 12% from last year. Midwest and Southern states can expect around 10% hikes. Low-income families are disproportionately affected, risking power shutoffs and heat exposure. Average summer cooling bills will reach $719 per household, with Southern states like Texas facing the highest costs at $858. Utility consumer debt rose to $20.3 billion in December 2023.