Record Summer Heat Drives Up Electric Bills, Straining Budgets

U.S. households face a nearly 8% rise in cooling costs as federal aid is reduced, impacting low-income families the most.

Electric bills are expected to reach an average of $719 from June through September, the highest in a decade.
Low-income families are hit hardest due to reduced federal assistance and increased cooling costs.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 61% chance of 2024 being the hottest year on record.
Only 17 states and Washington, D.C. offer protections against summer utility shut-offs.
Heat-related deaths and health emergencies are rising, exacerbated by extreme temperatures and financial strain.