Overview

• Federal data show residential electricity costs are 5.5% higher than a year ago, and the EIA projected a slight uptick in bills from June through September.
• Research cited in the report finds nearly 60 utilities are seeking roughly $38.3 billion in electric rate increases, affecting tens of millions of customers.
• Analysts point to a convergence of higher natural gas prices, extreme heat, and tariff uncertainty as key drivers, with gas hitting a two‑year high in March.
• Rising power needs from AI data centers are contributing to rate hikes and may require grid upgrades that could shift costs to households and small businesses.
• Recent federal rollbacks and tariffs risk slowing cheaper clean energy projects, and independent estimates say the July 4 law could add about $170–$280 per household annually by 2035, while analysis finds no link between higher renewable shares and higher retail prices.