America’s energy bills are soaring. The pain is no longer just for the poor.
MS NOW • • business
Key Points:
- Millions of Americans are struggling to afford heating during a bitterly cold winter, with heating costs expected to rise 9.2 percent and electricity prices up more than 10 percent since January 2025.
- About one in six U.S. households is behind on utility bills, collectively owing $23 billion to electric and gas utilities, affecting not only low-income families but also middle-class households.
- The rising energy costs are creating widespread financial hardship, forcing families to choose between essentials like heating and groceries, and are influencing voter frustrations ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
- Experts call for federal and state-level solutions, including investment in cheaper, stable power sources such as solar and wind energy, and regulatory actions by public
