civic_techMay 11, 2026Issue #1

Energy bills keep climbing — and folks blame the utilities

Nearly three in four U.S. adults say their home energy costs have gone up. More than four in ten say they’ve gone up a lot.

People aren’t just paying more — they’re pointing fingers. A big chunk blame utility companies, not just weather or the grid. They see the profit margins rising while their bills do too.

Auntie Rosa checks her monthly statement like a tienda receipt — every charge, every fee. Her cousin who runs the auto shop says his electric bill jumped 47% last year, and the utility didn’t even send a heads-up.

No one’s asking for free power. Just fair rates. Transparent billing. And no surprise surcharges when the heatwave hits.

Why this matters for us: When the lights stay on but your wallet doesn’t, the hustle gets harder — and the ones who keep the power running are the same ones getting squeezed hardest.

No one’s asking for free power. Just fair rates.

pewresearch.org

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#energy bills#utility companies#home costs#fair rates

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