Apr 12, 2026
Rebecca Michalski has been bracing herself every time she opens her power bill. The West Virginia resident, who lives on a fixed income, was hit with a staggering $940.08 charge in February (1). This is more than she earns in an entire month. Michalski has fallen behind, taking on debt just to keep the heat running during winter.
Think her story sounds extreme? She's not alone.
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"They come and cut off your power. Then you're sitting in the dark. And I see that happening," she told AP News (2) and Fortune, "And I think for a lot of other people, it's gonna happen too."
Households across the country are feeling the strain as energy prices rise and affordability becomes a growing concern.
Why power prices are surging
Michalski says she has tried to cut back by using strategies like turning lights off during the day and just using a single energy-efficient lamp at night.
"Every time you see that power bill, you're just sick," Michalski said, "I already know before I open it. I just dread seeing how much."
She's shared her frustration online, joining thousands of West Virginians posting screenshots of soaring monthly bills and voicing their shock with prices that in some cases outpace rent and mortgage payments.
Across the U.S., electricity and heating costs have been climbing, squeezing consumers who are already dealing with higher prices for food, housing and insurance.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (3) shows electricity prices have risen 5.8% over the past year, while natural gas, which is a key heating source, has seen an over 14% increase year over year. Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (4) reports that residential electricity rates have been trending upward for years, with higher price bumps in regions dealing with outdated systems or big weather swings.
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Extreme temperatures are forcing households to use more energy just to stay safe and comfortable. Utilities are also pouring billions into upgrading aging infrastructure, from transmission lines to power grids, and those costs get passed along to customers.
Fuel prices are adding another layer of volatility. Because electricity generation is closely tied to natural gas, global disruptions, including geopolitical conflicts, can translate into higher monthly bills at home.
The growing demand and rapid expansion of energy-hungry data centers, driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing, is also putting strain on already stretched systems.
Charles Hua of the consumer advocate organization PowerLines told Fortune (5) the pipeline of increases isn't slowing down either. PowerLines estimated that utilities sought nearly $31 billion in rate hikes in 2024 alone. That's about double the previous year, and it could potentially impact tens of millions of households.
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What you can do about the squeeze
For many Americans, especially those on fixed or modest incomes, rising utility bills just adds one more thing to a growing list of budgetary concerns.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (6) (DOE) uses the term "energy burden" to describe households that spend more than 6% of their income on utilities. According to the DOE, low-income households often pay three times that share compared to higher earners.
In places like West Virginia, the pressure is even more intense. Even though it has plentiful energy resources, the state relies on an aging coal infrastructure, which can be more expensive to maintain. Added to that, research from the Urban Institute (7) shows the state is uniquely strained, with inflation-adjusted household income falling since 1970.
That gap is turning electricity into one of the biggest line items in an everyday household budget, and it's one that is hard to ignore.
While there may not be a quick fix, there are some tips consumers can consider to try to stay ahead of rising costs:
- Ask about budget billing: Many utilities offer plans that spread costs evenly throughout the year, which helps to avoid seasonal spikes.
- Check for assistance: See if you are eligible for programs like the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which can help cover heating and cooling bills.
- Make efficiency upgrades: Switching to LED bulbs, sealing drafts and using a programmable thermostat can chip away at usage over time.
- Track your consumption: Many providers offer detailed information on usage so that it's easier to spot where energy, and money, is being wasted.
With demand rising, infrastructure aging and costs climbing, electricity is quickly becoming one of the most relentless and unavoidable expenses everyday Americans have to face.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
Fortune (1),(5); AP News (2); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (3); U.S. Energy Information Administration (4); U.S. Department of Energy (6); Urban Institute (7)
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Jessica is a freelance writer with a professional background in economic development and small business consulting. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology and is completing her Publishing Certificate.
