Business
‘I had no electricity for six months’: American families struggle with soaring energy prices
Danielle KayeBusiness reporter
Kristy HallowellKristy Hallowell had just lost her job when her energy bill unexpectedly tripled to $1,800 a month.
Unable to pay, her gas and electricity were cut off and she, her two children and her mother spent six months of last year relying on a generator to light and heat their house.
The 44-year-old is one of millions of Americans who have fallen behind on their energy bills as prices have soared over the past year.
The electricity is now back on at her home in Greenwood Lake, New York, after a local non-profit helped reach an agreement with the utility to accept a partial payment.
But the gas is still off and electricity bills keep mounting this winter, leaving her in fear of another shut-off. She said she now had about $3,000 in utility debt.
“This has been traumatic, to say the least,” she said.
Nearly one in 20 households are at risk of having their utility debt sent to collections heading into the winter months, according to a recent report.
The number of households with severely overdue utility debt rose by 3.8% in the first six months of Trump’s second term, the analysis of consumer credit data, compiled by the Century Foundation and Protect Borrowers, found.
Residential energy bills have emerged as a key cost-of-living concern among American consumers, as many buckle under the weight of rising prices and sour on US President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy.
Official economic data from November shows electricity prices rose 6.9% from the year before – much faster than overall inflation.
Trump, who during his campaign said he would cut energy bills in half, has claimed that costs are falling. “Costs under the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION are tumbling down, helped greatly by gasoline and ENERGY,” he posted on social media in November.
The White House blames former President Joe Biden and US central bank interest rates for the lingering economic pain.
But in the wake of Democratic wins in recent state and city elections and polls showing waning consumer confidence, the Trump administration has shifted its messaging to focus on affordability, in a bid to allay voter anxiety about the cost of living in the US.
At the same time, the federal government has proposed slashing the funds it gives to states to help low-income residents pay their utility bills.
Experts also warn that the Trump administration’s rollback of clean energy projects – including its recent decision to pause leases for offshore wind energy projects being built near the Atlantic coastline – could drive electric bills even higher.
“This is going to be a huge deal, both as a policy matter and a political matter,” said Alex Jacquez, chief of policy and advocacy at the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic think tank.
Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project of New York, said many of her clients – low-income utility customers in New York state seeking help with their bills – have let utilities fall to the side as rent, health insurance and other costs keep getting more expensive.
In 2025, the non-profit saw an increase in utility account terminations for unpaid bills, Ms Wheelock said.
Before the pandemic, clients who approached the organisation typically owed $400 to $900 in utility debt. Now, people often owe upwards of $6,000, she said.
“There’s been this difficult mix of increased costs and financial instability,” she added.
Winter heating costs are expected to jump 9.2% this season, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, driven by rising electricity and natural gas prices and unusually cold weather.
Energy bills tend to be among the highest in the northeast US, the report shows. But households from California to Georgia to South Dakota are also feeling the strain of rising costs over the past year.
Power-hungry tech companies
There are several reasons for rising residential energy costs, analysts say.
For one, the price of natural gas, which is a crucial component of nearly half of electricity generation in the US, has jumped over the past year. The natural gas industry is pushing more and more production overseas, contributing to higher domestic prices.
Electricity generation is “being saddled with ever-increasing costs of fuel”, said John Quigley, a senior fellow at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Recent shifts away from clean energy investments could also be at play. A report from the climate advocacy group Climate Power cites the Trump administration’s cancellation of projects that would have produced enough electricity to power the equivalent of 13 million homes.
The gutting of clean energy projects has contributed to a 13% jump in electricity bills since Trump returned to the White House, the report found, as the US increases its dependence on foreign oil.
AFP via Getty ImagesAnother key factor: energy demand from the artificial intelligence boom is straining the power grid.
Technology companies from Alphabet to Amazon are ramping up their investments in AI infrastructure, and data centres require massive amounts of electricity.
Continued and increasing electricity demand for data centres is pushing up prices for everyone, Quigley said.
‘You can deal with people’s frustrations’
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC News in November that electricity prices were a “state problem”.
“There are things that the federal government can control. Local electricity prices are not one of them,” he said.
But some analysts argue that if the federal government were to embrace clean energy, it would help lower prices.
On the state level, some lawmakers have proposed requiring large data centres to supply their own power, so families don’t shoulder the costs.
In Virginia, where data centres have proliferated, governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has announced plans to ensure tech companies are “paying their fair share”, encouraging clean on-site and off-site generation and storage at data centres.
Virginia utility regulators recently authorised a separate rate category for the biggest electricity customers, like data centres, requiring them to pay a larger share to shield other ratepayers.
“You can deal in the near term with people’s frustrations around prices while dealing with these long-term structural fixes,” said Groundwork Collaborative’s Alex Jacquez.
But any relief for consumers will take time. Residential energy prices are likely to stay elevated in the coming months.
Ibrahim AwadallahLast year, Ibrahim Awadallah, 30, installed solar panels on his home in Charlotte, North Carolina in the hopes of reducing his energy costs.
His plan largely worked. His electricity bills tend to be lower than his neighbours’, even taking into account the $180 he pays per month on his solar panel loan.
Still, in October, Awadallah noticed his bill from his utility company getting more expensive – a roughly 10% increase – even though he was out of town much of the month.
A telecommunications developer has proposed building a data centre nearby in east Charlotte. Awadallah is concerned that the project, if approved, will drive up electric costs even more.
“I don’t think things are getting better anytime soon,” he said.
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Waitrose is set to remove mackerel from its shelves amid escalating concerns over unsustainable fishing practices.
The retailer said that it is the first major UK supermarket to suspend sourcing of the popular fish.
It said that fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel, primarily sourced from Scottish waters, will be unavailable to shoppers by 29 April. Tinned varieties will follow once the current stock is depleted.
Conservationists are welcoming the move and urging other supermarkets to follow suit.
The measure comes as governments have repeatedly failed to implement catch limits recommended by scientists, jeopardising the long-term viability of mackerel stocks.
The International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has issued stark warnings, advising a 70 per cent reduction in catches for 2026 across all regional mackerel stocks compared to 2025’s recommended levels.
With the stock consistently fished above sustainable thresholds, this translates to a 77 per cent cut on the 755,143 tonnes scientists estimated would be caught in 2025.
Overfishing has resulted in depleting mackerel stocks in the north-east Atlantic, with Ices saying the species, and the wider fishing industry, could face long-term risks unless countries stick to recommended catch limits.
Waitrose said the decision in December by four of the coastal states which fish mackerel to cut catches by 48 per cent was a step forward, but did not meet Ices advice.
North-east Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet the supermarket’s responsible sourcing requirements in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition codes of conduct, the retailer said.
Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, said: “By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish.
“Our customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery.
“We look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards.”
As alternatives, Waitrose is launching a new range of fish products including hot smoked herring, hot smoked peppered herring and hot smoked sweetcure seabass, all of which are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified.
The retailer said it would also introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines from May as a sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, and plans to become the first retailer to sell 100 per cent MSC tinned sardines.
Waitrose said it would maintain its relationship with its mackerel suppliers and its new supply of herring, seabass, sardines and trout will be sourced through current supplier partnerships.
But there is currently no predetermined time-frame as to when Waitrose will start sourcing mackerel again.
Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans.
“We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.”
Charles Clover, co-founder of conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation, said mackerel – one of the largest remaining commercial fish stocks in the north-east Atlantic – had declined 75 per cent in the last 10 years because fishing nations, including the UK, had overfished it.
“They have put too little effort into the task of reaching agreement on a sharing arrangement – and some countries have been awarding themselves more quota than is justified by science,” he said.
“This crisis has been ignored for too long.
“We hope that this action by Waitrose sends it to the top of the political agenda. We call on other retailers to follow Waitrose’s example.”
The arrival of a salary credit message at the beginning of the month often brings a sense of relief and optimism, with many planning to save money or make long-delayed purchases. However, for a large number of salaried individuals, that confidence fades quickly as expenses begin to pile up. Rent, electricity bills, EMIs, online purchases, dining out and everyday spending gradually reduce bank balances, leaving many struggling by the third week of the month. (News18 Hindi)
Financial experts say that recurring cash shortages are often not caused by insufficient income but by poor money habits. Small and unnoticed mistakes in managing personal finances can gradually weaken long-term financial stability. The good news, experts note, is that these habits can be corrected with simple changes and better planning. (News18 Hindi)
1. One of the most common mistakes is the absence of a proper budget. Many people begin spending as soon as their salary is credited without deciding in advance how the money will be used. Without a clear spending plan, expenses tend to rise uncontrollably. Experts recommend allocating money for essential needs such as rent, groceries, utility bills and savings immediately after receiving a salary. Preparing a simple budget by listing fixed monthly expenses in a notebook or mobile app can help maintain financial discipline. (News18 Hindi)
2. Frequent small online purchases also contribute significantly to unnecessary spending. With doorstep deliveries and frequent discounts, cashback offers and flash sales, consumers often buy items that are not essential. While individual purchases may seem minor, repeated spending of a few hundred or thousand rupees can add up to a substantial amount by the end of the month. Financial planners advise clearly distinguishing between needs and wants before making purchases. (News18 Hindi)
3. Another major mistake is the absence of an emergency fund. Unexpected expenses such as medical bills, urgent travel or home repairs can disrupt monthly budgets. Without savings set aside for emergencies, many individuals rely on credit cards or loans, which can lead to debt and reduce the following month’s disposable income. Experts suggest building an emergency fund gradually, ideally covering at least three months of essential expenses. (News18 Hindi)
4. Saving only what remains at the end of the month is another common but ineffective approach. In most cases, little or no money is left after regular spending. Financial advisers recommend setting aside savings as soon as the salary is credited, a strategy often referred to as the “pay yourself first” principle. This method helps create a consistent saving habit. (News18 Hindi)
5. Spending to maintain a certain lifestyle is also a growing concern, particularly in the age of social media. The desire to match others’ lifestyles often leads to purchases such as expensive gadgets, branded clothing or frequent dining out, even when these expenses exceed one’s income. Experts warn that such spending patterns can increase financial stress and recommend aligning lifestyle choices with income and financial priorities. (News18 Hindi)
To improve financial discipline, experts advise reviewing expenses from the previous three months to understand spending patterns. Based on this assessment, individuals can create a simple plan that divides income into spending, saving and investing. Automated savings options such as Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) or recurring deposits can help ensure consistent saving. Even small financial changes, experts say, can lead to significant long-term benefits. (News18 Hindi)
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