Energy costs are high and unaffordable – what utilities, governments, communities and you can do to help save consumers money

There are a few ways to get help in handling high energy costs. Carme Parramon/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images

For many Americans, energy bills are becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Energy prices increased approximately 30% on average from 2021 to 2026. In some places, the rates of increase have been much steeper. In the Mid-Atlantic and eastern Midwest region where several of us live, the regional electricity grid is run by PJM Interconnection, and power prices in the first quarter of 2026 were 76% higher than the same period in 2025.