As Electric Bills Rise, So Do Power Shutoffs More Americans fall behind on their utility payments
(Getty/Kwangmoozaa)
The Washington Post reports a troubling trend as electricity prices continue to spike nationwide: more Americans are having their power shut off. While there’s no comprehensive national database tracking disconnections, data from 11 states reveals that at least eight have seen noticeable increases over the past year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA).
Some regions are being hit especially hard. New York City recorded residential shutoffs in August at five times the level of the previous year. In Pennsylvania, shutoffs have climbed 21% this year, leaving more than 270,000 households without power as average utility bills rise 13%. Since January, electricity costs are up 11% nationwide, with certain states—such as Missouri—experiencing price jumps as high as 37%. Newsweek has published a map illustrating how utility expenses vary across the country.
“With prices rising so fast, electricity is becoming unaffordable in many parts of the country,” said Mark Wolfe, NEADA’s executive director, in comments to the Post. “And it’s no longer just lower-income families—it’s increasingly affecting the middle class.”
Roughly 14 million Americans are now behind on their utility bills, and the average overdue balance has climbed 32% since 2022. While utility companies say they are expanding aid programs and offering flexible payment options, the number of disconnections continues to grow.
In an opinion piece for the Guardian, Wolfe and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Markey argue for long-term solutions, including boosting funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help families stay connected.
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