By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Residential electricity costs have jumped approximately 5% nationwide over the past year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, turning soaring utility bills into a prominent issue in the final days before the midterm elections.
Key States See Sharpest Increases
An ABC News analysis found that five of the top 10 states with the largest electric bill increases host competitive U.S. Senate races. In Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, electricity costs have surged 16%. In Ohio, where Republican Sen. John Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown are competing, rates are up 12%.
Poll Shows Growing Unaffordability
A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows 57% of Americans now say their utilities are unaffordable, up from 45% in February. The survey was conducted using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel.
Drivers Behind Rising Costs
Electricity prices are climbing due to costly upgrades to an aging energy grid, state and local regulations, and rising demand from consumers and businesses, including data centers.
Data Center Impact Debated
Tech companies and data center developers have pledged to cover their own costs, but evidence on whether data centers increase power bills remains mixed and community-dependent. In Loudoun County, Virginia, which hosts the nation's largest concentration of data centers, resident Derrick Robinson told ABC News his monthly bill has risen from about $250 to around $850.
Energy Department Offers Savings Tips
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends several steps to reduce usage, including using power strips and turning them off when not in use, sealing gaps around doors and windows, setting water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and washing clothes in warm rather than hot water.
