Electricity Bills Soar, Fueling Political Backlash Against Trump

Rising costs spark protests and become a key issue in midterm elections as Democrats and climate activists seize on energy prices

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Electricity rates rose 5% nationwide in 2025, with some states seeing double-digit increases. Factors driving the hikes include utilities' surge in spending on infrastructure, rising natural gas prices, and state policies requiring more renewable energy. The issue has become politically charged, with Democrats and climate activists blaming the Trump administration's policies, while the White House argues that "red states" have lower prices.

Why it matters

Soaring electricity bills have become a major pocketbook issue for consumers, sparking protests and fueling political backlash against the Trump administration. Democrats and climate activists see high energy costs as an energizing issue that could help them retake Congress in the midterm elections, while the White House is trying to shift blame to Democratic-led states.

The details

Utilities are spending more on equipment to deliver electricity, with transmission and distribution accounting for 50% of their capital expenditures in 2025, up from 45% in 2015. States heavily reliant on natural gas for power generation, like Pennsylvania, have seen particularly large rate hikes as gas prices have risen. While renewable energy mandates have contributed to higher prices in some regions, researchers say the effects have been modest overall. Factors like wildfires in California and the lack of in-state power plants in Washington, D.C. have also driven up local electricity costs.

  • In 2025, U.S. residential electricity rates increased by 5% compared to the prior year.
  • In November 2024, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a $6.9 billion rate hike for Florida Power & Light over four years.

The players

Morgan Harper

A community organizer and former U.S. Senate candidate who spoke at a protest in January outside the offices of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in Columbus, urging officials to reject a rate increase from the local utility.

Steve Van Kuiken

A United Church of Christ pastor in Columbus who is part of a community group opposing rate increases, saying "The working class is really getting squeezed, and everything's going up."

Charles Hua

The founder and executive director of PowerLines, an advocacy group that seeks to reduce utility bills, who explained that utilities have a financial incentive to build new infrastructure rather than increase grid efficiency.

Brittany Sawyer

A Columbus resident and mother of two who works three jobs, facing a monthly electricity bill of $643.93 after a frigid start to winter.

AEP Ohio

A Columbus-based utility that has proposed a rate increase, with the company saying many of the reasons for rising rates are beyond its control.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.