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⚡ Energy

Our bills went up.
Here's exactly why.

We didn't use more electricity. Our bills still went up. Here's what's really going on, and what we can do about it right now.

Why are energy bills rising so fast?

Our electricity prices are set across a big region, not just our town. When natural gas prices shot up, our bills went up too.

Natural gas makes more than 40% of the electricity in the U.S. When gas prices jump, electricity prices follow right away. We saw this hit hard in 2021 and 2022.

The electric grid is also old and needs fixing. Power companies are spending billions to upgrade it. But they pass those costs on to us through our monthly bills. We're paying now for repairs that should have been made years ago.

Bad weather makes it worse. When heat waves or big storms hit, everyone uses power at the same time. Prices spike. Power companies have to build systems that can handle those worst days, even if they only happen a few times a year. We pay for that all year long.

Tariffs on steel and aluminum have made it more expensive to build and fix the grid. Those costs end up on our bills too.

On top of all that, big tech companies are building data centers that use huge amounts of electricity. More demand with the same supply means higher prices for all of us.

📊 Home electricity prices went up over 30% between 2020 and 2025. That's the biggest jump in decades. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
What's a "delivery charge," and why can't we control it?

Our bills have two parts: supply (the electricity we use) and delivery (getting it to our home). The delivery part is fixed. We pay it no matter how much or how little we use.

So "just use less" only helps with half the bill at most. The delivery part doesn't change. That's not our fault. It's how the billing system works.

💡 Look at your bill for "supply" vs. "delivery." The delivery part is often 40 to 60% of the total, and it stays the same no matter how much you use.
What can we actually do right now?

Three things that can really help:

① See if you can get LIHEAP: LIHEAP is a federal program that helps pay your utility bills. Most families who can get it never apply. In Pennsylvania, you could get $200 to $1,000 paid straight to your power company. Apply online at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-866-857-7095.

② Ask about CAP (Customer Assistance Programs): CAP puts a cap on your monthly bill based on what you earn. It can even wipe out past-due balances. Every major power company in Pennsylvania has to offer one by law. Call your power company and ask about CAP, or visit puc.pa.gov/about-the-puc/consumer-education/utility-assistance-programs for a full list.

③ Shop for a different energy supplier: In Pennsylvania, you can pick who makes your electricity. Visit papowerswitch.com to compare prices and possibly lower the supply part of your bill. The delivery part stays the same, but the supply part can change.
The numbers
30%+
How much home electricity prices went up across the country, 2020 to 2025
(Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2025)
24%
of neighbors who couldn't pay a utility bill at least once in the past year
(Source: National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, 2025)
30%
of neighbors who cut back on food or medicine to pay their utility bill
(Source: National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, 2025)
Get help now
  • LIHEAP (Pennsylvania): Apply online at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-866-857-7095. Grants of $200 to $1,000 paid straight to your power company. You can apply each year, usually starting in November.
  • CAP programs: Every major power company in Pennsylvania has to offer this. Call them directly or visit puc.pa.gov/about-the-puc/consumer-education/utility-assistance-programs for a full list.
  • Shop energy suppliers: In Pennsylvania, you can pick your electricity supplier. Compare prices at papowerswitch.com to try to lower the supply part of your bill.
  • Weatherization: Free upgrades to your home to save on energy, for families who qualify. Call 211 or search "weatherization assistance Pennsylvania."
  • 211: Free. Connects you to local energy help and programs.
The bigger picture

"Telling families to conserve energy is like telling us to eat less to afford groceries. It's not wrong. It's just not the point."

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration; National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA), Energy Price Update, 2025; Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.