Affordability

Solar

Alabama Power can keep charging steep rooftop solar fee, judge rules

The standby charge, among the highest in the nation, is “chilling” solar in the sunny state, critics say. Alabama Power says the fee is needed to maintain the grid.

By Dennis Pillion . 1 April 2026
Clean energy

Virginia set to enact a flurry of laws boosting cleaner, cheaper power

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign bills promoting solar power, batteries, grid tech, and, above all, affordability.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 March 2026
Fossil fuels

Sky-high oil prices are about to hit Puerto Rico’s grid

The Iran war has spurred a historic disruption of the global oil market. In Puerto Rico, which relies on imported fossil fuels, consumers will foot the bill.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 13 March 2026
Clean energy

How Vermont’s pioneering clean heat plan fell apart

Misinformation, politics, and a complex design brought down the once-promising program, which sought to slash emissions from heating in the cold New England state.

By Sarah Shemkus . 5 March 2026
Data centers

How states are trying to keep AI data centers off your power bill

“Large load tariffs” are spreading fast as states scramble to protect consumers and the climate from the AI boom. Some approaches have more promise than others.

By Jeff St. John . 4 March 2026
Heat pumps

California’s heat pump push faces a big hurdle: high electric bills

The state has one of the boldest heat pump strategies in the U.S. But it also has some of the highest power prices, making electrification a tough sell to many.

By Ben Christopher, Alejandro Lazo . 3 March 2026
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts energy bill would make big cuts to energy efficiency

Advocates say the energy affordability measure is strong but for a proposed $1 billion reduction to efficiency programs that would undermine the sector without lowering bills.

By Sarah Shemkus . 27 February 2026
Virtual power plants

More states look to virtual power plants to fight rising electric bills

A dozen state legislatures are pushing measures to launch or expand programs that rely on customers’ thermostats, batteries, and EVs to relieve the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 25 February 2026
Utilities

What’s behind your sky-high power bill: A region-by-region breakdown

Geography, wildfires, natural gas, wind energy, regulatory free-for-alls — these are some of the factors that determine your electric bills.

By Naveena Sadasivam, Clayton Aldern . 19 February 2026
Liquefied natural gas

The US is exporting huge amounts of natural gas. Will it cost Americans?

The country must produce record levels of gas to keep pace with surging LNG exports, or the mismatch in supply and demand could spike domestic energy prices.

By Julian Spector . 10 February 2026