Household electricity bills in the U.S. have risen by 10% since Donald Trump returned to the White House, with experts attributing the increase to tariffs, green energy rollbacks, and rising datacenter demand. While Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged the political risk for the GOP ahead of midterms, he blamed Democrats for higher prices. Critics say Trump’s anti-renewable energy policies are worsening costs for families nationwide.
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Rising Energy Costs
A report by advocacy group Climate Power found household electricity prices climbed from 15.95 cents per kWh in January 2025 to 17.47 cents per kWh in May 2025. Household gas prices rose 56% over the same period. Some states, including New Jersey, have experienced spikes of up to 20%, highlighting the uneven impact of federal energy policies.
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Trump Administration Policies
The increase is linked to Trump’s new tariffs and cuts to renewable energy incentives, as well as the promotion of data centers for artificial intelligence. The administration has rolled back Biden-era green energy measures, which analysts say were helping to keep utility costs lower. Rising temperatures amid the climate crisis also exacerbate energy demand.
Political Implications
Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted higher energy prices could pose a challenge for Republicans in next year’s midterm elections. However, he claimed Democrats were to blame, stating, “The momentum of the Obama-Biden policies is pushing prices up right now. And who’s going to get blamed for it? We’re going to get blamed because we’re in the office.”
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Impact on Jobs and Investment
Trump’s anti-renewable policies are also affecting employment. Since his election, 64,000 renewable energy jobs have been cut or paused. Companies have canceled or delayed 123 energy projects across 33 states, representing over $33.87 billion in lost investment, according to Climate Power.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
Jesse Lee, senior adviser at Climate Power, said, “Republicans are fueling an energy crisis and inflicting a massive utility bill hike on Americans across the country…Families are losing jobs while their bills climb, all because Republicans would rather protect their donors than lower costs.”
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Department of Energy Defense
A DOE spokesperson defended the administration, asserting, “The American people elected President Trump to restore commonsense energy policies and that is exactly what we are doing.” He noted that in 2024, 82% of U.S. energy came from hydrocarbons, with only 3% from renewable sources, claiming previous green spending had minimal results.
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Future Price Risks
Climate Power warns that recent federal actions, such as changes to renewable energy credit standards, could further raise electricity prices. Analysts predict continued strain on families and clean energy sectors, suggesting higher utility bills and slowed investment may persist in the coming years.