Trump’s Dirty Energy Double Whammy: Pay More for Fuel & Power—and Use More of It

Household electricity rates have risen 15 percent nationwide since the start of the Trump administration, from about 15.9 cents to 18.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to an analysis from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Some states have seen much bigger jumps: Ohio rates are up 25 percent, and Iowa's have risen by a third. The report points to several causes, including the growth of power-hungry data centers, rising natural gas prices, and new tariffs that have raised the cost of equipment used to build and upgrade the power grid. The administration has also pulled back incentives for wind, solar, and battery storage, which the report calls the cheapest and fastest way to add new electricity supply.

Gasoline costs have also climbed, up nearly 50 percent since late February, adding more than $540 in fuel costs for a typical household over seven months. Separately, the repeal of federal fuel economy standards is projected to add $1,624 to the lifetime fuel cost of a new car, on average, and push national gasoline use up by about 40 percent compared with the old rules.

The report also cites billions of dollars in canceled clean energy manufacturing and power projects, including solar, wind, and battery plants, and ties increased pollution from coal and gas plants to higher public health costs. If you're weighing an upgrade like a heat pump, solar panels, or an electric vehicle, these trends are worth watching, since rebates and incentives can vary by state and may shift as federal policy changes.