Rising Energy Costs Spark Backlash Across Mid-Atlantic, New England States

Residents across Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are experiencing significant increases in energy bills, prompting frustration and concern about affordability and the impact on their daily lives. In Maryland, BGE customers have reported bills soaring over $1,200 due to colder weather and recent rate hikes meant to fund infrastructure improvements. Similarly, Massachusetts lawmakers are urging the Department of Public Utilities to reassess Eversource's pricing structure after some bills jumped nearly $300 due to supply costs, affecting seniors and low-income families the hardest. In a meeting in Delaware, lawmakers discussed the role of renewable energy in rising costs, as constituents faced bills that have more than doubled. Economists attribute the increases to a combination of extreme weather, the high cost of natural gas, and the necessary investments in energy infrastructure. As consumers grapple with these rising costs, they are raising questions about energy pricing and the sustainability of current energy policies.