Transcript:

In recent years, the price of electricity in the U.S. has gone up – in some states, faster than inflation.

But the price per kilowatt is only part of what determines your total bill.

Hledik: “Your bill depends on the price you’re paying, and then also how much you’re consuming.”

Ryan Hledik is with the Brattle Group, which partnered with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to analyze electricity prices nationwide.

Hledik: “In a state like California, which has some of the highest prices in the U.S., parts of California also tend to have relatively mild climates. And California also has a history of pretty strong energy efficiency policies. So the average customer in California uses less than your average U.S. customer.”

As a result, their bills are similar to states like Alabama and Mississippi that have lower rates but higher usage.

In these and some other Southeastern states, people use a lot of electricity for AC in the summer. Many homes use electric heat in winter. And these states have fewer policies and programs to improve energy efficiency.

So even in states where rates have not risen as much, many families struggle to pay their bills – and helping people invest in energy efficiency can provide some relief.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media