Why electricity prices are still high in 2026 — and the fight over who pays next
PG&E’s average Bay Area electric bill rose nearly 70% in five years, with some areas near data centers seeing price jumps up to 267%, Fast Company reported. TIME said average U.S. monthly residential bills hit $156 in 2025, up almost 30% since 2021. Utilities cite AI data center growth and aging infrastructure. Federal heating aid dropped by a third, raising disconnection risks.