Electric and gas utilities sought nearly $31 billion in rate increases last year, more than doubling what companies requested in 2024, according to a report released Wednesday.
Analyzing publicly available rate case filings, a new report from PowerLines found 2025 rate increase requests were the largest on record. — by far. While not all of those rate requests will be approved by regulators, their sheer volume reflects the growing needs of the electric grid and the resulting upward pressure on power bills.
“In 2025, rising utility bills became a defining national issue — first an energy story, then an economic one, and now a political one,” PowerLines Executive Director Charles Hua said in a statement. “As these costs keep climbing, policymakers of all political stripes will face growing pressure to take action and advance solutions to improve our grid and lower utility bills for American consumers and businesses.”
The report lands as lawmakers, governors and the Trump White House are putting more attention to the cost of electricity and gas amid economywide affordability concerns. In recent state-of-the-state speeches, governors from both parties vowed to prioritize policies that will lower utility prices.
