Council members discuss strategies to expand the Lifeline program and improve utility affordability.

Mark Toney of TURN urged an aye vote on SB 492 for ratepayer protections and survivor prioritization, citing subrogation curbs and executive-pay penalties; building-industry and union representatives warned the bill, as drafted, risks affordability, jobs and utility solvency and called for more time and analysis.

Council adopted a package of utility bills to expand emergency bill assistance, align the utility discount program start date and revise Seattle Public Utilities water rates (2027–2029), with council members noting King County pass-through costs and a planned expansion of the utility discount program.

Councilmembers and community groups voiced support for a resolution urging action on utility affordability; speakers described high bills, and council unanimously supported sending a message to state officials.

Councilmember Lopez asked the city to pursue a resolution supporting a package of state bills aimed at utility affordability and accountability; the council generally supported staff monitoring and returning with recommended action while the city attorney outlined CPUC processes and limits to formal rate participation.

Commission allows special rate discounts for residential customers based on utility burden

Senate Joint Resolution 134, sponsored by Senator Wheeler, was passed by the Natural Resources and Energy Committee to direct the Public Service Commission to review Kentucky's fuel adjustment clause; committee approved the resolution by voice/roll-call and moved it to the Senate floor.

The Edmond City Council approved a rate resolution to finance a planned expansion of the municipal water treatment plant, adopting a base-rate approach, low-income discounts and a reserve drawdown; council asked staff to study zoning and moratoria options after members raised concerns about attracting large water users such as data centers.

Council received staff briefings on Access Westminster, an engagement portal and a streamlined events calendar; members debated voicemail public-comment handling, council inquiry protocols to staff, and proposed listening sessions and a utility-affordability advisory model ahead of strategic planning.

El Paso City Council unanimously directed El Paso Water Utilities to hold eight district community meetings before Jan. 13, 2026, so residents can review the proposed budget and potential rate adjustments; utility staff agreed to schedule meetings and emphasized affordability planning.

Highland Park introduces a program to assist low-income families with water utility expenses.

Commissioners debate implications of increasing fixed costs versus decreasing variable costs for customers.

Water management told council that a large capital program including the Jordan Lake project is driving a proposed FY27 rate package; staff said a typical household would see about a 12% monthly increase (from $80.08 to $89.75) and discussed hardship aid and conservation efforts.

New preliminary data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey reveal that 32.9% of U.S. households—about 43.6 million homes—reported some form of energy insecurity over the prior 12 months, compared with 27.2% in 2020 and 31.3% in 2015. Energy insecurity is defined as an inability to adequately meet basic household energy needs, reflected in behaviors such as receiving disconnection notices, experiencing actual utility shutoffs, cutting back on food or medicine to pay bills, or enduring unhealthy indoor temperatures because heating and cooling systems are too costly to operate or repair. The survey highlights that energy hardship is no longer confined to low‑income or historically marginalized groups. Middle‑income households earning $60,000–$100,000 saw their share reporting energy problems jump from 20.1% in 2020 to 32.1% in 2024, a 12‑percentage‑point increase far above the national average rise of 5.7 points. White households also saw their risk grow sharply, from 20.1% to 26.4%, while seniors and working‑age adults with children reported rising insecurity despite safety‑net programs historically aimed at protecting older Americans. Even people living in well‑insulated, energy‑efficient homes are now more likely to struggle, particularly in warm‑weather regions such as the Southwest and Southeast, where demand for cooling has surged but policy support still focuses mainly on heating in colder states. The author argues that traditional energy‑affordability programs, such as the Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program, are outdated: designed in the 1970s to prioritize heating and crisis‑level shutoff prevention, they have not kept pace with higher cooling demand, rising electricity rates driven by data centers and fossil‑fuel price volatility, or the broader shift in household economics. The 2024 survey snapshot, though high‑quality, already lags behind the accelerating crisis, suggesting that many more Americans may now be struggling to keep their homes heated, cooled, and powered than the most recent official figures indicate.

Committee recommends postponing utility rate study until financial data is reviewed.

Carlsbad receives minimal protests, allowing consideration of proposed water and wastewater rate hikes.

A House subcommittee reported a substitute for HB 770 that permits investor-owned utilities to offer discounted water rates for households up to 200% of the federal poverty level; supporters said it targets assistance while allowing cost recovery across ratepayers. Vote: 8-1.

Homeowner reports over $13,000 in damage and ongoing $3,000 water bill.

Residents express concerns about irrigation practices during rainfall in Springwood Run.

The Allegany County commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing eminent-domain proceedings to condemn water and wastewater systems owned by Maryland Water Service/Nexus after residents and lawmakers described steep, unaffordable bills in Bel Air, Pinto, Glen Oaks and Highland Estates.

Council members debate sustainability of 5% rate reduction amid infrastructure concerns

Residents challenge AES's proposed rate increase, calling for executive pay reductions.

Community members urge AES to address affordability and corporate practices at public meeting.