Backlash to High Electric Bills Could Transform Politics

[applegrove]

Backlash to High Electric Bills Could Transform Politics

August 27, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 115 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2025/08/27/backlash-to-high-electric-bills-could-transform-politics/

Time: “While the challenge of rising costs has become an increasingly prominent topic in energy circles, the issue has largely slid under the national radar up to this point, often seen as one component of a much bigger conversation about the cost of living.”

“But the implications of higher electricity prices—political, economic, and otherwise—should not be underestimated. Electricity prices will shape how companies spend their capital—including if, when, and how they build the data centers necessary for AI. Electricity prices will also help determine the U.S. climate trajectory. And for the first time, electricity bills seem destined to have a political valence.”

[newdeal2]

1. Insurance is another hot topic

Used to be just medical but now property insurance is a big problem in many places.

[Skittles]

7. yes

another problem is everyone is ALREADY paying too much for electricity, insurance, tec

[bucolic_frolic]

2. An article of pure hedging

They will build data centers. No matter what. No citizens protests over location or kilowatt pricing will dissuade them.

Once the shock of fluctuating energy prices is over, the public will treat it like gasoline. Ho-hum. And Republicans will boast to the public how low electric rates.

This is a nothing burger politically.

[applegrove]

3. The Republicans have taken charge of issues over the last 40 years

and cultivated them as wedges. Why can't Democrats take the issue of affordability of all kinds and own the issue.

[Skittles]

8. CORRECT

WE THE PEOPLE means absolutely NOTHING when profits are involved

[progressoid]

4. Oooo...I know what would help

An executive order to cut subsidies and tax credits for wind and solar energy projects.

[OC375]

5. Nationalize

There are so many subsidies, carve outs and write offs as it is… things like healthcare, energy and food should be regulated utilities. Our taxes are what make their business models workable anyway. May as well acknowledge that and start talking ownership.

[applegrove]

6. We used to say government steps in when markets fail. But Trump and his MAGA braintrust

want markets in healthcare to fail. They want markets for renewable energy to fail. They want a failed middle class.

[Midnight Writer]

9. Exactly. The oligarchs have determined that they no longer want a middle class in this country.