One in five Americans can't afford their heating bills this winter as people are blindsided by utili

[libertybele]

One in five Americans can't afford their heating bills this winter as people are blindsided by utility costs

 The huge winter storm could be just the latest strain on Americans' utility expenses

The average winter bill for electric-heated homes will exceed $1,000 across the country, according to projections from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

A massive winter storm over the weekend put much of the country into a deep freeze, and the mercury is plummeting at a time when utility bills are skyrocketing.

Over 200 million people in the South, Midwest and Northeast were expected to get pummeled with snow, sleet, freezing rain and arctic temperatures, and new data show that Americans face increasing financial pressure keeping their homes warm this winter.

The winter gas and electric bills in these regions could climb by 10% or more over last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Winter bills for electric-heated homes will exceed $1,000 across the country, according to the organization's projections.

Factoring in all fuel sources and all regions, households will spend an average of $995 on their heating bills this winter, the NEADA said.

The NEADA counts the winter period as stretching from November to mid-March. But for some households, $1,000 isn't a full season's heating cost - it's one billing cycle. ..............

https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20260126161/one-in-five-americans-cant-afford-their-heating-bills-this-winter-as-people-are-blindsided-by-utility-costs

[Wingnut]

Build more coal fired electric plants.

[libertybele]

Build more coal fired electric plants.

I have no idea what our electric bill is going to look like; we've had to turn on our heat more than we ever have in the six years we've lived in this house. The remainder of this week and next week we are going to dip down into the 30's and 40's at night. Daytime highs will be chilly for us as well.

[Wingnut]

I have no idea what our electric bill is going to look like; we've had to turn on our heat more than we ever have in the six years we've lived in this house. The remainder of this week and next week we are going to dip down into the 30's and 40's at night. Daytime highs will be chilly for us as well.

I can track my daily power consumption on my FPL site.  Last month my electric bill was $141.38.  No gas lines in my hood so I don't have to worry about that extra charge.

[240B]

I am using my gas stove to help the central heat.
Once I had to turn the stove off because then temperature inside became too hot.

[bigheadfred]

I just got around to paying our December bill.  Electric (stove, dryer, general use) $57 and change. Gas (heat, hot water) $54 and change.

[berdie]

I am deeply grateful that the electricity stayed on.



I do, however, dread getting the bill. And the water bill...I have had faucets dripping for days. I'll probably need more propane (I can't get out there to check) and it's stupid expensive. And replenish the firewood. So all in all this will be an expensive storm.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Tough, but predictable after Obama and Biden declared war on America's domestic energy companies and infrastructure.

As soon as the coal and nuclear plants were closed, they went to war against methane (aka natural gas).

An opportunity cost of the Green Nonsense is the lack of investment for increasing America's energy production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure capacities.

Wind Turbines and Solar Panel don't keep you warm in Winter.

[Smokin Joe]

I have gas heat (forced air), a fireplace, and in a pinch a couple of electric heaters.

My uncle is a retired electrician who recommended against electric heat, but the house came with the furnace and fireplace. The latter was a requirement when I was house hunting in the '80s, before I bought.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

People voted for Trump to turn this around. Just saying.

[Smokin Joe]

People voted for Trump to turn this around. Just saying.

Yep. At least stop the headlong rush to the energy abyss Europe in flinging itself into.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Once again, the GOP has wasted an opportunity to codify American energy independence and affordability into law to protect any progress from the next Dem President's Executive Orders.

Are we really going to miss the Republicans not seeking re-election to Congress?  Other than maintaining the GOP majority and being paperweights, they have been useless, worthless, spineless wastes of good House Seats.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Once again, the GOP has wasted an opportunity to codify American energy independence and affordability into law to protect any progress from the next Dem President's Executive Orders.

Are we really going to miss the Republicans not seeking re-election to Congress?  Other than maintaining the GOP majority and being paperweights, they have been useless, worthless, spineless wastes of good House Seats.

What are they doing on this issue? What is Trump doing?

[Sighlass]

I read about one community that had one of those data processing AI plants in it... The AI plant was draining so much electricity that everyone's power bill jumped up.... Do not want a power sponge planted in our vicinity. I have enough trouble paying for our water heater bill with teenagers soaking up long showers (and me beating on the door saying "long enough").

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I read about one community that had one of those data processing AI plants in it... The AI plant was draining so much electricity that everyone's power bill jumped up.... Do not want a power sponge planted in our vicinity. I have enough trouble paying for our water heater bill with teenagers soaking up long showers (and me beating on the door saying "long enough").

Maybe time to ask them to provide their own power for these things?

[Fishrrman]

RINO huffed:
"Once again, the GOP has wasted an opportunity to codify American energy independence and affordability into law to protect any progress from the next Dem President's Executive Orders."

And Weird replied:
"What are they doing on this issue? What is Trump doing?"

OK, folks, I'll tell you what should be done on this "issue".
It's time for the red states to start enacting "Right to Energy Use" laws.
(better yet would be a Constitutional amendment)

This is intended to be an entirely new legal concept that needs to be codified into written law:
The right to extract and use natural energy resources for human needs:
- right to extract and use coal for power generation, heating, and other uses as may be required
- right to extract and refine petroleum for motor fuels
- right to extract and refine petroleum into products intended for industrial and other uses
- right to extract and use natural gas for heating, power generation and industrial and agricultural uses
- such rights to extend to both individuals and corporations
- etc.

Again, if we don't take the initiative to enact such laws FIRST, the dem-communists and greenunists will enact laws to BAN such usage.