KQED's Forum Why Your Energy Bill Has Gotten So Expensive (and What Can Be Done About It)
Jul 30, 2025
Costa Samaras, a professor and director at Carnegie Mellon, and Michael Wara, a Stanford sustainability policy expert, dive into the rising costs of energy bills across the U.S. They examine how factors like aging infrastructure and increased demand from data centers are skyrocketing prices. The duo also discusses California's unique challenges with electrification, wildfire resilience, and the push for renewable energy. Although concerns are raised, they also highlight strategies for improving energy efficiency and making the grid more sustainable.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Federal Bill Raises Renewable Costs
- The recent federal bill increases taxes on wind and solar, raising the cost of connecting renewables to the grid.
- This will likely cause consumer electricity prices to rise by a few hundred dollars annually over the next decade.
Drivers of Rising Electricity Costs
- Electricity prices have increased faster than inflation, especially in California and the Northeast.
- Rising natural gas prices, supply chain issues, and utility system reinvestments drive this trend.
Wildfire Safety Raises Grid Costs
- Wildfire risks drive utilities to invest heavily in grid safety upgrades, increasing electricity delivery costs.
- These safety measures include expensive infrastructure and tree trimming, significantly impacting bills.