Study Links Democratic-leaning State Climate Policies to Higher Electricity Prices
A new analysis finds that states with Democratic voting records and aggressive climate or net-zero policies tend to have electricity rates above the national average.
An expanded study by Always On Energy Research and the Institute for Energy Research evaluated climate and net-zero policies across every state and Washington, D.C., linking them to electricity pricing trends. The analysis considered renewable portfolio standards, carbon pricing, natural-gas infrastructure, data-center consumer protections, net metering and utility net-zero pledges. Results indicate that 86% of states with electricity rates above the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s national average supported the Democratic presidential nominee in both 2020 and 2024, whereas 90% of the ten lowest-cost states backed the Republican nominee.
California’s shift to 100% carbon-free power by 2045 and New York’s zero-emissions grid target have been accompanied by price jumps from 16.6 to 27.6 cents and 14.8 to 21.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, respectively. The report highlights Hawaii and Rhode Island as additional high-cost examples with extensive climate mandates. Researchers argue that understanding the policy-price connection can help ratepayers hold officials accountable and influence future electoral choices.
Why it matters
It shows how state climate policies may directly affect household electricity costs, influencing voter decisions.
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