Key points in this story from reporters Marianne Lavelle and Dan Gearino on the spike in energy costs nationwide and quoting David Kieve, president of EDF Action:
“It’s not surprising that electricity prices have become a key political issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections, given that Trump campaigned on a promise to cut energy prices by 50 percent within one year, sometimes saying this would include a 50 percent cut to electricity prices. Climate action advocates see prices as an energizing issue for their movement, pointing to steps the Trump administration has taken that could contribute to future rate increases, such as halting development of offshore wind and forcing older coal plants to stay open.
Frustration with electricity prices has already played out at the polls, and Democrats see it as an issue that could help them retake Congress in the midterm elections.
Last November’s elections made clear that anger about power prices crosses political fault lines. Not only did Democrats win the New Jersey and Virginia governors’ races with campaigns focused on high electricity prices, Democratic candidates also ousted two Republicans from seats on Georgia’s Public Service Commission by campaigning against recent rate hikes for Georgia Power. They were the first Democrats to win state-level office in a statewide election since 2006 in Georgia. The state will be a key midterm battleground this year, with pivotal races for U.S. Senate and governor.
Environmental advocates have also taken up the cause, arguing that the Trump administration’s moves to choke off renewable power and boost fossil fuels have hurt consumers while adding to the burden of climate pollution.
“The energy affordability crisis is not a red or blue issue,” said David Kieve, the president of Environmental Defense Fund Action, in an email last week. “It’s a pocketbook issue.””