Amidst the pandemic, millions of Americans’ utilities are at risk. While many are already struggling financially under the strain caused by the global health crisis, the need to cover the rising cost of utilities has only grown more challenging. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), utility debt jumped up from $12 billion pre-pandemic to an estimated $32 billion by the end of 2020.

Despite concerns over a looming energy crisis, most states have ended the utility shutoff moratoriums that were in effect at the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, many are forced to either cut back on their usage or to go completely without.

Americans are trying everything to lower their utility bills in what feels like a futile effort. Whether it’s switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, minimizing washing and drying time, or unplugging inactive devices, nothing seems to bring down the bill. The spike in utility prices can be owed to a number of things, including a lack of accountability from the local and state governments that oversee utility services, climate change and severe weather, and energy companies’ monopolies.

“Natural gas, heating oil and propane prices have become very expensive and will put pressure on families this winter,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA in The Guardian. “If additional funding is not provided then I expect that arrearages will spike again, unless Congress provides additional funding for energy assistance programs.”

To read the full story, go here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/13/us-utility-bills-shutoffs-debt-covid-coronavirus