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Posted on 06/02/2026 8:09:52 AM PDT by MtnClimber
“It was the best of energy policies; it was the worst of energy policies” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. (Apocryphal)
Higher electricity prices and a lack of cheap energy are in the news. Even before the start of the Iran war, consumers over the winter of 2025-2026 experienced some of the highest energy prices on record, especially electricity consumers in the Northeast and New England.
A recent report by the American Legislative Exchange Council, known as ALEC, America’s largest voluntary membership organization for state legislators, shows the problem lies in local politics, not supply and demand. When it comes to electricity prices, there are two types of American states: those that manipulate electricity markets to the detriment of their citizens, and those that do not.
In 2024, the most recent year with reliable data, the average retail price of electricity nationwide was 13.69 cents per kilowatt-hour. Thirty-seven states average below that level, while the remaining 13 states are ahead in a race that no one should want to win.
Since 2021, ALEC has ranked the states in affordability from 1st to 50th.
The cheapest states for electricity – North Dakota at 7.93 cents (kWh), Louisiana at 8.80 cents (kWh) and Nebraska at 9.07 cents (kWh) – get the gold, silver and bronze medals for affordability in this year’s rankings. All three are either natural gas-rich or import low-sulfur coal from neighboring states.
But low electricity prices aren’t just a case of geological inheritance or lucky geography. Blue states like Washington, which placed 13th in the rankings, and Oregon, which placed 22nd, benefit from far-sighted 20th-century leadership that built out massive hydroelectric capacity along the Columbia and Snake River systems. Illinois ranks 31st, having benefited from the construction of 11 commercial nuclear reactors in the 1960s and 1970s.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearenergy.org ...
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The North Eastern states have problems. Look at the politicians they elect.
I used to live in one of those states...I wouldn’t go back...and now I DO have a choice.
California’s energy laws seem almost like a planned act of sabotage.
If you are not self-sufficient in strategic necessities, like energy, you are volunteering to be a slave.
Multiple suppliers is essential. If you don’t have those in place, your politicos are taking bribes from your single supplier.
Texas once had regulated energy service. It was affordable and well maintained. No it’s deregulated and the poor fools in the city think they are getting a “deal” because they can choose their provider.
Funny thing, power comes through the only power lines provided. They get to choose who they pay their monthly bill to. They rates go up, change “provider”. But the deal is, the rate always goes up.
Gimmicks like free nights and weekends don’t matter to the high price.
Out in the country you get coop power. No option. Its high and there is nothing to do about it.
Oh wait, buy energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. Makes no difference, they can always raise the rate.
ONCOR is the largest supplier of electricity in Texas. They rape business customers with “delivery charges.” Often my delivery charges far exceed my electricity charges. This is in Salado, Texas.
My home is outside of Salado and served by Bartlett Electric Company the oldest CO-OP. in Texas. Their prices are fair and customer service is exceptional. They also provide my fiber optic internet.
Bingo!
Where I live we have a “choice gas” program. It’s kind of a joke, because you only get to pick one thing. I think it is your provider. There’s other things involved in the price of natural gas before it gets to the consumer. Every year we have to go through this crap of picking a provider to get a “set” price. I think if the truth be known, it’s just a hustle & a hastle.
Texas energy grid needs serious attention.
Almost as strange as Oregon.
Oregon has lots of free hydro power and they charge like they are burning Platinum.
Moved to Colorado and rates dropped by 60%
DATA CENTERS WILL MAKE THIS WORSE FOR EVERYONE.
Colorado is kind of strange, too.
Cost depends on which provider you've got.
Xcell Energy, which is who we've got, is pretty reasonable. (~9.3¢/kWh)
Black Hills Energy is outrageously priced. (~12.5¢/kWh)
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