Analysis Finds Monthly Energy Bills Have Climbed 35% Since 2022; Under Trump 2.0, Number of Households With Severely Overdue Utility Debt Jumped by 117,000

November 17, 2025 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report and analysis of consumer credit data by The Century Foundation (TCF) and Protect Borrowers reveals that rising energy and utility costs are pushing families deeper and deeper into debt, fueled by poorly regulated utility monopolies, the explosion of AI data centers, and President Trump’s policies that have jacked up Americans’ utility bills. 

The analysis finds that, since 2022, the average overdue balance on utility bills climbed from $597 to $789—a 32 percent increase. Nearly 1 in 20 households, or 14 million Americans, have utility debt so severe that it was sent or soon will be sent to collections. Across the Atlantic coast and in parts of the Midwest, overdue utility balances total more than $1,500 on average—debts that can mushroom through interest and penalties, and are disproportionately carried by Black, Asian, and subprime households.

TCF and Protect Borrowers also released state fact sheets that provide a glimpse into the growing utility debt crisis in each state. 

“As families head into winter, millions are having to take on more and more debt to keep their lights and heat on,” said Julie Margetta Morgan, President of The Century Foundation. “Our research shows that this is an energy crisis facing every corner of the country, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg, as families are increasingly turning to debt and other high-risk, high-cost financial products to afford their basic necessities. Higher heating costs could push many over the brink this winter.”

“Across the country, energy companies and Trump Administration officials are driving up energy costs and families are paying the price,” said Mike Pierce, Executive Director of Protect Borrowers. “In America, families should never have to worry about whether they can keep the lights on or stay warm in the winter—especially when their rising energy costs are driven by back-room deals between corrupt energy executives and the tech giants fueling the A.I. data center boom. We must hold these corporations accountable and cancel utility debt now.”

Key Findings

  • Rising energy bills are driving more households deeper into debt. Since 2022, the average overdue balance on utility bills climbed from $597 to $789—a 32% increase.
    • As of June 2025, Black households were three times as likely as white households to carry overdue utility balances (10.8% vs. 3.6%, respectively). 
    • Black and Asian consumers also carry the highest overdue utility balances, approaching $900, compared to $750 for white consumers. 
    • Past-due balances among deep subprime households have jumped from $643 to $834.
  • Nearly 1 in 20 households—equivalent to roughly 14 million Americans—have utility debt so severe that it was sent or soon will be sent to collections. The rate is twice as high, nearly 1 in 10 households, in parts of the South and Appalachia.
    • In the first six months of Trump’s second term, the number of households with severely overdue utility debt increased by roughly 117,000—a 3.8% increase. 
    • Across the Atlantic coast and in parts of the Midwest, overdue utility balances total more than $1,500 on average. 
  • Utility prices are on the rise across the country. From Q1 2022 to Q2 2025, average monthly energy costs nationwide rose from $196 to $265—a 35% jump.
    • While states in the Northeast face the highest average utility bills of $300+, states such as Arizona ($289), California ($303), and Texas ($269) are also hit with punishingly high prices.

The report argues that the energy debt crisis is likely to get worse before it gets better. The explosion of A.I. data centers, and the growing demand for energy they require, is sending household utility bills through the roof. The Trump administration has added fuel to the fire, taking actions that directly contribute to rising utility costs by stunting renewable energy generation while simultaneously dismantling the support systems in place to protect low-income Americans from utility debt.  

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About The Century Foundation

The Century Foundation (TCF) is a progressive, independent think tank that conducts research, develops solutions, and drives policy change to make people’s lives better. We pursue economic, racial, gender, and disability equity in education, health care, and work, and promote U.S. foreign policy that fosters international cooperation, peace, and security. TCF is based in New York, with an office in Washington, D.C. Follow the organization on Twitter at @TCFdotorg and learn more at www.tcf.org.

About Protect Borrowers

Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) is a nonprofit organization led by a team of experts, lawyers, and advocates fighting to build an economy where debt doesn’t limit opportunity. We investigate financial abuses, take predatory companies to court, and push for policies to protect working people from debt traps. We aim to deliver immediate relief to families while building power, driving systemic change, and fighting for racial and economic justice.

Learn more at protectborrowers.org or follow us on social @BorrowerJustice.