Old North News

The summer has brought a heat wave to many parts of the U.S., including North Carolina, where temperatures have reached the upper 90s, with heat indexes in the triple digits. 

With the increased need for cool air, businesses and households are faced with high electric bills, another increased cost amid record inflation that many people have placed on the shoulders of President Joe Biden.

"National electricity rates are through the roof under President Biden's failed leadership,” Republican political consultant Jonathan Lockwood said. “Energy costs are disproportionately hurting families, workers and lower-income Americans, who are struggling to rebuild their lives and livelihoods post-pandemic.”

As of July, the average residential electricity rate in the U.S. is 14.77 cents per kilowatt-hour, while businesses are shelling out an average of 11.92 cents per kWh, SaveOnEnergy.com reports. As of April, the average rate in North Carolina is 12.26 cents per kWh, up 5.1% from a year ago. 

Using data from its latest Electric Power Monthly report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the average nominal retail electricity price paid by U.S. residential electric customers in 2021 rose at the fastest rate since 2008, increasing 4.3% from 2020 to 13.72 cents per kWh.  

In September 2021, North Carolina residents were paying an average of 11.24 cents per kWh, up 1.5% from a year earlier when the rate was 11.07 cents per kWh, representing a 1.5% year-over-year increase, according to a report on national electricity prices. 

“Energy rates are the highest they've ever been in American history, and the Democrats are doing everything in their power to strangle our energy portfolio," Lockwood said. "The Democrats can’t count on moderate Republicans and disaffected Democrats and Independents voting Democrat just because they did in 2020.”

Because extreme heat can be deadly, residents on a budget can’t always cut back on using the air conditioner. It’s especially burdensome for low-income residents. In North Carolina, 13.82% of the population — or 1,467,591, residents, live under the federal poverty guidelines, according to worldpopulationreview.com.

July was reported as one of the hottest months that Raleigh, the state’s capital, has ever seen. Other cities across the Tarheel State reported that this is one of the top 20 hottest summers on record. In the coming days, temperatures are expected to hover around the mid-to-upper-90s, with the heat index making it feel like it's in the triple digits, Spectrum News reported. 

A recent national poll, distributed by the Senate Opportunity Fund, indicated that 58% of Americans said they blame Biden for the inflation rate, which is at a 40-year high. Among those who describe themselves as moderate voters, 48% said Biden is responsible, while 30% of Democrats did. The SOF poll was conducted from July 5-7 and it surveyed 800 general election likely voters on a national scale.