Why your energy bill keeps going up (and how Congress can stop it)
January 9, 2026
Your energy bills are projected to be 9.2% higher this winter, thanks in part to an out-of-control government bureaucracy that makes it nearly impossible to build new energy infrastructure.
It shouldn’t be this way.
These delays also mean fewer jobs for Latinos, who are hired for 30% of all new energy jobs in America.
More jobs and a more affordable life for all Americans can start with permitting reform.
Why is your energy bill higher?
Like any other good or service, your utility bill is determined by the law of supply and demand.
When demand exceeds supply, prices will rise.
Electricity use is surging as data centers, AI, and a growing economy pull more power from the grid. But new energy isn’t coming online fast enough to keep pace.
Fortunately, America has resources, technology, and capital to build. We need a government that knows when to get out of the way and let businesses build up our energy infrastructure and lower prices.
Stuck in limbo: Our permitting mess
Right now, it can take years, sometimes decades, to get the paperwork done.
Permitting process rules are unclear, timelines are open-ended, and delays are baked into the system. Businesses need approval from multiple agencies, and lawsuits can stop projects long after the facts are settled.
An infamous example of how this outdated process can delay projects is the Mountain Valley Pipeline project.
This pipeline would run through West Virginia and Virginia, bringing reliable and affordable energy to the people of both states and bringing thousands of well-paid jobs to dozens of communities.
In a rational world, the project would have been completed quickly.
Instead, bureaucrats took years to approve the permits, and numerous lawsuits were filed to halt the project. It took a Supreme Court decision and an act of Congress to finally get workers to start building.
That uncertainty kills jobs and drives up costs. Projects stall. Workers wait. Families pay more.
If we want affordable and reliable energy, we have to fix the system.
Want affordability? Look at energy reform
Congress has two chances to make energy affordable and keep America competitive:
The SPEED Act streamlines the review process so energy projects don’t get stuck for years. Faster approvals mean lower costs and more jobs. The House of Representatives already passed this bill, and it’s now time for the Senate to do the same.
The Energy Choice Act prevents states and cities from banning certain energy sources, ending cronyism that benefits a few companies at the expense of everyday Americans. This bill is just waiting for a full vote in the House of Representatives.
These bills matter because they could:
- Lower energy bills for families
- Provide better-paying jobs
- Strengthen the economy and increase energy security
Every delay means higher costs and fewer opportunities. These bills cut through red tape, protect energy choice, and make sure government works for the people — not against progress.
Tell Congress to act now. Pass the SPEED Act and Energy Choice Act. America can’t afford to wait.