Relief from energy bills unlikely as utilities request billions in rate hikes

Utilities across the U.S. have proposed over $18 billion in rate hikes for 2026, with Southern states leading the increases. PowerLines reported $9.2 billion in requested rate increases in Q2 2026, affecting 56 million customers, driven by companies like Oncor and Dominion Energy. Regulators rarely reject rate requests, though they often approve lower amounts than requested.