Nearly 20 million households are behind on their utility bills | CNN Business

  • 📰 CNN
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 23 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 13%
  • Publisher: 95%

United States News News

United States United States Latest News,United States United States Headlines

The high prices of essential goods, particularly food and housing, has made it tough for many folks to afford the soaring cost of their energy bills.

That has helped drive up the number of households behind on their utility payments to nearly 20 million as of March, up from 17.6 million a year earlier, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. The households owe a total of $19.5 billion, up from $15.7 billion in March 2022. “You have to buy food. You have to pay your rent,” said Mark Wolfe, the association’s executive director.

It will vary by region, with customers in New England paying about $13 more than the national average, while those in parts of the South paying about $8 less because of changes in electricity prices. However, Wolfe predicts the tab will be closer to $575 since this summer is expected to be warmer than last year’s. Less federal help available The spike in arrears comes at a time when there is less federal funding for energy assistance available.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 4. in US

United States United States Latest News, United States United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Meta slapped with record $1.3 billion EU fine over data privacy | CNN BusinessMeta has been fined a record-breaking €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) by European regulators for transferring data belonging to Facebook’s EU users to servers in the United States.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

TikTok sues Montana over new law banning the app | CNN BusinessTikTok sues Montana over a bill that would ban the popular short-form video app in the state starting early next year, alleging the ban violates the US Constitution, including the First Amendment, as well as other federal laws
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

More cash, fewer bonds: How corporate America can prepare for a US default | CNN BusinessThe White House and congressional Republicans have yet to reach a debt ceiling deal, and a US default looms. Business owners, and the rest of the country, are in wait-and-see mode, bracing for possible recession and job losses should a default happen.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Africa's richest man launches $20 billion refinery to revive Nigeria's oil industry | CNN BusinessAfrica's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has launched his highly-anticipated $20 billion refinery — considered a 'game-changer' in boosting Nigeria's oil industry
Source: cnni - 🏆 326. / 59 Read more »