FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  

Your State’s Policies Influence Your Electricity Rates. Now You Can See How.

Interactive index from Always On Energy Research and the Institute for Energy Research maps the policies behind electricity prices in every state and grid region.

DENVER — August 12, 2026 — As Americans continue to grapple with unrelenting heat domes and the rapid expansion of electrification, data centers, and advanced manufacturing, concerns are mounting over whether the nation’s power grid can keep electricity both reliable and affordable.

Now, with a few clicks, they can see how policies in their state are shaping electricity prices and their resiliency. BlueStatesHighRates.com, an interactive electricity policy index from Always On Energy Research and the Institute for Energy Research, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 10 grid regions.

Select a state and the index shows what its electricity prices are, how far they have moved since 2018, where it ranks against the other 50 jurisdictions, and the six policies that move those numbers:

• Renewable portfolio or carbon-free electricity mandates
• Net-metering programs
• Carbon pricing or cap-and-trade participation
• Adoption (or absence) of data center consumer protections
• Access to affordable natural gas
• Utilities pursuing independent net-zero goals

Every entry is cited to statute, regulatory order, or federal data. A legislator can see which mandates preceded rate increases in neighboring states. A reporter can check whether a utility’s net-zero target carries the force of law or is voluntary. A homeowner can find out whether their state has moved to keep them from paying for data center infrastructure.

Amy Cooke, President and CEO of Always On Energy Research, issued the following statement:

“Energy affordability is now a top concern for American families and businesses, and the data reveal a striking divide. Eighty-six percent of continental states with electricity prices above the national average voted Democratic in both 2020 and 2024, while 90 percent of the ten cheapest states voted Republican twice.

“California and New York show why. California mandates 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 and operates a cap-and-trade program, while its average electricity price has climbed from 16.6 to 27.6 cents per kilowatt-hour since 2018. New York requires a zero-emissions grid by 2040, and its average price has risen from 14.8 to 21.6 cents.

“Blue States, High Rates captures what we’ve been saying for years: bad energy policy means higher electric rates. The website puts those policy choices on the record, state by state, so consumers and policymakers can connect decisions made in state capitols with the electric bills that show up in voters’ mailboxes. The bottom line is simple: affordable, reliable power is a policy choice.”

Tom Pyle, President of the Institute for Energy Research, issued the following statement:

“Electricity rates and affordability are at the top of headlines today. Debates about affordability focus on a wide range of factors, but lost in the conversation is the wide variance in electricity prices we see across the country. Yes, energy prices have risen nationwide, but the data clearly show that electricity costs vary dramatically from one state to another. Some states have pursued policies that have made electricity more expensive, while others have done a better job of keeping prices low and prioritizing reliability. As we have repeatedly shown, those differences come down to decisions made at the state level, where policymakers establish utility policies, determine the energy resource mix, and oversee the regulatory framework. These are the factors that ultimately shape a consumer’s monthly electric bill. 

“While there are many factors that influence electricity rates, the one constant we see is that states that have pursued climate or net-zero policies above all else have some of the highest rates in the country. Families and businesses deserve clear, accessible information about how those policy choices affect their monthly bills. This is why IER and AOER teamed up to provide state-by-state data in an easy-to-use format. Every decision made at the local and state level carries real financial consequences for that state’s residents. Understanding the connection between state policy and electricity prices helps provide greater transparency and accountability and empowers ratepayers to push back against bad energy policies.”

The index, the interactive map, the regional summaries, the methodology, and the full downloadable report are available at BlueStatesHighRates.com.

Always On Energy Research Experts Available For Interview On This Topic:

• Isaac Orr, Vice President of Research
• Sarah Montalbano, Energy Policy Analyst
• Amy Cooke, President and CEO

IER Experts Available For Interview On This Topic:

• Tom J. Pyle, President
• Kenny Stein, Vice President of Policy
• Alexander Stevens, Manager of Policy and Communications

About Always On Energy Research
Always On Energy Research is a nonprofit energy modeling and policy analysis organization providing data and analysis on the cost and reliability consequences of state and federal energy policy.

About the Institute for Energy Research
The Institute for Energy Research is a nonprofit organization conducting research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.