General Discussion

applegrove

(129,313 posts) Mon Nov 17, 2025, 07:44 AM Yesterday

More Consumers Falling Behind on Their Utility Bills

More Consumers Falling Behind on Their Utility Bills

November 17, 2025 at 7:24 am EST By Taegan Goddard 11 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2025/11/17/more-consumers-falling-behind-on-their-utility-bills/

“More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep on the lights and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data — a warning sign for the U.S. economy and another political headache for President Donald Trump,” the AP reports.

22 replies

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Highlight:

More Consumers Falling Behind on Their Utility Bills (Original Post) applegrove Yesterday OP

We only need a spark to start the fire. marble falls Yesterday #1

This could help ... join the Mass Blackout! BlueWavePsych 18 hrs ago #15

Hells Bells, we're retired. ... marble falls 17 hrs ago #16

This gives trump a head ache? BOSSHOG Yesterday #2

Utilities were supposed to be regulated, but feeding AI is more important now bucolic_frolic Yesterday #3

When the size of this monster gets out, and people realize they are subsidizing this ecological nightmare, ... marble falls 17 hrs ago #17

Mr. Global on YouTube gives critically important insights on the current state of energy in the US wolfie001 21 hrs ago #4

And car payments dalton99a 21 hrs ago #5

LOL... yah think? NotHardly 21 hrs ago #6

I've never seen so many new cars on the road. I knew something's going wrong. marble falls 17 hrs ago #18

Time to nationalize the utility companies leftstreet 21 hrs ago #7

With around Greg_In_SF 19 hrs ago #12

It starts with acquiring their assets leftstreet 18 hrs ago #13

It would be interesting to watch Greg_In_SF 18 hrs ago #14

You know they purchase from wholesalers leftstreet 17 hrs ago #19

How long did it take for the War Department to put US industry on a war footing in '42? Months. ... marble falls 17 hrs ago #20

Hmmmm, should all farms, ranches and agriculture assets also be nationalized? dumbcat 17 hrs ago #21

Well I'd say yes. But I'm a commie leftstreet 17 hrs ago #22

By living in the dark DiverDave 19 hrs ago #8

Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% . . . a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period progree 19 hrs ago #9

Chart Greg_In_SF 19 hrs ago #10

Geezus... political headache! ananda 19 hrs ago #11

marble falls

(69,401 posts)

1. We only need a spark to start the fire.

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 07:51 AM

Yesterday

BlueWavePsych

(3,312 posts)

15. This could help ... join the Mass Blackout!

Reply to marble falls (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:12 PM

18 hrs ago

https://www.themassblackout.com/

marble falls

(69,401 posts)

16. Hells Bells, we're retired. ...

Reply to BlueWavePsych (Reply #15)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:22 PM

17 hrs ago

... The TACO economy gives me no work when I could use a few days a week. There are already no projects, no spending, no money, no events.

BOSSHOG

(44,161 posts)

2. This gives trump a head ache?

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 07:56 AM

Yesterday

Because it can’t be explained away by lying Leavitt? Because he’s tired of working people bitching while he’s dining with the corrupt?

bucolic_frolic

(53,281 posts)

3. Utilities were supposed to be regulated, but feeding AI is more important now

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 08:03 AM

Yesterday

Regulated means controlled. Only allowed to vary slowly, with permission of rate boards, utility commissions. OK, they were all in the hip pocket of utilities, but there was some restriction on rate hikes.

Now, consumers are subsidizing AI growth with their electric bills. AI growth for AI companies and investors, some of the deepest pockets on the planet. Little peoples screwed again.

marble falls

(69,401 posts)

17. When the size of this monster gets out, and people realize they are subsidizing this ecological nightmare, ...

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Reply #3)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:26 PM

17 hrs ago

... AI will finally be bridled.

wolfie001

(6,550 posts)

4. Mr. Global on YouTube gives critically important insights on the current state of energy in the US

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 10:19 AM

21 hrs ago

He owns an oil company and hates tRUMP. That's some good cred in my book.

dalton99a

(91,205 posts)

5. And car payments

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 10:23 AM

21 hrs ago

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/car-repossessions-expected-hit-highest-150000266.html
Car repossessions expected to hit their highest rate since the 2009 recession. Is it a sign the economy is in trouble?

NotHardly

(2,275 posts)

6. LOL... yah think?

Reply to dalton99a (Reply #5)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 11:02 AM

21 hrs ago

marble falls

(69,401 posts)

18. I've never seen so many new cars on the road. I knew something's going wrong.

Reply to dalton99a (Reply #5)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:27 PM

17 hrs ago

leftstreet

(38,349 posts)

7. Time to nationalize the utility companies

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 11:06 AM

21 hrs ago

No one, absolutely NO ONE, should be making profits off our basic needs

Greg_In_SF

(719 posts)

12. With around

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #7)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:07 PM

19 hrs ago

3000 utility companies in the US, how would that be accomplished?

leftstreet

(38,349 posts)

13. It starts with acquiring their assets

Reply to Greg_In_SF (Reply #12)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:30 PM

18 hrs ago

and liabilities, etc. Bonds can be offered, whatever. Not my problem, I'm not an economist or elected official

Government "regulation" LOL of utility companies has clearly failed. The for-profiteers have had their chance.

Greg_In_SF

(719 posts)

14. It would be interesting to watch

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #13)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 01:59 PM

18 hrs ago

but the government acquisition of thousands of private companies will never happen.

leftstreet

(38,349 posts)

19. You know they purchase from wholesalers

Reply to Greg_In_SF (Reply #14)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:29 PM

17 hrs ago

There aren't 3000 local companies able to operate without purchasing power, accessing grids, etcc

marble falls

(69,401 posts)

20. How long did it take for the War Department to put US industry on a war footing in '42? Months. ...

Reply to Greg_In_SF (Reply #12)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:36 PM

17 hrs ago

Last edited Mon Nov 17, 2025, 04:37 PM - Edit history (1)

... It's not as if anything operationally changes. The equipment stays, employees stay employed, The Fed pays the bills and finances it out the fucking taxes the wealthy will start paying. Congress comes up with a scheme to reimburse stockholder.

Next wish: tax dividends as freaking income. Billionaires do not need "protection" and while we're add it, they don't need blanket write offs for improvements.

Oh yeah, let's kill the tax write-off on art donations.

Don't get me started, dagnabbit.

dumbcat

(2,155 posts)

21. Hmmmm, should all farms, ranches and agriculture assets also be nationalized?

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #7)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:41 PM

17 hrs ago

They are definitely making profits off our basic needs. Like, food.

leftstreet

(38,349 posts)

22. Well I'd say yes. But I'm a commie

Reply to dumbcat (Reply #21)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:45 PM

17 hrs ago

DiverDave

(5,201 posts)

8. By living in the dark

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 12:30 PM

19 hrs ago

And wearing sweaters. My bill this month is 37 bucks.

progree

(12,558 posts)

9. Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% . . . a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 12:36 PM

19 hrs ago

From the AP article linked to from the OP's article

https://apnews.com/article/trump-inflation-utility-bills-16cf846b44369b5b9660238be7112a4d

Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period.

Consumers usually prioritize their utility bills along with their mortgages and auto debt, said Julie Margetta Morgan, the foundation’s president. The increase in both energy costs and delinquencies may suggest that consumers are falling behind on other bills, too.

Nearly 6 million households have utility debt “so severe” that it will soon be reported to collection agencies, according to the foundation’s analysis, drawn from the University of California Consumer Credit Panel.

During Trump’s first six months in office, there was a 3.8% increase in households with severely overdue utility bills.

. . . The New York Federal Reserve has said delinquency rates of 90 days or more for mortgages, auto loans and student debt have each increased over the past 12 months,

As electric bills rise, evidence mounts that data centers share blame. States feel pressure to act, AP, 8/8/25
https://apnews.com/article/electricity-prices-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-fbf213a915fb574a4f3e5baaa7041c3a

Greg_In_SF

(719 posts)

10. Chart

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 12:50 PM

19 hrs ago

ananda

(34,011 posts)

11. Geezus... political headache!

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Mon Nov 17, 2025, 12:55 PM

19 hrs ago

People's lives are a political headache!

Every single harm Trump does should be
a political deathbed.

Period.

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