Why are electricity prices rising in the US and what can be done about it?

Electricity prices are on the rise for millions of Americans. In more than half of U.S. states, electricity prices have outpaced inflation since 2019, straining household budgets while undermining economic growth and activity. Based on the latest estimates, these price increases are likely to continue. Without credible policy solutions to rein in rising prices, electricity will increasingly contribute to the cost-of-living crisis in the U.S. and potentially harm economic competitiveness. It is therefore essential to take an objective look at the potential explanations for rising rates and account for the complex variation in electricity prices across regions, states, and customer types.

On Monday, March 2, the Center on Regulation and Markets at the Brookings Institution will host an event to understand why electricity prices are rising across the U.S. and what can be done about it. Part of the center’s ongoing series, Reimagining Modern-day Markets and Regulations, the event will kick off with a keynote fireside chat with Joseph Bowring, president of Monitoring Analytics.

Following the keynote, a panel of distinguished experts including Brendan Pierpont (Energy Innovation), Abe Silverman (Johns Hopkins), Ryan Wiser (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) will offer their analyses and a path forward for policymakers and industry alike. Sanjay Patnaik, director of the Center on Regulation and Markets, will moderate the fireside chat and panel. 

Online viewers can pose questions in advance by emailing [email protected].