Affordability First: Electric Bills Are the New Kitchen Table Issue and Conservatives Have the Answers

Voters aren’t whispering about their electric bills anymore, they’re shouting. In new polling released by the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), a staggering 87% of voters say they are concerned about the affordability of utility bills and rising energy costs. The poll, conducted August 13–17, 2025 among 800 likely voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania, confirms what families and small businesses feel every month – electricity costs are squeezing budgets and shaping political opinion.

When respondents were asked to pick their top energy priorities, “keeping electricity affordable” leads the field (65%), far outpacing other goals like blackout prevention (38%). The message is clear: before voters want to hear about emerging technologies or ideological policy fights, they want a lower electricity bill.

The feelings of voters are backed by data showing the average U.S. residential electricity price rose from 13.66 cents per kilowatt hour in 2021 to 16.48 cents per kilowatt hour in 2024. Analysis from the Energy Information Administrationwarns that retail electricity prices have been rising faster than overall inflation since 2022 and are expected to keep climbing through 2026.

The poll found that key policies with strong, bipartisan backing include:

• Upgrade and modernize the grid. 78% of all voters support investments in America’s transmission grid to improve reliability and lower costs. This figure includes 82% of Republicans.
• Build more lines to reduce costs and prevent blackouts. 67% of all voters support building more transmission lines, even across state borders if needed, to connect affordable energy generation resources and strengthen grid reliability.
• Let the private sector compete. 65% of voters support allowing private companies, not just incumbent utilities, to compete in a free and fair market to build transmission lines. This would speed upgrades and lower costs.
• Streamline permitting. About half of respondents support speeding up permits for lines and other grid projects.

While affordability dominates, reliability still matters to voters. Two-thirds of survey respondents are concerned about grid reliability (blackouts/outages), but it is a softer concern than cost (23% “very concerned” on reliability versus 54% “very concerned” on cost).

The clear takeaway is that voters are asking for competition, modernized infrastructure, and faster approvals over more bureaucracy. Conservative policymakers can, and should, support free market solutions that lead with affordability and reinforce the truth that reliability improves when we invest in a smarter, more resilient grid.

This is a winning message that can translate into votes. A majority of respondents (59%) say they would be more likely to support a candidate who backs grid upgrades to lower costs and improve reliability. Conversely, only 3.7% would be less likely to support a candidate with that platform. CEN’s polling uncovered a durable, cross-partisan coalition of voters who want action from policymakers around cost relief, competition, and local control.

The following four pillar platform has been proven to have conservative support, meets voter attitudes where they are, and addresses the power grid’s pressing needs:

Unleash competition to drive down costs. Open the field so qualified private builders can compete to build transmission and related grid upgrades. Competition puts downward pressure on costs and timelines while protecting taxpayers.
Streamline permitting with accountability. Set firm timelines, limit duplicative reviews, and prioritize corridors while maintaining property-rights protections and health/safety standards. Support is already near majority and can grow when framed around lower bills and fewer blackouts.
Plan for reliability and state leadership. Use the new long-term planning framework to safeguard reliability, reduce congestion costs, and keep rates just and reasonable. Ensure states are proactively engaging on planning and cost allocation.
Be honest about costs and deliver savings. Voters are pragmatic: 57% would pay a bit more in the short term if upgrades reduce outages and lower bills over time. Policy should support that bargain: cost-discipline, competitive procurement, and transparent benefits.

America is a powerhouse with rising electricity demand, driven by manufacturing growth, electrification, and data centers. The simple truth is that America’s power grid was not designed for today’s load needs. That reality, combined with the steady rise in electricity prices since 2021, is why voters consistently put electricity affordability at the top of their list of concerns.

The mandate from voters is clear: cut red tape, invite competition, plan long-term with states and communities leading, and deliver lower electricity bills to Americans. If conservatives seize this moment with market-driven reforms and state-led engagement, they will be credited with providing the leadership necessary to ensure a reliable grid for years to come.