Rising electricity bills are forcing families to adjust their spending each month to make ends meet. This, coupled with the country’s rampant inflation, is making the economic situation in many cities even more difficult. For this reason, some private companies and states are offering assistance to help people cope with bills that, with the colder weather, are only expected to increase. This assistance, in the form of checks, can reach up to $400. For example, CenterPoint Energy customers in southwest Indiana will soon see a new energy credit reflected on their bills.
Some energy companies are responding to customer complaints about soaring bills by implementing programs or offering credits
The response from some companies is also driven by concerns about the government shutdown, which is increasing families’ economic worries. Some energy companies are responding to customer complaints about soaring bills by implementing programs or offering credits to ease the burden of rising energy costs. Campaigns like ‘Actions for Community Affordability’ provide this extra support to customers during a difficult time for people’s finances.
According to the government, residents “are receiving an average of $198 in utility bill rebates this year”
For example, speaking of states, California is already issuing checks to help with this issue. More than 11.5 million Californians will receive a rebate on their next electricity bill, thanks to the state’s Climate Credit, approved by Governor Gavin Newsom. According to the government, residents “are receiving an average of $198 in utility bill rebates this year.” In total, the government has a budget of $700 million for payments to residential customers and up to $60 for small business customers. These sums are intended to help residents stay on top of their bill payments.
“Up to $60 billion will be back in your pockets, reducing your electricity bills, as we maintain our historic momentum”
Gavin Newsom is one of the governors who began speaking about the serious consequences a government shutdown could have on SNAP benefits for the neediest families. Regarding his administration’s assistance, Newsom said: “Up to $60 billion will be back in your pockets, reducing your electricity bills, as we maintain our historic momentum to move away from polluting fossil fuels.”
This measure will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and will result in approximate savings of $18 per month for residential customers
Private companies are joining the effort to alleviate the situation. In an official statement, CenterPoint Energy assures that the first phase of measures to improve energy affordability will include an initiative to stabilize electricity bills, keeping any rate changes below or close to the inflation rate for the next two years. Specifically, according to the data they provide, this measure will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and will result in approximate savings of $18 per month for residential customers for the following year. They emphasize that the higher rates are due to the $80 million annual revenue increase authorized for CenterPoint Energy to recover the costs of infrastructure and grid modernization projects.
“Tenemos que seguir trabajando para encontrar soluciones y objetivos a largo plazo que sean mayores”
Recientemente, Mike Roeder, presidente de CenterPoint Energy Indiana, ha dicho: “Pedimos disculpas sinceramente por la frustración que esto les ha causado y estamos decididos a tomar medidas.” El representante estatal de Indiana, Alex Burton, argumentó que las recientes medidas de asequibilidad de CenterPoint Energy son un paso en la dirección correcta, pero enfatizó que se necesita hacer más para ayudar a los residentes. “Tenemos que seguir trabajando para encontrar soluciones y objetivos a largo plazo que sean mayores que, ya sabes, ahorrar 20 dólares,” ha dicho Alex Burton, Indiana State Representative.
