How We’re Fighting For You
AARP Takes On High Utility Bills
FOR MANY OLDER Americans, especially those living on fixed or limited incomes, increasing utility costs are more than just an aggravation. When electric, gas or water bills rise, a lot of people are forced to make difficult decisions about what they must do without.
That’s why AARP works to help keep utility services affordable, reliable and accessible. Here are some of the ways we’re taking on high utility bills.
▶︎ Advocating against unfair rate hikes. When companies seek to raise rates, AARP speaks on behalf of consumers. We work with regulators and policymakers to ensure that there’s evidence for proposed increases and that customers aren’t covering unfair costs.
▶︎ Making sure data center growth doesn’t raise your monthly bill. The rise of artificial intelligence requires significant computing power, which has created demand for new data centers—and thus electricity. That puts pressure on energy companies to raise rates for nearby residents. AARP’s position is clear: Companies creating new demand should bear the costs associated with that growth. In Oklahoma, we helped advance consumer protections designed to ensure residential customers aren’t left footing the bill for these facilities. AARP is aggressively advocating for similar protections in other states.
▶︎ Preventing shutoffs that put health and safety at risk. Utility services are essential, especially for people with certain medical conditions and during extreme weather. We support policies that protect consumers from having their utilities shut off if that could threaten their well-being. We are also working to expand programs that help households afford their electricity, heat and water.
▶︎ Giving everyday Americans a voice. Decisions that affect household utility bills are often made in complex regulatory proceedings. We give everyday Americans a voice in those discussions by educating policymakers, delivering consumer petitions and insisting that people who use the utilities are told what is happening. In Illinois and Utah, AARP advocacy has helped push back on proposed rate increases.
▶︎ Holding utilities accountable. Energy companies invest in infrastructure, upgrade the electric grid and respond to growing demand. Through our contacts with lawmakers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., we work to ensure transparency and accountability throughout that process and to ensure costs are spread out fairly.
AARP will continue to fight for fair rates, reliable service and strong consumer protections to ensure essential utility services are there for you.
Visit aarp.org/utilities to learn more. —Bill Sweeney, AARP senior vice president, government affairs