This summer's electricity bills in Arkansas could be higher than last year
This summer’s electricity bills in Arkansas could be higher than last year
So we are getting close to the start of summer and it’s not just the temperatures that are gonna be going up, it’s also your electricity bill. 4029’s Cole Maccus has more on how some people can find relief from those rising, rising costs. *** new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association is forecasting an increase in electricity bill costs across the entire country, and Arkansas is no exception. The report projects electric bills to increase by an average of 8.5% from last year across the United States. And in Arkansas, that increases. Projected to be even higher at 11.5%. Several factors are contributing to this projected increase across the country, including updates to utility grids, high demand from data centers, and of course, warmer temperatures over the summer months. There are other factors that could add financial pressure to some folks too. The rent being high. And SSI, it don’t cover everything, so that’s where we come in. Tammy Cagle works for the EOA of Washington County. They run LIHEAP, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAEP provides relief from cooling costs during the summer months. LIHEAP is operated by different community organizations in each county across Arkansas. We do about 31 to 3500 applications in *** season, and we may see. Uh, more. And if that’s the case, we’re prepared for it. Applications for LIHEAP aren’t open just yet, but they will be available once we get into June. We have the summer program that starts for the elderly, disabled, and the 6 and under. Uh, the 2nd week in June, the general public, the 2nd week in July. There are, of course, other basic things you can do to mitigate your electricity costs too. Filters need to be changed that lowers the electric bill. Make sure you have cauling. Your house is good and tight if you’re gonna cool it or heat it, because that will bring the utility bill down. Cole Mackis, 4029 News.
This summer’s electricity bills in Arkansas could be higher than last year
A new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association is forecasting an increase in electricity bills compared to last year across the United States.The average electricity bill this summer for the United States is projected to be 8.5% higher than in 2025. When broken down by region, the largest projected increase is for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Summer 2026 electricity bills are expected to increase by 11.5% compared to summer 2025.Several factors are expected to contribute to this increase. These factors include updates to utility grids and high electrical demand from data centers. Increasingly warmer temperatures over the summer months also play a role.High electricity bills could bring additional financial pressure to people already struggling. Some people may be able to find some relief by using the LIHEAP program. LIHEAP, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, provides funds to qualifying individuals for cooling and heating costs during both the summer and winter months. LIHEAP is available in every county in Arkansas. Each county provides LIHEAP through a different community-based organization. You can see which community-based organization serves your county on the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality website. LIHEAP applications are not currently open for the summer program. Applications will first open up in early June for elderly people, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Applications will become available for the rest of the general public in early July.
A new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association is forecasting an increase in electricity bills compared to last year across the United States.
The average electricity bill this summer for the United States is projected to be 8.5% higher than in 2025. When broken down by region, the largest projected increase is for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Summer 2026 electricity bills are expected to increase by 11.5% compared to summer 2025.
40/29 News
Several factors are expected to contribute to this increase. These factors include updates to utility grids and high electrical demand from data centers. Increasingly warmer temperatures over the summer months also play a role.
High electricity bills could bring additional financial pressure to people already struggling. Some people may be able to find some relief by using the LIHEAP program.
LIHEAP, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, provides funds to qualifying individuals for cooling and heating costs during both the summer and winter months. LIHEAP is available in every county in Arkansas. Each county provides LIHEAP through a different community-based organization. You can see which community-based organization serves your county on the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality website.
LIHEAP applications are not currently open for the summer program. Applications will first open up in early June for elderly people, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Applications will become available for the rest of the general public in early July.