# Rising electricity costs and consumer affordability > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rising-electricity-costs-and-consumer-affordability > Updated: 2026-09-01T21:10:43.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Electricity affordability has emerged as a significant concern for consumers in the United States and the Dominican Republic. In the United States, a report from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative found that approximately half of Americans experienced rising electricity bills over the past year, with low-income households disproportionately affected. While some states like Missouri maintain lower rates through vertically-integrated utilities, other regions face challenges. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, extreme summer heat has driven up costs, leading to high disconnection rates and a reliance on local nonprofits for financial assistance. In the Dominican Republic, rising costs have led opposition lawmakers to question state utility managers. Despite government denials of tariff increases, households report sharply higher bills. Critics attribute these issues to systemic inefficiencies, such as distribution losses increasing from 27% in 2019 to nearly 40% nationwide, and a surge in government subsidies from approximately US$500 million in 2019 to between US$1.7 billion and US$1.8 billion. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Rising electricity costs impact consumers in Dominican Republic and United States Rising electricity costs and utility mismanagement are driving consumer frustration in both the Dominican Republic and the United States, leading to increased subsidies and frequent power disconnections. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rising-electricity-costs-impact-consumers-in-dominican-republic-and-united-states ### 2026-08-25: Electricity affordability becomes a major concern for US consumers A new report highlights rising electricity affordability concerns in the US, noting that low-income households are hardest hit and many consumers lack understanding of what drives their utility bills. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electricity-affordability-becomes-a-major-concern-for-us-consumers --- Cite as: Rising electricity costs and consumer affordability. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rising-electricity-costs-and-consumer-affordability