By Ben Geman
Residential electricity consumption rose 10% in the second quarter as the pandemic kept many people at home, new research shows.
Why it matters: The new paper from Tufts University economist Steve Cicala is another window onto how COVID-19 is shifting energy use patterns and creating financial hardship.
By the numbers: The average monthly power bill rose by almost $11 per household in April-July.
- But “one fifth of the population is serviced by a utility whose mean bill has risen by at least $20/month,” writes Cicala, who’s also affiliated with the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute.
- Overall, this extra energy cost U.S. households almost $6 billion in the April-July stretch.
Areas of Focus: Energy Markets, Electric Power
Definition
Energy Markets
Well-functioning markets are essential for providing access to reliable, affordable energy. EPIC research is uncovering the policies, prices and information needed to help energy markets work efficiently.
Definition
Electric Power
As the electric power system faces new pressures and opportunities, EPIC research is working to identify the mix of policies needed to accelerate the global transition to clean, reliable, affordable...