Across the country, the decline of fossil fuels and the rise in electricity demand are on an unstoppable collision course, spiking prices and fueling partisan brawls over clean energy policies.
The Americans living closest to the nation’s capital may feel the brunt of this crisis, as the nation’s largest electrical grid manager — which covers D.C., Maryland, Virginia and 11 other states — says it will have to increase prices for on-demand, reliable electricity up to 1,200% in the coming year.
That unprecedented price spike won’t be completely passed on to consumers (it’s only part of an individual’s electricity bill), but bills will undeniably increase — and noticeably. The announcement, which regional grid operator PJM made late last month, shows just how far behind the nation is in preparing for the clean energy transition.