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Rising Energy Costs Devastate Black Families in Washington, D.C.

August 20, 2025

African American households face a disproportionate energy burden compared to white households, spending a significantly higher percentage of income on energy bills even when income levels are the same, according to a new national study from Binghamton University and California State University. The research analyzed 65,000 census tracts and found that households in majority African American areas spend an average of 5. 1% of income on energy versus the national average of 3.

Who is affected

  • SNAP-eligible households in Washington D.C.
  • Black households across the United States, particularly those in formerly redlined neighborhoods
  • Nearly 12,000 Pepco customers who lost service in 2024
  • Low-income households in the D.C. metro area, with nearly two-thirds spending more than 6% of income on energy
  • More than 12 million U.S. households that report leaving homes at unsafe temperatures to reduce costs
  • Residents of Washington D.C. facing potential additional costs from Washington Gas's pipeline replacement project
  • People who lost federal jobs and are newly vulnerable to energy cost increases

What action is being taken

  • Pepco has implemented three consecutive annual rate hikes, pushing average household bills to $114 per month by January 2025
  • Washington Gas is seeking a 12% rate increase and pushing a $215 million pipeline replacement project called "District SAFE"
  • The Office of the People's Council (OPC) is monitoring the impact of increased energy bills on vulnerable communities
  • Researchers from Binghamton University and California State University are studying and documenting racial disparities in energy burdens
  • The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is analyzing energy burden data for SNAP-eligible households

Why it matters

  • Families forced to spend 10% or more of income on energy often cut back on food, medicine, and other essentials
  • High energy burdens lead to serious health consequences including asthma, depression, poor sleep, pneumonia, and premature death
  • The disparities reveal systemic inequities beyond income alone, pointing to racial factors in housing and environmental conditions
  • Washington Gas's pipeline project could cost D.C. households an additional $45,000 each over several decades
  • Energy disconnections have doubled after recent rate hikes, leaving thousands without essential services
  • The burden perpetuates historical disadvantages in formerly redlined neighborhoods
  • Energy poverty contributes to broader health disparities for African Americans already facing environmental challenges

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer