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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Summer Heat Brings Little Relief for High Utility Bills

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Wednesday, July 5, 2023   

The same families who had to apply for emergency assistance when heating bills skyrocketed this past winter could face similar challenges this summer, especially if they need to run their air conditioners during peak hours between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Denise Stepto, chief communications officer for Energy Outreach Colorado, said keeping homes cool when temperatures spike is just as important as staying warm when it is freezing outside.

"We know from a health perspective that being too hot in your home, particularly for households with children, or older people, or people with disabilities, this is very unhealthy," Stepto explained.

A spike in natural gas prices this past winter saw Colorado energy bills double and even triple, making payments extremely difficult for low-wage workers and people living on fixed incomes. Energy Outreach Colorado's Bill Payment Assistance program saw a 21% increase in applicants for assistance over the previous year. The group paid 55%, or $4.5 million more than last year, on past-due bills.

Xcel Energy blamed rising natural gas costs for high utility bills, yet the company's gross profits in 2022 were 10% higher than the previous year at $8.3 billion. Colorado lawmakers responded by passing legislation to limit some of the costs utilities can pass along to customers, but Stepto argued more needs to be done to address volatile utility bills across the state.

"There was attention, and I think we've heard lawmakers actually say 'we have to start addressing the issue,'" Stepto recounted. "It's the beginning, and hopefully it will continue."

Stepto added many families are still trying to pay down their winter bills, and she worries people facing difficult choices could put themselves at risk by turning off fans or air conditioners.

"They're making dangerous choices in their home," Stepto emphasized. "They're juggling, whether I pay my utility bill, or do I buy food, do I buy my medication, do I pay my rent?"

Disclosure: Energy Outreach Colorado contributes to our fund for reporting on Energy Policy. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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