Silver State Times

Extreme heat is not uncommon for residents of Nevada during the summer, but trying to find relief amidst record inflation has many people making difficult decisions regarding energy use.

As electric bills rise, many Americans place the blame on President Joe Biden's administration.

"National electricity rates are through the roof under President Biden's failed leadership," Jonathan Lockwood, a Republican political consultant, told Silver State Times. "Energy costs are disproportionately hurting families, workers, and lower-income Americans who are struggling to rebuild their lives and livelihoods post-pandemic. Energy rates are the highest they've ever been in American history, and the Democrats are doing everything in their power to strangle our energy portfolio. The Democrats can't count on moderate Republicans and disaffected Democrats and Independents voting Democrat just because they did in 2020."

As of July, the average residential electricity rate in the U.S. is 14.77 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), according to SaveOnEnergy.com. The average rate for businesses is 11.92 cents per kWh. As of April, the average rate in Nevada was 13.89 cents per kWh – up 14% from a year ago.

Nevada residents were paying an average of 11.67 cents per kWh and 11.64 cents per kWh in September 2021 and 2020, respectively, as reported by ElectricChoice.com. This number represents a 0.26% year-over-year increase. 

Residents in many parts of Nevada, such as the Las Vegas area, were warned about extreme heat this summer as temperatures surpassed triple digits, USA Today reported. The temperature in Las Vegas hit 109 degrees last week, breaking a previous record set in 1996 by one degree. 

The amount of people in Nevada who live in poverty is 12.08%, or 384,690 residents, according to World Population Review.

Using data from their latest Electric Power Monthly report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that in 2021, the average nominal retail electricity price paid by U.S. residential electric customers rose at the fastest rate since 2008, increasing 4.3% from 2020 to 13.72 cents per kWh.

A recent national poll conducted by the Senate Opportunity Fund (SOF) found that 58% of Americans blame Biden for inflation. This number includes nearly half (48%) of moderate voters and 30% of Democrats. The SOF poll was conducted between July 5 and July 7 and surveyed 800 voters who are likely to vote in the national general election.