How Washington’s red tape is driving up your energy bill

Oct 14, 2025 by AFP

Energy costs aren’t just numbers on a bill.

They determine whether families can put food on the table, whether seniors can afford prescriptions, and when businesses can stay competitive or grow.

And right now, Washington’s endless permitting process is driving your energy costs higher than ever.

What’s the root cause of energy cost increases?

Affordable energy once enabled American prosperity. After all, America is a powerhouse when it comes to energy potential.

Unfortunately, rules and permitting gridlock are sabotaging that potential, making it harder for your family to get ahead in an already strained economy.

This energy crisis is being fueled by:

Regulatory delays, as the federal government’s environmental review process takes a median of nearly three years to approve permits, which creates project backlogs.
Bottlenecked grids because projects with enough energy to power American homes and businesses are stuck in waiting lines.
Overlapping rules created by multiple approval agencies, each with its own set of permitting requirements. This can mean years of waiting for proper permits from various agencies.
A strained grid due to energy consumption by electric vehicles and AI data centers, as reliable, traditional energy sources are forced out.
A previous overemphasis on alternative energy. Rather than allowing the United States to unleash its energy potential, the Biden administration shut down needed coal plants. Tax credits for renewable energy distorted the market and have resulted in significantly higher energy bills.

All of these add up to higher energy costs for you and your family.

Real families are forced to pay the cost.

Look at Virginia, for example.

On March 31, 2025, Dominion Energy Virginia asked regulators to approve its fuel factor rate that could raise Virginia household bills by more than $20 per month.

Regulatory burdens played a significant role in the request for the increase.

This increase includes:

$8.51 more per month starting January 1, 2026
Another $2.00 increase in 2027
Plus a $10.92 monthly fuel rate increase that began in July 2025

It’s not just in Virginia.

In Florida, nearly 12 million residents face a proposed $9.8 billion rate hike sought by Florida Power and Light Company.

If approved, the 23% increase would be one of the largest in U.S. history.

The increase is so alarming that it “could force seniors … to choose between essentials like groceries or gas,” according to AARP’s senior director of advocacy in Florida.

This will be the third increase since 2021, meaning Floridians’ energy costs could increase by $600 annually.

Hikes aren’t likely to stop. Soon enough, families in almost every state will see their electric utility bills affected.

Reform is needed.

America has the resources and energy it needs to thrive.

Permitting reform could:

Accelerate project approvals, such as those for plants, pipelines, and grid updates
Eliminate duplicate reviews that drag on for years
Restore energy abundance so America can compete

What you can do

This issue isn’t distant; it affects your monthly budget and your children’s future.

You have a voice.

Sign our one-minute petition now to demand Congress and state regulators pass permitting reform to slash red tape and restore American energy abundance.