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Our work on energy affordability

Addressing rising energy costs is central to Ceres' policy work.

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In 2025, national electricity and natural gas prices increased at rates 2.5 and 4 times higher than inflation, respectively.

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Utilities plan to spend $1.4 trillion on grid infrastructure by 2030 — a 21% jump over last year's projections — and much of that cost will be passed directly to customers.

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With electricity demand expected to increase another 25% by 2030 and 78% by 2050, prices will continue to rise unless policymakers act.

A critical moment for affordability

More than two dozen major companies working with Ceres are calling on state policymakers around the country to modernize the energy system and tackle rising energy prices.

Why? Energy demand is growing for the first time in years, as AI data centers, new manufacturing, and electrified transportation options all vie for space on the grid. That’s not an inherently bad thing, but without a well-rounded response from policymakers, new demand will continue driving higher costs where the grid is congested and constrained.

Clean energy is the fastest and cheapest way to meet rising power demand and address affordability, but the U.S. power grid is constrained by aging infrastructure, affecting both businesses and consumers. States that modernize their energy systems will be better positioned to grow their economies and attract business investment.

Ceres is working in state legislatures around the country to advocate for policies that will address affordability challenges by expanding clean energy and keeping costs in check.

“We're asking policymakers to help modernize the system with clean, affordable power and keep energy affordable for everyone.”

Mandi McKay

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

The policy solutions

Deploy clean, cost-effective energy resources

Wind and solar are among the most cost-effective ways to meet rising electricity demand, in part because they have no fuel costs. Batteries are also cheaper and more advanced than ever, which makes it easier to integrate renewables onto the power grid so that they are available when demand spikes.

States have taken many different approaches to deploying clean energy, and those efforts are only becoming more important.

Optimize Grid Capacity

The U.S. electric grid is aging, and it generally operates at roughly half its potential capacity. Policymakers can those problems with a suite of emerging technologies that expand the grid without building costly new power lines:

- Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)
- Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs)
- Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

Accelerate the Interconnection of Advanced Energy Resources

Companies attempting to bring new clean energy to the grid often have their projects bogged down with outdated red tape, creating pressure points and keeping the system dependent on older, more expensive generation. This bottleneck drives up costs for everyone.

Policymakers around the country should streamline permitting and siting processes for interconnection and set clear timelines for projects.

Expand Energy Efficiency and Demand Flexibility Solutions

Over the long term, energy efficiency programs can save ratepayers and businesses billions of dollars. Strengthening building codes and weatherization programs and integrating new smart technologies that reduce peak power demand will add to those savings.

The energy sector is at a critical juncture. Businesses and consumers will shoulder the burden of higher energy prices if policymakers don’t act. We need commonsense policy from states to modernize the power grid and continue deploying cheap clean energy.

Headshot of Hugh Welsh

Hugh Welsh

dsm-firmenich North America

News and updates


May 12, 2026
Ceres applauds Maryland’s new energy affordability law, urges greater investment in efficiency program
Apr 16, 2026
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and business community showcase leadership in advancing a competitive, clean economy
Apr 2, 2026
Ceres welcomes recommendations from Arizona Energy Taskforce to advance a cleaner, more competitive economy
Feb 27, 2026
Ceres welcomes strengthened Massachusetts energy affordability bill, urges restoration of critical efficiency funding
Feb 26, 2026
Virginia's move to rejoin RGGI signals a commitment to affordable energy solutions
Jan 8, 2026
Ceres and businesses in Illinois applaud landmark energy law to cut costs and modernize infrastructure
See All

Energy affordability is top of mind for ski areas. Policymakers have a huge opportunity to enact policies to modernize the power grid, bring more low-cost clean energy online faster, and make our energy systems more efficient so businesses can continue cutting emissions while keeping energy reliable and affordable.

Michael Reitzell

National Ski Areas Association

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