utility bills

Meet Shirlee C. of South Minneapolis. As a senior on a fixed income, she takes a financial hit every time her utility rate increases. She can’t afford for her bill to keep going up, but her utility company, Xcel Energy, is asking for another $123 a year by 2016. If approved, this would be the seventh rate increase for Minnesotans in just 10 years!

This is a true story of how New Jerseyans fought back against the largest proposed utility rate increase by the state's biggest gas and electric company in its century-long history - and won. Just last week, consumer advocates - including AARP - reached a settlement on "Energy Strong," a PSE&G proposal to harden its electric and gas systems following the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy. The settlement saves New Jersey utility customers $1.6 billion .

Have you ever been hit with sticker shock when you open your utility bill? This winter, many Americans faced skyrocketing energy costs, with bills doubling and tripling in just a month. Meanwhile, some seniors on fixed incomes still have to make tough choices between paying their utility bill or buying other necessities like food and medication.

Let's hope you've recovered from Groggy Monday, the day after we turn our clocks ahead an hour (and lose an hour of sleep) for that  convoluted practice called daylight saving time.

With dropping temperatures and winter storms popping up across the country, homeowners may begin to notice energy troubles at home - high utility bills, drafty rooms, inconsistent temperatures inside the house and icicles hanging from the roof.

Low-income households often face challenges in keeping pace with rising energy costs. A recent study shows that despite federal assistance amounting to $3.4 billion, in the winter of 2011-12 low-income households were left struggling to pay $35.1 billion in energy costs.

Whether you're concerned about saving the environment or just interested in saving yourself a few bucks, equipping your house with a solar energy system is an interesting, albeit rather complicated, proposition to consider.

Remember Paula Wood, the retired, single Alabamian struggling to pay her electric bills? While there has been some good news, things in Alabama aren't looking a whole lot better.

From Alaska to Florida - AARP is fighting to save you money on your utility bills and protect reliable utility services, for you.  So far, this and last year alone, we kept an estimated $3 billion in the pockets of consumers.  And, that savings on your behalf is why we're in this.  Whether it's your electricity, gas or phone: In 42 states, we're fighting for affordable, reliable, accessible utility service - for you.

The arrival of summer brings warmer temperatures and more hours of daylight. While some folks are happy to pack away their sweaters and say goodbye to high utility bills resulting from winter heating season, the arrival of summer cooling season heralds a spike in electric bills for others. Expenditures on electricity constitute the largest portion of utility expenditures for older consumers and the cost of running air conditioning in summer is a major contributing factor. Because exposure to extreme temperatures can be especially dangerous for older people, the ability to afford to adequately cool their homes is an important concern.