Climate Activist Bill McKibben Says Rising Electric Bills and Trump’s Push Against Renewables Could Cost GOP Politically

RIPTON, Vermont — Even on a single-digit winter day, longtime climate campaigner Bill McKibben found reason for optimism in a familiar source: the sun. McKibben, who has used solar power for decades, recently installed the fourth generation of solar panels on his Vermont home and warns that President Donald Trump’s opposition to cheap renewable energy could carry political consequences as electricity prices climb.

Policy Shifts and Market Moves

McKibben said the policy trajectory under the Trump administration — which has moved to roll back environmental regulations and favor fossil fuels — has coincided with higher retail electricity prices for American consumers. The administration paused five major offshore wind projects; judges this week allowed three of those projects to resume. At the same time, federal tax incentives for many home clean-energy installations expired on Dec. 31, a change that advocates say undermines rooftop solar take-up.

Prices Rising at Home

Official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show the national average retail price of electricity was 15.94 cents per kilowatt-hour in January 2025. By September it had risen to 18.07 cents and was 17.98 cents in October — a 12.8% increase over ten months, a larger rise than in the prior two years. Residents in Maryland, New Jersey and Maine experienced increases at roughly three times the national average since October 2024. For a household using about 900 kilowatt-hours a month, that translates to roughly an $18 increase compared with January 2025.

“I think you’re starting to see that have a big political impact in the U.S. right now. My prediction would be that electric prices are going to be to the 2026 election what egg prices were to the 2024 election,” McKibben told reporters after installing his new system.

Local Action, Global Context

At his home in the Green Mountains, McKibben installed a new plug-in-style solar kit from the California firm Bright Saver — panels designed to be simple to mount on balconies or rooftops. He said such systems are widespread in Europe and Australia, where streamlined permitting and generous rooftop deployment programs effectively provide households with free daylight electricity hours.

Environmentalist and author Bill Mckibben poses for a portrait as he gets new plug-in solar panels on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Ripton, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Globally, the United Nations and other observers report that the cost of wind and solar has fallen dramatically, making renewables increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. China continues to lead the world in renewable manufacturing and electric-vehicle sales, a dynamic McKibben warned could leave the United States at an economic disadvantage if domestic energy costs remain high.

Politics and Accountability

Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill blamed the administration for rising bills. "From his first day in office, he’s made it his mission to limit Americans’ access to cheap energy," Illinois Rep. Sean Casten said at a news conference. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz said the administration’s actions — including limits on solar deployment — have pushed up costs for basic household needs and warned of political consequences. The White House, for its part, said ensuring reliable, affordable electricity is a top priority.

Why It Matters

Rising household energy costs are a tangible issue for voters. McKibben and other clean-energy proponents argue that making solar more accessible and restoring policy incentives could ease bills while advancing climate goals. Critics of those arguments point to short-term supply challenges and policy debates over the best way to secure reliable, affordable power for all regions.

Reporting notes: Associated Press reporters in Vermont and Washington contributed to this story. The AP’s climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from private foundations; AP maintains editorial control and responsibility for content. For details, see AP.org.