In October 2026, a Pew Research Center survey found that 74 percent of Americans say they are very concerned about gasoline and energy prices—up from 43 percent in January. That same month, a separate Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 84 percent of voters consider the cost of living to be one of the most important issues influencing their midterm vote. As of November 4, AAA has put the national average gasoline price at $4.12 a gallon, following the first October on record with a national average above $4.
Many winning candidates criticized the Trump administration for driving costs higher through its tariffs, the Iran war, and cuts to clean energy. They responded with proposals to address costs by expanding clean energy, holding utilities accountable, and protecting households from costs associated with data center growth.
In many states, successful candidates connected clean energy to affordability challenges
In Michigan, Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson (D) connected clean energy investment and utility accountability to lower household costs and well-paying union jobs. Notably, 71 percent of voters in western Michigan said their utility bills had gone up over the past year. Benson’s environmental agenda proposed expanding access to community solar, modernizing the grid, and weatherizing homes to reduce energy waste and help deliver lasting bill savings. It also included affordable transit and electric vehicle options to protect families from rising gasoline prices. As a stopgap at the pump, the governor-elect backed suspending both the state and federal gas taxes. Benson’s energy affordability agenda matched those proposed investments with plans to tie utilities’ maximum returns to reliable, affordable service; restrict utility political spending; and require data centers to cover the costs they impose on the energy system. Benson defeated Rep. John James (R), who criticized her support for Michigan’s clean energy laws and argued for continued reliance on fossil fuels such as volatile natural gas. With this victory, she has the opportunity to build on those clean energy laws and put them to work for households across Michigan.
In Wisconsin, polling from Wisconsin Conservation Voters found that 84 percent of voters were concerned about electricity costs. Recognizing the need to protect households from rising energy bills, as a part of his campaign, Gov.-elect David Crowley (D) proposed requiring data centers to provide 100 percent renewable energy and cover the costs of infrastructure and grid upgrades. His proposal also called for more local involvement, increased transparency, and union labor, backing those requirements with proposed investments in solar power, energy retrofits, and clean infrastructure. Like Benson, Crowley prevailed over his Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Tiffany, on Tuesday. Tiffany also supported ratepayer protections but argued in a congressional letter to Wisconsin regulators for delaying coal plant retirements as data center demand grows. Keeping coal plants running can cost more than replacing their generation with new wind or solar and undermine efforts to lower bills. Crowley can now determine how the state meets growing demand cleanly—and who covers the cost in the process.
In Maine, Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree (D) plans to lower costs by using local clean energy and to lessen the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. Pingree’s key proposals include heat pump expansion and home efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income households to help lower energy costs and create good-paying jobs. Pingree beat Republican Bobby Charles, whose stances on energy policy would have expanded Maine’s reliance on fossil fuels and rolled back several of the state’s clean energy policies. As governor, Pingree will be positioned to advance her proposals, which include a moratorium on data center development until the state can ensure these centers pay their fair share and establish clear community benefits.
In California, 84 percent of voters report higher electricity bills and almost two-thirds are deeply concerned by their electricity costs. Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra (D) campaigned on turning California’s abundant solar generation into lower costs. His “Power Hour” proposal would provide up to two hours of free electricity daily, starting with low-income families, to encourage midday use when there is sometimes excess solar power. Becerra estimated households could save about $1,000 annually through this program, with its final design—including rates outside of the free period—determining actual savings. Becerra’s platform on energy outlined plans to get bills down and bring stronger oversight to utilities. He also proposed investments in clean energy and grid resilience, emphasizing that California’s clean energy leadership should benefit households. Ultimately, Becerra beat Republican Steve Hilton, who proposed eliminating renewable energy requirements and subsidies and championed a gasoline affordability plan that called for dismantling climate regulations and expanding in-state oil production. Becerra now has the chance to turn California’s solar abundance into real household savings.
These wins, alongside key victories in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas, create opportunities to advance climate and clean energy policies that lower household costs and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuels.
How policymakers can achieve electricity affordability
While energy costs were one of several issues shaping this election, candidates whose proposals offered a framework for providing near-term relief while reducing the underlying costs of powering homes and businesses found a receptive audience with voters.
CAP’s plan for American electricity affordability outlines how policymakers can pursue both goals through targeted rate relief, expanded clean energy generation, and improvements to the electric grid. Energy efficiency and battery storage buttress those investments by curtailing energy waste and making power available when necessary. Long-term affordability measures also require decreasing the amount of fossil fuel that households need so that they are less exposed to a volatile global fuel market. In order to deliver those benefits, we must change what utilities are rewarded for and who pays. Data centers should be responsible for the energy and infrastructure costs they generate, and there should be enforceable protections against shifting those expenses onto households and small businesses. At the same time, oversight of utilities should scrutinize proposed spending and align financial incentives with affordable bills and reliable service.
For the incoming class of governors, getting this done will require legislative and regulatory action, along with strong oversight. Essential action items include securing funding for bill relief and energy efficiency measures, appointing consumer-focused utility commissioners, and outlining clear guardrails for large electricity users. This will help ensure campaign commitments turn into measurable goals to lower costs, increase reliability, and boost clean energy deployment.