One in five Americans cut food spending to pay electricity bills

Summarised from CBS News's report · Updated 21 Oct, 13:08 · Archive

About one in five Americans say they have cut back on groceries to afford electricity bills, according to a Consumer Reports survey.

A Consumer Reports survey of more than 2,000 adults has found that about one in five Americans say they have had to cut back on groceries to afford their electricity bills. Roughly a quarter of consumers are turning down their heating or air conditioning to uncomfortable levels to lower energy costs. About 80% of people who have lived in the same home for at least three years report their electricity bills have increased over that period, with the largest share, 28%, saying their bills surged between 20% and 49%.

Electricity prices across major US cities have jumped 14% over the last three years, according to federal data. Sara Enright, senior director of safety and energy at Consumer Reports, told CBS News that vulnerable populations like students and retirees living on fixed incomes are particularly affected. 'We're hearing a lot of folks who don't know what they can possibly do to afford rising rates,' she said. 'When they get a surprise bill in the heat of the summer, it can be frightening.' Consumers often prioritise paying their utility bills because they need to keep their lights on and refrigerators running, she added.

Read the report

• Electricity bills force 1 in 5 to cut back on food, survey findsAmericans living on a fixed income are particularly vulnerable when electricity costs surge, a Consumer Reports expert says.CBS News · 21 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Consumer Reports · United States · Sara Enright

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