title: "Briefing: Electricity Rate Watch (Week of Feb 2, 2026)" date: 2026-02-02 tags: ["Rates", "Utilities", "Policy", "Economics"] summary: "Tracking utility rate changes, TOU adoption trends, and what rising rates mean for solar and efficiency investments."
Electricity Rate Watch (Week of Feb 2, 2026)
3 things to know
- National average residential rate: ~$0.176/kWh (up 5.2% year-over-year). But averages hide enormous regional variation — from $0.10/kWh (Pacific NW hydro) to $0.42/kWh (Hawaii).
- Time-of-use (TOU) rates are expanding beyond California. Utilities in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, and several New England states now offer or mandate TOU pricing. Peak-to-off-peak price ratios of 2:1 to 4:1 create strong incentives for load shifting (and batteries).
- Fixed charges are the battleground. Several utilities are proposing $15–$30/month fixed charges (income-graduated in some proposals) regardless of usage. This reduces the per-kWh value of solar exports and efficiency improvements. Watch your utility's rate case proceedings.
What to do
- Review your rate plan annually. Many consumers are on default rates that aren't optimal for their usage pattern.
- If you have solar + battery, check whether a TOU plan maximizes your bill savings (it usually does).
- Track your utility's rate case — public hearings and comment periods give consumers a voice.