How deregulation made electricity more expensive, not cheaper

Deregulation promised competition but delivered middlemen instead.

By: Noah Dormady, The Ohio State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 18, 2026

Words: 1,463

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Noah Dormady, The Ohio State University

American families are feeling the pinch of rising electricity prices. In the past five years alone, the generation portion of the standard service residential electric bill in Columbus, Ohio, has increased by 110%. This is one data point in a national trend.

Energy affordability is quickly shaping up to be a key election issue at all levels of American politics. And more than half of U.S. …

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