State Profiles: Highest/Lowest Electric Rates, Production, and Consumption

by ELECTRICCHOICE.COM · September 28, 2015

Even if take advantage of energy deregulation and shop around for electricity, the state you live in has a big impact on how much your energy bills add up to.  Additionally, conserving energy will only go so far to lower your electric bill if you live in a state like Hawaii or New York, both in the top five states with the highest electricity rates.

Ultimately, every state is different and every state has their own laws governing energy pricing and purchase options.  The state you live in plays a big role in how much you pay for electricity.

While these average numbers are from 2014 and are simply averages, they still paint a pretty clear picture on which states tend to pay the most, and the least for their electricity.  As always, customers in deregulated states and areas can shop around for electric plans and find today’s rates here.

1. Hawaii – 33.53 cents per kWh

Year in and year out Hawaii has the most expensive energy rates in the country. However, with its mild, tropical, Hawaii is consistently in the top five lowest states for overall energy consumption. The state is also one of eight states with geothermal capacity. While costly petroleum is still the main source of electricity in Hawaii, the state is starting to rely more on this renewable resource and on solar. It should come as no surprise that residents in Hawaii, despite their low energy consumption rates still spend the most of any other state on their monthly bills.

2. Alaska – 17.58 cents per kWh

Like Hawaii, most of Alaska’s electricity is generated from petroleum liquids. It is also one of the only states that has harnessed the power of geothermal energy sources to create renewable energy. The fees are still costly and most Alaskans still rely primarily on diesel powered electric generators for their home power source.

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