LITTLE ROCK — Retail electricity prices have increased faster than the rate of inflation since 2022, and the U.S. Energy Administration said it expects those costs to continue increasing through 2026.
“Overall, U.S. energy prices rapidly increased from 2020 to 2022 as economic activity recovered after the worst of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine interrupted energy supply chains,” the agency said, adding that while oil prices have declined, electricity process have continued a steady increase.
EIA said it expects residential electricity costs to rise 13 percent in 2025 and 18 percent in 2026 along with demand for power…