For many African American families, the cost of keeping the lights on and homes heated or cooled is not just a monthly bill; it’s a crushing financial burden that’s all too familiar — especially for District residents.
A recent analysis by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) shows that SNAP-eligible households spend more than 20% of their income on energy bills. Across the metro area, nearly two-thirds of low-income households devote more than 6% of their income to energy, and 40% face what researchers call a “severe financial strain,” paying more than 10%.
Now, a new national study from Binghamton University and California State University, San Bernardino, finds that Black households spend a far larger share of their income on energy compared to white households, even when income levels are the same.
“We often say that African Americans suffer more, but we often blame it just on income. And the reality is, there is something more there,” study author George Homsy, associate professor at Binghamton University, wrote. “It’s not just because they tend to be poor. There is something that’s putting them at a disadvantage. I think what happened is it happens to be where they live.”
The study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, analyzed 65,000 census tracts across the United States. It found that while the average American household spends about 3.2% of income on energy bills, households in majority African American census tracts spend an average of 5.1%.
Homsy and researcher Ki Eun Kang point to the age and condition of housing stock, along with lower homeownership rates, as key drivers.
Their research concludes that “energy burden is not simply a matter of income or energy cost but also race, which might be driven by place,” noting older, less energy-efficient housing and high rental rates in Black communities mean residents often cannot make upgrades like improved insulation or new appliances, locking families into higher bills.
Tradeoffs and Health Risks
The consequences go beyond money. Families forced to spend 10% or more of their income on energy — what experts classify as “unmanageable” — may cut back on food, medicine, or other essentials.
More than 12 million U.S. households report leaving their homes at unsafe temperatures to reduce costs, while millions more fall behind on utility bills.
The health effects are severe.
High energy burdens increase risks of asthma, depression, poor sleep, pneumonia, and even premature death.
Energy challenges leading to health issues are especially acute for African Americans, who are disproportionately exposed to housing and environmental conditions that amplify these risks.
“Some of the worst air quality is actually in your home,” said Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) Antoine Thompson. “A lot of times people have asthma because of older buildings, a lack of circulation… and then they may live near a highway or airport, and all these environmental factors can have a negative impact on your health.”
Washington, D.C.: A Case Study
Pepco, the District’s primary electricity provider, has implemented three consecutive annual rate hikes, pushing the average household bill to $114 per month as of January 2025. Shutoffs have followed — nearly 12,000 customers lost service in 2024, with disconnections doubling after a summer rate hike.
Washington Gas has also sought a 12% rate increase and pushed a controversial $215 million pipeline replacement project, rebranded as “District SAFE.”
The plan could ultimately cost D.C. households an additional $45,000 each over several decades, or nearly $1,000 annually added to bills.
“Wards that have been hard hit in the past are going to feel this [increased energy bills] the most,” said Director of Litigation at the Office of the People’s Council (OPC) Laurence Daniels. “Those who, unfortunately, lost their federal jobs… are going to be impacted as well, so… a widening pool of people will be impacted, not just people who are traditionally in need of financial assistance.”
Historical Roots
Researchers argue that these inequities are not accidental but rooted in history.
The ScienceDirect study reveals that African American communities living in formerly redlined neighborhoods continue to face disadvantages today — from poor housing quality to higher climate risks.
Homsy says policymakers must make targeted efforts.
“It is harder to get to rental units where a lot of poor people live,” he noted. “We need to work harder to get into these communities of color.”
