Raya Salter remembers the yells as a child when she asked her mother to turn up the heat in the winter: “Put on a sweater. Put on two sweaters. Here’s an extra blanket. That’s gonna make it work because the heat is not going up.”

For decades, many Black households have had to make those kinds of financial compromises, but in recent years, the fears of using too much heat and electricity have only risen. Since 2020, utility rates nationwide have increased by 20%, leading more people to make the tough decisions between heating their homes and paying their bills or putting enough food on the table. Over the years, Black residents from places like Georgia, South Carolina, New York, and California, have explained to Capital B how their bills have risen by as much as $500 a month during peak usage times like the winter. 

“These are generational stunters,” explained Salter, the founder of the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center and a member of the New York State Climate Action Council. “It’s stealing intergenerational wealth, and it’s affecting your ability not only to buy food and medicine, but also to purchase a home.”

And some people like Salter wonder whether President Donald Trump’s tariff war might make it worse. His decision to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada has already triggered retaliatory measures that could disproportionately burden Black and low-income communities. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded by threatening a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, which have grids that heavily rely on Canadian hydroelectric power. 

“Low-income households and Black households pay disproportionate shares of their income in energy bills,” explained Maggie Kelley Riggins, the director of community solutions at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. In all three states, Black residents report experiencing difficulties paying utilities more often than households of other races. 

In response to the tariffs war, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said, “These tariffs will drive up utility bills, disrupt energy markets, and create uncertainty for businesses and families alike.”

Both New York City, which has the most Black residents in the country, and Detroit, which is not too far behind, get anywhere from 1% to 6% of their electricity from Canada. While both cities have enough wiggle room to make up for a potential loss of electricity, if Canada were to shut off its flow to the U.S. completely it could potentially destabilize the grid and lead to outages, a former Department of Energy official told Capital B.

“If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said Tuesday. “If a recession does happen, it’s a self-made recession made by one person. And one person only.”

Trump’s tariff hikes will affect the economies of both countries. The constant escalation and then cooling in the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada has only compounded the rising sense of uncertainty of how many Black families across the country were going to continue to afford their necessities. A recent CBS News poll found that 4 out of 5 Americans say their incomes aren’t keeping up with the pace of inflation. This comes as economists have said inflation will rise at a higher rate this year than originally forecasted.  

As of Wednesday, the battle had cooled, but if the trade standoff escalates, Black and working-class communities in these states could see higher utility bills and increased risks of power disruptions, exacerbating existing energy insecurity, experts say. 

Studies show that Black households spend more of their income on energy bills than white households, even after accounting for factors like income and home characteristics like insulation. This leads to higher rates of electricity shut-offs for Black households. 

Read More: Why Upgrading the Nation’s Electric Grid Is a Racial Issue

Even before Trump took office, utility rates had been rising. Climate change and extreme weather have highlighted the unreliability of gas power plants, which are responsible for more than half of the nation’s power output, and a backlog in getting new power plants and renewable energy sources connected to the electric grid.

Despite the volatility of global gas markets, federal and state policies continue to favor gas infrastructure over cheaper renewable alternatives, locking households — especially low-income and Black communities — into higher utility bills with fewer options for relief.

Raya Salter, an advocate for more renewable energy sources, believes that the largest factor behind rising bills is the continued use of fossil fuels. (Courtesy of Raya Salter)

“Building and maintaining big infrastructure projects that are outdated and rely on energy sources that were trying to phase out just to receive a high return in the short term; This is what we call the utility business model,” Salter said, explaining that it is the customers that ultimately bear the costs.

The fallout from Trump’s tariffs extends beyond electricity costs. Analysts predict gasoline and diesel prices will rise by 20 to 40 cents per gallon in the Northeast within weeks. For families already struggling with transportation costs, this could mean an extra $3 to $6 per fill-up — a significant strain for low-wage workers who depend on their vehicles for work. These fluctuations often hit hardest in Black neighborhoods, where transportation and energy costs are already volatile due to historic disinvestment and a lack of public transit options. 

Read More: The Movement to Make Black Neighborhoods Better for Walking and Biking

Trump dismissed concerns about the tariffs, saying Americans should expect “a little disturbance.” But for Black and working-class communities, these disturbances translate into real financial hardship like higher utility bills, costly commutes, and an ever-growing economic squeeze that deepens racial disparities.

How low-income residents can get help with paying electric bills in 2025

If you’re struggling to pay your electric bill, there are several programs at all levels of government and even through your utility company that can help. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available nationwide and in New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, where the tariffs might have the most immediate impact.

Nationwide Assistance

  • LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) – A federal program that helps low-income households pay energy bills. Each state runs its own version, so you’ll need to apply through your local LIHEAP office. Funds are limited, so apply early. LIHEAP Clearinghouse
  • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) – Helps cut energy costs by upgrading insulation, sealing leaks, and improving heating and cooling efficiency. Contact your state’s energy office to apply. Department of Energy

New York Assistance

  • HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) – New York’s version of LIHEAP. It offers one-time payments for heating and electricity bills, plus emergency aid if you’re at risk of losing power. Apply online or through your county Department of Social Services. NY HEAP
  • Utility Discounts – Con Edison, National Grid, and other New York utilities offer discounts for low-income customers enrolled in programs like SNAP or Medicaid. NY DPS Utility Assistance

Minnesota Assistance

  • Energy Assistance Program (EAP) – Helps low-income households with heating and electric bills. Average grants are around $550. Apply through local service providers. Minnesota EAP
  • Cold Weather Rule – Prevents shut-offs from Oct. 1 to April 30 for eligible low-income customers who make a payment plan. Contact your utility to enroll. MN PUC

Michigan Assistance

  • State Emergency Relief (SER) – A crisis program that helps pay overdue utility bills if you have a shut-off notice. Apply through MI Bridges. Michigan SER
  • Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) – Works with SER to provide long-term help through payment plans. Nonprofits like The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) administer funds. THAW
  • Winter Protection Plan – Prevents shut-offs for seniors and low-income households from Nov. 1 to March 31. Contact your utility to enroll. Michigan PSC

Utility & Nonprofit Help

  • Utility Company Assistance – Many utilities offer bill discounts, payment plans, and emergency funds. Call your provider and ask about “low-income assistance” programs.
  • Salvation Army & 211 – The Salvation Army’s HeatShare program and United Way’s 211 helpline connect you with local resources. United Way 211
  • Hardship Grants – Some utilities and charities offer one-time grants if you’ve exhausted other options. Check with HeartShare (NY), THAW (MI), or your local community action agency.

Other Options

  • Improve Energy Efficiency – Things like sealing drafts, upgrading windows, and installing more efficient heating/cooling can lower your energy consumption.
  • Explore Renewable Energy Options – Switching to solar or other renewable sources could provide long-term savings.
  • Advocate To Local Representatives – Urge them to address rising utility costs and ensure affordability, especially for vulnerable communities.

The key, Salter said, is being informed about your options and taking action, whether through your utility company, government programs, or your own home improvements.

“We pay our light bill because we’ve always paid our light bill, but the light bill is too damn high and the burden is too much, so we shouldn’t just accept it,” she said.

Adam Mahoney is the climate and environment reporter at Capital B. He can be reached by email at adam.mahoney@capitalbnews.org, on Bluesky, and on X at @AdamLMahoney.