PHOTO ESSAY: In a corner of Appalachia, soaring utility costs are surpassing rents and mortgages - AP News

AP News
April 9, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Utility costs in parts of Appalachia are now exceeding monthly rents and mortgage payments.

How This Affects You

Residents in affected Appalachian communities face severe financial hardship as essential utility costs surpass housing expenses.

AI Summary

A photo essay from AP News highlights that utility costs in a specific region of Appalachia are now exceeding monthly rents and mortgage payments for residents. This situation indicates a severe financial burden on households, as essential services like electricity and heating have become more expensive than housing itself. The soaring utility expenses are creating significant economic hardship for families in this Appalachian community.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

'Why is this so high?' Electric bills in West Virginia now top mortgages despite Trump's promises
Finance

'Why is this so high?' Electric bills in West Virginia now top mortgages despite Trump's promises

West Virginians are angry and perplexed over soaring utility costs in one of the most energy-rich, yet poorest, corners of America, where families have been forced to choose between paying for food or heat.

PBS NewsHourApr 9
Trump promised to cut electric costs in half. Bills in energy-rich West Virginia now top mortgages - AP News
Politics

Trump promised to cut electric costs in half. Bills in energy-rich West Virginia now top mortgages - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxQaFlMUkN5QUwxem9YdV9jN2xxc09yU0FjR1VnSm1BLUFwUVZRSHZWX05QejlCazVqSkhUZHlhRGUtWEFKZ2Z3TlF0RzRMZWZVMFNEaE0zR1hZUnBaUDc2UTdQRHR4cVpXMnM1dVV4cW1iOWlZaHdxRE5FekVqWWU1cnBrQThGeEpFWDd1RzdNZmNFeTFrUFk1UUU5U05IOE1VMkplRG55T3VrZWZwdjlr?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump promised to cut electric costs in half. Bills in energy-rich West Virginia now top mortgages</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 9
Era of political violence means higher costs for candidate security, a new report says - AP News
Politics

Era of political violence means higher costs for candidate security, a new report says - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxPWFk5QUFYOXVDdzA3Y2NFYjhJMkdyTHZwOFpHUjNsNXFueU5BUXpCTnRhZTNmZDZscWJ4Y0NTNG93X01XdlJWSDBBaV9aanNLSnVXRmNqb055MDFtVk5qaHNiVHZLSXk5YW5PS2FBWmxtRUg0M2NMNDAzWkFCZzA3Tk5iaV90dTluYlBMckh2MU81T093VWtHSVNfQ1NsOVdJbDZ4R3VpSGIzc0hrc2hsaV94V2RYU1lUV0dfU1B0WWZrejg?oc=5" target="_blank">Era of political violence means higher costs for candidate security, a new report says</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 9
Low-voltage utility elections face surge of attention as electricity bills rise - apnews.com
Politics

Low-voltage utility elections face surge of attention as electricity bills rise - apnews.com

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxObXlOUUhJNkFvcXBRQ0xjUVU5TTJvU0hIV09NR3pHVU4tT1ZLTGFmOVNGeDItYWtKV0ptWTNHRjZLX09DS1VMODNiWm4ycmlpVVdidzc0NTRYTElOdzFQcDR5a2ZoaUZHSlh1clBxal9wRjhVRTNJS1BMMnctMXFTSGV1dDNORFBidjlMSXdJWV9MN1FJT3ZKNEphUXExbUQwak94eDUtTVBSbFI1MnUwcTEyb1JlS1VYeGxOQmptbw?oc=5" target="_blank">Low-voltage utility elections face surge of attention as electricity bills rise</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 6
In Phoenix, Turning Point and Jane Fonda fight for control of a utility.
Politics

In Phoenix, Turning Point and Jane Fonda fight for control of a utility.

The Salt River Project is little known beyond Arizona, but Tuesday’s elections at the giant public utility have brought in heavy hitters and tested Turning Point after Charlie Kirk.

New York TimesApr 7
An American Company Drilled for Oil in Kenya — and Left Behind Soaring Cancer Rates
Environment

An American Company Drilled for Oil in Kenya — and Left Behind Soaring Cancer Rates

Amoco, now part of BP, never cleaned up after its failed oil prospecting mission. Rural Kenyans are suing for a right to a clean environment. The post An American Company Drilled for Oil in Kenya — and Left Behind Soaring Cancer Rates appeared first on The Intercept .

The InterceptApr 6
Read Next
America’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Is Really a Pay Crisis
Finance

America’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Is Really a Pay Crisis

The true culprit behind America’s affordability issue “is that employers have had too much power and too little motivation to share gains," writes economist Arindrajit Dube.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources