Utility rates and energy costs
Rising utility rates are flagged among major cost-of-living challenges states must manage into 2026, alongside energy infrastructure needs tied to affordability debates in California, affecting household and business costs in coastal cities such as Malibu.
How should policymakers respond to rising utility rates affecting California communities like Malibu?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Environment.
38% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
- Liberal43%
- Lean liberal25%
- Moderate15%
- Lean conservative6%
- Conservative11%
Where do you stand?
How should policymakers respond to rising utility rates affecting California communities like Malibu?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Governing magazine — https://www.governing.com/politics/the-biggest-issues-to-watch-in-2026
Like many other cost-of-living challenges, rising utility rates are not something that people tend to take in stride.
Pro State Affairs analysis — https://prostateaffairs.com/ca/politics/california-political-issues-2026
Democrats will face pressure to deliver real cost-of-living relief — not just through subsidies, but through longer-term structural reform on housing supply, energy infrastructure, and service delivery.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Expand ratepayer assistance and accelerate public clean-energy buildout even if short-term rates rise
- Reform utilities with stronger oversight plus investment in cleaner, more resilient infrastructure
- Pursue gradual grid upgrades while using temporary bill relief for the hardest-hit households
- Prioritize reliability and cost control, slowing mandates that raise rates without clear benefits
- Roll back green mandates and favor the cheapest available generation to drive rates down now