EIA Electric Power Monthly: January 2026 Data
The EIA published its latest Electric Power Monthly on March 24, 2026, covering January 2026. All four end-use sectors saw year-over-year cost increases:
- Transportation: +29.3% (EV charging infrastructure)
- Industrial: +11.4% (PJM capacity and data center load)
- Residential: +9.5% (17.45¢/kWh national average)
- Commercial: +6.4% (13.64¢/kWh national average)
Most Expensive States
| State | Avg ¢/kWh | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 27.61¢ | +95% |
| New York | 27.39¢ | +93% |
| Rhode Island | 27.23¢ | +92% |
| Connecticut | 25.71¢ | +82% |
Cheapest States
| State | Avg ¢/kWh | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 8.40¢ | Henry Hub proximity |
| North Dakota | 8.47¢ | Wind generation |
| New Mexico | 8.85¢ | Solar buildout |
Biggest YoY Increases
- DC: +30.3% — PJM capacity costs and Pepco rate case
- Pennsylvania: +21.7% — PJM BRA at record $329/MW-day
- Maryland: +20.9% — BGE default service reflects PJM wholesale
What Drives the 8.3% Increase?
- PJM Capacity: Record $329/MW-day BRA clearing for 2026/27, driven by 5,400 MW data center demand, flows to retail across 13 states.
- Natural Gas: Henry Hub rose from $2.18 to $3.82/MMBtu (+75%). Gas sets marginal clearing price in most wholesale markets.
- Transmission: MISO $8.8B MTEP 26 plan ($3.1B for data centers) — grid buildout socialized across ratepayers.
Commercial Buyer Action Items
- Lock forward pricing: Q3/Q4 curves in contango. Fix 12–24 month contracts before June PJM delivery year.
- Evaluate demand response: PJM at $329/MW-day = highest-ever DR revenue opportunity.
- Compare suppliers: In 17 deregulated states, competitive suppliers beat default rates 5–15%. Calculate savings.
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.a, March 24, 2026; Henry Hub via CME/NYMEX.