Alert: Your electricity bill might skyrocket this Monday! Discover if you're one of the 1.5M in these 3 states facing surcharges
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As the week kicks off, residents in some states of America might be in for a jolt—not from their morning coffee, but from their electricity bills.
A new policy change took effect on March 10, increasing the price of power supplied from Canada to certain US states, potentially impacting millions of homes and businesses.
This development comes amid broader trade tensions between the two countries, leaving many wondering—will your bill be affected?
Starting last Monday, Ontario has implemented a 25% surcharge on the electricity it exports to these three US states, potentially affecting 1.5 million homes and businesses.
Ontario's Premier Doug Ford, a vocal opponent of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian imports, has taken a stand.
In a bold move, Ford announced that the province would not only levy a surcharge on its electricity exports but also consider further increases or even a complete cutoff depending on the actions of the Trump administration.
During a press conference, Ford expressed his reluctance to impose the surcharge, stating, “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people, because it's not the American people who started this trade war,” and placing the blame squarely on President Trump.
For the average American household or business in the affected states, this surcharge could mean an additional $100 tacked onto their monthly electricity bill, as estimated by Ford.
In February, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on imports from the U.S.'s largest trading partners—China, Mexico, and Canada—aiming to pressure them into aiding border security and curbing illegal drug trafficking.
Source: NewsNation / Youtube.
However, after discussions with leaders from Mexico and Canada ahead of the original start date, he postponed the 25% tariffs by a month.
On March 3, Trump declared that time was up, and the tariffs were implemented overnight. In response, stock markets dipped, and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs.
Also read: How Trump's tariffs could impact your wallet: What you need to know
By Thursday, Trump granted a 30-day extension for goods covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which accounts for roughly 38% of imports from Canada.
Source: CNN / Youtube.
While some goods, such as Canadian energy and potash, a key fertilizer ingredient, face a lower tariff rate of 10%, the threat of additional tariffs on lumber and dairy looms large.
By Friday, Trump appeared ready to introduce additional retaliatory tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy.
Speaking from the Oval Office, he indicated that these tariffs could be implemented as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to Reuters.
If you're in Minnesota, Michigan, or New York, it's time to review your electricity bill and budget accordingly. Consider energy-saving measures that can help offset the surcharge, such as:
- Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances
- Installing programmable thermostats
- Sealing leaks around doors and windows
- Turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use
Are you among those who will lose light? Could parts of the US be left in the dark? Why this energy dispute matters
How do you plan to manage the increase in your electricity bill? What steps are you taking to manage the added costs? Share your experiences and strategies in the comments below!
A new policy change took effect on March 10, increasing the price of power supplied from Canada to certain US states, potentially impacting millions of homes and businesses.
This development comes amid broader trade tensions between the two countries, leaving many wondering—will your bill be affected?
Starting last Monday, Ontario has implemented a 25% surcharge on the electricity it exports to these three US states, potentially affecting 1.5 million homes and businesses.
Ontario's Premier Doug Ford, a vocal opponent of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian imports, has taken a stand.
In a bold move, Ford announced that the province would not only levy a surcharge on its electricity exports but also consider further increases or even a complete cutoff depending on the actions of the Trump administration.
During a press conference, Ford expressed his reluctance to impose the surcharge, stating, “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people, because it's not the American people who started this trade war,” and placing the blame squarely on President Trump.
Ontario has initiated a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to Minnesota, Michigan, and New York starting Monday. Image source: Alexander Schimmeck / Unsplash.
For the average American household or business in the affected states, this surcharge could mean an additional $100 tacked onto their monthly electricity bill, as estimated by Ford.
In February, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on imports from the U.S.'s largest trading partners—China, Mexico, and Canada—aiming to pressure them into aiding border security and curbing illegal drug trafficking.
Source: NewsNation / Youtube.
However, after discussions with leaders from Mexico and Canada ahead of the original start date, he postponed the 25% tariffs by a month.
On March 3, Trump declared that time was up, and the tariffs were implemented overnight. In response, stock markets dipped, and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs.
Also read: How Trump's tariffs could impact your wallet: What you need to know
By Thursday, Trump granted a 30-day extension for goods covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which accounts for roughly 38% of imports from Canada.
Source: CNN / Youtube.
While some goods, such as Canadian energy and potash, a key fertilizer ingredient, face a lower tariff rate of 10%, the threat of additional tariffs on lumber and dairy looms large.
By Friday, Trump appeared ready to introduce additional retaliatory tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy.
Speaking from the Oval Office, he indicated that these tariffs could be implemented as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to Reuters.
If you're in Minnesota, Michigan, or New York, it's time to review your electricity bill and budget accordingly. Consider energy-saving measures that can help offset the surcharge, such as:
- Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances
- Installing programmable thermostats
- Sealing leaks around doors and windows
- Turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use
Are you among those who will lose light? Could parts of the US be left in the dark? Why this energy dispute matters
How do you plan to manage the increase in your electricity bill? What steps are you taking to manage the added costs? Share your experiences and strategies in the comments below!
