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According to a study released on the 3rd by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center on Energy, Poverty and Climate (CEPC), household energy bills across the United States are expected to rise 7.9% this summer due to increased cooling costs caused by extreme heat. NEADA and the Center on Energy, Poverty and Climate are Washington-based policy organizations that focus on providing affordable energy to low-income people. The two organizations said that from June to September, household electricity costs in the Mid-Atlantic and West Coast states are expected to rise the most, up about 12% from the same period last year. Midwestern states and parts of the South may also see a sharp increase of about 10%. Due to extreme temperatures and growing electricity demand, household electricity bills across the United States continue to rise in the summer, which has a disproportionate impact on low-income households. They may face dangerous situations of exposure to high temperatures. It is estimated that summer household cooling costs from June to September in 2024 are expected to reach $719, compared with $476 a decade ago. The overall cost may be the highest in the South, with electricity bills in Texas and surrounding states expected to reach $858 this summer. And utility consumer debt has risen from $17.5 billion to $20.3 billion in December 2023. About 21.2 million households, or 16% of all households in the United States, are behind on their energy bills. The report said: "Access to affordable cooling is not just about comfort. For many people, especially low-income households and members of vulnerable groups, the difference can be significant, either staying safe and cool or ending up in the emergency room due to heat stroke, heart attack or other heat-related illnesses."