New England suffers higher electricity rates, not due to geography, but because of policy choices at the state level. Under the Federal Power Act, states have exclusive authority to regulate the electricity generated and sold within their borders. This has allowed states to enact policies like renewable portfolio standards, clean energy standards, 100% renewable energy targets, and energy efficiency standards for houses and cars. As a result, the region boasts the highest electricity rates in the nation—with no end in sight. 

The region is frequently an early adopter of policy changes that can inform or influence legislation elsewhere in the country over time.

Independent Women’s recent research highlights important implications for states considering New England’s energy standards. The findings reveal a clear tension between women’s growing concern over rising energy costs and their desire to remain responsible environmental stewards.

Independent Women’s Center for Energy and Conservation helps bridge this divide. The analysis below examines how New England became the nation’s most expensive energy market, explores women’s perspectives on the region’s energy policies, and outlines practical solutions to a more affordable and sustainable path forward in the years ahead. 

REGIONAL POLLING TOPLINES:

Rising costs and reliability concerns among women are widespread:

• 91.1% of women are concerned about energy costs (58.5% “very”)
• 82.2% of women say they’re paying more than 5 years ago (52.6% “much more”)
• 52.6% agree that state politicians have misled voters about the costs and effectiveness of energy policies

STATE-SPECIFIC TOPLINES:

Connecticut

• • 91% of Connecticut women are concerned about rising energy costs.
  • 79% of Connecticut women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 52% of Connecticut women believe Connecticut politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the Connecticut Results

Maine

• • 94% of Maine women are concerned about rising energy costs.
  • 84% of Maine women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 57% of Maine women believe Maine politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the Maine Results

Massachusetts

• • 91% of Massachusetts women are concerned about rising energy costs.
  • 85% of Massachusetts women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 50% of Massachusetts women believe Massachusetts politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the Massachusetts Results

New Hampshire

• • 89% of New Hampshire women are concerned about rising energy costs.
  • 78% of New Hampshire women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 55% of New Hampshire women believe New Hampshire politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the New Hampshire Results

Rhode Island

• • 92% of Rhode Island women are concerned about rising energy costs.
  • 88% of Rhode Island women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 56% of Rhode Island women believe Rhode Island politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the Rhode Island Results

Vermont

• • 89% of Vermont women are concerned about rising energy costs
  • 79% of Vermont women say they are paying more for energy than they were five years ago.
  • 45% of Vermont women believe Vermont politicians have misled voters about the effectiveness and costs of the green-energy transition.

Download the Vermont Results

SOLUTIONS STATE LEADERS CAN TAKE TO DRIVE DOWN COSTS:

• Repeal costly energy policies that are driving up electricity costs in the region.
• Approve new natural gas pipelines
• Diversify New England’s electric grid with more reliable energy sources
• Allow nuclear to flourish alongside renewables

LEARN MORE

CITIZEN SOLUTIONS TO LOWER COSTS:

• I am for Both Statement
  • I am both for a healthy, flourishing environment and a diverse, reliable and affordable energy grid.
• Share your story!
• Download & share the polling results

RESOURCES: 

• Full Poll Results 
• Energy Abundance Report
• Policy Focus
• Connecticut Results
• New Hampshire Results
• Massachusetts Results
• Maine Results
• Rhode Island Results
• Vermont Results

Sourcing Disclaimer:

The New England Women’s Energy Survey was designed to evaluate how female voters across New England understand, experience, and respond to current energy policy, particularly as it relates to costs, reliability, and the tradeoffs embedded in the region’s aggressive green-energy agenda. 

• Fieldwork was conducted December 4–15, 2025, among 3,000 women (500 interviews per state) who are likely 2026 general election voters across the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

• Interviews were conducted online, including mobile interviews (75%) and online panel interviews (25%)

The estimated margin of sampling error is ±1.8 percentage points for the full sample and ±4.4 points for each state sample (n=500), at the 95 percent confidence level