Rising Heat and Utility Debt Put Air Conditioning Out of Reach for Millions in California

A new Environmental Working Group report shows that extreme heat days in California have risen by an average of 55% over two decades, while households spend up to $800 extra annually on air conditioning. With nearly 7 million ratepayers in utility debt, many cannot afford to run cooling systems. The report recommends expanding access to balcony and rooftop solar to offset these costs.

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The report reveals a sharp geographic divide in both heat exposure and cooling access. Coastal counties like San Francisco experienced a 145% jump in dangerous heat days, yet only about a third of homes there have air conditioning, compared with 92% in inland regions. Statewide, apartment dwellers face a similar gap—64% of multi-unit buildings have cooling versus 80% of single-family homes.

The financial burden compounds the health threat. With roughly 7 million ratepayers carrying utility debt and annual cooling costs adding up to $800 per household