The reeling U.S. consumer is getting another shock this summer-from electricity bills. Many utilities are putting through some of the largest rate increases in decades, raising prices by double digits over last year. Much of the blame lies with coal and natural gas, which have doubled in cost over the past year and fire about 70% of the nation's power plants. But climbing energy demand and the need to invest in aging transmission systems are also contributing to the problem. The result is greater stress on customers, as well as mounting political pressure to curb further hikes. Having already struggled with rising prices for everything from gasoline to grain, businesses now have to cope with another source of pain. DuPont, for one, expects its electricity costs to rise between 20% and 25% this year.
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