Intense cold weather invades, U.S. household energy costs hit a new high in many years.

In December, consumer prices for electricity and pipeline natural gas in the United States increased by 7.7% year-on-year, nearly three times the overall inflation rate. Now, a large area of the United States from the Great Lakes region to the southern interior is experiencing below-normal temperatures, with a "bomb cyclone" threatening coastal cities and bringing a new round of heavy snowfall. Already high energy prices have skyrocketed, with New York's next-day electricity prices surging by 31% on January 27, setting a new record for the third consecutive day.