Steep increases in energy bills are leading consumers in blue states to question renewable energy policies that have failed to deliver more reliable, less-expensive heat and electricity.

Price hikes in New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts, among other states, have left consumers fuming and government leaders scrambling to provide relief as voters threaten to turn on them at the polls for implementing the green energy policies largely blamed for the spike.

“It feels like all of a sudden people woke up,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “I think over time, yes, the blame will be squarely on elected leaders.”

In Massachusetts, where Democrat leaders are aiming to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a program to encourage residents to convert from gas to electric heat has significantly spiked most monthly energy bills, in many cases by double or more.

Massachusetts resident Scott O’Donnell’s electric bill for his 1,100-square-foot ranch home has nearly doubled over last year’s cost, despite keeping the heat turned down to 68 degrees.

February’s $685 bill breaks down to $290 for heat and $395 for a “delivery charge” that includes a recently hiked fee to fund a program called Mass Save. The MassSave program gives rebates to residents who convert to electric-powered heat, but the cost is passed along to ratepayers.

Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, recently approved a 25% budget increase for the Mass Save program as she has prioritized getting rid of all fossil fuel heating sources in the state.

Utility companies hiked the fee to pay for expanded Mass Save budget, adding to electricity prices that were already among the highest in the nation.

The Democrat-led state has rejected installing natural gas pipelines and new fossil fuel or nuclear power plants, and instead imports most of its energy, including liquified natural gas exports from Canada, Norway and other countries, at a much higher cost.

Mr. O’Donnell and other critics of the state’s energy policies blame Ms. Healey for helping to block two natural gas pipelines and putting in place policies such as Mass Save.

Roughly a third of the state’s energy comes from renewable sources, mostly solar. A major natural gas power plant shuttered in May, and the only future energy projects planned by the state involve renewables, which are intermittent and produce far less energy during the harsh New England winters.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Healey did not respond to an inquiry from The Washington Times. In a local television news interview, the governor said her administration is not to blame for the higher costs, but she’s asked the Department of Public Utilities “to take a look at the rates … and do anything and everything we can as a state to lower heating bills.”

The DPU ordered energy companies to slash rates by at least 5% in March and April, which will save consumers an average of about $15 on each bill.

Ms. Healey and top state officials say eliminating fossil fuels in the state’s electrical grid will provide cleaner air and reduce the impact of climate change they believe is already causing adverse weather events in Bay State towns and cities.

They also hope to establish the state as a global leader in the effort to build a clean electrical grid.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has set an even more ambitious goal. He’s aiming to make all of the state’s energy production free of fossil fuels by 2035. But a large offshore wind project has stalled due to rising costs and opposition.

Critics say Mr. Murphy’s plan to exclude natural gas and other fossil fuels, while investing heavily in offshore wind, was unrealistic and left the grid short of supply amid increasing demand, leading to higher costs.

New Jersey residents are bracing for 20% bill hikes this summer, caused in large part by “decarbonization policies” that have led to a reduced supply of power, according to PJM Interconnection, which operates the electric grid for New Jersey and a dozen additional states.

“We have continuously warned that creating policies that set artificial deadlines for actions and discouraging new generation from sources that include natural gas, nuclear, as well as other renewables, will result in much higher energy prices for New Jersey residents and businesses. And so here we are,” said Ray Cantor, who is deputy chief government affairs officer for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

Maryland consumers were shocked this winter by energy bills that have doubled for some. The big increase is caused in part by the state’s ambitious plan to remove fossil fuels from the electrical grid by shutting down coal and and oil-fired power plants, as well as a state-approved hike in charges utility customers must pay to fund Maryland’s energy efficiency upgrades.

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, signed the Climate Solutions Now Act in 2022. It requires the state to cut greenhouse gas emission 60% by 2031, compared to 2006 levels.

The shuttering of fossil-fuel-fired power plants, however, means the state must import most of its electricity, which comes with a much higher cost for ratepayers.

“Every Marylander has been affected negatively by these soaring power prices,” said Delegate Brian A. Chisholm, an Ann Arundel Republican. “We have Marylanders right now that have to decide whether or not they pay their rent or their mortgage or their power bill. That is a scary situation to be in.”

He added, “I’m hearing from business owners who are telling me they’re not going to be able to keep their businesses open long. They feel like they’re being strangled by a climate cult with some of these policies.”

Mr. Chisholm and a half-dozen other Maryland GOP lawmakers this month asked the Trump administration to halt plans to shut down two power plants operated by oil and coal, to stave off an even bigger energy crisis in the state. The two plants were headed for closure in part because a state emissions cap hindered their operation. They agreed in January to remain open longer, but according to lawmakers, they are “exploiting the crisis to impose excessive fees” on ratepayers.

Mr. Trump ran on a promise to “drill baby, drill” and tapped Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive, to restore fossil fuels to a prominent place in the U.S. energy mix following years of Biden-era policies to end them.

In a letter to Mr. Wright, the Maryland lawmakers asked the administration to investigate the feasibility of reopening some of Maryland’s six coal-fired power plants that were shuttered in recent years as the state sought to achieve net-zero emissions goals.

“The situation demands immediate federal action,” the lawmakers wrote.

• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.