WSJ’s Katherine Blunt explains why electricity and natural-gas prices are up so much this year and offers tips on how to manage the expense. Illustration: Mike Cheslik The U.S. needs more power to meet rising energy needs. Building the infrastructure necessary to make that happen has proven difficult. Utility-scale energy projects such as power transmission lines and offshore wind farms have to win approval from authorities in several jurisdictions, which can take years. Communities near the projects, environmental groups and others frequently oppose the projects and challenge them in court. The result is that projects are often delayed and costs elevated, according to industry experts and executives. A bill negotiated by Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) as a companion to the Democrats’ energy and climate-spending package could help accelerate wind- and solar-power development as well as pipelines for oil and gas. The bill aims to expedite new energy projects, […]