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Sound off on the Ameren rate hikes
Sept. 15, 2009 — State regulators have scheduled four hearings for public comments on Ameren’s proposed $162 million rate hike.
The hike would affect Ameren CILCO, AmerenCIPS, AmerenCIPS-Metro East, and AmerenIP customers. The proposal, originally $226 million, comes less than a year after state regulators granted the company a $160 million increase, which CUB is appealing. Just as lower wholesale electric and natural gas prices give consumer budgets a break, Ameren’s hike would hijack those savings by increasing the rates it charges to deliver energy to consumers’ homes. With your support, CUB is appealing Ameren’s last increase and fighting the utility’s current proposal. But our work doesn’t end there! The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is holding public hearings on Ameren’s rate-hike proposal at four locations across Illinois. CUB encourages all consumers to attend and voice their concerns about Ameren’s request. “State regulators need to hear how this rate hike would burden hardworking Illinois consumers,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “Ameren’s parent company reaped more than $600 million in 2008 profits and consumers are struggling to pay their bills. Now is not the time for a rate hike.” The hearings are: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29 Illinois Commerce Commission 527 E. Capitol Ave. Hearing Room A Springfield 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5 Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building 1100 Eastport Plaza Collinsville 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27 Pekin City Council Chambers 111 S. Capitol St. Pekin 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2 Decatur Public Library—Madden Room 130 N. Franklin St. Decatur If you can’t attend a hearing, please voice your opinion by calling the ICC at 1-800-524-0795 or by filing a public comment online. |