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BREAKING: Ameren asks for a $64 million electric rate hike

Ameren has filed a $64 million rate-hike request before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s the statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata:

This is an awful time for a rate hike, as Illinois families struggle to pay their utility bills amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our legal team will dive into Ameren’s rate-hike filing, and we will challenge every penny of wasteful spending. At the same time our policy team in Springfield will continue to fight for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA)—and Ameren’s $64 million rate-hike request just underscores the urgency of passing that pro-consumer legislation in 2021.

At the same time Ameren pushes for an increase, the company has launched a misinformation campaign to defeat CEJA, in no small part because the legislation would bar the company from fast-tracked rate hikes—also called “formula rate” increases—like the one it is now proposing. Ameren has enjoyed $170 million in rate hikes over the last decade, but CEJA would replace formula rates with a system that emphasizes customer affordability and utility accountability. By implementing the strongest utility accountability standards in Illinois history, CEJA would adhere to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s call for energy legislation that puts consumers and climate above utility profits.