The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is urging Ameren Illinois gas customers to attend Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) public forums in Springfield on Wednesday and East St. Louis on Thursday to protest their utility’s proposal for a fourth excessive gas rate hike in less than a decade.
Consumer advocates argue that Ameren’s current $131.1 million rate-hike plan is nearly triple what the utility could possibly justify under the law. In recent years, customers across Ameren’s territory have complained to CUB about multiple rate hikes and escalating gas bills. Ameren Illinois has imposed three increases on customers since 2018, raising delivery rates by $202 million, or 50 percent.
In that same time period (2018-2024), the utility’s parent company, Ameren, has increased profits by 45 percent for a total of $6.9 billion, and Ameren Illinois’ gas segment has seen its profits more than double.
These forums, organized by the ICC, give customers a chance to voice their opposition to yet another Ameren rate hike:
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 27
CMS Regional Complex
4800 Wabash Avenue
Springfield, IL 62711
Sign up to attend
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 28
New Life Community Church
1919 State Street
East St. Louis, IL 62205
Sign up to attend
NOTE: Consumer advocates will be available for interviews in advance and on-site.
Consumer advocates such as the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, CUB and Illinois PIRG have filed testimony uncovering more than $80 million in overcharges in Ameren’s proposal, arguing that the utility’s proposal is nearly triple what it can justify. The ICC is expected to rule on Ameren’s rate-hike proposal by December.
