Ameren is defending its request for a multi-year $1.3 billion dollar electric rate hike. The Illinois Commerce Commission hosted a forum on the request in Decatur last evening (Wednesday, July 19, 2023). If approved, the average Ameren residential customer would pay approximately $12 more a month for electricity initially, and about $31 more each month by 2027 according to the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Although the forum is over, the public can still submit their comments on the proposed rate hike by mailing them to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Jim Chilsen is the Communications Director for the Illinois Citizens Utility Board (CUB)….
{AUDIO: ”This is democracy in action. We want people to have their voices be heard. And this is a chance to let the Illinois Commerce Commission know how you feel about Ameren’s four-year $1.3 billion dollar rate hike.”}
CUB plans to support more than $500-million dollars in reductions to the proposed increase, working with other parties in the case, including the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Ameren says the rate hike is needed for the company’s clean energy transition. ”We support the clean energy transition,” said Ameren. The company’s statement added: ”As required by law, we filed a multi-year grid plan to continue to provide safe, reliable and resilient energy delivery systems for our customers. The plan facilitates the adoption and development of local, clean energy generation, promotes the long-term growth of cleaner energy, and operates the infrastructure that will support electrification of the downstate Illinois economy.”
Ameren’s request follows a $1.5 billion dollar rate proposal that was submitted by ComEd.
(Information for this story provided by Illinois Radio Network News.)
