Ameren Illinois has filed paperwork with the Illinois Commerce Commission seeking a rate adjustment that would increase the average household bill by about $6 per month for electric customers and just slightly more than that for natural gas.
Specifically, the utility is asking for about $160 million on the natural gas side of the company and about $435.6 million over four-years for electric.
Ameren Illinois spokesman Tucker Kennedy explains:
“On the electric side its about preparing that grid to transition to clean energy. The gas side is about complying with federal requirements and are the most efficient and reliable energy delivery system that we can have.”
One of Illinois’ utility watchdogs is promising to study a new rate hike request. Citizens Utility Board spokesman Jim Chilsen says he is leery of the utility’s request.
“What we are really concerned about when Ameren asks for these big rate hikes is if the company is asking for an excessive profit rate for shareholders. That’s what these cases come down to. So for the next 11 months, we are going to challenge every penny that the company can’t justify and do our best to reduce these rate hikes as much as possible and expose any attempt by Ameren to ask for an excessive profit rate for shareholders.”
The estimated cost to electric consumers is based on monthly usage of about 10,000 kW, while the natural gas estimate of $6.68 per month is based on monthly usage of about 745 therms.
The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold hearings and take comments over the next eight months or so before rendering a decision. If approved, new rates would take effect early next year.
