‘15 percent is ridiculous’: Customers sound off on Ameren Missouri’s proposed price increase for better service
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) -Residents filled St. Louis Community College Forest Park to weigh in on an Ameren Missouri 15% rate hike plan.
Customers testified during a public hearing in front of the state’s Public Service Commission, who has the final say on the bill increase.
“15 percent is ridiculous. It makes no sense whatsoever,” says customer, Julia Allen.
“A lot of people are seeing increase in costs a lot of different places and now they hear they’re going to see an increase in their electric bill and they’re asking questions about why,” says Warren Wood, Ameren Missouri Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.
On Wednesday, dozens of people signed up to speak and ask questions about why the utility company is looking to add an extra $15-20 to monthly electric bills.
Ameren says the money will help improve service. The company tells First Alert 4, they’ve already tried to cut costs by minimizing equipment and reducing meter costs.
“We’re focused on investing wisely to make the system more reliable and resilient ensuring customers have fewer outages, faster restoration,” says Warren Wood, Ameren Missouri Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.
“The 1% they don’t worry about but the people in the middle class are the ones who are paying. We’re the ones who are paying for the low income,” says Allen.
More opposition against the price hike comes from the Missouri NAA, which accuses Ameren of disconnecting 90,000 households from March to November 2024.
Wood says the utility company is providing financial assistance to prevent customers from losing service.
“The vast majority of the cost goes into the poles, wires, transformers, and the cost of energy resources. We’re bringing about 500 megawatts of solar projects on that are now serving customers,” Wood says.
“I understand they have to do business but that’s a lot of money,” Allen says.
Ameren Illinois’s price hike was approved before the new year. Officials believe the $300 million increase until 2027 will add about a dollar to monthly bills.
Missouri’s Public Service Commission will have a decision on Ameren Missouri’s price hike by the spring.
Those in need of payment assistance are encouraged to visit:
Missouri: //AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance
Illinois: //AmerenIllinois.com/EnergyAssistance
The rate increase public hearings are in person and two are virtual. The meetings are scheduled from January 21-27.
Below is the local public hearing schedule:
Jan. 23—Jefferson City. Governor Office Building, Room 310, 200 Madison Street at noon.
Jan. 23—Virtual Local Public Hearing starts at 6 p.m.
Jan. 24—Virtual Local Public Hearing starts at noon.
Jan. 27—Sunset Hills. Sunset Hills Council Chambers, 3939 S. Lindbergh Blvd at noon
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