CUB plans to challenge Ameren rate increase

Posted on December 11, 2015

Ameren Illinois has been approved to raise rates by $151 million in 2016. (WJBC file photo)

By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – Ameren customers can expect a hike in their utility bills next year, while ComEd’s customers will see the opposite.

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved rate hikes of $106 million for Ameren’s electricity customers and $45 million for Ameren’s natural gas customers. At the same time, ComEd is cutting rates by nearly $66 million.

The difference in electricity rates for the two companies could be attributed to how each company has progressed in plans to modernize their power grids.

“Ameren has promised to build a power grid that will actually be able to save consumers money by making the system more efficient and by allowing consumers to take advantage of money-saving pricing plans,” said Citizens Utility Board spokesman Jim Chilsen.

Chilsen says CUB has filed a petition of rehearing on both decisions by the ICC, asking for Ameren’s rate hikes to be reconsidered and to add to ComEd’s rate reduction.

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