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Ameren Illinois Opens New Gas Control Center
Investment supports company’s efforts to build safer, more reliable energy delivery system; strengthens local economy

Ameren Illinois President Richard Mark was joined by state and local officials, Sept. 7, in officially opening the company’s new Gas Control Center in Decatur, Illinois. The approximately 12,100 sq. ft. facility provides real-time monitoring of Ameren Illinois’ natural gas delivery system.

“This state-of-the-art facility serves as an important link in our efforts to monitor and control the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to Ameren Illinois customers,” said Richard J. Mark, president of Ameren Illinois. “While at the same time, it reinforces our commitment to grow the Decatur economy by providing jobs and new investment to the community.”

Ameren Illinois’ Gas Control center is an around-the-clock operation where highly-skilled workers remotely monitor and control the flow of natural gas through regional transmission and distribution networks to ensure its safe and reliable operation. Gas Control monitors the delivery system for any abnormal operating conditions and takes the necessary action to ensure the safety of Ameren Illinois customers and the public.

Approximately 20 employees are housed at the facility including gas control specialists, technical specialists and support personnel.

“We applaud Ameren Illinois for making this investment in the Decatur community,” said Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe, City of Decatur. “This is another great example of growing our economy through our established business base, and we are so excited that Ameren Illinois chose Decatur for this new center.”

“We greatly appreciate Ameren Illinois selecting Decatur for this exciting project.  Ameren Illinois is a committed partner in the economic development of our community and this investment is a perfect example,” said Ryan McCrady, president of the EDC. “We all know Ameren Illinois as our provider of reliable, affordable energy, but their collective impact will go much farther as these 20 new jobs will support as many as 75 other jobs in Decatur and Macon County.”

Ameren Illinois' Decatur Gas Control facility by the numbers:

  • $5.3 million investment
  • 20 full-time jobs
  • 1.7 acre lot
  • 1,875 sq. ft control room operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
  • 820 sq. ft conference room
  • 375 sq. ft training room
  • 2,700 sq.ft of general office space
  • 1,000 sq. ft server room

 

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About Ameren Illinois

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to power the quality of life. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.  Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.