After intense negotiations, we are pleased to report that our fight to protect the interests of downstate customers was successful. Senate Bill 2814 will enable Ameren Illinois to continue investing to strengthen the electric grid to improve service reliability and implement new energy efficiency programs. Plus, it will keep two nuclear facilities operational, preserving more than 4,000 jobs and keeping energy supply costs lower.
From the first day this legislation was proposed, our singular focus was on ensuring that our customers weren't unfairly saddled with higher monthly costs without the resulting benefits. What was once a proposed $2 per month bill increase is now a less than 12-cent per month increase and could result in a slight decrease in customer rates over the life of the plan. As a result, we have an energy policy that will pave the way for Ameren Illinois to continue a world-class energy infrastructure modernization program for central and southern Illinois.
I want to thank the members of the General Assembly and the Governor for working with us to keep the interests of downstate customers in mind as this bill was negotiated. No bill is perfect and not every stakeholder will be fully satisfied. In the end, the opportunity to work with all parties to stabilize employment, bolster energy efficiency programs and continue improving system reliability made this legislation worthy of support.
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