COLLINSVILLE, IL (April 16, 2021) – Ameren Illinois has filed for an adjustment to its electric delivery service rates for next year. If approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), new rates will take effect in 2022.
Under Illinois' performance based ratemaking process, utilities are required to file an annual plan outlining investments that will be undertaken to upgrade the electric energy infrastructure, maintain reliability and improve services to customers and local communities. The filing includes thousands of pages of documentation and financial disclosure statements justifying the proposed improvements and will be subject to a rigorous, eight month review by the ICC.
Ameren Illinois customers have seen several rate decreases in recent years. Yesterday's filing is only the second requested increase in delivery service rates in six years. If approved by the ICC, the adjustment would add about $2.75 per month to delivery portion of residential customer bills next year. Factoring in this adjustment, Ameren Illinois electric rates are 21% lower than the national average and customers are paying less for energy service than they were five years ago.
"Our customers consistently tell us that they want reliable and affordable energy," said Richard J. Mark, Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois. "This plan will enable us to continue making prudent investments to strengthen the electric grid, reduce outages, and keep rates stable."
Major investments planned for 2022 include:
Since the company began implementing its modernization action plan, power poles and wires have been strengthened, and more delivery infrastructure is being placed underground. These improvements, along with outage detection technology, have resulted in improvements in system reliability and millions of dollars in savings for customers.
Mark noted the importance of grid resiliency in withstanding severe Midwest storms and ensuring that energy is available during extreme temperatures. The value of the company's stable energy delivery system was evident in February during a stretch of sub-zero temperatures that stressed the electric grid in parts of the United States. Despite the weather challenges, Ameren Illinois did not experience significant reliability issues.
The proposed clean energy investments in the 2022 plan will enable Ameren Illinois to continue preparing the energy grid to accommodate increases in renewable energy development and help the state transition to its goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. Ameren Illinois has announced support for the Downstate Clean Energy Affordability Act (DCEAA, HB 1734/SB 311), a bill which aims to increase production of lower-cost solar energy and create vital economic opportunities and good-paying jobs in Central and Southern Illinois. The package will ensure that renewable energy is produced at the lowest possible cost to downstate Illinois utility customers.
The ICC will conduct an open and transparent eight-month regulatory review of the rate adjustment request. A decision by the ICC is expected in December, with new rates effective in early 2022.
To learn more about Ameren Illinois' electric and gas modernization programs, visit AmerenIllinois.com/focus, Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois, and Twitter @AmerenIllinois.
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About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. 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, find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.
Media contacts:
Marcelyn Love
217-381-2241
mlove@ameren.com