Ameren Illinois Modernizing Energy Delivery System in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler Counties
As part of a multi-year plan to build a next generation energy delivery system and create jobs in central and southern Illinois, Ameren Illinois announced today it is enhancing service reliability for nearly 32,000 residential and small business customers in and around Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties, including upgrading electric meters and natural gas meters.
“Over time, this advanced technology will provide our customers with access to more programs, pricing options and energy efficiency tools to help them manage their energy usage and better control their costs,” said Chad Cloninger, Director of Operations for Ameren Illinois serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties. “In the meantime, service reliability offers greater customer benefits as we’re able to more quickly detect system disruptions, prevent outages, and restore service.”
This month local customers will receive notification about electric and natural gas meter upgrades which are scheduled to begin in January and continue throughout 2016. Benefits of these advanced, two-way communication devices include:
- More reliable energy. The advanced meter works with the other system upgrades that Ameren Illinois is making, including automated switches and sensors that will help the utility detect and isolate outages sooner so that they can restore service more promptly.
- More energy usage control. As technology continues to advance, the new meters will provide detailed energy usage information that will make it easier for customers to take an active role in controlling their energy usage and costs.
- More customer information. Over time, customers will have more convenient ways to view their energy usage information through mobile and web-based tools – all designed to help customers better manage their energy use.
Ameren Illinois will contact customers in advance of meter upgrades. Customers do not need to take any action or be present as long as installers have clear and safe access to the meters. The upgrades will take about 10-15 minutes and will be performed by Ameren Illinois or Apex contracting crews displaying Ameren photo-ID badges. Installers will never ask for payment of any kind. There will be a brief interruption to a customer’s electric service. If a customer is not present, a door hanger will be left to let them know if the upgrade was completed.
“We are committed to keeping our customers informed about how we are investing to upgrade their service,” Cloninger said. “Advanced meters contribute to greater service reliability and offer more customer benefits. Enhancing reliability and providing access to energy information is going to be an energy- and cost-saving advantage for our customers in the future.”
According to Cloninger, customers are experiencing the benefits of Ameren Illinois’s long-term approach for upgrading the state's natural gas and electric delivery infrastructure. Since 2012, Ameren Illinois has implemented hundreds of system reliability projects by adding new technology and fortifying the energy grid. As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 17 percent, saving Ameren Illinois customers an estimated $48 million a year. The utility has added more than 800 employees, and more than 1,200 Illinois-based contract workers who are supporting Ameren Illinois projects.
Customers with questions can visit AmerenIllinois.com/focus or call Ameren Illinois Customer Service at 1-800-755-5000.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois, Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.
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