ST. LOUIS, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- AmerenUE announced today the company is contributing $1.2 million to a state Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program. The contribution is earmarked to help low-income AmerenUE Missouri electric residential customers reduce their bills by conserving energy. This and an earlier $4 million contribution to the same program places AmerenUE's contributions as the single largest private gifts ever made to this initiative.
The latest contribution comes as a result of fulfillment of agreements reached as part of an electric rate case that was approved in 2007 by the Missouri Public Service Commission.
The funding will go to Missouri's Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center administers the weatherization program with the support of local assistance agencies.
"Our goal with this program is to offer weatherization services that help as many needy customers as possible prepare for hot summer and cold winter weather through energy-efficient improvements that reduce utility bills," says Anita Randolph, Energy Center director. "AmerenUE, the Office of Public Counsel and the Staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission have been our partners in developing an approach that will help many more low-income customers conserve energy through the addition of adequate insulation, caulking, weather stripping and more efficient appliances or heating and ventilation systems."
To receive these services, each potential participant who is an active AmerenUE electric customer can contact one of 14 assistance agencies, where a needs assessment will determine which clients receive the services and at what level. These agencies perform weatherization services with their own staffs or contract with vendors to provide needed services based on program criteria.
AmerenUE President and Chief Operating Officer Thomas R. Voss adds that the utility has sponsored a number of programs from supporting volunteer efforts to weatherize homes to funding increased use of energy efficient systems to a range of energy education programs. "However, this contribution, simply by its scope, will yield significant benefits to individuals and families who are struggling with their energy bills," says Voss.
The participating agencies, the location of their main offices and their phone numbers follow: (Each agency serves multiple counties.)
-- In St. Louis City: the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis,
314-615-3600
-- In St. Louis County: Community Action Agency of St. Louis County,
314-863-0015
-- In Hillsboro: Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corporation,
636-789-2686
-- In Maryville: Community Services, Inc. of Northwest Missouri,
660-582-3114
-- In Park Hills: East Missouri Action Agency, Inc., 573-431-5191
-- In Portageville: Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation,
573-379-5701
-- In Columbia: Central Missouri Community Action Agency, 573-443-8706
-- In Appleton City: West Central Missouri Community Action Agency,
660-476-2185
-- In Marshall: Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, 660-886-7476
-- In Richland: Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Inc., 573-765-3263
-- In Trenton: Green Hills Community Action Agency, 660-359-3907
-- In Bowling Green: North East Community Action Corporation, 573-324-2251
-- In Kansas City: Kansas City Department of Housing and Community
Development, 816-513-3000
-- In Kirksville: Northeast Missouri Community Action Agency, 660-665-9855
AmerenUE is a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation. Ameren companies serve 2.4 million electric customers and nearly one million natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area of Missouri and Illinois.
SOURCE: AmerenUE
CONTACT: Susan Gallagher, +1-314-554-2175, or Tim Fox, +1-314-554-3120,
both for AmerenUE
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/