ST. LOUIS, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- AmerenUE today announced that through a newly created Safe Connect Program -- a safe connection system for back-up generators -- the company is offering generous rebates to any AmerenUE residential electric customers on the purchase and installation of certain generator transfer switch systems. These systems are designed by their manufacturers to help ensure safety in connecting an emergency backup electric generator to a home's electrical wiring.
A rebate of 50 percent of the cost-up to a maximum rebate of $500 --- will go toward the purchase and installation of a safe connection system for back-up generation if it is purchased and installed between Nov. 2, 2007, and July 31, 2009. AmerenUE does not profit from the Safe Connect program. The Missouri Public Service Commission on Nov. 1 approved a filing outlining the details of the program.
"This is simply a service to AmerenUE customers to help ensure safety," says Richard Mark, senior vice president, AmerenUE Energy Delivery. "A generator safe connection system prevents electricity from back feeding into AmerenUE's power lines, while the generator is powering your home. Backfeeding --- when electric power flows in the opposite direction from its usual flow --- can be extremely dangerous because it presents risks to neighbors served by the same utility line, and it presents an electrocution risk to utility workers. If a lineman is working to restore power to utility lines that are believed to be dead and the lines are actually energized due to a back-feed of electricity from an improperly connected generator, the lineman could be seriously injured or possibly killed."
AmerenUE engineers have reviewed multiple suppliers of these safe connection systems and selected several for this program. Selected generator safe connection systems are Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (UL)-tested and designed to connect a generator to the customer's wiring. Systems come in a range of sizes to handle the specific capacity of each electric generator.
In addition, AmerenUE reached out to hundreds of contractors to develop the Safe Connect Provider Network of contractors who will be installing the generator safe connection systems for customers who wish to receive rebates. To be eligible for the rebate, the generator transfer switch must be installed by a contractor who is on AmerenUE's list of eligible providers at the time of installation. Product descriptions and the names of those providers are listed on the safe connect web site (http://www.ameren.com/safeconnect). Selected contractors were required to meet a number of criteria to qualify for the network as further described at http://www.ameren.com/safeconnect. Contractors who would like to participate still have the opportunity to be added by calling 1-800-552-7583. Customers can also contact our customer contact center at 1-800-55ASKUE (1-800-552-7583) for more information.
Rebates go only toward the purchase and installation of the generator safe connection systems covered by this program and installation must be done by a contractor on the network list. The rebate may not be used toward the purchase of an actual generator or any other equipment.
To get the rebate:
1. The customer selects a contractor from AmerenUE's provider network and
has that contractor call AmerenUE for prior approval and request a form
Document C0 prior to starting the installation of the safe connection
system. To get the rebate approved, an AmerenUE form Document C0 must
accompany the application.
2. The contractor then submits the rebate application to AmerenUE along
with other required documentation.
3. The check for the rebate is either sent to the customer at the address
where the system device was installed or applied as a credit to the
customer's bill-depending on the preference checked when the rebate
application is submitted.
With this service, AmerenUE is not selling or supplying the generator transfer switch systems, the generator or other related equipment, or offering any guarantees or warranties in connection with these products or their installation. AmerenUE is not responsible for the work of the contractor who sells or installs these products.
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 Mike Cleary,
+1-573-681-7137, both for AmerenUE
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/safeconnect
http://www.ameren.com/