PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Non-profit organizations and small businesses that have experienced financial hardships due to the higher cost of electricity have until Sept. 26 to apply for electric rate relief assistance of up to $5,000, the Ameren Illinois Utilities announced today.
To qualify, a non-profit organization, school, senior center, church or other religious institution must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities customer who has purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities since Jan. 1, 2007. Also, the organization must demonstrate the higher rates for electricity have caused a financial hardship and be registered as a non-profit corporation with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Assistance is available to small independently owned and operated businesses that have 50 or fewer employees and have their principal office in Illinois. Small businesses also must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities customer who has purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities since Jan. 1, 2007. Small business must demonstrate the higher rates for electricity have caused a financial hardship.
Applications to the Non-Residential Hardship Fund, which is being administered by the Energy Assistance Foundation, must be submitted between today and Sept. 26, 2008. Applications can be completed online by visiting the Ameren Web site (http://www.ameren.com/) and selecting "IL Rate Relief Programs." Applications also are available by calling your Ameren Illinois Utility (AmerenCILCO and AmerenCIPS - 1-800-232-2477 and AmerenIP - 1-800-363-6805).
"In addition to the rate relief assistance provided to residential electric customers, we want to make certain assistance is available to non-profit organizations and small businesses," said Stan Ogden, vice president of Customer Service and Public Relations for the Ameren Illinois Utilities.
"We have designed this assistance program to meet the needs of those organizations that have the greatest need. We urge all qualifying non-profit organizations and small businesses to submit applications," Ogden said.
Funding for the Non-Residential Hardship Fund was established last year as part of the comprehensive legislative rate relief settlement.
The Ameren Illinois utilities serve 1.2 million electric and more than 840,000 natural gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois.
SOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities
CONTACT: Leigh Morris, +1-217-535-5228, or Neal Johnson,
+1-309-677-5284, both of Ameren Illinois Utilities
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/