AmerenUE customers today began receiving letters announcing that AmerenUE will become Ameren Missouri on Oct. 1. On the same day, the Ameren Illinois utilities – AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS and AmerenIP -- will merge into one entity---Ameren Illinois Company.
Both are subsidiaries of Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE).
The letters the company began mailing today to all Missouri customers also describe an updated bill format that is clearer for customers to read.
“We are changing the bill format and the name of our utility companies to increase clarity of customer communication,” said Thomas R. Voss, chairman president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. “Since the utility companies in the two states operate under different regulatory requirements and business models, we believe we can better communicate with all of our stakeholders by identifying each of our operating companies by the state in which it does business.
“This change makes it clear that each company is focused on the specific needs of the customers in that state, and this will help differentiate the pricing structures, rates and services offered, based on regulatory and legislative differences.”
Customers in communities along the Illinois and Missouri state line are sometimes confused about differences between the two Ameren operating companies --- especially in shared media markets like St. Louis/Metro East, Quincy/Hannibal and Paducah/Cape Girardeau/Harrisburg.
“Because we have an obligation to educate and inform our stakeholders, we changed the names to minimize customer confusion and clarify important distinctions between the two Ameren companies,” Voss added.
AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Warner Baxter said that “while this is a change in our name, the heart of what we do and who we are remains unchanged—our commitment to provide safe and reliable service in an environmentally responsible manner is a constant.”
He added that there will be no advertising campaign to accompany the change in names in either state; communication will be handled directly with customers and through media releases. “The new names will be phased in over time to avoid unnecessary costs,” Baxter said. “Changes to building signs, trucks and uniforms will be made as we do normal maintenance and replace worn-out materials and equipment, so Missourians will continue to see the AmerenUE logo for some time.”
AmerenUE, founded in 1902, provides electric and gas service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area. UE serves 57 Missouri counties and 500 towns. The company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. For more information, visit www.amerenue.com.
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Contact: Mike Cleary, 573-681-7137