News Releases

In the wake of serious storm damage from the Dec. 1 ice storm that hit Illinois and Missouri, Ameren utilities are urging anyone using a portable generator to follow strict safety requirements to prevent injury or death both to themselves and to the utility field crews attempting to restore thousands of customers. Near-misses that occurred recently in the St. Louis area prompted Ameren companies' officials to make this plea. There have already been three deaths, in Washington State and Illinois, related to improper use of generators in the aftermath of this winter storm.

Portable generators can be deadly to those who use them and to utility workers if the devices are improperly installed. If a customer plans to install a temporary generator, they must first open their main breaker or remove their main fuses before connecting the generator to their electrical systems. Failure to do this could seriously injure utility crews working on outside power lines, and/or it could cause damage to a neighbor's property or the customer's own equipment.

Customers should never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home, garage, basement, shed or partially-enclosed area - even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent the carbon monoxide exhaust from building up in the home. Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area far away from doors, windows and vents. Following this advice can save your life.

Exercise extreme caution when handling fuel for portable generators, especially when re-fueling hot or running generators.

For information regarding permanently installed generators, go to www.ameren.com.

With assets of more than $19 billion, Ameren, through its operating companies, serves 2.4 million electric and one million natural gas customers in a 64,000- square-mile area of Illinois and Missouri.

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