CHICAGO, April 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This is an awful
time for a rate hike, as Illinois
families struggle to pay their utility bills amid the COVID-19
public health crisis. Our legal team will dive into Ameren's
rate-hike filing, and we will challenge every penny of wasteful
spending. At the same time our policy team in Springfield will continue to fight for the
Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA)—and Ameren's $64 million rate-hike request just underscores
the urgency of passing that pro-consumer legislation in 2021.
At the same time Ameren pushes for an increase, the company has
launched a misinformation campaign to defeat CEJA, in no small part
because the legislation would bar the company from fast-tracked
rate hikes—also called "formula rate" increases—like the one
it is now proposing. Ameren has enjoyed $170
million in rate hikes over the last decade, but CEJA would
replace formula rates with a system that emphasizes customer
affordability and utility accountability. By implementing the
strongest utility accountability standards in Illinois history, CEJA would adhere to Gov.
J.B. Pritzker's call for energy legislation that puts consumers and
climate above utility profits.
BACKGROUND
-On Thursday, April 15, Ameren
announced it was requesting that the Illinois Commerce Commission
(ICC) increase the utility's delivery rates by $64,092,000. The ICC will rule on the case in
December.
-The rate hike reportedly would increase the average residential
customer's monthly bill by about $2.75 beginning Jan. 1,
2022.
-The increase affects delivery charges—what all customers pay to
have electricity delivered to their homes. Those charges take up
about a third to a half of the bill.
-Ameren's delivery rates are set according to the state's 2011
"Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Act," or the "smart-grid
bill." That law uses a formula to determine Ameren's rates annually
to cover the costs of system upgrades.
-CUB did not support the smart-grid legislation, citing too few
consumer protections. The group is now focused on reducing the
company's rates as much as possible and pushing for the Clean
Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA would replace formula rates with a
system that emphasizes utility accountability and customer
affordability.
CUB is Illinois' leading
nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature,
CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of
residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it
has saved consumers more than $20
billion by helping block rate hikes, secure refunds and
fight for clean, low-cost energy. For more information, call CUB's
Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit its website,
www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
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SOURCE Citizens Utility Board