Customers of Ameren Illinois could see lower rates for electric service delivery under a plan that Ameren will file next week with the Illinois Commerce Commission. The company plans to request an approximately $14 million decrease in delivery service rates for 2017.
If approved, this would be the fourth rate decrease since the landmark Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) was passed in 2011.
In addition, Ameren Illinois gas customers will begin saving on the supply portion of their utility bill this month. A nearly four-cent drop in the per-therm cost of natural gas is expected to save most customers $28 annually or $2.35 a month. Ameren Illinois’ gas supply charges are at their lowest levels since February of 2002.
“We made a long-term commitment to our customers to strengthen the power grid and deliver cost-saving enhancements and it’s working,” said Craig Nelson, senior vice president, Regulatory Affairs and Financial Services for Ameren Illinois. “When combined with expected lower electric supply costs, our customers will continue to see stable prices for an advanced energy delivery system.”
Under EIMA, Ameren Illinois has worked to install storm-resilient utility poles, automated switches, and enhanced technology. This automation allows Ameren Illinois to restore power 18 percent faster on average. These reliability improvements are saving customers an estimated $47 million each year.
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will have eight months to fully review and make a determination on Ameren Illinois’ rate reduction request. If approved, the new lower electric delivery service rates would go into effect beginning in January of 2017.