St. Louis, MO -(Effingham Radio)- Ameren Illinois today received approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to recover its operational costs and continue investing in modernizing the energy delivery system in central and southern Illinois. Residential customers who receive both gas and electric supply from Ameren Illinois are expected to save, on average, approximately $8 per month on their utility bill. In 2019, we will continue the next phase of upgrading the state’s natural gas and electric delivery infrastructure, which is expected to create jobs and improve service reliability, and develop new tools to help our customers manage their energy usage and costs.
Electric Adjustment
With the electric delivery service rate adjustment approved by the ICC, Ameren Illinois estimates that the delivery portion of the typical residential customer’s monthly electric bill will increase an average of $4.50 per month in 2019. However, the delivery rate is offset by an 18 percent decrease in supply costs. As a result, the total amount residential customers will pay each month is expected to decrease by approximately $5.47. Electric supply costs make up a significant portion of the electric bill and are passed directly to customers without mark up.
Natural Gas Adjustment
With the natural gas delivery service rate adjustment approved by the ICC, Ameren Illinois estimates that the delivery portion of the typical residential customer’s monthly natural gas bill will decrease an average of 94-cents per month in 2019. In addition, gas supply costs are expected to decrease by 10 percent compared to this year. As a result, the amount residential customers will pay for natural gas each month is expected to decrease by approximately $2.41.
Background
- Under its electric modernization action plan, Ameren Illinois has installed stormresistant utility poles and power lines, outage detection technology, and more than 1- million smart meters throughout its service territory. The enhancements have resulted in a 19 percent reduction in annual electricity service interruptions on average and power is restored 17 percent faster on average.
- Through its natural gas modernization plan, Ameren Illinois is replacing older pipelines and facilities and adding new gas distribution equipment and technology. Since 2015, the company has replaced more than 160 miles of mechanically coupled steel pipeline throughout its 43,000-square-mile service territory.