Tell Us: Is Ameren's one-time credit a fair deal?

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Read more about Ameren's Illinois 8-Point Plan to ease impact of rate increase

Battle over Illinois electric rates continues

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP/KMOV)- Ameren presented a plan Tuesday that would benefit customers who used at least 1250-kilowatt hours of electricity. Those customers will receive one credit on their March bill. The amount varies from $30 to $40.

Ameren presented this plan during a rare Illinois House meeting. Dozens of state and local officials, consumers and advocacy groups were there to discuss the issue of skyrocketing electric bills.

House Speaker Michael Madigan says lawmakers should freeze rates.

(KMOV)

High electric bills

This special joint session was scrutinizing Ameren and Commonwealth Edison over recent rate hikes.

State lawmakers have spent that time hammering on executives and the regulators watching over Ameren and Com-Ed.

It’s a process fueled by public outrage.

There is growing support in the legislature for rolling back rates and freezing them, but Ameren says that would make the utility financially insolvent.

I used to work for Ameren (in Missouri) and all of these postings are 100% correct. Ameren knew that this was coming, which is why they invested heavily in Illinois over the past few years. Yes, they are screwing you over and you should demand a lowering and freezing of rates. De-regulation is not a good thing with corporate greed the way it is.

That is the most rediculous thing I've heard. Do they really think we're tha stupid. I consider that a slap in the face, and akin it to highway robbery

This is absolutley ridiculous!! My power bill has averaged $200 a month for the past 8 years - now all of sudden, last month my bill was $450, and this month it's $622!! How do they expect people to survive!? I have 4 kids!! My house is only 2000 sq ft, a RANCH no less, no basement, no upstairs! Give me a break!! This is a joke! Ameren sucks, and someone ought to do something. They are screwing us, and someone should file a class-action lawsuit. This isnt a rate increase - this is price-gauging!!

What, changing time to save barrels of oil is not good enough? We are treated like stupid sheep and dictated our day hours, we get the pleasure of paying for higher gas prices even when there is no shortage and costs are down, and now we are suposed to be happy cause there will be a one time credit. Well if it isnt in the area of about $1200, you know where you can put that credit.

when the wind blows in our area the lights go out. this is really nerve wrecking. if the bill wasn't being paid maybe it could be understandable,but to have my lights out and the liquor store lights a half block away are on is inconceivable.

My husband and I decided to put all electric in our new house due to the cost of gas bills. Now we can not either gas or electric. Fortunately the town I live in is looking into other utitlity companies because of this rate hike.

Here's the number to the Illinois Senator, call and let them know you oppose of the rising rates. It's easy to do. 217-782-272 They ask if you are against or for it , your phone number is recorded and that's it.

IT WILL NOT MAKE UP FOR THE FUTURE BILLS

Their just a bunch of money grubbing people. It seem like they like to take advantage of the average person. Look at the amount of profit they made last year, per the Missouri's audit of their books.

I can not believe they thought this would satisfy the consumers of IL. This is something out of the Outer Limits! I have had $80-120. bills and now my last bill was $415.00 for one month. This amount in $85 less than my rent. I refuse to eat dog food. SOMETHING DIFINENTLY HAS TO BE DONE!

Ameren is ripping their customers off.

The rate freez is what caused the problem!

Amaeen has shown a large profit and still they feel as though they have to raise rates. They give no thought to those ona fixed income or the families on low incomes.This is tipical of big business under the Republican administration.

Thats for only 1 month. What about the rest of the year? No.

Smaller increases over time would be better than a big increase all at one time, and yes if some of the higher ups could take less pay and stock options would also help the company make money.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! It's unbelievable that they think $30-$40 will even put a dent in the cost that it is going to, and already has in most cases, cost everyone. I would love to know which legistators agreed to allow them to this type of an increase.

I also do not think that it was fair for Ameren to raise the rates as much as they did. It is time for the higher ups to take some responsibility and maybe a pay cut or two.

Maybe people should take the money from the credit and buy energy saving light bulbs.

Not even close!!!!!
My bill before the change was appx. $135.00/mo. I did use 30% more energy at the new rate. At the old rate it would have been about $170.00 --- How about $514.00! UP OVER 200% - @#$% @#$ Ameren.
I do understand that there has been inflation over the last ten years. I would understand paying a bill that was around $225-$275, Even $300! But over $500 from $135-$170- @#$% %&@#!!
How about only a 60-70% increase, a little closer to inflation (even compounded) -
So when many elderly or lower income families are without electricity very soon- or without other neccessities because they are paying the electric bill, I hope that the Scott A. Cisel, other executives at Ameren, and the idiot Illinois representatives that took "Ameren's word" of around a 60% increase really feel good about themselves

It doesn't change whether or not people can afford their power bill in the future.

Ameren should return Illinois Power back to Dynergy where the rates are lower, ameren has raise too high since they always do to Union Electric customers

How do you want us to feel. 113% increase. I hope they have to pay like this for their personal bills.

Are they that stupid and full of them selves that they think they can get away with this??!! My bill went up $219.00 that's a 110% increase!!! Last month's electric bill is just $60. less than my mortgage payment. I'll have to sell my home and move back to Missouri. Is this what Illinois wants- to end up losing residents and businesses to other states. And If we are going to be forced to have this kind of an increase- Where's my FREEDOM OF CHOICE?? Why can't I choose another electric company like I can telephone and cable/satellite?? Let the Governor and other state officials pay their own power bills instead of the taxpayers and see how they like paying these astronomical rates. Is it true though that Ameren plans to do the same ting to Missourians in 2008? Will we be moving yet again?? Illinois officials have to step in and REGULATE!!

HELL NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a single parent raising two children. I'm living paycheck to paycheck and still can't make ends meet. My highest bill in the past 5 years was $150. When I opened by recent bill, WOW!! $267
Mr. Ameren Executive what do you want me to do. Let my children freeze to death just for you to live in the comfort you are??? Do you like to rob more from the poor?

Um, no!

We are thinking about moving back to Missouri if this keeps up. This is way out of line.

No because I lost power 3 times last year and the food along to replace each time added up to well over $200 and that is just for basic stuff in the frig and freezer. There getting off cheap!

It only helps people for 1 month - what are you suppose to do for the other 11 months that are too high?

If Ameren has all that money available to give credits, then why not just lower the rates? They are just backpedaling now and hoping people will forget.

If Ameren is offering this, it is in their best interest. The folks working from paycheck to paycheck cannot continue supporting these greedy company heads who give themselves hugh bonuses.

If Ameren's executives are going to continue to get million dollar bonuses, how can it be fair to the consumer to get a one time 40 dollar rebate, when our bill has double and others have gone higher than that.

So Ameren is throwing us a bone to keep us quiet. They underestimate the consumers' outrage because of their questionable business practices. Let's find out which legislators OK'd this robbery and go after them at election time I'm also for an honest investigation and let's not forget to whom Ameren made political contributions.

I bring home 1200.00 a month and was living comfortably. Now my power bill is more than my house payment. I had lowered my electrical usage and turned down the gas furnace. I almost died when i received my bill and am afraid to receive the next one. I don't know how I will afford to eat let alone go to the doctor and by my medicine. When your power bill is more than half of your monthly take home pay something is wrong. I have heard from several people and they are going to move out of Illinois. I'M MOVING TOO.....

I think they are greedy and need to go back to they way it was. I have 7 kids and i am on disability and can not afford a 478 a month bill that is almost half of what i het in a month and they are not willing to help anyone out

Absolutely not! How is $30 or $40 on ONE bill going to help us pay each bill in the future when our bills are up $70 and more?

I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A GOOD DEAL. IF THAT ALL WE CAN GET WE BETTER TAKE IT. WE PROBALY WONT GET THAT. BEAUSE AMEREN WILL JACK THE BILL UP SO YOU WILL NOT SEE THE CREDIT WATCH!!!!!!!!

I live on S. S. & keep it so cold in my Apt., that my hands & feet are always cold, & I also, turn it down to 50 degrees at night. Unfair & Unjust, to us living on a LOW fixed income.

They are trying to rip the public off

Who are they kidding???????

Is Ameren’s one-time credit a fair deal?