PSC approves Ameren rate increase

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Ameren Missouri’s electric rates will be going up soon — probably right after New Year's Day.

By a 3-1 vote late this morning, the Missouri Public Service Commission okayed a $260 million rate increase — a little over two-thirds of the company’s $376 million request filed last February.

The PSC staff said this afternoon that the new rate will add about $10 a month to the "average" consumer's bill — that is, for a customer using 1,110 kilowatt hours of electricity each month.

About $100 million of the increase will cover increased fuel costs, Chairman Kevin Gunn told reporters after the vote.

And another $90 million was for costs resulting from the Missouri Energy Efficiency Act, paying for programs — like more energy efficient lights and appliances — that, ultimately, could save consumers money, Gunn explained.

“(That) $190 million increase is not really discretionary,” Gunn said.

Customers using energy efficiency options likely would see a smaller rate increase, the PSC staff said.

Gunn noted the commission’s order rejected Ameren’s request to raise customers’ monthly fixed costs from $8 to $12 — leaving that part of the customers’ bills the same as they pay now.

The commission’s approval gave Ameren its fifth rate increase in the last six years.

Although Ameren could file a new rate request at any time, Gunn said, “The mechanisms in this order will, hopefully, push a new request back a few years.”

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itsjustme 6 months, 1 week ago

Glad i have Callaway Re.

JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago

This makes sense. State employees got one little cost of living raise (2%) that they are going to lose in January when the Social Security witholding goes up. This was their only raise during the last six years.

However, Ameren has now gotten 5 raises over the past six years.

We need a legislative committee to look into this. <--- HA HA HA!!!!

yamahamian 6 months, 1 week ago

I agree. Ameren's got rate increases stacked up ready to go. We're not fools.

whocares 6 months, 1 week ago

And their rates are still lower than REA's. Next story....

rj27 6 months, 1 week ago

Thank the anti-coal lobby and the oil industry for the lions share of the increases.With all the new nat gas being found the prices should be going down.Real patriotic Americans those oil guys!

connor 6 months, 1 week ago

Thank Obama and the Liberal Democrats you mean.

Paroquet 6 months, 1 week ago

Really? You really think that? Need I remind you Ameren justified part of their rate request upon them not selling enough power, that customers were becoming too efficient. Put another way; they weren't making as much as they'd like.

The PSC is a Missouri body. And as for oil and gas prices in relation to supply, you can blame well-heeled speculators--private individuals. That's why a 3% dip in production translates to a 20% increase at the pump. The feds have nothing to do with it. You're placing your thanks in the wrong place. Notwithstanding that it was under Blunt's administration that Ameren got the surcharge authorization to address fuel costs. I wonder if Ameren has any of its fingers in the oil market. Heckuva way to price-fix--bump consumer charges when fuel costs go up, make money from money invested in the fuel market. Engage in speculation that further benefits itself and its investments at consumers' expense. Brilliant!

JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago

Thank the MO legislature for passing that dumb law requiring Ameren to buy 20% of that very expensive solar and wind electricity. That stuff is so much more expensive than coal, natural gas, nuclear, and hydro generated electricity. Ameren doesn't care- they just purchase the expensive stuff and pass the costs on to its customers.
What a dumb law.

online_editor 6 months, 1 week ago

Point of clarification: The so-called Clean Energy Initiative, passed by Missouri voters in 2008, requires a total of 15 percent of electricity used statewide come from renewable sources by 2021, scaling up from the 2-percent level required in 2011.

JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago

Thanks for the info. So we haven't even begun to feel the costs that this thing is going to bring.

This thing is as bad as the ethanol subsidizatiin/mandate

3633 6 months, 1 week ago

How did President Obama get into this conversation, c'mon.

connor 6 months, 1 week ago

Quote "Under my plan energy costs will necessarily skyrocket".

Cap and trade and Obama pushing his agenda on the EPA and other entities.

asb 6 months, 1 week ago

Maybe a quote by Bush, but not Obama, and you know it.

newone 6 months, 1 week ago

Connor and a few others put Obama in EVERY conversation on here; you just have to ignore thier stupidity!

connor 6 months, 1 week ago

"Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket," Obama told the Chronicle . "Coal-powered plants, you know, natural gas, you name it, whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers."

From the San Fransisco Chronicle January 2008.

TrueStory 6 months, 1 week ago

They will be filing for a new rate increase tomorrow, there may be storm damage in the future. Mr. Obama I would like to file for a pay incrrease to pay for all the rate increases.

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