Your Opinion: Ameren's costs and revenues

Dear Editor:

I'm back, dealing with my favorite subject, AmerenUE, and their many attempts at acquiring money to either repair facilities or enhance their profits.

There was an interesting story that appeared in a recent Post Dispatch re: Ameren's latest request for funds. Apparently they applied for some of the federal stimulus funds for rebuilding the Taum Sauk reservoir, that was denied. Prior to that they tried to sway the Missouri Public Service Commission to gain approval to bill the consumers (us) millions of dollars, to pay for some of the enhancements. The MPSC disallowed that. Wow, I find that hard to believe.

What I wasn't aware of until now, Ameren agreed in a 2007 settlement with then-Attorney General Nixon, not to charge electric customers for the cost of rebuilding the dam. So much for their word, not to be trusted.

What I'm reading is that the new hydroelectric facility is making a profit. So, I'm curious, pray tell what are they doing with their profits, obviously not with rebuilding or improving their generating process. I suppose increasing salaries is one of their uses. Don't get me wrong, I have no objections to wage increase, but don't give insane increase, re: their CEO's latest package.

Perhaps that explains the need for the yearly rate increase these past four or five years.

As a reminder Ameren consumers, you need to voice your concerns about the upcoming request for a $14/month increase at the forum to be held this July 30, 6-9 p.m., Governor Office Building, on Madison Street.

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