Your Opinion: Oppose Ameren's rate hike

Dear Editor:

I hope that the customers of Ameren attend the public hearing on March 2 covering the filing for a rate increase. Our voices need to be heard.

Filling that hearing will probably be difficult due to the 11:30 a.m. time slot for this session. One wonders why the mid-day timing, whether there was/is an ulterior motive.

The Missouri Public Service Commission to date has not convinced me as to their concern with Ameren's consumers ability to afford all these rate increases. It has been suggested that the proposed rate increase would be approximately $9.30. With the record numbers of unemployed and the lack of increase in COLA's for retiree's, how are we expected to handle this additional cost.

We, the consumers, are basically subsidizing Ameren, we are covering all their costs. Consequently we are enhancing their profitability. If I try to reduce my energy needs, I find that my individual unit costs increase, and I'm sure there are many others who realized this.

I find the fuel adjustment cost outrageous. A year ago it was under $1, this month it was over $13. Why? Another charge is titled, "Jeff City-Cole Co Muni Chg", which is another means that the city is taking advantage of its citizens. This is a business license fee to Ameren by the city, however, they were allowed to charge this fee back to the consumers.

We need to be highly vocal over our concern to this energy monster.