Dear Editor:
There is just no end to Ameren's demands for financial assistance, is there? After receiving their fifth increase since 2007, which resulted in a 10 percent increase, they are now after more money. These increases have totaled almost a billion dollars, and they still cry poverty. Now they have Sen. Mike Kehoe introducing legislation to allow Ameren to be paid more quickly for infrastructure projects.
That's like giving the keys to a bank robber to the money vault, and saying, enjoy yourself with our pleasure.
The very senators who could be our advocates are siding with Ameren, as does the MPSC (Missouri Public Service Commission). It was our legislators who gave the utilities the power to charge us a fuel recovery cost, and they can increase that charge up to four times a year, without prior approval. We also are paying Ameren's business license fee. Someone explain that to me.
Why they are dealing with coal to fire their plants is a mystery, when other utilities are converting to gas. It's cheaper, cleaner and less preventive maintenance. There are other cities in Missouri who are searching for lower cost electricity; why isn't Jefferson City doing likewise?
Folks, we have consumer groups who are speaking out in our favor, we, you and I need to be more vocal to assist these people who are trying to help us.
Speak up, write to our legislators about concerns, etc. Ameren and those who support them need to be reigned in, otherwise it will be costly to us.