CHICAGO, Ill. – If you’re an Ameren Illinois customer, your electric bill is in the crosshairs again. The Citizens Utility Board is sounding the alarm, pushing back against a new rate hike and a massive $300 million spending plan that they say is wasteful.
There are two big cases sitting in front of state regulators.
First, Ameren wants to pull another $65 million out of customers’ pockets to cover “over-budget” expenses. The utility calls it a “reconciliation,” but the consumer watchdog group says they found nearly $15 million in overcharges.
Then, there’s the company’s four-year grid plan. It’s a $2.8 billion proposal for upgrades. CUB is calling foul on more than $300 million of that, pointing to spending projects they say have no clear need or benefit to Ameren’s customers—including a pilot program for hydrogen generation that they argue is unprofitable and a bad use of money.
The Citizens Utility Board is urging regulators to put a stop to this “blank check” mentality. If you want to make your voice heard, you can click HERE to sign a petition.
Regulators are expected to make a decision on the spending plans later this fall.
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