Latest news with #AmerenIllinois
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CUB asks Ameren to work with customers this summer amid utility price hike
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Citizens Utility Board is asking Ameren Illinois to work with customers amid utility increases. Ameren Illinois customers will be facing a 50% power increase, prompting the group to request that the utility work with those who may struggle to pay the increased bill, according to Jim Chilsen, a CUB spokesman. 'This will be a difficult summer for far too many customers,' said CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz. 'In this expensive summer, we urge Ameren to do everything possible to work with customers so they can stay connected and keep their homes safe and cool.' She has requested from Ameren that they offer 'customer-friendly payment plans' which allow customers longer periods to pay off their debt, Chilsen said. The increase is estimated to raise customers' bills by about $38 to $46 each month. This summer, the increase is credited to the rise in cost for reserve power, Chilsen said. According to CUB's website, reserve power, also called 'capacity,' prices have risen because of 'poor policies' from regional power grid operators such as PJM Interconnection in ComEd territory and MISO in Ameren territory. CUB has released the following tips to help customers 'get through expensive utilities' this summer: Use energy efficiency to soften the blow of the price spike. Simple actions can help, such as weatherizing windows and doors and turning off unnecessary lights. Don't take risks that keep your home too hot. Efficiency is about eliminating waste but staying safe and cool this summer. Stay in contact with your utility. Consumers who are struggling should contact Ameren to inquire about payment plans and learn about energy efficiency programs. Consider programs to help ease costs. Ameren's Peak Time Rewards program gives customers the opportunity to earn bill credits by reducing electricity usage during high-demand periods, typically summer afternoons. Also, Illinois' community solar program offers customers the benefits of solar power without having to install panels on their homes. All offers currently guarantee savings compared to Ameren's supply price. CUB's resource, can help you carefully shop for offers. Beware of rip-offs. Since 2015, Illinois consumers have lost about $1.8 billion to alternative electricity suppliers. These suppliers are impacted by the same market conditions that are causing utility prices to increase, so it's likely, even in this expensive market, that Ameren is your best bet. One exception: If your community has negotiated a power deal with a supplier, it's possible the price is lower than Ameren's supply rate. Confirm the price and find out when the offer expires. More tips can be found on CUB's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Madison Co. sheriff warns residents of Ameren worker scam
MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – The Madison County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents about a resurfacing scam involving suspects posing as utility workers to gain access to people's homes. Authorities fear the scam may be spreading beyond Madison County. Several residents have reported a woman pretending to be an Ameren employee who lures homeowners outside under the guise of a utility issue. While she distracts them, a male suspect enters the home and steals valuables. 'These suspects are just preying on the people who actually trust people; they're the lowest of the low,' says Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Deputies believe the same two individuals are responsible for multiple incidents across the county. The woman reportedly has an accent, and the male suspect is described as thin. They are believed to be traveling in a gray Jeep Compass or a white pickup truck equipped with ladders and storage bins – vehicles made to appear like legitimate utility work trucks. Ameren Illinois issued a statement to FOX 2, saying in part:'Ameren Illinois works closely with local and national law enforcement to monitor and report scammers and their ever-changing tactics targeting our customers.' The company also reminded the public that all Ameren employees wear official uniforms, carry company identification, and drive clearly marked vehicles. If something feels off, customers are urged to call Ameren or their local police department immediately. The sheriff's department says after they posted about the scam on Facebook, they received a wave of similar reports from other residents. Anyone who believes they've been targeted or has information about the suspects is encouraged to contact the Madison County Sheriff's Office dispatch at (618) 692-4433. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CUB WARNS AMEREN CUSTOMERS OF JUNE 1 ELECTRICITY PRICE SPIKE
Supply Charge On Bills Projected To Spiral By About 50 Percent CHICAGO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Illinois' summer price for electricity will soar by an estimated 50 percent on June 1, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) warned in a consumer alert Thursday, as the watchdog urged the utility to work with customers struggling to pay their bills so they can keep their power on during hot weather. At a news conference, CUB explained the causes of the price spike – including the regional power grid operator's new methodology for pricing reserve power that unacceptably raised consumer costs. CUB has launched which has tips on how to get through an expensive summer. While cautioning that pricing has not been finalized, CUB said Ameren has reported that its electricity supply rate, also known as the "price to compare," is set to increase by about 50 percent, to about 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) on June 1. This higher rate, which includes the supply price, a transmission charge and a "supply cost adjustment," will increase summer power bills (June through September) by 18 percent to 22 percent, Ameren has estimated. In October, the price is expected to decrease–to roughly 8 cents to 9 cents per kWh, Ameren said. "We urge Ameren Illinois to work with customers to keep their power on this summer, so they can stay safe and cool," CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. "High bills can be stressful, so we ask people across central and southern Illinois to check on neighbors, friends and family this summer to make sure nobody is taking risks by keeping their homes too hot. Long-term, this price spike just shows we've got to keep working for consumer protections for electric customers." Moskowitz called for passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB2473/HB3779) in Springfield. The bill would implement a number of pro-consumer clean energy policies, including expanding energy efficiency and other programs that help reduce demand. She also said there is a continuing need for reform at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the regional grid operator for all or parts of 15 states from the upper Midwest through Ameren Illinois' territory in central and southern Illinois and down to Louisiana. CUB provided information about the price spike as well as consumer tips: What's the cause? The price for reserve power—called "capacity"—skyrocketed in a MISO-run auction that has a major impact on what consumers pay for electricity. In addition to years-long delays in connecting power plants that could help lower prices–which is also a problem with PJM Interconnection, northern Illinois' grid operator–perhaps the biggest factor in the price spike was that MISO introduced a new pricing methodology that CUB said unfairly compromised affordability in the latest capacity auction. What part of the bill is impacted? Supply, which is the cost of the actual electricity, and transmission. This makes up about a half to two-thirds of bills. Ameren does not profit off this price spike–under law the utility is required to pass supply costs onto customers with no markup. (Ameren profits off rate hikes on the delivery side of bills.) If Ameren doesn't profit off this spike, who does? Big energy companies that sell electricity to utilities. Moskowitz outlined key consumer tips on Practice energy efficiency. Simple things like weatherizing windows and doors–to keep cool air in and warm air out–can help soften the blow of this price spike. But don't take unnecessary risks that keep your home too hot and threaten your health. Efficiency is about eliminating waste but staying safe and cool this summer. Stay in contact with your utility. Keep the lines of communication open this summer. Consumers who are struggling should contact Ameren to inquire about payment plans to pay off debt. CUB called for Ameren to offer good payment plans to help more utility customers stay connected this summer. Ask Ameren Illinois about special programs. Inquire about energy efficiency programs that could help you cut your bills. Also, consider signing up for Ameren's Peak Time Rewards program, which gives residential customers the opportunity to earn bill credits by reducing electricity usage during times of high electricity demand, typically summer afternoons. See if you qualify for energy assistance. To learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), visit or call the Help Illinois Families Assistance Line at 1-833-711-0374. Beware of alternative supplier rip-offs. Alternative electricity suppliers are impacted by the same market conditions that are causing utility prices to increase, so be careful about getting lured into bad deals. Since 2015, Illinois consumers have lost about $1.8 billion to alternative power suppliers. It's likely, even in this expensive market, that your utility is your best bet. An exception: Many communities in central and southern Illinois have negotiated power deals with a supplier. If your community is one of them, savings aren't guaranteed but it's possible the price is lower than what Ameren's supply rate will be on June 1. Confirm the price and find out when the offer expires. Consider a community solar deal to help ease costs. Community solar offers currently guarantee savings compared to the utility's supply price. But be a careful shopper: Get more information at our special website, If you're interested in installing solar panels, consider the next steps. Learn more about rooftop solar. Also, CUB has information about income-qualified solar programs. Be a good neighbor. Make sure friends, family and neighbors stay safe and cool this summer. For more than 40 years the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has been Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog group. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has helped save consumers more than $20 billion by blocking rate hikes and securing refunds. For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline, at 1-800-669-5556, or visit CUB's website, View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Citizens Utility Board Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amendment to Illinois dig law requires property owners to pre-mark site
PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — If you've thought about putting in a new fence, or maybe even a new birdfeeder, you have to call before you dig. After an amendment to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act, a law requiring a call to 811 before digging, now requires property owners to pre-mark their dig site. Still, calling someone to come out and pre-mark your dig site, while required by law, is easy on your pocketbook. 'Even though it's the law, it's the cheapest insurance you can buy,' said Jake Dukett, supervisor of gas public awareness for Ameren Illinois. 'It's free. It doesn't cost anything. It just takes a little bit of pre-planning.' Ameren Illinois Employees volunteer at Dream Center Peoria According to Ameren, someone makes contact with an underground utility every six minutes because they didn't call 811 before their shovel went int the ground. This next step allows for even more safety precaution, as the groundwork can be laid out easier. 'It can be as simple as just drawing an X If you're planting a bush, painting a white line of where you're going to extend your fence, or if we're going to add a mailbox, anything like that,' said Dukett. 'It doesn't take very much time at all.' Another change because of the amendment requires three days of preparation when a dig ticket is called in, not including the day the call is made. To learn more about the safety precautions when it comes to digging, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ameren Illinois Employees volunteer at Dream Center Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Ameren Illinois employees are rolling up their sleeves to give back to local organizations during National Volunteer Month. Ameren employees volunteered at Dream Center Peoria for three hours. They cleaned windows and painted the community room at the shelter. Ruthie Bertram with Ameren Illinois said it feels good to pour into an organization that does so much for people in need. 'We're more than happy to do it. It shows that we care about the places that we live in, and we want to help make our community stronger and thrive. And the dream center does so much, I mean, if we're in here, just painting, it's the least we can do, right? And we're happy to do it, and Ameren is happy to do it to help them,' said Bertram. Ameren is focusing on giving back to non-profits that focus on food insecurity. April is National Volunteer Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
