Hike in Ameren Energy Bills Expected June 1

Local legislators voiced displeasure with an anticipated increase of $50 to $60/month on AmerenIllinois utility bills, effective June 1.

The increase was discussed Thursday at a joint House hearing in Springfield involving members of the Public Utilities and the Energy and Environment Committees. The increase will result on the supply side of utility bills.

The war in Ukraine, higher natural gas prices, and inflation are all factors contributing to the increase, but a supply shortage due to renewable energy sources not yet fully able to replace retired fossil fuel fired power plants is a contributing factor.

Part of Thursday's meeting was to come up with options to protect customers from bearing the brunt of the increase.

St. Rep. Adam Niemerg of Dieterich said, "There are a couple of things that can and should be done immediately by the Governor and the IEPA to change the regulations on gas fired generating plants and encourage coal plants to stay open and provide Illinois energy to avoid possible rolling blackouts this summer during peak demand periods."

Niemerg said, "Energy needs to be reliable and affordable for people who rely on it for medical equipment, for farming operations, and to keep their businesses open to employ Illinoisans."

St. Rep. Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville said the targets set for generating green energy are not being met, so other options should be considered.

St. Rep. Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City said the fault lies with Governor Pritzker and those pushing a green energy initiative "while citizens can't afford to put food on their tables or gas in their cars."