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Chicago, Illinois
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United States
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AARP
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Chicago, IL - State Office
Springfield, IL - Legislative Office
Chicago, IL - State Office
Springfield, IL - Legislative Office
Women Struggling to RetireAARP Takes on Ameren
For Immediate Release Contacts: David Irwin (312) 458-3621
Friday, March 14, 2008 Gerardo Cardenas (312) 458-3609
AARP TAKES ON AMEREN
RATE HIKES IN ILLINOIS
Association Set to Make Case to Illinois Commerce Commission to Deny Proposed New Surcharges & $247 Million in Higher Bills
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Consumers, whose wallets are already stretched tight, may have to brace for more bad news if Ameren gets their way. The utility company is pressing the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to approve nearly $250 million in new rate increases hitting consumers with higher electric and natural gas bills. Today, AARP announced that it has formally intervened in the ICC proceedings to fight the rate hikes.
“Families, businesses, and city governments are feeling the brunt of the never ending rate hikes. For older consumers, who can spend as much as 25% of their income on utility bills, the increases deliver a particularly hard blow,” said Bob Gallo, State Director for AARP in Illinois. “It’s time for the ICC to stand up for consumers and deny Ameren more profits made on the backs of consumers.”
Over the last several months, AARP members and the public converged on ICC hearings held across Illinois, protesting the proposed hikes and urging the ICC to deny Ameren’s proposal. The commission proceedings begin in early April, after which the ICC will decide whether or not to approve the rate hikes. AARP will actively participate, making the case against Ameren’s proposals.
In addition to the millions in new rate increases, Ameren is also proposing several new surcharges, called “riders,” which would:
- “Save more – Pay more” - Punish consumers for conserving gas, by charging higher rates when people use less gas (decoupling rider);
- Force consumers to pay more to cover the unpaid energy bills of those customers who are unable to afford Ameren’s new higher rates (uncollectibles rider); and
- Charge consumers even more for infrastructure development (QIP rider)
“AARP stands in strong opposition to these new surcharges – making people pay more for using less just doesn’t add up,” added Gallo.
AARP is working to inform its 1.8 million members and the public about the hikes, taking the fight online and also setting up an “Energy Rate Hotline” (1-800-719-3020) to connect consumers directly to the ICC.
ComEd is also seeking ICC approval to increase rates by over $350 million. AARP has joined along side the Attorney General and the Citizens Utility Board in opposing this increase as well. Coupled together, the Ameren and ComEd rate hikes and surcharges will all but wipe out the historic billion dollar rate relief legislation passed last year to help consumers already struggling with the 100-300% rate increases.
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jen43 says:
THANK YOU AARP, FOR HELPING ILLINIOS CONSUMERS IN THE FIGHT TO LOWER AMERINS HIGH INCREASES , AS AN AMERIN CUSTOMER HERE IN ILLINOIS, WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, HOPEFULLY WITH YOUR INTREVENTION, WE CAN SEE SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS DARK TUNNEL,
THANK YOU,
WORRIED IN ILLINOIS
Posted: March 14, 2008 7:45PM EDT
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Added: Mar 14, 2008
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