Ameren Seeks Rate Hike Request for Grid Work

Ameren, which supplies electricity to central Illinois, has filed a plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission seeking a rate hike to help pay for an upgrade of its distribution grid.

Vice president Craig Nelson says Tuesday's filing is the beginning of an effort by the utility to modernize the grid over the next 10 years to meet the service expectations of Ameren's 1.2 million customers.

The Illinois Legislature in November passed legislation allowing Missouri-based Ameren and Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison to boost rates with less regulatory oversight in exchange for an upgrade of the electrical grid.

Despite that, ICC spokesman Randy Nehrt tells The Pantagraph in Bloomington that regulators have a responsibility to conduct a thorough investigation of the proposal.

If approved, the rate hike takes effect in October.