ICC Tells Ameren To Lower Rates

 Utility regulators say Ameren Illinois needs to lower its electricity delivery rate in 2014.

The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports the Illinois Commerce Commission says the utility needs to cut its delivery rate by $45 million. 

The decision was announced Monday during an annual review and is set to take effect starting Jan. 1.  Ameren officials say they're still reviewing the ruling.
 
They had planned to lower the delivery rate by $37 million.   Beth Bosch is a spokeswoman for the ICC. She said the rate cut was needed because utility "overcollected'' on its previous rates.
 
The ICC is set to meet next week to discuss Ameren's natural gas delivery rate.   

Ameren has about 1.2 million electric customers and about 800,000 natural gas customers in central and southern Illinois.