OK so it wasn’t really the Commission or the Commission Staff’s fault. Not even AARP’s,  though I was surprised that only 2 of their people spoke. I think it was their regional Director who is in Chicago and then what I took to be one of their local members. She ended up talking to the AARP  National Gazette reporter that was there so I split. But still, I got up as the third speaker and gave my classic “times are bad for people and the rates should be cut” spiel.  I was out the door in 15 minutes and arrived late. The ultimate blame falls on the poor people who have been crushed into submission. Unless they rise up and speak nothing will happen. Turn off their power at the same time or something like that, as a protest then utility companies will continue to roll.

http://www.icc.illinois.gov/

August 22, 2011                                                                                      Contact:   Beth Bosch

217-782-5793

ICC Sets Public Hearing On Ameren Rate Increases

For August 30

The Illinois Commerce Commission has scheduled a public forum Tuesday, August 30 to gather comments on Ameren Illinois’ proposal to increase rates for the delivery of natural gas and electricity to its customers.

The forum will be held at 1 p.m. in the Commission’s main hearing room, 527 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield.

Ameren proposed increasing rates for gas and electric delivery service to generate an estimated $110.5 million in new annual revenue.  Ameren proposed increasing electric rates for CIPS customers by appropoximately 11 percent, CILCO customers by 16.5 percent and IP customers by about 2.5 percent.  The company proposed increasing gas rates for CIPS customers by approximately 15.5 percent, CILCO customers by 24.0 percent and IP customers by 14.5 percent.

Oral and written comments will be accepted at the meeting.

Ameren Illinois’ rate case proposals are available on the ICC e-docket system.  To access all documents filed in the cases, enter the case numbers in the box on the front page of the ICC website at  http://www.icc.illinois.gov .   The docket numbers are 11-0279 (electricity) and 11-0282 (natural gas).

Comments may also be filed anytime on the Commission’s website under public comments.

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More tomorrow.

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