CARTERVILLE, Ill. (WSIL) --- In a major decision this week the Illinois Commerce Commission rejected Ameren Illinois' integrated grid plan.
That means Ameren customers throughout the state will avoid a larger rate hike. Claudia Reagan lives in Carterville. She says she was happy the commission did not approve the rates.
“I don’t think Ameren should be raising the prices. I think with our economy the way it is they should bring it to a level. And then not raise it until the economy picks up,� Reagan said.
The ICC said Ameren failed to comply with several components of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Jim Chilsen is the Communications Director for the Citizens Utility Board, he says they are pleased with the I-C-C's vote.
“It's much less than what Ameren wanted, and that's a good thing for Illinois consumers,� Chilsen says. “And most importantly, it gave them a very clear message that you have to be accountable to your customers.�
Ameren’s Vice President of Regulatory Policy and Energy Supply, Matt Tomc, issued a statement on the ICC’s decision saying:
"We are disappointed with the Commission's decision today. Ameren Illinois' plan was the result of a transparent two-year regulatory process with significant and unprecedented input from stakeholders, including the ICC's own expert staff. It meets the statutory requirements of the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. It ensures that the electric grid is safe, secure, and reliable for the millions of downstate Illinois homes and businesses that depend on it, while also facilitating achievement of the state's clean energy goals. We are continuing to carefully evaluate the order to determine our response."
One resident says he would be mad if rates increased.
“But yeah this past year has been pretty awful.� Lucian Black said.
Chilsen noted that the full amount that the commission changed from Ameren proposal is still pending the ICC’s official filing of its final orders, but their profit rate was changed to 8.72%.
“We'll have to see how that impacts rates. But our numbers are that Ameren got a rate hike of about 50 to 60 million roughly.�
Chilsen says that there will be new rates that will be in effect after January 1st.
