Any AmerenIP users fed up?

[DollyM]

I can't believe what a jump our electric bills have taken. On top of the already high heating costs, the electric bills have doubled. We are already keeping our thermostat set at 55 all the time and burning wood in the fireplace to keep warm. I know that other states aren't having these dramatic increases in electric costs, why can't we do something to force rates down, like local electric co-ops to buy our own electricity. I am also so angry that our legislators knew this increase was coming and did very little to address the coming problem. Maybe they have the money to have their electric bills double but many of us don't.
I can also see this being very detrimental to businesses in Illinois. You simply can't pass on this large of an increase to your customers because your customers are probably already cutting back on expenditures so that they can pay the electric and heating bill. Ameren is biting the hands that feed it. We will lose businesses to other states who don't have these outrageous electric rates. Last one in Illinois, turn the lights out please. (P.S. we have already investigated the cost of living in Wisconsin and are moving there next month.)

[Radical Activist]

1. Ameren is run by crooks.

I had them for my natural gas. Thankfully everything else is provided by a public utility. Every time I tried to deal with them it was a complete nightmare. They cut corners on maintaining the grid and on customers service to pad their profit margin. I would be thrilled if they were run out of business and replaced with public utilities or co-ops.

[DemKR]

2. Mine jumped from $50 to $125

This is outrageous. The legislature is beholden to the companies and won't take any action. Sorry, but I'm not a big fan of Emil Jones.

[kaleagal]

3. Downstate reps are fighting for us on this.

I've been seeing them speaking out on it in the Metro East. But, they were against the deregulation in the first place. Hopefully they'll keep the issue up front for us.

[DollyM]

4. we have cut back as much as we can and I'm tired of being cold!

It is difficult enough to make it in the southern part of the state, not enough people are left who have jobs and especially good jobs. This is affecting businesses also as people are cutting back in any way that they can to pay their heating and fuel costs. I think Ameren will also see a lot of people who just don't pay their bills. They aren't going to help themselves when they drive people out of Illinois because it is simply not financially feasible to live here anymore.

[saged52]

5. anti-ameren

We are thankfully not Ameren customers but my husband is a union employee for one of their power generating plants; he is an instrument computer electronic tech. We are as outraged as you by their rate hike (especially since we've had personal experience w/the way this co. is run!)
I spent a lot of time and energy leading up to Illinois vote concerning Ameren's rate hike sending e-mails and letters to local reps and senators urging them not to let the rate hike legislation pass.
As I said we are not Ameren customers but I felt it was worthy of my time as many friends and family were going to be financially burdened by this increase.
From what I understand this rate hike issue is currently back in the Illinois leg. in an attempt to return to the 2006 freeze. How did this happen? Because the law makers all received such a large amount of complaints over their most recent bills - and justifiably so.
So - call, write, and e-mail your local reps and senators - make dammed sure they know how you feel!
I want to add some additional info that may spur you on - - -
Last week my husband's attendance at an 'informational' company meeting was required. He was told by the president, several vice-presidents, etc. of Ameren that they were proud of all the money they spent 'purchasing' the politicians who voted FOR the rate hike.
When Ameren bought up Cilco, Illinois Power, etc. company management level positions were increased 3-fold.
And just last week Ameren's 4th quarter profits were reported as being 3 times more than what they had initially anticipated.

Thank you for graciously allowing me to vent -

[DollyM]

6. I believe it. . . .

Ameren threatened that they would go bankrupt or lay off hundreds of employees if the rate freeze was continued and I think that scared people enough that they backed off, then the electric bills started coming in. I am pretty frugal with my energy usage but I just keep thinking how unfair it really is when there are other states that don't have this problem. We are already dealing with massive job losses and unemployment in the southern part of the state as well as the high cost of gas, we can't deal with anything else. I understand there is a local Mayoral group that is trying to put together a co-op program with other communities so that we can purchase our own electricity and cut out Ameren. I think that is the best idea I have heard so far since the rate freeze is still only temporary at best. But, I only have a few months to deal with this as we are moving to Wisconsin in a few months. My husband found a great job there after having his job eliminated here and us living on part time work for the past 6 months. We both have Master's degrees and you would think that would mean something . . . it just means that there are less jobs for people like us and more of us with higher level degrees competing for those jobs so, we are moving on and moving out of state. Still, I am leaving behind my 78 year old mother who will still have to deal with this. She understands we have to go where we can find jobs but it is still hard. I just don't see any positives to living in Illinois anymore, especially the southern part of the state. It was once the low cost of living that drew people here but now, with the high price of just staying warm or keeping cool, even that incentive is gone. I hope this all turns around before many other people also realize they can live cheaper and better in other states.

[IsItJustMe]

7. I want to know why the hell these politicians haven't done anything about this. My God

And I would also love to see who Ameren gave money to in the last elections. Something really stinks about this jump and the inaction from our politicians.

This jump is too damn high and the silence is deafening.

And as far as Ameren going bankrupt, Please, from my understanding they paid there top executive 20 million dolars last year.

Pure and simple folks, to them, GREED is god (good). There is absolutly no reason on this earth to do what they are doing.

And to top it all off, I got a letter from them the other day saying they (Ameren) would donate money to low income people if I signed some type of form. What a farce? They didn't have to be so extreme to begin with and this is, and will, do serious damage to the economy of Illinois. I have already heard of several businesses that will be closing because of this insane hike.

[DollyM]

8. If they don't lower these insane rates . . .

it won't matter what your income is, you will have a struggle paying the bills! Ameren is going to destroy the last thin thread of any econonomy in southern Illinois. I think the worst thing they sent out though was the offer to "finance" your electric bill so you can pay it out. How sad is that, charge you a high rate and then make more money by "financing" and charging interest on your bill! I can truly say that Ameren executives are crooks! Might as well put them in the same category as loan sharks!

[tritsofme]

9. My nephew attends Illinois State in Normal and his electric bill nearly tripled.

He said December was around $70, January $170, and February $210.

Granted it was a fairly mild December, but that increase seems almost inconceivable.

This is a fairly small two bedroom apartment we are talking about here as well.

I've never had to deal with electric heating myself, but apparently it costs an arm and a leg, especially after this rate hike.

[DollyM]

10. want a $20.00 electric bill . . .

go to school in Wisconsin! My husband's electric bill for his apartment was $20.00 last month (in Wisconsin). His heat and water are included in the rent too. He is staying warm while I am keeping the thermastat at 55, just to survive. (Tell me again what is so wonderful about living in Illinois!)
Gasoline prices shot up this week too . . . what do you want to bet that people who normally spend their tax refunds on big ticket items, thus boosting the economy in Illinois, will now have to put it toward electric bills. Ameren is going to kill the already struggling economy in Illinois.

[saged52]

11. Ameren's mission -

Ameren is not in the business to make power - they are in the business to make money.
Their latest threat (should they have to return to the 2006 freeze rates) is that they will lose over a billion dollars, they will have to lay off hundreds of workers, they will not be able to keep up with the tree-trimming, and there could be possible lapses of power.
In other words - if their lips are moving - they are lying.
I suspect if they rescinded this years' white collar bonuses they could recoup the billion.
Their threats actually make them sound like a rather inept corporation, don't they?!!

[turtle_girl72]

12. I'm *completely* fed up with Ameren....

I'm even *more* ticked off at Ameren because they are royally *screwing* me.

I just found out that since as a renter, I have to pay the *business* rate for my gas. It never even occurred to me that this would be the case, but I was discussing it with my neighbors (who own their homes) and I found out my gas bill was *twice* theirs. I called Ameren and they said since I live on the first floor and someone else rents the second floor of a house that has been converted into two separate apartments, I have to pay the business rate.

As a renter. I don't own the building---I pay rent.

Course as far as electric goes, that's residential. And we have *two* electric meters and only *one* gas meter for the house. It makes absolutely *no* sense to me....

[DollyM]

13. Ameren does what is best for Ameren!

That does stink! I think I would contact my local representative and complain. Or call the local newspaper and tell them your story. Ameren doesn't need any more negative publicity so perhaps if you make enough noise, they will rethink this. I always though business versus residential rates were always stupid. Just an excuse to make more money. I had a business in Illinois (emphasis on had)and just couldn't make it because the high price of gasoline as well as lack of decent jobs, gave me alot my lookers in my store than buyers. I am so glad I cut my losses and closed up last fall. I can imagine the triple whammy businesses are facing now with high gasoline, high heating costs and high electric costs, will close many more businesses. If anything, Ameren needs to give businesses a break. Run that one past them! (Perhaps you could start a business out of your apartment, since you are paying business costs, and then you could deduct your apartment as a home office.)

[saged52]

15. Ameren does what is best for Ameren!

Perfectly stated! If you knew the amount of money that is spent needlessly within that corporation it would boggle your mind (to say nothing of the company bonuses.) Right now we have to contact our state senators - as that is where the 'compromising' is being 'purchased.'

[saged52]

14. Contact your local representative -

as this may be an illegal charge. I could suggest contacting Ameren but their customer service department is basically nonexistent. Good luck, don't give up, and remember to request a credit for your previous charges.