Illinois consumer advocates vow to fight hikes in electric delivery service, gas rates

摘要

Illinois consumer advocates promised to fight a decision by state regulators last week to approve a $162 million annual electric delivery service and natural gas rate increase for Ameren Illinois. The parent company of AmerenIP, AmerenCILCO and AmerenCIPS says the increase is needed to maintain and improve reliability but consumer groups disagreed, vowing an appeal to the courts if necessary. Ameren Illinois originally asked the Illinois Commerce Commission for $247 million in November 2007, eventually trimming the request to $207 million. An administrative law judge recommended Ameren Illinois be allowed to raise rates by $164 million while the Citizens Utility Board consumer watchdog, American Association of Retired Persons and Attorney General Lisa Madigan either proposed no increase or a much smaller amount than was sought by the company. Although the official rate order had not been released by late last week, ICC spokeswoman Beth Bosch confirmed the $162 million figure. Bosch said the requested revenue disallowed by the commission covered a number of areas. "It was pretty broad," she said. Among the categories expunged was executive incentive pay.