Ameren seeks to raise electric, gas rates

Rate hike could increase electric bills by an average 17.7 percent

Ameren UE, Missouri's largest provider of electricity, is seeking its first electric rate hike since 1987.

The corporation filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission Friday to increase electric rates by an average of 17.7 percent for a total increase of $361 million annually.

Homeowners would see their bills rise at an average of 10 percent, while those in designated commercial classes would see a hike of 23 percent. Operations classified as industrial class would see bills increase by 29 percent.

Ameren has also asked to increase overall natural gas billing by 6.4 percent.

The PSC, the government regulatory agency, has 11 months to return a decision on the Ameren case. If approved the rate increases would take effect in June of 2007.

Ameren officials stress that Missouri's electric bills were 30 percent below the national average in 2005. Officials point to rising costs of coal and transportation as a key factor in the need for a rate hike.

For more details, check out Saturday's Southeast Missourian.