Citizen watchdog reminds Ameren customers of prices set to drop in days are still higher than last year
Ameren Illinois will lower its residential electricity supply rate beginning Oct. 1, but the price will remain higher than it was a year earlier. The Citizens Utility Board attributed elevated prices partly to rising electricity demand linked to data centers and is advocating for the Illinois POWER Act, which would require data centers to provide new clean power under certain conditions.
Ameren Illinois customers will receive a lower electricity supply rate beginning Oct. 1, but the new price will remain about 24% higher than the comparable rate last year. The utility said tight supply conditions, accelerating electricity demand, an aging generation fleet and insufficient new generation are contributing to elevated prices, while emphasizing that it passes supply charges directly to generators rather than profiting from them.
Citizens Utility Board Communications Director Jim Chilsen urged Ameren to help customers manage higher bills and called for passage of the Illinois POWER Act. The proposed reforms would require data centers seeking uninterrupted electric service during periods of high demand to bring new clean power, as CUB argues that Big Tech should bear more of the costs associated with data center-related energy demand. The article also outlines upcoming state energy assistance programs for qualifying households.