Ameren Illinois Utilities Offer Advice on Managing Energy Usage
March 11 2008 - 2:33PM
PR Newswire (US)
PEORIA, Ill., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Colder than
average winter temperatures mean that many Ameren Illinois Utility
customers are using more natural gas this heating season than last
year, resulting in higher natural gas bills. With temperatures
running about 6.5 percent colder during the November 2007 through
February 2008 period as compared to the same period one year ago,
Ameren Illinois Utility customers are on average using more natural
gas this heating season than last season. Overall natural gas usage
is up by about 7.5 percent as compared to last year's heating
season. There are steps customers can take to better manage their
energy bills. For example, residential customers may enroll in the
Budget Billing plan. This plan allows residential customers to pay
the same amount each month. By enrolling now, customers can begin
leveling out their monthly payments. The plan allows customers to
pay an average monthly bill amount based on the last 12 months of
usage. The payment level is periodically reviewed and adjusted as
necessary. On the 12th month, the account is reviewed to calculate
the difference between the amount of energy used during the year
and the amount paid under Budget Billing. If the amount paid
exceeds the actual cost of providing the energy, the customer
receives a credit. If the amount billed is less than the actual
cost of providing the energy, the customer is billed for the
difference. Customers may enroll in Budget Billing by visiting
Ameren's Web site (http://www.ameren.com/) or by calling their
Ameren Illinois Utility company (AmerenCIPS: 1-888-789-2477,
AmerenCILCO:1-888-672-5252, and AmerenIP: 1-800-755-5000).
Customers may enroll in the program or drop out at any time. There
is no cost to enroll in Budget Billing. Customers also are
encouraged to adopt energy conservation practices. For example,
customers should regularly change furnace filters, open shades and
curtains on sunny days to take advantage of solar heat and use
caulk and weather stripping to block drafts. Customers may also
consider setting thermostats a little lower. Each degree a
thermostat is lowered can reduce heating costs by 2 to 3 percent.
Ceiling and other circulating fans can be used to push warm air
from ceilings. Humidifiers will help keep homes comfortable at
somewhat lower temperatures. A complete list of conservation
suggestions is available on the Ameren Web site in the "My Home"
section under "Energy Savings Tips." Also, the Ameren Illinois
Utilities have filed an energy efficiency plan with the Illinois
Commerce Commission (ICC) designed to help customers save money by
reducing their natural gas usage. "Through this comprehensive
natural gas energy efficiency plan, we can better help customers
save money by using less natural gas without sacrificing personal
comfort or safety," said Stan Ogden, vice president for Customer
Service and Public Relations for the Ameren Illinois Utilities.
Ogden said this natural gas energy efficiency plan, expected to be
approved later this year, will compliment the Ameren Illinois
Utilities' comprehensive electric energy efficiency plan that was
approved by the ICC on Feb. 6, 2008. "Electric energy efficiency
programs will be launched later this year and are designed to
provide customers with incentives to help them reduce their energy
usage," Ogden said. "Working in tandem, these two programs can
provide customers with the tools they need to better control their
energy usage and realize significant dollar savings through lower
monthly natural gas and electric bills." The Ameren Illinois
Utilities purchase natural gas from gas producers located in
various U.S. natural gas production areas. The wholesale price is
not regulated, but rises and falls based upon market conditions
caused by supply and demand. The Ameren Illinois Utilities pass the
cost of natural gas on to customers, dollar for dollar without any
profit or markup in price, through the Gas Charge (also referred to
as the PGA, which means "purchased gas adjustment"). About
three-fourths of a residential customer's bill is the actual cost
of natural gas. The Gas Charge is recomputed each month and may go
up or down depending on the wholesale price of natural gas. The Gas
Charge is a matter of public record and is available on the Ameren
Web site (http://www.ameren.com/) under "Historical PGA Rates" for
AmerenCIPS and AmerenCILCO and "Historical Gas Charges" for
AmerenIP. The Ameren Illinois Utilities strive to keep natural gas
costs at stable and reasonable rates for their customers, while
dampening the effects of market volatility and price spikes from
the wholesale gas markets. The utilities utilize sophisticated
financial hedging strategies and negotiate both long -- and
short-term natural gas supply contracts. The Ameren Illinois
Utilities utilize a number of interstate pipeline suppliers,
accessing multiple production areas to bring natural gas to
Illinois. The Ameren Illinois Utilities have secured adequate
supplies of natural gas to meet customer needs. The Ameren Illinois
Utilities serve 1.2 million electric and more than 840,000 natural
gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois. DATASOURCE:
Ameren Illinois Utilities CONTACT: Leigh Morris, +1-217-535-5228,
or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284, both for Ameren Illinois
Utilities Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
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