Who Are We Kidding Here?

February 4, 2012

Ameren seeking rate hike

by Dick Aldrich

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The state’s largest utility is asking for a rate increase to cover the costs of infrastructure upgrades, higher fuel prices and environmental improvements. Ameren Missouri Friday filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission for a 14.6 percent rate increase. That would raise about $376 million for the company and cost the average Missouri residential customer about $14 a month.
The utility says it wants to continue service upgrades that have reduced outages to customers by more than 27 percent since 2006. The company is also stepping up pollution control efforts at its coal fired power plants to mitigate the release of sulfur dioxide.
The PSC granted a seven percent rate increase to Ameren last summer. The commission says it could take up until December to come back with a decision on the latest increase. 

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Let's see... it wasn't that long ago Ameren asked for and got a rate increase and then was able to make this announcement:

On August 12, 2011 Ameren announced:

Ameren Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend, Payable September 30, 2011

Ameren Corporation declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 38.5 cents per share. The common share dividend is payable September 30, 2011, to shareholders of record on September 8, 2011.

 Could someone pass me a tissue please?