Ameren’s $131 Million Gas Rate Hike Request Sparks Public Outcry

GraniteCityGossip.com, August 31, 2025

On Wednesday night, August 27, an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) public forum in Springfield gave Ameren customers a chance to speak out against the utility’s proposed $131.1 million gas rate hike, a move that would mark the company’s fourth increase in less than a decade.

Ameren Illinois filed for the rate hike in January, launching an 11-month review process before the ICC. If approved, the plan would raise average monthly residential gas bills by 12 to 13%, or roughly $8 to $10 per household, according to the company’s public notice.

Brad Kloeppel, Senior Director of Natural Gas Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois, defended the proposal, citing aging infrastructure and the need to maintain safety and compliance with federal regulations.

“To provide that level of service to our customers so that that gas is available on the coldest hour on the coldest day, we need to make these investments,” Kloeppel said.

But many customers and consumer advocates are pushing back, pointing to Ameren’s rising profits and repeated rate hikes. Since 2018, Ameren Illinois has raised delivery rates by $202 million, a 50% increase, while its parent company has seen profits climb by 45%, totaling $6.9 billion. The gas segment alone has more than doubled its profits in that time.

“Ameren has been treating its customers like an ATM,” said Scott Allen, energy policy specialist with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB). “Now the utility wants a fourth increase and the highest shareholder profit rate of any major gas utility in Illinois. When is enough, enough?”

Consumer watchdogs, including CUB and PIRG, argue that Ameren’s request exceeds what can be justified under state law by nearly threefold.

For those unable to attend the forum, there are still ways to make your voice heard. Residents can sign a petition or submit a public comment through the ICC’s eDocket system.