Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Ameren Hikes Rates

So AmerenUE just received approval to raise their rates.

While realistically the rate increase isn't too terrible let's take a look back on some events that have involved Ameren in the last two years.

The Thom Sauk Hydroelectric plant collapsed destroying a state park and causing millions of dollars in damage.

There were also two storms, one last summer and one last winter, that caused some customers to be without power for up to two weeks.

Yet both in 2005 and 2006 the corporate officers awarded themselves millions of dollars in performance bonuses.

And now Ameren is raising the rates to pay for the storm damages.

It's like they're asking to be the first ones up against the wall when the revolution comes.