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Ameren checks expected to arrive in September
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD — Power bill refund checks for Ameren customers will be mailed in two weeks, but refunds for ComEd customers won’t come until October, utility officials said Tuesday.

Ameren spokesman Shelley Epstein said almost all Ameren customers will get checks for a minimum of $85 in September. Most customers who heat their houses with electricity can expect more than $300.

The checks will be mailed separately from regular September bills in two weeks, Epstein said, but customers who are behind on their bills will get the money credited to their accounts.

ComEd spokeswoman Arlana Johnson said average customers for the Northern Illinois utility will get a $57 credit to their October bill, and $7 each month after that.

ComEd originally had planned to credit September bills, but Blagojevich’s lengthy review of the final settlement pushed the schedule back.

For both utilities, the refunds effectively will reduce the amount of the Jan. 1 electric rate increases by about one-half. Most Ameren customers will receive bigger refunds because they generally saw larger increases than those served by ComEd.

And both utilities warn of using average estimates to determine how much of a refund will come in the mail.

Ameren plans to unveil a Web site soon where customers can see exactly what they can expect.

The $1 billion in payouts were negotiated behind closed doors after public outcry forced lawmakers, utility officials and others to address concerns over high power bills.

“We’re glad to get this behind us,” Epstein said.

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Reader comments on this story - 19 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

al wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:32 PM:

" i can hardly wait for the next power outage for alll you complainers about the rates to to whine about how things werent fixed in a timely manner. well you can count your 85 sitting in the dark... "

WTF wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:59 PM:

" Actually, according to www.ameren.com/ILChoice/ADC_2007QuickGuideRateRelief.pdf we will be receiving a minimum of $100 check. "

OGS Government Ripoff wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:46 PM:

" Are we sick of this type of government corruption yet? Then call your representitive as often as possible and make them feel the wrath of your dissactisfaction. "

Blackneto wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:33 PM:

" Why even bother with sending out checks. Just issue a credit on the next monthly bill. "

My bill has went down wrote on Aug 29, 2007 11:58 AM:

" Since the deregulation, my bill has went down. I live in a large one-bedroom apartment. I run my air conditioner (window unit) when I need to, but do try to keep all unused appliances unplugged to eliminate my phantom load. My bill last month with air going the whole time was $65.00. I currently pay $38.00 in level pay and that is down from $44.00 from 2 years ago. I use gas for heat. I'm happy about lower bills, but don't understand why I am going down when people who also have 1-bedroom apartments are skyrocketing. I doubt I'll get much of a check as it says "almost all" will get relief checks. "

lol wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:25 AM:

" whatever i get is just going right back to the electric company "

LittleMac wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:58 AM:

" For anyone interested, I have several used generators for sale. Only $85 each. "

to Whatever wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:57 AM:

" So $85 is nothing, huh? So if the state started charging each household an $85 per year fee, you wouldn't mind, right? You're the one who things $85 is nothing, so I guess you wouldn't object if the city started charging an annual tax of $85 on your vehicle, correct? After all, according to you $85 is nothing. I hope when your check does arrive, you tear it up. No law says you have to cash it. Just rip it to shreds. It's only $85. "

i will take it. wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:46 AM:

" $85 is better then nothing.with 6 kids i will take whatever i can get.it will just go right back on the light bill.but i am thankful my bill didnt go up like some did. "

Downstater wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:46 AM:

" Oh boy, I can't wait...what will I spend my 100 bucks on? Probably just keeping my lights on for one week this month. Thanks alot to you Governor Blowdryer. You know its not enough and you sign it anyway. I can't wait til they lock you and your Chicago cronies up. "

I'm all electric... wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:41 AM:

" (the house that is) and I certainly hope I get a check for more then $300. I honestly do not use that much in the house and each bill starting w/ January's doubled. I'm looking forward to the $300 but will just sock it away to pay for the heat this winter. "

Corn Belt user wrote on Aug 29, 2007 7:27 AM:

" How does this impact Corn Belt customers? "

Bob wrote on Aug 29, 2007 6:10 AM:

" I guess my first post was too much for the censor, I'll try this, Apparently the "elected officials" made the best deal "they" could get. $85 payoff to the consumers. "

I have just a small one-bedroom apartment wrote on Aug 29, 2007 2:11 AM:

" here in Bloomington, so I certainly can't complain like those who own larger homes, but I expected my bill to double... it went from an average of $40.00/mo. to $180.00! Or a 440% increase! An $85.00 rebate check doesn't cover ONE MONTH that I endured this crap from them. "

plaid braisley wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:43 PM:

" if the utilities can't or won't deliver power for a civilized price, revoke their monopolies and auction the rights to supply power to someone who will.state regulations guarantee utilities a return on their investment(profit).they have no incentive to provide a product at the lowest possible price.the electric companies charged us for decades for the cost of building the nuclear plants. now they sell and buy electricity on the open market.why did we pay for this plant that was going to produce power "too cheap to put a meter on"? "

to: whatever wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:22 PM:

" go ahead and add up $85 over ALL of the thousands of customers they are sending these refunds to...derrrrr....$85 is actually a pretty good amount. "

i'll take it wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:17 PM:

" hey "whatever", send your $85 insult in my direction. ;) "

Digs Deeper wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:10 PM:

" Wait that will cover the cost for the increase for January, now what about the relief? A losy $100.00 wooohooo Right.. What is a hundred dollars to you today? A tank of gas and a fast food meal? A months worth of cable? That's less than their dang raises........... I see em sitting back in their lazy chairs having a cold one, laughing at us with their cigars burning........... Just a bit ticked off, Posting a new web site how to bypass a meter............. "

Whatever wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:55 PM:

" Big whoop!!! $85 is an insult!! Why even bother with it at all! "
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