trim trees and they grow back. it's a cheap and futile way for maybe a temporary fix. BURY THE WIRES!

I agree with Bruce. I will pay for itself in the long run. Until we come up with a way to stop thunder storms in the summer or snow storms in the winter, it looks like electric lines are going to fall. It will cost more initially, but the cost of trimming and repairing will be less. We should also plan for connect to the new energy grid with the use of wind and solar panels, etc.

In St Peters they are hacking trees, not trimming. I've lived here 20 years now and never have witnessed what I'm seeing around town with the "tree trimming". I understand the need to keep them off the lines, but don't leave the tree looking butchered when your done. and ameren can stick their wanted increase, my bill this month was 315.00.

There is no end to the GREED that Ameren is willing to beset us with.

They ran millions of dollars worth of commercials on TV and Radio to tell us about the Billion dollar plan to improve the state of the electric infrastructure in Missouri - But they forgot to mention that this massive cost was because they had failed to maintain the system for years, even thought the cost was built into the rates. Instead, they wasted the money or sucked it up in profits.

They currently are running millions of dollars in commercials on TV to tell us to use Ameren. Who exactly are we going to get electricity from, if not them?

The butcher trees near power lines, rather than either pruning them properly or simply taking them down. Yet they leave trees that are clear threats to power lines standing. On Comanche Lane in Florissant - they left a DEAD 70 foot poplar tree standing, even thought several large branches from this DEAD tree had already fallen and taken down lines on three occasions. But they hacked all the branches facing the power lines off of threes on both sides, making them unstable.

Why - if coal is at an all time lows in cost. Why - if natural gas is at all time lows in cost. Are we seeing ever increasing rates? They always told us a major portion of the cost of electric power was the cost of the fuel to generate the electricity. IF that cost is going down, why is there a need for this increase?

I believe if the executives at Ameren would skip a BONUS or two they could pay for a lot of things. Rather than trying to get the public to pay for upgrades and then take their fat bonus home smiling at the fact that they put one over on us once more! How long can we roll over and take it? It's time to stand up for what is right and fair.

Their own math does not add up. It is a sham.
From their own press release:
http://www.ameren.com/sites/aue/RateCase/Pages/Rates.aspx

" Higher costs for the company’s recently proposed energy efficiency programs comprise approximately $81 million (about 22%) of the request. These programs are expected to provide approximately $500 million in total customer benefits over the next 20 years."

So we are being asked to pay $81 million *per year* - remember this is a rate increase not a one-time charge. They will collect it every year.
I ain't a math genius, but 20 x $81 is $1620.

That means Ameren is asking to collect $1.6 Billion total from rate payers to save 500 Million total. They didn't compare total cost to total savings so that this would not be clear.

Yeah, pay me three dollars and I'll save you a dollar.

Who appoints or elects these 'Public Service' Commissioners that just rubber stamp the companies they supposedly regulate. Reading the filings are a) mind numbing and b) clearly administrative no-value job-justification pedantic efforts for 99% of it. Ameren's website was easier to find out what they were asking for than the MO PSC site.

Even then, by their own admission, it is a money grab.

I for one can not afford another increase. We already pay $150 for just their budget billing. It is just crazy that they want another increase. I agree with Bruce on just trimming and cutting trees away form power lines.

What did they do with all these other rate increases? They paid record bonuses to execs. Don't forget, they just had a 3% increase passed by missouri to charge us more for the electricity we are saving to reduce our bills. They get paid more for us using less.... so they can keep their big bonuses going.

bob this is just like washington,give me all your money so i can fly around the world and live like a king,and you can live on the streets,

Please speak out against this rate increase! The Public Service Commission has allowed Ameren Missouri to raise our rates 36 percent in the past five years. Now the company wants more. Ameren has a monopoly on providing electricity to a large portion of Missouri, mainly central to east. It doesn't have to worry about competition. Because it is owned by its investors its main focus is to get a high rate of return for them, not provide quality service. This time Ameren is asking the PSC to let it return 10.75 percent to its owners. Who among its customers -- either residents or most businesses -- is making a 10.75 percent profit these days? Folks are still trying to dig themselves out of the economic rubble created by the recession. And who has gotten huge pay increases since the recession hit in 2008? Ameren CEO Tom Voss has. He was paid $5.7 million in 2011, a 20.5 percent increase over what he made in 2010. Many of us ordinary people still can't find jobs or are under-employed. Ameren should withdraw its request to focus on providing reliable, competent service to its customers. -- Joan Bray, chair, Consumers Council of Missouri

If this rate increase goes through, you can be sure there will be another increase -- people being found dead in their homes because they can't AFFORD to use their air conditioners. Those on fixed incomes absoutely cannot afford an increase at this time!

cut the upper management bonuses and apply that money they think they deserve back into the system . they get paid to do a job there should be no bonuses,the only bonus they should get is keeping there job thats a bonus .they are always looking at ways to cut cost, well i am sure there are qualified people out there that would do the job even for less with out any bonuses

I think the goal for Ameren is to eventually eliminate overhead power lines. New areas--subdivisions and businesses alike- are all electrically buried underground. It is, however, a slow and expensive process, so the interim expense is to trim trees--apparently poorly as indicated by the comments. The reality is no one wants to pay more more utilities, in taxes, in tuition, in food, etc. Who ever WANTS an increase or think a company is deserving of it? Of course all the comments are going to against it. Everyone wants the same service or better, without paying more for it--and will always find a website or statistics to 'prove' their point. We are an entitled nation where everyone thinks they are correct. Period.

I encourage all Ameren UE customers to do some research on where this money is to be spent.

Keep in mind that UE is guaranteed a a profit on every dollar they spend. The more they spend the more they make. The company has no reason to save money with this type of cost plus contract. The rate increase request is based on a 10.75% return on equity.

The power outages in 2006 damaged me to the tune of about $700. Lost insulin, frozen food, etc. The rate increases they want on top of what they already have are absurd.

Bonnie
Apparently you have not been effected by the down turn in the economy. It isn't that we all want something for nothing its that we don't have control over what we are charged. It is a monopoly and I thought those were not allowed. You know they broke up the phone monopoly as it was not fair. Ameren has us where they need us as was pointed out... who else are you going to get your electricity from? We can't all go out in the middle of no where and live off the grid. I haven't recieved a raise in 3 years.... but am happy because at least I have a job. That doesn't mean I'm okay with CEOs getting bonuses while they have their hand in my pocket in order to get it. As to the middle class - what middle class- It is soon going to be the haves and the have nots. And the majority of us will be the have nots. If someone has a realistic solution to this I'd like to hear it.

I agree with David....stop the outrages bonuses and put that money back into the company for operating costs and improvements. The hack job Ameren did on my neighbor's tree in the back yard resembles a tall totem pole with large arms...they hacked off the main trunk! Placer Av.,Spanish Lake. We are hurting already......

@Susan, where did I ever state in my comment that I thought a rate hike was a good thing? I was simply answering Patch's question "Can you support it?" and my statement is "who is ever going to want an increase in ANYTHING?" We are an entitled country who think we deserve the best for the lowest price possible. We should be thankful that we have electricity and a home to heat and cool. Personally, I don't like that my bills go up any more than the typical St. Louisan or typical middle class American. BUT, I thank God that I don't do without. I think we need to be more appreciative in general. It is sad to me that most of Patch's comments are negative--very rarely will a person leave a comment on a 'good will' story.

This is another ploy by the Progressive/Socialist Party under the guise of "Green Energy" to make people more dependent on the almighty Government! How much more money can they squeeze out of us to support their impracticable ideas? As said,they mismanaged their money and now expect 'we the people' to bail them out. The 'people' are running out of money just to live on and I think it is utterly ridiculous for Ameren to even consider raising the rates and is another assault on the middle-class to pay for the failures of these overpaid executives! Enough is enough! Regarding the tree-cutting idiocy, I imagine this is done to encourage the public to think that 'they' must pay more to have underground lines. Yep, these are the games the powerful use to keep us poor and enslaved to the Elitists! Are these companies so incompetent that they can not manage their own budgets? Apparently so! Well, I say, let them deal with their 'budget failures' because I did nothing to cause it! We must stand up to this power grab over our lives or it will continue to spread like a cancer. No more taxes!

Because almost everything has risen in cost, we do moan and groan when we hear of another one being anticipated. Human nature to do so, I guess. I do love my air conditioner! And since the negative comments Ameren received from others during the 2006 storm outages, my electricity no longer goes out when a leaf blows as it did prior. So something was accomplished by that. The general public wants assurance that their dollars are spent for services, not bonuses, don't you think?

Ameren made a decision nearly 20 yrs ago to change from their ways of preventive maintenance and wait until things broke to fix them so they could save money. The company DID save money, but savings didn't go to consumers. It went to top salaries. It was a disasterous policy change. They've cut down on pay and perks for the regular workers, but the top guys add to theirs. Perhaps now is the time for the top to give some things up like everyone else has done for so long.

This is a perfect example of how competition in the marketplace is a good thing. Until we get to a point where consumers can decide for themselves which electric company will serve them, the UE monopoly will continue to rule.

I was able to reduce my electric consumption last year over the prior year by 6%, it takes a watchful eye, as I live in a 100% electric condo. But I loath every penny I send to Ameren so make it a goal of mine to consume less. This summer has been a challenge but I do my best. Just remember Ameren sought a rate increase last year and got one, not as much as they were asking, but enough they could pay out a nice dividend to the stockholders.

@Katie, please re-read my last comment. I did not say THIS was a good will story. I said it is sad that people mainly leave comments if they have something negative to say. The 'good will' stories are often over-looked and rarely is encouragement left for hard-working writers. I KNOW there are a lot of people in poverty levels who feel they cannot use their air or heat. There are dozens of organizations willing to help them but often they don't know who to reach out to. No matter what the price of electricity, there will always be the people who think they cannot afford it.

@Bonnie -the organizations help those in dire need. They cannot affort to help people like me or my neighbors who may not be able to pay the $315 bill this month because my paycheck falls on the "wrong" week or whatever. Every dime I spend in bills is accounted for, there isn't much left for anything more. If they raise their rates again, I don't know what we'll do. We are bare bones as it is.
And for what it's worth, as a writer, I'm not looking for encouragement from comments for any "good-will" stories I write. As long as my editor is happy, I'm happy.
The reason for all the negative comments is that it's a negative subject. I doubt anyone is going to comment "Yay! another increase! Woo hoo!"

@Cindi I am right there with you. There is not a lot of room for a increase. We are on a strict budget dur to my husband being laid off for almost two years back 2009-2011. We went through our safety net to keep a roof over our head. To have another increase would kill us.

Same here Katie. I lost my job in 2010 and then when I started working again in 2011 my husband lost his. We're both working again now but I'm still trying to catch up.

Cindi we know all about playing catch up:) Hopefully one day we won't.

I was planning on just reading this article, without commenting. Well, that changed! Mainly from Bonnie's comments (nothing personal, and not attacking you) BUT, please allow me to give you the short version of what I and many others have or are experiencing. I will start by asking you to please do your homework on all these organizations you are speaking of. Call them and say do you offer assistance paying utility/electric bills? 99.9% will stop you while your still speaking and say "Nope out of funds!". Or "I'm sorry we had to stop offering assistance, because the $$ just isn't there, and the need is too high".Try it, seriously! I'm a 30 year old mother of two who had the same job for 12 years that met our needs. Last August I became ill, very unexpectedly. I was unable to get out of bed, much less to work. I had a physical job, and needed a 30 day leave for a medical procedure, was denied, and fired. My children have suffered, and continue too. Many times we are out of food, or gas for the 1 car we have. This is NOT a pity story this is ONE of many stories of people needing help right now, and there's NOT a lot of it to get! Out of all our bills (utilities) we have gotten behind on AMERENS the only one who HAS shut us off, and has NEVER offered us any help! Now they want me to help them by supporting this increase? Once all we needed was to pay one day late when our check came, and they turned us off 3 hours after i called to ask them!

I understand increases need to be made BUT I need to do my homework as to these bonuses some of you speak of!! Is there any proof that this taking place w/in Ameren? How can this one company, one of the only one's without competition, need so many increases in such a short period of time? ESPECIALLY when it's basically still a Resission (sp?) I believe. I'm not that educated on if our country as a whole has recovered financially from an economic crisis, or are on our way. However, besides my own experiences, I know of many others too. Ameren doesn't even promote their "dollar help" program to struggling residents! They also have said NADA about heat related deaths this summer due to people (mainly seniors) not having air cond. Why not ask for a $ increase to spread awareness of cooling centers or @ least pledge to not turn off anyone's air when temps are that high? I just don't get it, and had to say something. Ameren has always seemed far more money hungry to me than any other company. Lastly, i would like to ask if anyone knows who or where I contact to dispute this increase? And if so, all of us who are against this should dispute this, maybe sign a petition? I will educate myself on this and past increases w/ameren now after this article. Thanks to the Patch for keeping us updated!

@Rehib do you really believe we are out of recession? And second My husband was out of work for almost two years, yes you can have a savings but when you are out of work that long it does disappear, You were lucky enough to only been out of work for 5 months. Thirdly Ameren does not have competition here in St. Louis or surrounding areas so they can get away with what they are doing or at least try.

Thanks Katie for helping Rahib become familliar with what's going on RIGHT NOW & RIGHT HERE!! Can't believe someone would tell me to pick up a newspaper when he himself apparently has NOT!! #1. RAHIB your first wrong statement is that help has diminshed due to lack of federal funding! In some cases yes, but in the majority NO!! Churches, Non-profits, etc are given donations by people who have more money (like you apparently) to help others! For example, St. Vincent is funded by Catholic parishes to help people with utilities, food, etc. You can call them to educate yourself better, their out of funds due to the economic crisis we are still in!! The # of people calling in for help is too high, and # of people donating money is too low #2. Ameren has NO competition here in St. Louis #3. Your very lucky to have not been out of work for longer than 5 months!! AND, also lucky to be healthy, which ensured your savings to be enough to cover your bills. I'm guessing if you have children, their older, and self sufficient. #4. FINALLY The Mayor of Florissant released a statement saying he can NOT support this increase that WILL raise every household's electric bill by $14.00 a month! Due to the CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS WE ARE ARE STILL IN, and due to the fact that Ameren is NOT using enough detail to explain what the $$ will be used for! You must not care what UE uses the $ for, otherwise you'd know they LIED!! You need to pick up a paper and do your own research!!

Wow....How about voting for deregulation and the candidates that support it? I moved here from Maryland where you could opt to purchase both gas and electric from other companies. The primary utility (Ameren) would still deliver the service, but you purchased it from a thrid party. My bills dropped 25% in one day!

Also, a person's electric bill can be $315.00 or even more! This is due to the fact that everyone doesn't have the money every month to pay their bills in full. Once your late with a payment, fees start adding up!! You can make an arrangement w/Ameren and if something happens and you default it's a HUGE fee to keep your electric on! I was a highly financially stable mother of 2 BEFORE I got sick, and the disease I have was not caused by me doing anything wrong!! I don't want a pity party for myself, I sacrifice every day to ensure the bills are paid!!! I want other's who are lucky enough not to worry, to realize people need help, and it's not always their own fault. We all know cancer does NOT discriminate, what would happen if you became ill? Would you have enough savings to last you the rest of your life or even for a year or two? If so, congrats! When all is said and done, I would like to believe that no matter what ECONOMIC CLASS we all fall under that ALL of us deserve the right to know where our money is going w/this increase! Do your research and see where AMEREN has used prior increases!! And, ask yourself why would they NOT give the public a highly detailed statement on what EXACTLY they need the $ for? Anyone can write or say anything to you, they can be 100% convincing as well. Whether you believe them or not is up to you! Personally, I chose to do the research and educate myself on matters such as so I don't sound like you!

I honestly don't know why they bother to have these public hearings anyway-no matter what we-the public-say, they are going to get their increase. God forbid someone steps in and tells this company to stop the bonus checks, and outrageous salaries to their executives, if they need a larger operating budget.
Wonder where they are going to get their bonus money from when none of us can afford to pay the electric bill and they shut it off?

Tina, i'm working on a few things, as well as still doing my research on this issue. I will leave another comment on here by tomorrow afternoon for anyone willing to sign a petition against Ameren's request for an increase. It's unbelievable the facts i'm finding, and how corrupt UE really is!! Many companies have cut bonuses, etc for their top execs due to the country's current economic state. UE is NOT one of them, and has actually used OUR money to ensure their CEO'S continue to live a life of luxury with very nice bonuses! My husband hasn't had a raise in 3 years, and from talking to friends, he isn't the only one! Just incredible!! We CAN come together to voice our opinion!!

53% Profit increase? Seems that they have the money to cover the rate increase themselves.

Wow I saw that too Patrick! If only Ameren had a savings like Reheb to cover things they need, in emergencies!

Ameren should never ask for rate hikes when they are guilty of doing stuff like this!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3149815964584&set=a.1009620781042.1398.1840651923&type=3&theater

Hey folks, all of you against Ameren's rate hikes should simply phone Ameren and tell them to cut off your supply. I am certain that you will enjoy the lack of an Electric Utility Bill. Since the Courts ( controlled by democrat backed judges ) ruled that the power company is responsible for manicuring vegetation growing around their powerlines the labor involved is included in your monthly Statement.
Now, I sure feel better knowing that stacey and patrick are working on this Rate Increase. I am certain that they will have this problem solved soon.

Never EVER did I say I would get the problem solved sir, w/all due respect I appreciate you clarifying what you read, made assumptions, then judged me. You think from my previous comments that I'm A.) A Democrat, I was raised not to speak Politics around anyone, and that it's rude to ask people who their voting for and what party to you belong to? Guessing not very nice, nor Christian like to make assumptions, and prejudge...just saying. B.) I'm an intelligent woman, and am FULLY aware I NEED UE @ this time!! I have to pay the electrc, and don't mind doing so, until I learned more about whats going on. C.) If that's true, I thank you for finding out what all the monthly statement fees are. Can you possibly let me know your source or where to find this on my bill? I haven't heard or SEEN anyone from UE explaining to it's consumers what these continuous price increases are ACTUALLY being used for, spent on!! D.) Sorry you thought I'd solve the problem for you sir, you seem to be the only one NOT angry about the constant (their last one was 7 months ago!) requests from UE to raise OUR bill. I think it's awesome that your blessed enough to afford all of them, which you were a little more blessed so you'd realize assuming and judging people and their thoughts, putting words in their mouth.& not accepting differences in people makes YOU look bad and appear unhappy!

Well, GOLLY GEE sir, I wasn't aware that I needed to be correct or think like you do! I thought the PATCH (aka the site your on) was a place where people within communities could become informed, and in this section (opinion section) give their OPINION. Their were other people who left comments similiar to mine, and NO ONE has been CRYING, or showing irrational ANGER. Are we on the same article? Website? How can my words of my upbringing be WRONG? Because they aren't yours? I've been taught some of what you mentioned, but was only speaking of political parties because you were the FIRST one to bring that up! This isn't about politics, religion, wages, or CARS this is about whats FAIR, and everyone becoming informed on this 1 issue! I'd rather not take "your so called wisdom", but appreciate the offer. In actuality with this increase each household will be paying 14$ more each month and this is their 2nd increase in the last year alone. I believe many people, including myself would feel better about it, if they would actually say, in detail, what the increase is needed for. I'm also a very happy women sir, and extremely happy to use my right to voice my views FREELY. Thanks for your service in WW 2, I wasn't alive then, but BOTH my grandfather's were also active duty, and will always be my hero's. Bottom line, rich or poor, we ALL deserve to know where OUR money goes!

At least AMEREN is up-front with their cost.
Ameren is a utility-- So is MSD
Your Sewer bills will be doubled to about $800 yr. (remember it was $240 yr)
Where is the outcry?
MSD employees get enormous pays. Yet they are invisible. so they went out and made loans to pay their bills so you would not see it NOW.
But , in 15-20 years that loan must be paid off.

Congratulations People--Every one of You will be billed over $2,500 to pay the loan.
Unless you agree to another loan about doubled what is.

Our MSD should be the one you scream at.
All City and county residents have been scammed into indirectly-making loans to afford paying the real cost of our current Sewer operations. Msd making millions in loans to pay their bills will eventually come home to charging YOU. That is called kicking the problem down the road.