Attorney General's News Release

July 16, 2007

Nixon appeals Ameren rate increase to the circuit court

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today filed an appeal in Cole County Circuit Court, seeking to overturn the $43 million rate increase awarded by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to St. Louis utility Ameren corporation on May 22. The PSC rejected the Attorney General’s application for rehearing of the case on June 28.

“Ameren is not entitled to any rate increase, and instead should have received a rate cut from the PSC, as my office had requested,” Nixon said. “There needs to be more affordability for ratepayers and more accountability from Ameren. We are appealing the PSC decision to the circuit court to stand up for Missouri’s families.”

After Ameren filed its initial rate increase of $361 million, Nixon’s office conducted an audit of the company’s books and records to determine the accuracy of its claims that increased costs necessitated such a massive rate increase. The audit revealed a number of areas where Ameren made omissions or improper accounting proposals, or overstated costs in the company’s request for the rate increase, which would have been a state record. Though Ameren received an increase for far less than it requested, Nixon said it is still unacceptable to consumers.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818