Ameren Missouri plans to boost energy efficiency

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Ameren Missouri is planning to double its energy efficiency efforts.

The St. Louis-based utility said Friday it plans to invest $145 million in energy efficiency over three years beginning in 2013. That's in addition to the more than $70 million Ameren says it has spent since 2009 to cut energy use.

Ameren estimates the new measures will save the equivalent of the annual power used by 60,000 homes.

A 2009 state law lets utilities treat investments in energy savings the same as their expenses for delivering electricity. Ameren anticipates recovering the costs of its new efforts within five years.

Kansas City Power & Light last month proposed boosting its energy efficiency efforts.

Missouri regulators must approve the proposals.

Ameren serves about 1.2 million electric customers, mostly in eastern and central Missouri.