Missouri PSC approves rate increase for Ameren customers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Millions of Missourians will pay more for their electricity as a result of a roughly $43 million annual rate increase granted Tuesday to Amen Corp.

A majority of Missouri Public Service commissioners said they were sending the embattled utility a message that it needs to improve its reliability and customer service in approving a rate hike that was just a fraction of the $361 million Amen requested.

An Amen spokesman expressed disappointment.

But others said any increase was sending the wrong message after a year in which Amen customers suffered through several prolonged power outages from summer and winter storms and the utility's Tam Auk reservoir ruptured.

Attorney General Jay Nixon immediately said he planned to appeal on behalf of the state, continuing to push for a rate cut.

The Public Service Commission's decision should result in a monthly increase of about $2.40 for an average residential customer, said commission chairman Jeff Davis.

Ameren serves about 1.2 million electric customers in Missouri, making it the state's largest utility.