Bad timing

Many Ameren customers are wondering why the utility company's top executives -- who didn't meet profit goals -- received $762,000 in bonuses. A board committee changed the executives' performance standards so "the exceptional effects of extraordinary weather events and regulatory rulings" wouldn't count against them.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Ameren customers have experienced a terrible year of service due to storms, and the company is seeking a $360 million rate increase. Ameren workers who restored service after wind and ice storms received overtime pay but no bonuses for their efforts.

Ameren's timing for its executive bonuses couldn't have been worse. A fairly normal bonus practice has turned into fuel for customers who are unhappy both with extended service outages and the prospect of higher rates.