Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 21, 2021
Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300
PR-22-52

Natural Gas Rates to Change for Ameren Missouri Customers

JEFFERSON CITY---To primarily reflect estimated changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas as well as a change in the Actual Cost Adjustment (ACA) factor, Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri natural gas customers will see rates change under a filing that will take effect on November 1, 2021.

The ACA factor is a mechanism which tracks any over-collection or under-collection of actual natural gas costs over a 12 month period. The net over- or under-collected balances are subsequently either refunded or collected over the next 12 months.

Ameren Missouri’s current ACA period (September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021) includes costs associated with the February 2021 Cold Weather Event which had a significant impact on certain natural gas prices.

The Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by Ameren Missouri extending the ACA recovery period from 12 months to up to 36 months, thereby spreading the costs from the February 2021 Cold Weather Event over a longer period of time. Ameren Missouri states this is being done to help mitigate the impact on customer bills.

Residential customers currently pay approximately $0.46 per Ccf (per hundred cubic feet) of natural gas. Under Ameren Missouri’s filing, it states the rate will increase to approximately $0.77 per Ccf. Approximately 50% to 55% of a customer’s current natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers.

The wholesale cost of natural gas (the cost your local natural gas company must pay to its suppliers for natural gas) is not regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission. The wellhead cost of natural gas is unregulated and is primarily driven by supply, demand and the weather. The Missouri Public Service Commission does conduct an annual regulatory review to ensure that regulated natural gas companies make prudent decisions in securing natural gas supplies for their customers.

What you can do to help manage your utility bill:
  • Add attic insulation if necessary.
  • Place weather stripping around doors, use plastic film covering and caulk windows to keep heat from escaping from your home.
  • Change or replace furnace filters each month when dirty.
  • Have your chimney checked for blockage.
  • Close fireplace dampers when the fireplace is not being used.
  • Have your heating system checked and tuned-up if needed.
  • Place an approved insulated cover-jacket around the hot water heater.
  • Consider getting professional help for any projects that are beyond your capabilities.
  • Contact your local utility company to ask about energy saving tips and programs.
“If you are faced with a utility bill you can’t pay in full, it is very important that you contact the utility company, express an inability to pay the bill and enter into a payment agreement to avoid having service discontinued due to nonpayment,” said Public Service Commission Chairman Ryan Silvey.

Ameren Missouri serves approximately 132,350 natural gas customers in the Missouri counties of Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Cooper, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Lincoln, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, Phelps, Pike, Ralls,
Randolph, St. Charles, Saline, Scott, Stoddard and Warren.
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