Ameren Will Disconnect Customers Behind on Payments SPRINGFIELD, IL (wqub) - Ameren has not cut off any residential customers' power since January. But that nine-month moratorium is coming to an end. Amanda Vinicky reports:

Ameren spokesman Shelley (SHELL-e) Epstein (ep-STEEN) says the company did not disconnect service in part because of the dramatic increase in electric rates ... and the subsequent legislative debates about how to give consumers relief from the high rates. A new law provides that relief by giving Ameren customers bill credits and rebate checks.

Epstein says credits started going out in early September, and the last round will be issued next Wednesday (OCTOBER THIRD). He says once that's complete ... Ameren will start disconnecting service.


We have provided a service and we have not been paid for that service. No business can survive by giving away its product."

Epstein says everyone will receive a final disconnect notice before their power's cut off.
He says Ameren isn't focusing on people just a bit behind. Rather ... it's terminating service of customers with thousands of dollars of debt and who haven't paid bills in months.

Epstein encourages anyone whose behind to call Ameren immediately and set up a payment plan.
I'm Amanda Vinicky.

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