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 Monday, November 1.

According to a press release, 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.

Officials say 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, 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 percent to 55 percent of a customer’s current natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers.

Ameren has created tips on 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.

Public Service Commission Chairman Ryan Silvey says, “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.”

Ameren Missouri serves approximately 132,350 natural gas customers in Missouri. Counties in the KMMO listening area include Cooper, Howard and Saline.