MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

To the editor:

We'll go bankrupt. We've sent employees lay off letters. We'll cut off the supply of electricity and natural gas. We'll discontinue community donations.

So says scary Big Electric.

If AmerenIP gets its way, your electric bill will jump 26 to 50 percent in January.

AmerenIP charges an average 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour. You'd have to go to the East and West coasts to find higher rates. AmerenIP already charges more than Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, and Tennessee (6 cents) or Indiana and Kentucky (5 cents).

AmerenIP says not to worry.

"The average bill ($60) will increase only $1 per day. If you can't pay now, we'll give you credit. Pay later with interest."

Ameren is among the country's most profitable utilities. Profits soared last year 18 percent to $628 million. It buys power from its parent, Ameren Corporation.

When Ameren goes bankrupt, I think I'll ask Naperville, Ill. to lend a hand. Naperville knows something Ameren doesn't -- its municipal utility negotiated a lower rate for its residents than Ameren did for its 1.2 million customers!

Call your Illinois legislators and tell them you're tired of a monopoly and want the utility rate freeze to continue while a real energy program is developed, with a real open market. Also call Senate President Emil Jones (773) 995-7748 or email: jones@senatedem.state.il.us.

Preserving, strengthening, and enhancing the quality of life in the Metro-East and controlling per capita costs of services is part of the mission of Stop158: Citizens for Smart Growth.

Richard Ellerbrake
Stop 158: Citizens for Smart Growth
www.stop158.org