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PEORIA, Ill., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ameren Illinois Utilities today
announced that a one-time $2-million electric rate relief program now is
providing assistance up to $5,000 to individual non-profit and other qualified
organizations that have experienced financial hardships due to the higher cost
of electricity.
"In addition to the rate relief assistance provided to residential
electric customers, we want to make certain assistance is available non-profit
organizations, senior centers, schools, churches and other religious
institutions," said Stan Ogden, vice president of Customer Service and Public
Relations for the Ameren Illinois Utilities.
"We have designed this assistance program to meet the needs of those
organizations that have the greatest need. We urge all qualifying non-profit
organizations to submit applications," Ogden said.
To qualify, a non-profit organization, school, senior center, church or
other religious institution must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities customer who
has purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities since Jan. 1,
2007. Also, the organization must demonstrate the higher rates for electricity
have caused a financial hardship and be registered as a not for profit
corporation with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Applications to the Non-Residential Hardship Fund, which is being
administered by the Energy Assistance Foundation, must be submitted between
today and Sept. 26, 2008. Applications can be completed online by visiting the
Ameren Web site (http://www.ameren.com) and selecting "IL Rate Relief
Programs." Applications also are available by calling your Ameren Illinois
Utility (AmerenCILCO and AmerenCIPS - 1-800-232-2477 and AmerenIP -
1-800-363-6805).
In addition, assistance is available to small independently owned and
operated businesses that have 50 or fewer employees and have their principal
office in Illinois. Small businesses also must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities
customer who has purchased electricity through the Ameren Illinois Utilities
since Jan. 1, 2007. In addition, the small business must demonstrate the
higher rates for electricity have caused a financial hardship
Funding for the Non-Residential Hardship Fund was established last year as
part of the comprehensive legislative rate relief settlement.
The Ameren Illinois utilities serve 1.2 million electric and more than
840,000 natural gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois.
SOURCE Ameren Illinois Utilities
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