Expert Witness Blog

St. Louis-based utility company Ameren, the Missouri State Public Counsel, and the Missouri State Attorney General have asked for an appeal of the $43 million annual rate increase awarded to Ameren in May. Utility regulators relied on the testimony of an electrical power and utilities expert witness in calculating the award. The expert witness had recommended a 9.8% rate increase while Ameren had asked for a 10.9% which would translate into a $361 million rate increase for its 1.2 million Missouri electric customers.

Ameren argues that the awarded increase still leaves rates 37% below the national average. As reported on Forbes.com: State Public Counsel Lewis Mills Jr., who represents consumer interests, and Attorney General Jay Nixon, who represents the state, both say Ameren should instead be forced to lower its electricity rates.