Tagged: natural gas

One of Illinois's largest natural gas providers is seeking a $50 million rate increase for its 813,000 customers.

Ameren Illinois filed the paperwork requesting the rate case with the Illinois Commerce Commission today. The company says it needs the additional revenue to recoup infrastructure investments and cover the rising costs of delivering natural gas.

Will be updated further. Updated 5:06 p.m. with Associated Press story of Quinn's veto.

Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed legislation that would have forced Illinois natural gas utilities to buy synthetic gas from a proposed plant on Chicago's South Side.

The governor vetoed the bill on Friday. It would have forced Nicor Gas and Ameren Corp. to buy synthetic natural gas from the Leucadia Corp. gasification plant for 30 years to help pay for its construction.

Illinois regulators have given Ameren Corp. permission to raise natural gas rates by about $32 million but a watchdog group says it will appeal the decision.

The Illinois Commerce Commission said Wednesday that it will allow Missouri-based Ameren to raise its natural gas rates by 1.2 percent to 5.4 percent depending where customers live. They would go up starting later this month.

The Citizens Utility Board said Thursday it will appeal the decision.