Illinois regulators have given Ameren Illinois permission to raise natural gas rates by about $32 million.
The Illinois Commerce Commission said it will allow rates to rise by 1.2% to 5.4%, depending where customers live. The rates would go up starting this month.
The Citizens Utility Board said it will appeal the decision. Board executive director David Kolata pointed out the decision comes just as Illinois faces the first real cold weather of winter.
CUB complained the rate increase is $2 million more than an administrative law judge recommended last fall.
Ameren has 813,000 natural gas customers in central and southern Illinois.
Thanks to the Associated Press