Ameren announced natural gas rate change

Ameren Natural Gas customers will have lower rates soon. To reflect estimated changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas, Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri natural gas customers will see rates drop under a filing that will take effect on June 1. Residential customers currently pay approximately 95 cents per Ccf (per hundred cubic feet) of natural gas. Under Ameren Missouri’s filing, the rate will drop to approximately 63 cents per ccf. Approximately 50% to 55% of a customer’s current natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers. The wholesale cost of natural gas (the cost your local natural gas company must pay to its suppliers for natural gas) is not regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission. The wellhead cost of natural gas is unregulated and is primarily driven by supply, demand and the weather. The Missouri Public Service Commission does conduct an annual regulatory review to ensure that regulated natural gas companies make prudent decisions in securing natural gas supplies for their customers.