Friday, March 9, 2007 9:36 PM CST
Like other Illinoisans, local residents are feeling the financial sting of inflated home energy bills
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
Tara Kerz of Charleston pulled no punches when she complained about her soaring electric bills from AmerenCIPS.
“I called them to complain and eventually talked with a supervisor. I told her I didn’t know how they could sleep at night when they knew their employer was financially raping the community,” said Kerz, whose electrical bill increased about $140 for the January 2007 billing.
Her family will pay nearly $900 on electricity in January and February, which amounts to three car payments and a payment and a half on their house mortgage, Kerz said.
“The woman told me about different options on payments. But paying more for a higher bill over the year is not the answer. That doesn’t make sense,” Kerz said.
Kerz and her husband, Jesse, have two children, including a 4-month-old daughter. They keep the thermostat set at 70 degrees to ensure Riley does not succumb to chills. But the couple realizes other families with young children must choose between paying for groceries or other necessities and the heating bill.
“We’re biting the bullet and keeping it at 70 degrees for my daughter, but I’m sure there are many people without the financial means to do that,” Kerz said.
Kerz was one of many area residents responding to the Journal Gazette/Times-Courier call for information on their electricity billings this winter. Many reported their bills doubled or more with the new AmerenCIPS rates that took effect in January.
Larry D. Miller of Mattoon saw his electric bill increase from $197.18 one month to $394.10 the next.
“That’s a 122-percent increase,” Miller said. “My highest bill from 2006 was $179.80! Yes, this will put a damper on us. If I wasn’t still working it would be very difficult to keep up with it.”
He depends on electricity for heating and all other power needs. Now, he is finding ways to reduce his electric bills by replacing old bulbs or eliminating an extra icebox in the garage.
Miller said he does not oppose AmerenCIPS getting an increase after many years of electrical rate freezes. But what really struck him and other all-electric customers was the elimination of discounts from the utility.
“Before, you would have a discount if you had an all-electric home like ours. I really believe they went overboard on cutting the discount [with] the rate increase,” Miller said.
In January, Keith Kohanzo of Charleston paid $153.96 for electricity from AmerenCIPS, which includes heating needs except for the water heater. With a two-bedroom condo and austere heating needs with the thermostat down to 62 during the day and 58 overnight, he hoped his increase with the new rate would be modest.
His next bill jumped to $227.50 despite his efforts.
“This place is insulated. That is a 48 percent increase. I can afford it. But that is a big increase for a place that covers less than 1,500 feet,” the Eastern Illinois University retiree said.
All agree the rate increase was too much all at once.
“I’m not an expert on the funding of that industry, and I realize their concerns. But to do it all in one step is too much. Even increasing it over three years would still amount to a dramatic increase,” Kohanzo said.
“To do whatever you want after a 10-year freeze is not the right way to do it. Someone dropped the ball,” Kerz said.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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 Ken Trevarthan (JG/T-C)
Tara and Jesse Kerz stand next to their furnace thermostat with their 4-month-old son Riley Thursday evening at their home in Charleston. The couple’s AmerenCIPS bill for the first two months of the year equals three month’s worth of car payments and one and a half of house payments.
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Stephen wrote on Jul 17, 2006 8:22 AM: