Have you noticed your monthly energy bills seem higher than usual? It’s not necessarily that you’re using more power than any other summer. Rather, the more likely cause is your power company itself — namely Ameren. As the company increases rates this season, consumers are the ones stuck paying the difference. Learn why Ameren has increased prices in Central Illinois and what you can do to help lower your monthly bills.
What’s going on?
In June, Ameren increased summer bills by an average of 18-22%, or roughly $38-46 per month, according to consumer watchdog group Citizens Utility Board. Additionally, the Ameren supply charge is expected to balloon by about 45-50% — an increase of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour for consumers. At a time of year when many homeowners are running central air conditioning around the clock, these additional charges can compound over time.
Why is this happening?
According to Citizens Utility Board, the power grid supplier Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) announced the results of its capacity auction — which is how grid operators secure reserve power in their regions — in April. In this auction, the summer capacity price rose from $30 per megawatt-day in 2024 to an astounding $666.50 per megawatt-day in 2025. Citizens Utility Board reports multiple poor policy decisions by MISO resulted in price increases. These decisions include:
- Anti-consumer market rules — Citizens Utility Board reports the MISO pricing methodology, the Reliability-based Demand Curve, was used for the first time in this auction. While designed to provide MISO with better price signals and thereby incentivize developers to build more power plants, it compromised consumer affordability; policy experts say the demand curve allowed MISO to overbuy capacity above minimum reliability levels, subsequently sending rates skyrocketing on the consumer end.
- Interconnection delays — Energy generators have an average wait time of 3.5 years in the MISO “interconnection queue,” or the waitlist for new power plants seeking review and approval by the grid operator. Citizens Utility Board reports most of the stalled power plants are clean energy generators totaling more than 300 gigawatts — enough to power 225 million homes.
Over-reliance on gas — In recent years, Citizens Utility Board reports, MISO has fast-tracked approval of gas power plants while leaving solar, wind, and battery plants stuck in limbo, a proposal that has been rejected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
How can solar help?
Installing solar panels is a great way to mitigate rising energy costs for residential, commercial, and agricultural consumers. Solar panels have been shown to reduce monthly energy bills by as much as 70-100%. Plus, with net metering, any excess energy generated can be sold back to the energy company.
Additionally, numerous financial incentives — including a 30% federal solar investment tax credit — can help offset the cost of installation, ensuring you get more from your investment in the long run.
Don’t sweat higher energy costs this summer — let Illinois Solar Services help! Get a quote today or call 309-444-0982 for more information.