2008 Woodie Awards
Letter: Ameren increase is reasonable
Michael Papuga
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I am sick and tired of reading articles about the "woes" of energy rate increases and how citizens won't be able to cope with them. Tough luck.
Goods and services cost money, and over time the costs of providing these things increase. If a 4 percent increase is that detrimental to your livelihood, maybe you should reevaluate leaving the lights, TV and other electronics on when you leave the room.
However, I suspect this is not the case. It's always someone else's fault.
Michael Papuga
junior studying political science
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
Rodney Moore
posted 2/08/08 @ 10:05 AM CST
I suspect when your parents quit paying your bills, you will have a different attitude.
Patrick
posted 2/08/08 @ 11:52 PM CST
I have to agree with Rodney, your comment does seem uninformed and callous.
Mike
posted 2/11/08 @ 9:37 PM CST
Or, when you remember back, you realize you were paying 1996 rates for the last 10 years without an increase. The 40% rate increase last year was 4%/year NON compounded. (Continued…)
Allen
posted 2/12/08 @ 12:40 PM CST
It's a bit difficult to justify a rate increase when Ameren is reporting millions in profits annually. Gasoline, natural gas, and electricity companies should be regulated so they're not making billions of dollars while the citizens pinch pennies just to keep their houses warm. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 2/12/08 @ 6:49 PM CST
You know, come to think of it.. you're right.
I also think food costs too much it isn't fair that Schnucks and Wal-Mart post millions( and billions) of dollars in profits. (Continued…)
Allen
posted 2/12/08 @ 8:38 PM CST
And, you just proved my point. COMPETITION is the key word here. There isn't ONE company providing all the food for the world, people have choices, not just of which brand but also which store to buy it at! If something is to expensive at Schnucks, great, buy it at Wal-Mart! That's why food prices remain competitive, and affordable, and government intervention is not necessary. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 2/12/08 @ 8:56 PM CST
Government DOES regulate Ameren. That is why your energy costs remained the same for 10 years. That is why Ameren must have this increase approved by the state!
Voters simply need to take some responsibility because after all it was their elected officials who chose to lock in Ameren's prices for a decade. (Continued…)
Tony
posted 2/13/08 @ 12:26 AM CST
Utilies are greedy companies, part of an oligarchy, if not a monopoly. I moved to Springfield and the city owns the electirc and water services. I'd rather give my money to a city owned utility. (Continued…)
Justin
posted 2/13/08 @ 11:04 AM CST
Rate increases are being evaluated across the country in both privatly owed utilties like Ameren and publicly owed cooperatives and manicipals. This is in large part to increases in equipment like transformers and conductors used in power lines as well as fuel and benefit (health care) costs for work crews. (Continued…)
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