Featured in this month’s newsletter

A Smarter Grid Will Help to Maintain and Improve Reliability
Startup Program Aimed at Innovating for Customers
Ameren Missouri Donates ENERGY STAR® Air Conditioners
Power Profile: Sen. Bill Eigel

A Smarter Grid Will Help Maintain and Improve Reliability

Replacement of Aging Infrastructure Needs to Keep Pace with Customer Expectations

Ameren Missouri plans to invest almost $800 million in infrastructure upgrades in 2017, but with an energy grid that is aging, this type of investment and pace of upgrades will continue to lag progress in other states to meet customers' energy and reliability demands. "These investments will need to happen at a faster pace if we are to maintain a high level of reliability, which is why changing our state’s regulatory framework is so critical," said Warren Wood, vice president, External Affairs & Communications, Ameren Missouri.

Startup Program Aimed at Innovating for Customers

Ameren Corporation announced the names of companies selected to participate in the Ameren Accelerator, an innovative public-private partnership with the University of Missouri System, UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators, that assesses, mentors and invests in energy technology startup companies.

Selected companies include /blossom, HyperionSensors, Omega Grid, Rebate Bus, SensrTrx, Switched Source and WIFIPLUG.

“Building a future energy grid that meets evolving customer needs and expectations requires collaboration, innovative thinking and investment in the technologies of tomorrow,” said Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation. “The companies selected for the Ameren Accelerator offer promising innovations for the energy sector and the customers we serve. We look forward to working closely with these innovators and our partners through this unique initiative to help find new energy solutions and to deliver even greater value to our customers and the communities we serve.”

Ameren Missouri Donates ENERGY STAR® Air Conditioners

Air Conditioner Giveaway Benefits Customers during Hot Summer Months

Ameren Missouri recently partnered with local agencies in its service territory to donate 500 ENERGY STAR® air conditioners that will assist with keeping customers safe and cool during the hot summer months. Now in its 12th year, the air conditioner giveaway kicked-off in the St. Louis metro region at an event with Cooldownstlouis.org, a long-time partner of Ameren Missouri. In addition to the air conditioners, a $25,000 donation was also made to Cooldownstlouis.org to provide program assistance.

Similar air conditioner giveaway events were held in Jefferson City, Park Hills and Cape Girardeau, where Ameren Missouri co-workers joined local agencies and community leaders to make the donation.

“Ameren Missouri is committed to providing safe and reliable energy to our 1.2 million customers in communities throughout our state. As part of our mission to power the quality of life, we also connect with communities through a variety of education and outreach programs – such as Cooldownstlouis.org’s Save Our Seniors project,” said Michael Moehn, president, Ameren Missouri.

POWER PROFILE:

Sen. Bill Eigel

A Veteran Motivated By Military Service, Saving Taxpayers Money
True to his Airman’s Creed, Missouri State Senator Bill Eigel (R-23, St. Charles) continues to answer his nation’s call as a guardian of freedom and justice.

Eigel served eight years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer with A-10 and B-52 wings with assignments in Louisiana, Arizona, and most recently at Whiteman Air Force Base.

After leaving the service in 2006, Sen. Eigel purchased St. Louis Skylights, a small residential and commercial remodeling company, which he took to a national level serving all 50 states, before selling the business last year.

Eigel was elected to the Senate in November and took office in January of this year. He decided to run for office after he witnessed first-hand in his own business how government failed to support small business owners or our nation’s military veterans. The “kicker,” as he called it, that finalized his decision to run for office, was when his personal health insurance premiums were raised 70 per cent.

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