By St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – Ameren UE is asking the state of Missouri for permission to generate about $12 million through a rate increase for its natural gas customers.
The utility said in a statement Friday that it needs the additional revenue to cover more than $54 million in upgrades to its natural gas infrastructure, including new service lines and meters. The rate increase would add $87 a year to a person's gas bill.
The Missouri Public Service Commission must approve the rate increase, a process that could take a year. The commission recently awarded the utility a 10 percent increase in electric rates, well below what Ameren UE had requested.