Heads up to anyone with Ameren Missouri TOU customers. They quietly shifted their peak hours from 1PM-7PM to 2PM-8PM starting September 1st without proper notice to customers or consultants. I only caught it because a client's usage patterns hadn't changed but their peak charges jumped 40% this month. Called Ameren and they claim they sent notice in July but I never received anything. This affects both Schedule LGS-TOU and SGS-TOU rates. Anyone else seeing weird peak charge increases that might be related to this undisclosed window change?
Ameren Missouri TOU peak window shifted without notice
Elmer, that's a major tariff change that requires 30-day notice to the PSC and affected customers. If they really did shift peak hours without proper notice, that's a clear violation of Missouri regulations. I'd file complaints with both Ameren and the PSC. Down here in Texas we've seen utilities try to sneak through rate changes during low-attention periods like late summer. The regulatory filing should be public record - you should be able to find it on the PSC website if it actually exists.
This sounds fishy to me. FirstEnergy tried something similar in Ohio where they claimed a "software update" changed TOU windows but it was really an unapproved rate modification. Check the actual tariff sheets filed with the PSC - the effective dates and rate schedules should match what they're billing. If there's a discrepancy, you've got them dead to rights. I'd also request copies of all customer notices they claim to have sent. Document everything and prepare for a fight.
Elmer, I just checked the Missouri PSC website and there's no tariff filing for Ameren changing TOU peak hours in 2013. Their Schedule LGS-TOU still shows 1PM-7PM as the peak window. Either they're billing incorrectly or there's something else going on. I'd demand an explanation in writing and copies of all interval data showing how they're calculating peak charges. This could be a billing system error rather than an actual rate change.
Jack makes a good point about checking the actual PSC filings. Out here in California, PG&E once had a "billing system glitch" that effectively changed TOU windows for thousands of customers without any tariff modification. Turned out to be a programming error during a routine software update. The key is getting the utility to admit whether this is an approved tariff change or a system malfunction. Either way, they owe customers proper notice and potentially refunds.
Update: Spoke with Ameren's regulatory affairs manager and this was indeed a billing system error, not an approved rate change. Their MDM system got corrupted during a software patch and started applying the wrong TOU window to about 1,200 customers. They're reversing all the erroneous charges and issuing credits. My client is getting back $2,800. Thanks everyone for the advice about checking the PSC filings - that's what broke the case open. Always verify the tariff matches the billing!