Ameren Illinois is asking state regulators for a rate hike for its natural gas delivery service. 

Filed on January 8, the request is for a $134.4 million gas rate hike, which the state's top consumer watchdog organization says is actually closer to $187 million when accounting for taxes. The utility says if the plan is approved as filed, the annual impact for the typical residential customer would be an increase of approximately $9.09 per month for delivery service. Jim Chilsen, spokesman for the Citizen's Utility Board, disputed the math.

Ameren Vice President, Regulatory Policy and Energy Supply Matt Tomc says in a prepared statement that the request "requests the resources we will need to upgrade and maintain our critical energy infrastructure." The ICC will consider the request and make a ruling sometime in December. You can read the full statement by Tomc and listen to the interview with Chilsen at this story at AdvantageNews.com.