Ameren’s latest sustainability report shows billions invested and saved, balancing economic value with efficiency

A new report called “Our Sustainability Story: Customers at the Center” published by the Ameren Corporation last week details the actions the company has taken toward environmental, social, and governance issues.

The company has invested in rate-regulated energy infrastructure to improve reliability while keeping electric rates more stable. Thanks to efficiency upgrades and programs, Ameren estimates its customers have saved around $1.4 billion since 2010. They have also benefited, in several regions, from either largely unchanged rates or rate reductions. In fact, the residential customer electric rates in both Illinois and Missouri are approximately 24 percent lower than the national average.

The company has also taken actions to improve risk management and governance practices on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters specifically while pushing forward on clean, renewable energy. Simultaneously, carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced.

“This report clearly lays out the forward-thinking actions Ameren has taken on important ESG matters, which include reducing carbon emissions as well as helping tackle larger societal issues, such as the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Gwen Mizell, vice president of sustainability and electrification for Ameren, said. “Across our company, we’re integrating sustainability principles in our day-to-day operations.”

Some of these efforts can be reflected in water dispersal — Ameren says it has saved more than 120 billion gallons of water every year since 2012 and hopes to reach more than 230 billion gallons saved annually as of 2023.

Yet the report was not all about savings. The company has also spent significantly, pumping around $1.5 billion into businesses in Missouri and Illinois and spreading $653 million among qualified diverse suppliers.

“Customers can count on us to know we’re listening and taking actions to meet their expectations to deliver safe, reliable and affordable electric and natural gas service,” Warner Baxter, Ameren chairman, president and CEO, said. “Our 2020 sustainability report showcases our commitment to delivering significant long-term value by, among other things, investing in clean energy and supporting the communities we serve. We do this while holding ourselves to the highest standards of business conduct.”