ITEM 8.01 Other Events.
On
Assembly and will be sent to theIllinois governor. This legislation includes, among other things, changes to the regulatory framework applicable toAmeren Illinois' electric distribution business. If SB 2408 is enacted, the existing performance-based formula ratemaking framework will remain available for establishing and reconciling rates through 2023. If SB 2408 is enacted,Ameren Illinois will have the option to establish new rates based on either (i) a traditional regulatory rate review using a future test year, or (ii) an investment and operating cost plan for a four-year period (a "Multi-Year Plan"), whichAmeren Illinois would submit byJanuary 20, 2023 , to theIllinois Commerce Commission ("ICC") for review and approval. Under a Multi-Year Plan, the ICC would establish base electric rates to be charged to customers for each delivery year of the four-year period beginning in 2024. The ICC would also determine the allowed return on common equity ("ROE") to be used in establishing rates based onAmeren Illinois' forecasted average annual rate base. The ROE would be subject to adjustment during the Multi-Year Plan period based on certain performance metrics that shall include measures relating to delivery system reliability, supplier diversity, affordability of customer delivery service cost, the utility's customer service performance, timeliness of response to customer requests for interconnection of distributed energy resources, and reductions in peak load due to demand response programs. SB 2408 provides for symmetrical performance-based ROE incentives and penalties in a range of 20 to 60 basis points in the aggregate. The revenue requirement for a particular calendar year would reflectAmeren Illinois' actual capital structure for such year, with an equity ratio of up to 50% being deemed prudent and reasonable and a higher equity ratio requiring specific ICC approval. Annual rate adjustments would be permitted under a Multi-Year Plan to reflect the actual annual revenue requirement based onAmeren Illinois' year-end rate base. The actual annual revenue requirement approved in an annual rate adjustment may not exceed 105% of the revenue requirement for the annual period approved by the ICC in the Multi-Year Plan (the "True-up Cap"). Subject to ICC prudence review, annual reconciliations would be recovered from or refunded to customers within 24 months of the applicable annual period. Certain variations from forecasted costs are excluded from the True-up Cap, including those associated with major storms, new business and facility relocations, changes in the timing of expenditures or investments that move the expenditure or investment into or out of the applicable calendar year, changes in interest rates, taxes (including income taxes and taxes other than income taxes), pension or other post-retirement benefits costs, and amortization of certain regulatory assets. The True-up Cap also excludes costs recovered through riders without a traditional ratemaking proceeding, such as purchased power, transmission and bad debt costs. As with the existing formula ratemaking framework, electric distribution revenues would continue to be decoupled from sales volumes under a Multi-Year Plan. IfAmeren Illinois elects to file a Multi-Year Plan, SB 2408 permits the phase-in of any initial rate increase with at least 50% of the first year's approved rate increase reflected in the first year, with the remaining portion deferred as a regulatory asset and recovered in rates over a period not to exceed 24 months beginning within 12 months after the second year's rates are effective.Ameren Illinois recognizes revenues when amounts are expected to be collected from customers within two years from the end of an applicable year. SB 2408 would also permitAmeren Illinois to make certain investments in renewable generation and electric vehicle infrastructure, including an aggregate of up to$40 million for two solar generation and battery storage pilot projects inEast St. Louis andPeoria, Illinois . There can be no assurance that SB 2408 will become law. If signed by theIllinois governor, SB 2408 would become effective immediately. This combined Form 8-K is being filed separately byAmeren Corporation andAmeren Illinois Company (each a "registrant"). Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant has been filed by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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