Ameren pledges $1 million in energy assistance to deployed military

By Bill Phelan
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Recognizing the financial hardship faced by some military families, Ameren Missouri is pledging $1 million in energy credits for those families in need.

Accompanied by representatives of the Missouri Army and Air National Guard, company officials unveiled the energy assistance plan Dec. 13 at their corporate headquarters in downtown St. Louis.

The plan is the next phase of a $5 million energy assistance initiative announced in August and will take the form of a $1,000 credit on the electric bill of qualifying military families who have a loved one deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. The program is open to all branches of the U.S. Military and will run through Nov. 30, 2011 or until the $1 million is depleted.

"This program is for those who are putting everything on the line for our safety and freedom," said Warner Baxter, Ameren Missouri president and chief executive officer. "Our commitment is for those families with husbands or wives serving in combat areas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation New Dawn. Through this program, up to 1,000 Missouri military families will get a one-time $1,000 credit to their Ameren account along with our gratitude for the sacrifices they and their family members are making for our country."

The program will be administered through the Missouri National Guard Family Program under the direction of Army Guard Maj. Gregory Sampson.

Pointing to the fact that some Guard and Reserve personnel have lost their civilian jobs to the sluggish economy, Sampson said the Ameren assistance plan could not have come at a better time.

"Given the gravity of our tough economic times, some of our Guard and Reserve forces have come under economic strain and find themselves in need of assistance," Sampson said. "So this is a critical assistance program that could not have come at a better time - and at a time of year when reaching out to your fellow man is emphasized."

"The families of military personnel deployed overseas often make sacrifices and often those sacrifices involve family finances," added Air Guard Col. David Newman, the base commander at Jefferson Barracks, who was speaking on behalf of Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

"This is an example of the support Ameren shows the military and the support Missourians show the military," said Danner in a written statement.

Ameren Supervising Engineer, Bruno Stopka, who is also a lieutenant colonel in the Missouri Air National Guard, pointed out that his employer has a long history of supporting the military.

"I have been called to active duty and mobilized three times, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan and each time Ameren has stood by me," Stopka said. "They understand how difficult it is for me and my fellow servicemen to be away from our families for months at a time."

To be eligible for the energy assistance program, the head of the household or his or her spouse must be an Ameren customer and currently deployed in a combat zone for 120 consecutive days. The family must also demonstrate a valid financial need; provide a copy of their loved one's deployment orders; their Ameren account number, current address, and a statement verifying that the military member is in good standing.

To apply for the program call the National Guard Family Program office in Jefferson City, 573-638-9827.

Ameren Missouri provides electricity to more than 1.2 million customers in central and eastern Missouri.

Nearly 800 of the company's employees are military veterans.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.