Ameren Missouri Donates 240 ENERGY STAR® Air Conditioners to Cool Down St. Louis for Distribution throughout Missouri
The Company’s Annual Giveaway Program Focuses on Heat Safety
ST. LOUIS (June 18, 2013) – As part of its Air Conditioner Giveaway Program, Ameren Missouri donated 240 window air conditioner units to Cool Down St. Louis, a regional not-for-profit public education and resource charity, which will distribute them to disabled and elderly Ameren Missouri customers throughout eastern Missouri. Included in this total are 30 units that are being distributed to the Jefferson County Health Department.
“Giving back to communities and organizations is an important part of our company’s culture,” said Warner Baxter, president and CEO of Ameren Missouri. “We are proud to support Cool Down St. Louis, its partner agencies, and the Jefferson County Health Department through this collaboration that provides an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of people in our service territory.”
The air conditioners are ENERGY STAR® certified units that meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. They cost approximately 75 cents per day to operate.
“Our Air Conditioner Giveaway Program helps ensure that our most vulnerable customers are safe during the hot summer months,” said Michael Moehn, senior vice president of Ameren Missouri Customer Operations. “Owning an air conditioner or having access to one is vitally important. With temperatures on the rise and safety in mind, we’re encouraging our customers who have air conditioners to use them when it’s extremely hot.”
The program is supported by Cool St. Louis officials, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Charles County Executive Steve Elhmann, and St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who represents the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association.
“We want to thank Ameren Missouri, as they continue to demonstrate good corporate citizenship by reaching out to their less fortunate neighbors through Cool Down St. Louis,” said Mayor Slay, honorary board chair of Cool Down St Louis. “We will serve as the vanguard to ensure that these units are given to qualified seniors and people with disabilities in order to keep them safe this summer.”
“These are challenging times for so many seniors and disabled people, who are scared to ask for help,” said St. Louis County Executive Dooley, vice chair of Cool Down St Louis. “Therefore, we need to make sure to check on our neighbors so that they can enjoy a cool and safe summer. We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve by being prepared, and thanks to Ameren Missouri, we will be ready for this smoldering heat when it arrives consistently. We want everyone to keep on the air.”
St. Charles County Executive Steve Elhmann also expressed appreciation of Ameren Missouri and its commitment to the program, which is now in its eighth year.
“Being without a cooling source isn’t just an urban challenge,” he said. “Some of our seniors and residents with disabilities have fallen on hard times. The people of St. Charles are grateful to the effective teamwork of Ameren Missouri and Cool Down St. Louis and their network of partners. Because of everyone’s collective efforts, many residents in need can now hopefully experience an enjoyable, safe and cool summer throughout our region.”
Eligible recipients have already been selected by Cool Down St. Louis and its partner agencies, which includes age and certain medical circumstances to determine qualification.
“This gift by Ameren Missouri comes at a time when many seniors and people with disabilities can’t afford to stay cool,” said Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman of Cool Down St. Louis. “Ameren Missouri’s generosity marks a gift of life, and will provide an opportunity for our seniors to remain cool and safe during the smothering summer.”
“This summer, it’s important to have everyone check on their elderly and disabled neighbors to avoid heat-related illnesses,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus of the regional charity. “Thanks to Ameren Missouri, we’re able to distribute thousands of our Check On Your Neighbor Cooling Cards, which is a valuable resource for those in need.”
While recognizing the generosity of Ameren Missouri, Cool Down St. Louis officials are reminding other area corporations and the public that they too can donate a new and slightly used air conditioner (no less than two years old) to the regional charity by dropping-off a unit at any Vatterott College location. More information and locations are available at cooldownstlouis.org. Last year, Cool Down St. Louis distributed more than 675 donated air conditioners thanks to Ameren Missouri and the general public. If a senior or person who is disabled needs assistance, please visit the Cool Down St. Louis website or call the organization’s automated hotline at 1.314.241.7668.
In addition to promoting heat safety and the importance of running an air conditioner during the hot summer months, Ameren Missouri invites customers to learn about its ActOnEnergy Savers programs – like CoolSavers, which offers rebates to replace inefficient air conditioner units, AC tune-ups and equipment. More information is available at ActOnEnergy.com/Missouri.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and more than 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.