Ameren

Our Flexible Interconnection initiative (FlexIX) will help unlock more capacity on the grid, making it easier for customers to connect new distributed energy resources. To advance this work, we recently brought together an inclusive group of industry partners at Ameren Illinois headquarters in Collinsville, Illinois. Together, we are exploring how flexible operating approaches and advanced controls can support growing demand, streamline the interconnection process and maintain the reliable service our customers depend on. This work also supports long-term affordability by making smarter use of existing infrastructure as we plan for future needs. By working alongside our partners and applying industry best practices, we are taking a thoughtful, customer-focused approach to support Illinois’ energy future with FlexIX, one that balances reliability, affordability and continued growth in electrification and renewables. Thank you to the CHARGED Initiative through GridLab, RMI, and Advanced Energy United for facilitating the day, as well as Electric Power Engineers, joint nongovernmental organizations, stakeholders, and the technology providers who contributed to this important discussion.

One year after the May 16 tornado changed so much for St. Louis, the work to rebuild and strengthen our community continues. Ameren Missouri has completed a new electric substation designed to support recovery today and reliability for years to come. Built as part of our Smart Energy Plan, this investment helps modernize the grid, strengthen storm resilience and deliver more dependable service. It also features Missouri-made equipment and includes storm-hardening upgrades to better withstand severe weather and speed restoration.

Together with Nicor Gas, Ameren Illinois is helping expand access to energy careers and strengthen the workforce pipeline in the communities we serve. We are excited to see where this path leads for each of these graduates! Wishing this cohort continued success as they take the next step. Interested? http://spr.ly/942630243

Good programs only work if people know they exist. That is the idea behind Ameren Illinois' Energize Your Town, a pilot launched in Taylorville to bring energy efficiency and clean energy resources directly to the people who can benefit most. In April, community members visited their local food pantry to learn, connect and pick up resources designed to help them manage energy use and make informed choices. No complicated sign-up. No barriers. Just neighbors helping neighbors access tools that can make a real difference. The conversations that happened in Taylorville are important because trust is built one interaction at a time. As this effort grows and reaches new communities, the goal stays the same and that is to ensure everyone knows about and can benefit from the resources available to them.

Strong neighborhoods start with strong local businesses. The Ameren Illinois Market Development Initiative Contractor Access to Capital Pilot program is helping grow the workforce by strengthening energy efficiency contractors and creating job opportunities across the region. The five-month pilot provided contractors with training, coaching and resources to help them grow their businesses and strengthen their skills. Building on this momentum, the program is evolving into a more scalable, concierge-style model with rolling enrollment and customized support. This next phase will help contractors access services based on their needs, including certifications, business support, access to capital and connections to energy efficiency programs. https://lnkd.in/enB9YBKS

When community partners show up, students feel it. At a recent STEM Day at Centene Community Ice Center with the St. Louis Blues + Everfi, kids explored careers beyond the ice and the STEM skills behind them.

During Economic Development Week, we recognize the hard work of our economic development team in powering growth across the Midwest. In Illinois and Missouri, the team's work supported more than 3,700 new jobs and over $3.5 billion in business expansion and capital activity in 2025, helping attract new businesses, grow existing operations and strengthen local communities. These outcomes reflect the critical role of reliable energy infrastructure paired with dedicated economic development expertise to drive regional competitiveness and long term prosperity. Connect with how they’re driving growth at https://lnkd.in/gsZ727vZ. #EconDev100 #EconDevWeek

As National Volunteer Month concludes, we amplify Ameren teammates who strengthen the communities we call home across Illinois and Missouri through their time, energy and care. From addressing food insecurity through serving warm meals, distributing food boxes to seniors and packing weekend meal bags for students, to partnering with organizations focused on health, youth and family services, our teams helped meet critical needs and community well-being. They also supported the vitality of shared spaces participating in cleanup efforts in parks, town squares and senior living communities. Their efforts reflect AmerenCares in action, where co-workers, capabilities and community commitment come together to foster meaningful, lasting impact. #Ameren #AmerenCares

Exciting to see Rivian begin R2 production at its expanded facility in Normal, Illinois, a meaningful milestone for the company and for downstate Illinois. Ameren Illinois supports Rivian as its electric utility partner, delivering reliable service to its primary U.S. manufacturing site and helping power day-to-day operations. We also use Rivian electric vehicles in our own fleet, reflecting continued momentum around electrification. Rivian’s growth continues to drive job creation and economic development across the region, and we’re proud to be part of that progress.

This Arbor Day, we’re celebrating the power of trees and the partnerships that help them thrive. As a Tree Line USA utility designee with the Arbor Day Foundation for more than 15 years, this recognition reflects our commitment to responsible tree care and strong community partnerships. For us, it’s about doing the right thing — keeping the lights on while caring for the trees and green spaces we all share. That balance shows up in programs like our Right Tree, Right Place grants in Illinois, where we work with municipalities to plant the right species in the right locations around city halls, schools and libraries. We also partner with communities through our vegetation management team to identify hazardous trees that could affect safety or reliability. Addressing those early helps prevent outages and supports healthier, better-placed trees over time. Vegetation management does more than support reliable service. Whenever possible, we put trimmed vegetation to good use by offering free wood chips to customers and donating tree and brush trimmings — known as browse — to local zoos, where it supports animal diets and natural enrichment. These efforts reflect the everyday work between our teams and local partners to build safer, greener neighborhoods. http://spr.ly/932460793 #Ameren