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Going green with ActOnEnergy benefits customers and charities

Refrigerator/freezer recycling referral bonus begins Oct. 1

PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning Oct. 1 and running through Dec. 31, nonprofits located in the Ameren Illinois service territory can earn extra green while helping make Illinois greener by participating in the Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy® Refrigerator Recycling Referral Bonus program.

When an Ameren Illinois residential electricity customer calls or visits the website to schedule a free pickup of an old refrigerator or freezer through the ActOnEnergy recycling program from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the participating nonprofit organization of the customer's choice will receive a $20 contribution – double the regular amount. This special rate is intended to help the many nonprofits that rely on donations, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

"We have designed the Referral Bonus program to help nonprofits easily earn extra dollars, while giving our customers an added incentive to become more energy efficient," said Ameren Illinois President and CEO Richard Mark .

"This program also is good for the environment. Getting these old refrigerators out of garages and basements and off the grid will help reduce power plant emissions because customers will be using less electricity," Mark said.

In addition to helping a nonprofit, Ameren Illinois residential electricity customers receive $50 for each refrigerator or freezer they turn in for recycling and they can save $100 to $160 a year on their individual electricity bills. These customers may recycle up to two units. Refrigerators and freezers must be full-size units and still operating. Customers do not need to replace recycled refrigerators and freezers.

To participate in the program, a nonprofit only needs to submit the organization's contact information and a completed W-9 form. The W-9 may be scanned and sent by email to fundraiser@ameren.com or downloaded at ActOnEnergy.com/fundraiser. The information also may be sent by fax to 1-866-200-9481.

To recycle a refrigerator or freezer, Ameren Illinois residential electricity customers may call 1-866-899-9088 or visit ActOnEnergy.com/pickup . Remember, customers must call or visit the website between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. These customers can find a list of participating nonprofits at ActOnEnergy.com/Illinois/nonprofits.

After this special $20 Referral Bonus program ends on Dec. 31, participating nonprofits will continue to receive the standard $10 referral bonus.

ActOnEnergy offers a variety of incentives and rebates to Ameren Illinois residential customers. For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call 1-866-838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.

Editor's Note: Visit ActOnEnergy.com/Illinois/nonprofits for a complete list of participating nonprofits. This list is updated as additional nonprofits join the program.

SOURCE Ameren Illinois