By Zach Dietmeier

 

SPRINGFIELD - You now have an option to "go green" with your energy bill and help your neighbors at the same time.

 

Ameren Illinois wants you to enroll in its eBill program - for more than just saving paper.  The energy company will provide $20,000 to the Energy Assistance Foundation's Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program if 10,000 customers switch to paperless billing.  Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris says it's a program they've been trying to boost for some time.

 

"We know that all Illinoisans are generous, so we decided to tie the two programs together," said Morris.  "By enrolling, which doesn't cost you anything, you know you'll be helping Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, possibly helping your neighbors."

 

The Warm Neighbors Cool Friends initiative assists senior citizens and families in need with paying for their winter heating bills.

 

"It's a program that helps eligible customers with electric and natural gas bills, but it also provides home weatherization assistance," said Morris.  "It really zeroes in on people who don't qualify for other types of programs."

 

Morris added that Ameren customers living on fixed incomes, those with disabilities, or families dealing with job losses are priorities of the program.

 

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.