Ameren Illinois - Experts & Thought Leaders

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and Ameren Illinois is reminding parents and high school driver ed instructors to have conversations with their teens or students about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted/texting, drowsy driving, speeding, and having too many passengers. Drivers safety protocol A less talked about, but nonetheless important, "rule" is what teens should do when a power line falls onto their vehicle. The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates that Illinois motorists strike power poles approximately 3,000 times a year. Ameren Illinois knows this firsthand because its crews are called to the scene of these crashes to de-energize the power lines. But what’s most alarming is the fact that most motorists don’t know what to do in this scenario. Ameren Illinois coworkers met with more than 150 driver education instructors across its service territory and posed the following question – "Do you teach teen drivers safety protocol regarding vehicle accidents involving utility power poles?" The teachers' answers varied between "no" and "the material we use is outdated." Driver education classes               Ameren Illinois coworkers met with more than 150 driver education instructors across its service territory Ameren Illinois partnered with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association a few years ago to create a curriculum and video that instructors can use in the classroom. Ameren Illinois is reminding parents, instructors and students as well as experienced drivers that the video and curriculum is free to use and could save a life one day.  Teens learning to drive through driver education classes in Illinois high schools are bombarded with safety information as they recall those lessons before getting behind the wheel for the first time. The video features a young woman from the Ameren Illinois service territory whose car encountered a downed wire during a severe thunderstorm. She gave a first-hand account about the mistakes she made and how lucky she was to have escaped unharmed. Potential energized zone "It's a natural instinct to exit a vehicle after any crash, but when power lines are involved, both the vehicle and ground can become energized," said Karen Boulanger, director of Safety for Ameren, who is also featured on the video. "The message we share drives home the importance of remaining in the vehicle and calling 911. Only when the power company arrives and certifies that the lines are de-energized is it safe to exit." Ameren Illinois offers tips about what to do if anyone sees downed power lines on a vehicle: Stay inside the vehicle and assume all wires on the vehicle are energized. Call 911 and wait for a professional lineman to tell users the lines are de-energized and it is safe to exit. Remind Good Samaritans to stay at least 50 feet away to keep them out of the potential energized zone. Roll down the window and tell passengers are ok or hurt and to call 911.

With cooler temperatures in the forecast, some homeowners and renters will turn on their natural gas furnaces for the first time this season. Ameren Illinois encourages residential and business natural gas customers to have their furnaces inspected by a professional HVAC technician to check for potential leaks other appliance operational hazards. Natural gas in its pure form is odorless and colorless. Ameren adds an odorant called mercaptan to the natural gas it distributes. Mercaptan gives the natural gas a distinctive rotten egg smell that makes it easier to detect. Professional HVAC technician “Natural gas is a safe and exceptionally reliable source of energy, but it poses a danger if people are not vigilant in reporting a suspected leak,” said Eric Kozak, vice president, Gas Operations and Technical Services, Ameren Illinois. “We strongly urge our customers to play it safe and alert us if they even suspect a problem.” Responding quickly to reports of suspected natural gas leaks is a high priority for Ameren Responding quickly to reports of suspected natural gas leaks is a high priority for Ameren. Natural gas leak calls are responded to in an average of about 22 minutes, and within 60 minutes in all situations. “A customer should never smell natural gas in or around their home or business. If they do, they need to leave the premises immediately and call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000,” Kozak said. “Our crews will respond immediately no matter what time of day, seven days a week, and there is absolutely no charge to the customer.” Natural gas appliances A qualified professional should inspect their natural gas appliances, piping, fittings and connections on an annual basis. Potential safety concerns include: Corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST) – CSST is a flexible stainless-steel pipe used to supply natural gas throughout a home or building and is often coated with yellow or black exterior plastic. CSST must be properly bonded to reduce the risk of gas leaks or fire should lightning strike nearby. A licensed electrician can determine if you have CSST and ensure it is properly bonded and grounded. Stainless-steel connector Flared gas fittings – Copper tubing has been used for natural gas service in homes for years, but over time it can weaken due to corrosion. Breaks or cracks usually occur at “flared” connections between natural gas appliances and house piping. These fittings should be periodically inspected and corrected if there are any visible signs of damage. Flexible gas connectors – These are the shorter corrugated metal tubes that connect the moveable gas appliances to your home or building’s gas supply line. Some older, uncoated brass versions have a serious flaw in how their tubing was joined to their end pieces. These should be replaced by a qualified professional with a stainless-steel connector, as shown on the right. Unplugged gas lines – If you have gas lines that are no longer in use, be sure to install a plug sized for the pipe above the valve. Turning off the valve is not enough because it could be accidently bumped and release gas. Garage door openers If users Smell Gas, Act Fast and follow these safety tips: Evacuate the location immediately. Do not operate light switches, thermostats, garage door openers, appliances, fans, or anything that could generate a spark. Do not unplug phone chargers or any other electrical equipment that could cause a spark. Do not light cigarettes, matches, candles or use anything with an open flame. Do not open windows or doors to ventilate. If users are calling from a landline phone, put the phone down after this call but do not hang up. If users are calling from a cell phone, carry it outside with them and then hang up. Do not re-enter the property for any reason until Ameren personnel tell users it is safe to enter. After vacating the premises, watch for Ameren from a safe distance up or down the street. Do not wait close to the home or building in question.

Ameren line workers, apprentices and judges will travel to the 40th annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, USA, later this week. The event, often coined as the ‘Lineman Olympics’, will take place on Oct. 19 and offers line workers from around the world the opportunity to compete in events based on the common tasks performed by journeymen line workers and apprentices. Ameren line workers at the ‘Lineman Olympics’ Ameren Illinois is sending 12 linemen, four apprentices and six judges and committee members to the rodeo, while Ameren Missouri is sending 12 linemen, four apprentices and 16 judges and committee members. The rodeo also provides co-workers' families the opportunity to see firsthand the skills that make these men and women vital to their everyday lives. “The Lineman’s Rodeo is kind of like the Olympics for linemen,” said Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois, adding “It’s all about competing to the best of their abilities in a safe manner. It also gives family members an up-close look at what it takes to do this type of work on an everyday basis.” Competitors to be evaluated on speed and safety standards Teams will compete in the Hurtman Rescue event, Pole Climb contest and two mystery events Teams will compete in the Hurtman Rescue event, Pole Climb contest and two mystery events. Competitors will be evaluated on speed and safety standards among other criteria. Apprentices will compete in the same events in addition to a written test. “Line workers and apprentices take great pride in their profession,” said Ryan Arnold, Vice President of Energy Delivery for Ameren Missouri. He adds, “They work every day to provide safe and reliable power to our electric customers. This event gives them the opportunity to represent Ameren and their local communities as they compete in real-life scenarios against some of the best in the world.” Ameren co-workers assist in hurricane relief work Ameren Illinois and Ameren Missouri co-workers recently returned from assisting with restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and stood ready to assist with Hurricane Milton, if called upon.