UNION ELECTRIC CO, 10-Q filed on 5/10/2021
Quarterly Report
v3.21.1
Cover Page - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Apr. 30, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2021  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 1-14756  
Entity Registrant Name Ameren Corporation  
Entity Tax Identification Number 43-1723446  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MO  
Entity Address, Address Line One 1901 Chouteau Avenue  
Entity Address, City or Town St. Louis  
Entity Address, State or Province MO  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 63103  
City Area Code (314)  
Local Phone Number 621-3222  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share  
Trading Symbol(s) AEE  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   255,552,619
Entity Central Index Key 0001002910  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
Union Electric Company    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity File Number 1-2967  
Entity Registrant Name Union Electric Company  
Entity Tax Identification Number 43-0559760  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MO  
Entity Address, Address Line One 1901 Chouteau Avenue  
Entity Address, City or Town St. Louis  
Entity Address, State or Province MO  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 63103  
City Area Code (314)  
Local Phone Number 621-3222  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   102,123,834
Entity Central Index Key 0000100826  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
Ameren Illinois Company    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity File Number 1-3672  
Entity Registrant Name Ameren Illinois Company  
Entity Tax Identification Number 37-0211380  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code IL  
Entity Address, Address Line One 10 Executive Drive  
Entity Address, City or Town Collinsville  
Entity Address, State or Province IL  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 62234  
City Area Code (618)  
Local Phone Number 343-8150  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   25,452,373
Entity Central Index Key 0000018654  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
v3.21.1
Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues $ 1,566 $ 1,440
Operating Expenses:    
Fuel 65 140
Purchased power 191 134
Natural gas purchased for resale 165 107
Other operations and maintenance 420 438
Depreciation and amortization 281 255
Taxes other than income taxes 128 125
Total operating expenses 1,250 1,199
Operating Income 316 241
Other Income, Net 46 21
Interest Charges 100 93
Income Before Income Taxes 262 169
Income Taxes 27 21
Net Income 235 148
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 2
Net Income Attributable to Ameren Common Shareholders 233 146
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan activity, net of income taxes (benefit) 1 1
Comprehensive Income 236 149
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests 2 2
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Ameren Common Shareholders $ 234 $ 147
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]    
Earnings per Common Share - Basic (in dollars per share) $ 0.92 $ 0.59
Earnings per Common Share - Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.91 $ 0.59
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (in shares) 254.4 246.4
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted (in shares) 255.9 248.1
Electricity    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues $ 1,156 $ 1,120
Natural Gas    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 410 320
Union Electric Company    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 704 680
Operating Expenses:    
Fuel 65 140
Purchased power 88 39
Natural gas purchased for resale 31 18
Other operations and maintenance 225 239
Depreciation and amortization 156 139
Taxes other than income taxes 77 79
Total operating expenses 642 654
Operating Income 62 26
Other Income, Net 23 4
Interest Charges 39 40
Income Before Income Taxes 46 (10)
Income Taxes (2) (1)
Net Income 48 (9)
Preferred Stock Dividends 1 1
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent 47 (10)
Union Electric Company | Electricity    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 641 631
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 63 49
Ameren Illinois Company    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 823 723
Operating Expenses:    
Purchased power 106 98
Natural gas purchased for resale 134 89
Other operations and maintenance 194 199
Depreciation and amortization 115 107
Taxes other than income taxes 46 42
Total operating expenses 595 535
Operating Income 228 188
Other Income, Net 14 11
Interest Charges 42 39
Income Before Income Taxes 200 160
Income Taxes 50 39
Net Income 150 121
Preferred Stock Dividends 1 1
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent 149 120
Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues 476 452
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas    
Operating Revenues:    
Total operating revenues $ 347 $ 271
v3.21.1
Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]    
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan activity, tax $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.1
Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6 $ 139
Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts) 464 415
Unbilled revenue 210 269
Miscellaneous accounts receivable 61 65
Inventories 467 521
Restricted cash 134 17
Current regulatory assets 367 109
Other current assets 114 118
Total current assets 1,823 1,653
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net 27,307 26,807
Investments and Other Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 1,010 982
Goodwill 411 411
Regulatory assets 1,249 1,100
Other assets 989 1,077
Total investments and other assets 3,659 3,570
TOTAL ASSETS 32,789 32,030
Current Liabilities:    
Current maturities of long-term debt 8 8
Short-term debt 889 490
Accounts and wages payable 581 958
Taxes accrued 128 82
Interest accrued 84 114
Current regulatory liabilities 225 121
Other current liabilities 392 407
Total current liabilities 2,307 2,180
Long-term Debt, Net 11,527 11,078
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:    
Accumulated deferred income taxes and tax credits, net 3,253 3,211
Regulatory liabilities 5,230 5,282
Asset retirement obligations 705 696
Pension and other postretirement benefits 38 37
Other deferred credits and liabilities 452 466
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 9,678 9,692
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Common Stock 3 3
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock 6,295 6,179
Retained earnings 2,850 2,757
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 0 (1)
Total shareholders’ equity 9,148 8,938
Noncontrolling Interests 129 142
Total equity 9,277 9,080
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 32,789 32,030
Union Electric Company    
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents 1 136
Advances to money pool 0 139
Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts) 156 166
Accounts receivable – affiliates 69 57
Unbilled revenue 109 133
Miscellaneous accounts receivable 43 36
Inventories 362 386
Restricted cash 3 5
Current regulatory assets 141 60
Other current assets 70 79
Total current assets 951 1,192
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net 14,221 13,879
Investments and Other Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 1,010 982
Regulatory assets 413 347
Other assets 375 383
Total investments and other assets 1,798 1,712
TOTAL ASSETS 16,970 16,783
Current Liabilities:    
Current maturities of long-term debt 8 8
Short-term debt 204 0
Accounts and wages payable 267 501
Accounts payable – affiliates 40 46
Taxes accrued 85 42
Interest accrued 46 53
Current asset retirement obligations 59 60
Other current liabilities 116 123
Total current liabilities 825 833
Long-term Debt, Net 5,096 5,096
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:    
Accumulated deferred income taxes and tax credits, net 1,756 1,742
Regulatory liabilities 3,130 3,110
Asset retirement obligations 700 691
Pension and other postretirement benefits 34 35
Other deferred credits and liabilities 59 66
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 5,679 5,644
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Common Stock 511 511
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock 2,631 2,518
Preferred stock 80 80
Retained earnings 2,148 2,101
Total shareholders’ equity 5,370 5,210
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 16,970 16,783
Ameren Illinois Company    
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents 0 0
Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts) 293 234
Accounts receivable – affiliates 71 64
Unbilled revenue 101 136
Miscellaneous accounts receivable 5 12
Inventories 105 135
Restricted cash 125 6
Current regulatory assets 217 37
Other current assets 24 23
Total current assets 941 647
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net 11,358 11,201
Investments and Other Assets:    
Goodwill 411 411
Regulatory assets 820 742
Other assets 442 534
Total investments and other assets 1,673 1,687
TOTAL ASSETS 13,972 13,535
Current Liabilities:    
Short-term debt 323 0
Borrowings from money pool 0 19
Accounts and wages payable 255 363
Accounts payable – affiliates 43 51
Customer deposits 70 74
Current regulatory liabilities 200 88
Other current liabilities 207 221
Total current liabilities 1,098 816
Long-term Debt, Net 3,947 3,946
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:    
Accumulated deferred income taxes and tax credits, net 1,430 1,367
Regulatory liabilities 1,988 2,063
Pension and other postretirement benefits 67 69
Environmental remediation 51 57
Other deferred credits and liabilities 249 251
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 3,785 3,807
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Common Stock 0 0
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock 2,692 2,652
Preferred stock 49 62
Retained earnings 2,401 2,252
Total shareholders’ equity 5,142 4,966
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 13,972 $ 13,535
v3.21.1
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current $ 47 $ 50
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 400,000,000.0 400,000,000.0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding 255,500,000 253,300,000
Union Electric Company    
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current $ 15 $ 16
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 5 $ 5
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 150,000,000.0 150,000,000.0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding 102,100,000 102,100,000
Ameren Illinois Company    
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current $ 32 $ 34
Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share) $ 0 $ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 45,000,000.0 45,000,000.0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding 25,500,000 25,500,000
v3.21.1
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:    
Net income $ 235 $ 148
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 295 263
Amortization of nuclear fuel 0 23
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts 5 5
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net 26 23
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (7) (4)
Stock-based compensation costs 6 6
Other 8 17
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Receivables (5) (5)
Inventories 54 23
Accounts and wages payable (252) (221)
Taxes accrued 60 47
Regulatory assets and liabilities (421) (14)
Assets, other (9) (3)
Liabilities, other (34) (18)
Pension and other postretirement benefits 4 0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (35) 290
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:    
Capital expenditures (694) (636)
Wind generation expenditures (193) 0
Nuclear fuel expenditures (1) (35)
Purchases of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund (152) (96)
Sales and maturities of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund 150 81
Other 1 2
Net cash used in investing activities (889) (684)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:    
Dividends on common stock (140) (122)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders (2) (2)
Short-term debt, net 399 175
Maturities of long-term debt 0 (85)
Issuances of long-term debt 450 465
Issuances of common stock 125 13
Redemptions of Ameren Illinois preferred stock (13) 0
Employee payroll taxes related to stock-based compensation (17) (20)
Debt issuance costs (3) (3)
Other (4) 0
Net cash provided by financing activities 795 421
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (129) 27
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year 301 176
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period 172 203
Union Electric Company    
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:    
Net income 48 (9)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 171 148
Amortization of nuclear fuel 0 23
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts 1 2
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net 4 (5)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (4) (2)
Other 3 2
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Receivables 20 (3)
Inventories 24 (18)
Accounts and wages payable (201) (172)
Taxes accrued 39 55
Regulatory assets and liabilities (164) 16
Assets, other 13 2
Liabilities, other (9) 0
Pension and other postretirement benefits 4 2
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (51) 41
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:    
Capital expenditures (341) (278)
Wind generation expenditures (193) 0
Nuclear fuel expenditures (1) (35)
Purchases of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund (152) (96)
Sales and maturities of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund 150 81
Money pool advances, net 139 0
Net cash used in investing activities (398) (328)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:    
Dividends on preferred stock (1) (1)
Short-term debt, net 204 (104)
Maturities of long-term debt 0 (85)
Issuances of long-term debt 0 465
Capital contributions from parent 113 0
Debt issuance costs 0 (3)
Net cash provided by financing activities 316 272
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (133) (15)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year 145 39
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period 12 24
Ameren Illinois Company    
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:    
Net income 150 121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 115 106
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts 3 2
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net 53 22
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (3) (2)
Other 3 (2)
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Receivables (24) (6)
Inventories 30 41
Accounts and wages payable (40) (20)
Taxes accrued 3 16
Regulatory assets and liabilities (255) (28)
Assets, other (15) (4)
Liabilities, other (9) (14)
Pension and other postretirement benefits (1) (2)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 13 232
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:    
Capital expenditures (337) (324)
Other 0 1
Net cash used in investing activities (337) (323)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:    
Dividends on preferred stock (1) (1)
Short-term debt, net 323 7
Money pool borrowings, net (19) 0
Capital contributions from parent 40 100
Redemption of preferred stock (13) 0
Other (4) 0
Net cash provided by financing activities 326 106
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 2 15
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year 147 125
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 149 $ 140
v3.21.1
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Total
Common Stock
Other Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Deferred Retirement Benefit Costs
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Noncontrolling Interests
Total Ameren Corporation Shareholders' Equity
Union Electric Company
Union Electric Company
Common Stock
Union Electric Company
Other Paid-in Capital
Union Electric Company
Preferred Stock
Union Electric Company
Retained Earnings
Ameren Illinois Company
Ameren Illinois Company
Common Stock
Ameren Illinois Company
Other Paid-in Capital
Ameren Illinois Company
Preferred Stock
Ameren Illinois Company
Retained Earnings
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2019     $ 5,694 $ 2,380 $ (17)   $ 142       $ 2,027   $ 1,731     $ 2,188 $ 62 $ 1,882
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Settlement of forward sale agreement through common shares issuance     0                              
Shares issued under the DRPlus and 401(k) plan     13                              
Stock-based compensation activity     (12)                              
Capital contribution from parent                 $ 0   0     $ (100)   100    
Net income $ 148               (9)       (9) 121       121
Net income attributable to Ameren common shareholders 146     146                            
Dividends on common stock       (122)                            
Preferred stock dividends                         (1)         (1)
Change in deferred retirement benefit costs 1       1                          
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest holders $ (2)           2                      
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders             (2)                      
Redemptions of preferred stock     0                         0    
Common stock shares outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019 246,200,000                                  
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Shares issued under the DRPlus and 401(k) plan (in shares) 200,000                                  
Shares issued for stock-based compensation (in shares) 500,000                                  
Common stock shares outstanding at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020 246,900,000                                  
End of period at Mar. 31, 2020 $ 8,227 $ 2 5,695 2,404 (16) $ (16) 142     $ 511 2,027 $ 80 1,721   $ 0 2,288 62 2,002
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.495                                  
Shareholders' equity, end of year at Mar. 31, 2020               $ 8,085 4,339         4,352        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Shares issued under forward sale agreement (in shares) 0                                  
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 9,080   6,179 2,757 (1)   142       2,518   2,101     2,652 62 2,252
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Settlement of forward sale agreement through common shares issuance     113                              
Shares issued under the DRPlus and 401(k) plan     12                              
Stock-based compensation activity     (9)                              
Capital contribution from parent                 (113)   113     (40)   40    
Net income 235               $ 48       48 $ 150       150
Net income attributable to Ameren common shareholders 233     233                            
Dividends on common stock       (140)                            
Preferred stock dividends                         (1)         (1)
Change in deferred retirement benefit costs 1       1                          
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest holders $ (2)           2                      
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders             (2)                      
Redemptions of preferred stock     13                         13    
Common stock shares outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020 253,300,000               102,100,000         25,500,000        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Shares issued under the DRPlus and 401(k) plan (in shares) 100,000                                  
Shares issued for stock-based compensation (in shares) 500,000                                  
Common stock shares outstanding at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021 255,500,000               102,100,000         25,500,000        
End of period at Mar. 31, 2021 $ 9,277 $ 3 $ 6,295 $ 2,850 $ 0 $ 0 $ 129     $ 511 $ 2,631 $ 80 $ 2,148   $ 0 $ 2,692 $ 49 $ 2,401
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share) $ 0.550                                  
Shareholders' equity, end of year at Mar. 31, 2021 $ 9,148             $ 9,148 $ 5,370         $ 5,142        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                    
Shares issued under forward sale agreement (in shares) 1,600,000                                  
v3.21.1
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General
Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Ameren’s subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on Ameren’s common stock and the payment of expenses by Ameren depend on distributions made to it by its subsidiaries. Ameren’s principal subsidiaries are listed below. Ameren has other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services.
Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri.
Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois, operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois.
ATXI operates a FERC rate-regulated electric transmission business in the MISO.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity, but we expect a gradual improvement in sales volumes in 2021, compared to 2020. In the first three months of 2021, our sales volumes were comparable to the same period in 2020, excluding the estimated effects of weather and customer energy-efficiency programs. However, we experienced an increase in our accounts receivable balances that were past due or that were a part of a deferred payment arrangement, and a decline in our cash collections from customers. The continued effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity in subsequent periods will depend on its severity and longevity, future regulatory or legislative actions with respect thereto, and the resulting impact on business, economic, and capital market conditions. In general, restrictions on social activities and nonessential businesses implemented in our service territories in 2020 have been relaxed. However, certain restrictions remain in place that limit individual activities and the operation of nonessential businesses and additional restrictions may be imposed in the future.
We continue to assess the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our businesses, including but not limited to impacts on our liquidity; demand for residential, commercial, and industrial electric and natural gas services; changes in deferred payment arrangements for customers; the timing and extent to which recovery of incremental costs incurred, net of savings, and forgone customer late fee revenues at Ameren Missouri is allowed by the MoPSC; changes in our ability to disconnect customers for nonpayment; bad debt expense; supply chain operations; the availability of our employees and contractors; counterparty credit; capital construction; infrastructure operations and maintenance; energy-efficiency programs; and pension valuations. In March 2021, the MoPSC approved accounting authority orders that allowed Ameren Missouri to accumulate $9 million of certain costs incurred related to the COVID-19 pandemic, net of savings, as well as forgone customer late fees and reconnection fee revenues from March 2020 to March 2021, for potential recovery in the current electric and natural gas service regulatory rate reviews. While the revenues from Ameren Illinois’ electric distribution business, residential and small nonresidential customers of Ameren Illinois’ natural gas distribution business, and Ameren Illinois’ and ATXI’s electric transmission businesses are decoupled from changes in sales volumes, earnings at Ameren Missouri and those associated with Ameren Illinois’ large nonresidential natural gas customers are exposed to such changes. Regarding uncollectible accounts receivable, Ameren Illinois’ electric distribution and natural gas distribution businesses have bad debt riders, which provide for recovery of bad debt write-offs, net of any subsequent recoveries. Ameren Missouri does not have a bad debt rider or tracker, and thus its earnings are exposed to increases in bad debt expense, absent regulatory relief. However, Ameren Missouri does not expect a material impact to earnings from increases in bad debt expense. As of March 31, 2021, accounts receivable balances that were 30 days or greater past due or that were a part of a deferred payment arrangement represented 27%, 19%, and 32%, or $137 million, $33 million, and $104 million, of Ameren’s, Ameren Missouri’s, and Ameren Illinois’ customer trade receivables before allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, these percentages were 21%, 16%, and 25%, or $99 million, $29 million, and $70 million, for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively. For information regarding Ameren Illinois’ suspension and subsequent reinstatement of customer disconnections and late fee charges for nonpayment and Ameren Missouri’s accounting authority orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters below.
Ameren’s financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and therefore include the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have no subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated.
Our accounting policies conform to GAAP. Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair statement of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations of an interim period may not give a true indication of results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Form 10-K.
Variable Interest Entities
As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, Ameren had unconsolidated variable interests as a limited partner in various equity method investments, totaling $41 million and $37 million, respectively, included in “Other assets” on Ameren’s consolidated balance sheet. Ameren is not the primary beneficiary of these investments because it does not have the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the activities of these variable interest entities. As of March 31, 2021, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interests is limited to the investment in these partnerships of $41 million plus associated outstanding funding commitments of $33 million.
Company-owned Life Insurance
Ameren and Ameren Illinois have company-owned life insurance, which is recorded at the net cash surrender value. The net cash surrender value is the amount that can be realized under the insurance policies at the balance sheet date. As of March 31, 2021, the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance at Ameren and Ameren Illinois was $275 million (December 31, 2020 – $272 million) and $117 million (December 31, 2020 – $115 million), respectively, while total borrowings against the policies were $107 million (December 31, 2020 – $107 million) at both Ameren and Ameren Illinois. Ameren and Ameren Illinois have the right to offset the borrowings against the cash surrender value of the policies and, consequently, present the net asset in “Other assets” on their respective balance sheets.
v3.21.1
Rate And Regulatory Matters
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Abstract]  
RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS
Below is a summary of updates to significant regulatory proceedings and related legal proceedings. See Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for additional information and a summary of our regulatory frameworks. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, the timing of final decisions of the various agencies and courts, or the impact on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
Missouri
2021 Electric Service Regulatory Rate Review
In March 2021, Ameren Missouri filed a request with the MoPSC seeking approval to increase its annual revenues for electric service by $299 million. The electric rate increase request is based on a 9.9% ROE, a capital structure composed of 51.9% common equity, a rate base of $10.0 billion, and a test year ended December 31, 2020, with certain pro-forma adjustments expected through an anticipated true-up date of September 30, 2021. Ameren Missouri also requested the continued use of the FAC and trackers for pension and postretirement benefits, uncertain income tax positions, and certain excess deferred income taxes that the MoPSC previously authorized in earlier electric rate orders. Additionally, Ameren Missouri requested to recover certain estimated costs associated with the Meramec Energy Center, which is expected to be retired in 2022, over a five-year period. Ameren Missouri requested the use of a tracker for any variances between certain costs collected in customer rates associated with the Meramec Energy Center and actual costs incurred after the date new rates become effective, which would be considered for recovery or refund in a future electric regulatory rate review. The electric rate increase request reflects the following:
increased infrastructure investments made under Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan;
the impact of the transition to a cleaner generation portfolio, including advancing the retirement dates of the Sioux and Rush Island energy centers consistent with Ameren Missouri’s 2020 IRP and 700 MWs of wind generation investment for the High Prairie and Atchison renewable energy centers, which are mitigated by reductions resulting from the request to recover certain Meramec Energy Center costs over a five-year period and the associated tracker;
decreased weather-normalized customer sales volumes; and
increased pension and other post-retirement benefits and tax amortization expenses, partially offset by decreased other operations and maintenance expenses.
The MoPSC proceeding relating to the proposed electric service rate changes will take place over a period of up to 11 months, with a decision by the MoPSC expected by February 2022 and new rates effective by March 2022. Ameren Missouri cannot predict the level of any electric service rate change the MoPSC may approve, whether the requested regulatory recovery mechanisms will be approved, or whether
any rate change that may eventually be approved will be sufficient for Ameren Missouri to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its investments when the rate change goes into effect.
Wind Generation Facility
In January 2021, Ameren Missouri acquired an up-to 300-MW wind generation project located in northwestern Missouri and partially placed it in service as the Atchison Renewable Energy Center. As of the date of this filing, Ameren Missouri has placed approximately half of the project in service, representing a purchase price of approximately $250 million, including an immaterial amount of transaction costs. Ameren Missouri expects the remaining MWs of the project to be in service by the end of September 2021. The Atchison Renewable Energy Center will support Ameren Missouri’s compliance with the Missouri renewable energy standard.
2021 Natural Gas Delivery Service Regulatory Rate Review
In March 2021, Ameren Missouri filed a request with the MoPSC seeking approval to increase its annual revenues for natural gas delivery service by $9 million. The natural gas rate increase request is based on a 9.8% ROE, a capital structure composed of 51.9% common equity, a rate base of $310 million, and a test year ended December 31, 2020, with certain pro-forma adjustments expected through an anticipated true-up date of September 30, 2021. The request includes the continued use of the PGA, ISRS, and DCA and trackers for pension and other postretirement benefits and certain excess deferred taxes that the MoPSC previously authorized in earlier natural gas rate orders.
The MoPSC proceeding relating to the proposed natural gas delivery service rate changes will take place over a period of up to 11 months, with a decision by the MoPSC expected by February 2022 and new rates effective by March 2022. Ameren Missouri cannot predict the level of any natural gas delivery service rate change the MoPSC may approve, or whether any rate change that may eventually be approved will be sufficient for Ameren Missouri to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its investments when the rate change goes into effect.
Accounting Authority Orders Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Costs
In March 2021, the MoPSC issued orders approving nonunanimous stipulation and agreements related to Ameren Missouri’s electric and natural gas service accounting authority order requests. The orders allowed Ameren Missouri to accumulate $9 million of certain costs incurred related to the COVID-19 pandemic, net of cost savings, as well as forgone customer late fee and reconnection fee revenues from March 2020 to March 2021, for potential recovery in the electric and natural gas service regulatory rate reviews discussed above. As of March 31, 2021, Ameren Missouri deferred other operations and maintenance expenses of $5 million as a regulatory asset related to the accounting authority orders. If approved for recovery, Ameren Missouri would recognize the remaining $4 million associated with forgone customer late fee and reconnection fee revenue when billed to customers.
Illinois
Electric Distribution Service Rates
In April 2021, Ameren Illinois filed its annual electric distribution service performance-based formula rate update with the ICC, requesting an increase of $64 million in its rates. This update reflects an increase to the annual performance-based formula rate based on 2020 actual costs, an increase to include the 2020 revenue requirement reconciliation adjustment, and an increase for the conclusion of the 2019 revenue requirement reconciliation adjustment, which will be fully refunded to customers in 2021, consistent with the ICC’s December 2020 annual update filing order. It also reflects an increase based on expected net plant additions for 2021. An ICC decision in this proceeding is expected by December 2021, with new rates effective January 2022.
Electric Distribution Service Rate Reconciliation Tariff
In March 2021, the ICC issued an order approving Ameren Illinois’ requested tariff to reconcile its electric distribution service revenue requirement for a period of up to two years after the final customer rate update under performance-based formula ratemaking. To utilize the reconciliation, the ICC-approved tariff requires Ameren Illinois to file a traditional regulatory rate review for its electric distribution service, which may be based on a future test year, by the end of March in the year following the last year in which an annual performance-based formula rate update was permitted. Pursuant to this order, and without legislative change or Ameren Illinois’ election to no longer use performance-based formula ratemaking, Ameren Illinois’ 2022 and 2023 revenues would reflect each year’s actual costs, year-end rate base, and a return at the applicable WACC, with the ROE based on the annual average of the monthly yields of the 30-year United States Treasury bonds plus 580 basis points. The revenue requirement adjustment will be collected from, or refunded to, customers within two years from the end of the reconciled year.
Electric Energy Efficiency Plan
In March 2021, Ameren Illinois filed with the ICC an energy-efficiency plan which includes annual investments in electric energy-efficiency programs up to approximately $100 million per year from 2022 through 2025. The ICC has the ability to reduce the amount of electric energy-efficiency savings goals in future plan program years if there are insufficient cost-effective programs available, which could reduce the investments in electric energy-efficiency programs. The electric energy-efficiency program investments and the return on those investments are collected from customers through a rider and are not included in the electric distribution service performance-based formula ratemaking framework. A decision by the ICC in this proceeding is expected by September 2021.
QIP Reconciliation Order
In March 2021, the ICC issued an order approving Ameren Illinois’ QIP reconciliation for 2018. The ICC also found that Ameren Illinois’ natural gas capital investments recovered under the QIP during 2018 were accurate and prudent. The ICC order effectively dismissed the Illinois Attorney General’s challenge with respect to 2018 capital investments.
Service Disconnection Moratorium
From March 2020 through March 2021, the ICC limited disconnection activities and late fees for customer nonpayment to varying degrees based on customer class. In March 2021, the ICC issued an order allowing Ameren Illinois to resume disconnection activities for all residential customers through a phased-in approach, which began in April 2021 for customers with the largest past due balances and will resume by June 2021 for all remaining residential customers. The March 2021 order also requires Ameren Illinois to offer deferred payment arrangements, extending to 18 months, to all residential customers through June 2021. In addition, the order requires Ameren Illinois to extend the financial assistance program established by a June 2020 ICC order through 2021. Ameren Illinois is allowed to recover up to $4 million in costs incurred during 2021 related to this financial assistance program. These costs will be deferred as regulatory assets and the portion associated with Ameren Illinois’ electric distribution business will be recovered through its bad debt rider and the portion associated with its natural gas distribution business will be recovered through a special purpose rider.
Federal
Transmission Formula Rate Revisions
In February 2020, the MISO, on behalf of Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI, filed requests with the FERC to revise each company’s transmission formula rate calculations with respect to the calculation used for materials and supplies inventories included in rate base. In May 2020, the FERC issued orders approving the revisions prospectively. In addition, the FERC declined to order refunds for earlier periods, as requested by intervenors in Ameren Illinois’ filing, but directed its audit staff to review historical rate recovery in connection with an ongoing FERC audit. In June 2020, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI filed requests for rehearing arguing, among other things, the revisions should be applied retrospectively to include the period January 1, 2019, to June 1, 2020, and that the FERC should not require refunds for periods prior to 2019. In July 2020, the FERC denied the rehearing requests without addressing the issues raised. In July 2020, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI filed an appeal of the July 2020 rehearing denials to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is under no deadline to address the appeal. In October 2020, the FERC issued an order reaffirming its May 2020 order and denying the arguments raised in the rehearing requests filed by Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI. Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the impacts of the May 2020 and October 2020 orders are not expected to be material to Ameren’s, Ameren Missouri’s, or Ameren Illinois’ results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
In March 2021, the FERC issued an order related to an intervenor challenge to Ameren Illinois’ 2020 transmission formula rate update. As a result of this order, in March 2021, Ameren Illinois recorded a regulatory liability of $9 million, largely as a reduction of electric operating revenues, to reflect expected refunds, including interest, primarily related to the historical rate recovery of materials and supplies inventories included in rate base. In April 2021, Ameren Illinois filed a request for rehearing with the FERC regarding its March 2021 order.
FERC Complaint Cases
In November 2013, a customer group filed a complaint case with the FERC seeking a reduction in the allowed base ROE for FERC-regulated transmission rate base under the MISO tariff from 12.38% to 9.15%. In September 2016, the FERC issued an order in the November 2013 complaint case, which lowered the allowed base ROE to 10.32%, or a 10.82% total allowed ROE with the inclusion of a 50 basis point incentive adder for participation in an RTO, that was effective from late September 2016 forward. The September 2016 order also required refunds for the period November 2013 to February 2015, which were paid in 2017. In November 2019, the FERC issued an order addressing the November 2013 complaint case, which set the allowed base ROE at 9.88%, superseding the 10.32% previously ordered, and required refunds, with interest, for the periods November 2013 to February 2015 and from late September 2016 forward. In December 2019, the MISO transmission owners, including Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI, filed requests for rehearing with the FERC. In May 2020, the FERC issued an order addressing the requests for rehearing, which set the allowed base ROE at 10.02%, superseding the 9.88%
previously ordered, and required refunds, with interest, for the periods November 2013 to February 2015 and from late September 2016 forward. In June 2020, various parties filed requests for rehearing with the FERC, challenging the new ROE methodology established by the May 2020 order. In July 2020, the FERC denied the rehearing requests without addressing the issues raised, and indicated it will address the requests for rehearing in a future order. Also in July 2020, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI filed an appeal of the May 2020 order to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the refunds required for the period from September 2016 to May 2020. The court is under no deadline to address the appeal.
As of March 31, 2021, Ameren and Ameren Illinois had recorded current regulatory liabilities of $17 million and $9 million, respectively, to reflect the expected refunds, including interest, associated with the allowed base ROE set by the May 2020 order in the November 2013 complaint case. The increase in the FERC-allowed base ROE resulting from the May 2020 order is not material to Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
v3.21.1
Short-Term Debt And Liquidity
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LIQUIDITY SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LIQUIDITY
The liquidity needs of the Ameren Companies are typically supported through the use of available cash, drawings under committed credit agreements, commercial paper issuances, and, in the case of Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois, short-term affiliate borrowings. See Note 4 – Short-term Debt and Liquidity under Part II, Item 8, in the Form 10-K for a description of our indebtedness provisions and other covenants as well as a description of money pool arrangements.
Short-Term Borrowings
The Missouri Credit Agreement and the Illinois Credit Agreement are available to support issuances under Ameren (parent)’s, Ameren Missouri’s, and Ameren Illinois’ commercial paper programs, respectively, subject to borrowing sublimits, and the issuance of letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, based on commercial paper outstanding and letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreements, along with cash and cash equivalents, the net liquidity available to Ameren (parent), Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, collectively, was $1.4 billion. The Ameren Companies were in compliance with the covenants in their Credit Agreements as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, the ratios of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization, calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreements, were 57%, 49%, and 46% for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively.
The following table presents commercial paper outstanding, net of issuance discounts, as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreements as of March 31, 2021, or December 31, 2020.
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Ameren (parent)$362 $490 
Ameren Missouri204 — 
Ameren Illinois323 — 
Ameren consolidated$889 $490 
The following table summarizes the activity and relevant interest rates for Ameren (parent)’s, Ameren Missouri’s, and Ameren Illinois’ commercial paper issuances and borrowings under the Credit Agreements in the aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren
(parent)
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Consolidated
2021
Average daily amount outstanding$454 $99 $96 $649 
Weighted-average interest rate0.25 %0.22 %0.21 %0.24 %
Peak amount outstanding during period(a)
$650 $206 $353 $916 
Peak interest rate0.33 %0.25 %0.25 %0.33 %
2020
Average daily amount outstanding$157 $395 $76 $628 
Weighted-average interest rate1.94 %1.86 %1.99 %1.89 %
Peak amount outstanding during period(a)
$425 $573 $150 $908 
Peak interest rate3.30 %5.05 %
(b)
3.40 %5.05 %
(b)
(a)The timing of peak outstanding commercial paper issuances and borrowings under the Credit Agreements varies by company. Therefore, the sum of individual company peak amounts may not equal the Ameren consolidated peak for the period.
(b)Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s peak interest rate was affected by temporary disruptions in the commercial paper market in the first quarter of 2020.
Money Pools
Ameren has money pool agreements with and among its subsidiaries to coordinate and provide for certain short-term cash and working capital requirements. The average interest rate for borrowings under the utility money pool for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was 0.22% (2020 – 1.93%). See Note 8 – Related-party Transactions for the amount of interest income and expense from the utility money pool arrangements recorded by Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
v3.21.1
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Abstract]  
LONG-TERM DEBT AND EQUITY FINANCINGS LONG-TERM DEBT AND EQUITY FINANCINGS
Ameren
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Ameren issued a total of 0.1 million shares of common stock under its DRPlus and 401(k) plan, and received proceeds of $12 million. In addition, in the first quarter of 2021, Ameren issued 0.5 million shares of common stock valued at $33 million upon the vesting of stock-based compensation.
In February 2021, Ameren settled the remainder of the forward sale agreement by physically delivering 1.6 million shares of common stock for cash proceeds of $113 million. The proceeds were used to fund a portion of Ameren Missouri’s wind generation investments. See Note 2 - Rate and Regulatory Matters for additional information about the wind generation investments.
In March 2021, Ameren (parent) issued $450 million of 1.75% senior unsecured notes due March 2028, with interest payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning September 15, 2021. Ameren received net proceeds of $447 million, which were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of short-term debt.
Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri received capital contributions totaling $113 million from Ameren (parent) during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Ameren Illinois
In March 2021, Ameren Illinois redeemed its 6.625% and 7.75% series preferred stock at par for $12 million and $1 million, respectively. The preferred stock of Ameren Illinois is reflected in “Noncontrolling Interests” on Ameren’s consolidated balance sheet.
Ameren Illinois received capital contributions totaling $40 million from Ameren (parent) during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Indenture Provisions and Other Covenants
See Note 5 – Long-Term Debt and Equity Financings under Part II, Item 8, in the Form 10-K for a description of our indenture provisions and other covenants, as well as restrictions on the payment of dividends. At March 31, 2021, the Ameren Companies were in compliance with the provisions and covenants contained in their indentures and articles of incorporation, as applicable, and ATXI was in compliance with the provisions and covenants contained in its note purchase agreement.
Off-balance-sheet Arrangements
At March 31, 2021, none of the Ameren Companies had any significant off-balance-sheet financing arrangements, other than variable interest entities. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further detail concerning variable interest entities.
v3.21.1
Other Income and Expenses
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]  
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES OTHER INCOME, NET
The following table presents the components of “Other Income, Net” in the Ameren Companies’ statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$7 $
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds
6 
Other interest income
1 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income(a)
34 23 
Miscellaneous income
4 
Donations
(3)(13)
(b)
Miscellaneous expense
(3)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$46 $21 
Ameren Missouri:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$4 $
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds
6 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income(a)
14 
Miscellaneous income
1 
Donations
 (8)
(b)
Miscellaneous expense
(2)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$23 $
Ameren Illinois:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$3 $
Interest income
1 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income
14 13 
Miscellaneous income
 
Donations
(3)(4)
Miscellaneous expense
(1)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$14 $11 
(a)For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income were adjusted by amounts deferred of less than $(1) million and $6 million, respectively, due to a regulatory tracking mechanism for the difference between the level of such costs incurred by Ameren Missouri under GAAP and the level of such costs included in rates.
(b)Includes $8 million pursuant to Ameren Missouri’s March 2020 electric rate order. See Note 2 Rate and Regulatory Matters under Part II, Item 8, in the Form 10-K for additional information.
v3.21.1
Derivative Financial Instruments
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
We use derivatives to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas and power, as well as the risk of changes in rail transportation surcharges through fuel oil hedges. Such price fluctuations may cause the following:
an unrealized appreciation or depreciation of our contracted commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sale prices under the commitments are compared with current commodity prices;
market values of natural gas inventories that differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory;
actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities that differ from anticipated cash outlays; and
actual off-system sales revenues that differ from anticipated revenues
The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward contracts, futures, options, and swaps. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. The goal of the hedging program is generally to mitigate financial risks while ensuring that sufficient volumes are available to meet our requirements. Contracts we enter into as part of our risk management program may be settled financially, settled by physical delivery, or net settled with the counterparty.
All contracts considered to be derivative instruments are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair values, unless the NPNS exception applies. Many of our physical contracts, such as our purchased power contracts, qualify for the NPNS exception to derivative accounting rules. The revenue or expense on NPNS contracts is recognized at the contract price upon physical delivery. The following disclosures exclude NPNS contracts and other non-derivative commodity contracts that are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting.
If we determine that a contract meets the definition of a derivative and is not eligible for the NPNS exception, we review the contract to determine whether the resulting gains or losses qualify for regulatory deferral. Derivative contracts that qualify for regulatory deferral are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities in the period in which the change occurs. We believe derivative losses and gains deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of recovery, or refund, through future rates charged to customers. Regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized to operating income as related losses and gains are reflected in rates charged to customers. Therefore, gains and losses on these derivatives have no effect on operating income. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, all contracts that met the definition of a derivative and were not eligible for the NPNS exception received regulatory deferral. Cash flows for all derivative financial instruments are classified in cash flows from operating activities.
The following table presents open gross commodity contract volumes by commodity type for derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, these contracts extended through October 2023, October 2026, and May 2032 for fuel oils, natural gas and power, respectively.
Quantity (in millions, except as indicated)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
CommodityAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren
Fuel oils (in gallons)36  36 43 — 43 
Natural gas (in mmbtu)34 114 148 33 114 147 
Power (in MWhs)7 7 14 13 
The following table presents the carrying value and balance sheet location of all derivative commodity contracts, none of which were designated as hedging instruments, as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Balance Sheet LocationAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Fuel oilsOther current assets$2 $ $2 $$— $
Other assets3  3 — — — 
Natural gasOther current assets2 10 12 
Other assets2 4 6 
PowerOther current assets4  4 — 
Other assets1  1 — — — 
Total assets$14 $14 $28 $12 $10 $22 
Fuel oilsOther current liabilities$3 $ $3 $$— $
Other deferred credits and liabilities   — 
Natural gasOther current liabilities   
Other deferred credits and liabilities   — 
PowerOther current liabilities9 16 25 17 20 
Other deferred credits and liabilities5 169 174 181 189 
Total liabilities$17 $185 $202 $21 $200 $221 
The Ameren Companies elect to present the fair value amounts of derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement at the gross amounts on the balance sheet. However, if the gross amounts recognized on the balance sheet were netted with derivative instruments and cash collateral received or posted, the net amounts would not be materially different from the gross amounts at March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020.
Credit Risk
In determining our concentrations of credit risk related to derivative instruments, we review our individual counterparties and categorize each counterparty into groupings according to the primary business in which each engages. As of March 31, 2021, if counterparty groups were to fail completely to perform on contracts, the Ameren Companies’ maximum exposure related to derivative assets would have been immaterial with or without consideration of the application of master netting arrangements or similar agreements and collateral held.
Certain of our derivative instruments contain collateral provisions tied to the Ameren Companies’ credit ratings. If our credit ratings were downgraded below investment grade, or if a counterparty with reasonable grounds for uncertainty regarding our ability to satisfy an obligation requested adequate assurance of performance, additional collateral postings might be required. The additional collateral required is the net liability position allowed under master netting arrangements or similar agreements, assuming (1) the credit risk-related contingent features underlying these arrangements were triggered and (2) those counterparties with rights to do so requested collateral. As of March 31, 2021, the aggregate fair value of derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features in a gross liability position, the cash collateral posted, and the aggregate amount of additional collateral that counterparties could require were each immaterial to Ameren, Ameren
Missouri, and Ameren Illinois.
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value measurements are classified in three levels based on the fair value hierarchy as defined by GAAP. See Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for information related to hierarchy levels and valuation techniques.
We consider nonperformance risk in our valuation of derivative instruments by analyzing our own credit standing and the credit standing of our counterparties, and by considering any credit enhancements (e.g., collateral). Included in our valuation, and based on current market conditions, is a valuation adjustment for counterparty default derived from market data such as the price of credit default swaps, bond yields, and credit ratings. No material gains or losses related to valuation adjustments for counterparty default risk were recorded at Ameren, Ameren Missouri, or Ameren Illinois in the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020. At March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the counterparty default risk valuation adjustment related to derivative contracts was immaterial for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois.
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Fuel oils$4 $ $1 $5 $— $— $$
Natural gas 4  4 — — 
Power2  3 5 — 
Total derivative assets – commodity contracts$6 $4 $4 $14 $$$$12 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund:
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization$679 $ $ $679 $680 $— $— $680 
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities 133  133 — 115 — 115 
Corporate bonds 128  128 — 115 — 115 
Other 63  63 — 67 — 67 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust fund$679 $324 $ $1,003 
(a)
$680 $297 $— $977 
(a)
Total Ameren Missouri$685 $328 $4 $1,017 $682 $300 $$989 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$ $10 $4 $14 $— $$$10 
Ameren
Derivative assets – commodity contracts(b)
$6 $14 $8 $28 $$$11 $22 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund(c)
679 324  1,003 
(a)
680 297 — 977 
(a)
Total Ameren$685 $338 $8 $1,031 $682 $306 $11 $999 
Liabilities:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Fuel oils$1 $ $2 $3 $$— $$
Natural gas    — — 
Power8  6 14 — 11 
Total Ameren Missouri$9 $ $8 $17 $14 $$$21 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$ $ $ $ $— $$$
Power  185 185 — — 198 198 
Total Ameren Illinois$ $ $185 $185 $— $$199 $200 
Ameren
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts(b)
$9 $ $193 $202 $14 $$205 $221 
(a)Balance excludes $7 million and $5 million of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, and accrued income, net, for March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(b)See the Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois sections of the table for a breakout of the fair value of Ameren’s derivative assets and liabilities by type of commodity.
(c)See the Ameren Missouri section of the table for a breakout of the fair value of Ameren's nuclear decommissioning trust fund by investment type.
Level 3 fuel oils and natural gas derivative contract assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were immaterial for all periods presented. The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
20212020
Ameren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren
For the three months ended March 31:
Beginning balance at January 1
$2 $(198)$(196)$13 $(224)$(211)
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) included in regulatory assets/liabilities(5)9 4 11 (21)(10)
Settlements 4 4 (7)(3)
Ending balance at March 31
$(3)$(185)$(188)$17 $(241)$(224)
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) related to assets/liabilities held at March 31
$(3)$9 $6 $10 $(21)$(11)
All gains or losses related to our Level 3 derivative commodity contracts are expected to be recovered or returned through customer rates; therefore, there is no impact to either net income or other comprehensive income resulting from changes in the fair value of these instruments.
The following table describes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs utilized for the fair value of our Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
Fair Value
Weighted Average(b)
CommodityAssetsLiabilitiesValuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input(a)
Range
2021
Power(c)
$3$(191)Discounted cash flow
Average forward peak and off-peak pricing  forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
23 – 40
29
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(5) – 0
(1)
Trend rate (%)
2 – 5
3
2020
Power(c)
$5$(201)Discounted cash flowAverage forward peak and off-peak pricing – forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
23 – 37
29
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(6) – 0
(2)
Trend rate (%)
2 – 6
3
(a)Generally, significant increases (decreases) in these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
(b)Unobservable inputs were weighted by relative fair value.
(c)Valuations through 2029 use visible forward prices adjusted for nodal-to-hub basis differentials. Valuations beyond 2029 use a trend rate factor and are similarly adjusted for nodal-to-hub basis differentials.
The following table sets forth the carrying amount and, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not recorded, at fair value as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
March 31, 2021
Ameren:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$172 $172 $ $ $172 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256  256  256 
Short-term debt889  889  889 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
11,535 
(b)
 12,233 507 
(c)
12,740 
Ameren Missouri:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$12 $12 $ $ $12 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256  256  256 
Short-term debt204  204  204 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
5,104 
(b)
 5,685  5,685 
Ameren Illinois:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$149 $149 $ $ $149 
Short-term debt323  323  323 
Long-term debt (including current portion)3,947 
(b)
 4,401  4,401 
December 31, 2020
Ameren:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$301 $301 $— $— $301 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256 — 256 — 256 
Short-term debt490 — 490 — 490 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
11,086 
(b)
— 12,778 537 
(c)
13,315 
Ameren Missouri:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$145 $145 $— $— $145 
Advances to money pool139 — 139 — 139 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256 — 256 — 256 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
5,104 
(b)
— 6,160 — 6,160 
Ameren Illinois:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$147 $147 $— $— $147 
Borrowings from money pool19 — 19 — 19 
Long-term debt (including current portion)3,946 
(b)
— 4,822 — 4,822 
(a)Ameren and Ameren Missouri have investments in industrial development revenue bonds, classified as held-to-maturity and recorded in “Other Assets,” that are equal to the finance obligations for the Peno Creek and Audrain CT energy centers. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of both the investments in industrial development revenue bonds and the finance obligations approximated fair value.
(b)Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $86 million, $36 million, and $36 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of March 31, 2021. Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $84 million, $36 million, and $36 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.
(c)The Level 3 fair value amount consists of ATXI’s senior unsecured notes.
v3.21.1
Related Party Transactions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, affiliate transactions. These transactions primarily consist of natural gas and power purchases and sales, services received or rendered, and borrowings and lendings. Transactions between Ameren’s subsidiaries are reported as affiliate transactions on their individual financial statements, but those transactions are eliminated in consolidation for Ameren’s consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of material related-party agreements and money pool arrangements, see Note 13 – Related-party Transactions and Note 4 – Short-term Debt and Liquidity under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K. For information Ameren Missouri’s and Ameren Illinois’ capital contributions, see Note 4 – Long-term Debt and Equity Financings.
Electric Power Supply Agreement
In April 2021, Ameren Illinois conducted a procurement event, administered by the IPA, to purchase energy products. Ameren Missouri was among the winning suppliers in this event. As a result, in April 2021, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois entered into an energy product agreement by which Ameren Missouri agreed to sell and Ameren Illinois agreed to purchase, 33,600 MWhs at an average price of $34 per MWh during the period of July 2022 through November 2022.
Tax Allocation Agreement
See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for a discussion of the tax allocation agreement. The following table presents the affiliate balances related to income taxes for Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Ameren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren MissouriAmeren Illinois
Income taxes payable to parent(a)
$ $6 $— $
Income taxes receivable from parent(b)
14 18 15 
(a)Included in “Accounts payable – affiliates” on the balance sheet.
(b)Included in “Accounts receivable – affiliates” on the balance sheet.
Effects of Related-party Transactions on the Statement of Income
The following table presents the effect on Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois of related-party transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
AgreementIncome Statement
Line Item
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren Missouri power supplyOperating Revenues2021$2 $(a)
agreements with Ameren Illinois
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisOperating Revenues2021$7 $(b)
rent and facility services
2020
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois miscellaneousOperating Revenues2021$(b)$(b)
support services and services provided to ATXI2020(b)(b)
Total Operating Revenues2021$9 $(b)
202010 
Ameren Illinois power supplyPurchased Power2021$(a)$2 
agreements with Ameren Missouri
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisPurchased Power2021$1 $(b)
transmission services from ATXI2020(a)(b)
Total Purchased Power2021$1 $2 
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisOther Operations and Maintenance2021$(b)$1 
rent and facility services
2020(b)
Ameren Services support servicesOther Operations and Maintenance2021$35 $33 
agreement
202035 33 
Total Other Operations and2021$35 $34 
Maintenance202035 34 
Money pool borrowings (advances)(Interest Charges)/Other Income, Net2021$(b)$(b)
2020(b)(b)
(a)Not applicable.
(b)Amount less than $1 million.
v3.21.1
Commitments And Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are involved in legal, tax, and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions, authorities, and governmental agencies with respect to matters that arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts of money. We believe that the final disposition of these proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes to our financial statements in this report and in the Form 10-K, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
Reference is made to Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters, Note 9 – Callaway Energy Center, Note 13 – Related-party Transactions, and Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K. See also Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters, Note 8 – Related-party Transactions, and Note 10 – Callaway Energy Center of this report.
Environmental Matters
Our electric and gas generation, transmission, distribution and gas storage operations must comply with a variety of environmental statutory and regulatory requirements, including permitting programs implemented via federal, state, and local authorities. Depending upon the specific business activity of the facility, such laws address air emissions; discharges to water bodies; the storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials; siting and land use requirements; and potential ecological impacts. Complex and lengthy processes are required to obtain and renew approvals, permits, and licenses for new, existing, or modified facilities. Additionally, the use and handling of various chemicals or hazardous materials require release prevention plans and emergency response procedures. We employ dedicated personnel knowledgeable in environmental matters to oversee our business activities’ compliance with regulatory requirements.
Environmental regulations have a significant impact on the electric utility industry and compliance with these regulations could be costly for Ameren Missouri, which operates coal-fired power plants. Clean Air Act regulations that apply to the electric utility industry include the NSPS, the CSAPR, the MATS, and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which are subject to periodic review for certain pollutants. Collectively, these regulations cover a variety of pollutants, such as SO2, particulate matter, NOx, mercury, toxic metals, and acid gases, and CO2 emissions from new power plants. Clean Water Act regulations applicable to coal-fired power plants govern both intake and discharges of water and require evaluation of the ecological and biological impact of our operations and could require modifications to water intake structures or more stringent limitations on wastewater discharges. Depending upon the scope of modifications ultimately required by state regulators, these capital expenditures could be significant. The management and disposal of coal ash is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the CCR rule and requires the closure of our surface impoundments at Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired energy centers. The individual or combined effects of existing and new environmental regulations could result in significant capital expenditures, increased operating costs, or the closure or alteration of operations at some of Ameren Missouri’s energy centers. Ameren and Ameren Missouri expect that such compliance costs would be recoverable through rates, subject to MoPSC prudence review, but the timing of costs and their recovery could be subject to regulatory lag.
Ameren and Ameren Missouri estimate that they will need to make capital expenditures of $175 million to $225 million from 2021 through 2025 in order to comply with existing environmental regulations. Additional environmental controls beyond 2025 could be required. This estimate of capital expenditures includes ash pond closure and corrective action measures required by the CCR regulations, potential modifications to cooling water intake structures at existing power plants under Clean Water Act rules, and by effluent limitation guidelines applicable to steam electric generating units, all of which are discussed below. This estimate does not include capital expenditures that may be required as a result of the NSR and Clean Air Act litigation discussed below. Ameren Missouri’s current plan for compliance with existing air emission regulations includes burning low-sulfur coal and installing new or optimizing existing air pollution control equipment. The actual amount of capital expenditures required to comply with existing environmental regulations may vary substantially from the above estimates because of uncertainty as to future permitting requirements made by state regulators and the EPA, potential revisions to regulatory obligations, and the cost of potential compliance strategies, among other things.
The following sections describe the more significant environmental laws and rules and environmental enforcement and remediation matters that affect or could affect our operations. The EPA has initiated an administrative review of several regulations and proposed amendments to regulations and guidelines, including to the effluent limitation guidelines and the CCR Rule, which could ultimately result in the revision of all or part of such rules.
Clean Air Act
Federal and state laws, including CSAPR, regulate emissions of SO2 and NOx through the reduction of emissions at their source and the use and retirement of emission allowances. CSAPR is implemented through a series of phases, and the second phase became effective in 2017. Additional emission reduction requirements may apply in subsequent years. Ameren Missouri complies with current CSAPR requirements by minimizing emissions through the use of low-sulfur coal, operation of two scrubbers at its Sioux Energy Center, and optimization of other existing air pollution control equipment. Ameren Missouri could incur additional costs to lower its emissions at one or more of its energy centers to comply additional CSAPR requirements in future years. These additional costs for compliance are expected to be recovered from customers through the FAC or higher base rates.
CO2 Emissions Standards
The EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule repealed the Clean Power Plan and replaced it with a new rule that established emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to limit CO2 emissions and identified certain efficiency measures as the best system of emission reduction for coal-fired electric generating units. In January 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, and ruled that the EPA had the discretion to consider emission reduction measures that include efficiency measures and generation shifting to lower carbon emissions. The United States Supreme Court has extended the deadline for seeking review, and a decision on whether the Supreme Court will review the circuit court's ruling could occur in fall 2021. Regardless of the outcome of those legal challenges, the EPA is likely to develop new regulations to address carbon emissions from coal and natural gas electric generating units. At this time, Ameren Missouri cannot predict the outcome of legal challenges to the vacated Affordable Clean
Energy Rule or future rulemakings. As such, the impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity of Ameren and Ameren Missouri is uncertain.
NSR and Clean Air Litigation
In January 2011, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the EPA, filed a complaint against Ameren Missouri in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri alleging that in performing projects at its coal-fired Rush Island Energy Center in 2007 and 2010, Ameren Missouri violated provisions of the Clean Air Act and Missouri law. In January 2017, the district court issued a liability ruling and, in September 2019, entered a final order that required Ameren Missouri to install a flue gas desulfurization system at the Rush Island Energy Center and a dry sorbent injection system at the Labadie Energy Center. There were no fines in the order as the Department of Justice previously dismissed claims for penalties. The district court stayed implementation of the majority of the requirements of its order while the case is under appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. In December 2020, the court of appeals heard oral arguments presented by the parties. The court is under no deadline to issue a ruling in this case and Ameren Missouri is unable to predict the ultimate resolution of this matter. Ameren Missouri expects a ruling by the court of appeals during 2021.
The ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity of Ameren and Ameren Missouri. Among other things and subject to economic and regulatory considerations, resolution of this matter could result in increased capital expenditures for the installation of air pollution control equipment, as well as increased operations and maintenance expenses. Based upon engineering studies from October 2019, capital expenditures to comply with the district court’s order for installation of a flue gas desulfurization system at the Rush Island Energy Center are estimated at approximately $1 billion. Further, the flue gas desulfurization system would result in additional operation and maintenance expenses of $30 million to $50 million annually for the life of the energy center. Engineering studies required to develop estimated capital expenditures and estimated additional operation and maintenance expenses for the Labadie Energy Center to comply with the district court’s order will not be undertaken while the case is under appeal. As a result of the district court’s stay, Ameren Missouri does not expect to make significant capital expenditures or incur operations and maintenance expenses related to the district court’s order while the case is under appeal.
Clean Water Act
The EPA’s Section 316(b) Rule requires power plant operators to evaluate cooling water intake structures and identify measures for reducing the number of aquatic organisms impinged on a power plant’s cooling water intake screens or entrained through the plant’s cooling water system. All of Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired and nuclear energy centers are subject to the cooling water intake structures rule. Requirements of the rule are implemented by state regulators through the permit renewal process of each energy center’s water discharge permit, which is expected to be completed by 2023.
In 2015, the EPA issued a rule to revise the effluent limitation guidelines applicable to steam electric generating units. These guidelines established national standards for water discharges, prohibits effluent discharges of certain waste streams, and imposes more stringent limitations on certain water discharges from power plants. To meet the requirements of the guidelines, Ameren Missouri installed dry ash handling systems and in 2020 completed construction of wastewater treatment facilities at three of its four coal-fired energy centers. The Meramec Energy Center is scheduled to close permanently in 2022, and as a result, does not require new wastewater and dry ash handling systems. Estimated capital expenditures to complete these projects are included in the CCR management compliance plan, discussed below.
CCR Management
The EPA’s CCR rule establishes requirements for the management and disposal of CCR from coal-fired power plants and will result in the closure of surface impoundments at Ameren Missouri’s energy centers. Ameren Missouri is in the process of closing surface impoundments at all of its facilities, and is scheduled to complete the last of such closures in 2023. The EPA has issued a series of revisions to the CCR rule; however, none of those revisions is expected to materially impact our closure schedule. Ameren and Ameren Missouri have AROs of $103 million recorded on their respective balance sheets as of March 31, 2021, associated with CCR storage facilities. Ameren Missouri estimates it will need to make capital expenditures of $75 million to $100 million from 2021 through 2025 to implement its CCR management compliance plan, which includes installation of groundwater monitoring equipment and water treatment facilities.
Remediation
The Ameren Companies are involved in a number of remediation actions to clean up sites impacted by the use or disposal of materials containing hazardous substances. Federal and state laws can require responsible parties to fund remediation regardless of their degree of fault, the legality of original disposal, or the ownership of a disposal site.
As of March 31, 2021, Ameren Illinois has remediated the majority of the 44 former MGP sites in Illinois and could substantially conclude remediation efforts at the remaining sites by 2023. The ICC allows Ameren Illinois to recover such remediation and related litigation costs from its electric and natural gas utility customers through environmental cost riders that are subject to annual prudence review by the ICC. As
of March 31, 2021, Ameren Illinois estimated the remaining obligation related to these former MGP sites at $90 million to $150 million. Ameren and Ameren Illinois recorded a liability of $90 million to represent the estimated minimum obligation for these sites, as no other amount within the range was a better estimate.
The scope of the remediation activities at these former MGP sites may increase as remediation efforts continue. Considerable uncertainty remains in these estimates because many site-specific factors can influence the ultimate actual costs, including unanticipated underground structures, the degree to which groundwater is encountered, regulatory changes, local ordinances, and site accessibility. The actual costs and timing of completion may vary substantially from these estimates.
Our operations or those of our predecessor companies involve the use of, disposal of, and, in appropriate circumstances, the cleanup of substances regulated under environmental laws. We are unable to determine whether such historical practices will result in future environmental commitments or will affect our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
v3.21.1
Callaway Energy Center
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Nuclear Waste Matters [Abstract]  
CALLAWAY ENERGY CENTER CALLAWAY ENERGY CENTER
See Note 9 – Callaway Energy Center under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for information regarding spent nuclear fuel recovery, recovery of decommissioning costs, and the nuclear decommissioning trust fund. The fair value of the trust fund for Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center is reported as “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund” in Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s balance sheets. This amount is legally restricted and may be used only to fund the costs of nuclear decommissioning. Changes in the fair value of the trust fund are recorded as an increase or decrease to the nuclear decommissioning trust fund, with an offsetting adjustment to the related regulatory liability. Ameren and Ameren Missouri have recorded an ARO for the Callaway Energy Center decommissioning costs at fair value, which represents the present value of estimated future cash outflows. Annual decommissioning costs of $7 million are included in the costs used to establish electric rates for Ameren Missouri’s customers. Every three years, the MoPSC requires Ameren Missouri to file an updated cost study and funding analysis for decommissioning its Callaway Energy Center. An updated cost study and funding analysis was filed with the MoPSC in November 2020 and reflected within the ARO. In February 2021, the MoPSC approved no change in electric rates for decommissioning costs based on Ameren Missouri’s updated cost study funding analysis. See Note 13 – Supplemental Information for more information on Ameren Missouri’s AROs.
Maintenance Outage
During its return to full power after the completion of the last refueling and maintenance outage in late December 2020, the Callaway Energy Center experienced a non-nuclear operating issue related to its generator. A thorough investigation of this matter was conducted. Work continues to replace certain key components of the generator in order to return the energy center to service. Ameren Missouri expects generator repairs of approximately $65 million, which are expected to be largely capital expenditures. Due to the long lead time for the manufacture, repair, and installation of the components, the energy center is expected to return to service in July 2021. In April 2021, Ameren Missouri’s insurance claims were accepted by NEIL, which are expected to cover a significant portion of the capital expenditures and replacement power costs. Replacement power costs of up to $4.5 million weekly are covered by insurance after March 17, 2021. Insurance recoveries related to replacement power costs will be reflected in electric operating revenues and included in net energy costs under the FAC. Insurance recoveries related to the capital expenditures will be reflected as a reduction to property, plant, and equipment. Ameren Missouri continues to review other legal remedies available.
Insurance
The following table presents insurance coverage at Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center at April 1, 2021:
Type and Source of CoverageMost Recent
Renewal Date
Maximum CoveragesMaximum Assessments
for Single Incidents
Public liability and nuclear worker liability:
American Nuclear InsurersJanuary 1, 2021$450 $— 
Pool participation(a)13,210 
(a) 
138 
(b) 
$13,660 
(c) 
$138 
Property damage:
NEIL and EMANIApril 1, 2021$3,200 
(d)
$25 
(e) 
Replacement power:
NEILApril 1, 2021$490 
(f) 
$
(e) 
(a)Provided through mandatory participation in an industrywide retrospective premium assessment program. The maximum coverage available is dependent on the number of United States commercial reactors participating in the program.
(b)Retrospective premium under the Price-Anderson Act. This is subject to retrospective assessment with respect to a covered loss in excess of $450 million in the event of an incident at any licensed United States commercial reactor, payable at $21 million per year.
(c)Limit of liability for each incident under the Price-Anderson liability provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. This limit is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation and changes in the number of licensed power reactors.
(d)NEIL provides $2.7 billion in property damage, stabilization, decontamination, and premature decommissioning insurance for radiation events and $2.3 billion in property damage insurance for nonradiation events. EMANI provides $490 million in property damage insurance for both radiation and nonradiation events.
(e)All NEIL-insured plants could be subject to assessments should losses exceed the accumulated funds from NEIL.
(f)Provides replacement power cost insurance in the event of a prolonged accidental outage. Weekly indemnity up to $4.5 million for 52 weeks, which commences after the first 12 weeks of an outage, plus up to $3.6 million per week for a minimum of 71 weeks thereafter for a total not exceeding the policy limit of $490 million. Nonradiation events are limited to $328 million.
The Price-Anderson Act is a federal law that limits the liability for claims from an incident involving any licensed United States commercial nuclear energy center. The limit is based on the number of licensed reactors. The limit of liability and the maximum potential annual payments are adjusted at least every five years for inflation to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The most recent five-year inflationary adjustment became effective in November 2018. Owners of a nuclear reactor cover this exposure through a combination of private insurance and mandatory participation in a financial protection pool, as established by the Price-Anderson Act.
Losses resulting from terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities insured by NEIL are subject to industrywide aggregates, such that terrorist acts against one or more commercial nuclear power plants within a stated time period would be treated as a single event, and the owners of the nuclear power plants would share the limit of liability. NEIL policies have an aggregate limit of $3.2 billion within a 12-month period for radiation events, or $1.8 billion for events not involving radiation contamination, resulting from terrorist attacks. The EMANI policies are not subject to industrywide aggregates in the event of terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities.
If losses from a nuclear incident at the Callaway Energy Center exceed the limits of, or are not covered by insurance, or if coverage is unavailable, Ameren Missouri is at risk for any uninsured losses. If a serious nuclear incident were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
v3.21.1
Retirement Benefits
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
RETIREMENT BENEFITS RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The following table presents the components of the net periodic benefit cost (income) incurred for Ameren’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
Three MonthsThree Months
2021202020212020
Service cost(a)
$33 $27 $6 $
Non-service cost components:
Interest cost38 43 8 10 
Expected return on plan assets(75)(73)(20)(20)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit — (1)(1)
Actuarial loss (gain)17 14 (1)(2)
Total non-service cost components(b)
$(20)$(16)$(14)$(13)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)$13 $11 $(8)$(9)
(a)Service cost, net of capitalization, is reflected in “Operating Expenses – Other operations and maintenance” on Ameren’s statement of income.
(b)Non-service cost components are reflected in “Other Income, Net” on Ameren’s statement of income. See Note 5 – Other Income, Net, for additional information.
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois are responsible for their respective share of Ameren’s pension and other postretirement costs. The following table presents the respective share of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs (income) incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
Three MonthsThree Months
2021202020212020
Ameren Missouri(a)
$6 $$(1)$(1)
Ameren Illinois8 (7)(8)
Other(1)—  — 
Ameren(a)
$13 $11 $(8)$(9)
(a)Does not include the impact of the regulatory tracking mechanism for the difference between the level of pension and postretirement benefit costs incurred by Ameren Missouri under GAAP and the level of such costs included in rates.
Funding
Based on its assumptions at March 31, 2021, its investment performance in 2021, and its pension funding policy, the estimated aggregate contributions through 2025 has not changed from the $60 million expected aggregate contributions at December 31, 2020.
v3.21.1
Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES
The following table presents a reconciliation of the federal statutory corporate income tax rate to the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
AmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren Illinois
202120202021202020212020
Three Months
Federal statutory corporate income tax rate:21%21%21%21%21%21%
Increases (decreases) from:
Amortization of deferred investment tax credit(1)(1)(1)
Amortization of excess deferred taxes(9)(9)

(17)(15)

(2)(3)
Depreciation differences(1)1(1)(1)
Renewable and other tax credits(6)(11)
State tax663377
Stock-based compensation(1)(5)
Effective income tax rate10%12%(4)%8%25%24%
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Supplemental Information [Abstract]  
Supplemental Information SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets and the statements of cash flows as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Cash and cash equivalents$6 $1 $ $139 $136 $— 
Restricted cash134  125 17 — 
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” 3  — — 
Restricted cash included in “Other assets”24  24 141 — 141 
Restricted cash included in “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund”8 8  — 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$172 $12 $149 $301 $145 $147 
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” primarily represents funds held by an irrevocable Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust, which provides health care benefits for active employees. As of December 31, 2020, restricted cash included in “Other assets” on Ameren’s and Ameren Illinois’ balance sheets primarily represents amounts collected under a cost recovery rider restricted for use in the procurement of renewable energy credits and amounts in a trust fund restricted for the use of funding certain asbestos-related claims. As of March 31, 2021, the amounts collected under a cost recovery rider restricted for use in Ameren Illinois’ procurement of renewable energy credits was reclassified to current as the amount is expected to be refunded to customers within a year.
Accounts Receivable
“Accounts receivable – trade” on Ameren’s and Ameren Illinois’ balance sheets include certain receivables purchased at a discount from alternative retail electric suppliers that elect to participate in the utility consolidated billing program. At March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, “Other current liabilities” on Ameren’s and Ameren Illinois’ balance sheets included payables for purchased receivables of $31 million and $28 million, respectively.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren:
Beginning of period$50 $17 
Bad debt expense4 
Net write-offs(7)(1)
End of period$47 $19 
Ameren Missouri:
Beginning of period$16 $
Bad debt expense1 
Net write-offs(2)(1)
End of period$15 $
Ameren Illinois:(a)
Beginning of Period$34 $10 
Bad debt expense3 
Net write-offs(5)— 
End of Period$32 $11 
(a)Ameren Illinois has rate-adjustment mechanisms that allow it to recover the difference between its actual net bad debt write-offs under GAAP, including those associated with receivables purchased from alternative retail electric suppliers, and the amount of net bad debt write-offs included in its base rates.
Net write-offs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the year-ago period, due to the resumption of disconnection activities for nonpayment. See Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters for additional information.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table provides noncash financing and investing activity excluded from the statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Investing
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures$271 $141 $139 $235 $97 $127 
Accrued nuclear fuel expenditures  — — 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  nuclear decommissioning trust fund
22 22  (111)(111)— 
Financing
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation33   38 — — 
Asset Retirement Obligations
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amount of AROs for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Balance at December 31, 2020
$751 

$
(a)
$756 
(b)
Liabilities incurred (c)
10 — 10 
Liabilities settled(3)— (3)
Accretion
(d)
— 

(d)
Change in estimates(7)
(e)
— (7)
(e)
Balance at March 31, 2021
$759 

$
(a)
$764 
(b)
(a)Included in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on the balance sheet.
(b)Balance included $59 million and $60 million in “Other current liabilities” on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(c)In the first quarter of 2021, Ameren Missouri recorded an ARO related to the decommissioning for the Atchison Renewable Energy Center.
(d)Accretion expense attributable to Ameren Missouri was recorded as a decrease to regulatory liabilities.
(e)Ameren Missouri changed its fair value estimate primarily due to a decrease in the cost estimate for closure of certain CCR storage facilities.
Stock-based Compensation
On January 1, 2021, Ameren granted 293,058 performance share units with a grant date fair value of $25 million and 125,562 restricted share units with a grant date fair value of $10 million. Awards vest approximately 38 months after the grant date or on a pro-rata basis upon death or eligible retirement. The performance share units vest based on the achievement of certain specified market performance measures (251,177 performance share units) or based on the achievement of renewable generation and energy storage installation targets (41,881 performance share units). The exact number of shares issued pursuant to a performance share unit varies from 0% to 200% of the target award, depending on actual company performance relative to the performance goals.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, excess tax benefits associated with the settlement of stock-based compensation awards reduced income tax expense by $5 million and $8 million, respectively.
Deferred Compensation
As of both March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the present value of benefits to be paid for deferred compensation obligations was $90 million, which was primarily reflected in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on Ameren's consolidated balance sheet.
Operating Revenues
As of March 31, 2021 and 2020, our remaining performance obligations for contracts with a term greater than one year were immaterial. The Ameren Companies elected not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period for contracts with an initial expected term of one year or less.
See Note 14 – Segment Information for disaggregated revenue information.
Excise Taxes
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois collect from their customers excise taxes, including municipal and state excise taxes and gross receipts taxes that are levied on the sale or distribution of natural gas and electricity. The following table presents the excise taxes recorded on a gross basis in “Operating Revenues – Electric,” “Operating Revenues – Natural gas” and “Operating Expenses – Taxes other than income taxes” on the statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren Missouri$31 $30 
Ameren Illinois39 35 
Ameren$70 $65 
Earnings per Share
The following table reconciles the basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding to the diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic254.4 246.4 
Assumed settlement of performance share units and restricted stock units1.5 1.1 
Dilutive effect of forward sale agreement 0.6 
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted(a)
255.9 248.1 
(a)There were no potentially dilutive securities excluded from the earnings per diluted share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
v3.21.1
Segment Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
SEGMENT INFORMATION SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following tables present revenues, net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, and capital expenditures by segment at Ameren and Ameren Illinois for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois management review segment capital expenditure information rather than any individual or total asset amount. For additional information about our segments, see Note 16 – Segment Information under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K.
Ameren
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionOtherIntersegment EliminationsAmeren
Three Months 2021:
External revenues$695 $411 $347 $113 $ $ $1,566 
Intersegment revenues9   17  (26) 
Net income attributable to Ameren common shareholders47 46 75 47 
(a)
18  233 
Capital expenditures534 
(b)
157 48 141 1 6 887 
(b)
Three Months 2020:
External revenues$670 $389 $271 $110 $— $— $1,440 
Intersegment revenues10 — 13 — (24)— 
Net income (loss) attributable to Ameren common shareholders(10)37 55 47 
(a)
17 — 146 
Capital expenditures278 123 61 170 636 
(a)Ameren Transmission earnings reflect an allocation of financing costs from Ameren (parent).
(b)Includes $193 million at Ameren and Ameren Missouri for wind generation expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
External revenues$411 $347 $65 $ $823 
Intersegment revenues  16 (16) 
Net income available to common shareholder46 75 28  149 
Capital expenditures157 48 132  337 
Three Months 2020:
External revenues$390 $271 $62 $— $723 
Intersegment revenues— — 12 (12)— 
Net income available to common shareholder37 55 28 — 120 
Capital expenditures123 61 140 — 324 
The following tables present disaggregated revenues by segment at Ameren and Ameren Illinois for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Economic factors affect the nature, timing, amount, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows in a similar manner across customer classes. Revenues from alternative revenue programs have a similar distribution among customer classes as revenues from contracts with customers. Other revenues not associated with contracts with customers are presented in the Other customer classification, along with electric transmission and off-system revenues.
Ameren
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren
Three Months 2021:
Residential$312 $229 $ $ $ $541 
Commercial216 132    348 
Industrial52 34    86 
Other61 16  130 (26)181 
Total electric revenues$641 $411 $ $130 $(26)$1,156 
Residential$34 $ $251 $ $ $285 
Commercial15  64   79 
Industrial1  14   15 
Other13  18   31 
Total natural gas revenues$63 $ $347 $ $ $410 
Total revenues(a)
$704 $411 $347 $130 $(26)$1,566 
Three Months 2020:
Residential$297 $220 $— $— $— $517 
Commercial221 126 — — — 347 
Industrial53 35 — — — 88 
Other60 — 123 (24)168 
Total electric revenues$631 $390 $— $123 $(24)$1,120 
Residential$33 $— $213 $— $— $246 
Commercial13 — 54 — — 67 
Industrial— — — 
Other— — — 
Total natural gas revenues$49 $— $271 $— $— $320 
Total revenues(a)
$680 $390 $271 $123 $(24)$1,440 
(a)The following table presents increases/(decreases) in revenues from alternative revenue programs and other revenues not from contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionAmeren
Three Months 2021:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$(10)$61 $3 $(1)$53 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers(2)3 1  2 
Three Months 2020:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$(3)$46 $11 $12 $66 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers— 10 
Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
Residential$229 $251 $ $ $480 
Commercial132 64   196 
Industrial34 14   48 
Other16 18 81 (16)99 
Total revenues(a)
$411 $347 $81 $(16)$823 
Three Months 2020:
Residential$220 $213 $— $— $433 
Commercial126 54 — — 180 
Industrial35 — — 38 
Other74 (12)72 
Total revenues(a)
$390 $271 $74 $(12)$723 
(a)The following table presents increases/(decreases) in revenues from alternative revenue programs and other revenues not from contracts with customers for the Ameren Illinois segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$61 $3 $(1)$63 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers3 1  4 
Three Months 2020:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$46 $11 $10 $67 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers— 
v3.21.1
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations
Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Ameren’s subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on Ameren’s common stock and the payment of expenses by Ameren depend on distributions made to it by its subsidiaries. Ameren’s principal subsidiaries are listed below. Ameren has other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services.
Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri.
Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois, operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois.
ATXI operates a FERC rate-regulated electric transmission business in the MISO.
Consolidation Ameren’s financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and therefore include the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have no subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated.Our accounting policies conform to GAAP. Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair statement of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations of an interim period may not give a true indication of results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Form 10-K.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy
Variable Interest Entities
As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, Ameren had unconsolidated variable interests as a limited partner in various equity method investments, totaling $41 million and $37 million, respectively, included in “Other assets” on Ameren’s consolidated balance sheet. Ameren is not the primary beneficiary of these investments because it does not have the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the activities of these variable interest entities. As of March 31, 2021, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interests is limited to the investment in these partnerships of $41 million plus associated outstanding funding commitments of $33 million.
Derivatives, Policy
We use derivatives to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas and power, as well as the risk of changes in rail transportation surcharges through fuel oil hedges. Such price fluctuations may cause the following:
an unrealized appreciation or depreciation of our contracted commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sale prices under the commitments are compared with current commodity prices;
market values of natural gas inventories that differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory;
actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities that differ from anticipated cash outlays; and
actual off-system sales revenues that differ from anticipated revenues
The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward contracts, futures, options, and swaps. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. The goal of the hedging program is generally to mitigate financial risks while ensuring that sufficient volumes are available to meet our requirements. Contracts we enter into as part of our risk management program may be settled financially, settled by physical delivery, or net settled with the counterparty.
The Ameren Companies elect to present the fair value amounts of derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation
As of both March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the present value of benefits to be paid for deferred compensation obligations was $90 million, which was primarily reflected in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on Ameren's consolidated balance sheet.
Revenue from Contract with Customer
Operating Revenues
As of March 31, 2021 and 2020, our remaining performance obligations for contracts with a term greater than one year were immaterial. The Ameren Companies elected not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period for contracts with an initial expected term of one year or less.
See Note 14 – Segment Information for disaggregated revenue information.
Excise Taxes Excise TaxesAmeren Missouri and Ameren Illinois collect from their customers excise taxes, including municipal and state excise taxes and gross receipts taxes that are levied on the sale or distribution of natural gas and electricity.
v3.21.1
Short-Term Debt and Liquidity (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Short-term Debt
The following table presents commercial paper outstanding, net of issuance discounts, as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreements as of March 31, 2021, or December 31, 2020.
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Ameren (parent)$362 $490 
Ameren Missouri204 — 
Ameren Illinois323 — 
Ameren consolidated$889 $490 
The following table summarizes the activity and relevant interest rates for Ameren (parent)’s, Ameren Missouri’s, and Ameren Illinois’ commercial paper issuances and borrowings under the Credit Agreements in the aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren
(parent)
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Consolidated
2021
Average daily amount outstanding$454 $99 $96 $649 
Weighted-average interest rate0.25 %0.22 %0.21 %0.24 %
Peak amount outstanding during period(a)
$650 $206 $353 $916 
Peak interest rate0.33 %0.25 %0.25 %0.33 %
2020
Average daily amount outstanding$157 $395 $76 $628 
Weighted-average interest rate1.94 %1.86 %1.99 %1.89 %
Peak amount outstanding during period(a)
$425 $573 $150 $908 
Peak interest rate3.30 %5.05 %
(b)
3.40 %5.05 %
(b)
(a)The timing of peak outstanding commercial paper issuances and borrowings under the Credit Agreements varies by company. Therefore, the sum of individual company peak amounts may not equal the Ameren consolidated peak for the period.
(b)Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s peak interest rate was affected by temporary disruptions in the commercial paper market in the first quarter of 2020.
v3.21.1
Other Income and Expenses (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]  
Other Income And Expenses
The following table presents the components of “Other Income, Net” in the Ameren Companies’ statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$7 $
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds
6 
Other interest income
1 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income(a)
34 23 
Miscellaneous income
4 
Donations
(3)(13)
(b)
Miscellaneous expense
(3)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$46 $21 
Ameren Missouri:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$4 $
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds
6 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income(a)
14 
Miscellaneous income
1 
Donations
 (8)
(b)
Miscellaneous expense
(2)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$23 $
Ameren Illinois:
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
$3 $
Interest income
1 
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income
14 13 
Miscellaneous income
 
Donations
(3)(4)
Miscellaneous expense
(1)(2)
Total Other Income, Net$14 $11 
(a)For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income were adjusted by amounts deferred of less than $(1) million and $6 million, respectively, due to a regulatory tracking mechanism for the difference between the level of such costs incurred by Ameren Missouri under GAAP and the level of such costs included in rates.
(b)Includes $8 million pursuant to Ameren Missouri’s March 2020 electric rate order. See Note 2 Rate and Regulatory Matters under Part II, Item 8, in the Form 10-K for additional information.
v3.21.1
Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Open Gross Derivative Volumes By Commodity Type
The following table presents open gross commodity contract volumes by commodity type for derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, these contracts extended through October 2023, October 2026, and May 2032 for fuel oils, natural gas and power, respectively.
Quantity (in millions, except as indicated)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
CommodityAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren
Fuel oils (in gallons)36  36 43 — 43 
Natural gas (in mmbtu)34 114 148 33 114 147 
Power (in MWhs)7 7 14 13 
Derivative Instruments Carrying Value
The following table presents the carrying value and balance sheet location of all derivative commodity contracts, none of which were designated as hedging instruments, as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Balance Sheet LocationAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Fuel oilsOther current assets$2 $ $2 $$— $
Other assets3  3 — — — 
Natural gasOther current assets2 10 12 
Other assets2 4 6 
PowerOther current assets4  4 — 
Other assets1  1 — — — 
Total assets$14 $14 $28 $12 $10 $22 
Fuel oilsOther current liabilities$3 $ $3 $$— $
Other deferred credits and liabilities   — 
Natural gasOther current liabilities   
Other deferred credits and liabilities   — 
PowerOther current liabilities9 16 25 17 20 
Other deferred credits and liabilities5 169 174 181 189 
Total liabilities$17 $185 $202 $21 $200 $221 
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Fair Value Hierarchy Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Fuel oils$4 $ $1 $5 $— $— $$
Natural gas 4  4 — — 
Power2  3 5 — 
Total derivative assets – commodity contracts$6 $4 $4 $14 $$$$12 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund:
Equity securities:
U.S. large capitalization$679 $ $ $679 $680 $— $— $680 
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities 133  133 — 115 — 115 
Corporate bonds 128  128 — 115 — 115 
Other 63  63 — 67 — 67 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust fund$679 $324 $ $1,003 
(a)
$680 $297 $— $977 
(a)
Total Ameren Missouri$685 $328 $4 $1,017 $682 $300 $$989 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative assets – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$ $10 $4 $14 $— $$$10 
Ameren
Derivative assets – commodity contracts(b)
$6 $14 $8 $28 $$$11 $22 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund(c)
679 324  1,003 
(a)
680 297 — 977 
(a)
Total Ameren$685 $338 $8 $1,031 $682 $306 $11 $999 
Liabilities:
Ameren Missouri
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Fuel oils$1 $ $2 $3 $$— $$
Natural gas    — — 
Power8  6 14 — 11 
Total Ameren Missouri$9 $ $8 $17 $14 $$$21 
Ameren Illinois
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts:
Natural gas$ $ $ $ $— $$$
Power  185 185 — — 198 198 
Total Ameren Illinois$ $ $185 $185 $— $$199 $200 
Ameren
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts(b)
$9 $ $193 $202 $14 $$205 $221 
(a)Balance excludes $7 million and $5 million of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, and accrued income, net, for March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(b)See the Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois sections of the table for a breakout of the fair value of Ameren’s derivative assets and liabilities by type of commodity.
(c)See the Ameren Missouri section of the table for a breakout of the fair value of Ameren's nuclear decommissioning trust fund by investment type.
Schedule Of Changes In The Fair Value Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Classified As Level Three In The Fair Value Hierarchy The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
20212020
Ameren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren
For the three months ended March 31:
Beginning balance at January 1
$2 $(198)$(196)$13 $(224)$(211)
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) included in regulatory assets/liabilities(5)9 4 11 (21)(10)
Settlements 4 4 (7)(3)
Ending balance at March 31
$(3)$(185)$(188)$17 $(241)$(224)
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) related to assets/liabilities held at March 31
$(3)$9 $6 $10 $(21)$(11)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques
The following table describes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs utilized for the fair value of our Level 3 power derivative contract assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
Fair Value
Weighted Average(b)
CommodityAssetsLiabilitiesValuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input(a)
Range
2021
Power(c)
$3$(191)Discounted cash flow
Average forward peak and off-peak pricing  forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
23 – 40
29
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(5) – 0
(1)
Trend rate (%)
2 – 5
3
2020
Power(c)
$5$(201)Discounted cash flowAverage forward peak and off-peak pricing – forwards/swaps ($/MWh)
23 – 37
29
Nodal basis ($/MWh)
(6) – 0
(2)
Trend rate (%)
2 – 6
3
(a)Generally, significant increases (decreases) in these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
(b)Unobservable inputs were weighted by relative fair value.
(c)Valuations through 2029 use visible forward prices adjusted for nodal-to-hub basis differentials. Valuations beyond 2029 use a trend rate factor and are similarly adjusted for nodal-to-hub basis differentials.
Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The following table sets forth the carrying amount and, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not recorded, at fair value as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
March 31, 2021
Ameren:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$172 $172 $ $ $172 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256  256  256 
Short-term debt889  889  889 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
11,535 
(b)
 12,233 507 
(c)
12,740 
Ameren Missouri:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$12 $12 $ $ $12 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256  256  256 
Short-term debt204  204  204 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
5,104 
(b)
 5,685  5,685 
Ameren Illinois:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$149 $149 $ $ $149 
Short-term debt323  323  323 
Long-term debt (including current portion)3,947 
(b)
 4,401  4,401 
December 31, 2020
Ameren:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$301 $301 $— $— $301 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256 — 256 — 256 
Short-term debt490 — 490 — 490 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
11,086 
(b)
— 12,778 537 
(c)
13,315 
Ameren Missouri:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$145 $145 $— $— $145 
Advances to money pool139 — 139 — 139 
Investments in industrial development revenue bonds(a)
256 — 256 — 256 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(a)
5,104 
(b)
— 6,160 — 6,160 
Ameren Illinois:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$147 $147 $— $— $147 
Borrowings from money pool19 — 19 — 19 
Long-term debt (including current portion)3,946 
(b)
— 4,822 — 4,822 
(a)Ameren and Ameren Missouri have investments in industrial development revenue bonds, classified as held-to-maturity and recorded in “Other Assets,” that are equal to the finance obligations for the Peno Creek and Audrain CT energy centers. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of both the investments in industrial development revenue bonds and the finance obligations approximated fair value.
(b)Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $86 million, $36 million, and $36 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of March 31, 2021. Included unamortized debt issuance costs, which were excluded from the fair value measurement, of $84 million, $36 million, and $36 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.
(c)The Level 3 fair value amount consists of ATXI’s senior unsecured notes.
v3.21.1
Related Party Transactions (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Schedule of Affiliate Receivables and Payables The following table presents the affiliate balances related to income taxes for Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Ameren MissouriAmeren IllinoisAmeren MissouriAmeren Illinois
Income taxes payable to parent(a)
$ $6 $— $
Income taxes receivable from parent(b)
14 18 15 
(a)Included in “Accounts payable – affiliates” on the balance sheet.
(b)Included in “Accounts receivable – affiliates” on the balance sheet.
Schedule of Related Party Transactions
The following table presents the effect on Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois of related-party transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
AgreementIncome Statement
Line Item
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren Missouri power supplyOperating Revenues2021$2 $(a)
agreements with Ameren Illinois
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisOperating Revenues2021$7 $(b)
rent and facility services
2020
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois miscellaneousOperating Revenues2021$(b)$(b)
support services and services provided to ATXI2020(b)(b)
Total Operating Revenues2021$9 $(b)
202010 
Ameren Illinois power supplyPurchased Power2021$(a)$2 
agreements with Ameren Missouri
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisPurchased Power2021$1 $(b)
transmission services from ATXI2020(a)(b)
Total Purchased Power2021$1 $2 
2020(a)
Ameren Missouri and Ameren IllinoisOther Operations and Maintenance2021$(b)$1 
rent and facility services
2020(b)
Ameren Services support servicesOther Operations and Maintenance2021$35 $33 
agreement
202035 33 
Total Other Operations and2021$35 $34 
Maintenance202035 34 
Money pool borrowings (advances)(Interest Charges)/Other Income, Net2021$(b)$(b)
2020(b)(b)
(a)Not applicable.
(b)Amount less than $1 million.
v3.21.1
Callaway Energy Center (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Nuclear Waste Matters [Abstract]  
Schedule of Insurance Coverage at Callaway Energy Center
The following table presents insurance coverage at Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center at April 1, 2021:
Type and Source of CoverageMost Recent
Renewal Date
Maximum CoveragesMaximum Assessments
for Single Incidents
Public liability and nuclear worker liability:
American Nuclear InsurersJanuary 1, 2021$450 $— 
Pool participation(a)13,210 
(a) 
138 
(b) 
$13,660 
(c) 
$138 
Property damage:
NEIL and EMANIApril 1, 2021$3,200 
(d)
$25 
(e) 
Replacement power:
NEILApril 1, 2021$490 
(f) 
$
(e) 
(a)Provided through mandatory participation in an industrywide retrospective premium assessment program. The maximum coverage available is dependent on the number of United States commercial reactors participating in the program.
(b)Retrospective premium under the Price-Anderson Act. This is subject to retrospective assessment with respect to a covered loss in excess of $450 million in the event of an incident at any licensed United States commercial reactor, payable at $21 million per year.
(c)Limit of liability for each incident under the Price-Anderson liability provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. This limit is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation and changes in the number of licensed power reactors.
(d)NEIL provides $2.7 billion in property damage, stabilization, decontamination, and premature decommissioning insurance for radiation events and $2.3 billion in property damage insurance for nonradiation events. EMANI provides $490 million in property damage insurance for both radiation and nonradiation events.
(e)All NEIL-insured plants could be subject to assessments should losses exceed the accumulated funds from NEIL.
(f)Provides replacement power cost insurance in the event of a prolonged accidental outage. Weekly indemnity up to $4.5 million for 52 weeks, which commences after the first 12 weeks of an outage, plus up to $3.6 million per week for a minimum of 71 weeks thereafter for a total not exceeding the policy limit of $490 million. Nonradiation events are limited to $328 million.
v3.21.1
Retirement Benefits (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The following table presents the components of the net periodic benefit cost (income) incurred for Ameren’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
Three MonthsThree Months
2021202020212020
Service cost(a)
$33 $27 $6 $
Non-service cost components:
Interest cost38 43 8 10 
Expected return on plan assets(75)(73)(20)(20)
Amortization of:
Prior service benefit — (1)(1)
Actuarial loss (gain)17 14 (1)(2)
Total non-service cost components(b)
$(20)$(16)$(14)$(13)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)$13 $11 $(8)$(9)
(a)Service cost, net of capitalization, is reflected in “Operating Expenses – Other operations and maintenance” on Ameren’s statement of income.
(b)Non-service cost components are reflected in “Other Income, Net” on Ameren’s statement of income. See Note 5 – Other Income, Net, for additional information.
Summary Of Benefit Plan Costs Incurred
Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois are responsible for their respective share of Ameren’s pension and other postretirement costs. The following table presents the respective share of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs (income) incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
Three MonthsThree Months
2021202020212020
Ameren Missouri(a)
$6 $$(1)$(1)
Ameren Illinois8 (7)(8)
Other(1)—  — 
Ameren(a)
$13 $11 $(8)$(9)
(a)Does not include the impact of the regulatory tracking mechanism for the difference between the level of pension and postretirement benefit costs incurred by Ameren Missouri under GAAP and the level of such costs included in rates.
v3.21.1
Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
The following table presents a reconciliation of the federal statutory corporate income tax rate to the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
AmerenAmeren MissouriAmeren Illinois
202120202021202020212020
Three Months
Federal statutory corporate income tax rate:21%21%21%21%21%21%
Increases (decreases) from:
Amortization of deferred investment tax credit(1)(1)(1)
Amortization of excess deferred taxes(9)(9)

(17)(15)

(2)(3)
Depreciation differences(1)1(1)(1)
Renewable and other tax credits(6)(11)
State tax663377
Stock-based compensation(1)(5)
Effective income tax rate10%12%(4)%8%25%24%
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Supplemental Information [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents Including Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets and the statements of cash flows as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Cash and cash equivalents$6 $1 $ $139 $136 $— 
Restricted cash134  125 17 — 
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” 3  — — 
Restricted cash included in “Other assets”24  24 141 — 141 
Restricted cash included in “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund”8 8  — 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$172 $12 $149 $301 $145 $147 
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren:
Beginning of period$50 $17 
Bad debt expense4 
Net write-offs(7)(1)
End of period$47 $19 
Ameren Missouri:
Beginning of period$16 $
Bad debt expense1 
Net write-offs(2)(1)
End of period$15 $
Ameren Illinois:(a)
Beginning of Period$34 $10 
Bad debt expense3 
Net write-offs(5)— 
End of Period$32 $11 
(a)Ameren Illinois has rate-adjustment mechanisms that allow it to recover the difference between its actual net bad debt write-offs under GAAP, including those associated with receivables purchased from alternative retail electric suppliers, and the amount of net bad debt write-offs included in its base rates.
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table provides noncash financing and investing activity excluded from the statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
AmerenAmeren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Investing
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures$271 $141 $139 $235 $97 $127 
Accrued nuclear fuel expenditures  — — 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  nuclear decommissioning trust fund
22 22  (111)(111)— 
Financing
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation33   38 — — 
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amount of AROs for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Ameren
Missouri
Ameren
Illinois
Ameren
Balance at December 31, 2020
$751 

$
(a)
$756 
(b)
Liabilities incurred (c)
10 — 10 
Liabilities settled(3)— (3)
Accretion
(d)
— 

(d)
Change in estimates(7)
(e)
— (7)
(e)
Balance at March 31, 2021
$759 

$
(a)
$764 
(b)
(a)Included in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on the balance sheet.
(b)Balance included $59 million and $60 million in “Other current liabilities” on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(c)In the first quarter of 2021, Ameren Missouri recorded an ARO related to the decommissioning for the Atchison Renewable Energy Center.
(d)Accretion expense attributable to Ameren Missouri was recorded as a decrease to regulatory liabilities.
(e)Ameren Missouri changed its fair value estimate primarily due to a decrease in the cost estimate for closure of certain CCR storage facilities.
Schedule of excise taxes The following table presents the excise taxes recorded on a gross basis in “Operating Revenues – Electric,” “Operating Revenues – Natural gas” and “Operating Expenses – Taxes other than income taxes” on the statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Ameren Missouri$31 $30 
Ameren Illinois39 35 
Ameren$70 $65 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
The following table reconciles the basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding to the diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months
20212020
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic254.4 246.4 
Assumed settlement of performance share units and restricted stock units1.5 1.1 
Dilutive effect of forward sale agreement 0.6 
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted(a)
255.9 248.1 
(a)There were no potentially dilutive securities excluded from the earnings per diluted share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
v3.21.1
Segment Information (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment
The following tables present revenues, net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, and capital expenditures by segment at Ameren and Ameren Illinois for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois management review segment capital expenditure information rather than any individual or total asset amount. For additional information about our segments, see Note 16 – Segment Information under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K.
Ameren
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionOtherIntersegment EliminationsAmeren
Three Months 2021:
External revenues$695 $411 $347 $113 $ $ $1,566 
Intersegment revenues9   17  (26) 
Net income attributable to Ameren common shareholders47 46 75 47 
(a)
18  233 
Capital expenditures534 
(b)
157 48 141 1 6 887 
(b)
Three Months 2020:
External revenues$670 $389 $271 $110 $— $— $1,440 
Intersegment revenues10 — 13 — (24)— 
Net income (loss) attributable to Ameren common shareholders(10)37 55 47 
(a)
17 — 146 
Capital expenditures278 123 61 170 636 
(a)Ameren Transmission earnings reflect an allocation of financing costs from Ameren (parent).
(b)Includes $193 million at Ameren and Ameren Missouri for wind generation expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
External revenues$411 $347 $65 $ $823 
Intersegment revenues  16 (16) 
Net income available to common shareholder46 75 28  149 
Capital expenditures157 48 132  337 
Three Months 2020:
External revenues$390 $271 $62 $— $723 
Intersegment revenues— — 12 (12)— 
Net income available to common shareholder37 55 28 — 120 
Capital expenditures123 61 140 — 324 
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables present disaggregated revenues by segment at Ameren and Ameren Illinois for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Economic factors affect the nature, timing, amount, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows in a similar manner across customer classes. Revenues from alternative revenue programs have a similar distribution among customer classes as revenues from contracts with customers. Other revenues not associated with contracts with customers are presented in the Other customer classification, along with electric transmission and off-system revenues.
Ameren
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren
Three Months 2021:
Residential$312 $229 $ $ $ $541 
Commercial216 132    348 
Industrial52 34    86 
Other61 16  130 (26)181 
Total electric revenues$641 $411 $ $130 $(26)$1,156 
Residential$34 $ $251 $ $ $285 
Commercial15  64   79 
Industrial1  14   15 
Other13  18   31 
Total natural gas revenues$63 $ $347 $ $ $410 
Total revenues(a)
$704 $411 $347 $130 $(26)$1,566 
Three Months 2020:
Residential$297 $220 $— $— $— $517 
Commercial221 126 — — — 347 
Industrial53 35 — — — 88 
Other60 — 123 (24)168 
Total electric revenues$631 $390 $— $123 $(24)$1,120 
Residential$33 $— $213 $— $— $246 
Commercial13 — 54 — — 67 
Industrial— — — 
Other— — — 
Total natural gas revenues$49 $— $271 $— $— $320 
Total revenues(a)
$680 $390 $271 $123 $(24)$1,440 
(a)The following table presents increases/(decreases) in revenues from alternative revenue programs and other revenues not from contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren MissouriAmeren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren TransmissionAmeren
Three Months 2021:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$(10)$61 $3 $(1)$53 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers(2)3 1  2 
Three Months 2020:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$(3)$46 $11 $12 $66 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers— 10 
Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionIntersegment EliminationsAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
Residential$229 $251 $ $ $480 
Commercial132 64   196 
Industrial34 14   48 
Other16 18 81 (16)99 
Total revenues(a)
$411 $347 $81 $(16)$823 
Three Months 2020:
Residential$220 $213 $— $— $433 
Commercial126 54 — — 180 
Industrial35 — — 38 
Other74 (12)72 
Total revenues(a)
$390 $271 $74 $(12)$723 
(a)The following table presents increases/(decreases) in revenues from alternative revenue programs and other revenues not from contracts with customers for the Ameren Illinois segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Ameren Illinois Electric DistributionAmeren Illinois Natural GasAmeren Illinois TransmissionAmeren Illinois
Three Months 2021:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$61 $3 $(1)$63 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers3 1  4 
Three Months 2020:
Revenues from alternative revenue programs$46 $11 $10 $67 
Other revenues not from contracts with customers— 
v3.21.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of accounts receivable balances that are 30 days past due or are part of a deferred payment arrangement 27.00%   21.00%
Accounts receivable balances that are 30 days or more past due or part of a deferred payment arrangement $ 137   $ 99
Noncontrolling Interest in Variable Interest Entity 41 $ 37  
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance 275 272  
Corporate owned life insurance, borrowings $ 107 107  
Union Electric Company      
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of accounts receivable balances that are 30 days past due or are part of a deferred payment arrangement 19.00%   16.00%
Accounts receivable balances that are 30 days or more past due or part of a deferred payment arrangement $ 33   $ 29
Union Electric Company | Final Rate Order      
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
COVID-19 pandemic costs $ 9    
Ameren Illinois Company      
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of accounts receivable balances that are 30 days past due or are part of a deferred payment arrangement 32.00%   25.00%
Accounts receivable balances that are 30 days or more past due or part of a deferred payment arrangement $ 104   $ 70
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance 117 115  
Corporate owned life insurance, borrowings 107 $ 107  
Partnership Funding Commitment      
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation $ 33    
v3.21.1
Rate And Regulatory Matters (Narrative-Missouri) (Detail)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2021
MWh
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
MWh
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Regulatory assets   $ 1,249   $ 1,100
Revenues   1,566 $ 1,440  
Union Electric Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Regulatory assets   413   $ 347
Pending Rate Case | Electricity | Union Electric Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Public Utilities, Requested Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount   $ 299    
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage   9.90%    
Public Utilities, Requested Equity Capital Structure, Percentage   51.90%    
Rate Base   $ 10,000    
Months to complete a rate proceeding   11 months    
Pending Rate Case | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Public Utilities, Requested Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount   $ 9    
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage   9.80%    
Public Utilities, Requested Equity Capital Structure, Percentage   51.90%    
Rate Base   $ 310    
Months to complete a rate proceeding   11 months    
Wind Generation Facility | Union Electric Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Amount of Megawatts | MWh 300 700    
Atchison Renewable Energy Center purchase price   $ 250    
Final Rate Order | Union Electric Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
COVID-19 pandemic costs   9    
Regulatory assets   5    
Revenues   $ 4    
v3.21.1
Rate And Regulatory Matters (Narrative-Illinois) (Detail) - Ameren Illinois Company - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Mar. 31, 2021
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Annual investment in energy-efficiency programs   $ 100
Deferred payment arrangement extension   18 months
Financial assistance program costs   $ 4
IEIMA    
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage   5.80%
Final Rate Order | IEIMA | Electric Distribution    
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Requested electric distribution service rate reconciliation period   2 years
Amortization Period   two years
Subsequent Event | Pending Rate Case | IEIMA | Electric Distribution    
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]    
Public Utilities, Requested Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount $ 64  
v3.21.1
Rate And Regulatory Matters (Narrative-Federal) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
May 31, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Regulatory liabilities     $ 5,230 $ 5,282
Current regulatory liabilities     225 121
Ameren Illinois Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Regulatory liabilities     1,988 2,063
Current regulatory liabilities     200 $ 88
Final Rate Order | Ameren Illinois Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Regulatory liabilities     $ 9  
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage     12.38%  
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc | Final Rate Order        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage 10.02% 9.88% 10.32%  
Customer Requested Rate on Equity     9.15%  
Incentive adder to FERC allowed base return on common equity     0.50%  
Current regulatory liabilities     $ 17  
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc | Final Rate Order | Ameren Illinois Company        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Current regulatory liabilities     $ 9  
Maximum | Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc | Final Rate Order        
Rate And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]        
Public Utilities, Requested Return on Equity, Percentage     10.82%  
v3.21.1
Short-Term Debt And Liquidity (Narrative) (Details)
$ in Billions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
Credit Agreements    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Net Liquidity Available $ 1.4  
Actual debt-to-capital ratio 0.57  
Utilities    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, over Time 0.22% 1.93%
Union Electric Company | Missouri Credit Agreement    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Actual debt-to-capital ratio 0.49  
Ameren Illinois Company | Illinois Credit Agreement    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Actual debt-to-capital ratio 0.46  
v3.21.1
Short-Term Debt and Liquidity (Short-Term Debt outstanding) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 889 $ 490
Union Electric Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 204 0
Ameren Illinois Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 323 0
Commercial Paper    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 889 490
Commercial Paper | Ameren (parent)    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 362 490
Commercial Paper | Union Electric Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 204 0
Commercial Paper | Ameren Illinois Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 323 $ 0
v3.21.1
Short-Term Debt and Liquidity (Short-Term Debt Activity) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount $ 649 $ 628
Weighted-average interest rate 0.24% 1.89%
Short-term Debt, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period $ 916 $ 908
Peak interest rate 0.33% 5.05%
Ameren (parent)    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount $ 454 $ 157
Weighted-average interest rate 0.25% 1.94%
Short-term Debt, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period $ 650 $ 425
Peak interest rate 0.33% 3.30%
Union Electric Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount $ 99 $ 395
Weighted-average interest rate 0.22% 1.86%
Short-term Debt, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period $ 206 $ 573
Peak interest rate 0.25% 5.05%
Ameren Illinois Company    
Short-term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount $ 96 $ 76
Weighted-average interest rate 0.21% 1.99%
Short-term Debt, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period $ 353 $ 150
Peak interest rate 0.25% 3.40%
v3.21.1
Long-Term debt and Equity Financings (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Feb. 11, 2021
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues 0.1 0.2  
Issuance of common stock $ 125,000,000 $ 13,000,000  
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other 0.5 0.5  
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation $ 33,000,000 $ 38,000,000  
Shares issued under forward sale agreement (in shares) 1.6 0.0 1.6
Common Stock Value Issued Through Forward Sale Agreement     $ 113,000,000
Dividend reinvestment and 401 (k) plans      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Issuance of common stock $ 12,000,000    
Ameren (parent) | Unsecured Debt | Senior Secured Notes 1.75% Due 2028 [Domain]      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Face Amount $ 450,000,000    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 1.75%    
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt $ 447,000,000    
Union Electric Company      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation 0 $ 0  
Capital contributions from parent 113,000,000 0  
Ameren Illinois Company      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation 0 0  
Capital contributions from parent 40,000,000 100,000,000  
Redemption of preferred stock $ (13,000,000) $ 0  
Ameren Illinois Company | Series6625      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage 6.625%    
Redemption of preferred stock $ (12,000,000)    
Ameren Illinois Company | Series775      
Long-Term Debt And Equity Financings [Line Items]      
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage 7.75%    
Redemption of preferred stock $ (1,000,000)    
v3.21.1
Other Income, Net (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Line Items]    
Allowance for equity funds used during construction $ 7 $ 4
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds 6 6
Other interest income 1 1
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income 34 23
Miscellaneous income 4 2
Donations (3) (13)
Miscellaneous expense (3) (2)
Total Other Income, Net 46 21
Union Electric Company    
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Line Items]    
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 4 2
Interest income on industrial development revenue bonds 6 6
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income 14 5
Miscellaneous income 1 1
Donations 0 (8)
Miscellaneous expense (2) (2)
Total Other Income, Net 23 4
Defined Benefit Plan, Non-service Cost or Income Components - Tracker (1) 6
Ameren Illinois Company    
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Line Items]    
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 3 2
Other interest income 1 1
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income 14 13
Miscellaneous income 0 1
Donations (3) (4)
Miscellaneous expense (1) (2)
Total Other Income, Net $ 14 11
Final Rate Order | Electricity | Union Electric Company    
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Line Items]    
Donations   $ (8)
v3.21.1
Derivative Financial Instruments (Open Gross Derivative Volumes By Commodity Type) (Detail)
gal in Millions, MWh in Millions, MMBTU in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
MMBTU
MWh
gal
Dec. 31, 2020
MWh
MMBTU
gal
Fuel Oils    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Volume | gal 36 43
Natural Gas    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MMBTU 148 147
Power    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MWh 14 13
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Volume | gal 36 43
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MMBTU 34 33
Union Electric Company | Power    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MWh 7 6
Ameren Illinois Company | Fuel Oils    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Volume | gal 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MMBTU 114 114
Ameren Illinois Company | Power    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount, Energy Measure | MWh 7 7
v3.21.1
Derivative Financial Instruments (Derivative Instruments Carrying Value) (Detail) - Not Designated As Hedging Instrument - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets $ 28 $ 22
Derivative liabilities 202 221
Fuel Oils | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 2 2
Fuel Oils | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 3 0
Fuel Oils | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 3 7
Fuel Oils | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 2
Natural Gas | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 12 9
Natural Gas | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 6 4
Natural Gas | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 2
Natural Gas | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Power | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 7
Power | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 1 0
Power | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 25 20
Power | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 174 189
Union Electric Company    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 14 12
Derivative liabilities 17 21
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 2 2
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 3 0
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 3 7
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 2
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 2 1
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 2 2
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Union Electric Company | Power | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 7
Union Electric Company | Power | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 1 0
Union Electric Company | Power | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 9 3
Union Electric Company | Power | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 5 8
Ameren Illinois Company    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 14 10
Derivative liabilities 185 200
Ameren Illinois Company | Fuel Oils | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Fuel Oils | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Fuel Oils | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Fuel Oils | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 10 8
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 2
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Other Current Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Other Assets    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Other Current Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 16 17
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Other Deferred Credits And Liabilities    
Derivative [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities $ 169 $ 181
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Fair Value Hierarchy Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund $ 1,003 $ 977
Assets fair value 1,031 999
Excluded receivables, payables, and accrued income, net 7 5
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 679 680
Assets fair value 685 682
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 324 297
Assets fair value 338 306
Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Assets fair value 8 11
Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 28 22
Derivative liabilities 202 221
Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 6 2
Derivative liabilities 9 14
Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 14 9
Derivative liabilities 0 2
Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 8 11
Derivative liabilities 193 205
Union Electric Company    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 1,003 977
Assets fair value 1,017 989
Union Electric Company | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 679 680
Assets fair value 685 682
Union Electric Company | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 324 297
Assets fair value 328 300
Union Electric Company | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Assets fair value 4 7
Union Electric Company | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 14 12
Derivative liabilities 17 21
Union Electric Company | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 6 2
Derivative liabilities 9 14
Union Electric Company | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 3
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Union Electric Company | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 7
Derivative liabilities 8 6
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 5 2
Derivative liabilities 3 9
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 0
Derivative liabilities 1 6
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Union Electric Company | Fuel Oils | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 1 2
Derivative liabilities 2 3
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 3
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 3
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Union Electric Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Union Electric Company | Power | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 5 7
Derivative liabilities 14 11
Union Electric Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 2 2
Derivative liabilities 8 8
Union Electric Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Union Electric Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 3 5
Derivative liabilities 6 3
Union Electric Company | Equity Securities | U.S. large capitalization    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 679 680
Union Electric Company | Equity Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) | U.S. large capitalization    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 679 680
Union Electric Company | Equity Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. large capitalization    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Equity Securities | Level 3 | U.S. large capitalization    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | US treasury and government securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 133 115
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 128 115
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Other Debt Securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 63 67
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) | US treasury and government securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) | Corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) | Other Debt Securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | US treasury and government securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 133 115
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 128 115
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other Debt Securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 63 67
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Level 3 | US treasury and government securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Level 3 | Corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Union Electric Company | Debt Securities | Level 3 | Other Debt Securities    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 185 200
Ameren Illinois Company | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 185 199
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 14 10
Derivative liabilities 0 2
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 0 0
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 10 6
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative assets 4 4
Derivative liabilities 0 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Commodity Contract    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 185 198
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Power | Commodity Contract | Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Derivative liabilities $ 185 $ 198
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Changes In The Fair Value Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Classified As Level Three In The Fair Value Hierarchy) (Detail) - Power - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]        
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs $ (188) $ (224) $ (196) $ (211)
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities 4 (10)    
Settlements, assets 4      
Settlement, liabilities   (3)    
Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets/liabilities held at period end 6 (11)    
Union Electric Company        
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]        
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs (3) 17 2 13
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (5) 11    
Settlement, liabilities 0 (7)    
Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets/liabilities held at period end (3) 10    
Ameren Illinois Company        
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]        
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs (185) (241) $ (198) $ (224)
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities 9 (21)    
Settlements, assets 4 4    
Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets/liabilities held at period end $ 9 $ (21)    
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Valuation Process And Unobservable Inputs) (Detail) - Power
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
$ / MWh
$ / MMBTU
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
$ / MWh
$ / MMBTU
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Derivative assets | $ $ 3 $ 5
Derivative liabilities | $ $ (191) $ (201)
Commodity Forward Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Minimum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input 23 23
Commodity Forward Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Maximum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input 40 37
Commodity Forward Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Weighted Average    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input 29 29
Nodal Basis | Discounted Cash Flow | Minimum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input (5) (6)
Nodal Basis | Discounted Cash Flow | Maximum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input 0 0
Nodal Basis | Discounted Cash Flow | Weighted Average    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input (1) (2)
Commodity Future Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Minimum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input | $ / MMBTU 2 2
Commodity Future Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Maximum    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input | $ / MMBTU 5 6
Commodity Future Price | Discounted Cash Flow | Weighted Average    
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]    
Measurement input | $ / MMBTU 3 3
v3.21.1
Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Assets and Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents $ 172 $ 301 $ 203 $ 176
Short-term debt 889 490    
Union Electric Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 12 145 24 39
Advances to money pool 0 139    
Short-term debt 204 0    
Ameren Illinois Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 149 147 $ 140 $ 125
Short-term debt 323 0    
Borrowings from money pool 0 19    
Carrying Amount        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 172 301    
Available-for-sale Securities and Held-to-maturity Securities 256 256    
Short-term debt 889 490    
Long-term debt (including current portion) 11,535 11,086    
Debt Issuance Costs, Net 86 84    
Carrying Amount | Union Electric Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 12 145    
Advances to money pool   139    
Available-for-sale Securities and Held-to-maturity Securities 256 256    
Short-term debt 204      
Long-term debt (including current portion) 5,104 5,104    
Debt Issuance Costs, Net 36 36    
Carrying Amount | Ameren Illinois Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 149 147    
Short-term debt 323      
Long-term debt (including current portion) 3,947 3,946    
Debt Issuance Costs, Net 36 36    
Borrowings from money pool   19    
Fair Value        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 172 301    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 256 256    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 889 490    
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 12,740 13,315    
Fair Value | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 172 301    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Fair Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 256 256    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 889 490    
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 12,233 12,778    
Fair Value | Level 3        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 507 537    
Fair Value | Union Electric Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 12 145    
Advances to money pool   139    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 256 256    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 204      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 5,685 6,160    
Fair Value | Union Electric Company | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 12 145    
Advances to money pool   0    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Fair Value | Union Electric Company | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Advances to money pool   139    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 256 256    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 204      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 5,685 6,160    
Fair Value | Union Electric Company | Level 3        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Advances to money pool   0    
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Fair Value | Ameren Illinois Company        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 149 147    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 323      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 4,401 4,822    
Borrowings from money pool   19    
Fair Value | Ameren Illinois Company | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 149 147    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 0 0    
Borrowings from money pool   0    
Fair Value | Ameren Illinois Company | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 323      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value 4,401 4,822    
Borrowings from money pool   19    
Fair Value | Ameren Illinois Company | Level 3        
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]        
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 0 0    
Short-term Debt, Fair Value 0      
Long-term Debt, Fair Value $ 0 0    
Borrowings from money pool   $ 0    
v3.21.1
Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - Ameren Illinois Company - April 2021 Procurement - Ameren Illinois Power Supply Agreements with Ameren Missouri
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
MWh
$ / MWh
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]  
Related Party Long Term Contract For Purchase of Electric Power | MWh 33,600
Related Party Long Term Contract For Purchase of Electric Power Rate | $ / MWh 34
v3.21.1
Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Affiliate Receivables and Payables) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Union Electric Company    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current $ 40 $ 46
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current 69 57
Union Electric Company | Income taxes payable to parent    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current 0 0
Union Electric Company | Income taxes receivable from parent    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current 14 9
Ameren Illinois Company    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current 43 51
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current 71 64
Ameren Illinois Company | Income taxes payable to parent    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current 6 6
Ameren Illinois Company | Income taxes receivable from parent    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current $ 18 $ 15
v3.21.1
Related Party Transactions (Effects of Related-party Transactions on the Statement of Income) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Union Electric Company | Ameren Missouri Power Supply Agreements with Ameren Illinois    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues $ 2 $ 3
Union Electric Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Rent and Facility Services    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 7 7
Operating Expenses 1 1
Union Electric Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Miscellaneous Support Services    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 1 1
Union Electric Company | Total Related Party Operating Revenues    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 9 10
Union Electric Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Transmission Services from ATXI    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 1  
Union Electric Company | Purchased Power    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 1  
Union Electric Company | Ameren Services Support Services Agreement    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 35 35
Union Electric Company | Total Related Party Other Operations and Maintenance    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 35 35
Union Electric Company | Money pool borrowings (advances)    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Interest Charges (Income) 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Rent and Facility Services    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 1 1
Operating Expenses 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Miscellaneous Support Services    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Total Related Party Operating Revenues    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Revenues 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Power Supply Agreements with Ameren Missouri    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 2 3
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois Transmission Services from ATXI    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Purchased Power    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 2 3
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Services Support Services Agreement    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 33 33
Ameren Illinois Company | Total Related Party Other Operations and Maintenance    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Operating Expenses 34 34
Ameren Illinois Company | Money pool borrowings (advances)    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Interest Charges (Income) $ 1 $ 1
v3.21.1
Commitments And Contingencies (Environmental Matters) (Detail)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
center
scrubber
site
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Asset Retirement Obligation $ 764 $ 756
Minimum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations 175  
Maximum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations $ 225  
Union Electric Company    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Number of Energy Center Scrubbers | scrubber 2  
Number of Energy Centers Constructing Wastewater Treatment Facilities | center 3  
Number of energy centers | center 4  
Asset Retirement Obligation $ 759 751
Union Electric Company | Minimum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations 175  
Union Electric Company | Maximum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations 225  
Ameren Illinois Company    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Asset Retirement Obligation 5 $ 5
Coal Combustion Residuals Estimate | Union Electric Company | Minimum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations 75  
Coal Combustion Residuals Estimate | Union Electric Company | Maximum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with existing and known federal and state air emissions regulations 100  
Manufactured Gas Plant    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies $ 90  
Manufactured Gas Plant | Ameren Illinois Company    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Number of remediation sites | site 44  
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies $ 90  
Manufactured Gas Plant | Ameren Illinois Company | Minimum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimate of possible loss 90  
Manufactured Gas Plant | Ameren Illinois Company | Maximum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimate of possible loss 150  
Rush Island Energy Center | Union Electric Company    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated capital costs to comply with preliminary court order 1,000  
Rush Island Energy Center | Union Electric Company | Minimum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated operations and maintenance costs to comply with preliminary court order 30  
Rush Island Energy Center | Union Electric Company | Maximum    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Estimated operations and maintenance costs to comply with preliminary court order 50  
New CCR Rules Estimate    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Asset Retirement Obligation 103  
New CCR Rules Estimate | Union Electric Company    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Asset Retirement Obligation $ 103  
v3.21.1
Callaway Energy Center (Insurance Disclosure) (Details)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Decommissioning Cost $ 7.0
Frequency of Decommissioning Cost Study 3 years
Number Of Years The Limit Of Liability And The Maximum Potential Annual Payments Are Adjusted 5 years
Number Of Weeks Of Coverage After The First Twelve Weeks Of An Outage 1
Number Of Additional Weeks After Initial Indemnity Coverage For Power Outage 1.365
Nuclear Plant | Union Electric Company  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Estimated Nuclear Generator Repairs $ 65.0
Replacement Power - Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Amount Of Weekly Indemnity Coverage Commencing Twelve Weeks After Power Outage 4.5
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 490.0
Insurance Maximum Coverage per Incident 7.0
Amount Of Additional Weekly Indemnity Coverage Commencing After Initial Indemnity Coverage 3.6
Amount Of Weekly Indemnity Coverage Thereafter Not Exceeding Policy Limit 490.0
Sub-Limit Of Amount Of Weekly Indemnity Coverage Thereafter Not Exceeding Policy Limit For Non-Nuclear Events 328.0
Public Liability And Nuclear Worker Liability - American Nuclear Insurers  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 450.0
Insurance Maximum Coverage per Incident 0.0
Public Liability And Nuclear Worker Liability - Pool Participation  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 13,210.0
Insurance Maximum Coverage per Incident 138.0
Threshold Amount For Retrospective Insurance Assessment For Covered Loss Under Public Liability And Nuclear Worker Liability Insurance Policy 450.0
Maximum Annual Payment Per Incident At Licensed Commercial Nuclear Reactor 21.0
Public Liability  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 13,660.0
Insurance Maximum Coverage per Incident 138.0
Property Damage - Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 3,200.0
Insurance Maximum Coverage per Incident 25.0
Radiation Event  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 2,700.0
Aggregate Nuclear Power Industry Insurance Policy Limit For Losses From Terrorist Attacks Within Twelve Month Period 3,200.0
Non-Radiation Event  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage 2,300.0
Aggregate Nuclear Power Industry Insurance Policy Limit For Losses From Terrorist Attacks Within Twelve Month Period 1,800.0
Property Damage European Mutual Association for Nuclear Insurance  
Nuclear Waste Matters [Line Items]  
Insurance Aggregate Maximum Coverage $ 490.0
v3.21.1
Retirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Total non-service cost components $ (34) $ (23)
Pension Plan    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Service cost 33 27
Interest cost 38 43
Expected return on plan assets (75) (73)
Prior service cost (benefit) 0 0
Actuarial loss (gain) 17 14
Total non-service cost components (20) (16)
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 13 11
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Service cost 6 4
Interest cost 8 10
Expected return on plan assets (20) (20)
Prior service cost (benefit) (1) (1)
Actuarial loss (gain) (1) (2)
Total non-service cost components (14) (13)
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ (8) $ (9)
v3.21.1
Retirement Benefits (Summary of Benefit Plan Costs Incurred) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Pension Plan    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost $ 13 $ 11
Pension Plan | Union Electric Company    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost 6 4
Pension Plan | Ameren Illinois Company    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost 8 7
Pension Plan | Other Affiliated Entities And Intercompany Eliminations    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost (1) 0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost (8) (9)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit | Union Electric Company    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost (1) (1)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit | Ameren Illinois Company    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost (7) (8)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit | Other Affiliated Entities And Intercompany Eliminations    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]    
Net periodic benefit cost $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.1
Retirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]  
Defined benefit plan estimated future employer contributions over next five years $ 60
v3.21.1
Income Taxes Income Taxes (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Income Taxes [Line Items]    
Federal statutory corporate income tax rate 21.00% 21.00%
Amortization of deferred investment tax credit (1.00%) 0.00%
Amortization of excess deferred taxes (9.00%) (9.00%)
Depreciation differences 0.00% (1.00%)
Renewable and other tax credits (6.00%) 0.00%
State tax 6.00% 6.00%
Stock-based compensation (1.00%) (5.00%)
Effective income tax rate 10.00% 12.00%
Union Electric Company    
Income Taxes [Line Items]    
Federal statutory corporate income tax rate 21.00% 21.00%
Amortization of deferred investment tax credit (1.00%) (1.00%)
Amortization of excess deferred taxes (17.00%) (15.00%)
Depreciation differences 1.00% 0.00%
Renewable and other tax credits (11.00%) 0.00%
State tax 3.00% 3.00%
Stock-based compensation 0.00% 0.00%
Effective income tax rate (4.00%) 8.00%
Ameren Illinois Company    
Income Taxes [Line Items]    
Federal statutory corporate income tax rate 21.00% 21.00%
Amortization of deferred investment tax credit 0.00% 0.00%
Amortization of excess deferred taxes (2.00%) (3.00%)
Depreciation differences (1.00%) (1.00%)
Renewable and other tax credits 0.00% 0.00%
State tax 7.00% 7.00%
Stock-based compensation 0.00% 0.00%
Effective income tax rate 25.00% 24.00%
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Supplemental Information [Abstract]      
Payables for purchased receivables $ 31   $ 28
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent 90   90
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Share-based Compensation, Excess Tax Benefit, Amount 5 $ 8  
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent $ 90   $ 90
January 1, 2021 Issuance      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 38 months    
Performance Shares | January 1, 2021 Issuance      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares granted (in shares) 293,058    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Granted in Period, Fair Value $ 25    
Stock Issued During Period Percentage Conversion Of Units, Low End 0.00%    
Stock Issued During Period Percentage Conversion Of Units, High End 200.00%    
Performance Shares | Market performance measures achievement | January 1, 2021 Issuance      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares granted (in shares) 251,177    
Performance Shares | Renewable generation and energy storage installation targets | January 1, 2021 Issuance      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares granted (in shares) 41,881    
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | January 1, 2021 Issuance      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares granted (in shares) 125,562    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Granted in Period, Fair Value $ 10    
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Cash and Cash Equivalents) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents Including Restricted Cash [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6 $ 139    
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” 134 17    
Restricted cash included in “Other assets” 24 141    
Restricted cash included in “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund” 8 4    
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 172 301 $ 203 $ 176
Union Electric Company        
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents Including Restricted Cash [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 1 136    
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” 3 5    
Restricted cash included in “Other assets” 0 0    
Restricted cash included in “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund” 8 4    
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 12 145 24 39
Ameren Illinois Company        
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents Including Restricted Cash [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 0 0    
Restricted cash included in “Other current assets” 125 6    
Restricted cash included in “Other assets” 24 141    
Restricted cash included in “Nuclear decommissioning trust fund” 0 0    
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 149 $ 147 $ 140 $ 125
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]    
Beginning of period $ 50 $ 17
Bad debt expense 4 3
Net write-offs (7) (1)
End of period 47 19
Union Electric Company    
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]    
Beginning of period 16 7
Bad debt expense 1 2
Net write-offs (2) (1)
End of period 15 8
Ameren Illinois Company    
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]    
Beginning of period 34 10
Bad debt expense 3 1
Net write-offs (5) 0
End of period $ 32 $ 11
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures $ 271 $ 235
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) – nuclear decommissioning trust fund 22 (111)
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation 33 38
Nuclear Fuel [Member]    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures 0 7
Union Electric Company    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures 141 97
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) – nuclear decommissioning trust fund 22 (111)
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation 0 0
Union Electric Company | Nuclear Fuel [Member]    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures 0 7
Ameren Illinois Company    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures 139 127
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) – nuclear decommissioning trust fund 0 0
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Nuclear Fuel [Member]    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]    
Accrued capital expenditures, including wind generation expenditures $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Schedule of Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Beginning Balance $ 756  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred 10  
Liabilities settled (3)  
Accretion 8  
Change in estimates (7)  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Ending Balance 764  
Other current liabilities 392 $ 407
Union Electric Company    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Beginning Balance 751  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred 10  
Liabilities settled (3)  
Accretion 8  
Change in estimates (7)  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Ending Balance 759  
Other current liabilities 116 123
Ameren Illinois Company    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Beginning Balance 5  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred 0  
Liabilities settled 0  
Accretion 0  
Change in estimates 0  
Asset Retirement Obligation, Ending Balance 5  
Other current liabilities 207 221
Asset Retirement Obligation Balance    
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]    
Other current liabilities $ 59 $ 60
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Schedule Of Excise Taxes) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Excise tax expense $ 70 $ 65
Union Electric Company    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Excise tax expense 31 30
Ameren Illinois Company    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Excise tax expense $ 39 $ 35
v3.21.1
Supplemental Information (Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]    
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic 254,400,000 246,400,000
Assumed settlement of performance share units and restricted stock units 1,500,000 1,100,000
Dilutive effect of forward sale agreement 0 600,000
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted 255,900,000 248,100,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares) 0 0
v3.21.1
Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues $ 1,566 $ 1,440
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 233 146
Capital expenditures 887 636
Wind generation expenditures (193) 0
Union Electric Company    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 704 680
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 47 (10)
Wind generation expenditures (193) 0
Ameren Illinois Company    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 823 723
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 149 120
Capital expenditures 337 324
Operating Segments | Union Electric Company    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 695 670
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 47 (10)
Capital expenditures 534 278
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 389
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 46 37
Capital expenditures 157 123
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 75 55
Capital expenditures 48 61
Operating Segments | Ameren Transmission    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 113 110
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 47 47
Capital expenditures 141 170
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 390
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 46 37
Capital expenditures 157 123
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 75 55
Capital expenditures 48 61
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 65 62
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 28 28
Capital expenditures 132 140
Intersegment Eliminations    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (26) (24)
Capital expenditures 6 1
Intersegment Eliminations | Union Electric Company    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (9) (10)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 (1)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Transmission    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (17) (13)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues (16) (12)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Revenues (16) (12)
Other    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 18 17
Capital expenditures $ 1 $ 3
v3.21.1
Segment Information (Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues $ 1,566 $ 1,440
Revenues 1,566 1,440
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 53 66
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 2 10
Union Electric Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs (10) (3)
Other revenues not from contracts with customers (2) 8
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 61 46
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 3 1
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 3 11
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 1 1
Ameren Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs (1) 12
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 0 0
Electricity    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 1,156 1,120
Revenues 1,156 1,120
Electricity | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 541 517
Electricity | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 348 347
Electricity | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 86 88
Electricity | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 181 168
Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 410 320
Revenues 410 320
Natural Gas | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 285 246
Natural Gas | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 79 67
Natural Gas | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 15 4
Natural Gas | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 31 3
Ameren Illinois Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 823 723
Revenues 823 723
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 63 67
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 4 2
Ameren Illinois Company | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 480 433
Ameren Illinois Company | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 196 180
Ameren Illinois Company | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 48 38
Ameren Illinois Company | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 99 72
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 61 46
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 3 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs 3 11
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 1 1
Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues from alternative revenue programs (1) 10
Other revenues not from contracts with customers 0 0
Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 476 452
Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Operating Segments | Union Electric Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 695 670
Revenues 704 680
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 389
Revenues 411 390
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Revenues 347 271
Operating Segments | Ameren Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 113 110
Revenues 130 123
Operating Segments | Electricity | Union Electric Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 641 631
Operating Segments | Electricity | Union Electric Company | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 312 297
Operating Segments | Electricity | Union Electric Company | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 216 221
Operating Segments | Electricity | Union Electric Company | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 52 53
Operating Segments | Electricity | Union Electric Company | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 61 60
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 390
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 229 220
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 132 126
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 34 35
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 16 9
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 130 123
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Transmission | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Transmission | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Transmission | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Electricity | Ameren Transmission | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 130 123
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 63 49
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 34 33
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 15 13
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 1 1
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Union Electric Company | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 13 2
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 251 213
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 64 54
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 14 3
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 18 1
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Transmission | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Transmission | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Transmission | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Natural Gas | Ameren Transmission | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 390
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 65 62
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 411 390
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 229 220
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 132 126
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 34 35
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 16 9
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 81 74
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Transmission | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Transmission | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Transmission | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Electricity | Ameren Illinois Transmission | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 81 74
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 347 271
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 251 213
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 64 54
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 14 3
Operating Segments | Ameren Illinois Company | Natural Gas | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 18 1
Intersegment Eliminations    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (26) (24)
Revenues (26) (24)
Intersegment Eliminations | Union Electric Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (9) (10)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 (1)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (17) (13)
Intersegment Eliminations | Electricity    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues (26) (24)
Intersegment Eliminations | Electricity | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Electricity | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Electricity | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Electricity | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (26) (24)
Intersegment Eliminations | Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Natural Gas | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Natural Gas | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Natural Gas | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Natural Gas | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues (16) (12)
Revenues (16) (12)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Residential    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Commercial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Industrial    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Other    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenue Not from Contract with Customer (16) (12)
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Natural Gas    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Intersegment Eliminations | Ameren Illinois Company | Ameren Illinois Transmission    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Revenues $ (16) $ (12)