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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- The long wait is finally over for Ameren customers wanting electric rate relief.

Ameren officials Monday announced they will start sending out rebate checks and bill credits this week to partially pay back customers for soaring electric rates.

The rebates and credits are part of a $1 billion package the utilities and state lawmakers agreed to this summer.

Ameren customers over the next month will see checks and credits worth about $140 million dollars. They'll see at least $85 back, cutting the increases they paid earlier this year by about 40 percent.

Customers will also be able to go to Ameren's Web site at www.ameren.com to find out exactly how much money they'll be getting back.

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