ST. LOUIS - "Ameren needs to feel the heat" was the chant many St. Louisans echoed at Ameren's Missouri headquarters on Wednesday.

Demonstrators rallied for action, demanding the utility extend its moratorium on shutoffs and forgive debt for residents hit by the May 16 tornado.

"Some of the most energy-burdened census tracts in our area include homes destroyed by the May 16 tornado," demonstrator Jenn DeRose, involved with the Sierra Club, said. "The only thing stopping Ameren from cutting people off right now is Missouri's hot weather law and that ends as soon as the temperatures drop."

The Sierra club, Tenants Transforming Greater St. Louis and others signed a letter to Ameren CEO Marty Lyons, urging him to pause all disconnections through Dec. 31 in the tornado zone
and forgive utility debt for affected households.

Connie Taylor of Ameren Missouri spoke with FOX 2 regarding protestors urging assistance from the company.

"All along our response has been to provide solutions and  provide options that help to meet the need immediate and long-term needs of our customers," Taylor said.

Tornado survivor Sonny Hutton, who was also at the event, says the fight is "personal."

"Ameren has the power to pause disconnection at least until the end of the year and forgive our debts because right now our resources need to go to rebuilding our community," Hutton said.

Ameren Missouri, however, says it has already taken steps to help storm victims.

"We've partnered with trusted agencies like the Urban League, Cool Down St. Louis, United Way and the Salvation Army to arm them with funds and get dollars to help pay off bills. Assistance is available right now," Taylor said.

Ameren also noted that customers can call the utility or its agency partners directly, and that with smart meter technology, power can be restored quickly once bills are resolved. Available resources can be found here.