The PSC’s motion Thursday said that Spire’s recent messaging to its regional customers — including emails and letters sent with bills — “appear to reflect an attempt by Spire to mobilize public opinion, through fear, in order to potentially pressure federal authorities” “We have heard a lot of fearmongering lately, much of it coming from Spire, itself, that residents of St. Louis are going to lose their natural gas service this winter,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said at the meeting. “I think it’s time to turn down the rhetoric and examine the facts.”

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Nearly 650,000 homes and businesses in eastern Missouri rely on reliable, affordable natural gas from Spire STL Pipeline to fuel their lives. Learn more about the potential impact to the St. Louis community without the STL Pipeline. On September 14, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an  emergency certificate to allow the STL Pipeline to keep operating for 90-days. That certificate will expire December 13, 2021.

Sign up below to stay up to date with the latest news on efforts to protect the communities that depend on the STL Pipeline.

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SLEHCRA, The Woodstock Institute and NCRC Oppose First Mid and Jefferson Banks’ Merger Application

Low-income households, particularly in communities of color, spend a greater share of their income on utilities, according to several research studies. A report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, for instance, found Black households spend 43% more on energy costs than white households.

“Why does the bottom line have to affect people of low income the most? The cost is rolling directly down to consumers from low-income, predominantly Black and brown communities.”

Virtual public hearings in Ameren Missouri’s rate case will be held from Oct. 5 to 8.

Read More Here: 

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2021-09-30/utility-rates-could-increase-for-more-than-1-million-missouri-customers-next-year

According to Ameren Missouri:

• The adjustment in base rates would mean electric rates for an average residential electric customer (based on approximately 1,029 kilowatt-hours of usage per month) would increase by approximately $12 a month.
• The adjustment in base rates would mean natural gas rates would increase for an average residential customer by approximately $4 a month.

To attend the local public hearing by telephone, at the time of the hearing, call toll-free 1-855-718-6621, listen to the prompt and enter the meeting number (access code) set out below, followed by # (pound/hashtag symbol). 

To participate by video/Internet, visit the website www.webex.com. You can also download the Cisco WebEx meetings application on your mobile device, laptop, desktop or tablet prior to the hearing and join the meeting at the hearing time by entering the corresponding access code and password listed below.

 Ameren Missouri Electric Rate Case 

                                                                          Ameren Missouri Natural Gas Rate Case 

Members of the public who wish to participate in the local public hearing, need to sign-up by sending their first and last name, phone number, email address and the hearing that they wish to attend to pscinfo@psc.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-392-4211 by 5 pm the day before the hearing.

Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the local public hearing as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Missouri Public Service Commission at least 10 days prior to the local public hearing at one of the following numbers: Consumer Services Hotline 1-800-392-4211 or TDD Hotline 1-800-829-7541.

Individuals wishing to mail comments should send them to the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. They can also be sent electronically using the Commission’s electronic filing system at https://psc.mo.gov/General/Submit_Comments. When submitting comments, please refer to File No. ER-2021-0240 or GR-2021-0241, or both.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After the Missouri Supreme Court remanded part of Spire Missouri’s previous rate increase, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is moving forward with the issue as part of the company’s latest request.

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The Spire natural gas utility is requesting an annual rate increase of over $100 million for the delivery of gas to its customers.

Consumers Council believes that this request is too high, and doesn’t take into account the economic impact suffered by most consumers due to the recent pandemic.

Spire is asking that consumers pay a fixed fee of $20.00 each month for its Eastern Missouri territory, and $22.00 more for Western Missouri consumers. This fee would be unavoidable by conservation must be paid each month before any natural gas is used in your home.

Consumers Council believes that higher fixed rate charges hurt those most energy burdened, and low use customers, including many elderly customers.

A higher fixed rate also reduces consumer’s ability to control their utility bills by using less.

Consumers Council and Legal Aid of Eastern Missouri have requested that Spire implement more effective assistance programs for vulnerable customers and a more user-friendly registry for customers with medical issues. Their current registry system only registers a fraction of those with medical needs.

Media Reminder: PSC Local Public Hearings in Spire Rate Case Start on June 21

Public Hearing Schedule

 Join from a computer or phone using this link: https://psc.mo.gov/ or dial the toll-free 1-855-718-6621 to join the hearing on the day and enter the information below for the hearing you attend. Registration is encouraged. Email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov or call 1-800-392-4211 by 5:00 pm CST on the day before the hearing.

June 21

• City of St. Louis
• 6:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 190 7597
• Password: 0108

June 22

• St. Louis County
• 6:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 974 3371
• Password: 0108

June 23

• All
• 12:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 223 2486
• Password: 0108

June 23

• Kansas City
• 6:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 211 3732
• Password: 0108

June 24

• St. Joseph
• 6:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 238 8420
• Password: 0108

June 25

• Joplin
• 6:00 pm CST
• Access Code: 133 956 1939
• Password: 0108