Spire Missouri Proposes Delivery Rate Increase for Next Year
ST. LOUIS – Brace yourselves for a possible increase in your natural gas bill next year. Spire Missouri, a prominent natural gas provider in the St. Louis area, has put forth a proposal to raise its delivery rates in the upcoming year, subject to state approval.
The proposal comes shortly after Spire’s recent announcement of plans to decrease gas bills for St. Louis area customers by an average of 16%. This reduction was attributed to the decrease in the costs of natural gas available to customers.
Spire bills encompass two primary components: the costs associated with delivering natural gas to homes and the actual cost of the natural gas itself. According to a news release dated Nov. 26, Spire believes that an increase in delivery service rates is necessary to recoup the investments made in upgrading infrastructure and technology to enhance customer service.
If the proposal receives approval, customers can expect their monthly bills to go up by approximately $17, representing a 16% increase from current rates. Essentially, this change would bring the final costs of monthly bills back to levels similar to those in 2024.
On Nov. 25, Spire officially lodged a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission. Typically, when considering rate hikes, the commission takes around 11 months from the submission date to reach a decision. The process involves thorough reviews, consultations with stakeholders, and public hearings.
“We’re dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective natural gas service to over 1.2 million homes and businesses in Missouri,” said Steve Mills, President of Spire Missouri, in the news release.
Spire caters to 1.7 million households across three states, with a significant number of customers in the St. Louis region. When Spire announced bill reductions earlier in November, company officials mentioned that the adjustments were a result of lower gas prices and the recovery of deferred costs from the winter storms of 2021.
In summary, Spire Missouri is looking to increase delivery rates in the coming year to offset infrastructure and technology upgrade investments, potentially leading to a 16% rise in monthly bills for customers. The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission, with a decision expected after an 11-month review process.
