JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an increase in the cost of natural gas for customers of Spire Missouri.
The increase reflects estimated changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas as well as a change in the company’s Actual Cost Adjustment (ACA) factor. The roughly 60 percent increase takes effect today.
The ACA factor is a mechanism which tracks any over-collection or under-collection of actual natural gas costs over a 12 month period. The net over- or under-collected balances are subsequently either refunded or collected the next year.
Spire’s current ACA period includes costs associated with the February 2021 Cold Weather Event (Winter Storm Uri) which had a significant impact on certain natural gas prices.
Spire East residential customers currently pay approximately $0.37 per therm of natural gas. Under this filing, the rate will increase to approximately $0.59 per therm.
The cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers generally makes up approximately 50 percent to 55 percent of a customer’s total monthly natural gas bill. The wholesale cost of natural gas (the cost your local natural gas company must pay to its suppliers for natural gas) is not regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission. The wellhead cost of natural gas is unregulated and is primarily driven by supply, demand and the weather.
The Missouri Public Service Commission does conduct an annual regulatory review to ensure that regulated natural gas companies make prudent decisions in securing natural gas supplies for their customers.
What you can do to help manage your utility bill:
Add attic insulation if necessary.
Place weather stripping around doors, use plastic film covering and caulk windows to keep heat from escaping from your home.
Change or replace furnace filters each month when dirty.
Have your chimney checked for blockage.
Close fireplace dampers when the fireplace is not being used.
Have your heating system checked and tuned-up if needed.
Place an approved insulated cover-jacket around the hot water heater.
Consider getting professional help for any projects that are beyond your capabilities.
Contact your local utility company to ask about energy saving tips and programs.
Spire East provides natural gas service to approximately 654,600 customers in Ste. Genevieve County as well as the City of St. Louis and other Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Butler, Iron, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Crawford, and St. Francois.
Spire West provides natural gas service to approximately 522,000 customers in Andrew, Barry, Barton, Bates, Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Dade, DeKalb, Greene, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, McDonald, Moniteau, Pettis, Platte, Ray, Saline, Stone and Vernon counties.