Spire suspending shutoffs, enacting rate change this month

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo..- Spire Missouri, Inc. will temporarily suspend natural gas service disconnections for residential or commercial customers, and will also waive any late payment charges.

Spire Missouri stated in its application that it sought the variance to avoid any utility-related actions that would impair the ability of its customers to remain in their homes or obtain vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to its filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission, these measures will continue in effect through May 1, unless extended through a subsequent filing.

Spire customers will also see rates change under a company filing that will take effect on April 1. The increase reflects a change in the Weather Normalization Adjustment Rider (WNAR) which authorizes rate adjustments based on weather variations.

The WNAR projects anticipated gas usage changes due to weather that is either warmer or colder than normal. The rate increases in this filing generally reflect a warmer than normal period for Spire's rate districts. Under the WNAR, Spire Missouri will make adjustments based on the weather twice a year.

Under tariffs filed by the natural gas company, a Spire East residential customer using 100 Ccf of natural gas in a given billing month will see a line item increase of $0.71 in their bill. A Spire West residential customer using 100 Ccf of natural gas in a given billing month will see a line item increase of $0.62 in their bill.

Spire West provides natural gas service to approximately 517,500 customers in 29 counties, including Moniteau County.