As a result of our recent rate case, Spire residential customers will pay less for natural gas service starting April 19.

• Bills will decrease by about 40 cents per month for the average residential customer
• This includes a $3 decrease in the fixed customer charge
• Your ISRS (infrastructure system replacement surcharge) is reset to $0. Previously this was $2.41
• New program to help customers catch up on bills
• New program to keep customers connected to natural gas year round
• Low-cost financing for high efficiency appliances, window, insulation and weatherization – including home energy audits
• We're introducing seasonal rates. Now, your rate for May through October will be lower for the first 50 therms, which helps lower your bill during the summer when you're using less gas
• New rate adjustment that helps level out the amount customers pay during the year for their natural gas service, based on normal – instead of actual – temperatures. If it’s a colder or warmer than normal winter, you’ll see a rate adjustment on future bills

• Landlords across Missouri will now pay the residential rate for all residential rental units. This means that landlords will pay the same rate as a residential tenant would pay.
• Homebuilders across Missouri will now pay the residential rate for new homes during construction. This means that homebuilders will pay the same rate as a residential tenant would pay.

For larger volume customers:

• The rate design for our larger volume customers isn't changing.

Other benefits for commercial customers: 

• If you’re a current customer looking to grow your business or a potential customer looking to move into our service territory and use a large amount of gas each year, please reach out to a Spire account representative for information on our new Economic Development Rider and Negotiated Gas Service Rider.

All new rates and programs are planned to begin April 19, 2018.

These savings are due primarily to the recent growth of Spire and federal tax reform. In the last five years, Spire has grown through acquisitions of natural gas utilities in Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi. Spire’s growth into the nation’s fifth-largest publicly traded gas utility has resulted in more than $70 million in annual savings for Missouri natural gas customers. These savings have been passed along to customers as a part of this rate case. Since their last rate case in 2014, Spire has upgraded nearly 400 miles of natural gas pipeline, strengthening their system for generations to come.

Spire is also the first Missouri utility to share the savings of federal tax cuts with customers. Spire asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to include the federal tax cut in the rate case to expedite savings to customers, even though the impact of tax reform fell outside the review period of the rate case.

Our new rates allow customers to have more control over their bill. With a lower customer charge, customers who use less gas, will see lower bills thanks to our new rate design. In our western Missouri region, the customer charge will be $20.

We now offer the same low-income energy assistance program to all Missouri customers.

• Qualified customers may receive a bill credit to help stay connected to gas service throughout the year through our new Fixed Charge Assistance Program
• The Red Tag Repair Program has increased funding available for repairs or replacement of natural gas appliances and/or piping that's been disconnected for safety reasons 

Program to help customers catch up on bills

• Qualified customers can sign up from April through June and October through January each year. Spire will match payments on past-due balances when the current bill is paid in full and 10% is paid toward a past-due balance. 

We are expanding our insulation and high efficiency appliance financing program across Missouri. Customers can receive low-cost financing for energy conservation improvements including attic, floor, wall and duct insulation, duct sealing, attic ventilation, caulking and weather-stripping, storm doors, storm windows and energy audits. 

Appliances must meet specific energy efficiency standards and can be financed on your gas bill. Customers upgrading appliances that meet these energy efficiency standards may also qualify for Spire's natural gas appliance rebates.

The Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) is a small portion of your bill that helps to pay for pipeline replacement projects around our area. ISRS charges were incorporated into general rates in this rate case and the charge was reset to $0. This rate may increase twice per year as we continue to upgrade pipeline to keep our communities safe.

At Spire, we're always expanding and upgrading our natural gas system to meet the needs of growing communities. And we're committed to opening up access to natural gas in communities in our service territory where it's currently not available. With this rate case, we now have a Facilities Extension Rider to help expand our system.

Since each new Spire gas customer is eligible for a 175 feet of main extension and 75 feet of service line at no cost, we combine potential new customers living in the same area to help lower any additional cost.  All new customers along that extension will have the extension costs over the free allowance financed for up to 15 years, with the cost added to monthly bills. Then, these communities will be able to enjoy the benefits of safe, reliable and affordable energy for years to come. 

For more information, please reach out to our organic growth team here.