Missouri Public Service Commission

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission has filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging FERC to immediately extend the 90-day temporary certificate for the Spire STL Pipeline that is currently set to expire on December 13, 2021. 

“With the winter heating season now upon us, an extension of the 90-day Temporary Certificate will allow for the provision of adequate natural gas supply to the St. Louis region until FERC rules on the application for a temporary emergency certificate filed in July by Spire STL Pipeline LLC (“Spire STL”) in this proceeding, or at least until the conclusion of the 2021-2022 winter heating season,” said the Missouri Public Service Commission.  “An extension of the 90-day Temporary Certificate will provide natural gas customers in the St. Louis area reasonable certainty about their natural gas supply during the winter while allowing the Commission to proceed with the matters at issue in this docket.”

On July 26, 2021, Spire STL filed an application for a temporary emergency certificate asking FERC for authority to continue operating the STL Pipeline to provide natural gas to the St. Louis area after a decision of the U.S. Appellate Court of the D.C. Circuit vacating the certificate of convenience and necessity that had been issued for the operation of the pipeline.

On September 14, 2021, FERC acted sua sponte and issued a 90-day Temporary Certificate for the Spire STL Pipeline in order to “ensure continuity of service for a limited period while the Commission considers appropriate next steps.”  The 90-day Temporary Certificate expires on December 13, 2021 absent further action by FERC.

“The 90-day Temporary Certificate must be extended to provide for potentially necessary gas supplies to customers who rely on natural gas service, and to prevent potential supply disruptions this winter,” said the Missouri Public Service Commission.  “The Commission should extend the Temporary Certificate until such time as it rules on Spire’s July 26 application for a temporary emergency certificate.  Or, if a specific date for an extended sua sponte Temporary Certificate is preferred, the Commission should extend the Temporary Certificate until at least March 31, 2022.  This will provide Missouri customers with a reasonable measure of certainty in continuous natural gas service as they plan for their winter energy needs.”

The FERC docket number is CP17-40-009.

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