Regulation
Spire Missouri Files Rate Case Proposing Residential Bill Increases
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Spire Missouri announced on November 2, 2026 that it had filed a rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission to support continued investment in the safety, reliability and service of its natural gas system. If approved as filed and assuming current natural gas market conditions, the request would increase the average residential bill by approximately $10 per month, or 11%, in western Missouri and approximately $13 per month, or 15%, in eastern Missouri.
Spire expects new rates to take effect in the fall following the filing, with the PSC typically completing its review within approximately eleven months of a filing.
“Our focus is on safely and reliably delivering affordable natural gas service to more than 1.2 million Missouri customers,” said Steve Mills, Spire Missouri president.
Investment Behind the Request
Spire reports investing nearly $808 million since its last Missouri rate case to maintain and modernize the state’s natural gas system, enhance distribution-system safety and reliability, and reduce emissions. New infrastructure reduces ongoing maintenance costs and enhances reliability and service for the future, while supplying the energy infrastructure needed to support communities, economic growth and job creation.
For fiscal 2026, Spire reports helping support 24 publicly announced economic-development projects in Missouri representing nearly $537 million of investment and more than 1,400 jobs, with access to natural gas playing a key role in securing many of them.
Regulatory History and Customer Assistance
Spire’s rate-change guidance describes a rate case as a formal process in which an electric, gas or water utility seeks permission to increase or change rates, usually to recover infrastructure, operations or investment costs. The PSC reviews the request through a legal proceeding involving evidence, public input and consumer-advocate participation before deciding whether to approve, modify or deny proposed rates.
Spire filed its previous Missouri rate case in November 2024. After a nearly ten-month process, the PSC issued a final order on September 3, 2025, and the resulting rates became effective October 24, 2025. That order also approved increased appliance-repair funding and the new Customer Charge Waiver Program.
Spire reports connecting Missouri customers with nearly $14 million in federal, state and company energy-assistance funding during fiscal 2026 to help pay natural gas bills.
The company’s assistance documentation says the Customer Charge Waiver Program provides income-qualified customers a $22 monthly credit for 12 months, while Budget Billing spreads average usage costs over 12 months. DollarHelp pledges are available while funds last for households with income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. The Payment Partner Program can provide credit toward current Budget Billing amounts and past-due balance forgiveness for qualifying limited-income customers.
The PSC decision will determine whether the proposed increases become approved rates; Spire’s stated timetable places any new rates in the fall following the filing.
