JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — At its weekly meeting, the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a handful of orders, including a pair related to Spire Missouri expanding its services in two counties.
The PSC approved an order denying a rehearing related to the Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC with the commissioners noting they stood by their earlier decision regarding the project.
“I continue to believe our prior decision on this matter is supported by the law and facts, and the project is, in fact, in the public interest,” Commissioner Daniel Hall said.
Additionally, the commission granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to Spire Missouri to construct, operate, maintain, own, and manage a natural gas distribution system in Barton County — an expansion of its existing certified area. The commission said it determined Spire was qualified and financially able to provide the service, and it was in the public’s interest.
It approved a second CCN for Spire for a natural gas distribution system in Barry County to service one property with eight customers.
The commission also approved an order setting local public hearings regarding an Ameren rate case to increase revenue. The PSC said the average annual change in natural gas rates for residential customers would be about $26 per year. The hearings will be held:
- June 10 in Cape Girardeau
- June 11 in Rolla
- June 12 in Wentzville
- June 12 in Columbia
The PSC honored Judge Bushman Wednesday who was set to retire on April 26. The commissioners praised Bushman for his time and legal analysis, particularly with his work on the Grain Belt project.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
