August 2, 2021 - In a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dated July 28, 2021, AIM President and CEO Ray McCarty asked the Commission to approve a temporary emergency certificate for a vital pipeline that serves Missouri business customers and individuals.
Although the STL Pipeline project was approved by FERC in 2018 after a thorough and rigorous regulatory review, a New York-based environmental group, the Environmental Defense Fund, challenged FERC's authorization of the project on June 22, 2021 - more than a year and a half after the STL Pipeline went into service.
"This critical infrastructure provides reliable and cost-effective natural gas to over 650,000 homes and businesses in eastern Missouri," said McCarty. "The loss of the STL Pipeline will result in a major blow to thousands of families across the St. Louis region who may not be able to heat their homes or put warm meals on the table this winter. But the loss will also negatively impact thousands of families whose livelihood is derived from jobs in Missouri businesses that depend on the pipeline to provide reliable and affordable gas service."
McCarty goes on to say manufacturers and all businesses need a dependable domestic source of energy to succeed and commended Spire for building the STL Pipeline. He pointed out "the most significant consequences of shutting down the STL Pipeline will be felt this winter. As many as 400,000 Spire customers could be without access to natural gas to heat their homes and businesses during the coldest time of the year, including hundreds of schools. This is more than an issue that will impact the business community, it will harm thousands of St. Louisans, who will not be able to heat their homes when they need it most."
McCarty warned of "potentially devastating consequences" if the pipeline is forced to shut down.
We will keep you posted of our progress to help keep this pipeline operating. Learn more about the STL Pipeline by clicking HERE.
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