Attorney General Eric S. Schmitt, Jefferson City, MO.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.  20426

The Honorable Richard Glick, Chairman
The Honorable Neil Chatterjee, Commissioner
The Honorable James Danly, Commissioner
The Honorable Allison Clements, Commissioner
The Honorable Mark C. Christie, Commissioner

Re: 	Spire STL Pipeline LLC Temporary Certificate Application in Emergency Docket No. CP17-40-000

Dear Chairman Glick and Commissioners,

A reliable and affordable energy supply is among the most foundational elements of a stable, vibrant economy.  With this in mind, I write in support of the Spire STL Pipeline, LLC’s (STL Pipeline) July 26, 2021 temporary certification application pending before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The St. Louis region is home to a significant percentage of Missouri’s population and generates a substantial portion of our state’s economic activity.  Over hundreds of thousands of residents in the St. Louis area and the businesses that employ them greatly benefit from having sufficient access to a reliable supply of natural gas.  Natural gas is an abundant resource in North America and one that can be safely transported from a variety of origination points including the Rocky Mountain and Appalachian Basins as long as the requisite infrastructure is in place.  To this end, the STL Pipeline was built to provide reliable access to this abundant domestic resource and to ensure that the St. Louis region is not forced into undue reliance on any single energy source to fuel its economy.

The STL Pipeline has already proved its value in providing a safe and abundant supply of energy to the region.  This point cannot be overstated, particularly in light of what was seen this past February, when the STL Pipeline ensured the region had access to affordable natural gas and saved ratepayers up to $300 million.  Some regions of our nation have increasingly been forced to deal with power shortages and even power outages.  Such disruptions add an element of uncertainty to both the state and national economies at the very time they seek to recover from the far-reaching effects of a global pandemic.

With these important facts in mind, I am supportive of greater energy diversity and resiliency in the State of Missouri generally, and specifically, I want to go on record in support of the STL Pipeline.  The financial and security costs of foreign energy dependence and domestic energy uncertainty are simply too high and create unacceptable levels of risk to our economy.  Developing our infrastructure to make full use of our nation’s domestic natural gas resource is a prudent step to help reduce these risks.

As Missouri’s summer beings to fade and winter approaches, we are reminded of the unpredictability of weather in the central part of our nation.  I encourage the FERC to consider each of the factors outlined above and to give due consideration to the temporary certificate application on file for the STL Pipeline.  If I may answer any additional question on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

						Yours Truly,

						ERIC S. SCHMITT
						Missouri Attorney General