Cori Bush Statement on Spire’s Outrageous Price Increases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following unchecked gas utility rate hikes for St. Louis customers on Tuesday, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) issued the following statement on the urgent need to protect residents from Spire Inc.’s outrageous price-gouging and monopolistic behavior:
“In just the last month, Spire has made our community feel unsafe as we head into the winter season, and now they’re announcing an unacceptable price increase that will disproportionately harm the most under-resourced parts of our St. Louis community,” said Congresswoman Bush. “I know what it’s like to be unable to afford my heating bill and be forced to live in freezing conditions with my two babies. No one should have to go through that.”
“These price hikes are outrageous. The DC Circuit court rejected FERC’s approval of the Spire Pipeline partly on the basis of concerns about self-dealing. We must hold this corporate monopoly that’s making so much money—$1.9B in revenue just last year— accountable. Not to mention, in the midst of a deadly pandemic, Spire cruelly shut off gas for more than 61,000 customers. At the bare minimum, we need answers, and we need fair, stable rates.”
At every step of Spire’s pipeline saga, Congresswoman Bush has been extremely vocal in advocating for fairness and transparency for St. Louis to ensure everyone is safe this winter.
In May 2021, the Congresswoman introduced the Public Power Resolution in Congress with the specific goals of preventing unjust rate hikes, guaranteeing basic utility services for all Americans, and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Last month, the Congresswoman asked for a public correction from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) after Spire’s misleading campaign threatening to shut off the heat. Less than a week later, she received a response from FERC Chairman Richard Glick, in which he committed to taking action on Spire’s pending application for a temporary certificate before the December 13th deadline.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.