On December 3, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a temporary certificate allowing the Spire STL pipeline to continue operating through winter.[1] The 65-mile pipeline runs from Illinois to the St. Louis, Missouri area to serve Spire Missouri customers. Spire STL has been operational since 2019, but in June 2021, the D.C. Circuit vacated the pipeline’s certificate of public convenience and necessity. The court ruled that FERC had failed to adequately assess the need for the Spire pipeline. FERC issued a temporary certificate in September 2021, which was set to expire on December 13, 2021. Prior to FERC’s December decision, Spire had warned that shutting off the pipeline would lead to 400,000 St. Louis area customers experiencing extended loss of service this winter. The new temporary certificate allows the pipeline to remain in service while FERC decides how to proceed. The temporary certificate bars the company from engaging in construction activities or expanding service but allows the pipeline to operate under the rates that are currently in effect.

FERC’s decision came right after Spire STL Pipeline LLC petitioned the Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit’s ruling.[2] In its appeal, the company argued that the D.C. Circuit should not have revoked the permit in light of the "dangerous, and potentially fatal, consequences" of the decision.

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-extends-temporary-operations-spire-stl-pipeline

[2] https://missouriindependent.com/2021/12/03/spire-stl-pipeline-appeals-to-u-s-supreme-court-to-overturn-self-dealing-ruling/