Projects

About Spire STL Pipeline Project in Docket No. CP17-40

Spire STL Pipeline LLC sought a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to construct and operate about 59.2 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline (the Mainline) in Scott, Greene, and Jersey Counties, Illinois and St. Charles and St. Louis Counties, Missouri; and about 6.0 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline (the North County Extension) in St. Louis County, Missouri, and three new meter stations: one in Scott County, Illinois and two in St. Louis County, Missouri.  The Commission granted the requested certificate on August 3, 2018.  The Commission granted rehearing for further consideration on October 1, 2018, and subsequently denied rehearing requests on November 21, 2019.

In Env’tl Def. Fund v. FERC, 2 F.4th 953 (D.C. Cir 2021), the D.C. Circuit vacated and remanded to the Commission Spire’s authorizations under the NGA. On August 6, 2021, Spire STL Pipeline filed an application requesting that the Commission issue a temporary certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Spire STL Pipeline Project to assure maintenance of service to Spire’s customers while the Commission addresses the issues on remand from the U.S. Court of Appeals.

On September 14, 2021, the Commission issued an order that would provide Spire with a temporary certificate of public convenience and necessity, pursuant to section (c)(1)(B) of the NGA.  It allows Spire STL Pipeline authorization to continue operations in the St. Louis region for 90-days while the Commission evaluates Spire’s July 26 temporary certificate application and the responsive filings. 

During this time, Spire must continue all restoration activities along the project right-of-way.  Restoration compliance allegations should be referred to Commission staff, and comments may be filed on the record.  For assistance commenting, please refer to the Step-by-Step Guide in How to file a Comment or contact OPP at 202-502-6595 or opp@ferc.gov. Stakeholders who are seeking to use Alternative Dispute Resolution to informally resolve their concerns, please contact the Landowner Helpline at 1-877-337-2237 and LandownerHelp@ferc.gov. 

Project Documents – Docket No. CP17-40

Project Milestones

• Notice of Application February 6, 2017 
• Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues was issued on March 3, 2017
• Notice of Schedule – August 3, 2017
• Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment-September 29, 2017
• Environmental Assessment for the Spire STL Pipeline Project – September 29, 2017 
• Supplemental Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment and Reopening of Comment Period for the Proposed Spire STL Pipeline Project – November 22, 2017
• Order Issuing Certificate re Spire STL Pipeline, LLC – August 3, 2018
• Order Granting Rehearings for Further Consideration re Spire STL Pipeline LLC October 1, 2018
• Order Amending Certificate re Spire STL Pipeline LLC – October 28, 2019
• Order on Rehearing re Spire STL Pipeline LLC – November 21, 2019
• Order on Environmental Compliance – March 18, 2021
• Environmental Defense Fund v. FERC, 2 F.4th 953 (D.C. Cir. 2021) – June 22, 2021
• Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline re Spire STL Pipeline LLC – August 6, 2021
• Order Issuing Temporary Certificate – September 14, 2021
• Order on Rehearing re Spire STL Pipeline LLC Temporary Certificate – November 18, 2021
• Order Issuing Temporary Certificate – December 3, 2021
• Notice of Intent To Prepare A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for The Spire STL Pipeline Project – December 15, 2021
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Spire STL Pipeline Project (CP17-40-006) – June 16, 2022
  • The Draft EIS comment period closes on August 8, 2022 

How To Seek Rehearing on a Commission Order

Participants seeking rehearing must have intervenor status in the proceeding by having already filed an intervention as set forth in section 385.214 (Rule 214) of the Commission’s regulations. 

Parties must file rehearing requests 30 days from the date of a final Commission order. 

Requirements to request rehearing can be found in section 385.713 (Rule 713) of the Commission’s regulations.  To file for a Rehearing Request, you must know the Docket number of the filing. In this case for Spire STL Pipeline it is Docket No. CP17-40.  

Any request for rehearing must:

1. State concisely the alleged error in the final decision or final order;
2. Conform to the pleading requirements in Rule 203(a), and include a separate section entitled, “Statement of Issues,” listing each issue in a separately enumerated paragraph that includes representative Commission and court precedent on which the party is relying; any issue not so listed will be deemed waived; and
3. Set forth the matters relied upon by the party requesting rehearing, if rehearing is sought based on matters not available for consideration by the Commission at the time of the final decision or final order.

For Step-by-Step instructions in how to file a rehearing request, click here. 

Contact Information

Contact the Office of Public Participation with any questions or concerns regarding this project at 202-502-6595 or by email at OPP@ferc.gov.

There are two dockets associated with this project: 

1. The Pre-Filing Docket: PF 22-7-000
2. The Application: CP23-516-000

These dockets can be found in FERC’s eLibrary site.  For a “Quick User Guide” and additional resources on using the eLibrary site, please go here.  eLibrary support can be reached by phone at 866-208-3676 or by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov .

In May 2022, the company, East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East Tennessee) initiated a “Pre-Filing” docket.  From that time until July 2023, the Company contacted landowners, regulators, and affected parties to discuss potential concerns.

On July 18, 2023, East Tennessee then filed an application under Sections 7(c), of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and Part 157 of the Commission’s regulations requesting authorization to provide 300,000 dekatherms per day of new firm natural gas transportation capacity and up to 95,000 dekatherms of Customized Delivery Service to the (TVA) Tennessee Valley Authority by construct, modify, install, own, and operate the following facilities of Ridgeline Expansion Project (Project). The Project is located in Trousdale, Smith, Jackson, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, Roane, counties, Tennessee.

On July 28, 2023 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a “Notice of Application” which established an intervention deadline of August 18, 2023.  The July 28 Notice inadvertently omitted posting to Docket No. PF 22-7-000.   On August 8, 2023 FERC issued an “Errata Notice” to correct the docket numbers. 

Public Participation

There are three ways to become involved in the Commission’s review of this project:

1. you can file comments on the project,
2. you can protest the filing, and
3. you can file a motion to intervene in the proceeding.

For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation (OPP) at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

Project Milestones and Key Documents

• Notice of Application
• Project Maps