Laclede can charge $127 for rising gas prices

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The state's largest gas provider is the most recent utility allowed to raise rates next winter because of rising natural gas prices.

The Public Service Commission is allowing Laclede Gas Company to charge customers an estimated additional $127 over the November through March winter heating season. Regulators have already approved similarly sized purchase gas adjustments for the Empire District Gas Co., AmerenUE, Atmos Energy and Missouri Gas Energy.

Those five utilities account for most of Missouri's gas customers.

The increased prices come because the utilities must spend more to buy natural gas from their suppliers. The increase can be adjusted later this year, depending on wholesale natural gas prices. The gas adjustment accounts only for buying gas, not any profits.