Laclede Joins with Siemens to Introduce Spire™ Natural Gas Fueling Solutions

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the cleanest energy sources, natural gas is gaining traction as the country's fuel of choice. New technologies are constantly being developed to take advantage of this abundant domestic supply of natural gas.  To harness the power of these emerging technologies, Laclede is teaming with the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. to launch Spire™ natural gas fueling solutions.

Cost savings are driving the switch from gasoline and diesel. Natural gas as a transportation fuel is significantly less expensive on average than equivalent gallons of gasoline or diesel. A typical transit agency can see a 30% reduction in fuel costs with compressed natural gas compared to diesel. That equals $12,000 savings per year per bus.

"Spire will show companies and communities new ways to save money, protect our environment and create American jobs," said Mike Spotanski, senior vice president chief integration and innovation officer of The Laclede Group.

As fleet managers shift from gasoline and diesel to natural gas vehicles, Laclede and Siemens are leading the way with Spire™ which meets the full spectrum needs of fleet managers including: station design, build and operation as well as financing, ongoing maintenance, facility improvements, safety, billing, technical consultation, and strategic planning.

Fleet managers are also attracted by the environmental benefits of the cleaner burning fuel. Natural gas vehicles provide cleaner air for our cities, communities, and families. Compared to traditional fuels like diesel, natural gas vehicles significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and virtually eliminate particulate emissions.  Additionally, natural gas vehicles are generally much quieter than their diesel counterparts.

"Natural gas will play a big role in our transportation future. Laclede is an expert in natural gas with 150 years in the industry including more than 30 years of experience working specifically with natural gas vehicles," said Spotanski. "Add to that Siemens' experience with industrial technology solutions and together we can make a big difference to companies and communities."

"With the help of our teammate Laclede, Siemens is positioned to transform our highways and improve the air quality in our cities," says Clark Wiedetz, alternative and renewable energy director of Siemens.  "Siemens continues to look for new ways to support city and county infrastructure, in this case, by helping to drive the use of compressed natural gas in commercial sized vehicles across the country."

Working closely with officials from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and the City of St. Louis toward final approval, Spire™ is set to launch in St. Louis later this year with a commercial/public compressed natural gas fueling station just west of the Airport. The station will be built on approximately one acre of the Super Park Lot C facility at I-70 and Cypress Road. Open 24 hours a day, the station will initially fuel 160 fleet vehicles already on the road with capacity to accommodate a growing local and regional need. Initially this station will fuel fleets like Park Express. 

This St. Louis station will be the first for Spire™. The Spire™ team, with Siemens, stands ready to offer natural gas vehicle solutions in select locations across the US.

A color logo for Spire™ is available at: http://bit.ly/XJMk7o                                      

The video announcement of Spire™ is available at: http://youtu.be/kJW1M9w7E-o

ABOUT THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.

The Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: LG), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company.  Its subsidiary, Laclede Gas Company, the regulated operations of which are included in the Regulated Gas Distribution segment, serves approximately 630,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in St. Louis City and parts of 10 counties in eastern Missouri. Laclede's primary non-utility business, Laclede Energy Resources, Inc., included in the Non-Regulated Gas Marketing segment, provides non-regulated natural gas services. Laclede Group is committed to pursuing growth through 1) developing and investing in emerging technologies; 2) investing in infrastructure; 3) acquiring businesses to which the Company can apply its operating model, and 4) leveraging its current business unit competencies. For more information about Laclede and its subsidiaries, visit www.TheLacledeGroup.com.

SOURCE The Laclede Group, Inc.