Against the backdrop of rising renewable electric generation and the need for more balancing mechanisms, Spire Energy Inc. is close to completing the first phase of a planned natural gas storage expansion near the Opal Hub in Wyoming.

Spire Storage is working to expand capacity to 39 Bcf from 23 Bcf to meet growing demand in the Rockies and western United States. The facility connects to the Kern River, Northwest Pipeline, MountainWest, Overthrust and Ruby systems and serves natural gas and electric utilities, pipelines, industrial manufacturers, producers and gas marketers.

“Our strategy for owning and expanding the facility is to support the energy transition out West,” Spire Storage President Scott Smith told NGI.

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