...reduce their use of heat as much as possible. Bitter cold has sent both gas demand and gas prices soaring, while also creating supply issues such as frozen gas wells, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

“It’s just straining the entire system,” said Scott Carter, president of Spire Missouri, the St. Louis-based natural gas utility.

Spire issued a statement asking customers to reduce consumption while Ameren, the St. Louis-based energy monopoly, issued a similar request, the Post-Dispatch said.

We thank the Detroit Free Press for reprint permission.