Savings for Spire customers. The Alabama Public Service Commission Wednesday voted to lower gas rates. "This is a victory for the consumers of Alabama," commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh said. "It all boils down to families. While this reduction will not pay for a family vacation, the lower rates will allow them to keep a little more of their hard-earned money." Cavanaugh's fellow Republicans on the commission also supported the rate decrease. "I am so proud of the newly approved rate for Spire Alabama and the money it will save Alabamians," said Commissioner Chip Beeker. "We worked very hard on this, and we like it when our hard work pays off and ideas come to fruition. I would also like to thank our staff who worked so diligently on this. We are fortunate to be surrounded by the best at what they do here at the PSC." The average customer will save $26 per year. The deal, which spans four years, also accelerates the replacement of the system's cast iron pipe system. "This is an area that we have placed great emphasis on," Commissioner Jeremy Oden said. "The accelerated removal of aging cast iron pipe is a public safety issue that we are seeing across the country. I am pleased that Spire Alabama has agreed to adhere to a more formalized approach to pipeline replacement."