8-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): March 11, 2005

The Laclede Group, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri	1-16681	74-2976504
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
720 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri		63101
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 314-342-0500

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Laclede Gas Company
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri	1-1822	43-0368139
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
720 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri		63101
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 314-342-0500

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 11, 2005, Laclede Gas Company and Cellnet Technology, Inc. executed an Automated Meter Reading Services Agreement pursuant to which Cellnet will provide certain services to Laclede. Under the agreement, Cellnet will provide turnkey meter readings to Laclede - it will perform and provide to Laclede automated reads of Laclede's meters. Cellnet will also provide data acquisition and management services to Laclede.

Laclede will pay Cellnet on a per-read basis, with Cellnet being subject to monetary penalties if it is unable to achieve a certain reliability performance level. The initial installation of the automated meter reading devices will be performed principally by Cellnet with the initial deployment occurring during the 24 months following the execution of the agreement. Cellnet will install and own the equipment and systems necessary to provide the services under the agreement and will provide all maintenance thereon.

The term of the agreement is 15 years and may be extended upo n mutual agreement of the parties. Cellnet is obligated at Laclede's request, as long as Laclede is not in breach of the agreement, to continue to perform services for up to 18 months after the expiration or earlier termination of the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement in the event of a material breach by the other party that is not cured within 45 business days after written notice. Additionally, the non-breaching party may suspend performance and seek damages. The agreement also contains insurance, indemnification and disaster recovery provisions.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 16, 2005, Laclede Gas issued the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 - Press release issued March 16, 2005

The information contained in Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	The Laclede Group, Inc.
March 16, 2005	By:	Douglas H. Yaeger
		Name: Douglas H. Yaeger
		Title: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

	Laclede Gas Company
March 16, 2005	By:	Barry C. Cooper
		Name: Barry C. Cooper
		Title: Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release issued March 16, 2005

EX-99.1

NEWS RELEASE
LACLEDE GAS

720 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63101

CONTACT: George L. Csolak

(314) 342-0865

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cellnet to Install a New
Automated Meter Reading System
For Laclede Gas

ST. LOUIS, MO, March 16, 2005 – Laclede Gas Company announced today that as part of its continuing efforts to improve customer service it has signed a 15-year agreement with Cellnet Technology, Inc., to install and operate an automated meter reading (AMR) system. AMR is designed to eliminate the need for Laclede, which has nearly 40 percent of its approximately 650,000 meters indoors, to gain physical access to meters in order to obtain monthly meter readings.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cellnet will install and own the system as well as handle data collection, meter data delivery, and network operation and maintenance services. Installation of equipment on customer meters is scheduled to begin in early July 2005 and will take about two years to complete.

“Cellnet offers a proven AMR technology that will greatly benefit our customers through improved service and convenience,” said Douglas H. Yaeger, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Laclede Gas. “Customers with inside meters will no longer be required to be home to give us access to read their meters. This system will allow us to provide them with real-time, accurate meter readings every month.”

The Cellnet AMR system employs a wireless fixed network with read devices that will be attached to existing Laclede Gas customer meters. Reads from each meter are transmitted to local network receivers and transferred to Laclede’s customer billing system, resulting in the production of a timely, accurate bill.

“Long term contracts like this one are the product of a culture that demands excellence,” said Mike Zito, president and CEO of Cellnet. “As one of the oldest utilities in the country, Laclede has shown the kind of forethought and leadership that will bring long-reaching value not only to their customers, but also to their business. Having that type of culture ourselves, Cellnet is proud and excited to enter into a 15-year partnership with such a prestigious utility.”

Laclede customers will be notified by letter a few weeks prior to installation of the AMR system in their area. Customers with outside access meters need not be home for the installation. Those customers with inside meters will need to be home so that Cellnet personnel can gain access to the meter to install necessary equipment. Customers’ gas service will not be interrupted during the installation process.

Laclede Gas, a subsidiary of The Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: LG), is the largest natural gas distribution company in Missouri, serving customers in St. Louis and surrounding counties in eastern Missouri.

Based in Atlanta, Ga., Cellnet is the leading provider of real-time automated meter reading (AMR) and automation solutions to the utility industry. Cellnet supplies gas, water, and electric utilities with highly reliable, field-proven products that enable them to communicate with residential, commercial and industrial meters using wireless and IP network communications.

# # #

Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s future operating results may be affected by various uncertainties and risk factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including weather conditions, governmental and regulatory policy and action, the competitive environment and economic factors. For a more complete description of these uncertainties and risk factors, see the Company’s Form 10-Q for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.