Exhibit-10.18








                                       September 1, 2000



Mr. Ronald L. Krutzman
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Laclede Gas Company
720 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO  63101

Dear Mr. Krutzman:

UMB Bank, n.a. (the "Bank") is pleased to provide a $10,000,000 committed
line of credit maturing January 31, 2001 to Laclede Gas Company ("Laclede")
for general corporate purposes and for commercial paper backup.  The Bank
will comply with requests for advances with maturity dates of 90 days or
less under the line of credit until January 31, 2001.  Our officers will
make short-term loans to Laclede under the following terms.

All borrowings will be priced at Laclede's option at: (i) Bank's prime rate,
(ii) at Libor for a similar principal amount and maturity plus 1/4 of 1%,
(iii) the Bank's Certificate of Deposit rate for similar maturity plus 1/2
of 1%, or (iv) the Federal Funds interest rate for similar maturity plus 1/4
of 1%.  Notes issued under this line shall not exceed 90 days.  If a note is
outstanding with a maturity after January 31, 2001, the note may be renewed
in whole or in part provided no note shall mature later than May 1, 2001.

Interest shall be payable at maturity of on date of repayment.  Interest
shall be computed on the basis of actual 365/366 days for prime rate and
Federal Funds rate borrowings and on actual 360 day basis for LIBOR or CD
loans.  Notes issued may be prepaid at any time without penalty.

It is understood that any loans obtained by any subsidiary of Laclede Gas
Company, whether or not they are guaranteed by Laclede Gas Company, are
excluded from this agreement and shall not be charged against the line of
credit described above.



















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This line of Credit is contingent upon payment to Bank by Laclede of a fee
in the amount of 5 basis points per annum ($5,000) and the Bank receiving a
properly executed promissory note that is satisfactory to the Bank for each
advance.

Laclede agrees to provide the Bank with quarterly financial statements in a
timely manner and other information, which may be reasonably requested by
Bank.  This letter, a/k/a the Committed Line of Credit Agreement,
constitutes the entire understanding between the Bank and Laclede regarding
the line of credit.



UMB Bank, N.A.

By:  /s/Theresa D. Bible

Name:  Theresa D. Bible

Title:  Assistant Vice President


Accepted the 6th day of September, 2000


Laclede Gas Company

By:  /s/Ronald L. Krutzman

Name:  Ronald L. Krutzman

Title:  Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

































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            NOTE


$
                                              St. Louis, Missouri

                                    Date:


            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LACLEDE GAS COMPANY, a
Missouri corporation ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
UMB Bank, National Association ("Bank"), on or before
                                 the principal sum of

                            Dollars ($                              ),
Borrower further promises to pay to the order of Bank interest on the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the loans ("Loan") evidenced by this
Note at the rate of         % per annum payable at such time as the
principal amount of the Loan shall be due.  All such payments of principal
and interest shall be made in lawful currency of the United States in
Federal or other immediately available funds at the office of Bank located
at 2 South Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri, or such other place as the Bank
may from time to time designate in writing.

            This Note and the Loan are issued pursuant to a lie of credit
letter agreement ($10,000,000.00 facility) dated September 1, 2000 by and
between the Borrower and the Bank, as the same may from time to time be
amended, modified, extended, renewed or restated (the "Line Agreement").
The Line Agreement, among other things, contains provisions pursuant to
which this Note is issued.

            Upon (i) the failure of the Borrower to make any payments at the
time and in the manner provided by this Note; (ii) the failure of the
Borrower to perform or pay any obligation provided for in the Line Agreement
or under any other agreement or indebtedness to Bank, or (iii) the
commencement by or against the Borrower of any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, Bank's obligation, if any, to make any further Loan under this
Note and the Line Agreement may be terminated by Bank and the entire
outstanding principal balance of this Note and all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon may be declared by Bank to be immediately due and payable.

            In the event that any payment due under this Note shall not be
paid when due, whether by reason of maturity, acceleration or otherwise, and
this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney or attorneys for collection,
or if this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney or attorneys for
representation of Bank in connection with bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings relating to or affecting this Note, Borrower hereby promises to
pay to the order of Bank, in addition to all other amounts otherwise due on,
under or in respect of this Note, the costs and expenses of such collection
and representation, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses (whether or not litigation shall be commenced in aid
thereof).  Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest,
notice of protest and notice of dishonor.














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            This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the substantive laws of the State of Missouri (without reference to conflict
of law principles).


                                             LACLEDE GAS COMPANY

                                             By:
                                             Name:


























































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                                  September 1, 2000



Mr. Ronald L. Krutzman
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Laclede Gas Company
720 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO  63101

Dear Mr. Krutzman:

UMB Bank, n.a. (the "Bank") is pleased to provide a $5,000,000 line of
credit maturing January 31, 2001 to Laclede Gas Company ("Laclede") for
general corporate purposes and for commercial paper backup.  The Bank will
consider requests for advances with maturity dates of 90 days or less under
the line of credit until January 31, 2001.  Our officers may, at their
discretion make short-term loans to Laclede under the following terms.

All borrowings will be priced at Laclede's option at:  (i) Bank's prime
rate, (ii) at Libor for a similar principal amount and maturity plus 1/4 of
1%, (iii) the Bank's Certificate of Deposit rate for similar maturity plus
1/2 of 1%, or (iv) the Federal Funds interest rate for similar maturity plus
1/4 of 1%.  Notes issued under this line shall not exceed 90 days.  If a
note is outstanding with a maturity after January 31, 2001, the note may be
renewed in whole or in part provided no note shall mature later than May 1,
2001.

Interest shall be payable at maturity or on date of repayment.  Interest
shall be computed on the basis of actual 365/366 days for prime rate and
Federal Funds rate borrowings and on actual 360 day basis for LIBOR or CD
loans.  Notes issued may be prepaid at any time without penalty.

It is understood that any loans obtained by any subsidiary of Laclede Gas
Company, whether or not they are guaranteed by Laclede Gas Company, are
excluded from this agreement and shall not be charged against the line of
credit described above.







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                                Page 2

We ask that you supply us with quarterly financial data and other
information, which may be reasonably requested by the Bank from time to
time.  The Bank may terminate this agreement at any time if Bank determines
in good faith that we are not satisfied with your conditions, operations or
performance, financial or otherwise.  This letter, a/k/a the Line of Credit
Agreement, constitutes the entire understanding between the Bank and Laclede
regarding the line of credit.



UMB Bank, N.A.

By:  /s/ Theresa D. Bible

Name:  Theresa D. Bible

Title:  Assistant Vice President


Accepted the 6th day of September, 2000


Laclede Gas Company

By:  /s/ Ronald L. Krutzman

Name:  Ronald L. Krutzman

Title:  Treasurer and Assistant Secretary




































                                 84
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
NOTE


$
                                              St. Louis, Missouri

                                    Date:


            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LACLEDE GAS COMPANY, a
Missouri corporation ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
UMB Bank, National Association ("Bank"), on or before
                                 the principal sum of

                          Dollars ($                              ),
Borrower further promises to pay to the order of Bank interest on the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the loans ("Loan") evidenced by this
Note at the rate of         % per annum payable at such time as the
principal amount of the Loan shall be due.  All such payments of principal
and interest shall be made in lawful currency of the United States in
Federal or other immediately available funds at the office of Bank located
at 2 South Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri, or such other place as the Bank
may from time to time designate in writing.

            This Note and the Loan are issued pursuant to a lie of credit
letter agreement ($5,000,000.00 facility) dated September 1, 2000 by and
between the Borrower and the Bank, as the same may from time to time be
amended, modified, extended, renewed or restated (the "Line Agreement").
The Line Agreement, among other things, contains provisions pursuant to
which this Note is issued.

            Upon (i) the failure of the Borrower to make any payments at the
time and in the manner provided by this Note; (ii) the failure of the
Borrower to perform or pay any obligation provided for in the Line Agreement
or under any other agreement or indebtedness to Bank, or (iii) the
commencement by or against the Borrower of any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, Bank's obligation, if any, to make any further Loan under this
Note and the Line Agreement may be terminated by Bank and the entire
outstanding principal balance of this Note and all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon may be declared by Bank to be immediately due and payable.

            In the event that any payment due under this Note shall not be
paid when due, whether by reason of maturity, acceleration or otherwise, and
this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney or attorneys for collection,
or if this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney or attorneys for
representation of Bank in connection with bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings relating to or affecting this Note, Borrower hereby promises to
pay to the order of Bank, in addition to all other amounts otherwise due on,
under or in respect of this Note, the costs and expenses of such collection
and representation, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses (whether or not litigation shall be commenced in aid
thereof).  Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest,
notice of protest and notice of dishonor.














                                 85
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            This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the substantive laws of the State of Missouri (without reference to conflict
of law principles).

                                          LACLEDE GAS COMPANY

                                          By:
                                          Name:

























































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