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<a name="sA5CE7A26C274AD0F749C4401BE823945"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:98.6328125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:10px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:5px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">United States</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">Form 8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">Current Report</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:84.375%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td width="68%"></td><td width="32%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;">January 16, 2013</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:86.1328125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td width="23%"></td><td width="30%"></td><td width="22%"></td><td width="25%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Commission File No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter and Principal Office Address and Telephone Number</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">State of Incorporation</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">I.R.S. Employer Identification Number</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">1-16681</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">The Laclede Group, Inc.</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">720 Olive Street</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">St. Louis, MO 63101</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">314-342-0500</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">Missouri</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">74-2976504</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">1-1822</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Laclede Gas Company</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">720 Olive Street</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">St. Louis, MO 63101</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">314-342-0500</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">Missouri</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">43-0368139</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">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:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 13e-4(c))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:10px;text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:10px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:98.6328125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:9px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:5px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:9px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sA5CE7A26C274AD0F749C4401BE823945"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.01</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">On January 16, 2013, The Laclede Group, Inc. ("</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Group</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">") and Laclede Gas Company (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Gas</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;) each entered into a first amendment (each, a &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">First Amendment</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;) to its respective Loan Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2011 (each, a &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Loan Agreement</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;), with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, U.S. Bank National Association, as Syndication Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as Lead Arrangers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N. A., as Documentation Agent, and Comerica Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Commerce Bank and UMB Bank, N.A. , as the other participating banks.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">The First Amendments were entered into in connection with (i) Group's previously announced agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Missouri Gas Energy (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">MGE</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;) and New England Gas Company (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">NEG</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;) from Southern Union Company (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">SUG</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;), pursuant to separate purchase and sale agreements, dated as of December 14, 2012 (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Purchase Agreements</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;), among SUG, Group and each of two newly-formed wholly owned subsidiaries of Group (collectively the&#160;&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Transaction</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;), and (ii) the related commitment letter (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Commitment Letter</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#8221;) among Group, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.   On January 11, 2013, the right to acquire the MGE assets and liabilities was assigned by the applicable Group subsidiary to Gas.  The First Amendments are expected to facilitate the financing of the Transaction by Group and Gas.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">MGE and NEG, each a division of SUG, are primarily engaged in the local distribution of natural gas to approximately 500,000 and 50,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in western Missouri and Massachusetts, respectively.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Each Loan Agreement was amended to, among other things, increase the required Maximum Consolidated Capitalization Ratio, as defined in the Loan Agreement, to 72.5% from 70% for the applicable borrower from the date the MGE acquisition is consummated through September 30, 2014, after which date the maximum ratio will return to 70%; provided, that the ratio will only increase for Gas if it or its subsidiary incurs the debt financing for the MGE acquisition.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">In addition, the Group Loan Agreement was amended to exempt from a requirement to guaranty Group's obligations under that agreement any subsidiary that is prohibited from providing such a guaranty by any applicable regulatory authority.  The change to the Maximum Consolidated Capitalization Ratio provision makes it consistent with Group's comparable financial covenant in the Commitment Letter. </font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sA5CE7A26C274AD0F749C4401BE823945"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Copies of the First Amendments are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this report and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the First Amendments does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the First Amendments.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.03</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement or a Registrant.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:6px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial Statements and exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:6px;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">(d) </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><div 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style="overflow:hidden;height:53px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Number</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Exhibit</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">10.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among The Laclede Group, Inc. and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td 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name="sA5CE7A26C274AD0F749C4401BE823945"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div 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style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:12pt;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Date: January 18, 2013</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font 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D. Waltermire</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:12pt;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">M. D. 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Rasche</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:12pt;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Steven P. Rasche</font></div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sA5CE7A26C274AD0F749C4401BE823945"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:6px;padding-top:6px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:6px;padding-top:6px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit Index </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:6px;padding-top:6px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:88.28125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="7%"></td><td width="10%"></td><td width="83%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:25px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:25px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:25px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Number</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Exhibit</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">10.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;">First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among The Laclede Group, Inc. and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td 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style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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8-K_Current Report_01162013
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):
January 16, 2013
Commission File No.
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter and Principal Office Address and Telephone Number
State of Incorporation
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number
1-16681
The Laclede Group, Inc.
720 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-342-0500
Missouri
74-2976504
1-1822
Laclede Gas Company
720 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-342-0500
Missouri
43-0368139
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 13e-4(c))
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On January 16, 2013, The Laclede Group, Inc. ("
Group
") and Laclede Gas Company ("
Gas
") each entered into a first amendment (each, a "
First Amendment
") to its respective Loan Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2011 (each, a "
Loan Agreement
"), with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, U.S. Bank National Association, as Syndication Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as Lead Arrangers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N. A., as Documentation Agent, and Comerica Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Commerce Bank and UMB Bank, N.A. , as the other participating banks.
The First Amendments were entered into in connection with (i) Group's previously announced agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Missouri Gas Energy ("
MGE
") and New England Gas Company ("
NEG
") from Southern Union Company ("
SUG
"), pursuant to separate purchase and sale agreements, dated as of December 14, 2012 (the "
Purchase Agreements
"), among SUG, Group and each of two newly-formed wholly owned subsidiaries of Group (collectively the "
Transaction
"), and (ii) the related commitment letter (the "
Commitment Letter
") among Group, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.   On January 11, 2013, the right to acquire the MGE assets and liabilities was assigned by the applicable Group subsidiary to Gas.  The First Amendments are expected to facilitate the financing of the Transaction by Group and Gas.
MGE and NEG, each a division of SUG, are primarily engaged in the local distribution of natural gas to approximately 500,000 and 50,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in western Missouri and Massachusetts, respectively.
Each Loan Agreement was amended to, among other things, increase the required Maximum Consolidated Capitalization Ratio, as defined in the Loan Agreement, to 72.5% from 70% for the applicable borrower from the date the MGE acquisition is consummated through September 30, 2014, after which date the maximum ratio will return to 70%; provided, that the ratio will only increase for Gas if it or its subsidiary incurs the debt financing for the MGE acquisition.
In addition, the Group Loan Agreement was amended to exempt from a requirement to guaranty Group's obligations under that agreement any subsidiary that is prohibited from providing such a guaranty by any applicable regulatory authority.  The change to the Maximum Consolidated Capitalization Ratio provision makes it consistent with Group's comparable financial covenant in the Commitment Letter.
Copies of the First Amendments are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this report and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the First Amendments does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the First Amendments.
Item 2.03
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement or a Registrant.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Number
Exhibit
10.1
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among The Laclede Group, Inc. and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent
10.2
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among Laclede Gas Company and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.
Date: January 18, 2013
By:
/s/ M. D. Waltermire
M. D. Waltermire
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
Date: January 18, 2013
By:
/s/ Steven P. Rasche
Steven P. Rasche
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit Index
Number
Exhibit
10.1
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among The Laclede Group, Inc. and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent
10.2
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2013, among Laclede Gas Company and the several banks parties thereto, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent