Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Announces that Atmos Energy Agrees to Cut Requested Rate Increase by More than $3.5 Million

Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Rate Intervention today announced a preliminary settlement agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation which reduces the company's original demand for a rate hike by almost 38 percent. The agreement limits Atmos to a general increase of $5.950 million, a decrease of $3.536 million from its original request of approximately $9.486 million.

"Under this agreement, Atmos' customers will experience a much smaller increase in their natural gas rates than otherwise requested by the company," said General Conway. "I will continue to closely examine all utility rate increases to protect consumers from overcharging, especially in these very difficult financial times."

Atmos serves more than 180,000 customers in 38 counties. The Public Service Commission, which must approve the settlement, has currently scheduled a hearing on the matter on May 11, 2010 at 10 a.m.

Since taking office in January 2008, General Conway has saved ratepayers approximately $103 million in proposed rate increases.