New Gas Company Could Mean New Prices
In parts of Central Texas, gas customers opened their utility bills this month and noticed a few changes.
First, a new logo signaled another company's buy-out of TXU Gas. ATMOS Energy is the new name on the gas utility bills.
Officials said residents can expect the same service but some fear that may come with a price.
A new gas utility company is getting a chilly reception from customers.
“It's just getting to the point that I tell my family at home in the winter time is to put on more clothes. We can't turn the heater up. It's just too high. It's just really getting out of sight,” ATMOS Gas customer Alice Tippie said.
ATMOS Energy has applied with the railroad commission for a new rate increase.
“These municipalities are joining together to hire legal staff to look at the gas company ATMOS to see that their proposed increase is fair and equitable,” Burnet City Manager Michael Steele said.
ATMOS supplies natural gas to dozens of Central Texas communities. Some have asked the commission to suspend the proposed increase.
“It's going to be reviewed by the commission whether the cities intervene or not. Them joining the coalition will slow the process down a bit, but it will ensure that everything is understandable,” Randy Hartford with ATMOS Energy said.
The so-called infrastructure rate allows ATMOS to recoup the cost of extending, relocating or building new lines — 31-cents per month on upcoming bills.
It is not much comfort for those keeping close watch on their budgets.
“The people out here, we don't have that opportunity to increase, and when they increase our payment, we can't go and tell our employers, we want a raise,” Tippie said.
ATMOS officials say they wanted to apply for a rate increase by February 15.
Instead, they expect to wait for area cities to work out the issues they may have with the proposed rate.
Source:
KXAN
