Atmos Natural Gas Rate Hike: Dallas Could See 10% Increase

Proposed Atmos Rate Increase

• 💡 Atmos Energy is proposing a 10% rate increase for natural gas customers in Dallas.
• 📌 This would amount to an additional $38.2 million in annual revenue for the utility.
• 💰 The average family could see their monthly bill increase by approximately $11.25, or about $135 per year.
• 🗓️ The Dallas City Council is expected to make a decision on this proposal by the end of May.

Reasons for the Increase

• 🛠️ Atmos states the rate hikes are necessary to maintain and modernize its natural gas system to ensure reliability.
• 📈 The company reported investing over $321 million in Dallas last year alone for system improvements.
• 💸 Energy economist Ed Hirs explains that regulated utilities are entitled to a return on investment, and the cost of infrastructure upgrades has significantly increased over the past decades.

Impact on North Texas Residents

• 📈 This potential Dallas increase follows a regional rate hike for Atmos MidTex customers last year, affecting communities like Plano, Frisco, and Arlington.
• 😟 Customers like Yolanda Torrance, an Atmos Energy customer for 30 years, are already experiencing significantly higher bills, with her latest bill nearly doubling to over $250.
• ⚠️ The proposed increase is a concern for families already struggling with high living costs, potentially having a major impact across the board.