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Ennis signs on to Atmos Cities settlement; estimated $5.52 monthly rise for average household
Summary
The commission approved joining a negotiated Atmos Energy settlement reached by the Atmos Cities Steering Committee, reducing Atmos's initial request and translating to an average residential increase of about $5.52 per month (approximately 6.84%). The vote was unanimous by voice vote.
Representatives briefed the commission on the Atmos Energy Corporation 2024 rate-review filing and a negotiated settlement reached through the Atmos Cities Steering Committee (ACSC). Attorneys representing the ACSC had negotiated a reduction from Atmos’s initial requested increase (approximately $196.8 million) to a negotiated figure (presented in the meeting as roughly $164.7 million), a reduction of roughly $32.1 million from the company’s filing.
City staff and the ACSC representative said the settlement translates to an estimated average residential increase of $5.52 per month (about 6.84% increase) and higher increases for some commercial classes. The city attorney explained that the city participates in the steering committee to negotiate on behalf of member cities and that declining to accept the settlement would require the city to pursue its own contested rate case and retain separate legal counsel.
Commissioner Haney moved to approve the settlement; Commissioner Watson seconded and the commission adopted the settlement by voice vote.
The action commits the city to the negotiated settlement terms as a participant; residents will see the incremental change reflected in monthly bills if the state process incorporates the settlement as proposed. Staff noted future annual reviews are routine as part of Atmos's rate-review mechanism.
