By Scott Nishimura snishimura@bizpress.net
The Fort Worth City Council unanimously rejected a systemwide rate request by Atmos Energy Tuesday.
Atmos, seeking a $45.7 million systemwide increase across the 100-plus cities it serves, has run into resistance from a committee representing the customers. The committee recommended a $19 million rate increase, saying a large part of what Atmos seeks to cover in its rate request doesn’t meet the state’s regulatory requirements. The city estimates $3.94 million of the rate increase would be borne by Fort Worth customers.
Fort Worth officials say they expect Atmos will appeal to the Texas Railroad Commission.
It can implement its rate hike while on appeal, but would be required to refund money if it loses the appeal, the city says.
No Atmos representative appeared before the council during a public hearing Tuesday.