DALLAS — Atmos Energy is seeking approval of a 9.4 percent hike in gas rates for Dallas customers, saying it cannot recover the cost of upgrading miles of pipe throughout the city without a rate increase.
The gas provider says it spent more than $200 million in 2019 replacing pipes and modernizing its system. This was after a series of home explosions in west Dallas in 2018, including one that killed 12-year-old Linda “Michelita” Rogers.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate that explosion and has said multiple times its report should be completed “soon.”
Atmos says a 9.4 percent rate hike would mean residential customers would experience a $5.48 increase per month while commercial customers’ bills would go up by $17.31 per month.
The Dallas City Council is expected to discuss the requested rate hike in May. Council members could approve the request or try to negotiate a lower increase.
If Atmos and the city cannot come to an agreement on a rate, Atmos can appeal to the Railroad Commission of Texas.