Kan. regulator approves Atmos Energy's system reliability surcharge

The Kansas Corporation Commission approved a gas system reliability surcharge requested by Atmos Energy Corp. to help cover eligible infrastructure replacement.

In a Jan. 26 order, the commission approved the surcharge as revised by commission staff. The surcharge will result in an incremental revenue increase of almost $1.7 million, based on Atmos' proposed capital costs totaling about $17.6 million.

The surcharge will help Atmos recover the costs of safety projects, road relocation and public improvements, and other projects. Residential customer bills will increase by 80 cents per month, or $9.60 annually. Dallas, Texas-headquartered Atmos serves more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states.