_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Atmos
Energy
Delivering reliable, affordable, efficient, and abundant natural gas to more than three million distribution customers, Atmos Energy is a natural gas-only distributor across eight states: Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. In three of these states – Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi – Atmos Energy is the largest natural gas distributor, working with state and federal regulators to operate a safe and reliable system.
As part of its vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, Atmos Energy is modernizing both the business itself and its pipeline infrastructure to promote safety, innovation, and environmental sustainability within the communities in which it operates. Atmos Energy manages several proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas.
The company’ s Louisiana division delivers natural gas to around 378,000 customers in 270 communities, including the cities of Lafayette and Monroe, as well as communities outside New Orleans like Metairie and the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain. From 2019 to 2024, in Louisiana alone, Atmos Energy invested $ 866 million to enhance safety and reliability, reduce methane emissions, and support growth and economic development.
Considering the State of Louisiana is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and severe storms, Atmos Energy constantly works to minimize the impact of these events and get service restored as quickly and safely as possible.“ All year round, from gas supply to the delivery of natural gas at the meter, Atmos Energy is preparing for severe weather,” opens Oric Walker, Louisiana Division President.“ When the forecast predicts the arrival of extreme weather, we closely monitor the situation and stage qualified, well-trained employees across our systems. We communicate regularly with customers and communities before, during, and after these events on social media and via our account center. We also have the flexibility to call in additional resources and technicians from the company’ s eight-state network to help restore service if required.”
When the forecast predicts the arrival of extreme weather, we closely monitor the situation and stage qualified, well-trained employees across our systems
Severe weather isn’ t the only challenge facing Oric and the Louisiana division. As federal funding supports the installation of broadband fiber across the state, the company has experienced higher third-party damage across its network in recent years.“ With increasing public infrastructure projects and expanding economic development, damage to our pipelines from excavation remains a primary safety risk,” Oric confirms.“ We promote safe digging practices by encouraging customers, contractors, and utility operators to call 811 before excavation, as opening this ticket prompts utility members to locate and mark their facilities at a work site.
“ Our robust multi-channel safety awareness strategy includes proactive public awareness campaigns, community events, media, and continued relationships with regulators, city leaders, and first responders. Additionally, we communicate natural gas safety information to our customers and the public through bill
energy-oil-gas. com 29