SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 16, 2000 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) TEXAS AND VIRGINIA 1-10042 75-1743247 ---------------------------- --------------- ------------------ (State or Other Jurisdiction Commission File (I.R.S. Employer (State or Other Jurisdiction Commission File (I.R.S. Employer of Incorporation or Number Identification No.) Organization) 1800 THREE LINCOLN CENTRE, 5430 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS 75240 ------------------------------- ------------- (Address of Principal (Zip Code) Executive Offices) Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (972) 934-9227 (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On February 16, 2000, Atmos Energy Corporation announced in a press release that it had entered into an agreement to form a joint venture to combine the operations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, United Cities Propane Gas, Inc., with the propane operations of AGL Resources, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., and TECO Energy. Such press release is filed herein as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits 99.1 Press Release of Atmos Energy Corporation dated February 16, 2000. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION (Registrant) DATE: February 21, 2000 By: /s/ ROBERT W. BEST ------------------- Robert W. Best Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Item Number Description Page 99.1 Press Release of Atmos Energy Corporation dated February 16, 2000 EXHIBIT 99.1 [ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION LETTERHEAD AND LOGO APPEAR HERE] DATE: February 16, 2000 INVESTOR CONTACT: Lynn Hord: 972/855-3729 MEDIA CONTACT: FOR RELEASE: Immediately Randy Hicks: 972/855-3720 ATMOS ENERGY TO JOIN FORCES WITH THREE OTHER COMPANIES TO CREATE NATIONAL PROPANE OPERATION DALLAS, Texas -- Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture which combines its United Cities Propane Gas operations with the propane operations of AGL Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ATG), Atlanta, Ga.; Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (NYSE: PNY), Charlotte, N.C. ; and TECO Energy (NYSE: TE), Tampa, Fla. The combined entity, to be named US Propane, L.P., will be among the 10 largest propane retailers in the nation, with nearly 200,000 customers. Focused on the Southeast, US Propane will have operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval for one of the proposed venturers and other customary conditions. The participating companies expect the transaction to be completed by May 1, 2000. The companies are being advised in this transaction by PaineWebber. "This venture will allow Atmos Energy to achieve its goal of growing to be one of the largest propane distributors in the country," said Robert W. Best, Chairman, President and CEO. "It's a major opportunity for us to fully maximize the potential of our propane business. We believe the combination should enhance our customer service and competitiveness while providing growth opportunities for our employees and long-term value for our shareholders." A nationwide search for a chief executive officer to establish US Propane and lead its growth is currently underway. The Company has tentatively selected Nashville, Tennessee as its headquarters. This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements include: the ability to successfully complete the joint venture transaction; to effectively integrate the different operations; to recruit qualified personnel, including a CEO; to successfully compete against established national and regional propane operations; and to effect the transactions that will contribute to the growth of the business. Atmos Energy Corporation of Dallas, Texas, distributes natural gas and propane to more than one million customers in 13 states through its operating divisions - Energas Company, Greeley Gas Company, Trans Louisiana Gas Company, United Cities Gas Company, Western Kentucky Gas Company and United Cities Propane Gas, Inc. # # #