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2006 News Releases

Call Now Before the Cold Rush, Atmos Energy Reminds Customers

Waiting until the last minute could mean delays for service connection

Media Contact:
Rand LaVonn
(972) 855-3086

DALLAS, Texas – November 28, 2006 – Cold weather is moving into a large portion of the United States this week, and Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) is reminding customers to call the company now to ensure prompt service connection.

“We want our customers to be warm and comfortable as the weather gets cold,” said Kim Cocklin, Atmos Energy senior vice president of utility operations. “Atmos Energy customers use natural gas to heat their homes because it is the most efficient and affordable way to stay warm during the winter.”

Customer support centers for Atmos Energy are already experiencing a surge in calls, with more than 25,000 calls logged on Monday, Nov. 27, 2006.

“Some customers suspend their service during the summer months and then call us to re-establish their service when cold weather arrives,” Cocklin said. “Once the mercury starts dropping, we get thousands of calls and our work schedule fills up rapidly.”

In August and September, Atmos Energy made special efforts to encourage seasonal customers to reconnect service before the winter weather rush. Many customers took advantage of the opportunity; however a large number chose to wait for the onset of cold weather.

Atmos Energy crews have turned on natural gas service to more than 103,000 customers during October and November throughout the company’s 12-state service territory.

“Atmos Energy will utilize the full extent of its resources to provide safe and reliable natural gas service to our customers,” added Cocklin. “In the past we have even arrived at homes after dark and people were grateful our crews worked late.”

To re-establish service Atmos Energy customers can call toll-free 1-800-460-3030, to speak with call center representatives based in Texas .

For low-income customers who qualify, energy assistance funds are available to help pay monthly gas bills. Customers can go to the Atmos Energy Web site, www.atmosenergy.com, and look under “Energy Assistance” for help in locating assistance agencies in their state.

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas , is the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving about 3.2 million gas utility customers. Atmos Energy’s utility operations serve more than 1,500 communities in 12 states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy’s nonutility operations, organized under Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc., operate in 22 states. They provide natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers and manage company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipelines in Texas . Atmos Energy is a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com.

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