Greg Abbott calls for investigation into Atmos Energy after Texas freeze

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requested the legal professional normal and the pinnacle of the state company that regulates oil and gasoline drilling to analyze Atmos Energy, the state’s largest pure gasoline supplier, for a failure to organize for the frigid temperatures that slammed the state final week.

On Dec. 23, Dallas-based Atmos requested its 2 million clients round Texas to preserve their gasoline use by decreasing their thermostats, not utilizing gasoline fireplaces and refraining from utilizing their washers, dryers and ovens all through an unusually frigid Christmas weekend.

The firm reported low gasoline strain in cities across North and Central Texas that left some clients with out warmth.

“Gas line pressure is insufficient for most furnace heaters and as a result, not functioning,” a viewer of KXAN Austin wrote to the station. “So while gas is on for stoves, it won’t work for pressure sensitive furnace heaters. No idea on actual wait times but was on hold for over 70 minutes on the emergency line for ATMOS with no response.”

KXAN reported that the corporate tweeted that customer support traces had been down for the vacations; that tweet has been deleted. Atmos couldn’t instantly be reached for remark by the Tribune on Wednesday.

“Leading up to, and during the winter event, State of Texas agencies worked around the clock to mobilize resources and assist utilities in any way possible,” Abbott wrote in a letter to Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick. “At no time did Atmos Energy request assistance. Atmos’ conduct is unacceptable and concrete action must be taken … to ensure it is not repeated the next time that winter weather engulfs our state.”

On Dec. 23, the Texas Railroad Commission confirmed to The Texas Tribune that it was conscious of Atmos’ “localized low-pressure issues,” which they attributed to extraordinarily excessive demand throughout the dip in temperatures, and mentioned the corporate’s buyer name heart was open.

“Atmos Mid-Tex reported there is no gas supply issues overall in the system at this time,” Andrew Keese, spokesperson for the Railroad Commission, advised the Tribune.

“Because we are just beginning the winter season, and because customers of Atmos deserve to have reliable natural gas service during this winter,” Abbott wrote in his letter, “there is an urgency to have [the] investigation concluded in a matter of weeks.”