Richardson residents, businesses could see gas rates go up in December

If approved, the change would raise the minimum residential base rate by $0.60 from $20.25 to $20.85 per month, while the commercial base rate would increase by $2 from $54.50 to $56.60 per month.

Consumption rates would also increase, Gastorf said. The committee is proposing to increase the residential charge from $0.26651 to $0.27979 and the commercial charge from $0.11728 to $0.12263. Consumption rates are based on usage, Gastorf said.

The rate change is based on capital investments made in 2020, so it does not include repairs or maintenance that occurred as a result of February’s winter storm, Gastorf said. Those investments will likely be included in next year’s rate review process, he added.

Normally, rate changes would go into effect Oct. 1; however, Atmos has agreed to a two-month delay, resulting in the Dec. 1 effective date. This will result in a savings of $3.8 million systemwide, Gastorf said.

Since 2016, Atmos has invested $19 million in Richardson’s gas system infrastructure. In 2020, it invested $3.5 million, Gastorf said.

Council will vote on the settlement agreement at its Sept. 27 meeting.