Denton EDP Investor Profile: Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy's history in Denton dates back to 1912 when natural gas service started on December 19. Over 113 years, Atmos and its forerunners have provided Denton customers with exceptional service and contributed to economic growth through strategic infrastructure investments. Utilities like Atmos support the communities they serve by ensuring consistent, reliable service and working with developers, governmental entities, and EDOs, such as Denton Economic Development Partnership, in the planning phases of crucial projects. 

Atmos Energy’s in Denton: Over a century of success

The Petrolia gas field 90 miles northwest of Denton in Clay County provided the first natural gas in Denton with Lone Star Gas company supplying North Texas Gas Company for final distribution to customers. By 1945, tax rolls listed Lone Star Gas Company as the largest taxpayer in Denton. Through the 1950s and 60s, improvements and new installations extended and expanded service. Simultaneously, career opportunities reached more individuals, and the first female meter reader in the history of the Lone Star Gas Company was hired in Denton in 1969.

The construction of a pipeline from Argyle to Keller in 1990 and 1991, boosted the gas supply in Denton County, and in 2006, the North Side Loop Pipeline project was completed with 45 miles of 30-inch pipe for Colin, Denton, and Tarrant counties. Natural gas supplied by Atmos Energy started fueling the Acme Brick plant in Denton in 2008.

Atmos helps fuel Denton developments

Utility service providers, such as Atmos Energy, often work with local economic development organizations, municipalities, and property developers to tackle emerging community needs, such as adding service for new residential developments or industrial parks. Over the past five years, Atmos partnered with local developers to provide natural gas service to 22 new developments with a planned customer base of 5,000 at full build-out of all subdivisions. Over 3,000 new Denton customers were added to the Atmos Energy system in this same time period.

Additionally, Atmos added new infrastructure to serve the growing industrial area near Denton Enterprise Airport, including distribution facilities for Target and WinCo Foods. Atmos has also heavily invested in expanding operations abilities at the Lake Dallas underground storage facility in Denton. This critical facility stores gas underground for peak times of natural gas demand and is crucial for supporting the tremendous growth in the North Texas region.

Developers typically reach out to Atmos during the due diligence phase of a project. Project discussions can tap the engineering, system planning, marketing, and operations teams at Atmos Energy based on the size and scope of a development. Atmos uses the information provided to assess service options – the better the information provided, the more accurate the feedback Atmos can offer. The company also partners with governmental entities in the planning phases for new or improved infrastructure. For example, Atmos may relocate natural gas facilities in the right-of-way of a roadway to allow for road widening or the installation of new water or sewer lines in a community.

Atmos Energy is an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas. The natural gas-only distributor serves over 3 million customers in the southern United States.

Learn more about Atmos Energy or how you can become an investor for the Denton Economic Development Partnership.