Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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Kevin Akers: Sure. Be glad to. Again, we’ve talked about our growth on every call here for several years now. We continue to grow at close to 2% or above 2%, particularly in our Mid-Tex Division there. So we have that mechanism with good organic growth. You couple that with the rate construct that we have, where we start to earn on 90% of our investment in six months, 99% in 12 months. It’s hard for us to see any sort of deal that could compete with the growth and regulatory construct that we have. So we’re very proud of our systems, what we do, our relationships, our execution on that. So at this point we are continuing to focus on and remain dedicated to system modernization.

Nick Campanella: All right. Can’t say I expected a different answer. So that’s very much in line. Thank you so much. Have a great day.

Kevin Akers: Thank you.

Operator: [Operator Instructions] And our next question comes from the line of Ryan Levine with Citi. Your line is open.

Ryan Levine: Hi, everybody.

Kevin Akers: Morning.

Ryan Levine: Is there any color you could share around what you’re seeing in the legislative sessions and across your service territories? Is there any bills that are being proposed that you’re watching closely or that could have an impact on your business or outlook?

Kevin Akers: All right. I think it’s still very early in a session. Those just really kicked off in some of our jurisdictions. We’ll continue to monitor those, but at this point we’ll let them go about their required activity and duties and we’ll continue to monitor.

Ryan Levine: Okay. And then in terms of the pipelines or LDC network itself, are you seeing any jurisdictions that are looking to rerate some types that may be classified as transmission to distribution or anything along those lines?

Kevin Akers: No, we’re not is the short answer to the question? Again, I believe those are all business decisions based upon the regulations at the federal level and the state level.

Ryan Levine: Okay. Appreciate that. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Gabriel Moreen with Mizuho Securities. Your line is open.

Chris Jeffrey: Hi, this is Chris Jeffrey on for Gabe. Just one quick one on the O&M side. Just seemed like there was a change in the bad debt expense treatment that came through on the quarter. Wondering, is that all kind of realized now? Or will that continue to flow through future periods? And was that contemplated in the original guide?

Chris Forsythe: Yes, so the – I’m sorry property [ph] tax, too many questions are property tax on the bad debt expense that $14 million or so that we referenced, that was basically the impact for this fiscal year. We had hoped that that would come through. So that was basically reflecting in our guide.

Chris Jeffrey: Great. Thanks. That’s it for me.

Operator: I will now turn the call back over to Dan Meziere for closing remarks.

Dan Meziere: We appreciate your interest in Atmos Energy. And again, thank you for joining us. A recording of this call is available for replay on our website through March 31. Have a great day.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today’s call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.

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