Chaos over Atmos energy bills

[TexasStooge]

By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8

For Atmos energy consumers, this winter continues to be a season of high natural gas bills and low customer satisfaction.

One North Texan's bill spiked to over $1,400.

Emily Rutledge of Bedford wanted to know from Atmos Energy why her gas bill went from $45 in November to almost $240 in December to zero in January.

But after numerous phone calls to Atmos customer service and promised visits by meter readers what got resolved? Absolutely nothing.

After receiving a cutoff notice because she refused to pay until Atmos resolved her account, she made more calls and sent in $100 as good faith.

Finally, a meter reader came out to tell her the meter worked fine.

"I still have no answers. I don't know how much my December bill was. I don't know how much my January bill is supposed to be," says Rutledge.

In Mesquite, an Atmos Energy customer says her problem with billing and customer service really stinks.

Shirley Gardner says Atmos repaired a leak on the Atmos side of her meter January 10th, after she and her neighbors smelled gas in the alley.

But Atmos then found a leak on her side of the meter January 29th. The gas lost for 19 days showed up on her next bill, which is $1,486.

"That's what I'm upset about right there. Why did their technician or whatever they call them not find it on the 10th?" asks Gardner.

Atmos says its records show the January 10th repair on the line in the alley. It says she must pay for the gas but the delivery charge and tax will be dropped.

Back in Bedford, Atmos says it over billed Emily Rutledge and will adjust her statement.