U.S. utilities are reporting growth in residential demand, as well as commercial and industrial (C&I) consumption, underpinning investments in more natural gas-fired generation and system reliability. 

Atmos Energy Inc. CEO John Akers during a call to discuss the fiscal first quarter earnings  highlighted capital expenditures (capex) for modernizing its natural gas distribution system to serve “growing demand from all of our customer classes.” 

The Dallas-based natural gas utility serves more than three million customers in eight states, mostly in the South and Rockies. During the final three months of 2023, Atmos directed more than 80% of $770 million in capex to transmission and distribution pipeline, storage and compression and safety upgrades. 

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