If approved, average monthly residential bills will go up by about $16.66, or 10 percent, according to the company’s Oct. 25 filing.

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Atmos Energy has filed paperwork seeking to increase system-wide base rates in its West Texas Division by approximately $66.1 million. If approved, annual revenues received from the incorporated areas of that division would increase by approximately $26.9 million, which equates to 32.27 percent, excluding gas costs.

If approved, average monthly residential bills will go up by about $16.66, or 10 percent, according to the company’s Oct. 25 filing. The company also seeks a rate of return of 8.21 percent.

In addition to establishing new rates, the company seeks in its filing to establish a new “System Safety and Integrity Rider” through which it could recover expenses for inspection activities, incremental leak surveying, pipeline integrity testing and other associated costs. Atmos likewise seeks to obtain approval to recover Cloud Computing costs through the interim Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, and it seeks approval to increase limits on recoverable meals and lodging expenditures.

ACSC has intervened in the matter. The case number is 00018879.

— R.A. Dyer