Texas Governor Wants Answers Over Energy Company ‘Failure’ on Winter Planning

Abbott says Atmos's inability to provide natural gas to state's north and central areas is unacceptable

Winter storm Uri brought historic cold weather to Texas in 2021, causing traffic chaos and power outages. State authorities were determined that lack of preparation was not going to happen again. In this file image from Feb. 15, 2021, people carry groceries from a gas station in Austin, Texas. Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called on the state attorney general and the railroad commissioner to investigate Atmos Energy’s lack of preparation for the recent severe winter weather.

Abbott sent letters to Attorney General Ken Paxton and Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick on Dec. 28 asking their agencies to investigate the energy company’s failure to deliver natural gas service to portions of north and central Texas.