Press Releases

THOMPSON: TOWN OF WINSTONVILLE'S NATURAL GAS TO BE RESTORED

For Immediate Release                  Contact: Cory Horton

November 29, 2011                                     202-225-5876

Congressman Thompson: Town of Winstonville’s Natural Gas to be Restored

Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement regarding the restoration of natural gas service to the Town of Winstonville, Mississippi.

“I am extremely pleased that the citizens of Winstonville will once again have natural gas service,” said Thompson.  “For several weeks, my office has been in constant contact with local and federal officials to help bring this adverse situation to a close.  The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Office, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the Atmos Energy Corporation, and Texas Gas should all be commended for the works they have done to restore service to Winstonville.”

On May, 27, 2011, Texas Gas terminated natural gas service to the Town of Winstonville after the Town amassed a debt totaling $611,718 to Texas Gas.  In addition, the town had become delinquent to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a Community Facilities Loan owing $323,759 thru September 19, 2011.

This Summer, Atmos Energy Corporation (Atmos) stated that it would be willing to provide natural gas distribution service to the Town of Winstonville, but only if it could assume ownership of the Winstonville natural gas distribution system clear of all liens and claims. Texas Gas agreed to provide Atmos with assurances that they would not seek to recover amounts owed by Winstonville from Atmos, or make any attempt to place a lien or claim arising out of any amounts owed to Texas Gas by Winstonville on any assets transferred from Winstonville to Atmos for the purpose of providing natural gas service to the people of Winstonville.

With Congressman Thompson’s assistance, the Town of Winstonville was able to settle the delinquent debt owed to the USDA. Atmos Energy is in the process of performing an essential safety assessment of the entire natural gas system.  If the system is deemed safe for reconnection, service should commence within several days.

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