SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
February 16, 2000
ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
TEXAS AND VIRGINIA 1-10042 75-1743247
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(State or Other Jurisdiction Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Number Identification No.)
Organization)
1800 THREE LINCOLN CENTRE,
5430 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
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(Address of Principal (Zip Code)
Executive Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code
(972) 934-9227
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On February 16, 2000, Atmos Energy Corporation announced in a
press release that it had entered into an agreement to form a joint
venture to combine the operations of its wholly-owned subsidiary,
United Cities Propane Gas, Inc., with the propane operations of AGL
Resources, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., and TECO
Energy. Such press release is filed herein as Exhibit 99.1, which
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release of Atmos Energy Corporation dated
February 16, 2000.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
DATE: February 21, 2000 By: /s/ ROBERT W. BEST
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Robert W. Best
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Item Number Description Page
99.1 Press Release of Atmos Energy Corporation
dated February 16, 2000
EXHIBIT 99.1
[ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION LETTERHEAD AND LOGO APPEAR HERE]
DATE: February 16, 2000 INVESTOR CONTACT:
Lynn Hord: 972/855-3729
MEDIA CONTACT:
FOR RELEASE: Immediately Randy Hicks: 972/855-3720
ATMOS ENERGY TO JOIN FORCES WITH THREE OTHER COMPANIES
TO CREATE NATIONAL PROPANE OPERATION
DALLAS, Texas -- Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) today
announced that it has entered into an agreement to form a joint
venture which combines its United Cities Propane Gas operations with
the propane operations of AGL Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ATG), Atlanta,
Ga.; Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (NYSE: PNY), Charlotte,
N.C. ; and TECO Energy (NYSE: TE), Tampa, Fla.
The combined entity, to be named US Propane, L.P., will be among the
10 largest propane retailers in the nation, with nearly 200,000
customers. Focused on the Southeast, US Propane will have
operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina,
South Carolina and Tennessee. The transaction is subject to
regulatory approval for one of the proposed venturers and other
customary conditions. The participating companies expect the
transaction to be completed by May 1, 2000. The companies are being
advised in this transaction by PaineWebber.
"This venture will allow Atmos Energy to achieve its goal of growing
to be one of the largest propane distributors in the country," said
Robert W. Best, Chairman, President and CEO. "It's a major
opportunity for us to fully maximize the potential of our propane
business. We believe the combination should enhance our customer
service and competitiveness while providing growth opportunities for
our employees and long-term value for our shareholders."
A nationwide search for a chief executive officer to establish US
Propane and lead its growth is currently underway. The Company has
tentatively selected Nashville, Tennessee as its headquarters.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are
subject to inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and
conditions. Certain factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking
statements include: the ability to successfully complete the joint
venture transaction; to effectively integrate the different
operations; to recruit qualified personnel, including a CEO; to
successfully compete against established national and regional
propane operations; and to effect the transactions that will
contribute to the growth of the business.
Atmos Energy Corporation of Dallas, Texas, distributes natural gas
and propane to more than one million customers in 13 states through
its operating divisions - Energas Company, Greeley Gas Company,
Trans Louisiana Gas Company, United Cities Gas Company, Western
Kentucky Gas Company and United Cities Propane Gas, Inc.
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