It's like a bad dream. Remember when ATMOS whined about needing a rate increase? But then it came out that part of the cost of doing business was the ATMOS bigwigs staying at 4-star hotels and the like?(As in, why should WE pay an increase in rate costs for THEM living high off the hog?) But then after awhile, the RRC decided, since, after all, they're all pals with the Oil and Gas industry,to grant them their rate increase? (Just do a search here or click on the ATMOS tag, below, to see all the crookedness).

Today I read in the Star-Telegram that it wasn't only the ATMOS people living it up, but the attorneys and consultatnts who, um, were FIGHTING for the rate increases, were adding a HUGE expense to the bill. Now, bonus question. WHO do you think is going to have to pay for that? ATMOS? Silly you!

Even as Atmos Energy was removing luxurious hotel stays and limousine rides from a natural gas rate case last year, its attorneys and consultants litigating the issue were running up more bills at fancy hotels and spending more than $100 for restaurant meals, according to documents obtained by the Star-Telegram.

North Texas customers of the gas utility will have to foot the bills -- plus about $1.7 million more in questionable expenditures -- because the three members of the Texas Railroad Commission gave them their approval last week.

Among the questionable charges are more than $16,400 in bills at expensive hotels, more than $3,000 for meals at pricey restaurants, and mileage reimbursements by at least one Atmos official that is almost double the federal standard.

All the charges were accrued by attorneys and regulatory experts involved in a 2007 Atmos rate case. Most of the controversial costs were charged by the North Texas utility, although one of the cities opposing Atmos also failed to sufficiently document some expensive consultant charges, according to the report.

Kind of makes your head want to spin around, doesn't it? Imagine the iRONY of now paying attry/consultant fees for a rate case that involved ATMOS charging too much in in order to raise rates.

This is WHY Michael Williams must go and you should vote for Dale Henry. Why did he say that it was all right for the RRC to okay this? Because looking at the expenditures would have driven up the costs more. HUH!!!???? By that reckoning we should NEVER have oversight of ANYTHING because gee, auditing books or expense accounts would incur a charge by the auditors. Has it occurred to Michael Williams that the RRC could have FINED ATMOS for doing this? Instead of making the ratepayers pick up the cost?

Here's a couple of the expenditures that Michael Williams has no problem with.

Atmos attorneys and consultants submitted $16,410.94 in hotel charges that could be considered excessive. Although the examiner's report did not break down the calculation, it said charges above $172.50 per night -- that is, $150 plus tax -- could be considered a luxury. "Other parties had no trouble staying at motels that were under $150 per night on most occasions," the examiner wrote, adding, "The State of Texas limits its motel travel expense to a maximum reimbursed rate of $85 per night, plus tax."

The Feb. 5 report identified $3,143.75 in questionable Atmos meal expenses. A "review of the invoices of Atmos Mid-Texas for meals from consultants' shows 88 occurrences of meals in excess of $100," the hearings examiner said.

So.... You. Eating out at McDonalds and Staying at a Motel 6. ATMOS Energy enjoying Steak at the Hyatt Regency.

Don't forget about this when it's time for you to vote and you see Texas Railroad Commission on your ballot. Vote OUT Michael Williams and vote IN Dale Henry