Books & Barbeque: Atmos Energy Helps Provide Both

The Dallas Public Library rolled out its second bookmobile today, and Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) played a key role in creating the library on wheels. "Atmos Energy is involved in many community activities and supporting education is high on our list of philanthropic priorities,” said Robert W. Best, chairman, president and chief executive of Atmos Energy Corporation. "Education, especially reading, is the best way to solve a host of problems throughout society.” Atmos Energy is the title sponsor for the bookmobile. A variety of individuals, private organizations and foundations provided the majority of funding. "It’s remarkable what a bookmobile means to a community,” said City of Dallas Director of Libraries Laurie Evans. "In many instances, the bookmobile is someone’s fondest first memories of the library.” "A strong education system is good for the region and good for employers like Atmos Energy,” added John Paris, president of Atmos Energy’s Mid-Tex Division. "The workforce of the future must be better educated and prepared to resolve complex issues.” Atmos Energy also made it a tasty announcement by cooking lunch for invited guests at the noon ceremony. Company employees cooked barbeque for approximately 250 people, including Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. The "Big Tex” grill—a 25-foot long trailer with three large natural gas cookers and a smoker—was brought in for the meal. It was built by Atmos Energy employees on personal time and has been used to prepare meals at natural disasters as well as celebrations. Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving about 3.2 million natural gas distribution customers in more than 1,600 communities in 12 states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also provides natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers in 22 states and manages company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Atmos Energy is a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com.