10-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014

OR

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-10042

Atmos Energy Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas and Virginia    75-1743247

(State or other jurisdiction of    (IRS employer

incorporation or organization)    identification no.)

Three Lincoln Centre, Suite 1800

5430 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas    75240

(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(972) 934-9227

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Name of Each Exchange

Title of Each Classon Which Registered

Common stock, No Par Value    New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ        No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ        No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ        No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.45) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer    þAccelerated filer    ¨Non-accelerated filer    ¨    Smaller reporting company    ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨       No  þ

The aggregate market value of the common voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, March 31, 2014, was $4,659,809,695.

As of October 31, 2014, the registrant had 100,393,038 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
Glossary of Key Terms		3
	Part I
Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	13
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	18
Item 2.	Properties	18
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	20
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures
	Part II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	20
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	22
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	45
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	45
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	46
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	102
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	102
Item 9B.	Other Information	104
	Part III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	104
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	105
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	105
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	105
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	105
	Part IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	107

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

AEC	Atmos Energy Corporation
AEH	Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.
AEM	Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC
AOCI	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
APS	Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC
ATO	Trading symbol for Atmos Energy Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange
Bcf	Billion cubic feet
CFTC	Commodity Futures Trading Commission
COSO	Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
ERISA	Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
FASB	Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fitch	Fitch Ratings, Ltd.
GAAP	Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GRIP	Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program
GSRS	Gas System Reliability Surcharge
KPSC	Kentucky Public Service Commission
LTIP	1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Mcf	Thousand cubic feet
MDWQ	Maximum daily withdrawal quantity
Mid-Tex Cities	Represents all incorporated cities other than Dallas, or approximately 80 percent of the Mid-Tex Division’s customers, with whom a settlement agreement was reached during the fiscal 2008 second quarter.
MMcf	Million cubic feet
Moody’s	Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.
NYMEX	New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.
NYSE	New York Stock Exchange
PAP	Pension Account Plan
PPA	Pension Protection Act of 2006
RRC	Railroad Commission of Texas
RRM	Rate Review Mechanism
RSC	Rate Stabilization Clause
S&P	Standard & Poor’s Corporation
SEC	United States Securities and Exchange Commission
SRF	Stable Rate Filing
WNA	Weather Normalization Adjustment

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PART I

The terms “we,” “our,” “us”, “Atmos Energy” and the “Company” refer to Atmos Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise.

ITEM 1. Business.

Overview and Strategy

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and incorporated in Texas and Virginia, is engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses as well as other nonregulated natural gas businesses. We deliver natural gas through regulated sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers in eight states located primarily in the South, which makes us one of the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributors based on number of customers. We also operate one of the largest intrastate pipelines in Texas based on miles of pipe.

During fiscal 2012 and 2013, we sold our natural gas distribution operations in four states to streamline our regulated operations. In August 2012, we completed the sale of our natural gas distribution operations in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, representing approximately 84,000 customers, and in April 2013, we completed the sale of our natural gas distribution operations in Georgia, representing approximately 64,000 customers.

Our nonregulated businesses provide natural gas management, marketing, transportation and storage services to municipalities, local gas distribution companies, including certain of our natural gas distribution divisions and industrial customers principally in the Midwest and Southeast.

Our overall strategy is to:

• deliver superior shareholder value,

• improve the quality and consistency of earnings growth, while operating our business exceptionally well

• invest in our people and infrastructure

• enhance our culture.

We have delivered excellent shareholder value by growing our earnings and increasing our dividends for over 25 consecutive years. Over the last six years, we have achieved growth by implementing rate designs that reduce or eliminate regulatory lag and separate the recovery of our approved margins from customer usage patterns. In addition, we have developed various commercial opportunities within our regulated transmission and storage operations.

Our core values include focusing on our employees and customers while conducting our business with honesty and integrity. We continue to strengthen our culture through ongoing communications with our employees and enhanced employee training.

Operating Segments

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, which includes our regulated distribution and related sales operations

• The regulated pipeline segment, which includes the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division and

• The nonregulated segment, which includes our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

These operating segments are described in greater detail below.

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Regulated Distribution Segment Overview

Our regulated distribution segment is comprised of our six regulated natural gas distribution divisions. This segment represents approximately 65 percent of our consolidated net income. The following table summarizes key information about these divisions, presented in order of total rate base. We operate in our service areas under terms of non-exclusive franchise agreements granted by the various cities and towns that we serve. At September 30, 2014, we held 1,003 franchises having terms generally ranging from five to 35 years. A significant number of our franchises expire each year, which require renewal prior to the end of their terms. We believe that we will be able to renew our franchises as they expire.

Division	Service Areas	Communities Served	Customer Meters
Mid-Tex	Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex	550	1,609,920
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky	230	177,811
	Tennessee		137,989
	Virginia		23,261
Louisiana	Louisiana	300	353,079
West Texas	Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland	80	302,815
Mississippi	Mississippi	110	265,762
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	170	113,006
	Kansas		131,426

Revenues in this operating segment are established by regulatory authorities in the states in which we operate. These rates are intended to be sufficient to cover the costs of conducting business and to provide a reasonable return on invested capital. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system.

Rates established by regulatory authorities often include cost adjustment mechanisms for costs that (i) are subject to significant price fluctuations compared to our other costs, (ii) represent a large component of our cost of service and (iii) are generally outside our control.

Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms represent a common form of cost adjustment mechanism. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide natural gas distribution companies a method of recovering purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case because they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in natural gas distribution gas costs. Therefore, although substantially all of our distribution operating revenues fluctuate with the cost of gas that we purchase, distribution gross profit (which is defined as operating revenues less purchased gas cost) is generally not affected by fluctuations in the cost of gas.

Additionally, some jurisdictions have introduced performance-based ratemaking adjustments to provide incentives to distribution companies to minimize purchased gas costs through improved storage management and use of financial instruments to lock in gas costs. Under the performance-based ratemaking adjustment, purchased gas costs savings are shared between the utility and its customers.

Our supply of natural gas is provided by a variety of suppliers, including independent producers, marketers and pipeline companies and withdrawals of gas from proprietary and contracted storage assets. Additionally, the natural gas supply for our Mid-Tex Division includes peaking and spot purchase agreements.

Supply arrangements consist of both base load and swing supply (peaking) quantities and are contracted from our suppliers on a firm basis with various terms at market prices. Base load quantities are those that flow at a constant level throughout the month and swing supply quantities provide the flexibility to change daily quantities to match increases or decreases in requirements related to weather conditions.

Except for local production purchases, we select our natural gas suppliers through a competitive bidding process by periodically requesting proposals from suppliers that have demonstrated that they can provide reliable service. We select these suppliers based on their ability to deliver gas supply to our designated firm pipeline receipt points at the lowest reasonable cost. Major suppliers during fiscal 2014 were ConocoPhillips Company, Devon Gas Services, L.P., Enbridge Marketing (US) Inc., Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Iberdrola Energy Services, LLC, NJR Energy Services Company, Targa Gas Marketing LLC, Tenaska Gas Storage, LLC, Tenaska Marketing Ventures, Texla Energy Management, Inc. and Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC, our natural gas marketing subsidiary.

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The combination of base load, peaking and spot purchase agreements, coupled with the withdrawal of gas held in storage, allows us the flexibility to adjust to changes in weather, which minimizes our need to enter into long-term firm commitments. We estimate our peak-day availability of natural gas supply to be approximately 4.4 Bcf. The peak-day demand for our distribution operations in fiscal 2014 was on January 6, 2014, when sales to customers reached approximately 3.5 Bcf.

Currently, our distribution divisions, except for our Mid-Tex Division, utilize 35 pipeline transportation companies, both interstate and intrastate, to transport our natural gas. The pipeline transportation agreements are firm and many of them have “pipeline no-notice” storage service, which provides for daily balancing between system requirements and nominated flowing supplies. These agreements have been negotiated with the shortest term necessary while still maintaining our right of first refusal. The natural gas supply for our Mid-Tex Division is delivered primarily by our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division.

To maintain our deliveries to high priority customers, we have the ability, and have exercised our right, to curtail deliveries to certain customers under the terms of interruptible contracts or applicable state regulations or statutes. Our customers’ demand on our system is not necessarily indicative of our ability to meet current or anticipated market demands or immediate delivery requirements because of factors such as the physical limitations of gathering, storage and transmission systems, the duration and severity of cold weather, the availability of gas reserves from our suppliers, the ability to purchase additional supplies on a short-term basis and actions by federal and state regulatory authorities. Curtailment rights provide us the flexibility to meet the human-needs requirements of our customers on a firm basis. Priority allocations imposed by federal and state regulatory agencies, as well as other factors beyond our control, may affect our ability to meet the demands of our customers. We anticipate no problems with obtaining additional gas supply as needed for our customers.

Regulated Pipeline Segment Overview

Our regulated pipeline segment consists of the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline - Texas Division (APT). APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas-producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Delaware and Val Verde Basins of West Texas. Through it, we transport natural gas to our Mid-Tex Division and to third parties and manage five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. We also provide ancillary services customary in the pipeline industry including parking and lending arrangements. This segment represents approximately 30 percent of our consolidated operations.

Gross profit earned from transportation for our Mid-Tex Division, other local distribution companies and certain other transportation and storage services is subject to traditional ratemaking governed by the RRC. Rates are updated through periodic formal rate proceedings and filings made under Texas’ Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP). GRIP allows us to include in our rate base annually approved capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year provided that we file a complete rate case at least once every five years. Atmos Pipeline-Texas’ existing regulatory mechanisms allow certain transportation and storage services to be provided under market-based rates.

Nonregulated Segment Overview

Our nonregulated operations are conducted through Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation, and typically represent approximately five percent of our consolidated net income.

AEH's primary business is to buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices to approximately 1,000 customers located primarily in the Midwest and Southeast areas of the United States. AEH accomplishes this objective by aggregating and purchasing gas supply, arranging transportation and storage logistics and effectively managing commodity price risk.

AEH also earns storage and transportation demand fees primarily from our regulated distribution operations in Louisiana and Kentucky. These demand fees are subject to regulatory oversight and are renewed periodically.

Ratemaking Activity

Overview

The method of determining regulated rates varies among the states in which our regulated businesses operate. The regulatory authorities have the responsibility of ensuring that utilities in their jurisdictions operate in the best interests of customers while providing utility companies the opportunity to earn a reasonable return on their investment. Generally, each regulatory authority reviews rate requests and establishes a rate structure intended to generate revenue sufficient to cover the costs of conducting business and to provide a reasonable return on invested capital.

Our rate strategy focuses on reducing or eliminating regulatory lag, obtaining adequate returns and providing stable, predictable margins, which benefit both our customers and the Company. As a result of our ratemaking efforts in recent years, Atmos Energy has:

• Formula rate mechanisms in place in three states that provide for an annual rate review and adjustment to rates for approximately 77 percent of our distribution gross margin.

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• Approximately 90 percent of our capital expenditures are recovered within six months.

• Accelerated recovery of capital for approximately 91 percent of our regulated distribution gross margin.

• Enhanced rate recovery that allows us to defer certain elements of our cost of service until they are included in rates, such as depreciation, ad valorem taxes and pension costs.

• Enhanced rate design in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions (which represent approximately 56 percent of our regulated distribution segment operating income) to increase the customer base charge and decrease the consumption charge applied to customer usage. This rate design reduces our dependence on customer consumption in these divisions, which should enable these divisions to earn operating income more ratably over the fiscal year.

• WNA mechanisms in seven states that serve to minimize the effects of weather on approximately 97 percent of our distribution gross margin.

• The ability to recover the gas cost portion of bad debts for approximately 76 percent of our distribution gross margin.

The following table provides a jurisdictional rate summary for our regulated operations. This information is for regulatory purposes only and may not be representative of our actual financial position.

Division	Jurisdiction	Effective Date of Last Rate/GRIP Action	Rate Base (thousands)(1)	Authorized Rate of Return(1)	Authorized Debt/ Equity Ratio	Authorized Return on Equity(1)
Atmos Pipeline — Texas	Texas	05/01/2011	$807,733	9.36%	50/50	11.80%
Atmos Pipeline — Texas — GRIP	Texas	05/01/2014	1,169,893	9.36%	N/A	11.80%
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	08/26/2014	111,297	8.04%	48/52	9.72%
	Kansas	09/04/2014	177,563	7.75%	47/53	9.10%
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky	04/22/2014	252,738	7.71%	51/49	9.80%
	Tennessee	11/08/2012	201,359	8.28%	49/51	10.10%
	Virginia	09/09/2014	37,456	7.94%	46/54	9.00% - 10.00%
Louisiana	Trans LA	04/01/2014	109,940	7.79%	52/48	10.00% - 10.80%
	LGS	07/01/2014	309,432	7.79%	49/51	9.80%
Mid-Tex Cities	Texas	11/01/2013	1,672,286(3)	8.59%	(2)	10.50%
Mid-Tex — Dallas	Texas	06/01/2014	1,798,530(3)	8.31%	48/52	10.10%
Mississippi	Mississippi	01/07/2014	298,466	8.18%	49/51	9.95%
West Texas(4)	Texas	04/01/2014	324,264	(2)	(2)	(2)

Division	Jurisdiction	Bad  Debt Rider(5)	Annual Rate Mechanism	Infrastructure Mechanism	Performance- Based Rate  Program(6)	WNA Period
Atmos Pipeline —  Texas	Texas	No	No	Yes	N/A	N/A
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	No	No	No	No	N/A
	Kansas	Yes	No	Yes	No	October-May
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	November-April
	Tennessee	Yes	No	No	Yes	October-April
	Virginia	Yes	No	Yes	No	January-December
Louisiana	Trans LA	No	Yes	Yes	No	December-March
	LGS	No	Yes	Yes	No	December-March
Mid-Tex Cities	Texas	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	November-April
Mid-Tex — Dallas	Texas	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	November-April
Mississippi	Mississippi	No	Yes	No	Yes	November-April
West Texas(4)	Texas	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	October-May

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⁽¹⁾  The rate base, authorized rate of return and authorized return on equity presented in this table are those from the most recent rate case or GRIP filing for each jurisdiction. These rate bases, rates of return and returns on equity are not necessarily indicative of current or future rate bases, rates of return or returns on equity.

⁽²⁾  A rate base, rate of return, return on equity or debt/equity ratio was not included in the respective state commission’s final decision.

⁽³⁾  The Mid-Tex Rate Base amounts for the Mid-Tex Cities and Dallas areas represent “system-wide”, or 100 percent, of the Mid-Tex Division’s rate base.

⁽⁴⁾  On April 1, 2014, a rate case settlement approved by the West Texas Cities reestablished an annual rate mechanism for all West Texas Division cities except Amarillo, Channing, Dalhart and Lubbock.

⁽⁵⁾  The bad debt rider allows us to recover from ratepayers the gas cost portion of uncollectible accounts.

⁽⁶⁾  The performance-based rate program provides incentives to distribution companies to minimize purchased gas costs by allowing the companies and its customers to share the purchased gas costs savings.

Although substantial progress has been made in recent years by improving rate design and recovery of investment across Atmos Energy’s operating areas, we will continue to seek improvements in rate design to address cost variations that are related to pass-through energy costs beyond our control and pursue tariffs that reduce regulatory lag associated with investments. Further, potential changes in federal energy policy and adverse economic conditions will necessitate continued vigilance by the Company and our regulators in meeting the challenges presented by these external factors.

Recent Ratemaking Activity

Substantially all of our regulated revenues in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were derived from sales at rates set by or subject to approval by local or state authorities. Net operating income increases resulting from ratemaking activity totaling $93.3 million, $98.1 million and $30.7 million, became effective in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, as summarized below:

	Annual Increase to Operating Income For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
Rate Action	2014			2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Infrastructure programs	$	51,681		$	30,936	$	19,172
Annual rate filing mechanisms	20,068			9,152		7,044
Rate case filings	21,819			56,700		4,309
Other ratemaking activity	(226		)	1,322		167
	$	93,342		$	98,110	$	30,692

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Additionally, the following ratemaking efforts were initiated during fiscal 2014 but had not been completed as of September 30, 2014:

Division	Rate Action	Jurisdiction	Operating Income Requested
			(In thousands)
Kentucky/Mid-States	PRP(1)	Kentucky	$	4,317
	PRP(2)	Virginia	170
Mid-Tex Division	RRM(3)	Mid-Tex Cities	33,415
Mississippi	Stable Rate Filing	Mississippi	8,922
	SGR(4)	Mississippi	782
			$	47,606

⁽¹⁾  The Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP) surcharge relates to a long-term program to replace aging infrastructure. The Kentucky PRP was implemented on October 10, 2014.

⁽²⁾  The Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP) surcharge relates to a long-term program to replace aging infrastructure. The Virginia PRP was implemented on October 1, 2014.

⁽³⁾  Mid-Tex Cities RRM rates were put into effect on June 1, 2014, subject to refund. The Company appealed the Mid-

Tex Cities decision to deny the 2013 RRM increase to the Texas Railroad Commission on May 30, 2014. A proposal for decision is expected before the end of the calendar year.

⁽⁴⁾  The Mississippi Supplemental Growth Rider (SGR) permits the Company to pursue up to $5.0 million of eligible industrial growth projects beyond the division's normal main extension policies. This is the second year of the SGR program.

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Our recent ratemaking activity is discussed in greater detail below.

Infrastructure Programs

As discussed above in “Regulated Distribution Segment Overview” and “Regulated Pipeline Segment Overview,” infrastructure programs such as GRIP allow our regulated divisions the opportunity to include in their rate base annually approved capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year. We currently have infrastructure programs in Texas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Virginia. The following table summarizes our infrastructure program filings with effective dates during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

Division	Period End	Incremental Net Utility Plant Investment		Increase in Annual Operating Income		Effective Date
		(In thousands)		(In thousands)
2014 Infrastructure Programs:
West Texas(1)	12/2013	$	58,841	$	858	06/17/2014
Mid-Tex - Environs(2)	12/2013	203,714		881		05/22/2014
Atmos Pipeline — Texas	12/2013	265,050		45,589		05/06/2014
Colorado-Kansas - Kansas	09/2013	9,323		882		02/01/2014
Kentucky/Mid-States - Kentucky	09/2014	17,488		2,493		10/01/2013
Kentucky/Mid-States - Virginia	09/2014	1,587		210		10/01/2013
Mid-Tex - Environs(2)	12/2012	164,681		768		10/01/2013
Total 2014 Infrastructure Programs		$	720,684	$	51,681
2013 Infrastructure Programs:
Atmos Pipeline — Texas	12/2012	$	156,440	$	26,730	05/07/2013
Colorado-Kansas — Kansas	09/2012	5,376		601		01/09/2013
Kentucky/Mid-States — Georgia(3)(4)	09/2011	6,519		1,079		10/01/2012
Kentucky/Mid-States — Kentucky(4)	09/2013	19,296		2,425		10/01/2012
Kentucky/Mid-States — Virginia	09/2013	756		101		10/01/2012
Total 2013 Infrastructure Programs		$	188,387	$	30,936
2012 Infrastructure Programs:
Mid-Tex Unincorporated (Environs)(2)	12/2011	$	145,671	$	744	06/26/2012
Atmos Pipeline — Texas	12/2011	87,210		14,684		04/10/2012
Kentucky/Mid-States — Georgia(3)(4)	09/2010	7,160		1,215		10/01/2011
Kentucky/Mid-States — Kentucky(4)	09/2012	17,347		2,529		10/01/2011
Total 2012 Infrastructure Programs		$	257,388	$	19,172

⁽¹⁾  Incremental net utility plant investment represents the system-wide incremental investment for the West Texas Division. The increase in annual operating income is for the unincorporated areas of the West Texas Division only.

⁽²⁾  Incremental net utility plant investment represents the system-wide incremental investment for the Mid-Tex Division. The increase in annual operating income is for the unincorporated areas of the Mid-Tex Division only.

⁽³⁾  On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of our Georgia operations to Liberty Energy (Georgia) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. The increase in operating income arising from the implementation of new rates is included as a component of discontinued operations through March 31, 2013.

⁽⁴⁾  The Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP) surcharge relates to a long-term program to replace aging infrastructure.

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Annual Rate Filing Mechanisms

As an instrument to reduce regulatory lag, annual rate filing mechanisms allow us to refresh our rates on an annual periodic basis without filing a formal rate case. However, these filings still involve discovery by the appropriate regulatory authorities prior to the final determination of rates under these mechanisms. We currently have formula rate filing mechanisms in our Louisiana and Mississippi divisions and in a portion of our Texas divisions. The annual rate filing mechanism is referred to as Dallas annual rate review (DARR) and rate review mechanisms (RRM) in our Mid-Tex Division, as the RRM in our West Texas Division, as stable rate filings in the Mississippi Division and the rate stabilization clause in the Louisiana Division. The following table summarizes filings made under our various formula rate filing mechanisms:

Division	Jurisdiction	Test Year Ended	Increase (Decrease) in Annual Operating Income			Effective Date
			(In thousands)
2014 Filings:
Louisiana	LGS	12/31/2013	$	1,383		07/01/2014
Mid-Tex	City of Dallas	09/30/2013	5,638			06/01/2014
Louisiana	Trans LA	09/30/2013	550			04/01/2014
Mid-Tex	Mid-Tex Cities	12/31/2012	12,497			11/01/2013
Total 2014 Filings			$	20,068
2013 Filings:
Louisiana	LGS	12/31/2012	$	908		07/01/2013
Mid-Tex	City of Dallas	9/30/2012	1,800			06/01/2013
Louisiana	TransLa	9/30/2012	2,260			04/01/2013
Kentucky/Mid-States	Georgia(1)	9/30/2013	743			02/01/2013
Mississippi	Mississippi	6/30/2012	3,441			11/01/2012
Total 2013 Filings			$	9,152
2012 Filings:
Louisiana	LGS	12/31/2011	$	2,324		07/01/2012
Mid-Tex	Dallas	9/30/2011	1,204			06/01/2012
Louisiana	Trans La	9/30/2011	11			04/01/2012
Kentucky/Mid-States	Georgia(1)	9/30/2011	(818		)	02/01/2012
Mississippi	Mississippi	6/30/2011	4,323			01/11/2012
Total 2012 Filings			$	7,044

⁽¹⁾ On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of our Georgia operations to Liberty Energy (Georgia) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. The increase in operating income arising from the implementation of new rates is included as a component of discontinued operations through March 31, 2013.

During fiscal 2011, the RRC’s Division of Public Safety issued a new rule requiring natural gas distribution companies with operations in Texas to develop and implement a risk-based program for the renewal or replacement of distribution facilities, including steel service lines. The rule allows for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to this rule until the expenses are included in rates, including the recording of interest on the deferred expenses.

Rate Case Filings

A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return to our shareholders and ensure that we continue to safely deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service to our customers. The following table summarizes our recent rate cases:

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Division	State	Increase in Annual Operating Income		Effective Date
		(In thousands)
2014 Rate Case Filings:
Kentucky/Mid-States	Virginia	$	976	09/09/2014
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	2,571		09/04/2014
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	2,400		08/26/2014
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky	5,823		04/22/2014
West Texas	Texas	8,440		04/01/2014
Colorado-Kansas	Colorado	1,609		03/01/2014
Total 2014 Rate Case Filings		$	21,819
2013 Rate Case Filings:
Mid-Tex	Texas	$	42,601	12/04/2012
Kentucky/Mid-States	Tennessee	7,530		11/08/2012
West Texas	Texas	6,569		10/01/2012
Total 2013 Rate Case Filings		$	56,700
2012 Rate Case Filings:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	$	3,764	09/01/2012
West Texas — Environs	Texas	545		11/08/2011
Total 2012 Rate Case Filings		$	4,309

Other Ratemaking Activity

The following table summarizes other ratemaking activity during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

Division	Jurisdiction	Rate Activity	Increase in Annual Operating Income			Effective Date
			(In thousands)
2014 Other Rate Activity:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	Ad Valorem(1)	$	(226	)	02/01/2014
Total 2014 Other Rate Activity			$	(226	)
2013 Other Rate Activity:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	Ad Valorem(1)	$	1,322		02/01/2013
Total 2013 Other Rate Activity			$	1,322
2012 Other Rate Activity:
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas	Ad Valorem(1)	$	167		01/14/2012
Total 2012 Other Rate Activity			$	167

⁽¹⁾  The Ad Valorem filing relates to a collection of property taxes in excess of the amount included in our Kansas service area’s base rates.

Other Regulation

Each of our regulated distribution divisions and our regulated pipeline division is regulated by various state or local public utility authorities. We are also subject to regulation by the United States Department of Transportation with respect to safety requirements in the operation and maintenance of our transmission and distribution facilities. In addition, our regulated operations are also subject to various state and federal laws regulating environmental matters. From time to time we receive inquiries regarding various environmental matters. We believe that our properties and operations substantially comply with, and are operated in substantial conformity with, applicable safety and environmental statutes and regulations. There are no administrative or judicial proceedings arising under environmental quality statutes pending or known to be contemplated by governmental agencies which would have a material adverse effect on us or our operations. Our environmental claims have arisen primarily from former manufactured gas plant sites.

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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allows, pursuant to Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act, gas transportation services through our Atmos Pipeline—Texas assets “on behalf of” interstate pipelines or local distribution companies served by interstate pipelines, without subjecting these assets to the jurisdiction of the FERC. Additionally, the FERC has regulatory authority over the sale of natural gas in the wholesale gas market and the use and release of interstate pipeline and storage capacity. The FERC also has authority to detect and prevent market manipulation and to enforce compliance with FERC’s other rules, policies and orders by companies engaged in the sale, purchase, transportation or storage of natural gas in interstate commerce. We have taken what we believe are the necessary and appropriate steps to comply with these regulations.

Competition

Although our regulated distribution operations are not currently in significant direct competition with any other distributors of natural gas to residential and commercial customers within our service areas, we do compete with other natural gas suppliers and suppliers of alternative fuels for sales to industrial customers. We compete in all aspects of our business with alternative energy sources, including, in particular, electricity. Electric utilities offer electricity as a rival energy source and compete for the space heating, water heating and cooking markets. Promotional incentives, improved equipment efficiencies and promotional rates all contribute to the acceptability of electrical equipment. The principal means to compete against alternative fuels is lower prices, and natural gas historically has maintained its price advantage in the residential, commercial and industrial markets.

Our regulated pipeline operations historically faced competition from other existing intrastate pipelines seeking to provide or arrange transportation, storage and other services for customers. In the last few years, several new pipelines have been completed, which has increased the level of competition in this segment of our business.

Within our nonregulated operations, AEM competes with other natural gas marketers to provide natural gas management and other related services primarily to smaller customers requiring higher levels of balancing, scheduling and other related management services. AEM has experienced increased competition in recent years primarily from investment banks and major integrated oil and natural gas companies who offer lower cost, basic services. The increased competition has reduced margins most notably on its high-volume accounts.

Employees

At September 30, 2014, we had 4,761 employees, consisting of 4,650 employees in our regulated operations and 111 employees in our nonregulated operations.

Available Information

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports, and amendments to those reports, and other forms that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available free of charge at our website, www.atmosenergy.com, under “Publications and Filings” under the “Investors” tab, as soon as reasonably practicable, after we electronically file these reports with, or furnish these reports to, the SEC. We will also provide copies of these reports free of charge upon request to Shareholder Relations at the address and telephone number appearing below:

Shareholder Relations

Atmos Energy Corporation

P.O. Box 650205

Dallas, Texas 75265-0205

972-855-3729

Corporate Governance

In accordance with and pursuant to relevant related rules and regulations of the SEC as well as corporate governance-related listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Board of Directors of the Company has established and periodically updated our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company. In addition, in accordance with and pursuant to such NYSE listing standards, our Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2014, Kim R. Cocklin, certified to the New York Stock Exchange that he was not aware of any violations by the Company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The Board of Directors also annually reviews and updates, if necessary, the charters for each of its Audit, Human Resources and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. All of the foregoing documents are posted on the Corporate Governance page of our website. We will also provide copies of all corporate governance documents free of charge upon request to Shareholder Relations at the address listed above.

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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.

Our financial and operating results are subject to a number of risk factors, many of which are not within our control. Although we have tried to discuss key risk factors below, please be aware that other or new risks may prove to be important in the future. Investors should carefully consider the following discussion of risk factors as well as other information appearing in this report. These factors include the following:

The Company is dependent on continued access to the credit and capital markets to execute our business strategy.

Our long-term debt is currently rated as “investment grade” by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. Similar to most companies, we rely upon access to both short-term and long-term credit and capital markets to satisfy our liquidity requirements. If adverse credit conditions were to cause a significant limitation on our access to the private and public capital markets, we could see a reduction in our liquidity. A significant reduction in our liquidity could in turn trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by one or more of the three credit rating agencies. Such a downgrade could further limit our access to private credit and/or public capital markets and increase our costs of borrowing.

Further, if our credit ratings were downgraded, we could be required to provide additional liquidity to our nonregulated segment because the commodity financial instrument markets could become unavailable to us. Our nonregulated segment depends primarily upon an intercompany lending facility between AEH and Atmos Energy to finance its working capital needs, supplemented by two small credit facilities with outside lenders. Our ability to provide this liquidity to AEH for our nonregulated operations is limited by the terms of the lending arrangement with AEH, which is subject to annual approval by one state regulatory commission.

While we believe we can meet our capital requirements from our operations and the sources of financing available to us, we can provide no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so in the future, especially if the market price of natural gas increases significantly in the near term. The future effects on our business, liquidity and financial results of a deterioration of current conditions in the credit and capital markets could be material and adverse to us, both in the ways described above or in other ways that we do not currently anticipate.

We are subject to state and local regulations that affect our operations and financial results.

Our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline segments are subject to regulatory oversight from various state and local regulatory authorities in the eight states that we serve in our regulated distribution and pipeline segments. Therefore, our returns are continuously monitored and are subject to challenge for their reasonableness by the appropriate regulatory authorities or other third-party interveners. In the normal course of business, as a regulated entity, we often need to place assets in service and establish historical test periods before rate cases that seek to adjust our allowed returns to recover that investment can be filed. Further, the regulatory review process can be lengthy. Because of this process, we suffer the negative financial effects of having placed assets in service without the benefit of rate relief, which is commonly referred to as “regulatory lag.” The regulatory process also involves the risk that regulatory authorities may (i) review our purchases of natural gas and adjust the amount of our gas costs that we pass through to our customers or (ii) limit the costs we may have incurred from our cost of service that can be recovered from customers.

A deterioration in economic conditions could adversely affect our customers and negatively impact our financial results.

Any adverse changes in economic conditions in the United States, especially in the states in which we operate, similar to the economic downturn we experienced for several years beginning in 2008 could adversely affect the financial resources of many domestic households and lead to an increase in mortgage defaults and significant decreases in the values of our customers’ homes and investment assets. As a result, our customers could seek to use even less gas and make it more difficult for them to pay their gas bills. This would likely lead to slower collections and higher than normal levels of accounts receivable. This, in turn, would probably increase our financing requirements and bad debt expense. Additionally, should economic conditions deteriorate, our industrial customers could seek alternative energy sources, which could result in lower sales volumes.

Inflation and increased gas costs could adversely impact our customer base and customer collections and increase our level of indebtedness.

Inflation has continued to cause increases in some of our operating expenses and has required assets to be replaced at higher costs. We have a process in place to continually review the adequacy of our distribution gas rates in relation to the increasing cost of providing service and the inherent regulatory lag in adjusting those gas rates. Historically, we have been able to budget and control operating expenses and investments within the amounts authorized to be collected in rates and intend to continue to do so. However, the ability to control expenses is an important factor that could impact future financial results.

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In addition, rapid increases in the costs of purchased gas would cause us to experience a significant increase in short-term debt. We must pay suppliers for gas when it is purchased, which can be significantly in advance of when these costs may be recovered through the collection of monthly customer bills for gas delivered. Increases in purchased gas costs also slow our natural gas distribution collection efforts as customers are more likely to delay the payment of their gas bills, leading to higher than normal accounts receivable. This could result in higher short-term debt levels, greater collection efforts and increased bad debt expense.

We are exposed to market risks that are beyond our control, which could adversely affect our financial results and capital requirements.

We are subject to market risks beyond our control, including (i) commodity price volatility caused by market supply and demand dynamics, counterparty performance or counterparty creditworthiness, and (ii) interest rate risk.

Our regulated operations are generally insulated from commodity price risk through its purchased gas cost mechanisms. Although our nonregulated operations represent only about five percent of our consolidated results, commodity price volatility experienced in this business segment could lead to some volatility in our earnings. Our nonregulated segment manages margins and limits risk exposure on the sale of natural gas inventory or the offsetting fixed-price purchase or sale commitments for physical quantities of natural gas through the use of a variety of financial instruments. However, contractual limitations could adversely affect our ability to withdraw gas from storage, which could cause us to purchase gas at spot prices in a rising market to obtain sufficient volumes to fulfill customer contracts. We could also realize financial losses on our efforts to limit risk as a result of volatility in the market prices of the underlying commodities or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. Any significant tightening of the credit markets could cause more of our counterparties to fail to perform than expected. In addition, adverse changes in the creditworthiness of our counterparties could limit the level of trading activities with these parties and increase the risk that these parties may not perform under a contract. These circumstances could also increase our capital requirements.

Although we manage our business to maintain no open positions related to our physical storage, there are times when limited net open positions may occur on a short-term basis. Net open positions may increase volatility in our financial condition or results of operations if market prices move in a significantly favorable or unfavorable manner before the open positions can be closed. The determination of our net open position as of the end of any particular trading day requires us to make assumptions as to future circumstances, including the use of gas by our customers in relation to our anticipated storage and market positions. Because the price risk associated with any net open position at the end of such day may increase if the assumptions are not realized, we review these assumptions as part of our daily monitoring activities. Further, if the local physical markets do not move consistently with the NYMEX futures market upon which most of our commodity derivative financial instruments are valued, we could experience increased volatility in the financial results of our nonregulated segment.

With respect to interest rate risk, we have been operating in a relatively low interest-rate environment in recent years compared to historical norms for both short and long-term interest rates. However, increases in interest rates could adversely affect our future financial results.

The concentration of our distribution, pipeline and storage operations in the State of Texas exposes our operations and financial results to economic conditions, weather patterns and regulatory decisions in Texas.

Over 50 percent of our regulated distribution customers and most of our regulated pipeline assets and operations are located in the State of Texas. This concentration of our business in Texas means that our operations and financial results may be significantly affected by changes in the Texas economy in general, weather patterns and regulatory decisions by state and local regulatory authorities in Texas.

Our operations are subject to increased competition.

In residential and commercial customer markets, our regulated distribution operations compete with other energy products, such as electricity and propane. Our primary product competition is with electricity for heating, water heating and cooking. Increases in the price of natural gas could negatively impact our competitive position by decreasing the price benefits of natural gas to the consumer. This could adversely impact our business if, as a result, our customer growth slows, reducing our ability to make capital expenditures, or if our customers further conserve their use of gas, resulting in reduced gas purchases and customer billings.

In the case of industrial customers, such as manufacturing plants, adverse economic conditions, including higher gas costs, could cause these customers to use alternative sources of energy, such as electricity, or bypass our systems in favor of special competitive contracts with lower per-unit costs. Our regulated pipeline operations historically have faced limited competition from other existing intrastate pipelines and gas marketers seeking to provide or arrange transportation, storage and other

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services for customers. However, in the last few years, several new pipelines have been completed, which has increased the level of competition in this segment of our business.

Finally, within our nonregulated operations, AEM competes with other natural gas marketers to provide natural gas management and other related services primarily to smaller customers requiring higher levels of balancing, scheduling and other related management services. AEM has experienced increased competition in recent years from competitors who offer lower cost, basic services.

Adverse weather conditions could affect our operations or financial results.

We have weather-normalized rates for over 95 percent of our residential and commercial meters in our regulated distribution business, which substantially mitigates the adverse effects of warmer-than-normal weather for meters in those service areas. However, there is no assurance that we will continue to receive such regulatory protection from adverse weather in our rates in the future. The loss of such weather-normalized rates could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results. In addition, our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline operating results may continue to vary somewhat with the actual temperatures during the winter heating season. Sustained cold weather could adversely affect our nonregulated operations as we may be required to purchase gas at spot rates in a rising market to obtain sufficient volumes to fulfill some customer contracts. Additionally, sustained cold weather could challenge our ability to adequately meet customer demand in our natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage operations.

Our growth in the future may be limited by the nature of our business, which requires extensive capital spending.

We must continually build additional capacity in our regulated distribution system to enable us to serve any growth in the number of our customers. The cost of adding this capacity may be affected by a number of factors, including the general state of the economy and weather. In addition, although we should ultimately recover the cost of the expenditures through rates, we must make significant capital expenditures to comply with rules issued by the RRC’s Division of Public Safety that require natural gas distribution companies to develop and implement risk-based programs for the renewal or replacement of distribution facilities, including steel service lines. Our cash flows from operations generally are sufficient to supply funding for all our capital expenditures, including the financing of the costs of new construction along with capital expenditures necessary to maintain our existing natural gas system. Due to the timing of these cash flows and capital expenditures, we often must fund at least a portion of these costs through borrowing funds from third-party lenders, the cost and availability of which is dependent on the liquidity of the credit markets, interest rates and other market conditions. This in turn may limit our ability to connect new customers to our system due to constraints on the amount of funds we can invest in our infrastructure.

The costs of providing health care benefits, pension and postretirement health care benefits and related funding requirements may increase substantially.

We provide health care benefits, a cash-balance pension plan and postretirement health care benefits to eligible full-time employees. The costs of providing health care benefits to our employees could significantly increase over time due to rapidly increasing health care inflation, the impact of the Health Care Reform Act of 2010 (HCR) and any future legislative changes related to the provision of health care benefits. The impact of additional costs incurred by the health insurance industry arising from the implementation of HCR, which are likely to be passed on to the Company, are difficult to measure at this time.

The costs of providing a cash-balance pension plan and postretirement health care benefits to eligible full-time employees and related funding requirements could be influenced by changes in the market value of the assets funding our pension and postretirement health care plans. Any significant declines in the value of these investments due to sustained declines in equity markets or a reduction in bond yields could increase the costs of our pension and postretirement health care plans and related funding requirements in the future. Further, our costs of providing such benefits and related funding requirements are also subject to a number of factors, including (i) changing demographics, including longer life expectancy of beneficiaries and an expected increase in the number of eligible former employees over the next five to ten years; (ii) various actuarial calculations and assumptions which may differ materially from actual results due primarily to changing market and economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, and higher or lower withdrawal rates; and (iii) future government regulation.

The costs to the Company of providing these benefits and related funding requirements could also increase materially in the future, depending on the timing of the recovery, if any, of such costs through our rates.

The inability to continue to hire, train and retain operational, technical and managerial personnel could adversely affect our results of operations.

The average age of the employee base of Atmos Energy has been increasing for a number of years, with a number of employees becoming eligible to retire within the next five to 10 years. If we were unable to hire appropriate personnel to fill future needs, the Company could encounter operating challenges and increased costs, primarily due to a loss of knowledge, errors due to inexperience or the lengthy time period typically required to adequately train replacement personnel. In addition, higher costs could result from the increased use of contractors to replace retiring employees, loss of productivity or increased

16

safety compliance issues. The inability to hire, train and retain new operational, technical and managerial personnel adequately and to transfer institutional knowledge and expertise could adversely affect our ability to manage and operate our business. If we were unable to hire, train and retain appropriately qualified personnel, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

We may experience increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations.

We are committed to constantly monitoring and maintaining our pipeline and distribution system to ensure that natural gas is delivered safely, reliably and efficiently through our network of more than 72,000 miles of pipeline and distribution lines. The pipeline replacement programs currently underway in several of our divisions typify the preventive maintenance and continual renewal that we perform on our natural gas distribution system in the eight states in which we currently operate. The safety and protection of the public, our customers and our employees is our top priority. However, due primarily to the unfortunate pipeline incident in California in 2010, natural gas distribution and pipeline companies have continued to face increasing federal, state and local oversight of the safety of their operations. Although we believe these costs should be ultimately recoverable through our rates, the costs of complying with such increased laws and regulations may have at least a short-term adverse impact on our operating costs and financial results.

Some of our operations are subject to increased federal regulatory oversight that could affect our operations and financial results.

FERC has regulatory authority over some of our operations, including sales of natural gas in the wholesale gas market and the use and release of interstate pipeline and storage capacity. FERC has adopted rules designed to prevent market power abuse and market manipulation and to promote compliance with FERC’s other rules, policies and orders by companies engaged in the sale, purchase, transportation or storage of natural gas in interstate commerce. These rules carry increased penalties for violations. Although we have taken steps to structure current and future transactions to comply with applicable current FERC regulations, changes in FERC regulations or their interpretation by FERC or additional regulations issued by FERC in the future could also adversely affect our business, financial condition or financial results.

We are subject to environmental regulations which could adversely affect our operations or financial results.

We are subject to laws, regulations and other legal requirements enacted or adopted by federal, state and local governmental authorities relating to protection of the environment and health and safety matters, including those that govern discharges of substances into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste, the clean-up of contaminated sites, groundwater quality and availability, plant and wildlife protection, as well as work practices related to employee health and safety. Environmental legislation also requires that our facilities, sites and other properties associated with our operations be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties or interruptions in our operations that could be significant to our financial results. In addition, existing environmental regulations may be revised or our operations may become subject to new regulations.

The operations and financial results of the Company could be adversely impacted as a result of climate changes or related additional legislation or regulation in the future.

To the extent climate changes occur, our businesses could be adversely impacted, although we believe it is likely that any such resulting impacts would occur very gradually over a long period of time and thus would be difficult to quantify with any degree of specificity.  To the extent climate changes would result in warmer temperatures in our service territories, financial results from our regulated distribution segment could be adversely affected through lower gas volumes and revenues, with our regulated pipeline segment also likely experiencing lower volumes and revenues as well.  Such climate changes could also cause shifts in population, including customers moving away from our service territories near the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi.  Another possible climate change would be more frequent and more severe weather events, such as hurricanes and tornados, which could increase our costs to repair damaged facilities and restore service to our customers.  If we were unable to deliver natural gas to our customers, our financial results would be impacted by lost revenues, and we generally would have to seek approval from regulators to recover restoration costs.  To the extent we would be unable to recover those costs, or if higher rates resulting from our recovery of such costs would result in reduced demand for our services, our future business, financial condition or financial results could be adversely impacted.  In addition, there have been a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives proposed in recent years in an attempt to control or limit the effects of global warming and overall climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. The adoption of this type of legislation by Congress or similar legislation by states or the adoption of related regulations by federal or state governments mandating a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the future could have far-reaching and significant impacts on the energy industry. Such new legislation or regulations could result in increased compliance costs for us or additional operating restrictions on our business, affect the demand for natural gas or impact the prices we charge to our customers. At this time, we cannot predict the potential impact of such laws or regulations that may be adopted on our future business, financial condition or financial results.

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Distributing, transporting and storing natural gas involve risks that may result in accidents and additional operating costs.

Our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline businesses involve a number of hazards and operating risks that cannot be completely avoided, such as leaks, accidents and operational problems, which could cause loss of human life, as well as substantial financial losses resulting from property damage, damage to the environment and to our operations. We maintain liability and property insurance coverage in place for many of these hazards and risks. However, because some of our pipeline, storage and distribution facilities are near or are in populated areas, any loss of human life or adverse financial results resulting from such events could be large. If these events were not fully covered by our general liability and property insurance, which policies are subject to certain limits and deductibles, our operations or financial results could be adversely affected.

Cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee or Company information.

Our business operations and information technology systems may be vulnerable to an attack by individuals or organizations intending to disrupt our business operations and information technology systems. We use such systems to manage our distribution and intrastate pipeline operations and other business processes. Disruption of those systems could adversely impact our ability to safely deliver natural gas to our customers, operate our pipeline systems or serve our customers timely. Accordingly, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, we use our information technology systems to protect confidential or sensitive customer, employee and Company information developed and maintained in the normal course of our business. Any attack on such systems that would result in the unauthorized release of customer, employee or other confidential or sensitive data could have a material adverse effect on our business reputation, increase our costs and expose us to additional material legal claims and liability. Even though we have insurance coverage in place for many of these cyber-related risks, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected.

Natural disasters, terrorist activities or other significant events could adversely affect our operations or financial results.

Natural disasters are always a threat to our assets and operations. In addition, the threat of terrorist activities could lead to increased economic instability and volatility in the price of natural gas that could affect our operations. Also, companies in our industry may face a heightened risk of exposure to actual acts of terrorism, which could subject our operations to increased risks. As a result, the availability of insurance covering such risks may become more limited, which could increase the risk that an event could adversely affect our operations or financial results.

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. Properties.

Distribution, transmission and related assets

At September 30, 2014, in our regulated distribution segment, we owned an aggregate of 67,725 miles of underground distribution and transmission mains throughout our distribution systems. These mains are located on easements or rights-of-way which generally provide for perpetual use. We maintain our mains through a program of continuous inspection and repair and believe that our system of mains is in good condition. Through our regulated pipeline segment we owned 5,410 miles of gas transmission and gathering lines as well as 113 miles of transmission and gathering lines through our nonregulated segment.

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Storage Assets

We own underground gas storage facilities in several states to supplement the supply of natural gas in periods of peak demand. The following table summarizes certain information regarding our underground gas storage facilities at September 30, 2014:

State	Usable Capacity (Mcf)	Cushion Gas (Mcf)(1)	Total Capacity (Mcf)	Maximum Daily Delivery Capability (Mcf)
Regulated Distribution Segment
Kentucky	4,442,696	6,322,283	10,764,979	105,100
Kansas	3,239,000	2,300,000	5,539,000	45,000
Mississippi	1,907,571	2,442,917	4,350,488	31,000
Total	9,589,267	11,065,200	20,654,467	181,100
Regulated Pipeline Segment — Texas	46,083,549	15,878,025	61,961,574	1,235,000
Nonregulated Segment
Kentucky	3,438,900	3,240,000	6,678,900	67,500
Louisiana	438,583	300,973	739,556	56,000
Total	3,877,483	3,540,973	7,418,456	123,500
Total	59,550,299	30,484,198	90,034,497	1,539,600

⁽¹⁾  Cushion gas represents the volume of gas that must be retained in a facility to maintain reservoir pressure.

Additionally, we contract for storage service in underground storage facilities on many of the interstate pipelines serving us to supplement our proprietary storage capacity. The following table summarizes our contracted storage capacity at September 30, 2014:

Segment	Division/Company	Maximum Storage Quantity (MMBtu)	Maximum Daily Withdrawal Quantity (MDWQ)(1)
Regulated Distribution Segment
	Colorado-Kansas Division	5,261,909	118,889
	Kentucky/Mid-States Division	11,081,603	245,766
	Louisiana Division	2,663,539	157,743
	Mid-Tex Division	2,500,000	125,000
	Mississippi Division	3,895,429	168,322
	West Texas Division	4,000,000	126,000
Total		29,402,480	941,720
Nonregulated Segment
	Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC	8,026,869	250,937
	Trans Louisiana Gas Pipeline, Inc.	1,674,000	67,507
Total		9,700,869	318,444
Total Contracted Storage Capacity		39,103,349	1,260,164

⁽¹⁾  Maximum daily withdrawal quantity (MDWQ) amounts will fluctuate depending upon the season and the month. Unless otherwise noted, MDWQ amounts represent the MDWQ amounts as of November 1, which is the beginning of the winter heating season.

Offices

Our administrative offices and corporate headquarters are consolidated in a leased facility in Dallas, Texas. We also maintain field offices throughout our service territory, the majority of which are located in leased facilities. The headquarters for our nonregulated operations are in Houston, Texas, with offices in Houston and other locations, primarily in leased facilities.

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ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings.

See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ATO.” The high and low sale prices and dividends paid per share of our common stock for fiscal 2014 and 2013 are listed below. The high and low prices listed are the closing NYSE quotes, as reported on the NYSE composite tape, for shares of our common stock:

	Fiscal 2014						Fiscal 2013
	High		Low		Dividends Paid		High		Low		Dividends Paid
Quarter ended:
December 31	$	47.06	$	41.08	$	0.37	$	36.86	$	33.20	$	0.35
March 31	48.01		44.19		0.37		42.69		35.11		0.35
June 30	53.40		46.94		0.37		44.87		38.59		0.35
September 30	52.68		47.01		0.37		45.19		39.40		0.35
					$	1.48					$	1.40

Dividends are payable at the discretion of our Board of Directors out of legally available funds. The Board of Directors typically declares dividends in the same fiscal quarter in which they are paid. The number of record holders of our common stock on October 31, 2014 was 15,751. Future payments of dividends, and the amounts of these dividends, will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors. We sold no securities during fiscal 2014 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Performance Graph

The performance graph and table below compares the yearly percentage change in our total return to shareholders for the last five fiscal years with the total return of the S&P 500 Stock Index and the cumulative total return of a customized peer company group, the Comparison Company Index. The Comparison Company Index is comprised of natural gas distribution companies with similar revenues, market capitalizations and asset bases to that of the Company. The graph and table below assume that $100.00 was invested on September 30, 2009 in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index and in the common stock of the companies in the Comparison Company Index, as well as a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period.

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Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return

among Atmos Energy Corporation, S&P 500 Index

and Comparison Company Index

	Cumulative Total Return
	9/30/2009	9/30/2010	9/30/2011	9/30/2012	9/30/2013	9/30/2014
Atmos Energy Corporation	100.00	108.92	126.03	144.89	178.67	206.41
S&P 500	100.00	110.16	111.42	145.07	173.13	207.30
Peer Group	100.00	132.53	155.94	188.48	221.32	266.62

The Comparison Company Index contains a hybrid group of utility companies, primarily natural gas distribution companies, recommended by our independent executive compensation consulting firm and approved by the Board of Directors. The companies included in the index are AGL Resources Inc., CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation, CMS Energy Corporation, Integrys Energy Group, Inc., National Fuel Gas, NiSource Inc., ONEOK Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., Questar Corporation, Vectren Corporation and WGL Holdings, Inc.

The following table sets forth the number of securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans at September 30, 2014.

	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights	Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
	(a)	(b)		(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan	—	$	—	845,139
Total equity compensation plans approved by security holders	—	—		845,139
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	—	—		—
Total	—	$	—	845,139

On September 28, 2011, the Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of common stock over a five-year period. The program is primarily intended to minimize the dilutive effect of equity

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grants under various benefit related incentive compensation plans of the Company. Although the program is authorized for a five-year period, it may be terminated or limited at any time. Shares may be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in amounts the Company deems appropriate. We did not repurchase any shares during fiscal 2014. At September 30, 2014, there were 4,612,009 shares of repurchase authority remaining under the program.

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following table sets forth selected financial data of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included herein.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012(1)		2011(1)		2010
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Results of Operations
Operating revenues	$	4,940,916	$	3,875,460	$	3,436,162	$	4,286,435	$	4,661,060
Gross profit	$	1,582,426	$	1,412,050	$	1,323,739	$	1,300,820	$	1,314,136
Income from continuing operations	$	289,817	$	230,698	$	192,196	$	189,588	$	189,851
Net income	$	289,817	$	243,194	$	216,717	$	207,601	$	205,839
Diluted income per share from continuing operations	$	2.96	$	2.50	$	2.10	$	2.07	$	2.03
Diluted net income per share	$	2.96	$	2.64	$	2.37	$	2.27	$	2.20
Cash dividends declared per share	$	1.48	$	1.40	$	1.38	$	1.36	$	1.34
Financial Condition
Net property, plant and equipment(2)	$	6,725,906	$	6,030,655	$	5,475,604	$	5,147,918	$	4,793,075
Total assets	$	8,594,704	$	7,934,268	$	7,495,675	$	7,282,871	$	6,763,791
Capitalization:
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,086,232	$	2,580,409	$	2,359,243	$	2,255,421	$	2,178,348
Long-term debt (excluding current maturities)	2,455,986		2,455,671		1,956,305		2,206,117		1,809,551
Total capitalization	$	5,542,218	$	5,036,080	$	4,315,548	$	4,461,538	$	3,987,899

⁽¹⁾  Financial results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011 reflect a $5.3 million and a $30.3 million pre-tax loss for the impairment of certain assets.

⁽²⁾  Amounts shown for fiscal 2012 and 2011 are net of assets held for sale.

ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

INTRODUCTION

This section provides management’s discussion of the financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations of Atmos Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries with specific information on results of operations and liquidity and capital resources. It includes management’s interpretation of our financial results, the factors affecting these results, the major factors expected to affect future operating results and future investment and financing plans. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Several factors exist that could influence our future financial performance, some of which are described in Item 1A above, “Risk Factors”. They should be considered in connection with evaluating forward-looking statements contained in this report or otherwise made by or on behalf of us since these factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those set out in such forward-looking statements.

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Cautionary Statement for the Purposes of the Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, markets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: our ability to continue to access the credit markets to satisfy our liquidity requirements; regulatory trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regulatory commissions; the impact of adverse economic conditions on our customers; the effects of inflation and changes in the availability and price of natural gas; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty creditworthiness or performance and interest rate risk; the concentration of our distribution, pipeline and storage operations in Texas; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; adverse weather conditions; the capital-intensive nature of our regulated distribution business; increased costs of providing health care benefits along with pension and postretirement health care benefits and increased funding requirements; the inability to continue to hire, train and retain appropriate personnel; possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; the impact of environmental regulations on our business; the impact of climate changes or related additional legislation or regulation in the future; the inherent hazards and risks involved in operating our distribution and pipeline and storage businesses; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems; natural disasters, terrorist activities or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, while we believe these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from estimates.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies discussed below are both important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make difficult, subjective or complex accounting estimates. Accordingly, these critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Critical Accounting Policy	Summary of Policy	Factors Influencing Application of the Policy
Regulation	Our regulated distribution and pipeline operations meet the criteria of a cost-based, rate-regulated entity under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, the financial results for these operations reflect the effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions to which we are subject. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permitted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recognized. The amounts to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations. Discontinuing the application of this method of accounting for regulatory assets and liabilities could significantly increase our operating expenses as fewer costs would likely be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet, which could reduce our net income.	Decisions of regulatory authorities Issuance of new regulations Assessing the probability of the recoverability of deferred costs

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Critical Accounting Policy	Summary of Policy	Factors Influencing Application of the Policy
Unbilled Revenue	We follow the revenue accrual method of accounting for regulated distribution segment revenues whereby revenues attributable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense. On occasion, we are permitted to implement new rates that have not been formally approved by our regulatory authorities, which are subject to refund. We recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the jurisdiction in which the rates were implemented.	Estimates of delivered sales volumes based on actual tariff information and weather information and estimates of customer consumption and/or behavior Estimates of purchased gas costs related to estimated deliveries Estimates of uncollectible amounts billed subject to refund
Pension and other postretirement plans	Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis using a September 30 measurement date and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities. The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligations and net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plan costs. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds available in the marketplace that are suitable for settling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit disbursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of our annual pension and postretirement plan costs. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan costs are not affected. Rather, this gain or loss reduces or increases future pension or postretirement plan costs over a period of approximately ten to twelve years. The market-related value of our plan assets represents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctuations over a five-year period. The use of this methodology will delay the impact of current market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period. We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our postretirement net expense based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon our annual review of our participant census information as of the measurement date.	General economic and market conditions Assumed investment returns by asset class Assumed future salary increases Projected timing of future cash disbursements Health care cost experience trends Participant demographic information Actuarial mortality assumptions Impact of legislation Impact of regulation

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Critical Accounting Policy	Summary of Policy	Factors Influencing Application of the Policy
Contingencies	In the normal course of business, we are confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to uncollectible receivables, lawsuits, claims made by third parties or the action of various regulatory agencies. We recognize these contingencies in our consolidated financial statements when we determine, based on currently available facts and circumstances it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset will not be recovered, and an amount can be reasonably estimated. Actual results may differ from estimates, depending on actual outcomes or changes in the facts or expectations surrounding each potential exposure. Changes in the estimates related to contingencies could have a negative impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Our contingencies are further discussed in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements.	Currently available facts Management’s estimate of future resolution
Financial instruments and hedging activities	We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives for using financial instruments have been tailored to meet the needs of our regulated and nonregulated businesses. These objectives are more fully described in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements. We record all of our financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with changes in fair value ultimately recorded in the income statement. The recognition of the changes in fair value of these financial instruments recorded in the income statement is contingent upon whether the financial instrument has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship or if regulatory rulings require a different accounting treatment. Our accounting elections for financial instruments and hedging activities utilized are more fully described in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements. The criteria used to determine if a financial instrument meets the definition of a derivative and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment are complex and require management to exercise professional judgment. Further, as more fully discussed below, significant changes in the fair value of these financial instruments could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Finally, changes in the effectiveness of the hedge relationship could impact the accounting treatment.	Designation of contracts under the hedge accounting rules Judgment in the application of accounting guidance Assessment of the probability that future hedged transactions will occur Changes in market conditions and the related impact on the fair value of the hedged item and the associated designated financial instrument Changes in the effectiveness of the hedge relationship

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Critical Accounting Policy	Summary of Policy	Factors Influencing Application of the Policy
Fair Value Measurements	We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The fair value of our financial instruments is subject to potentially significant volatility based on numerous considerations including, but not limited to changes in commodity prices, interest rates, maturity and settlement of these financial instruments. Prices actively quoted on national exchanges are used to determine the fair value of most of our assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. Within our nonregulated operations, we utilize a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between the bid and ask prices) for determining fair value measurement, as permitted under current accounting standards. Values derived from these sources reflect the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed. We utilize models and other valuation methods to determine fair value when external sources are not available. Values are adjusted to reflect the potential impact of an orderly liquidation of our positions over a reasonable period of time under then-current market conditions. We believe the market prices and models used to value these financial instruments represent the best information available with respect to the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed, the closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the contracts. Fair-value estimates also consider our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions and major energy companies. This concentration of counterparties may materially impact our exposure to credit risk resulting from market, economic or regulatory conditions. We seek to minimize counterparty credit risk through an evaluation of their financial condition and credit ratings and the use of collateral requirements under certain circumstances.	General economic and market conditions Volatility in underlying market conditions Maturity dates of financial instruments Creditworthiness of our counterparties Creditworthiness of Atmos Energy Impact of credit risk mitigation activities on the assessment of the creditworthiness of Atmos Energy and its counterparties
Impairment assessments	We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including goodwill and identifiable intangibles, whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable, and at least annually for goodwill, as required by U.S. accounting standards. The evaluation of our goodwill balances and other long-lived assets or identifiable assets for which uncertainty exists regarding the recoverability of the carrying value of such assets involves the assessment of future cash flows and external market conditions and other subjective factors that could impact the estimation of future cash flows including, but not limited to the commodity prices, the amount and timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances or market conditions could adversely affect these estimates, which could result in an impairment charge.	General economic and market conditions Projected timing and amount of future discounted cash flows Judgment in the evaluation of relevant data

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Atmos Energy Corporation strives to operate its businesses safely and reliably while delivering superior shareholder value. To achieve this objective, we are investing in our infrastructure and are seeking to achieve positive rate outcomes that benefit both our customers and the Company. During fiscal 2014, we earned $289.8 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, which represents a 19 percent increase in net income and a 12 percent increase in diluted net income per share over fiscal 2013, primarily due to positive rate outcomes combined with increased gross profit associated with weather that was 20 percent colder than the prior-year period. The colder than normal weather increased market demand for natural gas, which drove higher price volatility, particularly during our second fiscal quarter.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2014 totaled $835.3 million. Approximately 80 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation systems, and a significant portion of this investment was incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce lag to six months or less. Fiscal 2013 spending under these and other mechanisms enabled the Company to complete 18 regulatory filings that should increase annual operating income from regulated operations by $93.3 million. We plan to continue to fund our growth through the use of operating cash flows and debt and equity securities, while maintaining a balanced capital structure.

During fiscal 2014 and early fiscal 2015, we undertook several initiatives to strengthen our balance sheet and improve our liquidity. On February 18, 2014, we completed the sale of 9,200,000 shares of common stock under our shelf registration statement, generating net proceeds of $390.2 million, which were used to repay short-term debt outstanding under our commercial paper program, to fund infrastructure spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes.

On August 22, 2014, we amended our $950 million credit facility to increase the committed loan amount from $950 million to $1.25 billion and extend the expiration date to August 22, 2019. The facility retains the $250 million accordion feature, which allows for an increase in the total committed loan amount to $1.5 billion. Our debt-to-capitalization ratio as of September 30, 2014 was 46.2 percent and our liquidity remained strong with over $1 billion of capacity from our short-term facilities. 

On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million 4.95% 10-year unsecured senior notes at maturity on October 15, 2014.

As a result of the continued contribution and stability of our regulated earnings, cash flows and capital structure, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 5.4 percent for fiscal 2015.

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Consolidated Results

The following table presents our consolidated financial highlights for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues	$	4,940,916		$	3,875,460		$	3,436,162
Gross profit	1,582,426			1,412,050			1,323,739
Operating expenses	971,077			910,171			877,499
Operating income	611,349			501,879			446,240
Miscellaneous expense	(5,235		)	(197		)	(14,644		)
Interest charges	129,295			128,385			141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	476,819			373,297			290,422
Income tax expense	187,002			142,599			98,226
Income from continuing operations	289,817			230,698			192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			7,202			18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	—			5,294			6,349
Net income	$	289,817		$	243,194		$	216,717
Diluted net income per share from continuing operations	$	2.96		$	2.50		$	2.10
Diluted net income per share from discontinued operations	$	—		$	0.14		$	0.27
Diluted net income per share	$	2.96		$	2.64		$	2.37

Regulated operations contributed 89 percent, 95 percent and 97 percent to our consolidated net income from continuing operations for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012. Our consolidated net income during the last three fiscal years was earned across our business segments as follows:

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Regulated distribution segment	$	171,585	$	150,856	$	123,848
Regulated pipeline segment	86,191		68,260		63,059
Nonregulated segment	32,041		11,582		5,289
Net income from continuing operations	289,817		230,698		192,196
Net income from discontinued operations	—		12,496		24,521
Net income	$	289,817	$	243,194	$	216,717

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The following table segregates our consolidated net income and diluted earnings per share between our regulated and nonregulated operations:

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Regulated operations	$	257,776	$	219,116	$	186,907
Nonregulated operations	32,041		11,582		5,289
Net income from continuing operations	289,817		230,698		192,196
Net income from discontinued operations	—		12,496		24,521
Net income	$	289,817	$	243,194	$	216,717
Diluted EPS from continuing regulated operations	$	2.63	$	2.38	$	2.04
Diluted EPS from nonregulated operations	0.33		0.12		0.06
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	2.96		2.50		2.10
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations	—		0.14		0.27
Consolidated diluted EPS	$	2.96	$	2.64	$	2.37

We reported net income of $289.8 million, or $2.96 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2014, compared with net income of $243.2 million or $2.64 per diluted share in the prior year. Income from continuing operations was $289.8 million, or $2.96 per diluted share compared with $230.7 million, or $2.50 per diluted share in the prior-year period. In the prior year, income from discontinued operations was $12.5 million or $0.14 per diluted share, which included the gain on sale of substantially all our assets in Georgia of $5.3 million. Unrealized gains in our nonregulated operations during the current year increased net income by $5.8 million or $0.06 per diluted share compared with net gains recorded in the prior year of $5.3 million or $0.05 per diluted share. In fiscal 2013, net income includes an $8.2 million ($5.3 million, net of tax), or $0.06 per diluted share, favorable impact related to the gain recorded in association with the April 1, 2013 completion of the sale of our Georgia assets.

We reported net income of $243.2 million, or $2.64 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2013, compared with net income of $216.7 million or $2.37 per diluted share in fiscal 2012. Income from continuing operations in fiscal 2013 was $230.7 million, or $2.50 per diluted share compared with $192.2 million, or $2.10 per diluted share in fiscal 2012. Income from discontinued operations was $12.5 million or $0.14 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2013, which includes the gain on sale of substantially all our assets in Georgia of $5.3 million, compared with $24.5 million or $0.27 per diluted share in fiscal 2012. Unrealized gains in our nonregulated operations during fiscal 2013 increased net income by $5.3 million or $0.05 per diluted share compared with net losses recorded in fiscal 2012 of $5.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. Additionally, net income in both periods was impacted by nonrecurring items. In fiscal 2013, net income includes an $8.2 million ($5.3 million, net of tax), or $0.06 per diluted share, favorable impact related to the gain recorded in association with the April 1, 2013 completion of the sale of our Georgia assets. In fiscal 2012, net income included the net positive impact of several one-time items totaling $10.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share related to the following amounts:

• $13.6 million positive impact of a deferred tax rate adjustment.

• $10.0 million ($6.3 million, net of tax) unfavorable impact related to a one-time donation to a donor advised fund.

• $9.9 million ($6.3 million, net of tax) favorable impact related to the gain recorded in association with the August 1, 2012 completion of the sale of our Iowa, Illinois and Missouri assets.

• $5.3 million ($3.3 million, net of tax) unfavorable impact related to the noncash impairment of certain assets in our nonregulated business.

See the following discussion regarding the results of operations for each of our business operating segments.

Regulated Distribution Segment

The primary factors that impact the results of our regulated distribution operations are our ability to earn our authorized rates of return, the cost of natural gas, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our service areas.

Our ability to earn our authorized rates is based primarily on our ability to improve the rate design in our various ratemaking jurisdictions by reducing or eliminating regulatory lag and, ultimately, separating the recovery of our approved margins from customer usage patterns. Improving rate design is a long-term process and is further complicated by the fact that we operate in multiple rate jurisdictions. The “Ratemaking Activity” section of this Form 10-K describes our current rate strategy, progress towards implementing that strategy and recent ratemaking initiatives in more detail.

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We are generally able to pass the cost of gas through to our customers without markup under purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms; therefore the cost of gas typically does not have an impact on our gross profit as increases in the cost of gas are offset by a corresponding increase in revenues. Accordingly, we believe gross profit is a better indicator of our financial performance than revenues. However, gross profit in our Texas and Mississippi service areas include franchise fees and gross receipt taxes, which are calculated as a percentage of revenue (inclusive of gas costs). Therefore, the amount of these taxes included in revenue is influenced by the cost of gas and the level of gas sales volumes. We record the tax expense as a component of taxes, other than income. Although changes in revenue related taxes arising from changes in gas costs affect gross profit, over time the impact is offset within operating income.

Although the cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our gross profit, higher gas costs may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense, and may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities resulting in higher interest expense. In addition, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources. Currently, gas cost risk has been mitigated by rate design that allows us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 76 percent of our residential and commercial margins.

During fiscal 2014, we completed 17 regulatory proceedings in our regulated distribution segment, which should result in a $47.8 million increase in annual operating income.

In August 2012, we completed the sale of our regulated distribution operations in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, representing approximately 84,000 customers and in April 2013, we completed the sale of our Georgia regulated distribution operations, representing approximately 64,000 customers.

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Review of Financial and Operating Results

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated distribution segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013		2012			2014 vs. 2013			2013 vs. 2012
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Gross profit	$	1,176,515		$	1,081,236	$	1,022,743		$	95,279		$	58,493
Operating expenses	791,947			738,143		718,282			53,804			19,861
Operating income	384,568			343,093		304,461			41,475			38,632
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(381		)	2,535		(12,657		)	(2,916		)	15,192
Interest charges	94,918			98,296		110,642			(3,378		)	(12,346		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	289,269			247,332		181,162			41,937			66,170
Income tax expense	117,684			96,476		57,314			21,208			39,162
Income from continuing operations	171,585			150,856		123,848			20,729			27,008
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			7,202		18,172			(7,202		)	(10,970		)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	—			5,649		6,349			(5,649		)	(700		)
Net Income	$	171,585		$	163,707	$	148,369		$	7,878		$	15,338
Consolidated regulated distribution sales volumes from continuing operations — MMcf	317,320			269,162		244,466			48,158			24,696
Consolidated regulated distribution transportation volumes from continuing operations — MMcf	134,483			123,144		128,222			11,339			(5,078		)
Consolidated regulated distribution throughput from continuing operations — MMcf	451,803			392,306		372,688			59,497			19,618
Consolidated regulated distribution throughput from discontinued operations — MMcf	—			4,731		18,295			(4,731		)	(13,564		)
Total consolidated regulated distribution throughput — MMcf	451,803			397,037		390,983			54,766			6,054
Consolidated regulated distribution average transportation revenue per Mcf	$	0.48		$	0.46	$	0.43		$	0.02		$	0.03
Consolidated regulated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	5.94		$	4.91	$	4.64		$	1.03		$	0.27

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

Income from continuing operations for our regulated distribution segment increased 14 percent, primarily due to a $95.3 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by a $53.8 million increase in operating expenses. The year to date increase in gross profit primarily reflects:

• a $35.3 million net increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex, Kentucky, West Texas and Louisiana service areas.

• a $14.3 million increase due to increased customer consumption resulting from colder weather, primarily experienced in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions.

• a $27.5 million increase in revenue-related taxes, primarily in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions, offset by a corresponding $28.4 million increase in the related tax expense.

• a $13.8 million increase related to increased customer count, higher transportation, late payment and installment plan revenues.

The $53.8 million increase in operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, provision for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, was primarily due to the following:

• a $28.4 million increase due to the aforementioned increase in revenue-related taxes.

• a $12.8 million increase in depreciation expense.

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• a $12.7 million net increase in employee-related expenses, due to lower labor capitalization rates, increased benefit costs and increased variable compensation expense.

• a $4.2 million increase in the provision for doubtful accounts.

The $21.2 million increase in income tax expense was primarily due to increased income from continuing operations before income taxes as well as an increase of approximately $7.0 million in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance due to the uncertainty in the company's ability to utilize certain charitable contribution carryforwards before they expire.

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

The $58.5 million period-over-period increase in regulated distribution gross profit primarily reflects the following:

• $25.7 million increase in our Mid-Tex and West Texas divisions associated with the rate design changes implemented in the fiscal first quarter.

• $16.1 million increase in rates in our Kentucky/Mid-States, Mississippi, Colorado-Kansas and Louisiana divisions.

• $7.5 million increase due to colder weather, primarily in the Mississippi, Kentucky/Mid-States and Colorado-Kansas divisions.

• $5.9 million increase in revenue-related taxes in our Mid-Tex and West Texas service areas primarily due to higher revenues on which the tax is calculated.

• $4.5 million increase in transportation revenues.

Operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, provision for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, increased by $19.9 million, primarily due to the following:

• $12.2 million increase in employee-related expenses due to lower labor capitalization rates, increased benefit costs and increased variable compensation expense.

• $11.7 million increase primarily associated with higher line locate activities, pipeline and right-of-way maintenance spending to improve the safety and reliability of our system.

• $5.0 million increase in taxes, other than income due to higher revenue-related taxes, as discussed above.

• $6.8 million increase in bad debt expense primarily attributable to an increase in revenue arising from the rate design changes and the temporary suspension of active customer collection activities following the implementation of a new customer information system during the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2013.

These increases were partially offset by:

• $6.9 million decrease in legal and other administrative costs.

• $6.4 million decrease in depreciation expense due to new depreciation rates approved in the most recent Mid-Tex rate case that went into effect in January 2013.

• $2.4 million gain realized on the sale of certain investments.

Miscellaneous income increased $15.2 million, primarily due to the absence of a $10.0 million one-time donation to a donor advised fund in fiscal 2012, the completion of a periodic review of our performance-based ratemaking (PBR) mechanism in our Tennessee service area and the implementation of a new PBR program in our Mississippi Division during fiscal 2013.

Interest charges decreased $12.3 million, primarily from interest deferrals associated with our infrastructure spending activities in Texas.

The following table shows our operating income from continuing operations by regulated distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The presentation of our regulated distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.

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	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013		2012		2014 vs. 2013			2013 vs. 2012
	(In thousands)
Mid-Tex	$	187,265		$	158,900	$	142,755	$	28,365		$	16,145
Kentucky/Mid-States	55,968			46,164		32,185		9,804			13,979
Louisiana	56,648			52,125		48,958		4,523			3,167
West Texas	29,250			28,085		27,875		1,165			210
Mississippi	28,473			29,112		27,369		(639		)	1,743
Colorado-Kansas	28,077			25,478		23,898		2,599			1,580
Other	(1,113		)	3,229		1,421		(4,342		)	1,808
Total	$	384,568		$	343,093	$	304,461	$	41,475		$	38,632

Regulated Pipeline Segment

Our regulated pipeline segment consists of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline - Texas Division (APT). APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas-producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Delaware and Val Verde Basins of West Texas. It transports natural gas to our Mid-Tex Division, transports natural gas for third parties and manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. We also provide ancillary services customary in the pipeline industry including parking and lending arrangements and sales.

Our regulated pipeline segment is impacted by seasonal weather patterns, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in APT's service area. Natural gas prices do not directly impact the results of this segment as revenues are derived from the transportation of natural gas. However, natural gas prices and demand for natural gas could influence the level of drilling activity in the markets that we serve, which may influence the level of throughput we may be able to transport on our pipeline. Further, natural gas price differences between the various hubs that we serve determine the market value for transportation services between those geographic areas.

The results of Atmos Pipeline - Texas Division are also significantly impacted by the natural gas requirements of the Mid-Tex Division because it is the primary transporter of natural gas for our Mid-Tex Division.

Finally, as a regulated pipeline, the operations of the Atmos Pipeline - Texas Division may be impacted by the timing of when costs and expenses are incurred and when these costs and expenses are recovered through its tariffs.

Review of Financial and Operating Results

Financial and operational highlights for our regulated pipeline segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.

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	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012			2014 vs. 2013			2013 vs. 2012
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Mid-Tex Division transportation	$	227,230		$	179,628		$	162,808		$	47,602		$	16,820
Third-party transportation	76,109			66,939			64,158			9,170			2,781
Storage and park and lend services	5,344			5,985			6,764			(641		)	(779		)
Other	9,776			16,348			13,621			(6,572		)	2,727
Gross profit	318,459			268,900			247,351			49,559			21,549
Operating expenses	145,640			129,047			118,527			16,593			10,520
Operating income	172,819			139,853			128,824			32,966			11,029
Miscellaneous expense	(3,181		)	(2,285		)	(1,051		)	(896		)	(1,234		)
Interest charges	36,280			30,678			29,414			5,602			1,264
Income before income taxes	133,358			106,890			98,359			26,468			8,531
Income tax expense	47,167			38,630			35,300			8,537			3,330
Net income	$	86,191		$	68,260		$	63,059		$	17,931		$	5,201
Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	714,464			649,740			640,732			64,724			9,008
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	493,360			467,178			466,527			26,182			651

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

Net income for our regulated pipeline segment increased 26 percent, primarily due to a $49.6 million increase in gross profit. The increase in gross profit primarily reflects a $38.5 million increase in rates from the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) filings approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) in fiscal 2014 and 2013 coupled with a $4.7 million increase associated with higher transportation volumes and basis spreads driven by colder weather.

The Atmos Pipeline — Texas rate case approved by the RRC on April 18, 2011 contained an annual adjustment mechanism, approved for a three-year pilot program, that adjusted regulated rates up or down by 75 percent of the difference between the non-regulated annual revenue of Atmos Pipeline — Texas and a pre-defined base credit. The annual adjustment mechanism expired on June 30, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the RRC approved the extension of the annual adjustment mechanism retroactive to July 1, 2013, which will stay in place until the completion of the next Atmos Pipeline — Texas rate case. As a result of this decision, during fiscal 2014, we recognized a $1.8 million increase in gross profit for the application of the annual adjustment mechanism, for the period July 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013.

Operating expenses increased $16.6 million primarily due to the following:

•a $10.1 million increase in pipeline and right-of-way maintenance activities.

•a $5.7 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

•a $2.4 million increase due to higher employee-related expenses, partially offset by

•a $6.7 million refund received as a result of the completion of a state use tax audit.

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

The $21.5 million increase in regulated pipeline gross profit compared to the prior-year period was primarily a result of the GRIP filings approved by the RRC during fiscal 2012 and 2013. During fiscal 2012, the RRC approved the Atmos Pipeline - Texas GRIP filing with an annual operating income increase of $14.7 million, effective April 2012. On May 7, 2013, the RRC approved the Atmos Pipeline - Texas GRIP filing with an annual operating income increase of $26.7 million that went into effect with bills rendered on and after May 7, 2013. GRIP filings increased period-over-period gross profit by $19.7 million.

This increase was partially offset by a $10.5 million increase in operating expenses largely attributable to increased depreciation expense as a result of increased capital investments and increased levels of pipeline and right-of-way maintenance activities to improve the safety and reliability of our system.

Nonregulated Segment

Our nonregulated operations are conducted through Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation and typically represents approximately five percent of our consolidated net income.

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AEH's primary business is to buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices to approximately 1,000 customers located primarily in the Midwest and Southeast areas of the United States. AEH accomplishes this objective by aggregating and purchasing gas supply, arranging transportation and storage logistics and effectively managing commodity price risk.

AEH also earns storage and transportation demand fees primarily from our regulated distribution operations in Louisiana and Kentucky. These demand fees are subject to regulatory oversight and are renewed periodically.

Our nonregulated activities are significantly influenced by competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions. Therefore, the margins earned from these activities are dependent upon our ability to attract and retain customers and to minimize the cost of buying, selling and delivering natural gas to offer more competitive pricing to those customers.

Further, natural gas market conditions, most notably the price of natural gas and the level of price volatility affect our nonregulated businesses. Natural gas prices and the level of volatility are influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, the demand for natural gas in different parts of the country, the level of domestic natural gas production and the level of natural gas inventory levels.

Natural gas prices can influence:

• The demand for natural gas. Higher prices may cause customers to conserve or use alternative energy sources. Conversely, lower prices could cause customers such as electric power generators to switch from alternative energy sources to natural gas.

• Collection of accounts receivable from customers, which could affect the level of bad debt expense recognized by this segment.

• The level of borrowings under our credit facilities, which affects the level of interest expense recognized by this segment.

Natural gas price volatility can also influence our nonregulated business in the following ways:

• Price volatility influences basis differentials, which provide opportunities to profit from identifying the lowest cost alternative among the natural gas supplies, transportation and markets to which we have access.

• Increased or decreased volatility impacts the amounts of unrealized margins recorded in our gross profit and could impact the amount of cash required to collateralize our risk management liabilities.

Our nonregulated segment manages its exposure to natural gas commodity price risk through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments. Therefore, results for this segment include unrealized gains or losses on its net physical gas position and the related financial instruments used to manage commodity price risk. These margins fluctuate based upon changes in the spreads between the physical and forward natural gas prices. The magnitude of the unrealized gains and losses is also contingent upon the levels of our net physical position at the end of the reporting period.

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Review of Financial and Operating Results

Financial and operational highlights for our nonregulated segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013			2012			2014 vs. 2013			2013 vs. 2012
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Realized margins
Gas delivery and related services	$	39,529	$	39,839		$	46,578		$	(310	)	$	(6,739	)
Storage and transportation services	14,696		14,641			13,382			55			1,259
Other	24,170		(103		)	3,179			24,273			(3,282		)
Total realized margins	78,395		54,377			63,139			24,018			(8,762		)
Unrealized margins	9,560		8,954			(8,015		)	606			16,969
Gross profit	87,955		63,331			55,124			24,624			8,207
Operating expenses, excluding asset impairment	33,993		44,404			36,886			(10,411		)	7,518
Asset impairment	—		—			5,288			—			(5,288		)
Operating income	53,962		18,927			12,950			35,035			5,977
Miscellaneous income	2,216		2,316			1,035			(100		)	1,281
Interest charges	1,986		2,168			3,084			(182		)	(916		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	54,192		19,075			10,901			35,117			8,174
Income tax expense	22,151		7,493			5,612			14,658			1,881
Income from continuing operations	32,041		11,582			5,289			20,459			6,293
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	—		(355		)	—			355			(355		)
Net income	$	32,041	$	11,227		$	5,289		$	20,814		$	5,938
Gross nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	439,014		396,561			400,512			42,453			(3,951		)
Consolidated nonregulated delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf	377,441		343,669			351,628			33,772			(7,959		)
Net physical position (Bcf)	9.3		12.0			18.8			(2.7		)	(6.8		)

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

Net income for our nonregulated segment increased 185 percent from the prior year due to higher gross profit and decreased operating expenses.

The $24.6 million period-over-period increase in gross profit was primarily due to a $24.0 million increase in realized margins. The increase in realized margins reflects:

• A $24.3 million increase in other realized margins due to the acceleration of physical withdrawals into the second quarter from future periods to capture gross profit margin during periods of increased natural gas price volatility caused by strong market demand as a result of significantly colder weather during the second quarter. This modification in the execution strategy resulted in the establishment of new positions that were expected to settle in the latter half of fiscal 2014 and beyond. The positions that settled during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 were settled during a period of falling prices, which further increased realized margins during fiscal 2014. In contrast, losses were incurred from storage optimization activities in the prior year largely due to unfavorable changes in market prices relative to the execution strategy in place at that time.

• A $0.3 million decrease in gas delivery and related services margins. Consolidated sales volumes increased ten percent as a result of stronger demand from marketing, industrial and utility/municipal customers due to colder weather. However, gas delivery per-unit margins decreased from ten cents per Mcf in the prior-year period to 9 cents per Mcf due primarily to losses incurred during the second quarter to meet peaking requirements for certain customers during periods of colder weather, due to volatility between spot purchase prices and the contractual sales price to the customer.

Operating expenses decreased $10.4 million, primarily due to lower legal expenses related to the dismissal of the Kentucky litigation and the resolution of the Tennessee Business License Tax matter, which are discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements.

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Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

Gross profit increased $8.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. Realized margins decreased $8.8 million, primarily attributable to lower gas delivery margins. Consolidated sales volumes decreased two percent due to increased competition which reduced industrial and power generation sales. The impact of lower sales volumes was compounded by a decrease in per-unit margins from 11.6 cents per Mcf to 10.0 cents per Mcf. This decrease was offset by an increase of $17.0 million in unrealized margins, primarily due to the year-over-year timing of realized margins on the settlement of hedged natural gas inventory positions.

Operating expenses increased $7.5 million, primarily due to increased litigation and software support costs, partially offset by reduced employee costs.

Miscellaneous income increased $1.3 million primarily due to a gain realized from the sale of a peaking power facility and related assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we recorded a $5.3 million noncash charge to impair our natural gas gathering assets located in Kentucky. The charge reflected a reduction in the value of the project due to the current low natural gas price environment and management’s decision to focus AEH’s activities on its gas delivery, storage and transportation services.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a variety of sources, including internally generated funds and borrowings under our commercial paper program and bank credit facilities. Additionally, we have various uncommitted trade credit lines with our gas suppliers that we utilize to purchase natural gas on a monthly basis. Finally, from time to time, we raise funds from the public debt and equity capital markets to fund our liquidity needs.

We regularly evaluate our funding strategy and capital structure to ensure that we (i) have sufficient liquidity for our short-term and long-term needs in a cost-effective manner and (ii) maintain a balanced capital structure with a debt-to-capitalization ratio in a target range of 50 to 55 percent. We also evaluate the levels of committed borrowing capacity that we require. We currently have over $1 billion of capacity from our short-term facilities.

The following table presents our capitalization as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014				2013
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Short-term debt	$	196,695	3.4	%	$	367,984	6.8	%
Long-term debt	2,455,986		42.8	%	2,455,671		45.4	%
Shareholders’ equity	3,086,232		53.8	%	2,580,409		47.8	%
Total capitalization, including short-term debt	$	5,738,913	100.0	%	$	5,404,064	100.0	%

Total debt as a percentage of total capitalization, including short-term debt, was 46.2 percent and 52.2 percent at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Going forward, we anticipate our capital spending will be more consistent with levels experienced during fiscal 2014 as we continue to invest in the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation system. We plan to continue to fund our growth and maintain a balanced capital structure primarily through the use of long-term debt securities and, to a lesser extent, equity.

To support our capital market activities, we have filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that originally permitted us to issue a total of $1.75 billion in common stock and/or debt securities. On February18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock including the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option of 1,200,000 shares. The offering was priced at $44.00 and generated net proceeds of $390.2 million, which were used to repay short-term debt outstanding under our commercial paper program, to fund infrastructure spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes. On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes. In October 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with this issuance at 3.129%, which reduced the effective rate for this issuance to 4.086%. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014. After giving effect to these issuances, $845 million of securities remained available for issuance under the shelf registration statement until March 28, 2016.

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On August 22, 2014, we amended our $950 million credit facility to increase the committed loan amount from $950 million to $1.25 billion and extend the expiration date to August 22, 2019. The amended facility retains the $250 million accordion feature which allows for an increase in the total committed loan amount to $1.5 billion.

Additionally, we plan to issue new unsecured senior notes to replace $250 million and $450 million of unsecured senior notes that will mature in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019. During fiscal 2014, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with the fiscal 2019 issuances at 3.857%. In fiscal 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with the fiscal 2017 issuances at 3.367%.

On January 11, 2013, we issued $500 million of 4.15% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which, in effect, replaced our $250 million 5.125% 10-year unsecured senior notes we redeemed in August 2012, on a long-term basis. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay $260 million outstanding under our short-term financing facility used to redeem our 5.125% senior notes and to partially repay commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

We believe the liquidity provided by our fiscal 2014 equity issuance, senior notes and committed credit facilities, combined with our operating cash flows, will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs and capital expenditure program for fiscal year 2015.

Cash Flows

Our internally generated funds may change in the future due to a number of factors, some of which we cannot control. These factors include regulatory changes, the price for our services, the demand for such products and services, margin requirements resulting from significant changes in commodity prices, operational risks and other factors.

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below.

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012			2014 vs. 2013			2013 vs. 2012
	(In thousands)
Total cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	739,986		$	613,127		$	586,917		$	126,859		$	26,210
Investing activities	(837,576		)	(696,914		)	(609,260		)	(140,662		)	(87,654		)
Financing activities	73,649			85,747			(44,837		)	(12,098		)	130,584
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(23,941		)	1,960			(67,180		)	(25,901		)	69,140
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	66,199			64,239			131,419			1,960			(67,180		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	42,258		$	66,199		$	64,239		$	(23,941	)	$	1,960

Cash flows from operating activities

Year-over-year changes in our operating cash flows primarily are attributable to changes in net income, working capital changes, particularly within our regulated distribution segment resulting from changes in the price of natural gas and the timing of customer collections, payments for natural gas purchases and deferred gas cost recoveries.

Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2014 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we generated operating cash flow of $740.0 million from operating activities compared with $613.1 million in the prior year. The year-over-year increase reflects higher operating results from colder weather and rate increases combined with the timing of customer collections and vendor payments.

Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we generated operating cash flow of $613.1 million from operating activities compared with $586.9 million in fiscal 2012. The year-over-year increase reflects changes in working capital offset by a $10.5 million decrease in contributions made to our pension and postretirement plans in fiscal 2013.

Cash flows from investing activities

In recent years, a substantial portion of our cash resources has been used to fund growth projects in our regulated operations, our ongoing construction program and improvements to information technology systems. Our ongoing construction program enables us to enhance the safety and reliability of the systems used to provide regulated distribution services to our existing customer base, expand our natural gas distribution services into new markets, enhance the integrity of our pipelines

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and, more recently, expand our intrastate pipeline network. Over the last two fiscal years, approximately 80 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system.

In executing our regulatory strategy, we focus our capital spending in jurisdictions that permit us to earn an adequate return timely on our investment without compromising the safety or reliability of our system. Currently, our Mid-Tex, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Texas regulated distribution divisions and our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division have rate tariffs that provide the opportunity to include in their rate base approved capital costs on a periodic basis without being required to file a rate case.

Over the next five years, we anticipate our capital spending will be more consistent with levels experienced during fiscal 2014 as we continue to invest in the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation system. Where possible, we will also continue to focus our capital spending in jurisdictions that permit us to earn an adequate return timely on our investment without compromising the safety or reliability of our system.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we incurred $835.3 million for capital expenditures compared with $845.0 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and $732.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2014 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2013

The $9.7 million decrease in capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 primarily reflects:

• A $63.9 million decrease in capital spending in our regulated pipeline segment primarily associated with the completion of the Line WX expansion project, partially offset by

• A $55.5 million increase in capital spending in our regulated distribution segment due to increased spending under our infrastructure replacement programs.

Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

The $112.1 million increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 primarily reflects spending incurred for the Line W and Line WX expansion projects and increased cathodic protection spending in our regulated pipeline segment.

Cash flows from financing activities

We generated a net $73.6 million and $85.7 million in cash from financing activities for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. In fiscal 2012, we used a net $44.8 million of cash from financing activities. Our significant financing activities for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:

2014

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, our financing activities generated $73.6 million of cash compared with $85.7 million of cash generated in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to timing between short-term debt borrowings and repayments during the current year partially offset by proceeds from the equity offering completed in February 2014 compared with proceeds generated from the issuance of long-term debt in fiscal 2013.

2013

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, our financing activities generated $85.7 million of cash compared with $44.8 million of cash used in fiscal 2012. Current year cash flows from financing activities were significantly influenced by the issuance of $500 million 4.15% 30-year unsecured senior notes on January 11, 2013. We used a portion of the net cash proceeds of $493.8 million to repay a $260 million short-term financing facility executed in fiscal 2012, to settle, for $66.6 million, three Treasury locks associated with the issuance and to reduce short-term debt borrowings by $167.2 million.

2012

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, our financing activities used $44.8 million of cash, primarily due to the payment of $257.0 million associated with the early redemption of our $250 million 5.125% senior notes that were scheduled to mature in January 2013. The repayment of our $250 million 5.125% senior notes was financed using a $260 million short-term loan. Additionally, we repurchased $12.5 million of common stock under our 2011 share repurchase program.

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The following table shows the number of shares issued for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014	2013	2012
Shares issued:
Direct Stock Purchase Plan	83,150	—	—
1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan	653,130	531,672	482,289
Outside Directors Stock-For-Fee Plan	1,735	2,088	2,375
February 2014 Offering	9,200,000	—	—
Total shares issued	9,938,015	533,760	484,664

The increase in the number of shares issued in fiscal 2014 compared with the number of shares issued in fiscal 2013 primarily reflects the equity offering completed in February 2014 as well as a higher number of performance-based awards issued in the current year as actual performance exceeded the target. At September 30, 2014, of the 8.7 million shares authorized for issuance from the LTIP, 845,139 million shares remained available. For the year ended September 30, 2014, we canceled and retired 190,134 shares attributable to federal income tax withholdings on equity awards which are not included in the table above.

The increased number of shares issued in fiscal 2013 compared with the number of shares issued in fiscal 2012 primarily reflects an increase in the amount of awards granted to a higher number of employees. For the year ended September 30, 2013, we canceled and retired 133,449 shares attributable to federal income tax withholdings on equity awards which are not included in the table above.

Credit Facilities

Our short-term borrowing requirements are affected by the seasonal nature of the natural gas business. Changes in the price of natural gas and the amount of natural gas we need to supply to meet our customers’ needs could significantly affect our borrowing requirements.

We finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, which is collateralized by our $1.25 billion unsecured credit facility, as well as three additional committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility with third-party lenders. On August 22, 2014, we amended the $950 million credit facility to increase the committed loan amount from $950 million to $1.25 billion and extended the expiration date to August 22, 2019. The amended facility retains the $250 million accordion feature which allows for an increase in the total committed loan amount to $1.5 billion. As a result, we have approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. We also use intercompany credit facilities to supplement the funding provided by these third-party committed credit facilities.

Shelf Registration

On March 28, 2013, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to

issue, from time to time, up to $1.75 billion in common stock and/or debt securities available for issuance, which replaced our

registration statement that expired on March 31, 2013. On February18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock including the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option of 1,200,000 shares. The offering was priced at $44.00 and generated net proceeds of $390.2 million, which were used to repay short-term debt outstanding under our commercial paper program, to fund infrastructure spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes. On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014. After giving effect to these issuances, $845 million of securities remained available for issuance under the shelf registration statement until March 28, 2016.

Credit Ratings

Our credit ratings directly affect our ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing, in addition to the cost of such financing. In determining our credit ratings, the rating agencies consider a number of quantitative factors, including debt to total capitalization, operating cash flow relative to outstanding debt, operating cash flow coverage of interest and pension liabilities and funding status. In addition, the rating agencies consider qualitative factors such as consistency of our earnings over time, the quality of our management and business strategy, the risks associated with our regulated and nonregulated businesses and the regulatory environment in the states where we operate.

40

Our debt is rated by three rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (Fitch). Our current debt ratings are all considered investment grade and are as follows:

	S&P	Moody’s	Fitch
Unsecured senior long-term debt	A-	A2	A-
Commercial paper	A-2	P-1	F-2

On January 30, 2014, Moody's upgraded our senior unsecured debt rating to A2 from Baa1 and our commercial paper rating to P-1 from P-2 with a rating outlook of stable. On October 8, 2013, S&P upgraded our senior unsecured debt rating to A- from BBB+, with a ratings outlook of stable, citing an improved business risk profile from an increasing contribution of earnings from our regulated operations and focusing our nonregulated operations on our delivered gas business.

A significant degradation in our operating performance or a significant reduction in our liquidity caused by more limited access to the private and public credit markets as a result of deteriorating global or national financial and credit conditions could trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by the three credit rating agencies. This would mean more limited access to the private and public credit markets and an increase in the costs of such borrowings.

A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The highest investment grade credit rating is AAA for S&P, Aaa for Moody’s and AAA for Fitch. The lowest investment grade credit rating is BBB- for S&P, Baa3 for Moody’s and BBB- for Fitch. Our credit ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the rating agencies, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. There can be no assurance that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, or withdrawn entirely, by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

Debt Covenants

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2014. Our debt covenants are described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table provides information about contractual obligations and commercial commitments at September 30, 2014.

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
					(In thousands)
Contractual Obligations
Long-term debt(1)	$	2,460,000	$	500,000	$	250,000	$	450,000	$	1,260,000
Short-term debt(1)	196,695		196,695		—		—		—
Interest charges(2)	1,774,405		120,530		234,460		186,559		1,232,856
Capital lease obligations(3)	636		186		372		78		—
Operating leases(3)	155,689		16,673		32,351		31,045		75,620
Demand fees for contracted storage(4)	7,789		3,853		2,806		916		214
Demand fees for contracted transportation(5)	4,321		3,573		748		—		—
Financial instrument obligations(6)	21,856		1,730		20,126		—		—
Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions(7)	412,977		33,558		64,776		123,459		191,184
Uncertain tax positions (including interest)(8)	12,629		—		12,629		—		—
Total contractual obligations	$	5,046,997	$	876,798	$	618,268	$	792,057	$	2,759,874

⁽¹⁾  See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

⁽²⁾  Interest charges were calculated using the stated rate for each debt issuance.

⁽³⁾  See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

41

⁽⁴⁾  Represents third party contractual demand fees for contracted storage in our nonregulated segment. Contractual demand fees for contracted storage for our regulated distribution segment are excluded as these costs are fully recoverable through our purchase gas adjustment mechanisms.

⁽⁵⁾  Represents third party contractual demand fees for transportation in our nonregulated segment.

⁽⁶⁾  Represents liabilities for natural gas commodity financial instruments that were valued as of September 30, 2014. The ultimate settlement amounts of these remaining liabilities are unknown because they are subject to continuing market risk until the financial instruments are settled.

⁽⁷⁾  Represents expected contributions to our pension and postretirement benefit plans, which are discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

⁽⁸⁾  Represents liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions claimed or expected to be claimed on tax returns.

Our regulated distribution segment maintains supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of individual contracts. Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at market and fixed prices. At September 30, 2014, we were committed to purchase 49.7 Bcf within one year and 69.8 Bcf within one to three years under indexed contracts.

AEH has commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward NYMEX strip or fixed price contracts. At September 30, 2014, AEH was committed to purchase 111.5 Bcf within one year, 19.8 Bcf within one to three years and 0.5 Bcf after three years under indexed contracts. AEH is committed to purchase 7.8 Bcf within one year under fixed price contracts with prices ranging from $1.96 to $4.49 per Mcf.

Risk Management Activities

As discussed above in our Critical Accounting Policies, we use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and, periodically, to manage interest rate risk. We conduct risk management activities through our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments. In our regulated distribution segment, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed physical contracts and fixed financial contracts to reduce our exposure to unusually large winter-period gas price increases. In our nonregulated segments, we manage our exposure to the risk of natural gas price changes and lock in our gross profit margin through a combination of storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. To the extent our inventory cost and actual sales and actual purchases do not correlate with the changes in the market indices we use in our hedges, we could experience ineffectiveness or the hedges may no longer meet the accounting requirements for hedge accounting, resulting in the financial instruments being treated as mark to market instruments through earnings.

We record our financial instruments as a component of risk management assets and liabilities, which are classified as current or noncurrent based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument. Substantially all of our financial instruments are valued using external market quotes and indices.

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our regulated distribution segment’s financial instruments for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2013	$	109,648
Contracts realized/settled	5,221
Fair value of new contracts	1,516
Other changes in value	(102,101		)
Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2014	$	14,284

42

The fair value of our regulated distribution segment’s financial instruments at September 30, 2014, is presented below by time period and fair value source:

	Fair Value of Contracts at September 30, 2014
	Maturity in years
Source of Fair Value	Less than 1		1-3			4-5		Greater than 5		Total Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Prices actively quoted	$	21,372	$	(7,088	)	$	—	$	—	$	14,284
Prices based on models and other valuation methods	—		—			—		—		—
Total Fair Value	$	21,372	$	(7,088	)	$	—	$	—	$	14,284

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our nonregulated segment’s financial instruments for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2013	$	(14,700	)
Contracts realized/settled	9,052
Fair value of new contracts	—
Other changes in value	2,615
Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2014	(3,033		)
Netting of cash collateral	25,758
Cash collateral and fair value of contracts at September 30, 2014	$	22,725

The fair value of our nonregulated segment’s financial instruments at September 30, 2014, is presented below by time period and fair value source.

	Fair Value of Contracts at September 30, 2014
	Maturity in years
Source of Fair Value	Less than 1			1-3			4-5			Greater than 5		Total Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Prices actively quoted	$	(2,222	)	$	(810	)	$	(1	)	$	—	$	(3,033	)
Prices based on models and other valuation methods	—			—			—			—		—
Total Fair Value	$	(2,222	)	$	(810	)	$	(1	)	$	—	$	(3,033	)

Employee Benefits Programs

An important element of our total compensation program, and a significant component of our operation and maintenance expense, is the offering of various benefits programs to our employees. These programs include medical and dental insurance coverage and pension and postretirement programs.

Medical and Dental Insurance

We offer medical and dental insurance programs to substantially all of our employees.We believe these programs are compliant with all current and future provisions that will be going into effect under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and consistent with other programs in our industry. In recent years, we have strived to actively manage our health care costs through the introduction of a wellness strategy that is focused on helping employees to identify health risks and to manage these risks through improved lifestyle choices.

Over the last five fiscal years, we have experienced annual medical and prescription inflation of approximately six percent. For fiscal 2015, we anticipate the medical and prescription drug inflation rate will continue at approximately six percent, primarily due to a stable population and no significant changes anticipated for high cost claimant activity.

Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, our total net periodic pension and other benefits costs was $69.8 million, compared with $78.5 million and $69.2 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. These costs relating to

43

our regulated distribution operations are recoverable through our distribution rates. A portion of these costs is capitalized into our distribution rate base, and the remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense.

Our fiscal 2014 costs were determined using a September 30, 2013 measurement date. At that date, interest and corporate bond rates utilized to determine our discount rates were higher than the interest and corporate bond rates as of September 30, 2012, the measurement date for our fiscal 2013 net periodic cost. Therefore, we increased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2014 net periodic cost from 4.04 percent to 4.95 percent. However, we decreased the expected return on plan assets from 7.75 percent to 7.25 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2014 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset allocation. As a result, our fiscal 2014 pension and postretirement medical costs were lower than in the prior year.

Our fiscal 2013 costs were determined using a September 30, 2012 measurement date. At that date, interest and corporate bond rates utilized to determine our discount rates were lower than the interest and corporate bond rates as of September 30, 2011, the measurement date for our fiscal 2012 net periodic cost. As a result of the lower interest and corporate bond rates, we decreased the discount rate used to determine our fiscal 2013 pension and benefit costs to 4.04 percent. Our expected return on our pension plan assets was maintained at 7.75 percent due to historical experience and the current market projection of the target asset allocation. As a result, our fiscal 2013 pension and postretirement medical costs were higher than in fiscal 2012.

Pension and Postretirement Plan Funding

Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount that will at least equal the minimum amount required to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). However, additional voluntary contributions are made from time to time as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future.

In accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), we determined the funded status of our plans as of January 1, 2014. Based on this valuation, we were required to contribute cash of $27.1 million, $32.7 million and $46.5 million to our pension plans during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012. The higher level of contributions experienced during fiscal 2013 and 2012 reflect lower discount rates. Each contribution increased the level of our plan assets to achieve a desirable PPA funding threshold.

We contributed $23.6 million, $26.6 million and $22.1 million to our postretirement benefits plans for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The contributions represent the portion of the postretirement costs we are responsible for under the terms of our plan and minimum funding required by state regulatory commissions.

Outlook for Fiscal 2015 and Beyond

As of September 30, 2014, interest and corporate bond rates were lower than the rates as of September 30, 2013. Therefore, we decreased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2015 net periodic cost from 4.95 percent to 4.43 percent. We maintained our expected return on plan assets at 7.25 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2015 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset allocation. As a result of the net impact of changes in these and other assumptions, we expect our fiscal 2015 net periodic pension cost to decrease by approximately 10 percent.

Based upon current market conditions, the current funded position of the plans and the funding requirements under the PPA, we do not anticipate a minimum required contribution for fiscal 2015. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels. With respect to our postretirement medical plans, we anticipate contributing between $20 million and $25 million during fiscal 2015.

Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual and expected return on plan assets could have a material effect on the amount of pension costs ultimately recognized. A 0.25 percent change in our discount rate would impact our pension and postretirement costs by approximately $2.4 million. A 0.25 percent change in our expected rate of return would impact our pension and postretirement costs by approximately $1.2 million.

The projected liability, future funding requirements and the amount of expense or income recognized for each of our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are subject to change, depending on the actuarial value of plan assets, and the determination of future benefit obligations as of each subsequent calculation date.  These amounts are impacted by actual investment returns, changes in interest rates, changes in the demographic composition of the participants in the plans and other actuarial assumptions. 

In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries released its final report on mortality tables and the mortality improvement scale to reflect increasing life expectancies in the United States.    We anticipate utilizing the new mortality data in our next actuarial calculation date on September 30, 2015.  We are currently evaluating the impact the updated data will have on the valuation of our defined benefit and other post-retirement benefits plans.  It is expected the use of this new data will increase total amount of liabilities reported on our balance sheet in future periods.

44

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Recent accounting developments and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to risks associated with commodity prices and interest rates. Commodity price risk is the potential loss that we may incur as a result of changes in the fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. Interest-rate risk results from our portfolio of debt and equity instruments that we issue to provide financing and liquidity for our business activities.

We conduct risk management activities through both our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments. In our regulated distribution segment, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed physical contracts and fixed financial contracts to protect us and our customers against unusually large winter period gas price increases. In our nonregulated segment, we manage our exposure to the risk of natural gas price changes and lock in our gross profit margin through a combination of storage and financial instruments including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Our risk management activities and related accounting treatment are described in further detail in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our issuance of short-term commercial paper and our other short-term borrowings.

Commodity Price Risk

Regulated distribution segment

We purchase natural gas for our regulated distribution operations. Substantially all of the costs of gas purchased for regulated distribution operations are recovered from our customers through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Therefore, our regulated distribution operations have limited commodity price risk exposure.

Nonregulated segment

Our nonregulated segment is also exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. For our nonregulated segment, we use a sensitivity analysis to estimate commodity price risk. For purposes of this analysis, we estimate commodity price risk by applying a $0.50 change in the forward NYMEX price to our net open position (including existing storage and related financial contracts) at the end of each period. Based on AEH’s net open position (including existing storage and related financial contracts) at September 30, 2014 of 0.1 Bcf, a $0.50 change in the forward NYMEX price would have had a $0.1 million impact on our consolidated net income.

Changes in the difference between the indices used to mark to market our physical inventory (Gas Daily) and the related fair-value hedge (NYMEX) can result in volatility in our reported net income; but, over time, gains and losses on the sale of storage gas inventory will be offset by gains and losses on the fair-value hedges. Based upon our net physical position at September 30, 2014 and assuming our hedges would still qualify as highly effective, a $0.50 change in the difference between the Gas Daily and NYMEX indices would impact our reported net income by approximately $2.8 million.

Additionally, these changes could cause us to recognize a risk management liability, which would require us to place cash into an escrow account to collateralize this liability position. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of cash we would have on hand to fund our working capital needs.

Interest Rate Risk

Our earnings are exposed to changes in short-term interest rates associated with our short-term commercial paper program and other short-term borrowings. We use a sensitivity analysis to estimate our short-term interest rate risk. For purposes of this analysis, we estimate our short-term interest rate risk as the difference between our actual interest expense for the period and estimated interest expense for the period assuming a hypothetical average one percent increase in the interest rates associated with our short-term borrowings. Had interest rates associated with our short-term borrowings increased by an average of one percent, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $2.5 million during 2014.

45

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Index to financial statements and financial statement schedule:

	Page
Report of independent registered public accounting firm	47
Financial statements and supplementary data:
Consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and 2013	48
Consolidated statements of income for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012	49
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012	50
Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012	51
Consolidated statements of cash flow for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012	52
Notes to consolidated financial statements	53
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	100
Financial statement schedule for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	109

All other financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is not present, or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the financial statements and accompanying notes thereto.

46

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Atmos Energy Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atmos Energy Corporation as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Atmos Energy Corporation at September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the financial information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Atmos Energy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) and our report dated November 6, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

November 6, 2014

47

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$	8,200,121		$	7,446,272
Construction in progress	247,579			275,747
	8,447,700			7,722,019
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,721,794			1,691,364
Net property, plant and equipment	6,725,906			6,030,655
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	42,258			66,199
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $23,992 in 2014 and $20,624 in 2013	343,400			301,992
Gas stored underground	278,917			244,741
Other current assets	111,265			64,201
Total current assets	775,840			677,133
Goodwill	742,029			741,363
Deferred charges and other assets	350,929			485,117
	$	8,594,704		$	7,934,268
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2014 — 100,388,092 shares, 2013 — 90,640,211 shares	$	502		$	453
Additional paid-in capital	2,180,151			1,765,811
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,393		)	38,878
Retained earnings	917,972			775,267
Shareholders’ equity	3,086,232			2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,986			2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,542,218			5,036,080
Commitments and contingencies
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	311,604			241,611
Other current liabilities	402,351			368,891
Short-term debt	196,695			367,984
Total current liabilities	910,650			978,486
Deferred income taxes	1,286,616			1,164,053
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387			359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963			358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	68,870			37,563
	$	8,594,704		$	7,934,268

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

48

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution segment	$	3,061,546		$	2,399,493		$	2,145,330
Regulated pipeline segment	318,459			268,900			247,351
Nonregulated segment	2,067,292			1,587,914			1,348,982
Intersegment eliminations	(506,381		)	(380,847		)	(305,501		)
	4,940,916			3,875,460			3,436,162
Purchased gas cost
Regulated distribution segment	1,885,031			1,318,257			1,122,587
Regulated pipeline segment	—			—			—
Nonregulated segment	1,979,337			1,524,583			1,293,858
Intersegment eliminations	(505,878		)	(379,430		)	(304,022		)
	3,358,490			2,463,410			2,112,423
Gross profit	1,582,426			1,412,050			1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	505,154			488,020			453,613
Depreciation and amortization	253,987			235,079			237,525
Taxes, other than income	211,936			187,072			181,073
Asset impairments	—			—			5,288
Total operating expenses	971,077			910,171			877,499
Operating income	611,349			501,879			446,240
Miscellaneous expense, net	(5,235		)	(197		)	(14,644		)
Interest charges	129,295			128,385			141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	476,819			373,297			290,422
Income tax expense	187,002			142,599			98,226
Income from continuing operations	289,817			230,698			192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax ($0, $3,986 and $10,066)	—			7,202			18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax ($0, $2,909 and $3,519)	—			5,294			6,349
Net income	$	289,817		$	243,194		$	216,717
Basic earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	2.96		$	2.54		$	2.12
Income per share from discontinued operations	—			0.14			0.27
Net income per share — basic	$	2.96		$	2.68		$	2.39
Diluted earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	2.96		$	2.50		$	2.10
Income per share from discontinued operations	—			0.14			0.27
Net income per share — diluted	$	2.96		$	2.64		$	2.37
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	97,606			90,533			90,150
Diluted	97,608			91,711			91,172

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

49

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	289,817		$	243,194		$	216,717
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $1,199, $(186) and $1,881	2,214			(213		)	3,103
Cash flow hedges:
Amortization and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $(32,353), $47,236 and $(5,388)	(56,287		)	82,179			(10,116		)
Net unrealized gains on commodity cash flow hedges, net of tax of $1,791, $2,889 and $5,029	2,802			4,519			7,866
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(51,271		)	86,485			853
Total comprehensive income	$	238,546		$	329,679		$	217,570

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

50

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Common stock					Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings			Total
	Number of Shares		Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2011	90,296,482		$	451		$	1,732,935		$	(48,460	)	$	570,495		$	2,255,421
Net income	—		—			—			—			216,717			216,717
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			853			—			853
Repurchase of common stock	(387,991	)	(2		)	(12,533		)	—			—			(12,535		)
Repurchase of equity awards	(153,255	)	—			(5,219		)	—			—			(5,219		)
Cash dividends ($1.38 per share)	—		—			—			—			(125,796		)	(125,796		)
Common stock issued:
Direct stock purchase plan	—		—			(65		)	—			—			(65		)
1998 Long-term incentive plan	482,289		2			12,519			—			(484		)	12,037
Employee stock-based compensation	—		—			17,752			—			—			17,752
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan	2,375		—			78			—			—			78
Balance, September 30, 2012	90,239,900		451			1,745,467			(47,607		)	660,932			2,359,243
Net income	—		—			—			—			243,194			243,194
Other comprehensive income	—		—			—			86,485			—			86,485
Repurchase of equity awards	(133,449	)	—			(5,150		)	—			—			(5,150		)
Cash dividends ($1.40 per share)	—		—			—			—			(128,115		)	(128,115		)
Common stock issued:
Direct stock purchase plan	—		—			(50		)	—			—			(50		)
1998 Long-term incentive plan	531,672		2			9,530			—			(744		)	8,788
Employee stock-based compensation	—		—			15,934			—			—			15,934
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan	2,088		—			80			—			—			80
Balance, September 30, 2013	90,640,211		453			1,765,811			38,878			775,267			2,580,409
Net income	—		—			—			—			289,817			289,817
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			—			(51,271		)	—			(51,271		)
Repurchase of equity awards	(190,134	)	(1		)	(8,716		)	—			—			(8,717		)
Cash dividends ($1.48 per share)	—		—			—			—			(146,248		)	(146,248		)
Common stock issued:
Public offering	9,200,000		46			390,159			—			—			390,205
Direct stock purchase plan	83,150		1			4,066			—			—			4,067
1998 Long-term incentive plan	653,130		3			5,214			—			(864		)	4,353
Employee stock-based compensation	—		—			23,536			—			—			23,536
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan	1,735		—			81			—			—			81
Balance, September 30, 2014	100,388,092		$	502		$	2,180,151		$	(12,393	)	$	917,972		$	3,086,232

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

51

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	289,817		$	243,194		$	216,717
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairments	—			—			5,288
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			(8,203		)	(9,868		)
Depreciation and amortization:
Charged to depreciation and amortization	253,987			236,928			246,093
Charged to other accounts	969			679			484
Deferred income taxes	189,952			141,336			104,319
Stock-based compensation	25,531			17,814			19,222
Debt financing costs	9,409			8,480			8,147
Other	(428		)	(2,887		)	(493		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(41,408		)	(73,669		)	32,578
(Increase) decrease in gas stored underground	(31,996		)	31,979			28,417
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(24,411		)	15,644			20,989
(Increase) decrease in deferred charges and other assets	30,662			111,069			(50,055		)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	55,041			31,912			(64,234		)
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities	2,413			(44,491		)	7,889
Increase (decrease) in deferred credits and other liabilities	(19,552		)	(96,658		)	21,424
Net cash provided by operating activities	739,986			613,127			586,917
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(835,251		)	(845,033		)	(732,858		)
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations	—			153,023			128,223
Other, net	(2,325		)	(4,904		)	(4,625		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(837,576		)	(696,914		)	(609,260		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(165,865		)	(208,070		)	354,141
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	—			493,793			—
Net proceeds from equity offering	390,205			—			—
Settlement of Treasury lock agreements	—			(66,626		)	—
Repayment of long-term debt	—			(131		)	(257,034		)
Cash dividends paid	(146,248		)	(128,115		)	(125,796		)
Repurchase of common stock	—			—			(12,535		)
Repurchase of equity awards	(8,717		)	(5,150		)	(5,219		)
Issuance of common stock	4,274			46			1,606
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	73,649			85,747			(44,837		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(23,941		)	1,960			(67,180		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	66,199			64,239			131,419
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	42,258		$	66,199		$	64,239
CASH PAID (RECEIVED) DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
Interest	$	156,606		$	148,461		$	150,606
Income taxes	$	(610	)	$	10,008		$	(432	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

52

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Nature of Business

Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and our subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses as well as certain other nonregulated businesses. Through our regulated distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public-authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions in the service areas described below:

Division	Service Area
Atmos Energy Colorado-Kansas Division	Colorado, Kansas
Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States Division	Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia(1)
Atmos Energy Louisiana Division	Louisiana
Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division	Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area
Atmos Energy Mississippi Division	Mississippi
Atmos Energy West Texas Division	West Texas

⁽¹⁾  Denotes location where we have more limited service areas.

In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system. Our distribution business is subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated distribution divisions operate. Our corporate headquarters and shared-services function are located in Dallas, Texas, and our customer support centers are located in Amarillo and Waco, Texas.

During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, we sold our regulated distribution operations in four states to streamline our regulated operations. On April 1, 2013, we completed the divestiture of our regulated distribution operations in Georgia, representing approximately 64,000 customers, and in August 2012, we completed the sale of our regulated distribution operations in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, representing approximately 84,000 customers.

Our regulated pipeline business, which is also subject to federal and state regulation, consists of the regulated operations of our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division, a division of the Company. This division transports natural gas to our Mid-Tex Division, transports natural gas for third parties and manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. We also provide ancillary services customary to the pipeline industry including parking arrangements, lending and sales of inventory on hand.

Our nonregulated businesses operate primarily in the Midwest and Southeast through various wholly-owned subsidiaries of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc., (AEH). AEH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and based in Houston, Texas. Through AEH, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, regulated distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy and third parties.

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atmos Energy Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated; however, we have not eliminated intercompany profits when such amounts are probable of recovery under the affiliates’ rate regulation process.

Basis of comparison — Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The most significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts, unbilled revenues, legal and environmental accruals, insurance accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes, asset retirement obligations, impairment of long-lived assets, risk management and trading activities, fair value measurements and the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Regulation — Our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service, maintenance of accounting records and various other matters by the respective regulatory authorities in the states in which we operate. Our accounting policies recognize the financial effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in

53

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

their financial statements. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permitted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recognized. The amounts to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations.

We record regulatory assets as a component of other current assets and deferred charges and other assets for costs that have been deferred for which future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded either on the face of the balance sheet or as a component of current liabilities, deferred income taxes or deferred credits and other liabilities when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 included the following:

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	162,777	$	187,977
Merger and integration costs, net	4,730		5,250
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Regulatory cost of removal asset	—		10,008
Rate case costs	3,757		6,329
Texas Rule 8.209(2)	26,948		30,364
APT annual adjustment mechanism	8,479		5,853
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	18,877		21,435
Other	4,672		4,380
	$	250,309	$	286,748
Regulatory liabilities:
Deferred gas costs	$	35,063	$	16,481
Deferred franchise fees	5,268		1,689
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	490,448		427,524
Other	14,980		7,887
	$	545,759	$	453,581

⁽¹⁾ Includes $18.8 million and $17.4 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾ Texas Rule 8.209 is a Railroad Commission rule that allows for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to this rule, including the recording of interest on the deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recovered through base rates.

Currently, authorized rates do not include a return on certain of our merger and integration costs; however, we recover the amortization of these costs. Merger and integration costs, net, are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging up to 20 years. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $0.5 million in amortization expense related to these costs.

Revenue recognition — Sales of natural gas to our regulated distribution customers are billed on a monthly basis; however, the billing cycle periods for certain classes of customers do not necessarily coincide with accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. We follow the revenue accrual method of accounting for regulated distribution segment revenues whereby revenues applicable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense.

On occasion, we are permitted to implement new rates that have not been formally approved by our state regulatory commissions, which are subject to refund. As permitted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the jurisdiction in which the rates were implemented.

Rates established by regulatory authorities are adjusted for increases and decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide gas distribution companies a

54

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

method of recovering purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case to address all of their non-gas costs. There is no gross profit generated through purchased gas cost adjustments, but they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in our regulated distribution segment’s gas costs. The effects of these purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms are recorded as deferred gas costs on our balance sheet.

Operating revenues for our regulated pipeline and nonregulated segments are recognized in the period in which actual volumes are transported and storage services are provided.

Operating revenues for our nonregulated segment and the associated carrying value of natural gas inventory (inclusive of storage costs) are recognized when we sell the gas and physically deliver it to our customers. Operating revenues include realized gains and losses arising from the settlement of financial instruments used in our nonregulated activities and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of natural gas inventory designated as a hedged item in a fair value hedge and the associated financial instruments. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we included unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts of $9.6 million, $9.0 million and $(8.0) million as a component of nonregulated revenues.

Cash and cash equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts — Accounts receivable arise from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and other customers. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based on our collection experience or where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability or reluctance to pay. However, if circumstances change, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be affected. Circumstances which could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices, customer deposits and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Gas stored underground — Our gas stored underground is comprised of natural gas injected into storage to support the winter season withdrawals for our regulated distribution operations and natural gas held by our nonregulated segment to conduct their operations. The average cost method is used for all our regulated operations, except for certain jurisdictions in the Kentucky/Mid-States Division, where it is valued on the first-in first-out method basis, in accordance with regulatory requirements. Our nonregulated segment utilizes the average cost method; however, most of this inventory is hedged and is therefore reported at fair value at the end of each month. Gas in storage that is retained as cushion gas to maintain reservoir pressure is classified as property, plant and equipment and is valued at cost.

Regulated property, plant and equipment — Regulated property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of contributions in aid of construction. The cost of additions includes direct construction costs, payroll related costs (taxes, pensions and other fringe benefits), administrative and general costs and an allowance for funds used during construction. The allowance for funds used during construction represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance the construction of major projects and are capitalized in the rate base for ratemaking purposes when the completed projects are placed in service. Interest expense of $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.6 million was capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Major renewals, including replacement pipe, and betterments that are recoverable under our regulatory rate base are capitalized while the costs of maintenance and repairs that are not recoverable through rates are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of large projects are accumulated in construction in progress until the project is completed. When the project is completed, tested and placed in service, the balance is transferred to the regulated plant in service account included in the rate base and depreciation begins.

Regulated property, plant and equipment is depreciated at various rates on a straight-line basis. These rates are approved by our regulatory commissions and are comprised of two components: one based on average service life and one based on cost of removal. Accordingly, we recognize our cost of removal expense as a component of depreciation expense. The related cost of removal accrual is reflected as a regulatory liability on the consolidated balance sheet. At the time property, plant and equipment is retired, removal expenses less salvage, are charged to the regulatory cost of removal accrual. The composite depreciation rate was 3.3 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.6 percent for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Nonregulated property, plant and equipment — Nonregulated property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is generally computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes based upon estimated useful lives ranging from three to 50 years.

Asset retirement obligations — We record a liability at fair value for an asset retirement obligation when the legal obligation to retire the asset has been incurred with an offsetting increase to the carrying value of the related asset. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time is recorded as an operating expense.

55

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had asset retirement obligations of $10.5 million and $6.8 million. Additionally, we had $5.9 million and $3.3 million of asset retirement costs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the underlying associated assets.

We believe we have a legal obligation to retire our natural gas storage facilities. However, we have not recognized an asset retirement obligation associated with our storage facilities because we are not able to determine the settlement date of this obligation as we do not anticipate taking our storage facilities out of service permanently. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation.

Impairment of long-lived assets — We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that other long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected future cash flows. In the event the sum of the expected future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded.

During fiscal 2012, we recorded a pre-tax noncash impairment loss of $5.3 million related to our gathering systems in Kentucky. See Note 14 for further details.

Goodwill — We annually evaluate our goodwill balances for impairment during our second fiscal quarter or more frequently as impairment indicators arise. We use a present value technique based on discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. These calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value.

Marketable securities — As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale. In accordance with the authoritative accounting standards, these securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on an individual investment by investment basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related investment is written down to its estimated fair value.

Financial instruments and hedging activities — We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our regulated and nonregulated businesses and are discussed in Note 12.

We record all of our financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value ultimately recorded in the income statement. These financial instruments are reported as risk management assets and liabilities and are classified as current or noncurrent other assets or liabilities based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument.

The timing of when changes in fair value of our financial instruments are recorded in the income statement depends on whether the financial instrument has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship or if regulatory rulings require a different accounting treatment. Changes in fair value for financial instruments that do not meet one of these criteria are recognized in the income statement as they occur.

Financial Instruments Associated with Commodity Price Risk

In our regulated distribution segment, the costs associated with and the gains and losses arising from the use of financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk are included in our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms in accordance with regulatory requirements. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of deferred gas costs and recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of financial instruments.

In our nonregulated segment, we have designated most of the natural gas inventory held by this operating segment as the hedged item in a fair-value hedge. This inventory is marked to market at the end of each month based on the Gas Daily index, with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in revenue in the period of change. The financial instruments associated with this natural gas inventory have been designated as fair-value hedges and are marked to market each month based upon the NYMEX price with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in purchased gas cost in the period of change. We have elected to exclude this spot/forward differential for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of these fair-value hedges.

56

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Additionally, we have elected to treat fixed-price forward contracts used in our nonregulated segment to deliver natural gas as normal purchases and normal sales. As such, these deliveries are recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with our revenue recognition policy. Financial instruments used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with these contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at indexed prices. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses on these open financial instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, and are recognized in earnings as a component of purchased gas cost when the hedged volumes are sold.

Gains and losses from hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the income statement. Fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness arising from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the financial instruments is referred to as basis ineffectiveness. Ineffectiveness arising from changes in the fair value of the fair value hedges due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity is referred to as timing ineffectiveness. Hedge ineffectiveness, to the extent incurred, is reported as a component of purchased gas cost.

Our nonregulated segment also utilizes master netting agreements with significant counterparties that allow us to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled in cash with gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled with the physical commodity. Assets and liabilities from risk management activities, as well as accounts receivable and payable, reflect the master netting agreements in place. Additionally, the accounting guidance for master netting arrangements requires us to include the fair value of cash collateral or the obligation to return cash in the amounts that have been netted under master netting agreements used to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company netted $25.8 million and $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts into its current and noncurrent risk management assets and liabilities.

Financial Instruments Associated with Interest Rate Risk

We manage interest rate risk, primarily when we plan to issue new long-term debt or to refinance existing long-term debt. We manage this risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and prior to fiscal 2012, Treasury lock agreements, to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. We designate these financial instruments as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements are executed. Unrealized gains and losses associated with the instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the instruments settle, the realized gain or loss is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred is reported as a component of interest expense.

Fair Value Measurements — We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information in valuing our financial assets and liabilities and minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements.

Fair-value estimates also consider our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions and major energy companies. This concentration of counterparties may materially impact our exposure to credit risk resulting from market, economic or regulatory conditions. We seek to minimize counterparty credit risk through an evaluation of their financial condition and credit ratings and the use of collateral requirements under certain circumstances.

Amounts reported at fair value are subject to potentially significant volatility based upon changes in market prices, including, but not limited to, the valuation of the portfolio of our contracts, maturity and settlement of these contracts and newly originated transactions and interest rates, each of which directly affect the estimated fair value of our financial instruments. We believe the market prices and models used to value these financial instruments represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the contracts. Values are adjusted to reflect the potential impact of an orderly liquidation of our positions over a reasonable period of time under then current market conditions.

Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 — Represents unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is defined as a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Prices actively quoted on national exchanges are used to determine

57

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

the fair value of most of our assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. Within our nonregulated operations, we utilize a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between the bid and ask prices), as permitted under current accounting standards. Values derived from these sources reflect the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed.

Our Level 1 measurements consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments, gas stored underground that has been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge and our available-for-sale securities. The Level 1 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments.

Level 2 — Represents pricing inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Our Level 2 measurements primarily consist of non-exchange-traded financial instruments, such as over-the-counter options and swaps and municipal and corporate bonds where market data for pricing is observable. The Level 2 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of non-exchange traded financial instruments such as common collective trusts and investments in limited partnerships.

Level 3 — Represents generally unobservable pricing inputs which are developed based on the best information available, including our own internal data, in situations where there is little if any market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The pricing inputs utilized reflect what a market participant would use to determine fair value. We utilize models and other valuation methods to determine fair value when external sources are not available. We believe the market prices and models used to value these assets and liabilities represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the assets and liabilities.

As of September 30, 2014, our Master Trust owned one real estate investment with a value less than $0.2 million that qualifies as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation technique used was a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land and building sales values per square foot. Currently, we have no other assets or liabilities recorded at fair value that would qualify for Level 3 reporting.

Pension and other postretirement plans — Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. Our measurement date is September 30. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities.

The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligation and net pension and postretirement cost. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds available in the marketplace that are suitable for settling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit disbursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of the annual pension and postretirement plan cost. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan cost is not affected. Rather, this gain or loss reduces or increases future pension or postretirement plan costs over a period of approximately seven to nine years.

The market-related value of our plan assets represents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctuations over a five-year period. The use of this calculation will delay the impact of current market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period.

We use a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses. Under this approach, net gains or losses in excess of ten percent of the larger of the pension benefit obligation or the market-related value of the assets are amortized on a straight-line basis. The period of amortization is the average remaining service of active participants who are expected to receive benefits under the plan.

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ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our annual postretirement net cost based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon the annual review of our participant census information as of the measurement date.

Income taxes — Income taxes are determined based on the liability method, which results in income tax assets and liabilities arising from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The liability method requires the effect of tax rate changes on current and accumulated deferred income taxes to be reflected in the period in which the rate change was enacted. The liability method also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance unless it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized.

The Company may recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense. We recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of miscellaneous income (expense) in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Tax collections — We are allowed to recover from customers revenue-related taxes that are imposed upon us. We record such taxes as operating expenses and record the corresponding customer charges as operating revenues. However, we do collect and remit various other taxes on behalf of various governmental authorities, and we record these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets on a net basis. We do not collect income taxes from our customers on behalf of governmental authorities.

Contingencies — In the normal course of business, we are confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to lawsuits, claims made by third parties or the action of various regulatory agencies. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and reasonably estimable, based on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. Actual results may differ from estimates, depending on actual outcomes or changes in the facts or expectations surrounding each potential exposure.

Subsequent events — Except as disclosed in Note 5 concerning the October 15, 2014 issuance of $500 million, 4.125% senior notes, no events occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements — Disclosure requirements for offsetting arrangements for financial instruments became effective for us beginning on October 1, 2013. We have presented these disclosures in Note 12. In connection with the adoption of this standard, prior-year risk management assets and liabilities have been reclassified to conform with the current-year presentation. The adoption of this standard and reclassification did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance for discontinued operations that limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results and requires additional disclosures related to discontinued operations. This standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. The new standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2017 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If such conditions or events exist, disclosures are required that enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature of the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the circumstances and management's plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. We will be required to perform an annual assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern when this standard becomes effective for us on October 1, 2017; however, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

59

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

3.    Segment Information

Atmos Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline business as well as other nonregulated businesses. We distribute natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which cover service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system.

Through our nonregulated business, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, regulated distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy and third parties.

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, includes our regulated distribution and related sales operations.

• The regulated pipeline segment, includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division.

• The nonregulated segment, is comprised of our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units. Interest expense is allocated pro rata to each segment based upon our net investment in each segment. Income taxes are allocated to each segment as if each segment’s taxes were calculated on a separate return basis.

Summarized income statements and capital expenditures by segment are shown in the following tables.

	Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	3,056,212		$	92,166		$	1,792,538	$	—		$	4,940,916
Intersegment revenues	5,334			226,293			274,754		(506,381		)	—
	3,061,546			318,459			2,067,292		(506,381		)	4,940,916
Purchased gas cost	1,885,031			—			1,979,337		(505,878		)	3,358,490
Gross profit	1,176,515			318,459			87,955		(503		)	1,582,426
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	387,228			91,466			26,963		(503		)	505,154
Depreciation and amortization	208,376			41,031			4,580		—			253,987
Taxes, other than income	196,343			13,143			2,450		—			211,936
Total operating expenses	791,947			145,640			33,993		(503		)	971,077
Operating income	384,568			172,819			53,962		—			611,349
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(381		)	(3,181		)	2,216		(3,889		)	(5,235		)
Interest charges	94,918			36,280			1,986		(3,889		)	129,295
Income before income taxes	289,269			133,358			54,192		—			476,819
Income tax expense	117,684			47,167			22,151		—			187,002
Net income	$	171,585		$	86,191		$	32,041	$	—		$	289,817
Capital expenditures	$	584,065		$	249,347		$	1,839	$	—		$	835,251

60

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,394,418	$	89,011		$	1,392,031		$	—		$	3,875,460
Intersegment revenues	5,075		179,889			195,883			(380,847		)	—
	2,399,493		268,900			1,587,914			(380,847		)	3,875,460
Purchased gas cost	1,318,257		—			1,524,583			(379,430		)	2,463,410
Gross profit	1,081,236		268,900			63,331			(1,417		)	1,412,050
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	375,188		76,686			37,569			(1,423		)	488,020
Depreciation and amortization	195,581		35,302			4,196			—			235,079
Taxes, other than income	167,374		17,059			2,639			—			187,072
Total operating expenses	738,143		129,047			44,404			(1,423		)	910,171
Operating income	343,093		139,853			18,927			6			501,879
Miscellaneous income (expense)	2,535		(2,285		)	2,316			(2,763		)	(197		)
Interest charges	98,296		30,678			2,168			(2,757		)	128,385
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	247,332		106,890			19,075			—			373,297
Income tax expense	96,476		38,630			7,493			—			142,599
Income from continuing operations	150,856		68,260			11,582			—			230,698
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	7,202		—			—			—			7,202
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,649		—			(355		)	—			5,294
Net income	$	163,707	$	68,260		$	11,227		$	—		$	243,194
Capital expenditures	$	528,599	$	313,230		$	3,204		$	—		$	845,033

61

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,144,376		$	92,604		$	1,199,182	$	—		$	3,436,162
Intersegment revenues	954			154,747			149,800		(305,501		)	—
	2,145,330			247,351			1,348,982		(305,501		)	3,436,162
Purchased gas cost	1,122,587			—			1,293,858		(304,022		)	2,112,423
Gross profit	1,022,743			247,351			55,124		(1,479		)	1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	353,879			71,521			29,697		(1,484		)	453,613
Depreciation and amortization	202,026			31,438			4,061		—			237,525
Taxes, other than income	162,377			15,568			3,128		—			181,073
Asset impairments	—			—			5,288		—			5,288
Total operating expenses	718,282			118,527			42,174		(1,484		)	877,499
Operating income	304,461			128,824			12,950		5			446,240
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(12,657		)	(1,051		)	1,035		(1,971		)	(14,644		)
Interest charges	110,642			29,414			3,084		(1,966		)	141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	181,162			98,359			10,901		—			290,422
Income tax expense	57,314			35,300			5,612		—			98,226
Income from continuing operations	123,848			63,059			5,289		—			192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	18,172			—			—		—			18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	6,349			—			—		—			6,349
Net income	$	148,369		$	63,059		$	5,289	$	—		$	216,717
Capital expenditures	$	546,818		$	175,768		$	10,272	$	—		$	732,858

The following table summarizes our revenues by products and services for the fiscal year ended September 30.

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Regulated distribution revenues:
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,933,099	$	1,512,495	$	1,351,479
Commercial	876,042		661,930		587,651
Industrial	90,536		81,155		71,960
Public authority and other	64,779		60,557		54,334
Total gas sales revenues	2,964,456		2,316,137		2,065,424
Transportation revenues	64,049		55,938		53,924
Other gas revenues	27,707		22,343		25,028
Total regulated distribution revenues	3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Regulated pipeline revenues	92,166		89,011		92,604
Nonregulated revenues	1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Total operating revenues	$	4,940,916	$	3,875,460	$	3,436,162

62

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Balance sheet information at September 30, 2014 and 2013 by segment is presented in the following tables.

	September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,202,761	$	1,464,572	$	58,573		$	—		$	6,725,906
Investment in subsidiaries	952,171		—		(2,096		)	(950,075		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	33,303		—		8,955			—			42,258
Assets from risk management activities	23,102		—		22,725			—			45,827
Other current assets	490,408		14,009		526,161			(342,823		)	687,755
Intercompany receivables	790,442		—		—			(790,442		)	—
Total current assets	1,337,255		14,009		557,841			(1,133,265		)	775,840
Goodwill	574,816		132,502		34,711			—			742,029
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	13,038		—		—			—			13,038
Deferred charges and other assets	309,965		21,826		6,100			—			337,891
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,086,232	$	482,612	$	469,559		$	(952,171	)	$	3,086,232
Long-term debt	2,455,986		—		—			—			2,455,986
Total capitalization	5,542,218		482,612		469,559			(952,171		)	5,542,218
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	522,695		—		—			(326,000		)	196,695
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		—		—			—			1,730
Other current liabilities	559,765		24,790		142,397			(14,727		)	712,225
Intercompany payables	—		763,635		26,807			(790,442		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,084,190		788,425		169,204			(1,131,169		)	910,650
Deferred income taxes	913,260		361,688		11,668			—			1,286,616
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—		—			—			20,126
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387		—		—			—			445,387
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963		—		—			—			340,963
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,862		184		4,698			—			48,744
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704

63

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	4,719,873	$	1,249,767	$	61,015		$	—		$	6,030,655
Investment in subsidiaries	831,136		—		(2,096		)	(829,040		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	4,237		—		61,962			—			66,199
Assets from risk management activities	1,837		—		10,129			—			11,966
Other current assets	428,366		11,709		452,126			(293,233		)	598,968
Intercompany receivables	783,738		—		—			(783,738		)	—
Total current assets	1,218,178		11,709		524,217			(1,076,971		)	677,133
Goodwill	574,190		132,462		34,711			—			741,363
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	109,354		—		—			—			109,354
Deferred charges and other assets	347,687		19,227		8,849			—			375,763
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	2,580,409	$	396,421	$	434,715		$	(831,136	)	$	2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,671		—		—			—			2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,036,080		396,421		434,715			(831,136		)	5,036,080
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	645,984		—		—			(278,000		)	367,984
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,543		—		—			—			1,543
Other current liabilities	491,681		20,288		110,306			(13,316		)	608,959
Intercompany payables	—		712,768		70,970			(783,738		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,139,208		733,056		181,276			(1,075,054		)	978,486
Deferred income taxes	871,360		283,554		8,960			179			1,164,053
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	359,299		—		—			—			359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	358,787		—		—			—			358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	35,684		134		1,745			—			37,563
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268

64

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

4.    Earnings Per Share

Since we have non-vested share-based payments with a nonforfeitable right to dividends or dividend equivalents (referred to as participating securities), we are required to use the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The Company’s non-vested restricted stock units, granted under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time, are considered to be participating securities. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30 are calculated as follows:

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Basic Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations	$	289,817	$	230,698	$	192,196
Less: Income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities	711		775		793
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from continuing operations per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.54	$	2.12
Basic Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	12,496	$	24,521
Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities	—		42		101
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from discontinued operations per share — Basic	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.68	$	2.39
Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		5		4
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,928	$	191,407
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from continuing operations per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.50	$	2.10
Diluted Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		—		—
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from discontinued operations per share — Diluted	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.64	$	2.37

There were no out-of-the-money options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2014 there were no outstanding options.

2014 Equity Offering

On February 18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock including the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option of 1,200,000 shares under our existing shelf registration statement. The offering was priced at $44.00 per share and generated net proceeds of $390.2 million, which were used to repay short-term debt outstanding under our commercial paper program, to fund infrastructure spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes.

65

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Share Repurchase Program

On September 28, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of common stock over a 5-year period. The program is primarily intended to minimize the dilutive effect of equity grants under various benefit related incentive compensation plans of the Company. The program may be terminated or limited at any time. Shares may be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in amounts the Company deems appropriate. As of September 30, 2014, a total of 387,991 shares had been repurchased for an aggregate value of $12.5 million, with no shares repurchased since the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

5.    Debt

Long-term debt

Long-term debt at September 30, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 4.95% Senior Notes, due October 2014	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due 2017	250,000		250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Medium term Series A notes, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,014		4,329
Current maturities	—		—
	$	2,455,986	$	2,455,671

On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million unsecured 4.95% senior notes. The effective rate of these notes is 4.086%, after giving effect to the offering costs and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps discussed in Note 12. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014. Our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes are presented as long-term debt at September 30, 2014 as we demonstrated the ability and intent to refinance through the issuance of new unsecured senior notes.

We issued $500 million Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes on January 11, 2013. The effective rate of these notes is 4.67%, after giving effect to offering costs and the settlement of the associated Treasury lock agreements discussed in Note 12. Of the net proceeds of approximately $494 million, $234 million was used to partially repay our commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. The remaining $260 million was used to repay a short-term financing facility executed on September 27, 2012 to repay commercial paper borrowings used to redeem our $250 million Unsecured 5.125% Senior Notes were scheduled to mature in January 2013. This facility bore interest at a LIBOR-based rate plus a company specific spread.

Short-term debt

Our short-term debt is utilized to fund ongoing working capital needs, such as our seasonal requirements for gas supply, general corporate liquidity and capital expenditures. Our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months.

We currently finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, four committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility, with a total availability from third-party lenders of approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was $196.7 million and $368.0 million outstanding under our commercial paper program with weighted average interest rates of

66

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

0.23% and 0.25%, with average maturities of less than one month. We also use intercompany credit facilities to supplement the funding provided by these third-party committed credit facilities. These facilities are described in greater detail below.

Regulated Operations

We fund our regulated operations as needed, primarily through our commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. The first facility is a five-year unsecured facility that was amended on August 22, 2014 to 1) increase the borrowing capacity from $950 million to $1.25 billion with an accordion feature, which, if utilized would increase the borrowing capacity to $1.5 billion and 2) extend the expiration date from August 2018 to August 2019. The credit facility bears interest at a base rate or at a LIBOR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a spread ranging from zero percent to two percent, based on the Company’s credit ratings. This credit facility serves primarily as a backup liquidity facility for our commercial paper program. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings under this facility, but we had $196.7 million of commercial paper outstanding leaving $1,053.3 million available.

The second facility is a $25 million unsecured facility that bears interest at a daily negotiated rate, generally based on the Federal Funds rate plus a variable margin. This facility was renewed on April 1, 2014. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

The third facility which was renewed on September 30, 2014 for $10 million is a committed revolving credit facility, used primarily to issue letters of credit and bears interest at a LIBOR-based rate plus 1.5 percent. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under this credit facility; however, letters of credit totaling $5.9 million had been issued under the facility at September 30, 2014, which reduced the amount available by a corresponding amount.

The availability of funds under these credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in each of these facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of total debt to total capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At September 30, 2014, our total-debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined, was 48 percent. In addition, both the interest margin over the Eurodollar rate and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under each of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings.

In addition to these third-party facilities, our regulated operations have a $500 million intercompany revolving credit facility with AEH. This facility bears interest at the lower of (i) the Eurodollar rate under the five-year revolving credit facility or (ii) the lowest rate outstanding under the commercial paper program. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2014. There was $326.0 million outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2014.

Nonregulated Operations

Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM), which is wholly owned by AEH, had two$25 million 364-day bilateral credit facilities that expired in December 2013. In December 2013, one of the $25 million 364-day uncommitted bilateral facilities was extended to December 2014. The other $25 million committed bilateral facility was replaced with a $15 million committed 364-day bilateral credit facility in December 2013. These facilities are used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under these bilateral credit facilities was $32.2 million at September 30, 2014.

AEH has a $500 million intercompany demand credit facility with AEC. This facility bears interest at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 3.00 percent or (ii) the rate for AEM’s borrowings under its committed line of credit facility plus 0.75 percent. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2014. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2014.

Shelf Registration

We filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 28, 2013, that originally permitted us to issue a total of $1.75 billion in common stock and/or debt securities. On February 18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock, which generated net proceeds of $390.2 million. After giving effect to this issuance and the aforementioned $500 million senior note issuance completed in October 2014, $845 million of securities remained available for issuance under the shelf registration statement until March 28, 2016.

Debt Covenants

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In addition to the financial covenants described above, our credit facilities and public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers.

Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or is not paid at maturity.

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2014. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions.

Maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	500,000
2016	—
2017	250,000
2018	—
2019	450,000
Thereafter	1,260,000
	$	2,460,000

6.    Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans

We have both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit plans that together cover most of our employees. We also maintain post-retirement plans that provide health care benefits to retired employees. Finally, we sponsor defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees. These plans are discussed in further detail below.

As a rate regulated entity, we generally recover our pension costs in our rates over a period of up to 15 years. The amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost that have been recorded as regulatory assets are as follows:

	Defined Benefits Plans			Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans		Postretirement Plans			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	354		$	354
Unrecognized prior service credit	(1,927		)	—		(6,168		)	(8,095		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	109,767			34,447		7,531			151,745
	$	107,840		$	34,447	$	1,717		$	144,004
September 30, 2013
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	628		$	628
Unrecognized prior service credit	(91		)	—		(5,961		)	(6,052		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	108,621			31,466		35,961			176,048
	$	108,530		$	31,466	$	30,628		$	170,624

Defined Benefit Plans

Employee Pension Plans

As of September 30, 2014, we maintained two defined benefit plans: the Atmos Energy Corporation Pension Account Plan (the Plan) and the Atmos Energy Corporation Retirement Plan for Mississippi Valley Gas Union Employees (the Union Plan) (collectively referred to as the Plans). The assets of the Plans are held within the Atmos Energy Corporation Master Retirement Trust (the Master Trust).

The Plan is a cash balance pension plan that was established effective January 1999 and covers most of the employees of Atmos Energy’s regulated operations. Opening account balances were established for participants as of January 1999 equal to the present value of their respective accrued benefits under the pension plans which were previously in effect as of

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December 31, 1998. The Plan credits an allocation to each participant’s account at the end of each year according to a formula based on the participant’s age, service and total pay (excluding incentive pay).

The Plan also provides for an additional annual allocation based upon a participant’s age as of January 1, 1999 for those participants who were participants in the prior pension plans. The Plan credited this additional allocation each year through December 31, 2008. In addition, at the end of each year, a participant’s account is credited with interest on the employee’s prior year account balance. A special grandfather benefit also applied through December 31, 2008, for participants who were at least age 50 as of January 1, 1999 and who were participants in one of the prior plans on December 31, 1998. Participants are fully vested in their account balances after three years of service and may choose to receive their account balances as a lump sum or an annuity. In August 2010, the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy approved a proposal to close the Plan to new participants effective October 1, 2010. Additionally, employees participating in the Plan as of October 1, 2010 were allowed to make a one-time election to migrate from the Plan into our defined contribution plan, which was enhanced, effective January 1, 2011.

The Union Plan is a defined benefit plan that covers substantially all full-time union employees in our Mississippi Division. Under this plan, benefits are based upon years of benefit service and average final earnings. Participants vest in the plan after five years and will receive their benefit in an annuity. In June 2014, active collectively bargained employees of Atmos Energy’s Mississippi Division voted to decertify the union. As a result of this vote, effective January 1, 2015, active participants of the Union Plan will transfer to the Plan. Opening account balances will be established at the time of transfer equal to the present value of their respective accrued benefits under the Union Plan at December 31, 2014. In addition, effective January 1, 2015, current retirees in the Union Plan as well as those participants who have terminated and are vested in the Union Plan will transfer to the Plan with the same provisions that were in place at the time of their retirement or termination.

Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including the funding requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). However, additional voluntary contributions are made from time to time as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future.

During fiscal 2014 and 2013 we contributed $27.1 million and $32.7 million in cash to the Plans to achieve a desired level of funding while maximizing the tax deductibility of this payment. Based upon market conditions at September 30, 2014, the current funded position of the Plans and the funding requirements under the PPA, we do not anticipate a minimum required contribution for fiscal 2015. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels.

We make investment decisions and evaluate performance of the assets in the Master Trust on a medium-term horizon of at least three to five years. We also consider our current financial status when making recommendations and decisions regarding the Master Trust’s assets. Finally, we strive to ensure the Master Trust’s assets are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk and meet the Master Trust’s long-term asset investment policy adopted by the Board of Directors.

To achieve these objectives, we invest the Master Trust’s assets in equity securities, fixed income securities, interests in commingled pension trust funds, other investment assets and cash and cash equivalents. Investments in equity securities are diversified among the market’s various subsectors in an effort to diversify risk and maximize returns. Fixed income securities are invested in investment grade securities. Cash equivalents are invested in securities that either are short term (less than 180 days) or readily convertible to cash with modest risk.

The following table presents asset allocation information for the Master Trust as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

	Targeted Allocation  Range	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class		2014		2013
Domestic equities	35%-55%	51.9	%	46.5	%
International equities	10%-20%	15.3	%	16.1	%
Fixed income	10%-30%	9.7	%	14.9	%
Company stock	5%-15%	12.9	%	12.6	%
Other assets	5%-15%	10.2	%	9.9	%

At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Plan held 1,169,700 shares of our common stock, which represented 12.9 percent and 12.6 percent of total Master Trust assets. These shares generated dividend income for the Plan of approximately $1.7 million and $1.6 million during fiscal 2014 and 2013.

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Our employee pension plan expenses and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and assumed discount rates and demographic data. We review the estimates and assumptions underlying our employee pension plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date. The development of our assumptions is fully described in our significant accounting policies in Note 2. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the Plans were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the Plans were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.75	%	7.75	%

The following table presents the Plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	466,182		$	446,133
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	455,799		$	480,031
Service cost	15,345			17,754
Interest cost	22,330			19,334
Actuarial (gain) loss	26,611			(29,822		)
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Plan amendments	(1,972		)	—
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	493,594			455,799
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	396,887			343,144
Actual return on plan assets	35,289			52,496
Employer contributions	27,110			32,745
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	434,767			396,887
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(58,827		)	(58,912		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Net amount recognized	$	(58,827	)	$	(58,912	)

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Net periodic pension cost for the Plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	15,345		$	17,754		$	15,084
Interest cost	22,330			19,334			21,568
Expected return on assets	(23,601		)	(22,955		)	(21,474		)
Amortization of prior service credit	(136		)	(141		)	(141		)
Recognized actuarial loss	13,777			19,066			14,451
Net periodic pension cost	$	27,715		$	33,058		$	29,488

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. As required by authoritative accounting literature, assets are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Master Trust are fully described in Note 2. In addition to the assets shown below, the Master Trust had net accounts receivable of $2.7 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013 which materially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets.

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	155,107	$	—	$	—	$	155,107
Money market funds	—		11,226		—		11,226
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	63,850		—		—		63,850
International funds	48,134		—		—		48,134
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		61,208		—		61,208
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		12,520		—		12,520
U.S. treasuries	3,117		562		—		3,679
Corporate bonds	—		25,734		—		25,734
Limited partnerships	—		50,496		—		50,496
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	270,208	$	161,746	$	155	$	432,109

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	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	143,543	$	—	$	—	$	143,543
Money market funds	—		12,266		—		12,266
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	30,200		—		—		30,200
International funds	47,036		—		—		47,036
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		57,627		—		57,627
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		18,446		—		18,446
U.S. treasuries	4,117		663		—		4,780
Corporate bonds	—		35,012		—		35,012
Limited partnerships	—		47,417		—		47,417
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	224,896	$	171,431	$	155	$	396,482

The fair value of our Level 3 real estate assets was determined using a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land sales values per square foot in the range of $0.94 to $2.98 and comparable building sales values per square foot in the range of $23.13 to $30.42.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans

We have three nonqualified supplemental plans which provide additional pension, disability and death benefits to our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company.

The first plan is referred to as the Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan (SEBP) and covers our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company who were employed on or before August 12, 1998. The SEBP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 75 percent of covered compensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the benefits under the SEBP.

In August 1998, we adopted the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) (formerly known as the Performance-Based Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan), which covers all officers or division presidents selected to participate in the plan between August 12, 1998 and August 5, 2009, any corporate officer who may be appointed to the Management Committee after August 5, 2009 and any other employees selected by our Board of Directors at its discretion. The SERP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 60 percent of covered compensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the benefits under the SERP.

Effective August 5, 2009, we adopted a new defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the 2009 SERP), for corporate officers (other than such officer who is appointed as a member of the Company’s Management Committee), division presidents or any other employees selected at the discretion of the Board. Under the 2009 SERP, a nominal account has been established for each participant, to which the Company contributes at the end of each calendar year an amount equal to ten percent of the total of each participant’s base salary and cash incentive compensation earned during each prior calendar year, beginning December 31, 2009. The benefits vest after three years of service and attainment of age 55 and earn interest credits at the same annual rate as the Company’s Pension Account Plan (currently 4.69%).

On October 2, 2013, due to the retirement of one of our executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $4.5 million associated with our SEBP and made a $16.8 million benefit payment.

On April 1, 2013, due to the retirement of certain executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $3.2 million associated with the supplemental plans and revalued the net periodic pension cost for the remainder of fiscal 2013. The revaluation of the net periodic pension cost resulted in an increase in the discount rate, effective April 1, 2013, to 4.21 percent, which reduced our net periodic pension cost by approximately $0.1 million for the remainder of the fiscal year.

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Similar to our employee pension plans, we review the estimates and assumptions underlying our supplemental plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013			2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	(1)	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%		3.50	%

⁽¹⁾ The discount rate for the supplemental plans increased from 4.04% to 4.21% effective April 1, 2013 due to a settlement loss recorded in fiscal 2013.

The following table presents the supplemental plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	106,276		$	109,817
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	117,080		$	130,186
Service cost	3,607			3,039
Interest cost	4,966			4,755
Actuarial (gain) loss	9,468			(6,451		)
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	113,219			117,080
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	—			—
Employer contribution	21,902			14,449
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	—			—
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(113,219		)	(117,080		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued pension cost	$	(113,219	)	$	(117,080	)

Assets for the supplemental plans are held in separate rabbi trusts. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, assets held in the rabbi trusts consisted of available-for-sale securities of $46.2 million and $44.5 million, which are included in our fair value disclosures in Note 14.

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Net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	3,607	$	3,039	$	2,108
Interest cost	4,966		4,755		5,142
Amortization of transition asset	—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—		—		—
Recognized actuarial loss	1,948		2,918		2,118
Settlements	4,539		3,160		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	15,060	$	13,872	$	9,368

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments for our defined benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years:

	Pension Plans		Supplemental Plans
	(In thousands)
2015	$	33,592	$	11,381
2016	32,811		4,617
2017	33,131		17,260
2018	33,501		14,772
2019	34,846		7,675
2020-2024	182,998		32,843

Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor the Retiree Medical Plan for Retirees and Disabled Employees of Atmos Energy Corporation (the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan). This plan provides medical and prescription drug protection to all qualified participants based on their date of retirement. The Atmos Retiree Medical Plan provides different levels of benefits depending on the level of coverage chosen by the participants and the terms of predecessor plans; however, we generally pay 80 percent of the projected net claims and administrative costs and participants pay the remaining 20 percent of this cost.

As of September 30, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a change to the cost sharing methodology for employees who had not met the participation requirements by that date for the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan. Starting on January 1, 2015, the contribution rates that will apply to all non-grandfathered participants will be determined using a new cost sharing methodology by which Atmos Energy will limit its contribution to a three percent cost increase in claims and administrative costs each year. If medical costs covered by the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan increase more than three percent annually, participants will be responsible for the additional costs.

Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of ERISA. However, additional voluntary contributions are made annually as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. We expect to contribute between $20 million and $25 million to our postretirement benefits plan during fiscal 2015.

We maintain a formal investment policy with respect to the assets in our postretirement benefits plan to ensure the assets funding the postretirement benefit plan are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk. We also consider our current financial status when making recommendations and decisions regarding the postretirement benefits plan.

We currently invest the assets funding our postretirement benefit plan in diversified investment funds which consist of common stocks, preferred stocks and fixed income securities. The diversified investment funds may invest up to 75 percent of assets in common stocks and convertible securities. The following table presents asset allocation information for the postretirement benefit plan assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class	2014		2013
Diversified investment funds	99.7	%	96.8	%
Cash and cash equivalents	0.3	%	3.2	%

Similar to our employee pension and supplemental plans, we review the estimates and assumptions underlying our postretirement benefit plan annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for our postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Postretirement Liability				Postretirement Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Expected return on plan assets	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.70	%	5.00	%
Initial trend rate	7.50	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%
Ultimate trend rate	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%
Ultimate trend reached in	2020		2020		2020		2019		2018

The following table presents the postretirement plan’s benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	312,148		$	308,315
Service cost	16,784			18,800
Interest cost	15,951			12,964
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Actuarial (gain) loss	(18,963		)	(13,801		)
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Plan amendments	(1,657		)	—
Divestitures	—			(3,487		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	315,118			312,148
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	106,413			77,072
Actual return on plan assets	14,003			13,432
Employer contributions	23,550			26,552
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	134,821			106,413
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(180,297		)	(205,735		)
Unrecognized transition obligation	—			—
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued postretirement cost	$	(180,297	)	$	(205,735	)

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Net periodic postretirement cost for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the components presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic postretirement cost:
Service cost	$	16,784		$	18,800		$	16,353
Interest cost	15,951			12,964			13,861
Expected return on assets	(5,167		)	(3,988		)	(2,607		)
Amortization of transition obligation	274			1,081			1,511
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,450		)	(1,450		)	(1,450		)
Recognized actuarial loss	631			4,196			2,648
Net periodic postretirement cost	$	27,023		$	31,603		$	30,316

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the latest actuarial calculations:

	One-Percentage Point Increase		One-Percentage Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	4,533	$	(3,700	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	40,922	$	(34,169	)

We are currently recovering other postretirement benefits costs through our regulated rates under accrual accounting as prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in substantially all of our service areas. Other postretirement benefits costs have been specifically addressed in rate orders in each jurisdiction served by our Kentucky/Mid-States, West Texas, Mid-Tex and Mississippi Divisions as well as our Kansas jurisdiction and Atmos Pipeline – Texas or have been included in a rate case and not disallowed. Management believes that this accounting method is appropriate and will continue to seek rate recovery of accrual-based expenses in its ratemaking jurisdictions that have not yet approved the recovery of these expenses.

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Retiree Medical Plan’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Retiree Medical Plan are fully described in Note 2.

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	434	$	—	$	434
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	11,398		—		—		11,398
International funds	122,989		—		—		122,989
Total investments at fair value	$	134,387	$	434	$	—	$	134,821

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	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	3,356	$	—	$	3,356
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	9,614		—		—		9,614
International funds	93,443		—		—		93,443
Total investments at fair value	$	103,057	$	3,356	$	—	$	106,413

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments paid by us, retirees and prescription drug subsidy payments for our postretirement benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years. Company payments for fiscal 2015 include contributions to our postretirement plan trusts.

	Company Payments		Retiree Payments		Subsidy Payments		Total Postretirement Benefits
	(In thousands)
2015	$	22,177	$	3,582	$	—	$	25,759
2016	15,008		4,615		—		19,623
2017	17,551		5,796		—		23,347
2018	19,660		7,148		—		26,808
2019	21,302		8,549		—		29,851
2020-2024	127,741		63,524		—		191,265

Defined Contribution Plans

As of September 30, 2014, we maintained three defined contribution benefit plans: the Atmos Energy Corporation Retirement Savings Plan and Trust (the Retirement Savings Plan), the Atmos Energy Corporation Savings Plan for MVG Union Employees (the Union 401K Plan) and the Atmos Energy Holdings, LLC 401K Profit-Sharing Plan (the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan).

The Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all employees in our regulated operations and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2007, employees automatically become participants of the Retirement Savings Plan on the date of employment. Participants may elect a salary reduction up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, not to exceed the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. New participants are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a salary reduction amount of four percent of eligible compensation, from which they may opt out. We match 100 percent of a participant’s contributions, limited to four percent of the participant’s salary, in our common stock. However, participants have the option to immediately transfer this matching contribution into other funds held within the plan. Participants are eligible to receive matching contributions after completing one year of service. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. In August 2010, the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy approved a proposal to close the Pension Account Plan to new participants effective October 1, 2010. New employees participate in our defined contribution plan, which was enhanced, effective January 1, 2011. Employees participating in the Pension Account Plan as of October 1, 2010 were allowed to make a one-time election to migrate from the Plan into the Retirement Savings Plan, effective January 1, 2011. Under the enhanced plan, participants receive a fixed annual contribution of four percent of eligible earnings to their Retirement Savings Plan account. Participants will continue to be eligible for company matching contributions of up to four percent of their eligible earnings and will be fully vested in the fixed annual contribution after three years of service.

The Union 401K Plan covers substantially all Mississippi Division employees who are members of the International Chemical Workers Union Council, United Food and Commercial Workers Union International (the Union) and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees of the Union automatically become participants of the Union 401K plan on the date of union membership. We match 50 percent of a participant’s contribution in cash, limited to six percent of the participant’s eligible contribution. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. In June 2014, active collectively bargained employees of Atmos Energy’s Mississippi Division voted to decertify the Union.  As a result, effective July 19, 2014, active participants of the Union 401K Plan were eligible to participate

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in the Retirement Savings Plan. Participants that do not actively elect to participate in the Retirement Savings Plan will be automatically enrolled in the Retirement Savings Plan at a salary reduction level of four percent, which they may opt out of within 30 days. In addition, participants may elect to transfer their funds from the Union 401K Plan to the Retirement Savings Plan. Effective January 1, 2015, all remaining participant balances will transfer to the Retirement Savings Plan. Following this transfer, the Union 401K Plan will be terminated.

Matching contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan and the Union 401K Plan are expensed as incurred and amounted to $10.9 million, $10.4 million and $10.5 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012. The Board of Directors may also approve discretionary contributions, subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations. No discretionary contributions were made for fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Retirement Savings Plan held 4.5 percent and 4.9 percent of our outstanding common stock.

The AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan covers substantially all AEH employees and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may elect a salary reduction up to a maximum of 75 percent of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, not to exceed the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company may elect to make safe harbor contributions up to four percent of the employee’s salary which vest immediately. The Company may also make discretionary profit sharing contributions to the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan. Participants become fully vested in the discretionary profit-sharing contributions after three years of service. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. Discretionary contributions to the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan are expensed as incurred and amounted to $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.2 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.

7.    Stock and Other Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Total stock-based compensation expense was $25.5 million, $17.8 million and $19.2 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, primarily related to restricted stock costs.

1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In August 1998, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which became effective in October 1998 after approval by our shareholders. The LTIP is a comprehensive, long-term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire common stock.

As of September 30, 2014, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 8.7 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. As of September 30, 2014, non-qualified stock options, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units had been issued under this plan, and 845,139 shares were available for future issuance.

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Restricted Stock Unit Award Grants

As noted above, the LTIP provides for discretionary awards of restricted stock units to help attract, retain and reward employees of Atmos Energy and its subsidiaries. Certain of these awards vest based upon the passage of time and other awards vest based upon the passage of time and the achievement of specified performance targets. The fair value of the awards granted is based on the market price of our stock at the date of grant. The associated expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period.

Employees who are granted time-lapse restricted stock units under our LTIP have a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents that are paid at the same rate at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Time-lapse restricted stock units contain only a service condition that the employee recipients render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the date of grant, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions). There are no performance conditions required to be met for employees to be vested in time-lapse restricted stock units.

Employees who are granted performance-based restricted stock units under our LTIP have a forfeitable right to dividend equivalents that accrue at the same rate at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Dividend equivalents on the performance-based restricted stock units are paid in the form of shares upon the vesting of the award. Performance-based restricted stock units contain a service condition that the employee recipients render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the beginning of the applicable three-year performance period, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions) and a performance condition based on a cumulative earnings per share target amount.

The following summarizes information regarding the restricted stock units granted under the plan during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	2014				2013				2012
	Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46	1,264,142		$	29.56
Granted	464,438		45.05		473,775		40.48		532,711		33.44
Vested	(524,532	)	32.67		(657,795	)	32.20		(494,308	)	26.32
Forfeited	(4,113	)	39.00		(25,718	)	33.42		(39,963	)	29.83
Nonvested at end of year	988,637		$	42.22	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46

As of September 30, 2014, there was $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested time-lapse restricted stock units granted under the LTIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The fair value of restricted stock vested during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $17.1 million, $21.2 million and $13.0 million.

Other Plans

Direct Stock Purchase Plan

We maintain a Direct Stock Purchase Plan, open to all investors, which allows participants to have all or part of their cash dividends paid quarterly in additional shares of our common stock. The minimum initial investment required to join the plan is $1,250. Direct Stock Purchase Plan participants may purchase additional shares of our common stock as often as weekly with voluntary cash payments of at least $25, up to an annual maximum of $100,000.

Outside Directors Stock-For-Fee Plan

In November 1994, the Board of Directors adopted the Outside Directors Stock-for-Fee Plan, which was approved by our shareholders in February 1995. The plan permits non-employee directors to receive all or part of their annual retainer and meeting fees in stock rather than in cash. This plan was terminated by the Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2014, when the LTIP was amended to incorporate substantially all of its provisions.

Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

In November 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which was approved by our shareholders in February 1999. This plan amended the Atmos Energy

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Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors adopted by the Company in May 1990 and replaced the pension payable under our Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The plan provides non-employee directors of Atmos Energy with the opportunity to defer receipt, until retirement, of compensation for services rendered to the Company and invest deferred compensation into either a cash account or a stock account.

Other Discretionary Compensation Plans

We have an annual incentive program covering substantially all employees to give each employee an opportunity to share in our financial success based on the achievement of key performance measures considered critical to achieving business objectives for a given year with minimum and maximum thresholds. The Company must meet the minimum threshold for the plan to be funded and distributed to employees. These performance measures may include earnings growth objectives, improved cash flow objectives or crucial customer satisfaction and safety results. We monitor progress towards the achievement of the performance measures throughout the year and record accruals based upon the expected payout using the best estimates available at the time the accrual is recorded. During the last several fiscal years, we have used earnings per share as our sole performance measure.

8.    Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions

The following tables provide additional information regarding the composition of certain of our balance sheet captions.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable was comprised of the following at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Billed accounts receivable	$	262,937		$	230,712
Unbilled revenue	62,484			58,710
Other accounts receivable	41,971			33,194
Total accounts receivable	367,392			322,616
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(23,992		)	(20,624		)
Net accounts receivable	$	343,400		$	301,992

Other current assets

Other current assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Assets from risk management activities	$	45,827	$	11,966
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Taxes receivable	5,481		3,141
Prepaid expenses	25,039		21,666
Materials and supplies	5,704		5,511
Other	9,145		6,765
Total	$	111,265	$	64,201

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Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Production plant	$	4,821		$	5,020
Storage plant	275,579			262,246
Transmission plant	1,622,846			1,362,662
Distribution plant	5,522,794			5,061,711
General plant	735,223			716,189
Intangible plant	38,858			38,444
	8,200,121			7,446,272
Construction in progress	247,579			275,747
	8,447,700			7,722,019
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,721,794		)	(1,691,364		)
Net property, plant and equipment(1)	$	6,725,906		$	6,030,655

⁽¹⁾   Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Goodwill

The following presents our goodwill balance allocated by segment and changes in the balance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014:

	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	574,190	$	132,462	$	34,711	$	741,363
Deferred tax adjustments on prior acquisitions(1)	626		40		—		666
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	574,816	$	132,502	$	34,711	$	742,029

⁽¹⁾  We annually adjust certain deferred taxes recorded in connection with acquisitions completed in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2004, which resulted in an increase to goodwill and net deferred tax liabilities of $0.7 million for fiscal 2014.

Deferred charges and other assets

Deferred charges and other assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Marketable securities	$	79,613	$	72,682
Regulatory assets	230,240		273,287
Deferred financing costs	13,698		15,199
Assets from risk management activities	13,038		109,354
Other	14,340		14,595
Total	$	350,929	$	485,117

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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts payable	$	77,860	$	70,116
Accrued gas payable	179,425		121,202
Accrued liabilities	54,319		50,293
Total	$	311,604	$	241,611

Other current liabilities

Other current liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer credit balances and deposits	$	82,085	$	76,313
Accrued employee costs	46,445		54,034
Deferred gas costs	35,063		16,481
Accrued interest	36,768		36,744
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		1,543
Taxes payable	77,601		66,960
Pension and postretirement obligations	11,380		22,940
Current deferred tax liability	48,751		14,697
Regulatory cost of removal accrual	45,061		68,225
Other	17,467		10,954
Total	$	402,351	$	368,891

Deferred credits and other liabilities

Deferred credits and other liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer advances for construction	$	9,883	$	11,723
Regulatory liabilities	4,472		1,123
Asset retirement obligation	10,508		6,764
Liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—
Other	23,881		17,953
Total	$	68,870	$	37,563

9.    Leases

Capital and Operating Leases

We have entered into operating leases for office and warehouse space, vehicles and heavy equipment used in our operations. The remaining lease terms range from one to 20 years and generally provide for the payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance by the lessee. Renewal options exist for certain of these leases. We have also entered into capital leases for division offices and operating facilities. Property, plant and equipment included amounts for capital leases of $1.3 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013. Accumulated depreciation for these capital leases totaled $1.1 million and $1.0 million at

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September 30, 2014 and 2013. Depreciation expense for these assets is included in consolidated depreciation expense on the consolidated statement of income.

The related future minimum lease payments at September 30, 2014 were as follows:

	Capital Leases		Operating Leases
	(In thousands)
2015	$	186	$	16,673
2016	186		16,021
2017	186		16,330
2018	78		15,907
2019	—		15,138
Thereafter	—		75,620
Total minimum lease payments	636		$	155,689
Less amount representing interest	123
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	513

Consolidated lease and rental expense amounted to $31.7 million, $32.4 million and $33.6 million for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.

10.    Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

Beginning in April 2009, Atmos Energy and two subsidiaries of AEH, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM) and Atmos Gathering Company, LLC (AGC) (collectively, the Atmos Entities), were involved in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky related to our Park City Gathering Project. The dispute which gave rise to the litigation involves the amount of royalties due from a third party producer to landowners (who own the mineral rights) for natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties. The third party producer was operating pursuant to leases between the landowners and certain investors/working interest owners. The third party producer filed a petition in bankruptcy, which was subsequently dismissed due to the lack of meaningful assets to reorganize or liquidate.

Although certain Atmos Energy companies entered into contracts with the third party producer to gather, treat and ultimately sell natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties, no Atmos Energy company had a contractual relationship with the landowners or the investors/working interest owners. After the lawsuit was filed, the landowners were successful in terminating for non-payment of royalties the leases related to the production of natural gas from their properties. Subsequent to termination, the investors/working interest owners under such leases filed additional claims against us for the termination of the leases.

During the trial, the landowners and the investors/working interest owners requested an award of compensatory damages plus punitive damages against us. On December 17, 2010, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the landowners and investor/working interest owners and awarded compensatory damages of $3.8 million and punitive damages of $27.5 million payable by Atmos Energy and the two AEH subsidiaries.

A hearing was held on February 28, 2011 to hear a number of motions, including a motion to dismiss the jury verdict and a motion for a new trial. The motions to dismiss the jury verdict and for a new trial were denied. However, the total punitive damages award was reduced from $27.5 million to $24.7 million. On October 17, 2011, we filed our brief of appellants with the Kentucky Court of Appeals (Court), appealing the verdict of the trial court. The appellees in this case subsequently filed their appellees’ brief with the Court on January 16, 2012, with our reply brief being filed with the Court on March 19, 2012. Oral arguments were held in the case on August 27, 2012.

In an opinion handed down on January 25, 2013, the Court of Appeals overturned the $28.5 million jury verdict returned against the Atmos Entities. In a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel, the Court of Appeals reversed the claims asserted by the landowners and investors/working interest owners. The Court of Appeals concluded that all of such claims that the Atmos Entities appealed should have been dismissed by the trial court as a matter of law. The Court of Appeals let stand the jury verdict on one claim that Atmos Energy and our subsidiaries chose not to appeal, which was a trespass claim. The jury had awarded a total of $10,000 in compensatory damages to one landowner on that claim. The Court of Appeals vacated all of the other damages awarded by the jury and remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial, solely on the issue of whether punitive damages should be awarded to that landowner and, if so, in what amount.

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The investors/working interest owners, on February 25, 2013, and the landowners, on March 19, 2013, each filed with the Supreme Court of Kentucky, separate motions for discretionary review of the opinion of the Court of Appeals. We filed a response to the motion filed by the investors/working owners on March 27, 2013 and to the landowners’ motion on April 17, 2013. The Kentucky Supreme Court denied the motions for discretionary review on February 12, 2014 and the decision of the Court of Appeals became final on February 21, 2014.  We had previously accrued what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. This accrual was reversed during the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2014 as the appellate process in this case had been completed. Atmos Energy had also filed a motion with the trial court, the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky, on March 10, 2014, seeking a ruling that the remaining landowner was not entitled to any punitive damages on the sole remaining claim of trespass.  On May 19, 2014, the Edmonson County Circuit Court entered judgment dismissing any claim for punitive damages relating to the trespass claim. There was no appeal of this judgment. The lawsuit in Edmonson County has now been fully resolved.

In addition, in a related matter, on July 12, 2011, the Atmos Entities filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Atmos Energy Corporation et al.vs. Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and Robert Thorpe and John F. Charles, against the third party producer and its affiliates to recover all costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Atmos Entities, which are associated with the defense and appeal of the case discussed above as well as for all damages awarded to the plaintiffs in such case against the Atmos Entities. The total amount of damages being claimed in the lawsuit is about $3.5 million, plus interest that continues to accrue. This lawsuit is based upon the indemnification provisions agreed to by the third party producer in favor of Atmos Gathering that are contained in an agreement entered into between Atmos Gathering and the third party producer in May 2009. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case on August 25, 2011, with Atmos Energy filing a brief in response to such motion on September 19, 2011. On March 27, 2012 the court denied the motion to dismiss. Atmos Energy filed a motion for partial summary judgment against the defendants with the District Court on July 15, 2014 and filed an Amended Complaint on July 18, 2014.

On August 28, 2014, the court entered an order authorizing the withdrawal of the lawyer representing the estate of Robert Thorpe, giving the Thorpe Estate until October 2, 2014 to engage a new lawyer. On September 29, 2014, Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and John Charles, individually, entered into an agreed-upon judgment in favor of the Atmos Entities in the amount of $3.6 million, which resolved all claims by the Atmos Entities against those defendants and which dismissed with prejudice all counterclaims against the Atmos Entities. That judgment was settled with the Atmos Entities for $15,000, based on information obtained in discovery that showed those defendants lacked the ability to pay. The only claims remaining in the case are the Atmos Entities’ claims against the Thorpe Estate. The Thorpe Estate has not responded to the motion for partial summary judgment or the amended complaint. In a hearing held on October 7, 2014, the court was advised that the Thorpe Estate was insolvent and without funds to hire another attorney. The court has entered an order to show cause setting the case for a hearing on December 3, 2014 and indicated that if the Thorpe Estate fails to appear, an order of default will be entered.

Tennessee Business License Tax

Atmos Energy, through its affiliate, AEM, has been involved in a dispute with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) regarding sales business tax audits over a period of several years. The cumulative assessment approximated $12 million as of March 31, 2014, which AEM challenged. We had previously accrued in prior years what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. With respect to certain issues, AEM and the TDOR filed competing Partial Motions for Summary Judgment with the Chancery Court. On August 2, 2013, the Chancery Court granted the TDOR's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment and denied AEM's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment. An agreed order of dismissal with prejudice between AEM and TDOR was approved by the Chancery Court and entered on May 2, 2014, whereby AEM agreed to pay $6.2 million to TDOR to resolve all business tax-related liabilities outstanding through September 2014. The State of Tennessee also passed related legislation, effective July 1, 2014, that should help minimize any disputes over this type of sales business tax in the future.

We are a party to other litigation and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such litigation and claims both individually and in the aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We are a party to environmental matters and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the ultimate results of response actions to these environmental matters and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such response actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows because we believe that the expenditures related to such response actions will either be recovered through rates, shared with other parties or are adequately covered by insurance.

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Purchase Commitments

Our regulated distribution divisions maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract.

Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices indexed to natural gas distribution hubs. At September 30, 2014, we were committed to purchase 49.7 Bcf within one year and 69.8 Bcf within one to three years under indexed contracts. Purchases under these contracts totaled $140.9 million, $89.0 million and $72.2 million for 2014, 2013, 2012.

Our nonregulated segment has commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward NYMEX strip or fixed price contracts. At September 30, 2014, we were committed to purchase 111.5 Bcf within one year, 19.8 Bcf within one to three years and 0.5 Bcf after three years under indexed contracts. We are committed to purchase 7.8 Bcf within one year under fixed price contracts with prices ranging from $1.96 to $4.49 per Mcf. Purchases under these contracts totaled $1,687.5 million, $1,246.1 million and $978.8 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012.

In addition, our nonregulated segment maintains long-term contracts related to storage and transportation. The estimated contractual demand fees for contracted storage and transportation under these contracts as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	7,426
2016	2,117
2017	1,437
2018	773
2019	143
Thereafter	214
	$	12,110

Other Contingencies

In December 2007, the Company received data requests from the Division of Investigations of the Office of Enforcement of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with its investigation into possible violations of the Commission’s posting and competitive bidding regulations for pre-arranged released firm capacity on natural gas pipelines.

The Company and the Commission entered into a stipulation and consent agreement, which was approved by the Commission on December 9, 2011, thereby resolving this investigation. The Commission’s findings of violations were limited to the nonregulated operations of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid to the United States Treasury a total civil penalty of approximately $6.4 million and to energy assistance programs approximately $5.6 million in disgorgement of unjust profits plus interest for violations identified during the investigation. The resolution of this matter did not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows and none of the payments were charged to any of the Company’s customers. In addition, none of the services the Company provides to any of its regulated or nonregulated customers were affected by the agreement.

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, representing an extensive overhaul of the framework for regulation of U.S. financial markets. The Dodd-Frank Act required various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, to establish regulations for implementation of many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. A number of those regulations have been adopted; we have enacted new procedures and modified existing business practices and contractual arrangements to comply with such regulations. We expect additional regulations to be issued, which should provide additional clarity regarding the extent of the impact of this legislation on us. The costs of participating in financial markets for hedging certain risks inherent in our business may be further increased when these expected additional regulations are adopted. We also anticipate that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission will issue additional related reporting and disclosure obligations.

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11.    Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Current
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	631
State	5,527			8,178			6,888
Deferred
Federal	169,106			124,836			103,971
State	12,375			9,605			(13,237		)
Investment tax credits	(6		)	(20		)	(27		)
	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

Reconciliations of the provision for income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the reported provisions for income taxes from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 are set forth below:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Tax at statutory rate of 35%	$	166,887		$	130,655		$	101,648
Common stock dividends deductible for tax reporting	(2,307		)	(2,153		)	(2,096		)
State taxes (net of federal benefit)	11,636			11,559			(4,127		)
Change in valuation allowance	6,969			1,085			—
Other, net	3,817			1,453			2,801
Income tax expense	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

86

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant components of the deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit plans	$	116,157		$	115,970
Interest rate agreements	10,565			—
Net operating loss carryforwards	236,626			196,296
Charitable and other credit carryforwards	21,614			20,939
Other	28,849			38,013
Total deferred tax assets	413,811			371,218
Valuation allowance	(6,969		)	(1,085		)
Net deferred tax assets	406,842			370,133
Deferred tax liabilities:
Difference in net book value and net tax value of assets	(1,655,894		)	(1,445,450		)
Pension funding	(17,890		)	(23,480		)
Gas cost adjustments	(31,252		)	(19,182		)
Interest rate agreements	—			(21,726		)
Other	(37,173		)	(39,045		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,742,209		)	(1,548,883		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(1,335,367	)	$	(1,178,750	)
Deferred credits for rate regulated entities	$	(109	)	$	(51	)

At September 30, 2014, we had $224.2 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, $12.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards (net of federal effects), $10.1 million of federal alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, $1.0 million of state tax credits and $10.5 million in charitable contribution carryforwards. The alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards do not expire. The federal net operating loss carryforwards are available to offset taxable income and will begin to expire in 2029. Depending on the jurisdiction in which the state net operating loss was generated, the state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire between 2016 and 2030. The state tax credits will begin to expire in 2018.

The Company’s charitable contribution carryforwards expire in 2014 - 2019. We believe it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain charitable contribution carryforwards will not be realized. Due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from the deferred tax asset recorded for charitable contribution carryforwards, a valuation allowance of 7.0 million and 1.1 million was recognized for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

87

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

At September 30, 2014, we had recorded liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits totaling $12.6 million. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance of our unrecognized tax benefits:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning balance	$	4,158		$	2,817
Increase resulting from prior period tax positions	3,846			—
Increase resulting from current period tax positions	4,625			1,341
Unrecognized tax benefits - ending balance	12,629			4,158
Accrued interest and penalties	411			—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	13,040			4,158
Less: deferred federal and state income tax benefits	(4,564		)	(1,455		)
Total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year	$	8,476		$	2,703

Additionally, results for fiscal 2012 were favorably impacted by a state tax benefit of $13.6 million (net of federal effects). Due to the completion of the sale of our Missouri, Iowa and Illinois service areas in the fiscal fourth quarter, the Company updated its analysis of the tax rate at which deferred taxes would reverse in the future to reflect the sale of these service areas. The updated analysis supported a reduction in the deferred tax rate which when applied to the balance of taxable income deferred to future periods resulted in a reduction of the Company’s overall deferred tax liability.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as in various states where we have operations. We have concluded substantially all U.S. federal income tax matters through fiscal year 2007.

12.    Financial Instruments

We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our regulated and nonregulated businesses. Currently, we utilize financial instruments in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments. We currently do not manage commodity price risk with financial instruments in our regulated pipeline segment.

Our financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when our financial instruments are in net liability positions.

As discussed in Note 2, we report our financial instruments as risk management assets and liabilities, each of which is classified as current or noncurrent based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument. The following table shows the fair values of our risk management assets and liabilities by segment at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Assets from risk management activities, current(1)	$	23,102		$	22,725	$	45,827
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	13,038			—		13,038
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(1)	(1,730		)	—		(1,730		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(1)	(20,126		)	—		(20,126		)
Net assets	$	14,284		$	22,725	$	37,009
September 30, 2013
Assets from risk management activities, current(2)	$	1,837		$	10,129	$	11,966
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	109,354			—		109,354
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(2)	(1,543		)	—		(1,543		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(2)	—			—		—
Net assets	$	109,648		$	10,129	$	119,777

88

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

⁽¹⁾  Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽²⁾  Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Regulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Although our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our regulated distribution segment from commodity price risk, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season.

Our regulated distribution gas supply department is responsible for executing this segment’s commodity risk management activities in conformity with regulatory requirements. In jurisdictions where we are permitted to mitigate commodity price risk through financial instruments, the relevant regulatory authorities may establish the level of heating season gas purchases that can be hedged. Historically, if the regulatory authority does not establish this level, we seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2013-2014 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 32 percent, or approximately 24.8 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements at a weighted average cost of approximately $4.02 per Mcf. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges.

Nonregulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

In our nonregulated operations, we buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices by aggregating and purchasing gas supply, arranging transportation and storage logistics and effectively managing commodity price risk.

As a result of these activities, our nonregulated segment is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. We manage our exposure to such risks through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Future contracts provide the right to buy or sell the commodity at a fixed price in the future. Option contracts provide the right, but not the requirement, to buy or sell the commodity at a fixed price. Swap contracts require receipt of payment for the commodity based on the difference between a fixed price and the market price on the settlement date.

We use financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at index prices, to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with deliveries under fixed-priced forward contracts to deliver gas to customers. These financial instruments have maturity dates ranging from one to 61 months. We use financial instruments, designated as fair value hedges, to hedge natural gas inventory used in these operations. We also use storage and basis swaps, futures and various over-the-counter and exchange-traded options primarily to protect the economic value of our fixed price and storage books. These financial instruments have not been designated as hedges.

Our nonregulated risk management activities are controlled through various risk management policies and procedures. Our Audit Committee has oversight responsibility for our nonregulated risk management limits and policies. A risk committee, comprised of corporate and business unit officers, is responsible for establishing and enforcing our nonregulated risk management policies and procedures.

Under our risk management policies, we seek to match our financial instrument positions to our physical storage positions as well as our expected current and future sales and purchase obligations in order to maintain no open positions at the end of each trading day. The determination of our net open position as of any day, however, requires us to make assumptions as to future circumstances, including the use of gas by our customers in relation to our anticipated storage and market positions. Because the price risk associated with any net open position at the end of each day may increase if the assumptions are not realized, we review these assumptions as part of our daily monitoring activities. Our operations can also be affected by intraday fluctuations of gas prices, since the price of natural gas purchased or sold for future delivery earlier in the day may not be hedged until later in the day. At times, limited net open positions related to our existing and anticipated commitments may occur. At the close of business on September 30, 2014, our nonregulated segment had net open positions (including existing storage and related financial contracts) of 0.1 Bcf.

89

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We periodically manage interest rate risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and prior to fiscal 2012, Treasury lock agreements, to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

In October 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with the anticipated issuance of $500 million and $250 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2017, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed. In fiscal 2014, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to effectively fix the Treasury yield component associated with $400 million of the anticipated issuance of $450 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2019, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses associated with the forward starting interest rate swaps will be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the forward starting interest rate swaps settle, the realized gain or loss will be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred, will be reported as a component of interest expense.

In August 2011, we entered into three Treasury lock agreements to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with $350 million out of a total $500 million of senior notes that were issued on January 11, 2013. We designated these Treasury locks as cash flow hedges. The Treasury locks were settled on January 8, 2013 with a payment of $66.6 million to the counterparties due to a decrease in the 30-year Treasury rates between inception of the Treasury locks and settlement. Because the Treasury locks were effective, the $66.6 million unrealized loss was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and is being recognized as a component of interest expense over the 30-year life of the senior notes.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 we entered into an interest rate swap to fix the LIBOR component of our $260 million short-term financing facility through December 27, 2012. We recorded an immaterial loss upon settlement of the swap, which was recorded as a component of interest expense as we did not designate the interest rate swap as a hedge.

In prior years, we entered into several Treasury lock agreements to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost of financing for various issuances of long-term debt and senior notes. The gains and losses realized upon settlement of these Treasury locks were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) when they were settled and are being recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated notes from the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for the settled Treasury locks extend through fiscal 2043.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our consolidated balance sheet and income statements.

As of September 30, 2014, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of September 30, 2014, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(10,298	)
	Cash Flow	—	49,290
	Not designated	31,812	96,711
		31,812	135,703

90

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	8,912		$	(7,082	)
Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	21,869		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			757			(2,459		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	12,608		(19,835		)	—			—
Total		34,477		(19,835		)	9,669			(9,541		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,233		(1,730		)	43,677			(47,729		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	430		(291		)	15,677			(14,786		)
Total		1,663		(2,021		)	59,354			(62,515		)
Gross Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	69,023			(72,056		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(69,023		)	69,023
Net Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	—			(3,033		)
Cash collateral		—		—			22,725			3,033
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	36,140	$	(21,856	)	$	22,725		$	—

91

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	9,094		$	(12,173	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			416			(1,639		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	107,512		—			—			—
Total		107,512		—			9,510			(13,812		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,837		(1,543		)	65,388			(70,876		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,842		—			40,982			(45,892		)
Total		3,679		(1,543		)	106,370			(116,768		)
Gross Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	115,880			(130,580		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(115,875		)	115,875
Net Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	5			(14,705		)
Cash collateral		—		—			10,124			14,705
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	111,191	$	(1,543	)	$	10,129		$	—

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Income Statement

Hedge ineffectiveness for our nonregulated segment is recorded as a component of unrealized gross profit and primarily results from differences in the location and timing of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness could materially affect our results of operations for the reported period. For the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized a gain arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $1.9 million, $18.2 million and $23.1 million. Additional information regarding ineffectiveness recognized in the income statement is included in the tables below.

Fair Value Hedges

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our consolidated income statement for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	(792	)	$	2,165		$	30,266
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	2,486			15,938			(5,797		)
Total decrease in purchased gas cost	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469
The decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(919	)	$	(208	)	$	1,170
Timing ineffectiveness	2,613			18,311			23,299
	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469

92

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Basis ineffectiveness arises from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Timing ineffectiveness arises due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity. As the commodity contract nears the settlement date, spot-to-forward price differences should converge, which should reduce or eliminate the impact of this ineffectiveness on purchased gas cost.

To the extent that the Company’s natural gas inventory does not qualify as a hedged item in a fair-value hedge, or has not been designated as such, the natural gas inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. During the year ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a $1.7 million charge to write down nonqualifying natural gas inventory to market. We did not record a writedown for nonqualifying natural gas inventory for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Cash Flow Hedges

The impact of cash flow hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Gain reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	8,365	$	8,365
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			198		198
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			8,563		8,563
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(4,230		)	—		(4,230		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(4,230	)	$	8,563	$	4,333

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(10,778	)	$	(10,778	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			97			97
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(10,681		)	(10,681		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(3,489		)	—			(3,489		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(3,489	)	$	(10,681	)	$	(14,170	)

93

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(62,678	)	$	(62,678	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(1,369		)	(1,369		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(64,047		)	(64,047		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(2,009		)	—			(2,009		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(2,009	)	$	(64,047	)	$	(66,056	)

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because these amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(58,973	)	$	79,963
Forward commodity contracts	7,904			(2,057		)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	2,686			2,216
Forward commodity contracts	(5,102		)	6,576
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,485	)	$	86,698

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized, while deferred losses associated with commodity contracts are recognized in earnings upon settlement. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2014. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of the interest rate agreements entered into in October 2012 and fiscal 2014 as those financial instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
2015	$	(804	)	$	(632	)	$	(1,436	)
2016	(634		)	(907		)	(1,541		)
2017	(735		)	(107		)	(842		)
2018	(936		)	(38		)	(974		)
2019	(961		)	10			(951		)
Thereafter	(23,609		)	—			(23,609		)
Total(1)	$	(27,679	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(29,353	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

94

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

The impact of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was an increase (decrease) in purchased gas cost of $(5.0) million, $3.0 million and $(2.5) million. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions associated with these financial instruments. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instruments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation.

13.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

We record deferred gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to available-for-sale securities, interest rate agreement cash flow hedges and commodity contract cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale securities and commodity contract cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,009			(58,973		)	7,904			(48,060		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(795		)	2,686			(5,102		)	(3,211		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,214			(56,287		)	2,802			(51,271		)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2012	$	5,661		$	(44,273	)	$	(8,995	)	$	(47,607	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,162			79,963			(2,057		)	79,068
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,375		)	2,216			6,576			7,417
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(213		)	82,179			4,519			86,485
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878

95

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	1,252		Operation and maintenance expense
	1,252			Total before tax
	(457		)	Tax expense
	$	795		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(4,230	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	8,365			Purchased gas cost
	4,135			Total before tax
	(1,719		)	Tax expense
	$	2,416		Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	3,211		Net of tax

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	2,166		Operation and maintenance expense
	2,166			Total before tax
	(791		)	Tax expense
	$	1,375		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(3,489	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(10,778		)	Purchased gas cost
	(14,267		)	Total before tax
	5,475			Tax benefit
	$	(8,792	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,417	)	Net of tax

14.    Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2.

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and post-retirement plan assets. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 6.

96

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments

The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. As required under authoritative accounting literature, assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	36,140	$	—	$	—		$	36,140
Nonregulated segment	25		68,998		—		(46,298		)	22,725
Total financial instruments	25		105,138		—		(46,298		)	58,865
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	40,492		—		—		—			40,492
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		2,185		—		—			2,185
Registered investment companies	44,014		—		—		—			44,014
Bonds	—		33,414		—		—			33,414
Total available-for-sale securities	44,014		35,599		—		—			79,613
Total assets	$	84,531	$	140,737	$	—	$	(46,298	)	$	178,970
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	21,856	$	—	$	—		$	21,856
Nonregulated segment	12		72,044		—		(72,056		)	—
Total liabilities	$	12	$	93,900	$	—	$	(72,056	)	$	21,856

97

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	111,191	$	—	$	—		$	111,191
Nonregulated segment	745		115,135		—		(105,751		)	10,129
Total financial instruments	745		226,326		—		(105,751		)	121,320
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	44,758		—		—		—			44,758
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,428		—		—			4,428
Registered investment companies	40,094		—		—		—			40,094
Bonds	—		28,160		—		—			28,160
Total available-for-sale securities	40,094		32,588		—		—			72,682
Total assets	$	85,597	$	258,914	$	—	$	(105,751	)	$	238,760
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	1,543	$	—	$	—		$	1,543
Nonregulated segment	158		130,422		—		(130,580		)	—
Total liabilities	$	158	$	131,965	$	—	$	(130,580	)	$	1,543

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2014 we had $25.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2013 we had $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

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ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of September 30, 2014
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,633	$	10,136	$	—		$	36,769
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,382		1,863		—			7,245
Bonds	33,266		161		(13		)	33,414
Money market funds	2,185		—		—			2,185
	$	67,466	$	12,160	$	(13	)	$	79,613
As of September 30, 2013
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,043	$	7,476	$	(23	)	$	34,496
Foreign equity mutual funds	4,536		1,062		—			5,598
Bonds	28,016		168		(24		)	28,160
Money market funds	4,428		—		—			4,428
	$	64,023	$	8,706	$	(47	)	$	72,682

At September 30, 2014 and 2013, our available-for-sale securities included $46.2 million and $44.5 million related to assets held in separate rabbi trusts for our supplemental executive retirement plans as discussed in Note 6. At September 30, 2014 we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from October 2014 through September 2018. During the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized gains of $1.3 million and $2.2 million on the sale of certain assets in the rabbi trusts.

Other Fair Value Measures

In addition to the financial instruments above, we have several financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measures. These financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The nonfinancial assets and liabilities include asset retirement obligations and pension and post-retirement plan assets. We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt at carrying value. For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, we consider carrying value to materially approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

Atmos Gathering Company (AGC) owns and operates the Park City and Shrewsbury gathering systems in Kentucky. The Park City gathering system consists of a 23-mile low pressure pipeline and a nitrogen removal unit that was constructed in 2008. The Shrewsbury production, gathering and processing assets were acquired in 2008 at which time we sold the production assets to a third party. As a result of the sale of the production assets, we obtained a 10-year production payment note under which we were to be paid from future production generated from the assets.

As discussed in Note 10, AGC was involved in a lawsuit with the Park City gathering system. Due to the lawsuit and a low natural gas price environment, the assets have generated operating losses. As a result of these developments and management’s decision to focus our nonregulated operations on delivered gas and transportation services, in fiscal 2012, we performed an impairment assessment of these assets and determined the assets to be impaired. We reduced the carrying value of the assets to their estimated fair value of approximately $0.5 million and recorded a pre-tax noncash impairment loss of approximately $5.3 million. We used a combination of a market and income approach in a weighted average discounted cash flow analysis that included significant inputs such as our weighted average cost of capital and assumptions regarding future natural gas prices. This is a Level 3 fair value measurement because the inputs used are unobservable. Based on this analysis, we determined the assets to be impaired.

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ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Our debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2014:

	September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,769,541

15.    Concentration of Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to us if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations. We engage in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with major companies in the energy industry and with industrial, commercial, residential and municipal energy consumers. These transactions principally occur in the southern and midwestern regions of the United States. We believe that this geographic concentration does not contribute significantly to our overall exposure to credit risk. Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable for the regulated distribution segment is mitigated by the large number of individual customers and diversity in our customer base. The credit risk for our other segments is not significant.

16.    Discontinued Operations

On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of our regulated distribution assets and certain related nonregulated assets located in Georgia to Liberty Energy (Georgia) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. for a cash price of approximately $153 million, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement executed on August 8, 2012. In connection with the sale, we recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $8.2 million.

On August 1, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of our regulated distribution assets located in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa to Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. for a cash price of approximately $128 million, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement executed on May 12, 2011. In connection with the sale, we recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $9.9 million.

As required under generally accepted accounting principles, the operating results of our Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa operations have been aggregated and reported on the consolidated statements of income as income from discontinued operations, net of income tax. Expenses related to general corporate overhead and interest expense allocated to their operations are not included in discontinued operations.

The following table presents statement of income data related to discontinued operations in our Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa service areas. At September 30, 2014 and 2013 we did not have any assets or liabilities held for sale.

	Year Ended September 30
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues	$	37,962	$	114,703
Purchased gas cost	21,464		62,902
Gross profit	16,498		51,801
Operating expenses	5,858		24,174
Operating income	10,640		27,627
Other nonoperating income	548		611
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	11,188		28,238
Income tax expense	3,986		10,066
Income from discontinued operations	7,202		18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,294		6,349
Net income from discontinued operations	$	12,496	$	24,521

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ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

17.    Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is presented below. The sum of net income per share by quarter may not equal the net income per share for the fiscal year due to variations in the weighted average shares outstanding used in computing such amounts. Our businesses are seasonal due to weather conditions in our service areas. For further information on its effects on quarterly results, see the “Results of Operations” discussion included in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section herein.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2014:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	843,865		$	1,290,960		$	517,707		$	409,014
Regulated pipeline	71,341			73,615			87,189			86,314
Nonregulated	447,721			757,683			465,033			396,855
Intersegment eliminations	(107,779		)	(157,936		)	(127,211		)	(113,455		)
	1,255,148			1,964,322			942,718			778,728
Gross profit	388,957			496,277			359,533			337,659
Operating income	170,720			250,080			106,605			83,944
Net income	87,016			133,367			45,721			23,713
Net income per share — basic	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2013:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	666,787		$	905,176		$	467,144		$	360,386
Regulated pipeline	60,681			61,848			74,041			72,330
Nonregulated	399,894			428,948			421,808			337,264
Intersegment eliminations	(93,207		)	(86,976		)	(105,058		)	(95,606		)
	1,034,155			1,308,996			857,935			674,374
Gross profit	362,362			432,751			316,497			300,440
Operating income	154,922			210,178			86,396			50,383
Income from continuing operations	77,348			112,340			33,474			7,536
Income from discontinued operations	3,117			4,085			—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			—			5,294			—
Net income	80,465			116,425			38,768			7,536
Basic earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.24		$	0.37		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.04		0.04			$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — basic	$	0.89		$	1.28		$	0.43		$	0.08
Diluted earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.23		$	0.36		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.03		$	0.04		$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.88		$	1.27		$	0.42		$	0.08

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ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2014 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, including a reasonable level of assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (COSO). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2014, in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Ernst & Young LLP has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. That report appears below.

/s/    KIM R. COCKLIN	/s/    BRET J. ECKERT
Kim R. Cocklin	Bret J. Eckert
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
November 6, 2014

102

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Atmos Energy Corporation

We have audited Atmos Energy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (the COSO criteria). Atmos Energy Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Atmos Energy Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2014 of Atmos Energy Corporation and our report dated November 6, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

November 6, 2014

103

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Act) during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. Other Information.

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Information regarding directors and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015. Information regarding executive officers is reported below:

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2014, regarding the executive officers of the Company. It is followed by a brief description of the business experience of each executive officer.

Name	Age	Years of Service	Office Currently Held
Kim R. Cocklin	63	8	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bret J. Eckert	47	2	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Marvin L. Sweetin	51	14	Senior Vice President, Utility Operations
Louis P. Gregory	59	14	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Michael E. Haefner	54	6	Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Kim R. Cocklin was named President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2010. Mr. Cocklin joined the Company in June 2006 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2010, after having served as Senior Vice President, Regulated Operations from October 2006 through September 2008. Mr. Cocklin was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 10, 2009.

Bret J. Eckert joined the Company in June 2012 as Senior Vice President, and on October 1, 2012 he was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Eckert was an Assurance Partner with Ernst & Young LLP where he developed extensive accounting and financial experience in the natural gas industry over his 22-year career.

Marvin L. Sweetin was named Senior Vice President, Utility Operations in November 2011. In this role, Mr. Sweetin is responsible for the operations of our six utility divisions, as well as customer service, safety and training. Mr. Sweetin joined the Company in May 2000 and served in a variety of leadership positions with responsibility for procurement, customer service, training and safety.

Louis P. Gregory was named Senior Vice President and General Counsel in September 2000 as well as Corporate Secretary in June 2012.

Michael E. Haefner joined the Company in June 2008 as Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

Identification of the members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors’ determination as to whether one or more audit committee financial experts are serving on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics for its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics is represented by the Company’s Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Company’s Code of Conduct is posted on the Company’s website at

104

www.atmosenergy.com under “Corporate Governance.” In addition, any amendment to or waiver granted from a provision of the Company’s Code of Conduct will be posted on the Company’s website under “Corporate Governance.”

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.

Information on executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015.

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Security ownership of certain beneficial owners and of management is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015. Information concerning our equity compensation plans is provided in Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information on certain relationships and related transactions as well as director independence is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015.

ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Information on our principal accountant’s fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 4, 2015.

PART IV

ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)  1. and 2. Financial statements and financial statement schedules.

The financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

3.     Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibits Index are filed as part of this Form 10-K. The exhibits numbered 10.4(a) through 10.13.(c) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

105

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
By:	/s/    BRET J. ECKERT
	Bret J. Eckert Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 6, 2014

106

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Kim R. Cocklin and Bret J. Eckert, or either of them acting alone or together, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power to act alone, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:

/s/    KIM R. COCKLIN	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	November 6, 2014
Kim R. Cocklin
/s/    BRET J. ECKERT	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	November 6, 2014
Bret J. Eckert
/s/    CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE	Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)	November 6, 2014
Christopher T. Forsythe
/s/    ROBERT W. BEST	Chairman of the Board	November 6, 2014
Robert W. Best
/s/    RICHARD W. DOUGLAS	Director	November 6, 2014
Richard W. Douglas
/s/    RUBEN E. ESQUIVEL	Director	November 6, 2014
Ruben E. Esquivel
/s/    RICHARD K. GORDON	Director	November 6, 2014
Richard K. Gordon
/s/    ROBERT C. GRABLE	Director	November 6, 2014
Robert C. Grable
/s/    THOMAS C. MEREDITH	Director	November 6, 2014
Thomas C. Meredith
/s/    NANCY K. QUINN	Director	November 6, 2014
Nancy K. Quinn
/s/    RICHARD A. SAMPSON	Director	November 6, 2014
Richard A. Sampson
/s/    STEPHEN R. SPRINGER	Director	November 6, 2014
Stephen R. Springer
/s/    RICHARD WARE II	Director	November 6, 2014
Richard Ware II

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Schedule II

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Three Years Ended September 30, 2014

			Additions
	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to cost & expenses		Charged to other accounts		Deductions			Balance at end of period
			(In thousands)
2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	20,624	$	19,491	$	—	$	16,123	(1)	$	23,992
2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	9,425	$	14,484	$	—	$	3,285	(1)	$	20,624
2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	7,440	$	8,901	$	—	$	6,916	(1)	$	9,425

⁽¹⁾  Uncollectible accounts written off.

108

EXHIBITS INDEX

Item 14.(a)(3)

Exhibit Number	Description	Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to
	Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation or Succession
2.1(a)	Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Atmos Energy Corporation as Seller and Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp. as Buyer, dated as of May 12, 2011	Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated May 12, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
2.1(b)	Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement	Exhibit 2.1(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)
2.2	Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Atmos Energy Corporation as Seller and Liberty Energy (Georgia) Corp. as Buyer, dated as of August 8, 2012	Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated August 8, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)
	Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation - Texas (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010)	Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
3.2	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation - Virginia (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010)	Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
3.3	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Atmos Energy Corporation (as of February 3, 2010)	Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated February 3, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
	Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Atmos Energy Corporation)	Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)
4.2	Indenture dated as of November 15, 1995 between United Cities Gas Company and Bank of America Illinois, Trustee	Exhibit 4.11(a) to Form S-3 dated August 31, 2004 (File No. 333-118706)
4.3	Indenture dated as of July 15, 1998 between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Trustee	Exhibit 4.8 to Form S-3 dated August 31, 2004 (File No. 333-118706)
4.4	Indenture dated as of May 22, 2001 between Atmos Energy Corporation and SunTrust Bank, Trustee	Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K dated May 15, 2001 (File No. 1-10042)
4.5	Indenture dated as of June 14, 2007, between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee	Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated June 11, 2007 (File No. 1-10042)
4.6	Indenture dated as of March 23, 2009 between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank National Corporation, Trustee	Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated March 26, 2009 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(a)	Debenture Certificate for the 6 3/4% Debentures due 2028	Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated July 22, 1998 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(b)	Global Security for the 4.95% Senior Notes due 2014	Exhibit 10(2)(f) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 (File No. 1-10042)

109

4.7(c)	Global Security for the 5.95% Senior Notes due 2034	Exhibit 10(2)(g) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(d)	Global Security for the 6.35% Senior Notes due 2017	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 11, 2007 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(e)	Global Security for the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2019	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated March 26, 2009 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(f)	Global Security for the 5.5% Senior Notes due 2041	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 10, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(g)	Global Security for the 4.15% Senior Notes due 2043	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated January 8, 2013 (File No. 1-10042)
4.7(h)	Global Security for the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2044	Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated October 15, 2014
	Material Contracts
10.1(a)	Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2011 among Atmos Energy Corporation, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Administrative Agent, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as Syndication Agent, Bank of America, N.A., U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 2, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
10.1(b)	Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, made and entered into as of December 7, 2012, by and among Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 5, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)
10.1(c)	Third Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, made and entered into as of August 22, 2013, by and among Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated August 22, 2013 (File No. 1-10042)
10.1(d)	Fourth Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, made and entered into as of August 22, 2014 by and among Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders") and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated August 22, 2014
10.2(a)	Accelerated Share Buyback Agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. - Master Confirmation dated July 1, 2010	Exhibit 10.6(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.2(b)	Accelerated Share Buyback Agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. - Supplemental Confirmation dated July 1, 2010	Exhibit 10.6(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.3(a)	Guaranty of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. dated May 12, 2011	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated May 12, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
10.3(b)	Guaranty of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. dated August 8, 2012	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated August 8, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)

110

	Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements
10.4(a)*	Form of Atmos Energy Corporation Change in Control Severance Agreement - Tier I	Exhibit 10.7(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.4(b)*	Form of Atmos Energy Corporation Change in Control Severance Agreement - Tier II	Exhibit 10.7(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.5(a)*	Atmos Energy Corporation Executive Retiree Life Plan	Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 (File No. 1-10042)
10.5(b)*	Amendment No. 1 to the Atmos Energy Corporation Executive Retiree Life Plan	Exhibit 10.31(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 (File No. 1-10042)
10.6(a)*	Atmos Energy Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Management (as amended and restated February 10, 2011)	Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
10.6(b)*	Amendment No 1 to the Atmos Energy Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Management (as amended and restated February 10, 2011)	Exhibit 10.8(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 (File No. 1-10042)
10.6(c)*	Amendment No 2 to the Atmos Energy Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Management (as amended and restated February 10, 2011)	Exhibit 10.6(c) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 1-10042)
10.7(a)*	Atmos Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan, Amended and Restated in its Entirety August 7, 2007	Exhibit 10.8(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (File No. 1-10042)
10.7(b)*	Form of Individual Trust Agreement for the Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan	Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10042)
10.8(a)*	Atmos Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (As Amended and Restated, Effective as of November 12, 2009)	Exhibit 10.10(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.8(b)*	Atmos Energy Corporation Performance-Based Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan Trust Agreement, Effective Date December 1, 2000	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10042)
10.9*	Atmos Energy Corporation Account Balance Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, Effective Date August 5, 2009	Exhibit 10.10(c) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.10(a)*	Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated October 1, 1994	Exhibit 10.28(f) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 (File No. 1-10042)
10.10(b)*	Amendment No. 1 to Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated August 14, 2001	Exhibit 10.28(g) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 (File No. 1-10042)
10.10(c)*	Amendment No. 2 to Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated December 31, 2002	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-10042)
10.11*	Atmos Energy Corporation Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2012	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 1-10042)
10.12*	Atmos Energy Corporation Outside Directors Stock-for-Fee Plan, Amended and Restated as of October 1, 2009	Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
10.13(a)*	Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated September 1, 2014)

111

10.13(b)*	Form of Award Agreement of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Units under the Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan
10.13(c)*	Form of Award Agreement of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units under the Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan
12	Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
	Other Exhibits, as indicated
21	Subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1	Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP
24	Power of Attorney	Signature page of Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2014
31	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32	Section 1350 Certifications**
	Interactive Data File
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

*

This exhibit constitutes a "management contract or compensatory plan, contract, or arrangement."

**

These certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, furnished as Exhibit 32 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, will not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such certifications by reference.

112

EX-10.13(A)

Exhibit 10.13(a)

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

(as amended and restated September 1, 2014)

The Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (hereinafter called the “Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”) on August 12, 1998 to be effective October 1, 1998, and was approved by the Company's shareholders on February 10, 1999. An amendment to the Plan was approved by the Board of Directors on August 8, 2001, which amendment was approved by the Company's shareholders on February 13, 2002. The Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors on November 7, 2006, which amendment was approved by the Company’s shareholders on February 7, 2007. The Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors on August 3, 2010, which amendment was approved by the Company’s shareholders on February 9, 2011. The Plan was further amended by the Board of Directors on August 5, 2014 to be effective September 1, 2014.

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the services of able persons as employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and as Non-employee Directors (as herein defined), to provide such persons with a proprietary interest in the Company through the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock, to motivate employees and Non-employee Directors using performance-related incentives linked to longer-range performance goals and the interests of the Company’s shareholders and to provide Non-employee Directors the option to receive all or part of their Fee (as defined below) in the Company’s common stock, whether granted singly, or in combination, or in tandem, that will

(a)increase the interest of such persons in the Company's welfare;

(b)furnish an incentive to such persons to continue their services for the Company;

(c)provide a means through which the Company may attract able persons as employees and Non-employee Directors; and

(d)to increase the proprietary interest of the Non-employee Directors in the Company’s long-term prospects and the strategic growth of its business.

With respect to Reporting Participants, the Plan and all transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void ab initio, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee. Further, any Awards granted under the Plan to a Non-employee Director shall be solely to compensate said Director for his services to the Company as a Non-employee Director.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

2.1“Award” means the grant of any Incentive Stock Option, Non-qualified Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit, Performance Share, Bonus Stock or other Stock Unit Award whether granted singly, in combination or in tandem (each individually referred to herein as an “Incentive”). “Award” also means any Incentive to which an award under the Management Incentive Plan is made or converted.

2.2“Award Agreement” means a written agreement between a Participant and the Company, which sets out the terms of the grant of an Award.

2.3“Award Period” means the period during which one or more Incentives granted under an Award may be exercised or earned.

2.4“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5“Bonus Stock” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.8 of the Plan expressed as a share of Common Stock which may or may not be subject to restrictions.

2.6(a) “Change in Control” of the Company occurs upon a change in the Company’s ownership, its effective control or the ownership of a substantial portion of its assets, as follows:

(i)Change in Ownership. A change in ownership of the Company occurs on the date that any “Person” (as defined in Section 2.6(b) below), other than (1) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (2) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (3) an underwriter temporarily holding stock pursuant to an offering of such stock, or (4) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company’s stock, acquires ownership of the Company’s stock that, together with stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock. However, if any Person is considered to own already more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person is not considered to be a Change of Control. In addition, if any Person has effective control of the Company through ownership of 30% or more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, as discussed in paragraph (ii) below, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person is not considered to cause a Change in Control pursuant to this paragraph (i); or

(ii)Change in Effective Control. Even though the Company may not have undergone a change in ownership under paragraph (i) above, a change in the effective control of the Company occurs on either of the following dates:

(A)the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) ownership of the Company’s stock possessing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock. However, if any Person owns 30% or more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person is not considered to cause a Change in Control pursuant to this subparagraph (ii)(A); or

(B)the date during any 12-month period when a majority of members of the Board is replaced by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of the appointment or election; provided, however, that any such director shall not be considered to be endorsed by the Board if his or her initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

(iii)Change in Ownership of Substantial Portion of Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that a Person acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets of the Company, that have a total gross fair market value equal to at least 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the Company’s assets immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. However, there is no Change in Control when there is such a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer, through a transfer to (A) a shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock; (B) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; (C) a Person that owns directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock; or (D) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the stock of which is owned by a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock.

(b)For purposes of subparagraph (a) above,

(i)“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 7701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Person shall include more than one Person acting as a group as defined by the Final Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code.

(ii)“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b‑2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(c)The provisions of this Section 2.6 shall be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of the Final Treasury Regulations under Code Section 409A, it being the intent of the parties that this Section 2.6 shall be in compliance with the requirements of said Code Section and said Regulations.

2.7“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the published rulings, regulations, and interpretations duly promulgated thereunder.

2.8“Committee” means the committee appointed or designated by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 3 of this Plan.

2.9“Common Stock” means the common stock, with no par value (stated value of $.005 per share), which the Company is currently authorized to issue or may in the future be authorized to issue.

2.10“Company” means Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation, and any successor entity.

2.11“Covered Participant” means a Participant who is a “covered employee” as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or who the Committee believes will be such a covered employee for a Performance Period, and who the Committee believes will have remuneration in excess of $1,000,000 for the Performance Period, as provided in Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.12“Date of Grant” means the effective date on which an Award is made to a Participant as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that solely for purposes of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Date of Grant of an Award shall be the date of stockholder approval of the Plan if such date is later than the effective date of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement.

2.13“Election” means a Non-employee Director’s delivery of written notice of election to the Corporate Secretary of the Company electing to receive his or her Fee or a portion thereof in the form of Common Stock.

2.14“Employee” means common law employee (as defined in accordance with the Regulations and Revenue Rulings then applicable under Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

2.15“Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock is the mean of the highest and lowest prices per share on the New York Stock Exchange Consolidated Tape, or such reporting service as the Board may select, on the appropriate date, or in the absence of reported sales on such day, the most recent previous day for which sales were reported.

2.16“Fee” means the annual retainer fee (paid in quarterly installments) earned by a Non-employee Director for his or her service as a member of the Board during a Fiscal Year or portion thereof.

2.17“Fiscal Year” means the 12-month period beginning October 1st of any year and ending September 30th of the following year.

2.18“Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, granted pursuant to this Plan.

2.19“Management Incentive Plan” means the Atmos Energy Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Management, as amended from time to time.

2.20“Non-employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee and who satisfies the requirements of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under the 1934 Act or any successor provision.

2.21“Non-qualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means a non-qualified stock option, granted pursuant to this Plan.

2.22“Option Price” means the price which must be paid by a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option to purchase a share of Common Stock.

2.23“Participant” shall mean an Employee or Non-employee Director to whom an Award is granted under this Plan.

2.24“Performance Award” means a performance-based Award, which may be in the form of either Performance Shares or Performance Units.

2.25“Performance Criteria” or “Performance Goals” or “Performance Measures” mean the objectives established by the Committee for a Performance Period, for the purpose of determining when an Award subject to such objectives is earned.

2.26“Performance Period” means the time period designated by the Committee during which performance goals must be met.

2.27“Performance Share” means an Award, designated as a Performance Share, granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof, the value of which is determined, in whole or in part, by the value of Common Stock in a manner deemed appropriate by the Committee and described in the Agreement.

2.28“Performance Unit” means an Award, designated as a Performance Unit, granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof, the value of which is determined, in whole or in part, by the attainment of pre-established goals relating to Company financial or operating performance as deemed appropriate by the Committee and described in the Award Agreement.

2.29“Plan” means The Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.30“Quarter” means the 3-month period beginning October 1, January 1, April 1, or July 1 of each Fiscal Year.

2.31“Reporting Participant” means a Participant who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

2.32“Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock issued or transferred to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.4 of this Plan which are subject to restrictions or limitations set forth in this Plan and in the related Award Agreement.

2.33“Restricted Stock Unit” means a fixed or variable dollar denominated right to acquire Common Stock, which may or may not be subject to restrictions, contingently awarded under Section 6.4 of the Plan.

2.34“Retirement” means any Termination of Service solely due to retirement upon attainment of age 65, or permitted early retirement as determined by the Committee.

2.35“SAR” means the right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the SAR Price for such shares.

2.36“SAR Price” means the Fair Market Value of each share of Common Stock covered by an SAR, determined on the Date of Grant of the SAR.

2.37“Stock Option” means a Non-qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option.

2.38“Stock Unit Award” means awards of Common Stock or other awards pursuant to Section 6.9 hereof that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company.

2.39“Subsidiary” means (i) any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, (ii) any limited partnership, if the Company or any corporation described in item (i) above owns a majority of the general partnership interest and a majority of the limited partnership interests entitled to vote on the removal and replacement of the general partner, and (iii) any partnership or limited liability company, if the partners or members thereof are composed only of the Company, any corporation listed in item (i) above or any limited partnership listed in item (ii) above. “Subsidiaries” means more than one of any such corporations, limited partnerships, partnerships or limited liability companies.

2.40“Termination of Service” means with respect to each Participant who is an Employee or Non-employee Director a “separation from service” as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Final Treasury Regulations under Code Section 409A, or any successor provision thereto.

2.41“Total and Permanent Disability” means the termination of a Participant's active employment with the Company on account of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, for which the employee is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company.

ARTICLE 3

ADMINISTRATION

The Plan shall be administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) unless otherwise determined by the Board. If said Human Resources Committee does not so serve, the Committee shall consist of not fewer than two persons; any member of the Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of the Board; and any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee may be filled by appointment by the Board.

All actions to be taken by the Committee under this Plan, insofar as such actions affect compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be limited to those members of the Board who are Non-employee Directors and who are “outside directors” under Section 162(m). The Committee shall select one of its members to act as its Chairman. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee.

The Committee shall determine and designate from time to time the eligible persons to whom Awards will be granted and shall set forth in each related Award Agreement, the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance requirements, as are approved by the Committee, but not inconsistent with the Plan, including, but not limited to, any rights of the Committee to cancel or rescind any such Award. The Committee shall determine whether an Award shall include one type of Incentive, two or more Incentives granted in combination, or two or more Incentives granted in tandem (that is, a joint grant where exercise of one Incentive results in cancellation of all or a portion of the other Incentive).

The Committee, in its discretion, shall (i) interpret the Plan, (ii) prescribe, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan, and (iii) make such other determinations and take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan. Any interpretation, determination, or other action made or taken by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all interested parties.

With respect to restrictions in the Plan that are based on the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, Section 422 of the Code, Section 162(m) of the Code, the rules of any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, or any other applicable law, rule or restriction (collectively, “applicable law”), to the extent that any such restrictions are no longer required by applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole discretion and authority to grant Awards that are not subject to such mandated restrictions and/or to waive any such mandated restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards.

ARTICLE 4

ELIGIBILITY

Any Employee (including an Employee who is also a director or an officer) and any Non-employee Director is eligible to participate in the Plan. The Committee, upon its own action, may grant, but shall not be required to grant, an Award to any Employee or any Non-employee Director. Awards may be granted by the Committee at any time and from time to time to new Participants, or to then Participants, or to a greater or lesser number of Participants, and may include or exclude previous Participants, as the Committee shall determine. Except as required by this Plan, different Awards need not contain similar provisions. The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without limitation determinations of which Employees or Non-employee Directors, if any, are to receive Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of such Awards and the agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Employees and Non-employee Directors who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan. In addition, each Non-employee Director shall be entitled to make Elections as provided in Article 12.

ARTICLE 5

SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

Subject to adjustment as provided in Articles 15 and 16, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan and Elections made by Non-employee Directors pursuant to Article 12 is (a) 8,700,000 shares; plus (b) shares of Common Stock previously subject to Awards which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled or rescinded, settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock, or exchanged for Awards that do not involve Common Stock, or expired unexercised.

Shares to be issued may be made available from authorized but unissued Common Stock, Common Stock purchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise. During the term of this Plan, the Company will at all times reserve and keep available the number of shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

ARTICLE 6

GRANT OF AWARDS

6.1In General.  The grant of an Award shall be authorized by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Incentive or Incentives being granted, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive(s), the Option Price (if applicable), the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance objectives, as are approved by the Committee, but not inconsistent with the Plan. The Company shall execute an Award Agreement with a Participant after the Committee approves the issuance of an Award. Any Award granted pursuant to this Plan must be granted within ten (10) years of the date of adoption of this Plan. The grant of an Award to a Participant shall not be deemed either to entitle the Participant to, or to disqualify the Participant from, receipt of any other Award under the Plan.

If the Committee establishes a purchase price for an Award, the Participant must accept such Award within a period of 30 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify) after the Date of Grant by executing the applicable Award Agreement and paying such purchase price.

6.2Maximum ISO Grants.  The Committee may not grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan to any Employee which would permit the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (under this and any other plan of the Company and its Subsidiaries) are exercisable for the first time by such Employee during any calendar year to exceed $100,000. To the extent any Stock Option granted under this Plan, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option exceeds this limit or otherwise fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, such Stock Option shall be a Non-qualified Stock Option. The Committee may not grant Incentive Stock Options to Non-employee Directors.

6.3Maximum Individual Grants.  No Participant may receive during any fiscal year of the Company Awards of Stock Options and SARs covering an aggregate of more than five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Common Stock.

6.4Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Units.  If Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units are granted to a Participant under an Award, the Committee shall set forth in the related Award Agreement: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock and/or the number of Restricted Stock Units awarded, (ii) the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units, (iii) the time or times within which such Award may be subject to forfeiture, (iv) specified Performance Goals of the Company, a Subsidiary, any division thereof or any group of Employees of the Company, or other criteria, which the Committee determines must be met in order to remove any restrictions (including vesting) on such Award, and (v) all other terms, limitations, restrictions, and

conditions of the Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units, which shall be consistent with this Plan. The provisions of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

(a)Legend on Shares.  Each Participant who is awarded Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate or certificates in respect of such shares of Common Stock. Such certificate(s) shall be registered in the name of the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, substantially as provided in Section 18.12 of the Plan. The Committee may require that the stock certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver to the Committee a stock power or stock powers, endorsed in blank, relating to the shares of Restricted Stock.

(b)Restrictions and Conditions.  Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(i)Subject to the other provisions of this Plan and the terms of the particular Award Agreements, during such period as may be determined by the Committee commencing on the Date of Grant (the “Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or assign shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. Except for these limitations, the Committee may in its sole discretion, remove any or all of the restrictions on such Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in applicable laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date of the Award, such action is appropriate.

(ii)Except as provided in subparagraph (i) above, the Participant shall have, with respect to his or her Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares, and the right to receive any dividends thereon. Certificates for shares of Common Stock free of restriction under this Plan shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after, and only after, the Restriction Period shall expire without forfeiture in respect of such shares of Common Stock. Certificates for the shares of Common Stock forfeited under the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall be promptly returned to the Company by the forfeiting Participant. Each Award Agreement shall require that (x) each Participant, by his or her acceptance of Restricted Stock, shall irrevocably grant to the Company a power of attorney to transfer any shares so forfeited to the Company and agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with such forfeiture and transfer, and (y) such provisions regarding returns and transfers of stock certificates with respect to forfeited shares of Common Stock shall be specifically performable by the Company in a court of equity or law.

(iii)The Restriction Period of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall commence on the Date of Grant and, subject to Article 16 of the Plan, unless otherwise established by the Committee in the Award Agreement setting forth the terms of the Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units, shall expire upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Award Agreement; such conditions may provide for vesting based on (i) length of continuous service, (ii) achievement of specific business objectives, (iii) increases in specified indices, (iv) attainment of specified growth rates, or (v) other comparable Performance Measurements, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(iv)Subject to the provisions of the particular Award Agreement, upon Termination of Service for any reason during the Restriction Period, the nonvested shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited by the Participant. In the event a Participant has paid any consideration to the Company for such forfeited Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall, as soon as practicable after the event

causing forfeiture (but in any event within 5 business days), pay to the Participant, in cash, an amount equal to the total consideration paid by the Participant for such forfeited shares and/or units. Upon any forfeiture, all rights of a Participant with respect to the forfeited shares of the Restricted Stock shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.

6.5SAR.  An SAR shall entitle the Participant at his election to surrender to the Company the SAR, or portion thereof, as the Participant shall choose, and to receive from the Company in exchange therefor cash in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Fair Market Value (as of the date of the exercise of the SAR) per share over the SAR Price per share specified in such SAR, multiplied by the total number of shares of the SAR being surrendered. In the discretion of the Committee, the Company may satisfy its obligation upon exercise of an SAR by the distribution of that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date of the exercise of the SAR) equal to the amount of cash otherwise payable to the Participant, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional share interests, or the Company may settle such obligation in part with shares of Common Stock and in part with cash.

6.6Tandem Awards.  The Committee may grant two or more Incentives in one Award in the form of a “tandem award,” so that the right of the Participant to exercise one Incentive shall be canceled if, and to the extent, the other Incentive is exercised. For example, if a Stock Option and an SAR are issued in a tandem Award, and the Participant exercises the SAR with respect to 100 shares of Common Stock, the right of the Participant to exercise the related Stock Option shall be canceled to the extent of 100 shares of Common Stock.

6.7Performance Based Awards.

(a)Grant of Performance Awards.  The Committee may issue Performance Awards in the form of either Performance Units or Performance Shares to Participants subject to the Performance Goals and Performance Period as it shall determine. The terms and conditions of each Performance Award will be set forth in the related Award Agreement. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number and value of Performance Units or Performance Shares granted to each Participant. Participants receiving Performance Awards are not required to pay the Company thereof (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the rendering of services.

(b)Value of Performance Awards.  The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion for each Participant who is granted a Performance Award. Such Performance Goals may be particular to a Participant, may relate to the performance of the Subsidiary which employs him or her, may be based on the division which employs him or her, may be based on the performance of the Company generally, or a combination of the foregoing. The Performance Goals may be based on achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives, or any other objectives established by the Committee. The Performance Goals may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated. The extent to which such Performance Goals are met will determine the value of the Performance Unit or Performance Share to the Participant.

(c)Form of Payment.  Payment of the amount to which a Participant shall be entitled upon the settlement of a Performance Award shall be made in a lump sum or installments in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee.

6.8Bonus Stock.  The Committee may award shares of Bonus Stock to Participants under the Plan without cash consideration. The Committee shall determine and indicate in the related Award Agreement whether such shares of Bonus Stock awarded under the Plan shall be unencumbered of any restrictions (other than those advisable to comply with law) or shall be subject to restrictions and limitations similar to those referred to in Section 6.7 hereof. In the event the Committee assigns any restrictions on the shares of Bonus Stock awarded under the Plan, then such shares shall be subject to at least the following restrictions:

(a)No shares of Bonus Stock may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated if such shares are subject to restrictions which have not lapsed or have not been vested.

(b)If any condition of vesting of the shares of Bonus Stock are not met, all such shares subject to such vesting shall be delivered to the Company (in a manner determined by the Committee) within 60 days of the failure to meet such conditions without any payment from the Company.

6.9Other Stock Based Awards.

(a)Grant of Other Stock Based Awards.  The Committee may issue to Participants, either alone or in addition to other Awards made under the Plan, Stock Unit Awards which may be in the form of Common Stock or other securities. The value of each such Award shall be based, in whole or in part, on the value of the underlying Common Stock or other securities. The Committee, in its sole and complete discretion, may determine that an Award, either in the form of a Stock Unit Award under this Section 6.9 or as an Award granted pursuant to the other provisions of this Article 6, may provide to the Participant (i) dividends or dividend equivalents (payable on a current or deferred basis) and (ii) cash payments in lieu of or in addition to an Award. The Committee shall determine the terms, restrictions, conditions, vesting requirements, and payment rules (all of which are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as “rules”) of the Award and shall set forth those rules in the related Award Agreement.

(b)Rules.  The Committee, in its sole and complete discretion, may grant a Stock Unit Award subject to the following rules:

(i)Common Stock or other securities issued pursuant to Stock Unit Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant until the expiration of at least six months from the Award Date, except that such limitation shall not apply in the case of death or disability of the Participant. To the extent Stock Unit Awards are deemed to be derivative securities within the meaning of Rule 16b‑3 under the 1934 Act, a Participant’s rights with respect to such Awards shall not vest or be exercisable until the expiration of at least six months from the Award Date. To the extent a Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan is deemed to be a derivative security within the meaning of Rule 16b‑3 under the 1934 Act, it may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will or by laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to such Stock Unit Awards granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative.

(ii)Stock Unit Awards may require the payment of cash consideration by the Participant in receipt of the Award or provide that the Award, and any Common Stock or other securities issued in conjunction with the Award be delivered without the payment of cash consideration.

(iii)The Committee, in its sole and complete discretion, may establish certain Performance Criteria that may relate in whole or in part to receipt of the Stock Unit Awards.

(iv)Stock Unit Awards may be subject to a deferred payment schedule and/or vesting over a specified employment period.

(v)The Committee as a result of certain circumstances, may waive or otherwise remove, in whole or in part, any restriction or condition imposed on a Stock Unit Award at the time of Award.

ARTICLE 7

OPTION PRICE; SAR PRICE

The Option Price for any share of Common Stock which may be purchased under a Stock Option and the SAR Price for any share of Common Stock subject to an SAR shall be at least One Hundred Percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant. If an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary), the Option Price shall be at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

ARTICLE 8

AWARD PERIOD; VESTING

8.1Award Period. Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Incentive may not be exercised in whole or in part for any period or periods of time or beyond any date specified in the Award Agreement. Except as provided in the Award Agreement, an Incentive may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during its term. The Award Period for an Incentive shall be reduced or terminated upon Termination of Service in accordance with this Article 8 and Article 9. No Incentive granted under the Plan may be exercised at any time after the end of its Award Period. No portion of any Incentive may be exercised after the expiration of ten (10) years from its Date of Grant. However, if an Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Employee, the term of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no more than five (5) years from the Date of Grant.

8.2Vesting.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that an Incentive will be immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, or that all or any portion may not be exercised until a date, or dates, subsequent to its Date of Grant, or until the occurrence of one or more specified events, subject in any case to the terms of the Plan. If the Committee imposes conditions upon exercise, then subsequent to the Date of Grant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the date on which all or any portion of the Incentive may be exercised.

ARTICLE 9

TERMINATION OF SERVICE

In the event of Termination of Service of a Participant, an Incentive may only be exercised as determined by the Committee and provided in the Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 10

EXERCISE OF INCENTIVE

10.1In General.  A vested Incentive may be exercised during its Award Period, subject to limitations and restrictions set forth therein and in Article 9. A vested Incentive may be exercised at such times and in such amounts as provided in this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions of the Plan.

In no event may an Incentive be exercised or shares of Common Stock be issued pursuant to an Award if a necessary listing or quotation of the shares of Common Stock on a stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or any registration under state or federal securities laws required under the circumstances has not been accomplished.

No Incentive may be exercised for a fractional share of Common Stock. The granting of an Incentive shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise that Incentive.

(a)Stock Options. Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, a Stock Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised and the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon. On the Exercise Date, the Participant shall deliver to the Company consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased, payable as follows: (a) cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company, (b) Common Stock (including Restricted Stock) owned by the Participant on the Exercise Date, valued at its Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, (c) by delivery (including by FAX) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions from the Participant to a broker or dealer, reasonably acceptable to the Company, to sell certain of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option or to pledge such shares as collateral for a loan and promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay such purchase price, and/or (d) in any other form of valid consideration that is acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion. In the event that shares of Restricted Stock are tendered as consideration for the exercise of a Stock Option, a number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Stock Option equal to the number of shares of Restricted Stock used as consideration therefor shall be subject to the same restrictions and provisions as the Restricted Stock so submitted.

Upon payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company shall cause certificates for the Common Stock then being purchased to be delivered as directed by the Participant (or the person exercising the Participant's Stock Option in the event of his death) at its principal business office promptly after the Exercise Date; provided that if the Participant has exercised an Incentive Stock Option, the Company may at its option retain physical possession of the certificate evidencing the shares acquired upon exercise until the expiration of the holding periods described in Section 422(a)(1) of the Code. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock shall, however, be subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

If the Participant fails to pay for any of the Common Stock specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, the Participant's right to purchase such Common Stock may be terminated by the Company.

(b)SARs. Subject to the conditions of this Section 10.1(b) and such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, an SAR may be exercised by the delivery (including by FAX) of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is to be exercised and the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon. On the Exercise Date, the Participant shall receive from the Company in exchange therefor cash in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Fair Market Value (as of the date of the exercise of the SAR) per share of Common Stock over the SAR Price per share specified in such SAR, multiplied by the total number of shares of Common Stock of the SAR being surrendered. In the discretion of the Committee, the Company may satisfy its obligation upon exercise of an SAR by the distribution of that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date of the exercise of the SAR) equal to the amount of cash otherwise payable to the

Participant, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional share interests, or the Company may settle such obligation in part with shares of Common Stock and in part with cash.

10.2Disqualifying Disposition of ISO. If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of by a Participant prior to the expiration of either two (2) years from the Date of Grant of such Stock Option or one (1) year from the transfer of shares of Common Stock to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of such Stock Option, or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition. A disqualifying disposition by a Participant shall not affect the status of any other Stock Option granted under the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

ARTICLE 11

SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COVERED PARTICIPANTS

Awards subject to Performance Criteria paid to Covered Participants under this Plan shall be governed by the conditions of this Article 11 in addition to the requirements of Sections 6.4, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9 above. Should conditions set forth under this Article 11 conflict with the requirements of Sections 6.4, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9, the conditions of this Article 11 shall prevail.

(a)All Performance Measures, Goals, or Criteria relating to Covered Participants for a relevant Performance Period shall be established by the Committee in writing prior to the beginning of the Performance Period, or by such other later date for the Performance Period as may be permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Performance Goals may be identical for all Participants or, at the discretion of the Committee, may be different to reflect more appropriate measures of individual performance.

(a)The Performance Goals relating to Covered Participants for a Performance Period shall be established by the Committee in writing. Performance Goals may include alternative and multiple Performance Goals and may be based on one or more business and/or financial criteria. In establishing the Performance Goals for the Performance Period, the Committee in its discretion may include one or any combination of the following criteria in either absolute or relative terms, for the Company or any Subsidiary:

(i)Total shareholder return;

(ii)Return on assets, equity, capital, or investment;

(iii)Pre-tax or after-tax profit levels, including:  earnings per share; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; net operating profits after tax, and net income;

(iv) Cash flow and cash flow return on investment;

(v)Economic value added and economic profit;

(vi) Growth in earnings per share;

(vii)Levels of operating expense or other expense items as reported on the income statement, including operating and maintenance expense; or

(viii)Measures of customer satisfaction and customer service as surveyed from time to time, including the relative improvement therein.

(c)The Performance Goals must be objective and must satisfy third party “objectivity” standards under Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(d)The Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the method of calculating attainment of Performance Goals in recognition of:  (i) extraordinary or non-recurring items, (ii) changes in tax laws, (iii) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or changes in accounting principles, (iv) charges related to restructured or discontinued operations, (v) restatement of prior period financial results, and (vi) any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss that is separately identified and quantified in the Company’s financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, at its sole discretion, reduce the performance results upon which Awards are based under the Plan, to offset any unintended result(s) arising from events not anticipated when the Performance Goals were established, provided that such adjustment is permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code.

(e)The Performance Goals shall not allow for any discretion by the Committee as to an increase in any Award, but discretion to lower an Award is permissible.

(f)The Award and payment of any Award under this Plan to a Covered Participant with respect to a relevant Performance Period shall be contingent upon the attainment of the Performance Goals that are applicable to such Covered Participant. The Committee shall certify in writing prior to payment of any such Award that such applicable Performance Goals relating to the Award are satisfied. Approved minutes of the Committee may be used for this purpose.

(g)The maximum Award that may be paid to any Covered Participant under the Plan pursuant to Sections 6.4, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9 for any Performance Period shall be (i) if in cash, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and (ii) if in shares of Common Stock, five hundred thousand (500,000) shares.

(h)All Awards to Covered Participants under this Plan shall be further subject to such other conditions, restrictions, and requirements as the Committee may determine to be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Article 11.

ARTICLE 12

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR FEE ELECTION

(a)Each Non-employee Director may elect to receive all or a portion (in 10% increments) of his or her Fee in shares of Common Stock by executing and delivering an Election to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year in order to be effective for the Fee earned in such succeeding Fiscal Year. Each Non-employee Director must execute the election form previously approved by the Corporate Secretary in order for such Election to be effective. The election form is deemed delivered when received by the Corporate Secretary.

(b)Each Non-employee Director may elect to revoke or modify his or her Election that is then currently in effect by executing and delivering a written revocation/modification form, which must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year in order to be effective for the Fee earned in such succeeding Fiscal Year. Each Non-employee Director must execute the revocation/modification form previously approved by the Corporate Secretary in order for such revocation/modification to be effective. This form is deemed delivered when received by the Corporate Secretary.

(c)An Election shall result in the payment of the Common Stock portion of the payment of the Fee earned in each Quarter for which the Election is effective as soon as possible following the first business day of such Quarter. The number of shares of Common Stock issued in accordance with an Election shall be equal to the amount of the Common Stock portion of the payment of the Fee that would have been paid to the Non-employee Director during a Quarter divided by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first business day of such Quarter. Only whole numbers of shares of Common Stock shall be issued; fractional shares shall be paid in cash. If the Election is for only a portion of the Fee, the remaining portion of the Fee to be paid in cash shall be paid at the time the cash payment would normally be paid by the Company to the Non-employee Director.

(d)The Common Stock portion of the payment of a Fee pursuant to this Article 12 shall be subject to the remaining provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to Articles 15 and 16, to the extent otherwise applicable to such Common Stock portion.

ARTICLE 13

AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 13, the Board may at any time and from time to time, without the consent of the Participants, alter, amend, revise, suspend, or discontinue the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment which requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan and Incentives awarded under the Plan to continue to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, including any successors to such Section, shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Any such amendment shall, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, be applicable to any outstanding Incentives theretofore granted under the Plan, notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained in any Award Agreement. In the event of any such amendment to the Plan, the holder of any Incentive outstanding under the Plan shall, upon request of the Committee and as a condition to the exercisability thereof, execute a conforming amendment in the form prescribed by the Committee to any Award Agreement relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, unless required by law, no action contemplated or permitted by this Article 13 shall adversely affect any rights of Participants or obligations of the Company to Participants with respect to any Incentive theretofore granted under the Plan without the consent of the affected Participant.

ARTICLE 14

EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM

The Plan shall be effective as set forth in Section 19.11. Unless sooner terminated by action of the Board, the Plan will terminate on September 30, 2016, but Incentives granted before that date will continue to be effective in accordance with their terms and conditions.

ARTICLE 15

CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS

If at any time while the Plan is in effect, or Incentives are outstanding, there shall be any increase or decrease in the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock resulting from (1) the declaration or payment of a stock dividend, (2) any recapitalization resulting in a stock split‑up, combination, or exchange of shares of Common Stock, or (3) other increase or decrease in such shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, then and in such event:

(a)An appropriate adjustment shall be made in the maximum number of shares of Common Stock then subject to being awarded under the Plan and in the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be awarded to a Participant to the end that the same proportion of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock shall continue to be subject to being so awarded.

(b)Appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number of shares of Common Stock and the Option Price thereof then subject to purchase pursuant to each such Stock Option previously granted and unexercised, to the end that the same proportion of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock in each such instance shall remain subject to purchase at the same aggregate Option Price.

(c)Appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number of SARs and the SAR Price thereof then subject to exercise pursuant to each such SAR previously granted and unexercised, to the end that the same proportion of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock in each instance shall remain subject to exercise at the same aggregate SAR Price.

(d)Appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which restrictions have not yet lapsed prior to any such change.

(e)Appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to shares of Common Stock applicable to any other Incentives previously awarded under the Plan as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, consistent with the event.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of its capital stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of capital stock of any class, either in connection with direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to (i) the number of or Option Price of shares of Common Stock then subject to outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan, (ii) the number of or SAR Price or SARs then subject to outstanding SARs granted under the Plan, (iii) the number of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, or (iv) the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise payable under any other Incentive.

Upon the occurrence of each event requiring an adjustment with respect to any Incentive, the Company shall mail to each affected Participant its computation of such adjustment which shall be conclusive and shall be binding upon each such Participant.

ARTICLE 16

RECAPITALIZATION, MERGER AND

CONSOLIDATION; CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a)The existence of this Plan and Incentives granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company's capital structure and its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase same), or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(b)Subject to any required action by the stockholders, if the Company shall be the surviving or resulting corporation in any merger, consolidation or share exchange, any Incentive granted hereunder shall pertain to and apply to the securities or rights (including cash, property, or assets) to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive would have been entitled.

(c)In the event of any merger, consolidation or share exchange pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving or resulting corporation, there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to the unexercised portions of such outstanding Incentives, that number of shares of each class of stock or other securities or that amount of cash, property, or assets of the surviving, resulting or consolidated company which were distributed or distributable to the stockholders of the Company in respect to each share of Common Stock held by them, such outstanding Incentives to be thereafter exercisable for such stock, securities, cash, or property in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, all Stock Options and SARs may be canceled by the Company immediately prior to the effective date of any such reorganization, merger, consolidation, share exchange or any dissolution or liquidation of the Company by giving notice to each holder thereof or his personal representative of its intention to do so and by permitting the purchase during the thirty (30) day period next preceding such effective date of all or any portion of all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Incentives whether or not such Incentives are then vested or exercisable.

(d)In the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary all unmatured installments of Incentives outstanding and not otherwise canceled in accordance with Section 16(c) above, shall thereupon automatically be accelerated and exercisable in full and all Restriction Periods applicable to Awards of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall automatically expire. The determination of the Committee that any of the foregoing conditions has been met shall be binding and conclusive on all parties.

ARTICLE 17

LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION

In case the Company shall, at any time while any Incentive under this Plan shall be in force and remain unexpired, (i) sell all or substantially all of its property, or (ii) dissolve, liquidate, or wind up its affairs, then each Participant shall be thereafter entitled to receive, in lieu of each share of Common Stock of the Company which such Participant would have been entitled to receive under the Incentive, the same kind and amount of any securities or assets as may be issuable, distributable, or payable upon any such sale, dissolution, liquidation, or winding up with respect to each share of Common Stock of the Company. If the Company shall, at any time prior to the expiration of any Incentive, make any partial distribution of its assets, in the nature of a partial liquidation, whether payable in cash or in kind (but excluding the distribution of a cash dividend payable out of earned surplus and designated as such) then in such event the Option Prices or SAR Prices then in effect with respect to each Stock Option or SAR shall be reduced, on the payment date of such distribution, in proportion to the percentage reduction in the tangible book value of the shares of the Company's Common Stock (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) resulting by reason of such distribution.

ARTICLE 18

INCENTIVES IN SUBSTITUTION FOR

INCENTIVES GRANTED BY OTHER CORPORATIONS

Incentives may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for similar instruments held by employees of a corporation who become or are about to become Employees of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of stock of the employing corporation. The terms and conditions of the substitute Incentives so granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan to such extent as the Board at the time of grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the Incentives in substitution for which they are granted.

ARTICLE 19

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

19.1Investment Intent. The Company may require that there be presented to and filed with it by any Participant under the Plan, such evidence as it may deem necessary to establish that the Incentives granted or the shares of Common Stock to be purchased or transferred are being acquired for investment and not with a view to their distribution.

19.2No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan nor any Incentive granted under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary.

19.3Indemnification of Board and Committee. No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination, or interpretation.

19.4Effect of the Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give any person any right to be granted an Award or any other rights except as may be evidenced

by an Award Agreement, or any amendment thereto, duly authorized by the Committee and executed on behalf of the Company, and then only to the extent and upon the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.

19.5Compliance With Other Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to sell or issue shares of Common Stock under any Incentive if the issuance thereof would constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or other forum in which shares of Common Stock are quoted or traded (including without limitation Section 16 of the 1934 Act and Section 162(m) of the Code); and, as a condition of any sale or issuance of shares of Common Stock under an Incentive, the Committee may require such agreements or undertakings, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to assure compliance with any such law or regulation. The Plan, the grant and exercise of Incentives hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.

19.6Tax Requirements. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all amounts hereunder paid in cash or other form, any Federal, state, or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments. The Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan shall be required to pay the Company the amount of any taxes which the Company is required to withhold with respect to such shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of an assignment of a Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR pursuant to Section 19.7, the Participant who assigns the Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR shall remain subject to withholding taxes upon exercise of the Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR by the transferee to the extent required by the Code or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such payments shall be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing such shares of Common Stock. Such payment may be made in cash, by check, or through the delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant (which may be effected by the actual delivery of shares of Common Stock by the Participant or by the Company's withholding a number of shares to be issued upon the exercise of a Stock Option, if applicable), which shares have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the required minimum withholding payment, or any combination thereof.

19.7Assignability. Incentive Stock Options may not be transferred or assigned other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s legally authorized representative, and each Award Agreement in respect of an Incentive Stock Option shall so provide. The designation by a Participant of a beneficiary will not constitute a transfer of the Stock Option. The Committee may waive or modify any limitation contained in the preceding sentences of this Section 19.7 that is not required for compliance with Section 422 of the Code. The Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of a Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR to be granted to a Participant to be on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to (i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant (“Immediate Family Members”), (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a partnership in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners, (iv) an entity exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or any successor provision, or (v) a split interest trust or pooled income fund described in Section 2522(c)(2) of the Code or any successor provision, provided that (x) there shall be no consideration for any such transfer, (y) the Award Agreement pursuant to which such Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR is granted must be approved by the Committee and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section 19.7, and (z) subsequent transfers of transferred Non-qualified Stock Options or SARs shall be prohibited except those by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Following transfer, any such Non-qualified Stock Option and SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of Articles 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 hereof the term “Participant” shall be deemed to include the transferee. The events of Termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, following which the Non-qualified Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent and for the periods specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee and the Company shall have no obligation to inform any transferee of a Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR of any expiration, termination, lapse or acceleration of such Option. The Company shall have no obligation to register with any federal or state securities commission or agency any Common Stock issuable or issued under a Non-qualified Stock Option or SAR that has been transferred by a Participant under this Section 19.7. A Non-employee Director making an Election

pursuant to Article 12 may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries who will receive any shares of Common Stock owed to such Non-employee Director hereunder in the event of the Non-employee Director’s death. Each Non-employee Director may make changes in the designation of a beneficiary at any time.

19.8Use of Proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Incentives granted under this Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

19.9Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any actions taken or relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and applicable Federal law.

19.10Successors and Assigns. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, expressly to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligation under this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform them if no such succession had taken place. As used herein, the “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any aforesaid successor to its business and/or assets.

19.11Effective Date. The Plan became effective as of October 1, 1998. After termination of the Plan, no future Awards may be made.

19.12Legend. Each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock issued to a Participant shall bear the following legend, or a similar legend deemed by the Company to constitute an appropriate notice of the provisions hereof (any such certificate not having such legend shall be surrendered upon demand by the Company and so endorsed):

On the face of the certificate:

“Transfer of this stock is restricted in accordance with conditions printed on the reverse of this certificate.”

On the reverse:

“The shares of stock evidenced by this certificate are subject to and transferrable only in accordance with that certain Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a copy of which is on file at the principal office of the Company in Dallas, Texas. No transfer or pledge of the shares evidenced hereby may be made except in accordance with and subject to the provisions of said Plan. By acceptance of this certificate, any holder, transferee or pledgee hereof agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of said Plan.”

The following legend shall be inserted on a certificate evidencing Common Stock issued under the Plan if the shares were not issued in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws:

“Shares of stock represented by this certificate have been acquired by the holder for investment and not for resale, transfer or distribution, have been issued pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of applicable state and federal securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold or transferred other than pursuant to effective registration under such laws, or in transactions otherwise in compliance with such laws, and upon evidence satisfactory to the Company of compliance with such laws, as to which the Company may rely upon an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.”

A copy of this Plan shall be kept on file in the principal executive offices of the Company in Dallas, Texas.

* * * * * * * * * *

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed as of August 28, 2014 by its President pursuant to prior actions taken by the Board.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

By: /s/ KIM R. COCKLIN

Kim R. Cocklin

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

/s/ PHILLIP L. ALLBRITTEN__

Phillip L. Allbritten

Associate General Counsel and

Assistant Corporate Secretary

EX-10.13(B)

Exhibit 10.13(b)

AWARD AGREEMENT OF TIME-LAPSE

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

UNDER THE ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

This Award Agreement of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Units (“Award Agreement”) is dated as of May 6, 2014, by and between Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and you ("Grantee"), pursuant to the Company's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Capitalized terms that are used, but not defined, in this Award Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

1.Grant and Description of Units.

Pursuant to authorization by the Human Resources Committee of the Board (the "Committee”), which has been designated by the Board to administer the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee time-lapse restricted stock units (“Units”) under the Plan, for no consideration from the Grantee, with the restrictions set forth below. Each such Unit shall be a notional share of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), with the value of each Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at any time. No physical certificates representing the number of Units awarded shall be issued to the Grantee, but an account shall be established and maintained for the Grantee, in which each grant of Units to the Grantee shall be recorded. During the time of the restriction period provided for in Section 2 below, the Grantee shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Units, except with respect to the payment of cash dividend equivalents during such period, as provided for in Section 6 below.

2. Restrictions on Alienation of Units.

Units awarded hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated in any manner, whether voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise, until the restrictions on the Units are removed and the Units are delivered to the Grantee in the form of shares of Common Stock in the manner described below in Section 8.

3.Vesting of Units.

If the Grantee has attained the age of 55 and completed three (3) consecutive years of service with the Company (referred to as “Retirement Eligible”) on the date of the grant of the Units, he or she shall be vested in the Units on the later of June 1 of the year in which the grant is made or the date of the grant. If the Grantee becomes Retirement Eligible after the date of grant and prior to the date for distribution of shares of Common Stock represented by the Units, the Grantee shall be vested in the Units at the later of June 1 of the year in which he or she becomes Retirement Eligible or the actual date during such year that he or she becomes Retirement Eligible. However, the Grantee shall not be entitled to the removal of the restrictions on such Units provided for in Section 2 above or to a distribution of shares of Common Stock represented by the number of Units until the time provided for in Section 8 below. In addition, the Grantee’s portion of applicable payroll (FICA) taxes shall be withheld from the first scheduled bi-weekly paycheck in December of the year in which such vesting occurs. The amount of

payroll taxes due shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock represented by the number of Units as of the last business day of the pay period to which the first scheduled payroll check in December applies.

4. Forfeiture of Units.

If the Grantee is not otherwise vested as provided in Section 3 above, all Units granted shall be forfeited if the Grantee has a voluntary or involuntary Termination of Service for any reason other than as described below in Section 5. Each Grantee, by his or her acceptance of the Units, agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with such forfeiture. Such provisions with respect to forfeited Units shall be specifically performable by the Company in a court of equity or law. Upon any forfeiture, all rights of the Grantee with respect to the forfeited Units shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.

5. Removal of Restrictions.

(a) Death, Disability, Certain Involuntary Terminations and Terminations following a Change in Control.

At the time and on the date of the Grantee's death, Termination of Service due to Total and Permanent Disability, involuntary Termination of Service due to a general reduction in force or specific elimination of the Grantee's job, or Termination of Service for any reason following a Change in Control, while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, all Units shall be vested and all other restrictions placed on the Units shall be removed. The Grantee, or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs shall then be entitled to a distribution, as provided in Section 8 below, of shares of Common Stock equal in number to the number of Units set forth in Section 1 above.

(b) Retirement.

At the time and on the date of the Grantee's Retirement on or after becoming Retirement Eligible, no distribution of Units shall occur and the restrictions provided for in Section 2 above shall remain in place until such time as the Grantee, or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs shall be entitled to a distribution, as provided in Section 8 below, of shares of Common Stock equal in number to the number of Units set forth in Section 1 above.

6. Payment of Cash Dividend Equivalents.

Cash dividend equivalents shall be paid on the Units to the Grantee through the Company payroll system in an amount equal to the cash dividends actually paid each calendar quarter on the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Such cash dividend equivalents shall be paid at the end of the payroll period in which such cash dividends are actually paid to the Company’s shareholders and shall cease as of the Distribution Date (as defined in Section 8 below). However, the payment of cash dividend equivalents shall not be considered to be “eligible compensation,” as such term is defined under either the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan or Pension Account Plan.

7. Adjustment Upon Changes in Stock.

If there shall be any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from subdivision, combination, or reclassification of shares, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or other change in the corporate structure, an appropriate

adjustment in the number of Units with respect to which restrictions have not lapsed shall be made by the Committee. Depending upon the change in corporate structure, the Committee shall issue additional Units or substitute Units to the Grantee for his or her account, which shall have the same restrictions, terms and conditions as the original Units. Any such adjustment shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 14 and/or Section 15 of the Plan.

8. Distribution of Common Stock or Cash.

As soon as administratively possible, as determined solely by the Company, following the earlier of the date of the occurrence of a termination event described in Section 5(a) above or the date which is three (3) years from the date of grant of the Units (such date being referred to as the “Distribution Date”), but in no event later than 90 days following the Distribution Date, the Grantee shall receive a distribution, as provided herein, of shares of Common Stock equal in number to the number of Units set forth in Section 1 above (subject to the withholding requirements set forth in Section 9 below), provided the Grantee has been an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary with continuous service from the date of grant to the Distribution Date, except in the event of the Grantee’s Termination of Service or Retirement as discussed in Section 5 above. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of a distribution of shares of Common Stock on account of any Termination of Service as provided for above in Section 5 above, other than death, a distribution of the number of such shares, determined after application of the withholding requirements set forth in Section 9 below, plus any dividends payable with respect to such number of shares, on behalf of the Grantee, if the Grantee is a "specified employee" as defined in §1.409A-1(i) of the Final Regulations under Code Section 409A, to the extent otherwise required under Section 409A, shall not occur until the date which is six (6) months following the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Grantee). Upon a distribution of shares of Common Stock as provided herein, the Company shall cause the Common Stock then being distributed to be registered in the Grantee’s name, but shall not issue certificates for the Common Stock unless the Grantee requests delivery of the certificates for the Common Stock, in writing in accordance with the procedures established by the Company. The Company shall deliver certificates to the Grantee as soon as administratively practicable following the Company’s receipt of a written request from the Grantee for delivery of the certificates. From and after the date of receipt of such distribution, the Grantee or the Grantee's legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such shares subject to applicable state and federal regulations. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Award Agreement to the contrary, in lieu of a distribution of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall have the option to settle the payment of some or all of the Units in an economically equivalent amount of cash.

9. Withholding Requirements.

Upon the removal or lapse of the restrictions on the Units, the number of shares of Common Stock to be distributed by the Company to the Grantee, which are equal to the number of Units set forth in Section 1 above, or an economically equivalent amount of cash, as discussed in Section 8 above, shall be subject to applicable withholding requirements for income and employment taxes (unless withheld earlier at the time of vesting, as described in Section 3 above) arising from the removal or lapse of the restrictions on the Units. However, if the Grantee is a "specified employee" as defined in §1.409A-1(i) of the Final Regulations under Code Section 409A who is subject to the six (6) months delay provided for in Section 8 above, the Company shall, on the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service, based on the value of a share of Common Stock on such date, withhold the number of shares attributable to any employment taxes not withheld earlier and shall, on the date which occurs six (6) months following the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Grantee), based on the value of a

share of Common Stock on such date, withhold the number of shares attributable to income taxes. Dividends will also be payable on such date to the Grantee for such delay period based on the net number of shares.

10. Modification.

This Award Agreement may be changed or modified without the Grantee's consent or signature, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that such change or modification is necessary for purposes of compliance with or exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, or otherwise to comply with any law.

Grantee acknowledges that as of the grant date, this Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Grantee and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Units granted under the Plan and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on this subject. By Grantee’s electronic acceptance and the signature of the Company’s representative below, Grantee and the Company agree that the Units are granted under and governed by this Award Agreement and the Plan. Grantee has reviewed and fully understands all provisions of this Award Agreement and the Plan in their entirety.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

By: /s/ Kim R. Cocklin

Kim R. Cocklin

President and

Chief Executive Officer

EX-10.13(C)

Exhibit 10.13(c)

AWARD AGREEMENT OF PERFORMANCE-BASED

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

UNDER THE ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

This Award Agreement of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (“Award Agreement”) is dated as of May 6, 2014, by and between Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and you ("Grantee"), pursuant to the Company's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Capitalized terms that are used, but not defined, in this Award Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

1.Grant and Description of Units.

Pursuant to authorization by the Human Resources Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), which has been designated by the Board to administer the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee performance-based restricted stock units (“Units”) under the Plan, for no consideration from the Grantee, with the restrictions set forth below. Each such Unit shall be a notional share of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), with the value of each Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at any time. No physical certificates representing the number of Units awarded shall be issued to the Grantee, but an account shall be established and maintained for the Grantee, in which each grant of Units to the Grantee shall be recorded, with the final number of Units as determined in accordance with Section 3 or Section 5 below. Until the final number of Units is determined, the Grantee shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Units, except for the crediting of dividend equivalents as provided for in Section 6 below.

2. Restrictions on Alienation of Units.

Units awarded hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated in any manner, whether voluntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise, until the restrictions on the Units are removed and the Units are delivered to the Grantee in the form of shares of Common Stock in the manner described below in Section 8.

3.Number of Units Awarded.

Except as provided in Section 5(a) below, the number of Units ultimately to be awarded to the Grantee upon vesting is contingent upon the cumulative amount of earnings per share achieved by the Company for the three year measurement cycle, Fiscal Years 2014 through 2016 (October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2016). The percentage of Units earned for each level of the cumulative amount of earnings per share is illustrated in the performance schedule below. In addition, should the performance levels achieved be between the stated criteria below, straight-line interpolation shall be used. For example, should the cumulative amount of earnings per share for the three-year period be $____, the percentage of Units earned would be ____% of the number of Units originally granted. In addition, the performance targets and actual performance attainment for such Units will exclude any mark-to-market gains or losses recognized by the Company’s nonregulated operations.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Performance Schedule for Grant of Performance Period FY 2014-2016
Performance Level	Cumulative 3-Yr. EPS	Restricted Stock Units Earned
Below Threshold	Less than $____	0%
Threshold	$____	50%
Target	$____	100%
Maximum	$____	200%

4. Forfeiture of Units.

All Units granted shall be forfeited if, prior to the removal of restrictions on the Units awarded hereunder as provided below in Section 8, the Grantee has a voluntary or involuntary Termination of Service for any reason other than as described below in Section 5. Each Grantee, by his or her acceptance of the Units, agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with such forfeiture. Such provisions with respect to forfeited Units shall be specifically performable by the Company in a court of equity or law. Upon any forfeiture, all rights of the Grantee with respect to the forfeited Units shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.

5. Removal of Restrictions.

(a) Death, Disability, Certain Involuntary Terminations and Terminations following a Change in Control.

At the time and on the date of the Grantee's death, Termination of Service due to Total and Permanent Disability, involuntary Termination of Service due to a general reduction in force or specific elimination of the Grantee's job, or Termination of Service for any reason following a Change in Control, while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, all restrictions placed on each Unit awarded shall be removed, and the measurement cycle for purposes of Section 6 and Section 8 below shall be deemed to have ended. The prorated number of Units awarded shall be determined by multiplying the percentage of Units awarded at the “Target” performance level discussed above in Section 3, by the ratio of actual months of service to 36 months of the original measurement cycle, with the resulting product being increased, if appropriate, as provided below in Section 6. The Grantee, or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs shall be entitled to a distribution, as provided in Section 8 below, of shares of Common Stock equal in number to such prorated number of Units.

(b) Retirement.

At the time and on the date of the Grantee's Retirement on or after attaining the age of 55 and completing at least three (3) consecutive years of service with the Company at the time of such Retirement, the restrictions placed on the Units under Section 2 above shall not be removed and the percentage of Units earned shall not be determined until the end of the measurement cycle. The number of Units awarded shall be determined by multiplying the ratio of actual months of service to 36 months of the original measurement cycle by the percentage of Units earned, based on the actual performance achieved over the original measurement cycle, as discussed above in Section 3, with the resulting product being increased, if appropriate, as provided below in Section 6. The Grantee, or his or her legal

representatives, beneficiaries or heirs shall be entitled to a distribution, as provided in Section 8 below, of shares of Common Stock equal in number to such prorated number of Units.

6. Credit of Dividend Equivalents.

Immediately prior to distribution of Units as described above in Section 5 or below in Section 8, the Grantee’s account shall be credited with a number of Units which are based on the amount of dividends that are declared and paid on shares of Common Stock during each fiscal quarter of the measurement cycle, determined in accordance with Section 3 or Section 5 above (“dividend equivalents”). The number of Units upon which dividend equivalents shall be credited for the benefit of the Grantee is the total number of Units finally determined to have been earned by the Grantee at the end of the measurement cycle in accordance with Section 3 or Section 5 above, as appropriate. The total amount of each quarterly dividend equivalent shall be converted to the number of Units attributable to that quarterly dividend equivalent, by dividing such dividend equivalent amount by the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the last trading day of the month during each quarter that such dividends are paid during the appropriate measurement cycle.

7. Adjustment Upon Changes in Stock.

If there shall be any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from subdivision, combination, or reclassification of shares, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or other change in the corporate structure, an appropriate adjustment in the number of Units with respect to which restrictions have not lapsed shall be made by the Committee. Depending upon the change in corporate structure, the Committee shall issue additional Units or substitute Units to the Grantee for his or her account, which shall have the same restrictions, terms and conditions as the original Units. Any such adjustment shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 14 and/or Section 15 of the Plan.

8. Distribution of Common Stock or Cash.

The Grantee shall receive a distribution of whole shares of Common Stock equal in number to the number of Units finally determined to be earned as set forth in Section 3 or Section 5(a) above, as the case may be, increased, if appropriate, as provided in Section 6 above (subject to the withholding requirements set forth in Section 9 below), provided the Grantee has been an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary with continuous service during the entire term of the measurement cycle, except in the event of the Grantee’s Termination of Service or Retirement as discussed above in Section 5. Distribution of shares of Common Stock shall occur as soon as administratively possible, as determined solely by the Company, following the last trading day of the quarter in which the measurement cycle ends as provided for in either Section 3 or Section 5(a) above, as the case may be (such day being referred to as the “Distribution Date”), but in no event later than 90 days following the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of a distribution of shares of Common Stock on account of any Termination of Service as provided for in Section 5 above, other than death, a distribution of the number of such shares, determined after application of the withholding requirements set forth in Section 9 below, plus any dividends payable with respect to such number of shares, on behalf of the Grantee, if the Grantee is a "specified employee" as defined in §1.409A-1(i) of the Final Regulations under Code Section 409A, to the extent otherwise required under Section 409A, shall not occur until the date which is six (6) months following the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Grantee). Upon a distribution of shares of Common Stock as provided herein, the Company shall cause the Common Stock then being distributed to be registered in the Grantee’s name, but shall not issue certificates for the Common Stock unless the Grantee requests delivery of the certificates for the Common

Stock, in writing in accordance with the procedures established by the Company. The Company shall deliver certificates to the Grantee as soon as administratively practicable following the Company’s receipt of a written request from the Grantee for delivery of the certificates. From and after the date of receipt of such distribution, the Grantee or the Grantee's legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such shares subject to applicable state and federal regulations. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Award Agreement to the contrary, in lieu of a distribution of shares of Common Stock, the Company shall have the option to settle the payment of some or all of the Units in an economically equivalent amount of cash.

9. Withholding Requirements.

Upon the removal or lapse of the restrictions on the Units, the number of shares of Common Stock to be distributed by the Company to the Grantee, which are equal to the number of Units finally determined to be earned by the Grantee as set forth in Sections 3 or Section 5(a) and Section 6 above, or an economically equivalent amount of cash, as discussed in Section 8 above, shall be subject to applicable withholding requirements for income and employment taxes arising from the removal or lapse of the restrictions on the Units. However, if the Grantee is a "specified employee" as defined in §1.409A-1(i) of the Final Regulations under Code Section 409A who is subject to the six (6) months delay provided for in Section 8 above, the Company shall, on the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service, based on the value of a share of Common Stock on such date, withhold the number of shares attributable to any employment taxes and shall, on the date which occurs six (6) months following the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Grantee), basedon the value of a share of Common Stock on such date, withhold the number of shares attributable to income taxes. Dividends for such delay period will also be payable to the Grantee on such date based on the final net number of shares.  

10. Modification.

This Award Agreement may be changed or modified without the Grantee's consent or signature, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that such change or modification is necessary for purposes of compliance with or exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, or otherwise to comply with any law.

Grantee acknowledges that as of the grant date, this Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Grantee and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Units granted under the Plan and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on this subject. By Grantee’s electronic acceptance and the signature of the Company’s representative below, Grantee and the Company agree that the Units are granted under and governed by this Award Agreement and the Plan. Grantee has reviewed and fully understands all provisions of this Award Agreement and the Plan in their entirety.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

By: /s/ Kim R. Cocklin

Kim R. Cocklin

President and

Chief Executive Officer

EX-12

Exhibit 12

Atmos Energy Corporation

Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes per statement of income	$	476,819	$	373,297	$	290,422	$	296,407	$	309,054
Add:
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor	12,231		12,442		12,623		13,229		13,565
Interest on debt & amortization of debt expense	129,295		128,385		141,174		150,763		154,188
Income as adjusted	$	618,345	$	514,124	$	444,219	$	460,399	$	476,807
Fixed charges:
Interest on debt & amortization of debt expense (1)	$	129,295	$	128,385	$	141,174	$	150,763	$	154,188
Capitalized interest (2)	1,522		1,895		2,642		1,690		3,860
Rents	36,693		37,326		37,868		39,686		40,696
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor (3)	12,231		12,442		12,623		13,229		13,565
Fixed charges (1)+(2)+(3)	$	143,048	$	142,722	$	156,439	$	165,682	$	171,613
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	4.32		3.60		2.84		2.78		2.78

EX-21

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

Name	State of Incorporation	Percent of Ownership
ATMOS ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Corporation)	Delaware	100%
BLUE FLAME INSURANCE SERVICES, LTD (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Corporation)	Bermuda	100%
ATMOS ENERGY SERVICES, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.)	Delaware	100%
EGASCO, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.)	Texas	100%
ATMOS ENERGY MARKETING, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.)	Delaware	100%
ATMOS POWER SYSTEMS, INC. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.)	Georgia	100%
ATMOS PIPELINE AND STORAGE, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.)	Delaware	100%
UCG STORAGE, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%
WKG STORAGE, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%
ATMOS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%

Name	State of Incorporation	Percent of Ownership
TRANS LOUISIANA GAS PIPELINE, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Louisiana	100%
TRANS LOUISIANA GAS STORAGE, INC. (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%
ATMOS GATHERING COMPANY, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%
PHOENIX GAS GATHERING COMPANY (wholly-owned by Atmos Gathering Company, LLC)	Delaware	100%
FORT NECESSITY GAS STORAGE, LLC (a limited liability company) (wholly-owned by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC)	Delaware	100%

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-3, No. 33-37869; Form S-3, No. 33-58220; Form S-3D/A, No. 33-70212; Form S-3, No. 33-56915; Form S-3/A, No. 333-03339; Form S-3/A, No. 333-32475; Form S-3/A, No. 333-50477; Form S-3, No. 333-95525; Form S-3/A, No. 333-93705; Form S-3, No. 333-75576; Form S-3D, No. 333-113603; Form S-3, No. 333-118706; Form S-3D, No. 333-155666; Form S-3ASR, No. 333-187606; Form S-4, No. 333-13429; Form S-8, No. 33-57687; Form S-8, No. 33-57695; Form S-8, No. 333-32343; Form S-8, No. 333-46337; Form S-8, No. 333-73143; Form S-8, No. 333-73145; Form S-8, No. 333-63738; Form S-8, No. 333-88832; Form S-8, No. 333-116367; Form S-8, No. 333-138209; Form S-8, No. 333-145817; Form S-8, No. 333-155570; Form S-8, No. 333-166639; Form S-8, No. 333-177593; and Form S-8, No. 333-199301) of Atmos Energy Corporation and in the related Prospectuses of our reports dated November 6, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Atmos Energy Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Atmos Energy Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2014.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

November 6, 2014

EX-31

EXHIBIT 31

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATIONS

I, Kim R. Cocklin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Atmos Energy Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 6, 2014

/s/ KIM R. COCKLIN

Kim R. Cocklin

President and

Chief Executive Officer

I, Bret J. Eckert, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Atmos Energy Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and     

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 6, 2014

/s/ BRET J. ECKERT

Bret J. Eckert

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Annual Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Kim R. Cocklin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

November 6, 2014

/s/ KIM R. COCKLIN

Kim R. Cocklin

President and Chief

Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Atmos Energy Corporation and will be retained by Atmos Energy Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Annual Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Bret J. Eckert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

November 6, 2014

/s/ BRET J. ECKERT

Bret J. Eckert

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Atmos Energy Corporation and will be retained by Atmos Energy Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Estimated Contractual Demand Fees

The estimated contractual demand fees for contracted storage and transportation under these contracts as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	7,426
2016	2,117
2017	1,437
2018	773
2019	143
Thereafter	214
	$	12,110

XML

Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans Net Periodic Cost (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost		$ 15,345,000	$ 17,754,000	$ 15,084,000
Interest cost		22,330,000	19,334,000	21,568,000
Expected return on assets		(23,601,000)	(22,955,000)	(21,474,000)
Amortization of prior service cost		(136,000)	(141,000)	(141,000)
Recognized actuarial loss		13,777,000	19,066,000	14,451,000
Net periodic pension cost		27,715,000	33,058,000	29,488,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost		16,784,000	18,800,000	16,353,000
Interest cost		15,951,000	12,964,000	13,861,000
Expected return on assets		(5,167,000)	(3,988,000)	(2,607,000)
Amortization of transition asset		274,000	1,081,000	1,511,000
Amortization of prior service cost		(1,450,000)	(1,450,000)	(1,450,000)
Recognized actuarial loss		631,000	4,196,000	2,648,000
Net periodic pension cost		27,023,000	31,603,000	30,316,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost		3,607,000	3,039,000	2,108,000
Interest cost		4,966,000	4,755,000	5,142,000
Amortization of transition asset		0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost		0	0	0
Recognized actuarial loss		1,948,000	2,918,000	2,118,000
Settlements	(3,200,000)	4,539,000	3,160,000	0
Effect on Net Periodic Cost Due To Discount Rate Change, Remaining Fiscal Year	100,000
Net periodic pension cost		$ 15,060,000	$ 13,872,000	$ 9,368,000

XML

Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 state regulated_gas_distributions_divisions customers		Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014 segment state regulated_gas_distributions_divisions customers		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 778,728		$ 942,718	$ 1,964,322	$ 1,255,148	$ 674,374		$ 857,935	$ 1,308,996	$ 1,034,155	$ 4,940,916		$ 3,875,460		$ 3,436,162
Purchased gas cost											3,358,490		2,463,410		2,112,423
Gross profit	337,659		359,533	496,277	388,957	300,440		316,497	432,751	362,362	1,582,426		1,412,050		1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance											505,154		488,020		453,613
Depreciation and amortization											253,987		235,079		237,525
Taxes, other than income											211,936		187,072		181,073
Asset impairments											0		0		5,288
Total operating expenses											971,077		910,171		877,499
Operating income	83,944		106,605	250,080	170,720	50,383		86,396	210,178	154,922	611,349		501,879		446,240
Miscellaneous income (expense), net											(5,235)		(197)		(14,644)
Interest charges											129,295		128,385		141,174
Income (loss) before income taxes											476,819		373,297		290,422
Income tax expense											187,002		142,599		98,226
Income (loss) from continuing operations						7,536		33,474	112,340	77,348	289,817		230,698		192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax						0		0	4,085	3,117	0		7,202		18,172
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax						0		5,294	0	0	0		5,294		6,349
Net income	23,713		45,721	133,367	87,016	7,536		38,768	116,425	80,465	289,817		243,194		216,717
Capital expenditures											835,251		845,033		732,858
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Operating revenues	778,728		942,718	1,964,322	1,255,148	674,374		857,935	1,308,996	1,034,155	4,940,916		3,875,460		3,436,162
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	6,725,906	[1]				6,030,655	[1]				6,725,906	[1]	6,030,655	[1]
Investment in subsidaries	0					0					0		0
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	42,258					66,199					42,258		66,199		64,239	131,419
Assets from risk management activities current	45,827					11,966					45,827		11,966
Other current assets	687,755					598,968					687,755		598,968
Intercompany receivables	0					0					0		0
Total current assets	775,840					677,133					775,840		677,133
Goodwill	742,029					741,363					742,029		741,363
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	13,038					109,354					13,038		109,354
Deferred charges and other assets	337,891					375,763					337,891		375,763
Total Assets	8,594,704					7,934,268					8,594,704		7,934,268
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	3,086,232					2,580,409					3,086,232		2,580,409		2,359,243	2,255,421
Long-term debt	2,455,986					2,455,671					2,455,986		2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,542,218					5,036,080					5,542,218		5,036,080
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	0					0					0		0
Short-term debt	196,695					367,984					196,695		367,984
Liabilities from risk management activities current	1,730					1,543					1,730		1,543
Other current liabilities	712,225					608,959					712,225		608,959
Intercompany payables	0					0					0		0
Total current liabilities	910,650					978,486					910,650		978,486
Deferred income taxes	1,286,616					1,164,053					1,286,616		1,164,053
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	20,126					0					20,126		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387					359,299					445,387		359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963					358,787					340,963		358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	48,744					37,563					48,744		37,563
Total Equity and Liabilities	8,594,704					7,934,268					8,594,704		7,934,268
Number Of Customers, Regulated Distribution	3,000,000										3,000,000
Number Of Divisions, Regulated Distribution	6										6
Number of States in which Entity Operates	8										8
Number of Operating Segments											3
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											4,940,916		3,875,460		3,436,162
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											4,940,916		3,875,460		3,436,162
Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											0		0		0
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											0		0		0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Operating revenues	409,014		517,707	1,290,960	843,865	360,386		467,144	905,176	666,787	3,061,546		2,399,493		2,145,330
Purchased gas cost											1,885,031		1,318,257		1,122,587
Gross profit											1,176,515		1,081,236		1,022,743
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance											387,228		375,188		353,879
Depreciation and amortization											208,376		195,581		202,026
Taxes, other than income											196,343		167,374		162,377
Asset impairments															0
Total operating expenses											791,947		738,143		718,282
Operating income											384,568		343,093		304,461
Miscellaneous income (expense), net											(381)		2,535		(12,657)
Interest charges											94,918		98,296		110,642
Income (loss) before income taxes											289,269		247,332		181,162
Income tax expense											117,684		96,476		57,314
Income (loss) from continuing operations													150,856		123,848
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													7,202		18,172
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													5,649		6,349
Net income											171,585		163,707		148,369
Capital expenditures											584,065		528,599		546,818
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Operating revenues	409,014		517,707	1,290,960	843,865	360,386		467,144	905,176	666,787	3,061,546		2,399,493		2,145,330
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	5,202,761					4,719,873					5,202,761		4,719,873
Investment in subsidaries	952,171					831,136					952,171		831,136
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	33,303					4,237					33,303		4,237
Assets from risk management activities current	23,102					1,837					23,102		1,837
Other current assets	490,408					428,366					490,408		428,366
Intercompany receivables	790,442					783,738					790,442		783,738
Total current assets	1,337,255					1,218,178					1,337,255		1,218,178
Goodwill	574,816					574,190					574,816		574,190
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	13,038					109,354					13,038		109,354
Deferred charges and other assets	309,965					347,687					309,965		347,687
Total Assets	8,390,006					7,800,418					8,390,006		7,800,418
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	3,086,232					2,580,409					3,086,232		2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,986					2,455,671					2,455,986		2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,542,218					5,036,080					5,542,218		5,036,080
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	522,695					645,984					522,695		645,984
Liabilities from risk management activities current	1,730					1,543					1,730		1,543
Other current liabilities	559,765					491,681					559,765		491,681
Intercompany payables	0					0					0		0
Total current liabilities	1,084,190					1,139,208					1,084,190		1,139,208
Deferred income taxes	913,260					871,360					913,260		871,360
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	20,126					0					20,126		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387					359,299					445,387		359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963					358,787					340,963		358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,862					35,684					43,862		35,684
Total Equity and Liabilities	8,390,006					7,800,418					8,390,006		7,800,418
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Sales Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											2,964,456		2,316,137		2,065,424
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											2,964,456		2,316,137		2,065,424
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Sales Revenues [Member] | Residential Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											1,933,099		1,512,495		1,351,479
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											1,933,099		1,512,495		1,351,479
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Sales Revenues [Member] | Commercial Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											876,042		661,930		587,651
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											876,042		661,930		587,651
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Sales Revenues [Member] | Industrial Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											90,536		81,155		71,960
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											90,536		81,155		71,960
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Sales Revenues [Member] | Public Authority and Other Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											64,779		60,557		54,334
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											64,779		60,557		54,334
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Gas Transportation Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											64,049		55,938		53,924
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											64,049		55,938		53,924
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Other Gas Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											27,707		22,343		25,028
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											27,707		22,343		25,028
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											5,334		5,075		954
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											5,334		5,075		954
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											92,166		89,011		92,604
Operating revenues	86,314		87,189	73,615	71,341	72,330		74,041	61,848	60,681	318,459		268,900		247,351
Purchased gas cost											0		0		0
Gross profit											318,459		268,900		247,351
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance											91,466		76,686		71,521
Depreciation and amortization											41,031		35,302		31,438
Taxes, other than income											13,143		17,059		15,568
Asset impairments															0
Total operating expenses											145,640		129,047		118,527
Operating income											172,819		139,853		128,824
Miscellaneous income (expense), net											(3,181)		(2,285)		(1,051)
Interest charges											36,280		30,678		29,414
Income (loss) before income taxes											133,358		106,890		98,359
Income tax expense											47,167		38,630		35,300
Income (loss) from continuing operations													68,260		63,059
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0		0
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Net income											86,191		68,260		63,059
Capital expenditures											249,347		313,230		175,768
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											92,166		89,011		92,604
Operating revenues	86,314		87,189	73,615	71,341	72,330		74,041	61,848	60,681	318,459		268,900		247,351
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	1,464,572					1,249,767					1,464,572		1,249,767
Investment in subsidaries	0					0					0		0
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0					0					0		0
Assets from risk management activities current	0					0					0		0
Other current assets	14,009					11,709					14,009		11,709
Intercompany receivables	0					0					0		0
Total current assets	14,009					11,709					14,009		11,709
Goodwill	132,502					132,462					132,502		132,462
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	21,826					19,227					21,826		19,227
Total Assets	1,632,909					1,413,165					1,632,909		1,413,165
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	482,612					396,421					482,612		396,421
Long-term debt	0					0					0		0
Total capitalization	482,612					396,421					482,612		396,421
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	0					0					0		0
Liabilities from risk management activities current	0					0					0		0
Other current liabilities	24,790					20,288					24,790		20,288
Intercompany payables	763,635					712,768					763,635		712,768
Total current liabilities	788,425					733,056					788,425		733,056
Deferred income taxes	361,688					283,554					361,688		283,554
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0					0					0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0					0					0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	184					134					184		134
Total Equity and Liabilities	1,632,909					1,413,165					1,632,909		1,413,165
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											92,166		89,011		92,604
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											92,166		89,011		92,604
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											226,293		179,889		154,747
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											226,293		179,889		154,747
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Operating revenues	396,855		465,033	757,683	447,721	337,264		421,808	428,948	399,894	2,067,292		1,587,914		1,348,982
Purchased gas cost											1,979,337		1,524,583		1,293,858
Gross profit											87,955		63,331		55,124
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance											26,963		37,569		29,697
Depreciation and amortization											4,580		4,196		4,061
Taxes, other than income											2,450		2,639		3,128
Asset impairments															5,288
Total operating expenses											33,993		44,404		42,174
Operating income											53,962		18,927		12,950
Miscellaneous income (expense), net											2,216		2,316		1,035
Interest charges											1,986		2,168		3,084
Income (loss) before income taxes											54,192		19,075		10,901
Income tax expense											22,151		7,493		5,612
Income (loss) from continuing operations													11,582		5,289
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0		0
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													(355)
Net income											32,041		11,227		5,289
Capital expenditures											1,839		3,204		10,272
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Operating revenues	396,855		465,033	757,683	447,721	337,264		421,808	428,948	399,894	2,067,292		1,587,914		1,348,982
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	58,573					61,015					58,573		61,015
Investment in subsidaries	(2,096)					(2,096)					(2,096)		(2,096)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	8,955					61,962					8,955		61,962
Assets from risk management activities current	22,725	[2]				10,129	[3]				22,725	[2]	10,129	[3]
Other current assets	526,161					452,126					526,161		452,126
Intercompany receivables	0					0					0		0
Total current assets	557,841					524,217					557,841		524,217
Goodwill	34,711					34,711					34,711		34,711
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	6,100					8,849					6,100		8,849
Total Assets	655,129					626,696					655,129		626,696
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	469,559					434,715					469,559		434,715
Long-term debt	0					0					0		0
Total capitalization	469,559					434,715					469,559		434,715
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	0					0					0		0
Liabilities from risk management activities current	0	[2]				0	[3]				0	[2]	0	[3]
Other current liabilities	142,397					110,306					142,397		110,306
Intercompany payables	26,807					70,970					26,807		70,970
Total current liabilities	169,204					181,276					169,204		181,276
Deferred income taxes	11,668					8,960					11,668		8,960
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0					0					0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0					0					0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	4,698					1,745					4,698		1,745
Total Equity and Liabilities	655,129					626,696					655,129		626,696
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											274,754		195,883		149,800
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											274,754		195,883		149,800
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Operating revenues	(113,455)		(127,211)	(157,936)	(107,779)	(95,606)		(105,058)	(86,976)	(93,207)	(506,381)		(380,847)		(305,501)
Purchased gas cost											(505,878)		(379,430)		(304,022)
Gross profit											(503)		(1,417)		(1,479)
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance											(503)		(1,423)		(1,484)
Depreciation and amortization											0		0		0
Taxes, other than income											0		0		0
Asset impairments															0
Total operating expenses											(503)		(1,423)		(1,484)
Operating income											0		6		5
Miscellaneous income (expense), net											(3,889)		(2,763)		(1,971)
Interest charges											(3,889)		(2,757)		(1,966)
Income (loss) before income taxes											0		0		0
Income tax expense											0		0		0
Income (loss) from continuing operations													0		0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax													0		0
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax													0
Net income											0		0		0
Capital expenditures											0		0		0
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Operating revenues	(113,455)		(127,211)	(157,936)	(107,779)	(95,606)		(105,058)	(86,976)	(93,207)	(506,381)		(380,847)		(305,501)
ASSETS
Net property, plant and equipment	0					0					0		0
Investment in subsidaries	(950,075)					(829,040)					(950,075)		(829,040)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0					0					0		0
Assets from risk management activities current	0					0					0		0
Other current assets	(342,823)					(293,233)					(342,823)		(293,233)
Intercompany receivables	(790,442)					(783,738)					(790,442)		(783,738)
Total current assets	(1,133,265)					(1,076,971)					(1,133,265)		(1,076,971)
Goodwill	0					0					0		0
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Deferred charges and other assets	0					0					0		0
Total Assets	(2,083,340)					(1,906,011)					(2,083,340)		(1,906,011)
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity	(952,171)					(831,136)					(952,171)		(831,136)
Long-term debt	0					0					0		0
Total capitalization	(952,171)					(831,136)					(952,171)		(831,136)
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	(326,000)					(278,000)					(326,000)		(278,000)
Liabilities from risk management activities current	0					0					0		0
Other current liabilities	(14,727)					(13,316)					(14,727)		(13,316)
Intercompany payables	(790,442)					(783,738)					(790,442)		(783,738)
Total current liabilities	(1,131,169)					(1,075,054)					(1,131,169)		(1,075,054)
Deferred income taxes	0					179					0		179
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	0					0					0		0
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	0					0					0		0
Pension and postretirement liabilities	0					0					0		0
Deferred credits and other liabilities	0					0					0		0
Total Equity and Liabilities	(2,083,340)					(1,906,011)					(2,083,340)		(1,906,011)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											0		0		0
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											0		0		0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss [Abstract]
Revenues											(506,381)		(380,847)		(305,501)
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services Table [Abstract]
Revenues											$ (506,381)		$ (380,847)		$ (305,501)

[1] Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

[2] Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

[3] Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		$ 58,865,000	$ 121,320,000
Hedged portion of gas stored underground		40,492,000	44,758,000
Available-for-sale Securities		79,613,000	72,682,000
Total assets		178,970,000	238,760,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		21,856,000	1,543,000
Fair Value [Abstract]
Derivative, Cash Collateral		25,800,000	24,800,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset		3,100,000	14,700,000
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		22,700,000	10,100,000
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		2,460,000,000	2,460,000,000
Debt Instrument Fair Value		2,769,541,000
Other Matters [Abstract]
Asset Impairment Charges Park City	5,300,000
Nonrecurring fair value measurement	500,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,185,000	4,428,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		44,014,000	40,094,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		33,414,000	28,160,000
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		36,140,000	111,191,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		21,856,000	1,543,000
Fair Value [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset		0	0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		0	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		22,725,000	10,129,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Fair Value [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset		3,033,000	14,705,000
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		22,725,000	10,124,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		25,000	745,000
Hedged portion of gas stored underground		40,492,000	44,758,000
Available-for-sale Securities		44,014,000	40,094,000
Total assets		84,531,000	85,597,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		12,000	158,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		44,014,000	40,094,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		0	0
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		25,000	745,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		12,000	158,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		105,138,000	226,326,000
Hedged portion of gas stored underground		0	0
Available-for-sale Securities		35,599,000	32,588,000
Total assets		140,737,000	258,914,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		93,900,000	131,965,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,185,000	4,428,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		33,414,000	28,160,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		36,140,000	111,191,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		21,856,000	1,543,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		68,998,000	115,135,000
Financial instruments, liabilities		72,044,000	130,422,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		0	0
Hedged portion of gas stored underground		0	0
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Total assets		0	0
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		0	0
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		0	0
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Netting And Collateral [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		(46,298,000)	(105,751,000)
Hedged portion of gas stored underground		0	0
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Total assets		(46,298,000)	(105,751,000)
Financial instruments, liabilities		(72,056,000)	(130,580,000)
Netting And Collateral [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Netting And Collateral [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Netting And Collateral [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Netting And Collateral [Member] | Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		0	0
Financial instruments, liabilities		0	0
Netting And Collateral [Member] | Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments, assets		(46,298,000)	(105,751,000)
Financial instruments, liabilities		$ (72,056,000)	$ (130,580,000)

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Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans Defined Contribution Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Contribution, Employer Contribution Service Period Until Eligibility	1 year
Percent of Atmos Energy common stock in Retirement Savings Plan	4.50%	4.90%
Retirement Savings Plan [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	65.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	100.00%
Union 401K Plan [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Retirement Savings Plan and Union 401K Plan [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 10.9	$ 10.4	$ 10.5
AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	75.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$ 1.4	$ 1.1	$ 1.2

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Nature of Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014 regulated_gas_distributions_divisions customers
Schedule of Number of Customers, Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number Of Customers, Regulated Distribution	3,000,000
Number Of Divisions, Regulated Distribution	6
Georgia [Member]
Schedule of Number of Customers, Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number Of Customers, Regulated Distribution	64,000
Missouri, Illinois and Iowa [Member]
Schedule of Number of Customers, Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number Of Customers, Regulated Distribution	84,000

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Earnings Per Share (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per share table

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30 are calculated as follows:

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Basic Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations	$	289,817	$	230,698	$	192,196
Less: Income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities	711		775		793
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from continuing operations per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.54	$	2.12
Basic Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	12,496	$	24,521
Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities	—		42		101
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from discontinued operations per share — Basic	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.68	$	2.39
Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		5		4
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,928	$	191,407
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from continuing operations per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.50	$	2.10
Diluted Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		—		—
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from discontinued operations per share — Diluted	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.64	$	2.37

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Revenues by Segment [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 778,728	$ 942,718	$ 1,964,322	$ 1,255,148	$ 674,374	$ 857,935	$ 1,308,996	$ 1,034,155	$ 4,940,916	$ 3,875,460	$ 3,436,162
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Gross profit	337,659	359,533	496,277	388,957	300,440	316,497	432,751	362,362	1,582,426	1,412,050	1,323,739
Operating income	83,944	106,605	250,080	170,720	50,383	86,396	210,178	154,922	611,349	501,879	446,240
Income (loss) from continuing operations					7,536	33,474	112,340	77,348	289,817	230,698	192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax					0	0	4,085	3,117	0	7,202	18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax					0	5,294	0	0	0	5,294	6,349
Net income	23,713	45,721	133,367	87,016	7,536	38,768	116,425	80,465	289,817	243,194	216,717
Income per share from continuing operations - basic (usd per share)					$ 0.08	$ 0.37	$ 1.24	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.54	$ 2.12
Income per share from discontinued operations - basic (usd per share)					$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — basic (usd per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.43	$ 1.28	$ 0.89	$ 2.96	$ 2.68	$ 2.39
Income per share from continuing operations - diluted (usd per share)					$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 1.23	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.50	$ 2.10
Income per share from discontinued operations - diluted (usd per share)					$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 1.27	$ 0.88	$ 2.96	$ 2.64	$ 2.37
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Operating Revenues by Segment [Line Items]
Operating revenues	409,014	517,707	1,290,960	843,865	360,386	467,144	905,176	666,787	3,061,546	2,399,493	2,145,330
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Gross profit									1,176,515	1,081,236	1,022,743
Operating income									384,568	343,093	304,461
Income (loss) from continuing operations										150,856	123,848
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										7,202	18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										5,649	6,349
Net income									171,585	163,707	148,369
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Operating Revenues by Segment [Line Items]
Operating revenues	86,314	87,189	73,615	71,341	72,330	74,041	61,848	60,681	318,459	268,900	247,351
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Gross profit									318,459	268,900	247,351
Operating income									172,819	139,853	128,824
Income (loss) from continuing operations										68,260	63,059
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										0
Net income									86,191	68,260	63,059
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Operating Revenues by Segment [Line Items]
Operating revenues	396,855	465,033	757,683	447,721	337,264	421,808	428,948	399,894	2,067,292	1,587,914	1,348,982
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Gross profit									87,955	63,331	55,124
Operating income									53,962	18,927	12,950
Income (loss) from continuing operations										11,582	5,289
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										(355)
Net income									32,041	11,227	5,289
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues by Segment [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(113,455)	(127,211)	(157,936)	(107,779)	(95,606)	(105,058)	(86,976)	(93,207)	(506,381)	(380,847)	(305,501)
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Gross profit									(503)	(1,417)	(1,479)
Operating income									0	6	5
Income (loss) from continuing operations										0	0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										0
Net income									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	$ 367,392,000		$ 322,616,000
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(23,992,000)		(20,624,000)
Net accounts receivable	343,400,000		301,992,000
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities current	45,827,000		11,966,000
Deferred gas cost	20,069,000		15,152,000
Taxes receivable	5,481,000		3,141,000
Prepaid expenses	25,039,000		21,666,000
Materials and supplies	5,704,000		5,511,000
Other	9,145,000		6,765,000
Total other current assets	111,265,000		64,201,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	8,200,121,000		7,446,272,000
Construction in progress	247,579,000		275,747,000
Total property, plant and equipment and construction in progress	8,447,700,000		7,722,019,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,721,794,000)		(1,691,364,000)
Net property, plant and equipment	6,725,906,000	[1]	6,030,655,000	[1]
Public Utilities, Plant and Equipment, Amount of Acquisition Adjustments and Related Accumulated Depreciation	(76,400,000)		(83,800,000)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	741,363,000
Goodwill, Other Changes	666,000	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	742,029,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Marketable securities	79,613,000		72,682,000
Regulatory assets	230,240,000		273,287,000
Deferred financing costs	13,698,000		15,199,000
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	13,038,000		109,354,000
Other	14,340,000		14,595,000
Total	350,929,000		485,117,000
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Trade accounts payable	77,860,000		70,116,000
Accrued gas payable	179,425,000		121,202,000
Accrued liabilities	54,319,000		50,293,000
Total	311,604,000		241,611,000
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Customer deposits	82,085,000		76,313,000
Accrued employee costs	46,445,000		54,034,000
Deferred gas costs	35,063,000		16,481,000
Accrued interest	36,768,000		36,744,000
Liabilities from risk management activities current	1,730,000		1,543,000
Taxes payable	77,601,000		66,960,000
Pension and postretirement obligations	11,380,000		22,940,000
Regulatory cost of removal accrual	45,061,000		68,225,000
Current deferred tax liability	48,751,000		14,697,000
Other	17,467,000		10,954,000
Total	402,351,000		368,891,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]
Customer advances for construction	9,883,000		11,723,000
Regulatory liabilities	4,472,000		1,123,000
Asset retirement obligation	10,508,000		6,764,000
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	20,126,000		0
Other	23,881,000		17,953,000
Total	68,870,000		37,563,000
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities current	23,102,000		1,837,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	5,202,761,000		4,719,873,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	574,190,000
Goodwill, Other Changes	626,000	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	574,816,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	13,038,000		109,354,000
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities current	1,730,000		1,543,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	20,126,000		0
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities current	0		0
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	1,464,572,000		1,249,767,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	132,462,000
Goodwill, Other Changes	40,000	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	132,502,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	0		0
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities current	0		0
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	0		0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities current	22,725,000	[3]	10,129,000	[4]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	58,573,000		61,015,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	34,711,000
Goodwill, Other Changes	0	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	34,711,000
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Assets from risk management activities noncurrent	0		0
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities current	0	[3]	0	[4]
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities from risk management activities noncurrent	0		0
Gas Gathering and Processing Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	4,821,000		5,020,000
Gas Storage Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	275,579,000		262,246,000
Gas Transmission Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	1,622,846,000		1,362,662,000
Gas Distribution Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	5,522,794,000		5,061,711,000
General Plant [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	735,223,000		716,189,000
Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	38,858,000		38,444,000
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	262,937,000		230,712,000
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	62,484,000		58,710,000
Other Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	$ 41,971,000		$ 33,194,000

[1] Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

[2] e annually adjust certain deferred taxes recorded in connection with acquisitions completed in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2004, which resulted in an increase to goodwill and net deferred tax liabilities of $0.7 million

[3] Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

[4] Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

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Fair Value Measurements Available-For-Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 67,466,000	$ 64,023,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	12,160,000	8,706,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(13,000)	(47,000)
Fair value	79,613,000	72,682,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Other Disclosure Items [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plans	46,200,000	44,500,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	1,300,000	2,200,000
Equity Funds Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	26,633,000	27,043,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	10,136,000	7,476,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	(23,000)
Fair value	36,769,000	34,496,000
Equity Funds Foreign [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5,382,000	4,536,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	1,863,000	1,062,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Fair value	7,245,000	5,598,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	33,266,000	28,016,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	161,000	168,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	(13,000)	(24,000)
Fair value	33,414,000	28,160,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,185,000	4,428,000
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Loss Accumulated In Investments	0	0
Fair value	$ 2,185,000	$ 4,428,000

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Concentration of Credit Risk

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to us if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations. We engage in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with major companies in the energy industry and with industrial, commercial, residential and municipal energy consumers. These transactions principally occur in the southern and midwestern regions of the United States. We believe that this geographic concentration does not contribute significantly to our overall exposure to credit risk. Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable for the regulated distribution segment is mitigated by the large number of individual customers and diversity in our customer base. The credit risk for our other segments is not significant.

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Debt (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended								3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 18, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 credit_facility	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Regulated Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 First Facility Regulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 First Facility Regulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Second Facility Regulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Third Facility Regulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Intercompany Facility Regulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Nonregulated Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Committed Facility Nonregulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Committed Facility Nonregulated Operations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Uncommitted Facility Nonregulated Operations [Member] credit_facility	Sep. 30, 2014 Intercompany Facility Nonregulated Operations [Member]	Oct. 15, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Oct. 15, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Oct. 15, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2034 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2034 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2041 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2041 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2043 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2043 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2043 [Member]	Oct. 15, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2044 [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Oct. 15, 2014 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2044 [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Bridge Loan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Medium Term Notes Due 2025 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Medium Term Notes Due 2025 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unsecured Debentures Due 2028 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Debentures Due 2028 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Rental Property Term Note [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Rental Property Term Note [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage																			4.95%	4.95%			6.35%	6.35%	8.50%	8.50%	5.95%	5.95%	5.50%	5.50%	4.15%	4.15%	4.15%		4.125%		6.67%	6.67%	6.75%	6.75%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date																			Oct. 15, 2014	Oct. 15, 2014			Jun. 15, 2017	Jun. 15, 2017	Mar. 15, 2019	Mar. 15, 2019	Oct. 15, 2034	Oct. 15, 2034	Jun. 15, 2041	Jun. 15, 2041		Jan. 15, 2043	Jan. 15, 2043				Dec. 15, 2025	Dec. 15, 2025	Jul. 15, 2028	Jul. 15, 2028	Jul. 01, 2013	Jul. 01, 2013
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 2,460,000,000	$ 2,460,000,000																$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000		$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount		4,014,000	4,329,000
Current maturities of long-term debt		0	0
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage																																4.67%			4.086%
Net Proceeds From Issuance of Debt																															494,000,000			494,000,000
Remaining Proceeds From Issuance Of Debt																																	234,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount																					500,000,000															260,000,000							250,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Interest Terms																					0.0495																						0.05125
Subsequent Event, Date																		Oct. 15, 2014
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of Credit Facilities		4											2			1
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		1,300,000,000	25,000,000				1,300,000,000	1,250,000,000	950,000,000	25,000,000	10,000,000	500,000,000		15,000,000	25,000,000	25,000,000	500,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Term								5 years
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Description								a base rate or at a LIBOR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a spread ranging from zero percent to two percent, based on the Company’s credit ratings		a daily negotiated rate, generally based on the Federal Funds rate plus a variable margin	LIBOR-based rate plus 1.5 percent.	the lower of (i) the Eurodollar rate under the five-year revolving credit facility or (ii) the lowest rate outstanding under the commercial paper program					a rate equal to the greater of (i) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 3.00 percent or (ii) the rate for AEM’s borrowings under its committed line of credit facility plus 0.75 percent
Line Of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding								0		0	0	326,000,000					0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Available Borrowing Capacity								1,053,300,000					32,200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity with Accordion Feature								1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Excess Debt Trigger					15,000,000	100,000,000
Regulated Operations Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount											5,900,000
Long-term Debt, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Authorized Commercial Paper		1,250,000,000
Commercial Paper		196,700,000	368,000,000
Commercial Paper Weighted Average Interest Rate		0.23%	0.25%
Debt Covenant, Total Debt To Total Capital Ratio		70.00%
Ratio of Total Debt to Total Capital		48.00%
Debt and Equity Securities Authorized for Issuance		1,750,000,000
Debt Instrument Covenant Compliance		We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2014
Debt And Equity Securities Available For Issuance		845,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	9,200,000
Net proceeds from equity offering	390,200,000	390,205,000	0	0
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015		500,000,000
2016		0
2017		250,000,000
2018		0
2019		450,000,000
Thereafter		1,260,000,000
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount		$ 2,460,000,000	$ 2,460,000,000																$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000		$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,009			(58,973		)	7,904			(48,060		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(795		)	2,686			(5,102		)	(3,211		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,214			(56,287		)	2,802			(51,271		)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2012	$	5,661		$	(44,273	)	$	(8,995	)	$	(47,607	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,162			79,963			(2,057		)	79,068
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,375		)	2,216			6,576			7,417
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(213		)	82,179			4,519			86,485
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	1,252		Operation and maintenance expense
	1,252			Total before tax
	(457		)	Tax expense
	$	795		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(4,230	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	8,365			Purchased gas cost
	4,135			Total before tax
	(1,719		)	Tax expense
	$	2,416		Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	3,211		Net of tax

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	2,166		Operation and maintenance expense
	2,166			Total before tax
	(791		)	Tax expense
	$	1,375		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(3,489	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(10,778		)	Purchased gas cost
	(14,267		)	Total before tax
	5,475			Tax benefit
	$	(8,792	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,417	)	Net of tax

XML

Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Details Of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions Disclosure [Abstract]

Accounts Receivables Detail Table

Accounts receivable was comprised of the following at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Billed accounts receivable	$	262,937		$	230,712
Unbilled revenue	62,484			58,710
Other accounts receivable	41,971			33,194
Total accounts receivable	367,392			322,616
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(23,992		)	(20,624		)
Net accounts receivable	$	343,400		$	301,992

Other Current Assets Detail Table

Other current assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Assets from risk management activities	$	45,827	$	11,966
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Taxes receivable	5,481		3,141
Prepaid expenses	25,039		21,666
Materials and supplies	5,704		5,511
Other	9,145		6,765
Total	$	111,265	$	64,201

Property, Plant and Equipment Detail Table

Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Production plant	$	4,821		$	5,020
Storage plant	275,579			262,246
Transmission plant	1,622,846			1,362,662
Distribution plant	5,522,794			5,061,711
General plant	735,223			716,189
Intangible plant	38,858			38,444
	8,200,121			7,446,272
Construction in progress	247,579			275,747
	8,447,700			7,722,019
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,721,794		)	(1,691,364		)
Net property, plant and equipment(1)	$	6,725,906		$	6,030,655

⁽¹⁾   Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Goodwill Detail Table

The following presents our goodwill balance allocated by segment and changes in the balance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014:

	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	574,190	$	132,462	$	34,711	$	741,363
Deferred tax adjustments on prior acquisitions(1)	626		40		—		666
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	574,816	$	132,502	$	34,711	$	742,029

⁽¹⁾  We annually adjust certain deferred taxes recorded in connection with acquisitions completed in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2004, which resulted in an increase to goodwill and net deferred tax liabilities of $0.7 million

Deferred Charges and Other Assets Detail Table

Deferred charges and other assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Marketable securities	$	79,613	$	72,682
Regulatory assets	230,240		273,287
Deferred financing costs	13,698		15,199
Assets from risk management activities	13,038		109,354
Other	14,340		14,595
Total	$	350,929	$	485,117

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts payable	$	77,860	$	70,116
Accrued gas payable	179,425		121,202
Accrued liabilities	54,319		50,293
Total	$	311,604	$	241,611

Other Current Liabilities Detail Table

Other current liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer credit balances and deposits	$	82,085	$	76,313
Accrued employee costs	46,445		54,034
Deferred gas costs	35,063		16,481
Accrued interest	36,768		36,744
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		1,543
Taxes payable	77,601		66,960
Pension and postretirement obligations	11,380		22,940
Current deferred tax liability	48,751		14,697
Regulatory cost of removal accrual	45,061		68,225
Other	17,467		10,954
Total	$	402,351	$	368,891

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities Detail Table

Deferred credits and other liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer advances for construction	$	9,883	$	11,723
Regulatory liabilities	4,472		1,123
Asset retirement obligation	10,508		6,764
Liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—
Other	23,881		17,953
Total	$	68,870	$	37,563

XML

Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 79,613,000	$ 72,682,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	44,014,000	40,094,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	35,599,000	32,588,000
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	432,109,000	396,482,000
Fair value of accounts receivable	2,700,000	400,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	155,107,000	143,543,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	11,226,000	12,266,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	63,850,000	30,200,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	48,134,000	47,036,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	61,208,000	57,627,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	12,520,000	18,446,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,679,000	4,780,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	25,734,000	35,012,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Limited Partnership Interest [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	50,496,000	47,417,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	155,000	155,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	270,208,000	224,896,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	155,107,000	143,543,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	63,850,000	30,200,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	48,134,000	47,036,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,117,000	4,117,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Limited Partnership Interest [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	161,746,000	171,431,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	11,226,000	12,266,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	61,208,000	57,627,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	12,520,000	18,446,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	562,000	663,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	25,734,000	35,012,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Limited Partnership Interest [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	50,496,000	47,417,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	155,000	155,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Limited Partnership Interest [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	155,000	155,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets at Fair Value, Valuation Inputs	The fair value of our Level 3 real estate assets was determined using a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land sales values per square foot in the range of $0.94 to $2.98 and comparable building sales values per square foot in the range of $23.13 to $30.42.
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	134,821,000	106,413,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	434,000	3,356,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	11,398,000	9,614,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	122,989,000	93,443,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	134,387,000	103,057,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	11,398,000	9,614,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	122,989,000	93,443,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	434,000	3,356,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	434,000	3,356,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, Domestic [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Registered Investment Companies, International [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 46,200,000	$ 44,500,000
Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Comparable Land Sale Values	0.94
Comparable Building Sales Values	23.13
Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Total Investments at Fair Value [Line Items]
Comparable Land Sale Values	2.98
Comparable Building Sales Values	30.42

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Financial Instruments Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Interest rate agreements fair value	$ (58,973)		$ 79,963
Forward commodity contracts fair value	7,904		(2,057)
Interest rate agreements	2,686		2,216
Forward commodity contracts	(5,102)		6,576
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	(53,485)	[1]	86,698	[1]
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
2015	(1,436)
2016	(1,541)
2017	(842)
2018	(974)
2019	(951)
Thereafter	(23,609)
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) To Be Reclassiflied, Total	(29,353)	[1]
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
2015	(804)
2016	(634)
2017	(735)
2018	(936)
2019	(961)
Thereafter	(23,609)
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) To Be Reclassiflied, Total	(27,679)	[1]
Commodity Contract [Member]
Expected Earnings [Line Items]
2015	(632)
2016	(907)
2017	(107)
2018	(38)
2019	10
Thereafter	0
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) To Be Reclassiflied, Total	$ (1,674)	[1]

[1] Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

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Income Taxes Rate Reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Tax at statutory rate of 35%	$ 166,887	$ 130,655	$ 101,648
Common stock dividends deductible for tax reporting	(2,307)	(2,153)	(2,096)
State taxes (net of federal benefit)	11,636	11,559	(4,127)
Change in valuation allowance	6,969	1,085	0
Other, net	3,817	1,453	2,801
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 187,002	$ 142,599	$ 98,226

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 15, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] Real Estate [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Deferred Gas Costs Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Deferred Gas Costs Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Deferred Franchise Fees Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Deferred Franchise Fees Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Regulatory Cost Of Removal Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Regulatory Cost Of Removal Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Miscellaneous Regulatory Liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Miscellaneous Regulatory Liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension And Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Pension And Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Merger And Integration Costs Net [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Merger And Integration Costs Net [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Deferred Gas Costs Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Deferred Gas Costs Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Regulatory Cost of Removal Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Regulatory Cost of Removal Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Rate Case Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Rate Case Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Texas 8.209 [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Texas 8.209 [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 APT Annual Adjustment Mechanism Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 APT Annual Adjustment Mechanism Asset [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Recoverable Loss On Reacquired Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Recoverable Loss On Reacquired Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Deferred Miscellaneous Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Deferred Miscellaneous Costs [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets	$ 250,309,000	$ 286,748,000														$ 162,777,000	[1]	$ 187,977,000	[1]	$ 4,730,000	$ 5,250,000	$ 20,069,000	$ 15,152,000	$ 0	$ 10,008,000	$ 3,757,000	$ 6,329,000	$ 26,948,000	[2]	$ 30,364,000	[2]	$ 8,479,000	$ 5,853,000	$ 18,877,000	$ 21,435,000	$ 4,672,000	$ 4,380,000
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory Liabilities	545,759,000	453,581,000						35,063,000	16,481,000	5,268,000	1,689,000	490,448,000	427,524,000	14,980,000	7,887,000
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Regulatory Asset - Future Recoverable Pension Costs	18,800,000	17,400,000
Regulatory Noncurrent Asset, Amortization Period	P20Y
Amortization of Regulatory Asset	500,000	500,000	500,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives for nonregulated property, plant and equipment						3 years	50 years
Interest Costs Capitalized	1,500,000	1,900,000	2,600,000
Composite depreciation rate for regulated property, plant and equipment	3.30%	3.30%	3.60%
Other Information [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts	9,600,000	9,000,000	(8,000,000)
Asset Retirement Obligation	10,500,000	6,800,000
Asset Retirement Costs in Property, Plant and Equipment	5,900,000	3,300,000
Asset Impairment Charges Park City			5,300,000
Derivative, Cash Collateral	25,800,000	24,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure					$ 200,000
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Event, Date				Oct. 15, 2014
Subsequent Event, Description				issuance of $500 million, 4.125% senior notes

[1] Includes $18.8 million and $17.4 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

[2] Texas Rule 8.209 is a Railroad Commission rule that allows for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to this rule, including the recording of interest on the deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recovered through base rates.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (PARENTHETICALS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.48	$ 1.40	$ 1.38

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Financial Instruments Financial Instruments at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	$ 45,827,000		$ 11,966,000
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	13,038,000		109,354,000
Derivative Liability, Current	1,730,000		1,543,000
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	20,126,000		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	37,009,000		119,777,000
Derivative, Cash Collateral	25,800,000		24,800,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	3,100,000		14,700,000
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	22,700,000		10,100,000
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	23,102,000		1,837,000
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	13,038,000		109,354,000
Derivative Liability, Current	1,730,000		1,543,000
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	20,126,000		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	14,284,000		109,648,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	0		0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	22,725,000	[1]	10,129,000	[2]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	0		0
Derivative Liability, Current	0	[1]	0	[2]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	0		0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	22,725,000		10,129,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	3,033,000		14,705,000
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 22,725,000		$ 10,124,000

[1] Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

[2] Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

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Fair Value Measurements (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements table

The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. As required under authoritative accounting literature, assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	36,140	$	—	$	—		$	36,140
Nonregulated segment	25		68,998		—		(46,298		)	22,725
Total financial instruments	25		105,138		—		(46,298		)	58,865
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	40,492		—		—		—			40,492
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		2,185		—		—			2,185
Registered investment companies	44,014		—		—		—			44,014
Bonds	—		33,414		—		—			33,414
Total available-for-sale securities	44,014		35,599		—		—			79,613
Total assets	$	84,531	$	140,737	$	—	$	(46,298	)	$	178,970
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	21,856	$	—	$	—		$	21,856
Nonregulated segment	12		72,044		—		(72,056		)	—
Total liabilities	$	12	$	93,900	$	—	$	(72,056	)	$	21,856

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	111,191	$	—	$	—		$	111,191
Nonregulated segment	745		115,135		—		(105,751		)	10,129
Total financial instruments	745		226,326		—		(105,751		)	121,320
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	44,758		—		—		—			44,758
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,428		—		—			4,428
Registered investment companies	40,094		—		—		—			40,094
Bonds	—		28,160		—		—			28,160
Total available-for-sale securities	40,094		32,588		—		—			72,682
Total assets	$	85,597	$	258,914	$	—	$	(105,751	)	$	238,760
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	1,543	$	—	$	—		$	1,543
Nonregulated segment	158		130,422		—		(130,580		)	—
Total liabilities	$	158	$	131,965	$	—	$	(130,580	)	$	1,543

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2014 we had $25.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2013 we had $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Available for sale securities

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of September 30, 2014
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,633	$	10,136	$	—		$	36,769
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,382		1,863		—			7,245
Bonds	33,266		161		(13		)	33,414
Money market funds	2,185		—		—			2,185
	$	67,466	$	12,160	$	(13	)	$	79,613
As of September 30, 2013
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,043	$	7,476	$	(23	)	$	34,496
Foreign equity mutual funds	4,536		1,062		—			5,598
Bonds	28,016		168		(24		)	28,160
Money market funds	4,428		—		—			4,428
	$	64,023	$	8,706	$	(47	)	$	72,682

Other fair value measurements table

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2014:

	September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,769,541

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of consolidation

Principles of consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atmos Energy Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated; however, we have not eliminated intercompany profits when such amounts are probable of recovery under the affiliates’ rate regulation process.

Basis of comparison

Basis of comparison — Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The most significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts, unbilled revenues, legal and environmental accruals, insurance accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes, asset retirement obligations, impairment of long-lived assets, risk management and trading activities, fair value measurements and the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Regulation

Currently, authorized rates do not include a return on certain of our merger and integration costs; however, we recover the amortization of these costs. Merger and integration costs, net, are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging up to 20 years

Regulation — Our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service, maintenance of accounting records and various other matters by the respective regulatory authorities in the states in which we operate. Our accounting policies recognize the financial effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permitted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recognized. The amounts to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations.

We record regulatory assets as a component of other current assets and deferred charges and other assets for costs that have been deferred for which future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded either on the face of the balance sheet or as a component of current liabilities, deferred income taxes or deferred credits and other liabilities when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition — Sales of natural gas to our regulated distribution customers are billed on a monthly basis; however, the billing cycle periods for certain classes of customers do not necessarily coincide with accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. We follow the revenue accrual method of accounting for regulated distribution segment revenues whereby revenues applicable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense.

On occasion, we are permitted to implement new rates that have not been formally approved by our state regulatory commissions, which are subject to refund. As permitted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the jurisdiction in which the rates were implemented.

Rates established by regulatory authorities are adjusted for increases and decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide gas distribution companies a method of recovering purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case to address all of their non-gas costs. There is no gross profit generated through purchased gas cost adjustments, but they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in our regulated distribution segment’s gas costs. The effects of these purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms are recorded as deferred gas costs on our balance sheet.

Operating revenues for our regulated pipeline and nonregulated segments are recognized in the period in which actual volumes are transported and storage services are provided.

Operating revenues for our nonregulated segment and the associated carrying value of natural gas inventory (inclusive of storage costs) are recognized when we sell the gas and physically deliver it to our customers. Operating revenues include realized gains and losses arising from the settlement of financial instruments used in our nonregulated activities and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of natural gas inventory designated as a hedged item in a fair value hedge and the associated financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts — Accounts receivable arise from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and other customers. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based on our collection experience or where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability or reluctance to pay. However, if circumstances change, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be affected. Circumstances which could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices, customer deposits and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Gas stored underground

Gas stored underground — Our gas stored underground is comprised of natural gas injected into storage to support the winter season withdrawals for our regulated distribution operations and natural gas held by our nonregulated segment to conduct their operations. The average cost method is used for all our regulated operations, except for certain jurisdictions in the Kentucky/Mid-States Division, where it is valued on the first-in first-out method basis, in accordance with regulatory requirements. Our nonregulated segment utilizes the average cost method; however, most of this inventory is hedged and is therefore reported at fair value at the end of each month. Gas in storage that is retained as cushion gas to maintain reservoir pressure is classified as property, plant and equipment and is valued at cost.

Property, plant and equipment

Regulated property, plant and equipment — Regulated property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of contributions in aid of construction. The cost of additions includes direct construction costs, payroll related costs (taxes, pensions and other fringe benefits), administrative and general costs and an allowance for funds used during construction. The allowance for funds used during construction represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance the construction of major projects and are capitalized in the rate base for ratemaking purposes when the completed projects are placed in service. Interest expense of $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.6 million was capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Major renewals, including replacement pipe, and betterments that are recoverable under our regulatory rate base are capitalized while the costs of maintenance and repairs that are not recoverable through rates are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of large projects are accumulated in construction in progress until the project is completed. When the project is completed, tested and placed in service, the balance is transferred to the regulated plant in service account included in the rate base and depreciation begins.

Regulated property, plant and equipment is depreciated at various rates on a straight-line basis. These rates are approved by our regulatory commissions and are comprised of two components: one based on average service life and one based on cost of removal. Accordingly, we recognize our cost of removal expense as a component of depreciation expense. The related cost of removal accrual is reflected as a regulatory liability on the consolidated balance sheet. At the time property, plant and equipment is retired, removal expenses less salvage, are charged to the regulatory cost of removal accrual. The composite depreciation rate was 3.3 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.6 percent for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Nonregulated property, plant and equipment — Nonregulated property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is generally computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes based upon estimated useful lives ranging from three to 50 years.

Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations — We record a liability at fair value for an asset retirement obligation when the legal obligation to retire the asset has been incurred with an offsetting increase to the carrying value of the related asset. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time is recorded as an operating expense.

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had asset retirement obligations of $10.5 million and $6.8 million. Additionally, we had $5.9 million and $3.3 million of asset retirement costs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the underlying associated assets.

We believe we have a legal obligation to retire our natural gas storage facilities. However, we have not recognized an asset retirement obligation associated with our storage facilities because we are not able to determine the settlement date of this obligation as we do not anticipate taking our storage facilities out of service permanently. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Impairment of long-lived assets — We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that other long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected future cash flows. In the event the sum of the expected future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded.

Goodwill

Goodwill — We annually evaluate our goodwill balances for impairment during our second fiscal quarter or more frequently as impairment indicators arise. We use a present value technique based on discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. These calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value.

Marketable securities

Marketable securities — As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale. In accordance with the authoritative accounting standards, these securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on an individual investment by investment basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related investment is written down to its estimated fair value.

Financial instruments and hedging activities

Financial instruments and hedging activities — We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our regulated and nonregulated businesses and are discussed in Note 12.

We record all of our financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value ultimately recorded in the income statement. These financial instruments are reported as risk management assets and liabilities and are classified as current or noncurrent other assets or liabilities based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument.

The timing of when changes in fair value of our financial instruments are recorded in the income statement depends on whether the financial instrument has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship or if regulatory rulings require a different accounting treatment. Changes in fair value for financial instruments that do not meet one of these criteria are recognized in the income statement as they occur.

Financial Instruments Associated with Commodity Price Risk

In our regulated distribution segment, the costs associated with and the gains and losses arising from the use of financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk are included in our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms in accordance with regulatory requirements. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of deferred gas costs and recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of financial instruments.

In our nonregulated segment, we have designated most of the natural gas inventory held by this operating segment as the hedged item in a fair-value hedge. This inventory is marked to market at the end of each month based on the Gas Daily index, with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in revenue in the period of change. The financial instruments associated with this natural gas inventory have been designated as fair-value hedges and are marked to market each month based upon the NYMEX price with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in purchased gas cost in the period of change. We have elected to exclude this spot/forward differential for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of these fair-value hedges.

Additionally, we have elected to treat fixed-price forward contracts used in our nonregulated segment to deliver natural gas as normal purchases and normal sales. As such, these deliveries are recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with our revenue recognition policy. Financial instruments used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with these contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at indexed prices. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses on these open financial instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, and are recognized in earnings as a component of purchased gas cost when the hedged volumes are sold.

Gains and losses from hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the income statement. Fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness arising from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the financial instruments is referred to as basis ineffectiveness. Ineffectiveness arising from changes in the fair value of the fair value hedges due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity is referred to as timing ineffectiveness. Hedge ineffectiveness, to the extent incurred, is reported as a component of purchased gas cost.

Our nonregulated segment also utilizes master netting agreements with significant counterparties that allow us to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled in cash with gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled with the physical commodity. Assets and liabilities from risk management activities, as well as accounts receivable and payable, reflect the master netting agreements in place. Additionally, the accounting guidance for master netting arrangements requires us to include the fair value of cash collateral or the obligation to return cash in the amounts that have been netted under master netting agreements used to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company netted $25.8 million and $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts into its current and noncurrent risk management assets and liabilities.

Financial Instruments Associated with Interest Rate Risk

We manage interest rate risk, primarily when we plan to issue new long-term debt or to refinance existing long-term debt. We manage this risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and prior to fiscal 2012, Treasury lock agreements, to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. We designate these financial instruments as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements are executed. Unrealized gains and losses associated with the instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the instruments settle, the realized gain or loss is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred is reported as a component of interest expense.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements — We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information in valuing our financial assets and liabilities and minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements.

Fair-value estimates also consider our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions and major energy companies. This concentration of counterparties may materially impact our exposure to credit risk resulting from market, economic or regulatory conditions. We seek to minimize counterparty credit risk through an evaluation of their financial condition and credit ratings and the use of collateral requirements under certain circumstances.

Amounts reported at fair value are subject to potentially significant volatility based upon changes in market prices, including, but not limited to, the valuation of the portfolio of our contracts, maturity and settlement of these contracts and newly originated transactions and interest rates, each of which directly affect the estimated fair value of our financial instruments. We believe the market prices and models used to value these financial instruments represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the contracts. Values are adjusted to reflect the potential impact of an orderly liquidation of our positions over a reasonable period of time under then current market conditions.

Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 — Represents unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is defined as a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Prices actively quoted on national exchanges are used to determine the fair value of most of our assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. Within our nonregulated operations, we utilize a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between the bid and ask prices), as permitted under current accounting standards. Values derived from these sources reflect the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed.

Our Level 1 measurements consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments, gas stored underground that has been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge and our available-for-sale securities. The Level 1 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments.

Level 2 — Represents pricing inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Our Level 2 measurements primarily consist of non-exchange-traded financial instruments, such as over-the-counter options and swaps and municipal and corporate bonds where market data for pricing is observable. The Level 2 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of non-exchange traded financial instruments such as common collective trusts and investments in limited partnerships.

Level 3 — Represents generally unobservable pricing inputs which are developed based on the best information available, including our own internal data, in situations where there is little if any market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The pricing inputs utilized reflect what a market participant would use to determine fair value. We utilize models and other valuation methods to determine fair value when external sources are not available. We believe the market prices and models used to value these assets and liabilities represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the assets and liabilities.

As of September 30, 2014, our Master Trust owned one real estate investment with a value less than $0.2 million that qualifies as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation technique used was a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land and building sales values per square foot. Currently, we have no other assets or liabilities recorded at fair value that would qualify for Level 3 reporting.

Pension and other postretirement plans

Pension and other postretirement plans — Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. Our measurement date is September 30. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities.

The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligation and net pension and postretirement cost. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds available in the marketplace that are suitable for settling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit disbursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of the annual pension and postretirement plan cost. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan cost is not affected. Rather, this gain or loss reduces or increases future pension or postretirement plan costs over a period of approximately seven to nine years.

The market-related value of our plan assets represents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctuations over a five-year period. The use of this calculation will delay the impact of current market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period.

We use a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses. Under this approach, net gains or losses in excess of ten percent of the larger of the pension benefit obligation or the market-related value of the assets are amortized on a straight-line basis. The period of amortization is the average remaining service of active participants who are expected to receive benefits under the plan.

We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our annual postretirement net cost based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon the annual review of our participant census information as of the measurement date.

Income taxes

Income taxes — Income taxes are determined based on the liability method, which results in income tax assets and liabilities arising from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The liability method requires the effect of tax rate changes on current and accumulated deferred income taxes to be reflected in the period in which the rate change was enacted. The liability method also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance unless it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized.

The Company may recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense. We recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of miscellaneous income (expense) in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Contingencies

Contingencies — In the normal course of business, we are confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to lawsuits, claims made by third parties or the action of various regulatory agencies. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and reasonably estimable, based on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. Actual results may differ from estimates, depending on actual outcomes or changes in the facts or expectations surrounding each potential exposure.

Earnings per share

Since we have non-vested share-based payments with a nonforfeitable right to dividends or dividend equivalents (referred to as participating securities), we are required to use the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The Company’s non-vested restricted stock units, granted under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time, are considered to be participating securities. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator.

Segment Reporting Policy

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units. Interest expense is allocated pro rata to each segment based upon our net investment in each segment. Income taxes are allocated to each segment as if each segment’s taxes were calculated on a separate return basis.

Tax Collections

Tax collections — We are allowed to recover from customers revenue-related taxes that are imposed upon us. We record such taxes as operating expenses and record the corresponding customer charges as operating revenues. However, we do collect and remit various other taxes on behalf of various governmental authorities, and we record these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets on a net basis. We do not collect income taxes from our customers on behalf of governmental authorities.

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Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Three Years Ended September 30, 2014

			Additions
	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to cost & expenses		Charged to other accounts		Deductions			Balance at end of period
			(In thousands)
2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	20,624	$	19,491	$	—	$	16,123	(1)	$	23,992
2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	9,425	$	14,484	$	—	$	3,285	(1)	$	20,624
2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	7,440	$	8,901	$	—	$	6,916	(1)	$	9,425

⁽¹⁾  Uncollectible accounts written off.

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Stock and Other Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Stock Based Compensation Expense	$ 25,500,000	$ 17,800,000	$ 19,200,000
Authorized Shares	8,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available	845,139
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Nonvested at beginning of year-Shares	1,052,844	1,262,582	1,264,142
Nonvested at beginning of year-Weighted Average	$ 36.20	$ 32.46	$ 29.56
Granted-Shares	464,438	473,775	532,711
Granted-Weighted Average	$ 45.05	$ 40.48	$ 33.44
Vested-Shares	(524,532)	(657,795)	(494,308)
Vested-Weighted Average	$ 32.67	$ 32.20	$ 26.32
Forfeited-Shares	(4,113)	(25,718)	(39,963)
Forfeited-Weighted Average	$ 39.00	$ 33.42	$ 29.83
Nonvested at end of year-Shares	988,637	1,052,844	1,262,582
Nonvested at end of year-Weighted Average	$ 42.22	$ 36.20	$ 32.46
Unrecognized Compensation Cost	5,300,000
Weighted Average Recognized Period	1 year 7 months 6 days
Fair Value Restricted Stock Vested	17,100,000	21,200,000	13,000,000
Direct Stock Purchse Plan [Abstract]
Minimum Initial Investment for Direct Stock Purchase Plan	1,250
Minimum Continuing Investment for Direct Stock Purchase Plan	25
Annual Maximum Investment for Direct Stock Purchase Plan	$ 100,000

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Discontinued Operations (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued operations income statement detail table

The following table presents statement of income data related to discontinued operations in our Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa service areas. At September 30, 2014 and 2013 we did not have any assets or liabilities held for sale.

	Year Ended September 30
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues	$	37,962	$	114,703
Purchased gas cost	21,464		62,902
Gross profit	16,498		51,801
Operating expenses	5,858		24,174
Operating income	10,640		27,627
Other nonoperating income	548		611
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	11,188		28,238
Income tax expense	3,986		10,066
Income from discontinued operations	7,202		18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,294		6,349
Net income from discontinued operations	$	12,496	$	24,521

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Nature of Business (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of Divisions And Service Areas Table [Abstract]

Schedule of divisions and service areas

Through our regulated distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public-authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions in the service areas described below:

Division	Service Area
Atmos Energy Colorado-Kansas Division	Colorado, Kansas
Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States Division	Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia(1)
Atmos Energy Louisiana Division	Louisiana
Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division	Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area
Atmos Energy Mississippi Division	Mississippi
Atmos Energy West Texas Division	West Texas

⁽¹⁾  Denotes location where we have more limited service areas.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule Of Regulatory Assets And Liabilities

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 included the following:

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	162,777	$	187,977
Merger and integration costs, net	4,730		5,250
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Regulatory cost of removal asset	—		10,008
Rate case costs	3,757		6,329
Texas Rule 8.209(2)	26,948		30,364
APT annual adjustment mechanism	8,479		5,853
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	18,877		21,435
Other	4,672		4,380
	$	250,309	$	286,748
Regulatory liabilities:
Deferred gas costs	$	35,063	$	16,481
Deferred franchise fees	5,268		1,689
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	490,448		427,524
Other	14,980		7,887
	$	545,759	$	453,581

^[1],[2]

[1] Includes $18.8 million and $17.4 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

[2] Texas Rule 8.209 is a Railroad Commission rule that allows for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to this rule, including the recording of interest on the deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recovered through base rates.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Common shareholders' equity, beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 2,255,421	$ 451	$ 1,732,935	$ (48,460)	$ 570,495
Common stock shares outstanding, balance at Sep. 30, 2011		90,296,482
Net income	216,717				216,717
Other comprehensive income (loss)	853			853
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(387,991)
Repurchase of common stock, amount	(12,535)	(2)	(12,533)
Repurchase of equity awards, shares		(153,255)
Repurchase of equity awards, amount	(5,219)	0	(5,219)
Cash dividends	(125,796)				(125,796)
Common stock issued:
Direct stock purchase plan, shares		0
Direct stock purchase plan, amount	(65)	0	(65)
1998 Long-term incentive plan, shares		482,289
1998 Long-term incentive plan, amount	12,037	2	12,519		(484)
Employee stock-based compensation	17,752		17,752
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan, shares		2,375
Outside directors stock-for-fee-plan, amount	78		78
Common shareholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	2,359,243	451	1,745,467	(47,607)	660,932
Common stock shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012		90,239,900
Net income	243,194				243,194
Other comprehensive income (loss)	86,485			86,485
Repurchase of equity awards, shares		(133,449)
Repurchase of equity awards, amount	(5,150)	0	(5,150)
Cash dividends	(128,115)				(128,115)
Common stock issued:
Direct stock purchase plan, amount	(50)	0	(50)
1998 Long-term incentive plan, shares		531,672
1998 Long-term incentive plan, amount	8,788	2	9,530		(744)
Employee stock-based compensation	15,934		15,934
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan, shares		2,088
Outside directors stock-for-fee-plan, amount	80		80
Common shareholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	2,580,409	453	1,765,811	38,878	775,267
Common stock shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013		90,640,211
Net income	289,817				289,817
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(51,271)			(51,271)
Repurchase of equity awards, shares		(190,134)
Repurchase of equity awards, amount	(8,717)	(1)	(8,716)
Cash dividends	(146,248)				(146,248)
Common stock issued:
Direct stock purchase plan, shares		83,150
Direct stock purchase plan, amount	4,067	1	4,066
1998 Long-term incentive plan, shares		653,130
1998 Long-term incentive plan, amount	4,353	3	5,214		(864)
Employee stock-based compensation	23,536		23,536
Outside directors stock-for-fee plan, shares		1,735
Outside directors stock-for-fee-plan, amount	81		81
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	390,205	46	390,159
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		9,200,000
Common shareholders' equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 3,086,232	$ 502	$ 2,180,151	$ (12,393)	$ 917,972
Common stock shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014		100,388,092

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Segment Information (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment reporting income statement, by segment

Summarized income statements and capital expenditures by segment are shown in the following tables.

	Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	3,056,212		$	92,166		$	1,792,538	$	—		$	4,940,916
Intersegment revenues	5,334			226,293			274,754		(506,381		)	—
	3,061,546			318,459			2,067,292		(506,381		)	4,940,916
Purchased gas cost	1,885,031			—			1,979,337		(505,878		)	3,358,490
Gross profit	1,176,515			318,459			87,955		(503		)	1,582,426
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	387,228			91,466			26,963		(503		)	505,154
Depreciation and amortization	208,376			41,031			4,580		—			253,987
Taxes, other than income	196,343			13,143			2,450		—			211,936
Total operating expenses	791,947			145,640			33,993		(503		)	971,077
Operating income	384,568			172,819			53,962		—			611,349
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(381		)	(3,181		)	2,216		(3,889		)	(5,235		)
Interest charges	94,918			36,280			1,986		(3,889		)	129,295
Income before income taxes	289,269			133,358			54,192		—			476,819
Income tax expense	117,684			47,167			22,151		—			187,002
Net income	$	171,585		$	86,191		$	32,041	$	—		$	289,817
Capital expenditures	$	584,065		$	249,347		$	1,839	$	—		$	835,251

	Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,394,418	$	89,011		$	1,392,031		$	—		$	3,875,460
Intersegment revenues	5,075		179,889			195,883			(380,847		)	—
	2,399,493		268,900			1,587,914			(380,847		)	3,875,460
Purchased gas cost	1,318,257		—			1,524,583			(379,430		)	2,463,410
Gross profit	1,081,236		268,900			63,331			(1,417		)	1,412,050
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	375,188		76,686			37,569			(1,423		)	488,020
Depreciation and amortization	195,581		35,302			4,196			—			235,079
Taxes, other than income	167,374		17,059			2,639			—			187,072
Total operating expenses	738,143		129,047			44,404			(1,423		)	910,171
Operating income	343,093		139,853			18,927			6			501,879
Miscellaneous income (expense)	2,535		(2,285		)	2,316			(2,763		)	(197		)
Interest charges	98,296		30,678			2,168			(2,757		)	128,385
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	247,332		106,890			19,075			—			373,297
Income tax expense	96,476		38,630			7,493			—			142,599
Income from continuing operations	150,856		68,260			11,582			—			230,698
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	7,202		—			—			—			7,202
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,649		—			(355		)	—			5,294
Net income	$	163,707	$	68,260		$	11,227		$	—		$	243,194
Capital expenditures	$	528,599	$	313,230		$	3,204		$	—		$	845,033

	Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,144,376		$	92,604		$	1,199,182	$	—		$	3,436,162
Intersegment revenues	954			154,747			149,800		(305,501		)	—
	2,145,330			247,351			1,348,982		(305,501		)	3,436,162
Purchased gas cost	1,122,587			—			1,293,858		(304,022		)	2,112,423
Gross profit	1,022,743			247,351			55,124		(1,479		)	1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	353,879			71,521			29,697		(1,484		)	453,613
Depreciation and amortization	202,026			31,438			4,061		—			237,525
Taxes, other than income	162,377			15,568			3,128		—			181,073
Asset impairments	—			—			5,288		—			5,288
Total operating expenses	718,282			118,527			42,174		(1,484		)	877,499
Operating income	304,461			128,824			12,950		5			446,240
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(12,657		)	(1,051		)	1,035		(1,971		)	(14,644		)
Interest charges	110,642			29,414			3,084		(1,966		)	141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	181,162			98,359			10,901		—			290,422
Income tax expense	57,314			35,300			5,612		—			98,226
Income from continuing operations	123,848			63,059			5,289		—			192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	18,172			—			—		—			18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	6,349			—			—		—			6,349
Net income	$	148,369		$	63,059		$	5,289	$	—		$	216,717
Capital expenditures	$	546,818		$	175,768		$	10,272	$	—		$	732,858

Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services

The following table summarizes our revenues by products and services for the fiscal year ended September 30.

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Regulated distribution revenues:
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,933,099	$	1,512,495	$	1,351,479
Commercial	876,042		661,930		587,651
Industrial	90,536		81,155		71,960
Public authority and other	64,779		60,557		54,334
Total gas sales revenues	2,964,456		2,316,137		2,065,424
Transportation revenues	64,049		55,938		53,924
Other gas revenues	27,707		22,343		25,028
Total regulated distribution revenues	3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Regulated pipeline revenues	92,166		89,011		92,604
Nonregulated revenues	1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Total operating revenues	$	4,940,916	$	3,875,460	$	3,436,162

Schedule of segment reporting balance sheet information, by segment

Balance sheet information at September 30, 2014 and 2013 by segment is presented in the following tables.

	September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,202,761	$	1,464,572	$	58,573		$	—		$	6,725,906
Investment in subsidiaries	952,171		—		(2,096		)	(950,075		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	33,303		—		8,955			—			42,258
Assets from risk management activities	23,102		—		22,725			—			45,827
Other current assets	490,408		14,009		526,161			(342,823		)	687,755
Intercompany receivables	790,442		—		—			(790,442		)	—
Total current assets	1,337,255		14,009		557,841			(1,133,265		)	775,840
Goodwill	574,816		132,502		34,711			—			742,029
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	13,038		—		—			—			13,038
Deferred charges and other assets	309,965		21,826		6,100			—			337,891
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,086,232	$	482,612	$	469,559		$	(952,171	)	$	3,086,232
Long-term debt	2,455,986		—		—			—			2,455,986
Total capitalization	5,542,218		482,612		469,559			(952,171		)	5,542,218
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	522,695		—		—			(326,000		)	196,695
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		—		—			—			1,730
Other current liabilities	559,765		24,790		142,397			(14,727		)	712,225
Intercompany payables	—		763,635		26,807			(790,442		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,084,190		788,425		169,204			(1,131,169		)	910,650
Deferred income taxes	913,260		361,688		11,668			—			1,286,616
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—		—			—			20,126
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387		—		—			—			445,387
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963		—		—			—			340,963
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,862		184		4,698			—			48,744
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704

	September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	4,719,873	$	1,249,767	$	61,015		$	—		$	6,030,655
Investment in subsidiaries	831,136		—		(2,096		)	(829,040		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	4,237		—		61,962			—			66,199
Assets from risk management activities	1,837		—		10,129			—			11,966
Other current assets	428,366		11,709		452,126			(293,233		)	598,968
Intercompany receivables	783,738		—		—			(783,738		)	—
Total current assets	1,218,178		11,709		524,217			(1,076,971		)	677,133
Goodwill	574,190		132,462		34,711			—			741,363
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	109,354		—		—			—			109,354
Deferred charges and other assets	347,687		19,227		8,849			—			375,763
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	2,580,409	$	396,421	$	434,715		$	(831,136	)	$	2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,671		—		—			—			2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,036,080		396,421		434,715			(831,136		)	5,036,080
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	645,984		—		—			(278,000		)	367,984
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,543		—		—			—			1,543
Other current liabilities	491,681		20,288		110,306			(13,316		)	608,959
Intercompany payables	—		712,768		70,970			(783,738		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,139,208		733,056		181,276			(1,075,054		)	978,486
Deferred income taxes	871,360		283,554		8,960			179			1,164,053
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	359,299		—		—			—			359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	358,787		—		—			—			358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	35,684		134		1,745			—			37,563
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268

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Income Taxes (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Current
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	631
State	5,527			8,178			6,888
Deferred
Federal	169,106			124,836			103,971
State	12,375			9,605			(13,237		)
Investment tax credits	(6		)	(20		)	(27		)
	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

Reconciliations of the provision for income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the reported provisions for income taxes from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 are set forth below:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Tax at statutory rate of 35%	$	166,887		$	130,655		$	101,648
Common stock dividends deductible for tax reporting	(2,307		)	(2,153		)	(2,096		)
State taxes (net of federal benefit)	11,636			11,559			(4,127		)
Change in valuation allowance	6,969			1,085			—
Other, net	3,817			1,453			2,801
Income tax expense	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant components of the deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit plans	$	116,157		$	115,970
Interest rate agreements	10,565			—
Net operating loss carryforwards	236,626			196,296
Charitable and other credit carryforwards	21,614			20,939
Other	28,849			38,013
Total deferred tax assets	413,811			371,218
Valuation allowance	(6,969		)	(1,085		)
Net deferred tax assets	406,842			370,133
Deferred tax liabilities:
Difference in net book value and net tax value of assets	(1,655,894		)	(1,445,450		)
Pension funding	(17,890		)	(23,480		)
Gas cost adjustments	(31,252		)	(19,182		)
Interest rate agreements	—			(21,726		)
Other	(37,173		)	(39,045		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,742,209		)	(1,548,883		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(1,335,367	)	$	(1,178,750	)
Deferred credits for rate regulated entities	$	(109	)	$	(51	)

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance of our unrecognized tax benefits:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning balance	$	4,158		$	2,817
Increase resulting from prior period tax positions	3,846			—
Increase resulting from current period tax positions	4,625			1,341
Unrecognized tax benefits - ending balance	12,629			4,158
Accrued interest and penalties	411			—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	13,040			4,158
Less: deferred federal and state income tax benefits	(4,564		)	(1,455		)
Total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year	$	8,476		$	2,703

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Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 396,887	$ 343,144
Actual return on plan assets	35,289	52,496
Employer contributions	27,110	32,745
Benefits paid	(24,519)	(25,073)
Divestitures	0	(6,425)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	434,767	396,887
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	106,413	77,072
Actual return on plan assets	14,003	13,432
Employer contributions	23,550	26,552
Plan participants' contributions	4,435	3,815
Benefits paid	(13,580)	(14,458)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	134,821	106,413
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	21,902	14,449
Benefits paid	(5,085)	(4,375)
Settlements	(16,817)	(10,074)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 0	$ 0

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Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax					$ 0	$ 8,203,000	$ 9,868,000
Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Disclosures Abstract
Operating revenues						37,962,000	114,703,000
Purchased gas cost						21,464,000	62,902,000
Gross profit						16,498,000	51,801,000
Operating expenses						5,858,000	24,174,000
Operating income						10,640,000	27,627,000
Discontinued Operations Miscellaneous Income Expense						548,000	611,000
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes						11,188,000	28,238,000
Income tax expense					0	3,986,000	10,066,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0	4,085,000	3,117,000	0	7,202,000	18,172,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	5,294,000	0	0	0	5,294,000	6,349,000
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations					0	12,496,000	24,521,000
Missouri, Illinois and Iowa [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation, Cash Price Received from Disposal of Discontinued Operation						128,000,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax						9,900,000
Georgia [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation, Cash Price Received from Disposal of Discontinued Operation					153,000,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax					$ 8,200,000

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$ 8,200,121		$ 7,446,272
Construction in progress	247,579		275,747
Total property, plant and equipment and construction in progress	8,447,700		7,722,019
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,721,794		1,691,364
Net property, plant and equipment	6,725,906	[1]	6,030,655	[1]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	42,258		66,199
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $23,992 in 2014 and $20,624 in 2013	343,400		301,992
Gas stored underground	278,917		244,741
Other current assets	111,265		64,201
Total current assets	775,840		677,133
Goodwill	742,029		741,363
Deferred charges and other assets	350,929		485,117
Total assets	8,594,704		7,934,268
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2014 — 100,388,092 shares, 2013 — 90,640,211 shares	502		453
Additional paid-in capital	2,180,151		1,765,811
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,393)		38,878
Retained earnings	917,972		775,267
Shareholders' equity	3,086,232		2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,986		2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,542,218		5,036,080
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	311,604		241,611
Other current liabilities	402,351		368,891
Short-term debt	196,695		367,984
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Total current liabilities	910,650		978,486
Deferred income taxes	1,286,616		1,164,053
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387		359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963		358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	68,870		37,563
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	$ 8,594,704		$ 7,934,268

[1] Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is presented below. The sum of net income per share by quarter may not equal the net income per share for the fiscal year due to variations in the weighted average shares outstanding used in computing such amounts. Our businesses are seasonal due to weather conditions in our service areas. For further information on its effects on quarterly results, see the “Results of Operations” discussion included in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section herein.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2014:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	843,865		$	1,290,960		$	517,707		$	409,014
Regulated pipeline	71,341			73,615			87,189			86,314
Nonregulated	447,721			757,683			465,033			396,855
Intersegment eliminations	(107,779		)	(157,936		)	(127,211		)	(113,455		)
	1,255,148			1,964,322			942,718			778,728
Gross profit	388,957			496,277			359,533			337,659
Operating income	170,720			250,080			106,605			83,944
Net income	87,016			133,367			45,721			23,713
Net income per share — basic	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2013:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	666,787		$	905,176		$	467,144		$	360,386
Regulated pipeline	60,681			61,848			74,041			72,330
Nonregulated	399,894			428,948			421,808			337,264
Intersegment eliminations	(93,207		)	(86,976		)	(105,058		)	(95,606		)
	1,034,155			1,308,996			857,935			674,374
Gross profit	362,362			432,751			316,497			300,440
Operating income	154,922			210,178			86,396			50,383
Income from continuing operations	77,348			112,340			33,474			7,536
Income from discontinued operations	3,117			4,085			—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			—			5,294			—
Net income	80,465			116,425			38,768			7,536
Basic earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.24		$	0.37		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.04		0.04			$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — basic	$	0.89		$	1.28		$	0.43		$	0.08
Diluted earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.23		$	0.36		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.03		$	0.04		$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.88		$	1.27		$	0.42		$	0.08

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 289,817	$ 243,194	$ 216,717
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $1,199, $(186) and $1,881	2,214	(213)	3,103
Amortization and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $(32,353), $47,236 and $(5,388)	(56,287)	82,179	(10,116)
Net unrealized gains on commodity cash flow hedges, net of tax of $1,791, $2,889 and $5,029	2,802	4,519	7,866
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(51,271)	86,485	853
Total comprehensive income	$ 238,546	$ 329,679	$ 217,570

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 02, 2014	Jan. 25, 2013	Dec. 09, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 Mid-Tex Division [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Mid-Tex Division [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Mid-Tex Division [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Nonregulated Segment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Nonregulated Segment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Nonregulated Segment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Inventories Under Indexed Contracts [Member] Mid-Tex Division [Member] MMcf	Sep. 30, 2014 Inventories Under Indexed Contracts [Member] Nonregulated Segment [Member] MMcf	Sep. 30, 2014 Inventories Under Fixed Price Contracts [Member] Nonregulated Segment [Member] MMcf
Loss Contingency Information About Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Description of Pending Litigation				Beginning in April 2009, Atmos Energy and two subsidiaries of AEH, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM) and Atmos Gathering Company, LLC (AGC) (collectively, the Atmos Entities), were involved in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky related to our Park City Gathering Project. The dispute which gave rise to the litigation involves the amount of royalties due from a third party producer to landowners (who own the mineral rights) for natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties. The third party producer was operating pursuant to leases between the landowners and certain investors/working interest owners. The third party producer filed a petition in bankruptcy, which was subsequently dismissed due to the lack of meaningful assets to reorganize or liquidate. Although certain Atmos Energy companies entered into contracts with the third party producer to gather, treat and ultimately sell natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties, no Atmos Energy company had a contractual relationship with the landowners or the investors/working interest owners. After the lawsuit was filed, the landowners were successful in terminating for non-payment of royalties the leases related to the production of natural gas from their properties. Subsequent to termination, the investors/working interest owners under such leases filed additional claims against us for the termination of the leases. During the trial, the landowners and the investors/working interest owners requested an award of compensatory damages plus punitive damages against us. On December 17, 2010, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the landowners and investor/working interest owners and awarded compensatory damages of $3.8 million and punitive damages of $27.5 million payable by Atmos Energy and the two AEH subsidiaries. A hearing was held on February 28, 2011 to hear a number of motions, including a motion to dismiss the jury verdict and a motion for a new trial. The motions to dismiss the jury verdict and for a new trial were denied. However, the total punitive damages award was reduced from $27.5 million to $24.7 million. On October 17, 2011, we filed our brief of appellants with the Kentucky Court of Appeals (Court), appealing the verdict of the trial court. The appellees in this case subsequently filed their appellees’ brief with the Court on January 16, 2012, with our reply brief being filed with the Court on March 19, 2012. Oral arguments were held in the case on August 27, 2012. In an opinion handed down on January 25, 2013, the Court of Appeals overturned the $28.5 million jury verdict returned against the Atmos Entities. In a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel, the Court of Appeals reversed the claims asserted by the landowners and investors/working interest owners. The Court of Appeals concluded that all of such claims that the Atmos Entities appealed should have been dismissed by the trial court as a matter of law. The Court of Appeals let stand the jury verdict on one claim that Atmos Energy and our subsidiaries chose not to appeal, which was a trespass claim. The jury had awarded a total of $10,000 in compensatory damages to one landowner on that claim. The Court of Appeals vacated all of the other damages awarded by the jury and remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial, solely on the issue of whether punitive damages should be awarded to that landowner and, if so, in what amount.The investors/working interest owners, on February 25, 2013, and the landowners, on March 19, 2013, each filed with the Supreme Court of Kentucky, separate motions for discretionary review of the opinion of the Court of Appeals. We filed a response to the motion filed by the investors/working owners on March 27, 2013 and to the landowners’ motion on April 17, 2013. The Kentucky Supreme Court denied the motions for discretionary review on February 12, 2014 and the decision of the Court of Appeals became final on February 21, 2014.  We had previously accrued what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. This accrual was reversed during the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2014 as the appellate process in this case had been completed. Atmos Energy had also filed a motion with the trial court, the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky, on March 10, 2014, seeking a ruling that the remaining landowner was not entitled to any punitive damages on the sole remaining claim of trespass.  On May 19, 2014, the Edmonson County Circuit Court entered judgment dismissing any claim for punitive damages relating to the trespass claim. There was no appeal of this judgment. The lawsuit in Edmonson County has now been fully resolved.In addition, in a related matter, on July 12, 2011, the Atmos Entities filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Atmos Energy Corporation et al.vs. Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and Robert Thorpe and John F. Charles, against the third party producer and its affiliates to recover all costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Atmos Entities, which are associated with the defense and appeal of the case discussed above as well as for all damages awarded to the plaintiffs in such case against the Atmos Entities. The total amount of damages being claimed in the lawsuit is about $3.5 million, plus interest that continues to accrue. This lawsuit is based upon the indemnification provisions agreed to by the third party producer in favor of Atmos Gathering that are contained in an agreement entered into between Atmos Gathering and the third party producer in May 2009. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case on August 25, 2011, with Atmos Energy filing a brief in response to such motion on September 19, 2011. On March 27, 2012 the court denied the motion to dismiss. Atmos Energy filed a motion for partial summary judgment against the defendants with the District Court on July 15, 2014 and filed an Amended Complaint on July 18, 2014. On August 28, 2014, the court entered an order authorizing the withdrawal of the lawyer representing the estate of Robert Thorpe, giving the Thorpe Estate until October 2, 2014 to engage a new lawyer. On September 29, 2014, Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and John Charles, individually, entered into an agreed-upon judgment in favor of the Atmos Entities in the amount of $3.6 million, which resolved all claims by the Atmos Entities against those defendants and which dismissed with prejudice all counterclaims against the Atmos Entities. That judgment was settled with the Atmos Entities for $15,000, based on information obtained in discovery that showed those defendants lacked the ability to pay. The only claims remaining in the case are the Atmos Entities’ claims against the Thorpe Estate. The Thorpe Estate has not responded to the motion for partial summary judgment or the amended complaint. In a hearing held on October 7, 2014, the court was advised that the Thorpe Estate was insolvent and without funds to hire another attorney. The court has entered an order to show cause setting the case for a hearing on December 3, 2014 and indicated that if the Thorpe Estate fails to appear, an order of default will be entered.
Loss Contingency, Compensatory Damages Awarded, Value		$ 10,000
Litigation Settlement, Amount				3,600,000
Litigation Settlement, Judgment Amount Settled				15,000
Business License Tax [Abstract]
Business License Tax Examination, Description				Atmos Energy, through its affiliate, AEM, has been involved in a dispute with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) regarding sales business tax audits over a period of several years. The cumulative assessment approximated $12 million as of March 31, 2014, which AEM challenged. We had previously accrued in prior years what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. With respect to certain issues, AEM and the TDOR filed competing Partial Motions for Summary Judgment with the Chancery Court. On August 2, 2013, the Chancery Court granted the TDOR's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment and denied AEM's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment. An agreed order of dismissal with prejudice between AEM and TDOR was approved by the Chancery Court and entered on May 2, 2014, whereby AEM agreed to pay $6.2 million to TDOR to resolve all business tax-related liabilities outstanding through September 2014. The State of Tennessee also passed related legislation, effective July 1, 2014, that should help minimize any disputes over this type of sales business tax in the future.
Business License Tax Examination, Settlement Amount	6,200,000
Long Term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long Term Purchase Commitment Minimum Quantity Required Within One Year											49,700	111,500	7,800
Long Term Purchase Commitment Minimum Quantity Required One To Three Years											69,800	19,800
Long Term Purchase Commitment Minimum Quantity Required After Three Years												500
Purchase Commitment Amount Minimum													1.96
Purchase Commitment Amount Maximum													4.49
Significant Purchase Commitment, Amount					140,900,000	89,000,000	72,200,000	1,687,500,000	1,246,100,000	978,800,000
Estimated Contractual Demand Fees [Abstract]
2015				7,426,000
2016				2,117,000
2017				1,437,000
2018				773,000
2019				143,000
Thereafter				214,000
Total Estimated Contractual Demand Fees				12,110,000
Loss Contingency, Settlement [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Civil Penalty Paid to United States Treasury			6,400,000
Loss Contingency, Civil Penalty Paid to Energy Assistance Programs			$ 5,600,000

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Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not Yet Recognized And Recorded as Regulatory Assets

The amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost that have been recorded as regulatory assets are as follows:

	Defined Benefits Plans			Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans		Postretirement Plans			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	354		$	354
Unrecognized prior service credit	(1,927		)	—		(6,168		)	(8,095		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	109,767			34,447		7,531			151,745
	$	107,840		$	34,447	$	1,717		$	144,004
September 30, 2013
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	628		$	628
Unrecognized prior service credit	(91		)	—		(5,961		)	(6,052		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	108,621			31,466		35,961			176,048
	$	108,530		$	31,466	$	30,628		$	170,624

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets

The following table presents asset allocation information for the Master Trust as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

	Targeted Allocation  Range	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class		2014		2013
Domestic equities	35%-55%	51.9	%	46.5	%
International equities	10%-20%	15.3	%	16.1	%
Fixed income	10%-30%	9.7	%	14.9	%
Company stock	5%-15%	12.9	%	12.6	%
Other assets	5%-15%	10.2	%	9.9	%

Schedule of Assumptions Used for Employee Pension Plans

These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.75	%	7.75	%

Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations and Funded Status for Employee Pension Plans

The following table presents the Plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	466,182		$	446,133
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	455,799		$	480,031
Service cost	15,345			17,754
Interest cost	22,330			19,334
Actuarial (gain) loss	26,611			(29,822		)
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Plan amendments	(1,972		)	—
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	493,594			455,799
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	396,887			343,144
Actual return on plan assets	35,289			52,496
Employer contributions	27,110			32,745
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	434,767			396,887
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(58,827		)	(58,912		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Net amount recognized	$	(58,827	)	$	(58,912	)

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost Table for Employee Pension Plans

Net periodic pension cost for the Plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	15,345		$	17,754		$	15,084
Interest cost	22,330			19,334			21,568
Expected return on assets	(23,601		)	(22,955		)	(21,474		)
Amortization of prior service credit	(136		)	(141		)	(141		)
Recognized actuarial loss	13,777			19,066			14,451
Net periodic pension cost	$	27,715		$	33,058		$	29,488

Schedule of Employee Pension Plans Investments at Fair Value

In addition to the assets shown below, the Master Trust had net accounts receivable of $2.7 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013 which materially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets.

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	155,107	$	—	$	—	$	155,107
Money market funds	—		11,226		—		11,226
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	63,850		—		—		63,850
International funds	48,134		—		—		48,134
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		61,208		—		61,208
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		12,520		—		12,520
U.S. treasuries	3,117		562		—		3,679
Corporate bonds	—		25,734		—		25,734
Limited partnerships	—		50,496		—		50,496
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	270,208	$	161,746	$	155	$	432,109

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	143,543	$	—	$	—	$	143,543
Money market funds	—		12,266		—		12,266
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	30,200		—		—		30,200
International funds	47,036		—		—		47,036
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		57,627		—		57,627
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		18,446		—		18,446
U.S. treasuries	4,117		663		—		4,780
Corporate bonds	—		35,012		—		35,012
Limited partnerships	—		47,417		—		47,417
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	224,896	$	171,431	$	155	$	396,482

Schedule of Assumptions Used for Supplemental Plans

The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013			2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	(1)	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%		3.50	%

⁽¹⁾ The discount rate for the supplemental plans increased from 4.04% to 4.21% effective April 1, 2013 due to a settlement loss recorded in fiscal 2013.

Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations and Funded Status for Supplemental Plans

The following table presents the supplemental plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	106,276		$	109,817
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	117,080		$	130,186
Service cost	3,607			3,039
Interest cost	4,966			4,755
Actuarial (gain) loss	9,468			(6,451		)
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	113,219			117,080
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	—			—
Employer contribution	21,902			14,449
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	—			—
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(113,219		)	(117,080		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued pension cost	$	(113,219	)	$	(117,080	)

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost Table for Supplemental Plans

Net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	3,607	$	3,039	$	2,108
Interest cost	4,966		4,755		5,142
Amortization of transition asset	—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—		—		—
Recognized actuarial loss	1,948		2,918		2,118
Settlements	4,539		3,160		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	15,060	$	13,872	$	9,368

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments for our defined benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years:

	Pension Plans		Supplemental Plans
	(In thousands)
2015	$	33,592	$	11,381
2016	32,811		4,617
2017	33,131		17,260
2018	33,501		14,772
2019	34,846		7,675
2020-2024	182,998		32,843

Schedule of Allocation of Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

The following table presents asset allocation information for the postretirement benefit plan assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class	2014		2013
Diversified investment funds	99.7	%	96.8	%
Cash and cash equivalents	0.3	%	3.2	%

Schedule of Assumptions Used for Postretirement Benefit Plan

The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for our postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Postretirement Liability				Postretirement Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Expected return on plan assets	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.70	%	5.00	%
Initial trend rate	7.50	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%
Ultimate trend rate	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%
Ultimate trend reached in	2020		2020		2020		2019		2018

Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations and Funded Status for Postretirement Benefit Plan

The following table presents the postretirement plan’s benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	312,148		$	308,315
Service cost	16,784			18,800
Interest cost	15,951			12,964
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Actuarial (gain) loss	(18,963		)	(13,801		)
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Plan amendments	(1,657		)	—
Divestitures	—			(3,487		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	315,118			312,148
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	106,413			77,072
Actual return on plan assets	14,003			13,432
Employer contributions	23,550			26,552
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	134,821			106,413
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(180,297		)	(205,735		)
Unrecognized transition obligation	—			—
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued postretirement cost	$	(180,297	)	$	(205,735	)

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost Table for Postretirement Benefit Plan

Net periodic postretirement cost for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the components presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic postretirement cost:
Service cost	$	16,784		$	18,800		$	16,353
Interest cost	15,951			12,964			13,861
Expected return on assets	(5,167		)	(3,988		)	(2,607		)
Amortization of transition obligation	274			1,081			1,511
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,450		)	(1,450		)	(1,450		)
Recognized actuarial loss	631			4,196			2,648
Net periodic postretirement cost	$	27,023		$	31,603		$	30,316

Assumed Heath Care Cost Effect on Postretirement Benefit Plan Cost

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the latest actuarial calculations:

	One-Percentage Point Increase		One-Percentage Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	4,533	$	(3,700	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	40,922	$	(34,169	)

Schedule of Postretirement Benefit Plans Investments at Fair Value

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	434	$	—	$	434
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	11,398		—		—		11,398
International funds	122,989		—		—		122,989
Total investments at fair value	$	134,387	$	434	$	—	$	134,821

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	3,356	$	—	$	3,356
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	9,614		—		—		9,614
International funds	93,443		—		—		93,443
Total investments at fair value	$	103,057	$	3,356	$	—	$	106,413

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments for Postretirement Benefit Plan

The following benefit payments paid by us, retirees and prescription drug subsidy payments for our postretirement benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years. Company payments for fiscal 2015 include contributions to our postretirement plan trusts.

	Company Payments		Retiree Payments		Subsidy Payments		Total Postretirement Benefits
	(In thousands)
2015	$	22,177	$	3,582	$	—	$	25,759
2016	15,008		4,615		—		19,623
2017	17,551		5,796		—		23,347
2018	19,660		7,148		—		26,808
2019	21,302		8,549		—		29,851
2020-2024	127,741		63,524		—		191,265

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Financial Instruments Commodity Contract Volumes (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014 MMcf
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	31,812
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	31,812
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	135,703
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	96,711
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	(10,298)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Commodity Contract Outstanding Volumes [Line Items]
Investment Contract Volume	49,290

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Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our regulated and nonregulated businesses. Currently, we utilize financial instruments in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments. We currently do not manage commodity price risk with financial instruments in our regulated pipeline segment.

Our financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when our financial instruments are in net liability positions.

As discussed in Note 2, we report our financial instruments as risk management assets and liabilities, each of which is classified as current or noncurrent based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument. The following table shows the fair values of our risk management assets and liabilities by segment at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Assets from risk management activities, current(1)	$	23,102		$	22,725	$	45,827
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	13,038			—		13,038
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(1)	(1,730		)	—		(1,730		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(1)	(20,126		)	—		(20,126		)
Net assets	$	14,284		$	22,725	$	37,009
September 30, 2013
Assets from risk management activities, current(2)	$	1,837		$	10,129	$	11,966
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	109,354			—		109,354
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(2)	(1,543		)	—		(1,543		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(2)	—			—		—
Net assets	$	109,648		$	10,129	$	119,777

⁽¹⁾  Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽²⁾  Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Regulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

Although our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our regulated distribution segment from commodity price risk, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season.

Our regulated distribution gas supply department is responsible for executing this segment’s commodity risk management activities in conformity with regulatory requirements. In jurisdictions where we are permitted to mitigate commodity price risk through financial instruments, the relevant regulatory authorities may establish the level of heating season gas purchases that can be hedged. Historically, if the regulatory authority does not establish this level, we seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2013-2014 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 32 percent, or approximately 24.8 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements at a weighted average cost of approximately $4.02 per Mcf. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges.

Nonregulated Commodity Risk Management Activities

In our nonregulated operations, we buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices by aggregating and purchasing gas supply, arranging transportation and storage logistics and effectively managing commodity price risk.

As a result of these activities, our nonregulated segment is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. We manage our exposure to such risks through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Future contracts provide the right to buy or sell the commodity at a fixed price in the future. Option contracts provide the right, but not the requirement, to buy or sell the commodity at a fixed price. Swap contracts require receipt of payment for the commodity based on the difference between a fixed price and the market price on the settlement date.

We use financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at index prices, to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with deliveries under fixed-priced forward contracts to deliver gas to customers. These financial instruments have maturity dates ranging from one to 61 months. We use financial instruments, designated as fair value hedges, to hedge natural gas inventory used in these operations. We also use storage and basis swaps, futures and various over-the-counter and exchange-traded options primarily to protect the economic value of our fixed price and storage books. These financial instruments have not been designated as hedges.

Our nonregulated risk management activities are controlled through various risk management policies and procedures. Our Audit Committee has oversight responsibility for our nonregulated risk management limits and policies. A risk committee, comprised of corporate and business unit officers, is responsible for establishing and enforcing our nonregulated risk management policies and procedures.

Under our risk management policies, we seek to match our financial instrument positions to our physical storage positions as well as our expected current and future sales and purchase obligations in order to maintain no open positions at the end of each trading day. The determination of our net open position as of any day, however, requires us to make assumptions as to future circumstances, including the use of gas by our customers in relation to our anticipated storage and market positions. Because the price risk associated with any net open position at the end of each day may increase if the assumptions are not realized, we review these assumptions as part of our daily monitoring activities. Our operations can also be affected by intraday fluctuations of gas prices, since the price of natural gas purchased or sold for future delivery earlier in the day may not be hedged until later in the day. At times, limited net open positions related to our existing and anticipated commitments may occur. At the close of business on September 30, 2014, our nonregulated segment had net open positions (including existing storage and related financial contracts) of 0.1 Bcf.

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We periodically manage interest rate risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and prior to fiscal 2012, Treasury lock agreements, to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

In October 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with the anticipated issuance of $500 million and $250 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2017, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed. In fiscal 2014, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to effectively fix the Treasury yield component associated with $400 million of the anticipated issuance of $450 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2019, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses associated with the forward starting interest rate swaps will be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the forward starting interest rate swaps settle, the realized gain or loss will be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred, will be reported as a component of interest expense.

In August 2011, we entered into three Treasury lock agreements to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with $350 million out of a total $500 million of senior notes that were issued on January 11, 2013. We designated these Treasury locks as cash flow hedges. The Treasury locks were settled on January 8, 2013 with a payment of $66.6 million to the counterparties due to a decrease in the 30-year Treasury rates between inception of the Treasury locks and settlement. Because the Treasury locks were effective, the $66.6 million unrealized loss was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and is being recognized as a component of interest expense over the 30-year life of the senior notes.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 we entered into an interest rate swap to fix the LIBOR component of our $260 million short-term financing facility through December 27, 2012. We recorded an immaterial loss upon settlement of the swap, which was recorded as a component of interest expense as we did not designate the interest rate swap as a hedge.

In prior years, we entered into several Treasury lock agreements to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost of financing for various issuances of long-term debt and senior notes. The gains and losses realized upon settlement of these Treasury locks were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) when they were settled and are being recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated notes from the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for the settled Treasury locks extend through fiscal 2043.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our consolidated balance sheet and income statements.

As of September 30, 2014, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of September 30, 2014, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(10,298	)
	Cash Flow	—	49,290
	Not designated	31,812	96,711
		31,812	135,703

Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	8,912		$	(7,082	)
Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	21,869		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			757			(2,459		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	12,608		(19,835		)	—			—
Total		34,477		(19,835		)	9,669			(9,541		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,233		(1,730		)	43,677			(47,729		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	430		(291		)	15,677			(14,786		)
Total		1,663		(2,021		)	59,354			(62,515		)
Gross Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	69,023			(72,056		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(69,023		)	69,023
Net Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	—			(3,033		)
Cash collateral		—		—			22,725			3,033
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	36,140	$	(21,856	)	$	22,725		$	—

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	9,094		$	(12,173	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			416			(1,639		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	107,512		—			—			—
Total		107,512		—			9,510			(13,812		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,837		(1,543		)	65,388			(70,876		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,842		—			40,982			(45,892		)
Total		3,679		(1,543		)	106,370			(116,768		)
Gross Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	115,880			(130,580		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(115,875		)	115,875
Net Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	5			(14,705		)
Cash collateral		—		—			10,124			14,705
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	111,191	$	(1,543	)	$	10,129		$	—

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Income Statement

Hedge ineffectiveness for our nonregulated segment is recorded as a component of unrealized gross profit and primarily results from differences in the location and timing of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness could materially affect our results of operations for the reported period. For the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized a gain arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $1.9 million, $18.2 million and $23.1 million. Additional information regarding ineffectiveness recognized in the income statement is included in the tables below.

Fair Value Hedges

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our consolidated income statement for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	(792	)	$	2,165		$	30,266
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	2,486			15,938			(5,797		)
Total decrease in purchased gas cost	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469
The decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(919	)	$	(208	)	$	1,170
Timing ineffectiveness	2,613			18,311			23,299
	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469

Basis ineffectiveness arises from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Timing ineffectiveness arises due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity. As the commodity contract nears the settlement date, spot-to-forward price differences should converge, which should reduce or eliminate the impact of this ineffectiveness on purchased gas cost.

To the extent that the Company’s natural gas inventory does not qualify as a hedged item in a fair-value hedge, or has not been designated as such, the natural gas inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. During the year ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a $1.7 million charge to write down nonqualifying natural gas inventory to market. We did not record a writedown for nonqualifying natural gas inventory for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Cash Flow Hedges

The impact of cash flow hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Gain reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	8,365	$	8,365
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			198		198
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			8,563		8,563
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(4,230		)	—		(4,230		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(4,230	)	$	8,563	$	4,333

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(10,778	)	$	(10,778	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			97			97
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(10,681		)	(10,681		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(3,489		)	—			(3,489		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(3,489	)	$	(10,681	)	$	(14,170	)

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(62,678	)	$	(62,678	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(1,369		)	(1,369		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(64,047		)	(64,047		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(2,009		)	—			(2,009		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(2,009	)	$	(64,047	)	$	(66,056	)

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because these amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(58,973	)	$	79,963
Forward commodity contracts	7,904			(2,057		)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	2,686			2,216
Forward commodity contracts	(5,102		)	6,576
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,485	)	$	86,698

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized, while deferred losses associated with commodity contracts are recognized in earnings upon settlement. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2014. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of the interest rate agreements entered into in October 2012 and fiscal 2014 as those financial instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
2015	$	(804	)	$	(632	)	$	(1,436	)
2016	(634		)	(907		)	(1,541		)
2017	(735		)	(107		)	(842		)
2018	(936		)	(38		)	(974		)
2019	(961		)	10			(951		)
Thereafter	(23,609		)	—			(23,609		)
Total(1)	$	(27,679	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(29,353	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

The impact of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was an increase (decrease) in purchased gas cost of $(5.0) million, $3.0 million and $(2.5) million. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions associated with these financial instruments. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instruments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation.

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Stock and Other Compensation Plans (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of restricted stock activity

The following summarizes information regarding the restricted stock units granted under the plan during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	2014				2013				2012
	Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46	1,264,142		$	29.56
Granted	464,438		45.05		473,775		40.48		532,711		33.44
Vested	(524,532	)	32.67		(657,795	)	32.20		(494,308	)	26.32
Forfeited	(4,113	)	39.00		(25,718	)	33.42		(39,963	)	29.83
Nonvested at end of year	988,637		$	42.22	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2.

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and post-retirement plan assets. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 6.

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments

The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. As required under authoritative accounting literature, assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(2)			September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	36,140	$	—	$	—		$	36,140
Nonregulated segment	25		68,998		—		(46,298		)	22,725
Total financial instruments	25		105,138		—		(46,298		)	58,865
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	40,492		—		—		—			40,492
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		2,185		—		—			2,185
Registered investment companies	44,014		—		—		—			44,014
Bonds	—		33,414		—		—			33,414
Total available-for-sale securities	44,014		35,599		—		—			79,613
Total assets	$	84,531	$	140,737	$	—	$	(46,298	)	$	178,970
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	21,856	$	—	$	—		$	21,856
Nonregulated segment	12		72,044		—		(72,056		)	—
Total liabilities	$	12	$	93,900	$	—	$	(72,056	)	$	21,856

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral(3)			September 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	111,191	$	—	$	—		$	111,191
Nonregulated segment	745		115,135		—		(105,751		)	10,129
Total financial instruments	745		226,326		—		(105,751		)	121,320
Hedged portion of gas stored underground	44,758		—		—		—			44,758
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds	—		4,428		—		—			4,428
Registered investment companies	40,094		—		—		—			40,094
Bonds	—		28,160		—		—			28,160
Total available-for-sale securities	40,094		32,588		—		—			72,682
Total assets	$	85,597	$	258,914	$	—	$	(105,751	)	$	238,760
Liabilities:
Financial instruments
Regulated distribution segment	$	—	$	1,543	$	—	$	—		$	1,543
Nonregulated segment	158		130,422		—		(130,580		)	—
Total liabilities	$	158	$	131,965	$	—	$	(130,580	)	$	1,543

⁽¹⁾  Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

⁽²⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2014 we had $25.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽³⁾  This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. In addition, as of September 30, 2013 we had $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of September 30, 2014
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	26,633	$	10,136	$	—		$	36,769
Foreign equity mutual funds	5,382		1,863		—			7,245
Bonds	33,266		161		(13		)	33,414
Money market funds	2,185		—		—			2,185
	$	67,466	$	12,160	$	(13	)	$	79,613
As of September 30, 2013
Domestic equity mutual funds	$	27,043	$	7,476	$	(23	)	$	34,496
Foreign equity mutual funds	4,536		1,062		—			5,598
Bonds	28,016		168		(24		)	28,160
Money market funds	4,428		—		—			4,428
	$	64,023	$	8,706	$	(47	)	$	72,682

At September 30, 2014 and 2013, our available-for-sale securities included $46.2 million and $44.5 million related to assets held in separate rabbi trusts for our supplemental executive retirement plans as discussed in Note 6. At September 30, 2014 we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from October 2014 through September 2018. During the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized gains of $1.3 million and $2.2 million on the sale of certain assets in the rabbi trusts.

Other Fair Value Measures

In addition to the financial instruments above, we have several financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measures. These financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The nonfinancial assets and liabilities include asset retirement obligations and pension and post-retirement plan assets. We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt at carrying value. For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, we consider carrying value to materially approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

Atmos Gathering Company (AGC) owns and operates the Park City and Shrewsbury gathering systems in Kentucky. The Park City gathering system consists of a 23-mile low pressure pipeline and a nitrogen removal unit that was constructed in 2008. The Shrewsbury production, gathering and processing assets were acquired in 2008 at which time we sold the production assets to a third party. As a result of the sale of the production assets, we obtained a 10-year production payment note under which we were to be paid from future production generated from the assets.

As discussed in Note 10, AGC was involved in a lawsuit with the Park City gathering system. Due to the lawsuit and a low natural gas price environment, the assets have generated operating losses. As a result of these developments and management’s decision to focus our nonregulated operations on delivered gas and transportation services, in fiscal 2012, we performed an impairment assessment of these assets and determined the assets to be impaired. We reduced the carrying value of the assets to their estimated fair value of approximately $0.5 million and recorded a pre-tax noncash impairment loss of approximately $5.3 million. We used a combination of a market and income approach in a weighted average discounted cash flow analysis that included significant inputs such as our weighted average cost of capital and assumptions regarding future natural gas prices. This is a Level 3 fair value measurement because the inputs used are unobservable. Based on this analysis, we determined the assets to be impaired.

Our debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2014:

	September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	2,460,000
Fair Value	$	2,769,541

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	$ 38,878	$ (47,607)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(48,060)	79,068
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(3,211)	7,417
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(51,271)	86,485	853
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(12,393)	38,878	(47,607)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	5,448	5,661
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3,009	1,162
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(795)	(1,375)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,214	(213)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	7,662	5,448
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Interest Rate Hedges [Member] [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	37,906	(44,273)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(58,973)	79,963
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,686	2,216
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(56,287)	82,179
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(18,381)	37,906
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges [Member] [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	(4,476)	(8,995)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	7,904	(2,057)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(5,102)	6,576
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,802	4,519
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	$ (1,674)	$ (4,476)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax	$ 1,199	$ (186)	$ 1,881
Amortization and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate agreements, tax	(32,353)	47,236	(5,388)
Unrealized gains (losses) on commodity cash flow hedges, tax	$ 1,791	$ 2,889	$ 5,029

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICALS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 23,992	$ 20,624
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Common Stock, Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	100,388,092	90,640,211

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Stock and Other Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock and Other Compensation Plans

Stock and Other Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Total stock-based compensation expense was $25.5 million, $17.8 million and $19.2 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, primarily related to restricted stock costs.

1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In August 1998, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which became effective in October 1998 after approval by our shareholders. The LTIP is a comprehensive, long-term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire common stock.

As of September 30, 2014, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 8.7 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. As of September 30, 2014, non-qualified stock options, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units had been issued under this plan, and 845,139 shares were available for future issuance.

Restricted Stock Unit Award Grants

As noted above, the LTIP provides for discretionary awards of restricted stock units to help attract, retain and reward employees of Atmos Energy and its subsidiaries. Certain of these awards vest based upon the passage of time and other awards vest based upon the passage of time and the achievement of specified performance targets. The fair value of the awards granted is based on the market price of our stock at the date of grant. The associated expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period.

Employees who are granted time-lapse restricted stock units under our LTIP have a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents that are paid at the same rate at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Time-lapse restricted stock units contain only a service condition that the employee recipients render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the date of grant, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions). There are no performance conditions required to be met for employees to be vested in time-lapse restricted stock units.

Employees who are granted performance-based restricted stock units under our LTIP have a forfeitable right to dividend equivalents that accrue at the same rate at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Dividend equivalents on the performance-based restricted stock units are paid in the form of shares upon the vesting of the award. Performance-based restricted stock units contain a service condition that the employee recipients render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the beginning of the applicable three-year performance period, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions) and a performance condition based on a cumulative earnings per share target amount.

The following summarizes information regarding the restricted stock units granted under the plan during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	2014				2013				2012
	Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Number of Restricted Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46	1,264,142		$	29.56
Granted	464,438		45.05		473,775		40.48		532,711		33.44
Vested	(524,532	)	32.67		(657,795	)	32.20		(494,308	)	26.32
Forfeited	(4,113	)	39.00		(25,718	)	33.42		(39,963	)	29.83
Nonvested at end of year	988,637		$	42.22	1,052,844		$	36.20	1,262,582		$	32.46

As of September 30, 2014, there was $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested time-lapse restricted stock units granted under the LTIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The fair value of restricted stock vested during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $17.1 million, $21.2 million and $13.0 million.

Other Plans

Direct Stock Purchase Plan

We maintain a Direct Stock Purchase Plan, open to all investors, which allows participants to have all or part of their cash dividends paid quarterly in additional shares of our common stock. The minimum initial investment required to join the plan is $1,250. Direct Stock Purchase Plan participants may purchase additional shares of our common stock as often as weekly with voluntary cash payments of at least $25, up to an annual maximum of $100,000.

Outside Directors Stock-For-Fee Plan

In November 1994, the Board of Directors adopted the Outside Directors Stock-for-Fee Plan, which was approved by our shareholders in February 1995. The plan permits non-employee directors to receive all or part of their annual retainer and meeting fees in stock rather than in cash. This plan was terminated by the Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2014, when the LTIP was amended to incorporate substantially all of its provisions.

Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

In November 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which was approved by our shareholders in February 1999. This plan amended the Atmos Energy Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors adopted by the Company in May 1990 and replaced the pension payable under our Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The plan provides non-employee directors of Atmos Energy with the opportunity to defer receipt, until retirement, of compensation for services rendered to the Company and invest deferred compensation into either a cash account or a stock account.

Other Discretionary Compensation Plans

We have an annual incentive program covering substantially all employees to give each employee an opportunity to share in our financial success based on the achievement of key performance measures considered critical to achieving business objectives for a given year with minimum and maximum thresholds. The Company must meet the minimum threshold for the plan to be funded and distributed to employees. These performance measures may include earnings growth objectives, improved cash flow objectives or crucial customer satisfaction and safety results. We monitor progress towards the achievement of the performance measures throughout the year and record accruals based upon the expected payout using the best estimates available at the time the accrual is recorded. During the last several fiscal years, we have used earnings per share as our sole performance measure.

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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Atmos Energy Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000731802
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		100,393,038
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 4,659,809,695

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Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Details Of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions Disclosure [Abstract]

Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions

Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions

The following tables provide additional information regarding the composition of certain of our balance sheet captions.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable was comprised of the following at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Billed accounts receivable	$	262,937		$	230,712
Unbilled revenue	62,484			58,710
Other accounts receivable	41,971			33,194
Total accounts receivable	367,392			322,616
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(23,992		)	(20,624		)
Net accounts receivable	$	343,400		$	301,992

Other current assets

Other current assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Assets from risk management activities	$	45,827	$	11,966
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Taxes receivable	5,481		3,141
Prepaid expenses	25,039		21,666
Materials and supplies	5,704		5,511
Other	9,145		6,765
Total	$	111,265	$	64,201

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Production plant	$	4,821		$	5,020
Storage plant	275,579			262,246
Transmission plant	1,622,846			1,362,662
Distribution plant	5,522,794			5,061,711
General plant	735,223			716,189
Intangible plant	38,858			38,444
	8,200,121			7,446,272
Construction in progress	247,579			275,747
	8,447,700			7,722,019
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,721,794		)	(1,691,364		)
Net property, plant and equipment(1)	$	6,725,906		$	6,030,655

⁽¹⁾   Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(76.4) million and $(83.8) million at September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Goodwill

The following presents our goodwill balance allocated by segment and changes in the balance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014:

	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	574,190	$	132,462	$	34,711	$	741,363
Deferred tax adjustments on prior acquisitions(1)	626		40		—		666
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	574,816	$	132,502	$	34,711	$	742,029

⁽¹⁾  We annually adjust certain deferred taxes recorded in connection with acquisitions completed in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2004, which resulted in an increase to goodwill and net deferred tax liabilities of $0.7 million for fiscal 2014.

Deferred charges and other assets

Deferred charges and other assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Marketable securities	$	79,613	$	72,682
Regulatory assets	230,240		273,287
Deferred financing costs	13,698		15,199
Assets from risk management activities	13,038		109,354
Other	14,340		14,595
Total	$	350,929	$	485,117

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts payable	$	77,860	$	70,116
Accrued gas payable	179,425		121,202
Accrued liabilities	54,319		50,293
Total	$	311,604	$	241,611

Other current liabilities

Other current liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer credit balances and deposits	$	82,085	$	76,313
Accrued employee costs	46,445		54,034
Deferred gas costs	35,063		16,481
Accrued interest	36,768		36,744
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		1,543
Taxes payable	77,601		66,960
Pension and postretirement obligations	11,380		22,940
Current deferred tax liability	48,751		14,697
Regulatory cost of removal accrual	45,061		68,225
Other	17,467		10,954
Total	$	402,351	$	368,891

Deferred credits and other liabilities

Deferred credits and other liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were comprised of the following accounts.

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Customer advances for construction	$	9,883	$	11,723
Regulatory liabilities	4,472		1,123
Asset retirement obligation	10,508		6,764
Liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—
Other	23,881		17,953
Total	$	68,870	$	37,563

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	$ 778,728	$ 942,718	$ 1,964,322	$ 1,255,148	$ 674,374	$ 857,935	$ 1,308,996	$ 1,034,155	$ 4,940,916	$ 3,875,460	$ 3,436,162
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost									3,358,490	2,463,410	2,112,423
Gross profit	337,659	359,533	496,277	388,957	300,440	316,497	432,751	362,362	1,582,426	1,412,050	1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance									505,154	488,020	453,613
Depreciation and amortization									253,987	235,079	237,525
Taxes, other than income									211,936	187,072	181,073
Asset impairments									0	0	5,288
Total operating expenses									971,077	910,171	877,499
Operating income	83,944	106,605	250,080	170,720	50,383	86,396	210,178	154,922	611,349	501,879	446,240
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									(5,235)	(197)	(14,644)
Interest charges									129,295	128,385	141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									476,819	373,297	290,422
Income tax expense									187,002	142,599	98,226
Income from continuing operations					7,536	33,474	112,340	77,348	289,817	230,698	192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax					0	0	4,085	3,117	0	7,202	18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax					0	5,294	0	0	0	5,294	6,349
Net income	23,713	45,721	133,367	87,016	7,536	38,768	116,425	80,465	289,817	243,194	216,717
Income per share from continuing operations - basic (usd per share)					$ 0.08	$ 0.37	$ 1.24	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.54	$ 2.12
Income per share from discontinued operations - basic (usd per share)					$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — basic (usd per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.43	$ 1.28	$ 0.89	$ 2.96	$ 2.68	$ 2.39
Income per share from continuing operations - diluted (usd per share)					$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 1.23	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.50	$ 2.10
Income per share from discontinued operations - diluted (usd per share)					$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 1.27	$ 0.88	$ 2.96	$ 2.64	$ 2.37
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)									97,606	90,533	90,150
Diluted (shares)									97,608	91,711	91,172
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	409,014	517,707	1,290,960	843,865	360,386	467,144	905,176	666,787	3,061,546	2,399,493	2,145,330
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost									1,885,031	1,318,257	1,122,587
Gross profit									1,176,515	1,081,236	1,022,743
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance									387,228	375,188	353,879
Depreciation and amortization									208,376	195,581	202,026
Taxes, other than income									196,343	167,374	162,377
Asset impairments											0
Total operating expenses									791,947	738,143	718,282
Operating income									384,568	343,093	304,461
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									(381)	2,535	(12,657)
Interest charges									94,918	98,296	110,642
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									289,269	247,332	181,162
Income tax expense									117,684	96,476	57,314
Income from continuing operations										150,856	123,848
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										7,202	18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										5,649	6,349
Net income									171,585	163,707	148,369
Regulated Pipeline Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	86,314	87,189	73,615	71,341	72,330	74,041	61,848	60,681	318,459	268,900	247,351
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost									0	0	0
Gross profit									318,459	268,900	247,351
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance									91,466	76,686	71,521
Depreciation and amortization									41,031	35,302	31,438
Taxes, other than income									13,143	17,059	15,568
Asset impairments											0
Total operating expenses									145,640	129,047	118,527
Operating income									172,819	139,853	128,824
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									(3,181)	(2,285)	(1,051)
Interest charges									36,280	30,678	29,414
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									133,358	106,890	98,359
Income tax expense									47,167	38,630	35,300
Income from continuing operations										68,260	63,059
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										0
Net income									86,191	68,260	63,059
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	396,855	465,033	757,683	447,721	337,264	421,808	428,948	399,894	2,067,292	1,587,914	1,348,982
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost									1,979,337	1,524,583	1,293,858
Gross profit									87,955	63,331	55,124
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance									26,963	37,569	29,697
Depreciation and amortization									4,580	4,196	4,061
Taxes, other than income									2,450	2,639	3,128
Asset impairments											5,288
Total operating expenses									33,993	44,404	42,174
Operating income									53,962	18,927	12,950
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									2,216	2,316	1,035
Interest charges									1,986	2,168	3,084
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									54,192	19,075	10,901
Income tax expense									22,151	7,493	5,612
Income from continuing operations										11,582	5,289
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										(355)
Net income									32,041	11,227	5,289
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues	(113,455)	(127,211)	(157,936)	(107,779)	(95,606)	(105,058)	(86,976)	(93,207)	(506,381)	(380,847)	(305,501)
Purchased gas cost
Purchased gas cost									(505,878)	(379,430)	(304,022)
Gross profit									(503)	(1,417)	(1,479)
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance									(503)	(1,423)	(1,484)
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Taxes, other than income									0	0	0
Asset impairments											0
Total operating expenses									(503)	(1,423)	(1,484)
Operating income									0	6	5
Miscellaneous income (expense), net									(3,889)	(2,763)	(1,971)
Interest charges									(3,889)	(2,757)	(1,966)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									0	0	0
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Income from continuing operations										0	0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax										0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax										0
Net income									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atmos Energy Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated; however, we have not eliminated intercompany profits when such amounts are probable of recovery under the affiliates’ rate regulation process.

Basis of comparison — Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The most significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts, unbilled revenues, legal and environmental accruals, insurance accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes, asset retirement obligations, impairment of long-lived assets, risk management and trading activities, fair value measurements and the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Regulation — Our regulated distribution and regulated pipeline operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service, maintenance of accounting records and various other matters by the respective regulatory authorities in the states in which we operate. Our accounting policies recognize the financial effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permitted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recognized. The amounts to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations.

We record regulatory assets as a component of other current assets and deferred charges and other assets for costs that have been deferred for which future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded either on the face of the balance sheet or as a component of current liabilities, deferred income taxes or deferred credits and other liabilities when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 included the following:

	September 30
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1)	$	162,777	$	187,977
Merger and integration costs, net	4,730		5,250
Deferred gas costs	20,069		15,152
Regulatory cost of removal asset	—		10,008
Rate case costs	3,757		6,329
Texas Rule 8.209(2)	26,948		30,364
APT annual adjustment mechanism	8,479		5,853
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	18,877		21,435
Other	4,672		4,380
	$	250,309	$	286,748
Regulatory liabilities:
Deferred gas costs	$	35,063	$	16,481
Deferred franchise fees	5,268		1,689
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	490,448		427,524
Other	14,980		7,887
	$	545,759	$	453,581

⁽¹⁾ Includes $18.8 million and $17.4 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regulatory authorization.

⁽²⁾ Texas Rule 8.209 is a Railroad Commission rule that allows for the deferral of all expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to this rule, including the recording of interest on the deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recovered through base rates.

Currently, authorized rates do not include a return on certain of our merger and integration costs; however, we recover the amortization of these costs. Merger and integration costs, net, are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging up to 20 years. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $0.5 million in amortization expense related to these costs.

Revenue recognition — Sales of natural gas to our regulated distribution customers are billed on a monthly basis; however, the billing cycle periods for certain classes of customers do not necessarily coincide with accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. We follow the revenue accrual method of accounting for regulated distribution segment revenues whereby revenues applicable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense.

On occasion, we are permitted to implement new rates that have not been formally approved by our state regulatory commissions, which are subject to refund. As permitted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the jurisdiction in which the rates were implemented.

Rates established by regulatory authorities are adjusted for increases and decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide gas distribution companies a method of recovering purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case to address all of their non-gas costs. There is no gross profit generated through purchased gas cost adjustments, but they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in our regulated distribution segment’s gas costs. The effects of these purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms are recorded as deferred gas costs on our balance sheet.

Operating revenues for our regulated pipeline and nonregulated segments are recognized in the period in which actual volumes are transported and storage services are provided.

Operating revenues for our nonregulated segment and the associated carrying value of natural gas inventory (inclusive of storage costs) are recognized when we sell the gas and physically deliver it to our customers. Operating revenues include realized gains and losses arising from the settlement of financial instruments used in our nonregulated activities and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of natural gas inventory designated as a hedged item in a fair value hedge and the associated financial instruments. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we included unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts of $9.6 million, $9.0 million and $(8.0) million as a component of nonregulated revenues.

Cash and cash equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts — Accounts receivable arise from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and other customers. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based on our collection experience or where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability or reluctance to pay. However, if circumstances change, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be affected. Circumstances which could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices, customer deposits and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Gas stored underground — Our gas stored underground is comprised of natural gas injected into storage to support the winter season withdrawals for our regulated distribution operations and natural gas held by our nonregulated segment to conduct their operations. The average cost method is used for all our regulated operations, except for certain jurisdictions in the Kentucky/Mid-States Division, where it is valued on the first-in first-out method basis, in accordance with regulatory requirements. Our nonregulated segment utilizes the average cost method; however, most of this inventory is hedged and is therefore reported at fair value at the end of each month. Gas in storage that is retained as cushion gas to maintain reservoir pressure is classified as property, plant and equipment and is valued at cost.

Regulated property, plant and equipment — Regulated property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of contributions in aid of construction. The cost of additions includes direct construction costs, payroll related costs (taxes, pensions and other fringe benefits), administrative and general costs and an allowance for funds used during construction. The allowance for funds used during construction represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance the construction of major projects and are capitalized in the rate base for ratemaking purposes when the completed projects are placed in service. Interest expense of $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.6 million was capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Major renewals, including replacement pipe, and betterments that are recoverable under our regulatory rate base are capitalized while the costs of maintenance and repairs that are not recoverable through rates are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of large projects are accumulated in construction in progress until the project is completed. When the project is completed, tested and placed in service, the balance is transferred to the regulated plant in service account included in the rate base and depreciation begins.

Regulated property, plant and equipment is depreciated at various rates on a straight-line basis. These rates are approved by our regulatory commissions and are comprised of two components: one based on average service life and one based on cost of removal. Accordingly, we recognize our cost of removal expense as a component of depreciation expense. The related cost of removal accrual is reflected as a regulatory liability on the consolidated balance sheet. At the time property, plant and equipment is retired, removal expenses less salvage, are charged to the regulatory cost of removal accrual. The composite depreciation rate was 3.3 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.6 percent for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Nonregulated property, plant and equipment — Nonregulated property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is generally computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes based upon estimated useful lives ranging from three to 50 years.

Asset retirement obligations — We record a liability at fair value for an asset retirement obligation when the legal obligation to retire the asset has been incurred with an offsetting increase to the carrying value of the related asset. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time is recorded as an operating expense.

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had asset retirement obligations of $10.5 million and $6.8 million. Additionally, we had $5.9 million and $3.3 million of asset retirement costs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the underlying associated assets.

We believe we have a legal obligation to retire our natural gas storage facilities. However, we have not recognized an asset retirement obligation associated with our storage facilities because we are not able to determine the settlement date of this obligation as we do not anticipate taking our storage facilities out of service permanently. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation.

Impairment of long-lived assets — We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that other long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected future cash flows. In the event the sum of the expected future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded.

During fiscal 2012, we recorded a pre-tax noncash impairment loss of $5.3 million related to our gathering systems in Kentucky. See Note 14 for further details.

Goodwill — We annually evaluate our goodwill balances for impairment during our second fiscal quarter or more frequently as impairment indicators arise. We use a present value technique based on discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. These calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value.

Marketable securities — As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, all of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale. In accordance with the authoritative accounting standards, these securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on an individual investment by investment basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related investment is written down to its estimated fair value.

Financial instruments and hedging activities — We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk in our regulated distribution and nonregulated segments and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our regulated and nonregulated businesses and are discussed in Note 12.

We record all of our financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value ultimately recorded in the income statement. These financial instruments are reported as risk management assets and liabilities and are classified as current or noncurrent other assets or liabilities based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument.

The timing of when changes in fair value of our financial instruments are recorded in the income statement depends on whether the financial instrument has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship or if regulatory rulings require a different accounting treatment. Changes in fair value for financial instruments that do not meet one of these criteria are recognized in the income statement as they occur.

Financial Instruments Associated with Commodity Price Risk

In our regulated distribution segment, the costs associated with and the gains and losses arising from the use of financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk are included in our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms in accordance with regulatory requirements. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of deferred gas costs and recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, there is no earnings impact on our regulated distribution segment as a result of the use of financial instruments.

In our nonregulated segment, we have designated most of the natural gas inventory held by this operating segment as the hedged item in a fair-value hedge. This inventory is marked to market at the end of each month based on the Gas Daily index, with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in revenue in the period of change. The financial instruments associated with this natural gas inventory have been designated as fair-value hedges and are marked to market each month based upon the NYMEX price with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in purchased gas cost in the period of change. We have elected to exclude this spot/forward differential for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of these fair-value hedges.

Additionally, we have elected to treat fixed-price forward contracts used in our nonregulated segment to deliver natural gas as normal purchases and normal sales. As such, these deliveries are recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with our revenue recognition policy. Financial instruments used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with these contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases and sales at indexed prices. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses on these open financial instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, and are recognized in earnings as a component of purchased gas cost when the hedged volumes are sold.

Gains and losses from hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the income statement. Fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness arising from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the financial instruments is referred to as basis ineffectiveness. Ineffectiveness arising from changes in the fair value of the fair value hedges due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity is referred to as timing ineffectiveness. Hedge ineffectiveness, to the extent incurred, is reported as a component of purchased gas cost.

Our nonregulated segment also utilizes master netting agreements with significant counterparties that allow us to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled in cash with gains and losses arising from financial instruments that may be settled with the physical commodity. Assets and liabilities from risk management activities, as well as accounts receivable and payable, reflect the master netting agreements in place. Additionally, the accounting guidance for master netting arrangements requires us to include the fair value of cash collateral or the obligation to return cash in the amounts that have been netted under master netting agreements used to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company netted $25.8 million and $24.8 million of cash held in margin accounts into its current and noncurrent risk management assets and liabilities.

Financial Instruments Associated with Interest Rate Risk

We manage interest rate risk, primarily when we plan to issue new long-term debt or to refinance existing long-term debt. We manage this risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps, and prior to fiscal 2012, Treasury lock agreements, to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. We designate these financial instruments as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements are executed. Unrealized gains and losses associated with the instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the instruments settle, the realized gain or loss is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred is reported as a component of interest expense.

Fair Value Measurements — We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information in valuing our financial assets and liabilities and minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements.

Fair-value estimates also consider our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions and major energy companies. This concentration of counterparties may materially impact our exposure to credit risk resulting from market, economic or regulatory conditions. We seek to minimize counterparty credit risk through an evaluation of their financial condition and credit ratings and the use of collateral requirements under certain circumstances.

Amounts reported at fair value are subject to potentially significant volatility based upon changes in market prices, including, but not limited to, the valuation of the portfolio of our contracts, maturity and settlement of these contracts and newly originated transactions and interest rates, each of which directly affect the estimated fair value of our financial instruments. We believe the market prices and models used to value these financial instruments represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the contracts. Values are adjusted to reflect the potential impact of an orderly liquidation of our positions over a reasonable period of time under then current market conditions.

Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 — Represents unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is defined as a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Prices actively quoted on national exchanges are used to determine the fair value of most of our assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. Within our nonregulated operations, we utilize a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between the bid and ask prices), as permitted under current accounting standards. Values derived from these sources reflect the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed.

Our Level 1 measurements consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments, gas stored underground that has been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge and our available-for-sale securities. The Level 1 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instruments.

Level 2 — Represents pricing inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Our Level 2 measurements primarily consist of non-exchange-traded financial instruments, such as over-the-counter options and swaps and municipal and corporate bonds where market data for pricing is observable. The Level 2 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of non-exchange traded financial instruments such as common collective trusts and investments in limited partnerships.

Level 3 — Represents generally unobservable pricing inputs which are developed based on the best information available, including our own internal data, in situations where there is little if any market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The pricing inputs utilized reflect what a market participant would use to determine fair value. We utilize models and other valuation methods to determine fair value when external sources are not available. We believe the market prices and models used to value these assets and liabilities represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, time value and volatility factors underlying the assets and liabilities.

As of September 30, 2014, our Master Trust owned one real estate investment with a value less than $0.2 million that qualifies as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The valuation technique used was a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land and building sales values per square foot. Currently, we have no other assets or liabilities recorded at fair value that would qualify for Level 3 reporting.

Pension and other postretirement plans — Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. Our measurement date is September 30. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities.

The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligation and net pension and postretirement cost. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds available in the marketplace that are suitable for settling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit disbursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of the annual pension and postretirement plan cost. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan cost is not affected. Rather, this gain or loss reduces or increases future pension or postretirement plan costs over a period of approximately seven to nine years.

The market-related value of our plan assets represents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctuations over a five-year period. The use of this calculation will delay the impact of current market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period.

We use a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses. Under this approach, net gains or losses in excess of ten percent of the larger of the pension benefit obligation or the market-related value of the assets are amortized on a straight-line basis. The period of amortization is the average remaining service of active participants who are expected to receive benefits under the plan.

We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our annual postretirement net cost based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon the annual review of our participant census information as of the measurement date.

Income taxes — Income taxes are determined based on the liability method, which results in income tax assets and liabilities arising from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The liability method requires the effect of tax rate changes on current and accumulated deferred income taxes to be reflected in the period in which the rate change was enacted. The liability method also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance unless it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized.

The Company may recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense. We recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of miscellaneous income (expense) in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Tax collections — We are allowed to recover from customers revenue-related taxes that are imposed upon us. We record such taxes as operating expenses and record the corresponding customer charges as operating revenues. However, we do collect and remit various other taxes on behalf of various governmental authorities, and we record these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets on a net basis. We do not collect income taxes from our customers on behalf of governmental authorities.

Contingencies — In the normal course of business, we are confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to lawsuits, claims made by third parties or the action of various regulatory agencies. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and reasonably estimable, based on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. Actual results may differ from estimates, depending on actual outcomes or changes in the facts or expectations surrounding each potential exposure.

Subsequent events — Except as disclosed in Note 5 concerning the October 15, 2014 issuance of $500 million, 4.125% senior notes, no events occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements — Disclosure requirements for offsetting arrangements for financial instruments became effective for us beginning on October 1, 2013. We have presented these disclosures in Note 12. In connection with the adoption of this standard, prior-year risk management assets and liabilities have been reclassified to conform with the current-year presentation. The adoption of this standard and reclassification did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance for discontinued operations that limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results and requires additional disclosures related to discontinued operations. This standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. The new standard will become effective for us beginning on October 1, 2017 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If such conditions or events exist, disclosures are required that enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature of the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the circumstances and management's plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. We will be required to perform an annual assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern when this standard becomes effective for us on October 1, 2017; however, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Nature of Business

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business

Nature of Business

Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and our subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses as well as certain other nonregulated businesses. Through our regulated distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public-authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions in the service areas described below:

Division	Service Area
Atmos Energy Colorado-Kansas Division	Colorado, Kansas
Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States Division	Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia(1)
Atmos Energy Louisiana Division	Louisiana
Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division	Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area
Atmos Energy Mississippi Division	Mississippi
Atmos Energy West Texas Division	West Texas

⁽¹⁾  Denotes location where we have more limited service areas.

In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system. Our distribution business is subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated distribution divisions operate. Our corporate headquarters and shared-services function are located in Dallas, Texas, and our customer support centers are located in Amarillo and Waco, Texas.

During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, we sold our regulated distribution operations in four states to streamline our regulated operations. On April 1, 2013, we completed the divestiture of our regulated distribution operations in Georgia, representing approximately 64,000 customers, and in August 2012, we completed the sale of our regulated distribution operations in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, representing approximately 84,000 customers.

Our regulated pipeline business, which is also subject to federal and state regulation, consists of the regulated operations of our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division, a division of the Company. This division transports natural gas to our Mid-Tex Division, transports natural gas for third parties and manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. We also provide ancillary services customary to the pipeline industry including parking arrangements, lending and sales of inventory on hand.

Our nonregulated businesses operate primarily in the Midwest and Southeast through various wholly-owned subsidiaries of Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc., (AEH). AEH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and based in Houston, Texas. Through AEH, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, regulated distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy and third parties.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

We record deferred gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to available-for-sale securities, interest rate agreement cash flow hedges and commodity contract cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale securities and commodity contract cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income.

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,009			(58,973		)	7,904			(48,060		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(795		)	2,686			(5,102		)	(3,211		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2,214			(56,287		)	2,802			(51,271		)
September 30, 2014	$	7,662		$	(18,381	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(12,393	)

	Available- for-Sale Securities			Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges			Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2012	$	5,661		$	(44,273	)	$	(8,995	)	$	(47,607	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,162			79,963			(2,057		)	79,068
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,375		)	2,216			6,576			7,417
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(213		)	82,179			4,519			86,485
September 30, 2013	$	5,448		$	37,906		$	(4,476	)	$	38,878

The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	1,252		Operation and maintenance expense
	1,252			Total before tax
	(457		)	Tax expense
	$	795		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(4,230	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	8,365			Purchased gas cost
	4,135			Total before tax
	(1,719		)	Tax expense
	$	2,416		Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	3,211		Net of tax

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities	$	2,166		Operation and maintenance expense
	2,166			Total before tax
	(791		)	Tax expense
	$	1,375		Net of tax
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate agreements	$	(3,489	)	Interest charges
Commodity contracts	(10,778		)	Purchased gas cost
	(14,267		)	Total before tax
	5,475			Tax benefit
	$	(8,792	)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications	$	(7,417	)	Net of tax

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Leases

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

Capital and Operating Leases

We have entered into operating leases for office and warehouse space, vehicles and heavy equipment used in our operations. The remaining lease terms range from one to 20 years and generally provide for the payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance by the lessee. Renewal options exist for certain of these leases. We have also entered into capital leases for division offices and operating facilities. Property, plant and equipment included amounts for capital leases of $1.3 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013. Accumulated depreciation for these capital leases totaled $1.1 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013. Depreciation expense for these assets is included in consolidated depreciation expense on the consolidated statement of income.

The related future minimum lease payments at September 30, 2014 were as follows:

	Capital Leases		Operating Leases
	(In thousands)
2015	$	186	$	16,673
2016	186		16,021
2017	186		16,330
2018	78		15,907
2019	—		15,138
Thereafter	—		75,620
Total minimum lease payments	636		$	155,689
Less amount representing interest	123
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	513

Consolidated lease and rental expense amounted to $31.7 million, $32.4 million and $33.6 million for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.

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Debt

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Debt

Long-term debt

Long-term debt at September 30, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 4.95% Senior Notes, due October 2014	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due 2017	250,000		250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Medium term Series A notes, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,014		4,329
Current maturities	—		—
	$	2,455,986	$	2,455,671

On October 15, 2014, we issued $500 million of 4.125% 30-year unsecured senior notes, which replaced, on a long-term basis, our $500 million unsecured 4.95% senior notes. The effective rate of these notes is 4.086%, after giving effect to the offering costs and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps discussed in Note 12. The net proceeds of approximately $494 million were used to repay our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014. Our $500 million4.95% senior unsecured notes are presented as long-term debt at September 30, 2014 as we demonstrated the ability and intent to refinance through the issuance of new unsecured senior notes.

We issued $500 million Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes on January 11, 2013. The effective rate of these notes is 4.67%, after giving effect to offering costs and the settlement of the associated Treasury lock agreements discussed in Note 12. Of the net proceeds of approximately $494 million, $234 million was used to partially repay our commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. The remaining $260 million was used to repay a short-term financing facility executed on September 27, 2012 to repay commercial paper borrowings used to redeem our $250 million Unsecured 5.125% Senior Notes were scheduled to mature in January 2013. This facility bore interest at a LIBOR-based rate plus a company specific spread.

Short-term debt

Our short-term debt is utilized to fund ongoing working capital needs, such as our seasonal requirements for gas supply, general corporate liquidity and capital expenditures. Our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months.

We currently finance our short-term borrowing requirements through a combination of a $1.25 billion commercial paper program, four committed revolving credit facilities and one uncommitted revolving credit facility, with a total availability from third-party lenders of approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was $196.7 million and $368.0 million outstanding under our commercial paper program with weighted average interest rates of 0.23% and 0.25%, with average maturities of less than one month. We also use intercompany credit facilities to supplement the funding provided by these third-party committed credit facilities. These facilities are described in greater detail below.

Regulated Operations

We fund our regulated operations as needed, primarily through our commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.3 billion of working capital funding. The first facility is a five-year unsecured facility that was amended on August 22, 2014 to 1) increase the borrowing capacity from $950 million to $1.25 billion with an accordion feature, which, if utilized would increase the borrowing capacity to $1.5 billion and 2) extend the expiration date from August 2018 to August 2019. The credit facility bears interest at a base rate or at a LIBOR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a spread ranging from zero percent to two percent, based on the Company’s credit ratings. This credit facility serves primarily as a backup liquidity facility for our commercial paper program. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings under this facility, but we had $196.7 million of commercial paper outstanding leaving $1,053.3 million available.

The second facility is a $25 million unsecured facility that bears interest at a daily negotiated rate, generally based on the Federal Funds rate plus a variable margin. This facility was renewed on April 1, 2014. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

The third facility which was renewed on September 30, 2014 for $10 million is a committed revolving credit facility, used primarily to issue letters of credit and bears interest at a LIBOR-based rate plus 1.5 percent. At September 30, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under this credit facility; however, letters of credit totaling $5.9 million had been issued under the facility at September 30, 2014, which reduced the amount available by a corresponding amount.

The availability of funds under these credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in each of these facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of total debt to total capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At September 30, 2014, our total-debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined, was 48 percent. In addition, both the interest margin over the Eurodollar rate and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under each of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings.

In addition to these third-party facilities, our regulated operations have a $500 million intercompany revolving credit facility with AEH. This facility bears interest at the lower of (i) the Eurodollar rate under the five-year revolving credit facility or (ii) the lowest rate outstanding under the commercial paper program. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2014. There was $326.0 million outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2014.

Nonregulated Operations

Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM), which is wholly owned by AEH, had two$25 million 364-day bilateral credit facilities that expired in December 2013. In December 2013, one of the $25 million 364-day uncommitted bilateral facilities was extended to December 2014. The other $25 million committed bilateral facility was replaced with a $15 million committed 364-day bilateral credit facility in December 2013. These facilities are used primarily to issue letters of credit. Due to outstanding letters of credit, the total amount available to us under these bilateral credit facilities was $32.2 million at September 30, 2014.

AEH has a $500 million intercompany demand credit facility with AEC. This facility bears interest at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 3.00 percent or (ii) the rate for AEM’s borrowings under its committed line of credit facility plus 0.75 percent. Applicable state regulatory commissions have approved our use of this facility through December 31, 2014. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2014.

Shelf Registration

We filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 28, 2013, that originally permitted us to issue a total of $1.75 billion in common stock and/or debt securities. On February 18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock, which generated net proceeds of $390.2 million. After giving effect to this issuance and the aforementioned $500 million senior note issuance completed in October 2014, $845 million of securities remained available for issuance under the shelf registration statement until March 28, 2016.

Debt Covenants

In addition to the financial covenants described above, our credit facilities and public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers.

Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or is not paid at maturity.

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2014. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions.

Maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	500,000
2016	—
2017	250,000
2018	—
2019	450,000
Thereafter	1,260,000
	$	2,460,000

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current income taxes
Federal	$ 0	$ 0	$ 631,000
State	5,527,000	8,178,000	6,888,000
Deferred income taxes
Federal	169,106,000	124,836,000	103,971,000
State	12,375,000	9,605,000	(13,237,000)
Investment tax credits	(6,000)	(20,000)	(27,000)
Income tax expense	187,002,000	142,599,000	98,226,000
Deferred tax assets
Employee benefit plans	116,157,000	115,970,000
Interest rate agreements	10,565,000	0
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	236,626,000	196,296,000
Tax credit carryforward	21,614,000	20,939,000
Other	28,849,000	38,013,000
Total deferred tax assets	413,811,000	371,218,000
Valuation allowance	(6,969,000)	(1,085,000)
Net deferred tax assets	406,842,000	370,133,000
Deferred tax liabilities
Difference in net book value and net tax value of assets	(1,655,894,000)	(1,445,450,000)
Pension funding	(17,890,000)	(23,480,000)
Gas Cost Adjustments	(31,252,000)	(19,182,000)
Interest rate agreements	0	(21,726,000)
Other	(37,173,000)	(39,045,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,742,209,000)	(1,548,883,000)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(1,335,367,000)	(1,178,750,000)
Deferred credits for rate regulated entities	(109,000)	(51,000)
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	10,100,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic	224,200,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local	12,400,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, State	1,000,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Charitable Contribution Carryforwards	10,500,000
Valuation Allowance [Abstract]
Valuation allowance	(6,969,000)	(1,085,000)
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	4,158,000	2,817,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	3,846,000	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	4,625,000	1,341,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	12,629,000	4,158,000	2,817,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	411,000	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Gross	13,040,000	4,158,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Deferred Federal and State Income Tax Benefits	(4,564,000)	(1,455,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	8,476,000	2,703,000
Other Tax Matters [Abstract]
Other Information Pertaining to Income Taxes	results for fiscal 2012 were favorably impacted by a state tax benefit of $13.6 million (net of federal effects). Due to the completion of the sale of our Missouri, Iowa and Illinois service areas in the fiscal fourth quarter, the Company updated its analysis of the tax rate at which deferred taxes would reverse in the future to reflect the sale of these service areas. The updated analysis supported a reduction in the deferred tax rate which when applied to the balance of taxable income deferred to future periods resulted in a reduction of the Company’s overall deferred tax liability.
State tax benefit			$ 13,600,000

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Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

Atmos Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline business as well as other nonregulated businesses. We distribute natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which cover service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system.

Through our nonregulated business, we provide natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, regulated distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy and third parties.

We operate the Company through the following three segments:

• The regulated distribution segment, includes our regulated distribution and related sales operations.

• The regulated pipeline segment, includes the regulated pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division.

• The nonregulated segment, is comprised of our nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services.

Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our regulated distribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are reported as a single segment as each regulated distribution division has similar economic characteristics. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units. Interest expense is allocated pro rata to each segment based upon our net investment in each segment. Income taxes are allocated to each segment as if each segment’s taxes were calculated on a separate return basis.

Summarized income statements and capital expenditures by segment are shown in the following tables.

	Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	3,056,212		$	92,166		$	1,792,538	$	—		$	4,940,916
Intersegment revenues	5,334			226,293			274,754		(506,381		)	—
	3,061,546			318,459			2,067,292		(506,381		)	4,940,916
Purchased gas cost	1,885,031			—			1,979,337		(505,878		)	3,358,490
Gross profit	1,176,515			318,459			87,955		(503		)	1,582,426
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	387,228			91,466			26,963		(503		)	505,154
Depreciation and amortization	208,376			41,031			4,580		—			253,987
Taxes, other than income	196,343			13,143			2,450		—			211,936
Total operating expenses	791,947			145,640			33,993		(503		)	971,077
Operating income	384,568			172,819			53,962		—			611,349
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(381		)	(3,181		)	2,216		(3,889		)	(5,235		)
Interest charges	94,918			36,280			1,986		(3,889		)	129,295
Income before income taxes	289,269			133,358			54,192		—			476,819
Income tax expense	117,684			47,167			22,151		—			187,002
Net income	$	171,585		$	86,191		$	32,041	$	—		$	289,817
Capital expenditures	$	584,065		$	249,347		$	1,839	$	—		$	835,251

	Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,394,418	$	89,011		$	1,392,031		$	—		$	3,875,460
Intersegment revenues	5,075		179,889			195,883			(380,847		)	—
	2,399,493		268,900			1,587,914			(380,847		)	3,875,460
Purchased gas cost	1,318,257		—			1,524,583			(379,430		)	2,463,410
Gross profit	1,081,236		268,900			63,331			(1,417		)	1,412,050
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	375,188		76,686			37,569			(1,423		)	488,020
Depreciation and amortization	195,581		35,302			4,196			—			235,079
Taxes, other than income	167,374		17,059			2,639			—			187,072
Total operating expenses	738,143		129,047			44,404			(1,423		)	910,171
Operating income	343,093		139,853			18,927			6			501,879
Miscellaneous income (expense)	2,535		(2,285		)	2,316			(2,763		)	(197		)
Interest charges	98,296		30,678			2,168			(2,757		)	128,385
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	247,332		106,890			19,075			—			373,297
Income tax expense	96,476		38,630			7,493			—			142,599
Income from continuing operations	150,856		68,260			11,582			—			230,698
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	7,202		—			—			—			7,202
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,649		—			(355		)	—			5,294
Net income	$	163,707	$	68,260		$	11,227		$	—		$	243,194
Capital expenditures	$	528,599	$	313,230		$	3,204		$	—		$	845,033

	Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Regulated Pipeline			Nonregulated		Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,144,376		$	92,604		$	1,199,182	$	—		$	3,436,162
Intersegment revenues	954			154,747			149,800		(305,501		)	—
	2,145,330			247,351			1,348,982		(305,501		)	3,436,162
Purchased gas cost	1,122,587			—			1,293,858		(304,022		)	2,112,423
Gross profit	1,022,743			247,351			55,124		(1,479		)	1,323,739
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance	353,879			71,521			29,697		(1,484		)	453,613
Depreciation and amortization	202,026			31,438			4,061		—			237,525
Taxes, other than income	162,377			15,568			3,128		—			181,073
Asset impairments	—			—			5,288		—			5,288
Total operating expenses	718,282			118,527			42,174		(1,484		)	877,499
Operating income	304,461			128,824			12,950		5			446,240
Miscellaneous income (expense)	(12,657		)	(1,051		)	1,035		(1,971		)	(14,644		)
Interest charges	110,642			29,414			3,084		(1,966		)	141,174
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	181,162			98,359			10,901		—			290,422
Income tax expense	57,314			35,300			5,612		—			98,226
Income from continuing operations	123,848			63,059			5,289		—			192,196
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	18,172			—			—		—			18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	6,349			—			—		—			6,349
Net income	$	148,369		$	63,059		$	5,289	$	—		$	216,717
Capital expenditures	$	546,818		$	175,768		$	10,272	$	—		$	732,858

The following table summarizes our revenues by products and services for the fiscal year ended September 30.

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Regulated distribution revenues:
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,933,099	$	1,512,495	$	1,351,479
Commercial	876,042		661,930		587,651
Industrial	90,536		81,155		71,960
Public authority and other	64,779		60,557		54,334
Total gas sales revenues	2,964,456		2,316,137		2,065,424
Transportation revenues	64,049		55,938		53,924
Other gas revenues	27,707		22,343		25,028
Total regulated distribution revenues	3,056,212		2,394,418		2,144,376
Regulated pipeline revenues	92,166		89,011		92,604
Nonregulated revenues	1,792,538		1,392,031		1,199,182
Total operating revenues	$	4,940,916	$	3,875,460	$	3,436,162

Balance sheet information at September 30, 2014 and 2013 by segment is presented in the following tables.

	September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	5,202,761	$	1,464,572	$	58,573		$	—		$	6,725,906
Investment in subsidiaries	952,171		—		(2,096		)	(950,075		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	33,303		—		8,955			—			42,258
Assets from risk management activities	23,102		—		22,725			—			45,827
Other current assets	490,408		14,009		526,161			(342,823		)	687,755
Intercompany receivables	790,442		—		—			(790,442		)	—
Total current assets	1,337,255		14,009		557,841			(1,133,265		)	775,840
Goodwill	574,816		132,502		34,711			—			742,029
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	13,038		—		—			—			13,038
Deferred charges and other assets	309,965		21,826		6,100			—			337,891
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	3,086,232	$	482,612	$	469,559		$	(952,171	)	$	3,086,232
Long-term debt	2,455,986		—		—			—			2,455,986
Total capitalization	5,542,218		482,612		469,559			(952,171		)	5,542,218
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	522,695		—		—			(326,000		)	196,695
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,730		—		—			—			1,730
Other current liabilities	559,765		24,790		142,397			(14,727		)	712,225
Intercompany payables	—		763,635		26,807			(790,442		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,084,190		788,425		169,204			(1,131,169		)	910,650
Deferred income taxes	913,260		361,688		11,668			—			1,286,616
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	20,126		—		—			—			20,126
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	445,387		—		—			—			445,387
Pension and postretirement liabilities	340,963		—		—			—			340,963
Deferred credits and other liabilities	43,862		184		4,698			—			48,744
	$	8,390,006	$	1,632,909	$	655,129		$	(2,083,340	)	$	8,594,704

	September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution		Regulated Pipeline		Nonregulated			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	4,719,873	$	1,249,767	$	61,015		$	—		$	6,030,655
Investment in subsidiaries	831,136		—		(2,096		)	(829,040		)	—
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	4,237		—		61,962			—			66,199
Assets from risk management activities	1,837		—		10,129			—			11,966
Other current assets	428,366		11,709		452,126			(293,233		)	598,968
Intercompany receivables	783,738		—		—			(783,738		)	—
Total current assets	1,218,178		11,709		524,217			(1,076,971		)	677,133
Goodwill	574,190		132,462		34,711			—			741,363
Noncurrent assets from risk management activities	109,354		—		—			—			109,354
Deferred charges and other assets	347,687		19,227		8,849			—			375,763
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity	$	2,580,409	$	396,421	$	434,715		$	(831,136	)	$	2,580,409
Long-term debt	2,455,671		—		—			—			2,455,671
Total capitalization	5,036,080		396,421		434,715			(831,136		)	5,036,080
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	645,984		—		—			(278,000		)	367,984
Liabilities from risk management activities	1,543		—		—			—			1,543
Other current liabilities	491,681		20,288		110,306			(13,316		)	608,959
Intercompany payables	—		712,768		70,970			(783,738		)	—
Total current liabilities	1,139,208		733,056		181,276			(1,075,054		)	978,486
Deferred income taxes	871,360		283,554		8,960			179			1,164,053
Noncurrent liabilities from risk management activities	—		—		—			—			—
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	359,299		—		—			—			359,299
Pension and postretirement liabilities	358,787		—		—			—			358,787
Deferred credits and other liabilities	35,684		134		1,745			—			37,563
	$	7,800,418	$	1,413,165	$	626,696		$	(1,906,011	)	$	7,934,268

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Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Since we have non-vested share-based payments with a nonforfeitable right to dividends or dividend equivalents (referred to as participating securities), we are required to use the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The Company’s non-vested restricted stock units, granted under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time, are considered to be participating securities. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30 are calculated as follows:

	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Basic Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations	$	289,817	$	230,698	$	192,196
Less: Income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities	711		775		793
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from continuing operations per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.54	$	2.12
Basic Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	12,496	$	24,521
Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities	—		42		101
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Income from discontinued operations per share — Basic	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.96	$	2.68	$	2.39
Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,923	$	191,403
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		5		4
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	289,106	$	229,928	$	191,407
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from continuing operations per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.50	$	2.10
Diluted Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares	—		—		—
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$	—	$	12,454	$	24,420
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	97,606		90,533		90,150
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares	2		1,178		1,022
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	97,608		91,711		91,172
Income from discontinued operations per share — Diluted	$	—	$	0.14	$	0.27
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.96	$	2.64	$	2.37

There were no out-of-the-money options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2014 there were no outstanding options.

2014 Equity Offering

On February 18, 2014, we completed the public offering of 9,200,000 shares of our common stock including the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option of 1,200,000 shares under our existing shelf registration statement. The offering was priced at $44.00 per share and generated net proceeds of $390.2 million, which were used to repay short-term debt outstanding under our commercial paper program, to fund infrastructure spending primarily to enhance the safety and reliability of our system and for general corporate purposes.

Share Repurchase Program

On September 28, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of common stock over a 5-year period. The program is primarily intended to minimize the dilutive effect of equity grants under various benefit related incentive compensation plans of the Company. The program may be terminated or limited at any time. Shares may be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in amounts the Company deems appropriate. As of September 30, 2014, a total of 387,991 shares had been repurchased for an aggregate value of $12.5 million, with no shares repurchased since the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

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Retirement and Post-retirement Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans

Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans

We have both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit plans that together cover most of our employees. We also maintain post-retirement plans that provide health care benefits to retired employees. Finally, we sponsor defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees. These plans are discussed in further detail below.

As a rate regulated entity, we generally recover our pension costs in our rates over a period of up to 15 years. The amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost that have been recorded as regulatory assets are as follows:

	Defined Benefits Plans			Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans		Postretirement Plans			Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	354		$	354
Unrecognized prior service credit	(1,927		)	—		(6,168		)	(8,095		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	109,767			34,447		7,531			151,745
	$	107,840		$	34,447	$	1,717		$	144,004
September 30, 2013
Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	—	$	628		$	628
Unrecognized prior service credit	(91		)	—		(5,961		)	(6,052		)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	108,621			31,466		35,961			176,048
	$	108,530		$	31,466	$	30,628		$	170,624

Defined Benefit Plans

Employee Pension Plans

As of September 30, 2014, we maintained two defined benefit plans: the Atmos Energy Corporation Pension Account Plan (the Plan) and the Atmos Energy Corporation Retirement Plan for Mississippi Valley Gas Union Employees (the Union Plan) (collectively referred to as the Plans). The assets of the Plans are held within the Atmos Energy Corporation Master Retirement Trust (the Master Trust).

The Plan is a cash balance pension plan that was established effective January 1999 and covers most of the employees of Atmos Energy’s regulated operations. Opening account balances were established for participants as of January 1999 equal to the present value of their respective accrued benefits under the pension plans which were previously in effect as of December 31, 1998. The Plan credits an allocation to each participant’s account at the end of each year according to a formula based on the participant’s age, service and total pay (excluding incentive pay).

The Plan also provides for an additional annual allocation based upon a participant’s age as of January 1, 1999 for those participants who were participants in the prior pension plans. The Plan credited this additional allocation each year through December 31, 2008. In addition, at the end of each year, a participant’s account is credited with interest on the employee’s prior year account balance. A special grandfather benefit also applied through December 31, 2008, for participants who were at least age 50 as of January 1, 1999 and who were participants in one of the prior plans on December 31, 1998. Participants are fully vested in their account balances after three years of service and may choose to receive their account balances as a lump sum or an annuity. In August 2010, the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy approved a proposal to close the Plan to new participants effective October 1, 2010. Additionally, employees participating in the Plan as of October 1, 2010 were allowed to make a one-time election to migrate from the Plan into our defined contribution plan, which was enhanced, effective January 1, 2011.

The Union Plan is a defined benefit plan that covers substantially all full-time union employees in our Mississippi Division. Under this plan, benefits are based upon years of benefit service and average final earnings. Participants vest in the plan after five years and will receive their benefit in an annuity. In June 2014, active collectively bargained employees of Atmos Energy’s Mississippi Division voted to decertify the union. As a result of this vote, effective January 1, 2015, active participants of the Union Plan will transfer to the Plan. Opening account balances will be established at the time of transfer equal to the present value of their respective accrued benefits under the Union Plan at December 31, 2014. In addition, effective January 1, 2015, current retirees in the Union Plan as well as those participants who have terminated and are vested in the Union Plan will transfer to the Plan with the same provisions that were in place at the time of their retirement or termination.

Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including the funding requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). However, additional voluntary contributions are made from time to time as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future.

During fiscal 2014 and 2013 we contributed $27.1 million and $32.7 million in cash to the Plans to achieve a desired level of funding while maximizing the tax deductibility of this payment. Based upon market conditions at September 30, 2014, the current funded position of the Plans and the funding requirements under the PPA, we do not anticipate a minimum required contribution for fiscal 2015. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels.

We make investment decisions and evaluate performance of the assets in the Master Trust on a medium-term horizon of at least three to five years. We also consider our current financial status when making recommendations and decisions regarding the Master Trust’s assets. Finally, we strive to ensure the Master Trust’s assets are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk and meet the Master Trust’s long-term asset investment policy adopted by the Board of Directors.

To achieve these objectives, we invest the Master Trust’s assets in equity securities, fixed income securities, interests in commingled pension trust funds, other investment assets and cash and cash equivalents. Investments in equity securities are diversified among the market’s various subsectors in an effort to diversify risk and maximize returns. Fixed income securities are invested in investment grade securities. Cash equivalents are invested in securities that either are short term (less than 180 days) or readily convertible to cash with modest risk.

The following table presents asset allocation information for the Master Trust as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

	Targeted Allocation  Range	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class		2014		2013
Domestic equities	35%-55%	51.9	%	46.5	%
International equities	10%-20%	15.3	%	16.1	%
Fixed income	10%-30%	9.7	%	14.9	%
Company stock	5%-15%	12.9	%	12.6	%
Other assets	5%-15%	10.2	%	9.9	%

At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Plan held 1,169,700 shares of our common stock, which represented 12.9 percent and 12.6 percent of total Master Trust assets. These shares generated dividend income for the Plan of approximately $1.7 million and $1.6 million during fiscal 2014 and 2013.

Our employee pension plan expenses and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and assumed discount rates and demographic data. We review the estimates and assumptions underlying our employee pension plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date. The development of our assumptions is fully described in our significant accounting policies in Note 2. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the Plans were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the Plans were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.25	%	7.75	%	7.75	%

The following table presents the Plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	466,182		$	446,133
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	455,799		$	480,031
Service cost	15,345			17,754
Interest cost	22,330			19,334
Actuarial (gain) loss	26,611			(29,822		)
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Plan amendments	(1,972		)	—
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	493,594			455,799
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	396,887			343,144
Actual return on plan assets	35,289			52,496
Employer contributions	27,110			32,745
Benefits paid	(24,519		)	(25,073		)
Divestitures	—			(6,425		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	434,767			396,887
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(58,827		)	(58,912		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Net amount recognized	$	(58,827	)	$	(58,912	)

Net periodic pension cost for the Plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	15,345		$	17,754		$	15,084
Interest cost	22,330			19,334			21,568
Expected return on assets	(23,601		)	(22,955		)	(21,474		)
Amortization of prior service credit	(136		)	(141		)	(141		)
Recognized actuarial loss	13,777			19,066			14,451
Net periodic pension cost	$	27,715		$	33,058		$	29,488

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. As required by authoritative accounting literature, assets are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Master Trust are fully described in Note 2. In addition to the assets shown below, the Master Trust had net accounts receivable of $2.7 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013 which materially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets.

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	155,107	$	—	$	—	$	155,107
Money market funds	—		11,226		—		11,226
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	63,850		—		—		63,850
International funds	48,134		—		—		48,134
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		61,208		—		61,208
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		12,520		—		12,520
U.S. treasuries	3,117		562		—		3,679
Corporate bonds	—		25,734		—		25,734
Limited partnerships	—		50,496		—		50,496
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	270,208	$	161,746	$	155	$	432,109

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks — domestic equities	$	143,543	$	—	$	—	$	143,543
Money market funds	—		12,266		—		12,266
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	30,200		—		—		30,200
International funds	47,036		—		—		47,036
Common/collective trusts — domestic funds	—		57,627		—		57,627
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	—		18,446		—		18,446
U.S. treasuries	4,117		663		—		4,780
Corporate bonds	—		35,012		—		35,012
Limited partnerships	—		47,417		—		47,417
Real estate	—		—		155		155
Total investments at fair value	$	224,896	$	171,431	$	155	$	396,482

The fair value of our Level 3 real estate assets was determined using a real estate appraisal obtained from an independent third party that consisted of several unobservable inputs such as comparable land sales values per square foot in the range of $0.94 to $2.98 and comparable building sales values per square foot in the range of $23.13 to $30.42.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans

We have three nonqualified supplemental plans which provide additional pension, disability and death benefits to our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company.

The first plan is referred to as the Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan (SEBP) and covers our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company who were employed on or before August 12, 1998. The SEBP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 75 percent of covered compensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the benefits under the SEBP.

In August 1998, we adopted the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) (formerly known as the Performance-Based Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan), which covers all officers or division presidents selected to participate in the plan between August 12, 1998 and August 5, 2009, any corporate officer who may be appointed to the Management Committee after August 5, 2009 and any other employees selected by our Board of Directors at its discretion. The SERP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 60 percent of covered compensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the benefits under the SERP.

Effective August 5, 2009, we adopted a new defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the 2009 SERP), for corporate officers (other than such officer who is appointed as a member of the Company’s Management Committee), division presidents or any other employees selected at the discretion of the Board. Under the 2009 SERP, a nominal account has been established for each participant, to which the Company contributes at the end of each calendar year an amount equal to ten percent of the total of each participant’s base salary and cash incentive compensation earned during each prior calendar year, beginning December 31, 2009. The benefits vest after three years of service and attainment of age 55 and earn interest credits at the same annual rate as the Company’s Pension Account Plan (currently 4.69%).

On October 2, 2013, due to the retirement of one of our executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $4.5 million associated with our SEBP and made a $16.8 million benefit payment.

On April 1, 2013, due to the retirement of certain executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $3.2 million associated with the supplemental plans and revalued the net periodic pension cost for the remainder of fiscal 2013. The revaluation of the net periodic pension cost resulted in an increase in the discount rate, effective April 1, 2013, to 4.21 percent, which reduced our net periodic pension cost by approximately $0.1 million for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Similar to our employee pension plans, we review the estimates and assumptions underlying our supplemental plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. These assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Pension Liability				Pension Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013			2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	(1)	5.05	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%	3.50	%		3.50	%

⁽¹⁾ The discount rate for the supplemental plans increased from 4.04% to 4.21% effective April 1, 2013 due to a settlement loss recorded in fiscal 2013.

The following table presents the supplemental plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	106,276		$	109,817
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	117,080		$	130,186
Service cost	3,607			3,039
Interest cost	4,966			4,755
Actuarial (gain) loss	9,468			(6,451		)
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	113,219			117,080
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	—			—
Employer contribution	21,902			14,449
Benefits paid	(5,085		)	(4,375		)
Settlements	(16,817		)	(10,074		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	—			—
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(113,219		)	(117,080		)
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued pension cost	$	(113,219	)	$	(117,080	)

Assets for the supplemental plans are held in separate rabbi trusts. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, assets held in the rabbi trusts consisted of available-for-sale securities of $46.2 million and $44.5 million, which are included in our fair value disclosures in Note 14.

Net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components:

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	3,607	$	3,039	$	2,108
Interest cost	4,966		4,755		5,142
Amortization of transition asset	—		—		—
Amortization of prior service cost	—		—		—
Recognized actuarial loss	1,948		2,918		2,118
Settlements	4,539		3,160		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	15,060	$	13,872	$	9,368

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments for our defined benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years:

	Pension Plans		Supplemental Plans
	(In thousands)
2015	$	33,592	$	11,381
2016	32,811		4,617
2017	33,131		17,260
2018	33,501		14,772
2019	34,846		7,675
2020-2024	182,998		32,843

Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor the Retiree Medical Plan for Retirees and Disabled Employees of Atmos Energy Corporation (the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan). This plan provides medical and prescription drug protection to all qualified participants based on their date of retirement. The Atmos Retiree Medical Plan provides different levels of benefits depending on the level of coverage chosen by the participants and the terms of predecessor plans; however, we generally pay 80 percent of the projected net claims and administrative costs and participants pay the remaining 20 percent of this cost.

As of September 30, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a change to the cost sharing methodology for employees who had not met the participation requirements by that date for the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan. Starting on January 1, 2015, the contribution rates that will apply to all non-grandfathered participants will be determined using a new cost sharing methodology by which Atmos Energy will limit its contribution to a three percent cost increase in claims and administrative costs each year. If medical costs covered by the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan increase more than three percent annually, participants will be responsible for the additional costs.

Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of ERISA. However, additional voluntary contributions are made annually as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. We expect to contribute between $20 million and $25 million to our postretirement benefits plan during fiscal 2015.

We maintain a formal investment policy with respect to the assets in our postretirement benefits plan to ensure the assets funding the postretirement benefit plan are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk. We also consider our current financial status when making recommendations and decisions regarding the postretirement benefits plan.

We currently invest the assets funding our postretirement benefit plan in diversified investment funds which consist of common stocks, preferred stocks and fixed income securities. The diversified investment funds may invest up to 75 percent of assets in common stocks and convertible securities. The following table presents asset allocation information for the postretirement benefit plan assets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

	Actual Allocation September 30
Security Class	2014		2013
Diversified investment funds	99.7	%	96.8	%
Cash and cash equivalents	0.3	%	3.2	%

Similar to our employee pension and supplemental plans, we review the estimates and assumptions underlying our postretirement benefit plan annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for our postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The assumptions are presented in the following table:

	Postretirement Liability				Postretirement Cost
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
Discount rate	4.43	%	4.95	%	4.95	%	4.04	%	5.05	%
Expected return on plan assets	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.60	%	4.70	%	5.00	%
Initial trend rate	7.50	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%
Ultimate trend rate	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%
Ultimate trend reached in	2020		2020		2020		2019		2018

The following table presents the postretirement plan’s benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	312,148		$	308,315
Service cost	16,784			18,800
Interest cost	15,951			12,964
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Actuarial (gain) loss	(18,963		)	(13,801		)
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Plan amendments	(1,657		)	—
Divestitures	—			(3,487		)
Benefit obligation at end of year	315,118			312,148
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	106,413			77,072
Actual return on plan assets	14,003			13,432
Employer contributions	23,550			26,552
Plan participants’ contributions	4,435			3,815
Benefits paid	(13,580		)	(14,458		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	134,821			106,413
Reconciliation:
Funded status	(180,297		)	(205,735		)
Unrecognized transition obligation	—			—
Unrecognized prior service cost	—			—
Unrecognized net loss	—			—
Accrued postretirement cost	$	(180,297	)	$	(205,735	)

Net periodic postretirement cost for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is recorded as operating expense and included the components presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic postretirement cost:
Service cost	$	16,784		$	18,800		$	16,353
Interest cost	15,951			12,964			13,861
Expected return on assets	(5,167		)	(3,988		)	(2,607		)
Amortization of transition obligation	274			1,081			1,511
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,450		)	(1,450		)	(1,450		)
Recognized actuarial loss	631			4,196			2,648
Net periodic postretirement cost	$	27,023		$	31,603		$	30,316

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the latest actuarial calculations:

	One-Percentage Point Increase		One-Percentage Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	4,533	$	(3,700	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	40,922	$	(34,169	)

We are currently recovering other postretirement benefits costs through our regulated rates under accrual accounting as prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in substantially all of our service areas. Other postretirement benefits costs have been specifically addressed in rate orders in each jurisdiction served by our Kentucky/Mid-States, West Texas, Mid-Tex and Mississippi Divisions as well as our Kansas jurisdiction and Atmos Pipeline – Texas or have been included in a rate case and not disallowed. Management believes that this accounting method is appropriate and will continue to seek rate recovery of accrual-based expenses in its ratemaking jurisdictions that have not yet approved the recovery of these expenses.

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Retiree Medical Plan’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Retiree Medical Plan are fully described in Note 2.

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	434	$	—	$	434
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	11,398		—		—		11,398
International funds	122,989		—		—		122,989
Total investments at fair value	$	134,387	$	434	$	—	$	134,821

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds	$	—	$	3,356	$	—	$	3,356
Registered investment companies:
Domestic funds	9,614		—		—		9,614
International funds	93,443		—		—		93,443
Total investments at fair value	$	103,057	$	3,356	$	—	$	106,413

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments paid by us, retirees and prescription drug subsidy payments for our postretirement benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years. Company payments for fiscal 2015 include contributions to our postretirement plan trusts.

	Company Payments		Retiree Payments		Subsidy Payments		Total Postretirement Benefits
	(In thousands)
2015	$	22,177	$	3,582	$	—	$	25,759
2016	15,008		4,615		—		19,623
2017	17,551		5,796		—		23,347
2018	19,660		7,148		—		26,808
2019	21,302		8,549		—		29,851
2020-2024	127,741		63,524		—		191,265

Defined Contribution Plans

As of September 30, 2014, we maintained three defined contribution benefit plans: the Atmos Energy Corporation Retirement Savings Plan and Trust (the Retirement Savings Plan), the Atmos Energy Corporation Savings Plan for MVG Union Employees (the Union 401K Plan) and the Atmos Energy Holdings, LLC 401K Profit-Sharing Plan (the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan).

The Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all employees in our regulated operations and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2007, employees automatically become participants of the Retirement Savings Plan on the date of employment. Participants may elect a salary reduction up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, not to exceed the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. New participants are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a salary reduction amount of four percent of eligible compensation, from which they may opt out. We match 100 percent of a participant’s contributions, limited to four percent of the participant’s salary, in our common stock. However, participants have the option to immediately transfer this matching contribution into other funds held within the plan. Participants are eligible to receive matching contributions after completing one year of service. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. In August 2010, the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy approved a proposal to close the Pension Account Plan to new participants effective October 1, 2010. New employees participate in our defined contribution plan, which was enhanced, effective January 1, 2011. Employees participating in the Pension Account Plan as of October 1, 2010 were allowed to make a one-time election to migrate from the Plan into the Retirement Savings Plan, effective January 1, 2011. Under the enhanced plan, participants receive a fixed annual contribution of four percent of eligible earnings to their Retirement Savings Plan account. Participants will continue to be eligible for company matching contributions of up to four percent of their eligible earnings and will be fully vested in the fixed annual contribution after three years of service.

The Union 401K Plan covers substantially all Mississippi Division employees who are members of the International Chemical Workers Union Council, United Food and Commercial Workers Union International (the Union) and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees of the Union automatically become participants of the Union 401K plan on the date of union membership. We match 50 percent of a participant’s contribution in cash, limited to six percent of the participant’s eligible contribution. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. In June 2014, active collectively bargained employees of Atmos Energy’s Mississippi Division voted to decertify the Union.  As a result, effective July 19, 2014, active participants of the Union 401K Plan were eligible to participate in the Retirement Savings Plan. Participants that do not actively elect to participate in the Retirement Savings Plan will be automatically enrolled in the Retirement Savings Plan at a salary reduction level of four percent, which they may opt out of within 30 days. In addition, participants may elect to transfer their funds from the Union 401K Plan to the Retirement Savings Plan. Effective January 1, 2015, all remaining participant balances will transfer to the Retirement Savings Plan. Following this transfer, the Union 401K Plan will be terminated.

Matching contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan and the Union 401K Plan are expensed as incurred and amounted to $10.9 million, $10.4 million and $10.5 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012. The Board of Directors may also approve discretionary contributions, subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations. No discretionary contributions were made for fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Retirement Savings Plan held 4.5 percent and 4.9 percent of our outstanding common stock.

The AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan covers substantially all AEH employees and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may elect a salary reduction up to a maximum of 75 percent of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, not to exceed the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company may elect to make safe harbor contributions up to four percent of the employee’s salary which vest immediately. The Company may also make discretionary profit sharing contributions to the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan. Participants become fully vested in the discretionary profit-sharing contributions after three years of service. Participants are also permitted to take out loans against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. Discretionary contributions to the AEH 401K Profit-Sharing Plan are expensed as incurred and amounted to $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.2 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.

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Financial Instruments Descriptions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 MMcf	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2013 Issuance [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2013 Issuance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Interest Rate Hedges, Short-term Note 2012 Issuance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2015 Issuance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2017 Issuance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Interest Rate Hedges, Senior Notes 2019 Issuance [Member]
General Discussion of Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Minimum Hedge Percentage Of Anticipated Heating Season Gas	25.00%
Maximum Hedge Percentage Of Anticipated Heating Season Gas	50.00%
Hedge Percentage Of Actual Heating Season Gas	32.00%
Hedge Volume Of Actual Heating Season Gas	24,800
Weighted Average Cost Of Actual Heating Season Gas	4.02
Minimum Length Of Time Hedged In Cash Flow Hedge	0 years 1 month 0 days
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge	0 years 61 months 0 days
Net Open Positions	100
Gain Loss On Hedge Ineffectiveness	$ 1.9	$ 18.2	$ 23.1
Regulated Segments Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	37.00%
Nonregulated Segment Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	39.00%
Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Not Designated Hedges Net Pretax	(5.0)	3.0	(2.5)
Natural Gas Inventory [Abstract]
Inventory Write-down			1.7
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					350	260	500	250	400
Anticipated Debt Issuance, Amount									450
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges, Pretax, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				$ (66.6)

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Financial Instruments Fair Value Hedges and Cash Flow Hedges (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Effect of Fair Value Hedges on Results of Operations [Abstract]
Commodity contracts	$ (792)	$ 2,165	$ 30,266
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	2,486	15,938	(5,797)
Total (increase) decrease in purchased gas cost	1,694	18,103	24,469
Fair Value Hedge Basis Ineffectiveness	(919)	(208)	1,170
Fair Value Hedge Timing Ineffectiveness	2,613	18,311	23,299
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	8,365	(10,778)	(62,678)
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	198	97	(1,369)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	8,563	(10,681)	(64,047)
Net loss on settled Treasury lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(4,230)	(3,489)	(2,009)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	4,333	(14,170)	(66,056)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	0	0	0
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	0	0	0
Total impact on purchased gas cost	0	0	0
Net loss on settled Treasury lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(4,230)	(3,489)	(2,009)
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	(4,230)	(3,489)	(2,009)
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into purchased gas cost for effective portion of commodity contracts	8,365	(10,778)	(62,678)
Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	198	97	(1,369)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	8,563	(10,681)	(64,047)
Net loss on settled Treasury lock agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	0	0	0
Total Impact from Cash Flow Hedges	$ 8,563	$ (10,681)	$ (64,047)

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Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 22,700	$ 10,100
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	3,100	14,700
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	36,140	111,191
Derivative Asset, Contract Netting	0	0
Derivative Asset, Net of Contract Netting	36,140	111,191
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	0	0
Derivative Asset	36,140	111,191
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(21,856)	(1,543)
Derivative Liability, Contract Netting	0	0
Derivative Liability, Net of Contract Netting	(21,856)	(1,543)
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0	0
Derivative Liability	(21,856)	(1,543)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	34,477	107,512
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(19,835)	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	21,869
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	12,608	107,512
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(19,835)	0
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,663	3,679
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(2,021)	(1,543)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,233	1,837
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	430	1,842
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(1,730)	(1,543)
Regulated Distribution Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(291)	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	69,023	115,880
Derivative Asset, Contract Netting	(69,023)	(115,875)
Derivative Asset, Net of Contract Netting	0	5
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	22,725	10,124
Derivative Asset	22,725	10,129
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(72,056)	(130,580)
Derivative Liability, Contract Netting	69,023	115,875
Derivative Liability, Net of Contract Netting	(3,033)	(14,705)
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	3,033	14,705
Derivative Liability	0	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	9,669	9,510
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(9,541)	(13,812)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	8,912	9,094
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	757	416
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(7,082)	(12,173)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(2,459)	(1,639)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	59,354	106,370
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(62,515)	(116,768)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	43,677	65,388
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Charges And Other Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	15,677	40,982
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(47,729)	(70,876)
Nonregulated Segment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ (14,786)	$ (45,892)

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Debt (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt instrument table

Long-term debt at September 30, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 4.95% Senior Notes, due October 2014	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due 2017	250,000		250,000
Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due 2019	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043	500,000		500,000
Medium term Series A notes, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028	150,000		150,000
Total long-term debt	2,460,000		2,460,000
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	4,014		4,329
Current maturities	—		—
	$	2,455,986	$	2,455,671

Debt maturity schedule

Maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	500,000
2016	—
2017	250,000
2018	—
2019	450,000
Thereafter	1,260,000
	$	2,460,000

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Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Domestic Equity Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Domestic Equity Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] International Equity Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] International Equity Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Company Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Company Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Other Investment Assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Other Investment Assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Account Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Account Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Mississippi Valley Gas Union Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Apr. 02, 2013 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Oct. 02, 2013 Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 1998 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 2009 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Diversified Investment Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Diversified Investment Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Retirement Savings Plan [Member]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not Yet Recognized, Recorded as Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Unrecognized transition obligation	$ 354,000	$ 628,000	$ 0	$ 0																		$ 0	$ 0						$ 354,000	$ 628,000
Unrecognized prior service cost	(8,095,000)	(6,052,000)	(1,927,000)	(91,000)																		0	0						(6,168,000)	(5,961,000)
Unrecognized actuarial loss	151,745,000	176,048,000	109,767,000	108,621,000																		34,447,000	31,466,000						7,531,000	35,961,000
Total unrecognized in net periodic cost	144,004,000	170,624,000	107,840,000	108,530,000																		34,447,000	31,466,000						1,717,000	30,628,000
Current Year Benefit Plan Contributions [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year Minimum																													20,000,000
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year Maximum																													25,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum						35.00%		10.00%		10.00%		5.00%		5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum						55.00%		20.00%		30.00%		15.00%		15.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations						51.90%	46.50%	15.30%	16.10%	9.70%	14.90%	12.90%	12.60%	10.20%	9.90%																	99.70%	96.80%	0.30%	3.20%
Number of shares of Atmos Energy common stock in Master Trust												1,169,700	1,169,700
Amount of dividend income from Atmos Energy common stock in Master Trust												1,700,000	1,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract
Discount rate			4.95%	4.04%	5.05%														4.21%	4.04%	4.21%	4.95%	4.04%	5.05%					4.95%	4.04%	5.05%
Rate of compensation increase			3.50%	3.50%	3.50%																	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Expected return on plan assets			7.25%	7.75%	7.75%																								4.60%	4.70%	5.00%
Initial Trend																													8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Ultimate trend rate																													5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Ultimate trend rate reached in																													2020	2019	2018
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Benefit Obligation Abstract
Discount rate			4.43%	4.95%																	4.95%	4.43%	4.95%						4.43%	4.95%
Rate of compensation increase			3.50%	3.50%																	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Expected return on plan assets			7.25%	7.25%																									4.60%	4.60%
Initial trend rate																													7.50%	8.00%
Ultimate trend rate																													5.00%	5.00%
Ultimate trend reached in																													2020	2020
Interest crediting rate																												4.69%
Accumulated benefit obligation			466,182,000	446,133,000																	109,817,000	106,276,000	109,817,000
Defined Benefit Plan Change In Benefit Obligation Roll Forward
Benefit obligation at beginning of year			455,799,000	480,031,000																117,080,000		117,080,000	130,186,000						312,148,000	308,315,000
Service cost			15,345,000	17,754,000	15,084,000																	3,607,000	3,039,000	2,108,000					16,784,000	18,800,000	16,353,000
Interest cost			22,330,000	19,334,000	21,568,000																	4,966,000	4,755,000	5,142,000					15,951,000	12,964,000	13,861,000
Plan participants' contributions																													4,435,000	3,815,000
Actuarial (gain) loss			26,611,000	(29,822,000)																		9,468,000	(6,451,000)						(18,963,000)	(13,801,000)
Benefits paid			(24,519,000)	(25,073,000)																		(5,085,000)	(4,375,000)		(16,800,000)				(13,580,000)	(14,458,000)
Plan amendments																1,972,000	0												1,657,000
Divestitures			0	(6,425,000)																									0	(3,487,000)
Settlements																						(16,817,000)	(10,074,000)
Benefit obligation at end of year			493,594,000	455,799,000	480,031,000																117,080,000	113,219,000	117,080,000	130,186,000					315,118,000	312,148,000	308,315,000
Funded Status Reconciliation [Abstract]
Funded status			(58,827,000)	(58,912,000)																	(117,080,000)	(113,219,000)	(117,080,000)						(180,297,000)	(205,735,000)
Unrecognized prior service cost			0	0																	0	0	0						0	0
Unrecognized transition obligation																													0	0
Unrecognized net loss			0	0																	0	0	0						0	0
Net amount recognized			(58,827,000)	(58,912,000)																	(117,080,000)	(113,219,000)	(117,080,000)						(180,297,000)	(205,735,000)
Estimated company benefit payments
Estimated company benefit payments in year one																													22,177,000
Estimated company benefit payments in year two																													15,008,000
Estimated company benefit payments in year three																													17,551,000
Estimated company benefit payments in year four																													19,660,000
Estimated company benefit payments in year five																													21,302,000
Estimated company benefit payments in five fiscal years thereafter																													127,741,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments
Estimated retiree benefit payments in year one																													3,582,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments in year two																													4,615,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments in year three																													5,796,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments in year four																													7,148,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments in year five																													8,549,000
Estimated retiree benefit payments in five fiscal years thereafter																													63,524,000
Disclosure Of Expected Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Abstract
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in year one																													0
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in year two																													0
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in year three																													0
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in year four																													0
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in year five																													0
Prescription drug subsidy receipts in five fiscal years thereafter																													0
Estimated Future Benefits Payment, Total
Expected future benefit payments in year one, total			33,592,000																			11,381,000							25,759,000
Expected future benefit payments in year two, total			32,811,000																			4,617,000							19,623,000
Expected future benefit payments in year three, total			33,131,000																			17,260,000							23,347,000
Expected future benefit payments in year four, total			33,501,000																			14,772,000							26,808,000
Expected future benefit payments in year five, total			34,846,000																			7,675,000							29,851,000
Expected future benefit payments in five fiscal years thereafter, total			182,998,000																			32,843,000							191,265,000
Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components																													4,533,000
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components																													(3,700,000)
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation																													40,922,000
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation																													(34,169,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Employer Claims Paid																													80.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Employee Paid Claims																													20.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Percent of Covered Compensation																										75.00%	60.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Vesting Period																3 years		5 years										3 years										3 years
Defined Benefit Plan, Age Attained																												55 years
Defined Benefit Plan, Investment Performance Review Period																																				3 years	5 years
Defined Benefit Plan, Description of Settlements and Curtailments																						On October 2, 2013, due to the retirement of one of our executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $4.5 million associated with our SEBP and made a $16.8 million benefit payment.	On April 1, 2013, due to the retirement of certain executives, we recognized a settlement loss of $3.2 million associated with the supplemental plans and revalued the net periodic pension cost for the remainder of fiscal 2013. The revaluation of the net periodic pension cost resulted in an increase in the discount rate, effective April 1, 2013, to 4.21 percent, which reduced our net periodic pension cost by approximately $0.1 million for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements																			$ 3,200,000			$ (4,539,000)	$ (3,160,000)	$ 0	$ 4,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funds Available for Investment in Common Stock and Convertible Securities																													75.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Percent of Contributed Compensation																												10.00%
Remaining Recovery Period of Regulatory Assets for which No Return on Investment During Recovery Period is Provided	15 years
Defined Benefit Plan, Percent Limit on Future Contributions																													3.00%

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Current
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	631
State	5,527			8,178			6,888
Deferred
Federal	169,106			124,836			103,971
State	12,375			9,605			(13,237		)
Investment tax credits	(6		)	(20		)	(27		)
	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

Reconciliations of the provision for income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the reported provisions for income taxes from continuing operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 are set forth below:

	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Tax at statutory rate of 35%	$	166,887		$	130,655		$	101,648
Common stock dividends deductible for tax reporting	(2,307		)	(2,153		)	(2,096		)
State taxes (net of federal benefit)	11,636			11,559			(4,127		)
Change in valuation allowance	6,969			1,085			—
Other, net	3,817			1,453			2,801
Income tax expense	$	187,002		$	142,599		$	98,226

Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant components of the deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit plans	$	116,157		$	115,970
Interest rate agreements	10,565			—
Net operating loss carryforwards	236,626			196,296
Charitable and other credit carryforwards	21,614			20,939
Other	28,849			38,013
Total deferred tax assets	413,811			371,218
Valuation allowance	(6,969		)	(1,085		)
Net deferred tax assets	406,842			370,133
Deferred tax liabilities:
Difference in net book value and net tax value of assets	(1,655,894		)	(1,445,450		)
Pension funding	(17,890		)	(23,480		)
Gas cost adjustments	(31,252		)	(19,182		)
Interest rate agreements	—			(21,726		)
Other	(37,173		)	(39,045		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,742,209		)	(1,548,883		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(1,335,367	)	$	(1,178,750	)
Deferred credits for rate regulated entities	$	(109	)	$	(51	)

At September 30, 2014, we had $224.2 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, $12.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards (net of federal effects), $10.1 million of federal alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, $1.0 million of state tax credits and $10.5 million in charitable contribution carryforwards. The alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards do not expire. The federal net operating loss carryforwards are available to offset taxable income and will begin to expire in 2029. Depending on the jurisdiction in which the state net operating loss was generated, the state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire between 2016 and 2030. The state tax credits will begin to expire in 2018.

The Company’s charitable contribution carryforwards expire in 2014 - 2019. We believe it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain charitable contribution carryforwards will not be realized. Due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from the deferred tax asset recorded for charitable contribution carryforwards, a valuation allowance of 7.0 million and 1.1 million was recognized for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

At September 30, 2014, we had recorded liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits totaling $12.6 million. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance of our unrecognized tax benefits:

	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning balance	$	4,158		$	2,817
Increase resulting from prior period tax positions	3,846			—
Increase resulting from current period tax positions	4,625			1,341
Unrecognized tax benefits - ending balance	12,629			4,158
Accrued interest and penalties	411			—
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	13,040			4,158
Less: deferred federal and state income tax benefits	(4,564		)	(1,455		)
Total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year	$	8,476		$	2,703

Additionally, results for fiscal 2012 were favorably impacted by a state tax benefit of $13.6 million (net of federal effects). Due to the completion of the sale of our Missouri, Iowa and Illinois service areas in the fiscal fourth quarter, the Company updated its analysis of the tax rate at which deferred taxes would reverse in the future to reflect the sale of these service areas. The updated analysis supported a reduction in the deferred tax rate which when applied to the balance of taxable income deferred to future periods resulted in a reduction of the Company’s overall deferred tax liability.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as in various states where we have operations. We have concluded substantially all U.S. federal income tax matters through fiscal year 2007.

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Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of our regulated distribution assets and certain related nonregulated assets located in Georgia to Liberty Energy (Georgia) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. for a cash price of approximately $153 million, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement executed on August 8, 2012. In connection with the sale, we recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $8.2 million.

On August 1, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of our regulated distribution assets located in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa to Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp., an affiliate of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. for a cash price of approximately $128 million, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement executed on May 12, 2011. In connection with the sale, we recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $9.9 million.

As required under generally accepted accounting principles, the operating results of our Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa operations have been aggregated and reported on the consolidated statements of income as income from discontinued operations, net of income tax. Expenses related to general corporate overhead and interest expense allocated to their operations are not included in discontinued operations.

The following table presents statement of income data related to discontinued operations in our Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa service areas. At September 30, 2014 and 2013 we did not have any assets or liabilities held for sale.

	Year Ended September 30
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues	$	37,962	$	114,703
Purchased gas cost	21,464		62,902
Gross profit	16,498		51,801
Operating expenses	5,858		24,174
Operating income	10,640		27,627
Other nonoperating income	548		611
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	11,188		28,238
Income tax expense	3,986		10,066
Income from discontinued operations	7,202		18,172
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	5,294		6,349
Net income from discontinued operations	$	12,496	$	24,521

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Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 18, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 18, 2014
Basic Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations						$ 7,536,000	$ 33,474,000	$ 112,340,000	$ 77,348,000	$ 289,817,000	$ 230,698,000	$ 192,196,000
Less: Income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities										711,000	775,000	793,000
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders										289,106,000	229,923,000	191,403,000
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)										97,606,000	90,533,000	90,150,000
Income per share from continuing operations - basic (usd per share)						$ 0.08	$ 0.37	$ 1.24	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.54	$ 2.12
Basic Earnings per Share from Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations										0	12,496,000	24,521,000
Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities										0	42,000	101,000
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders										0	12,454,000	24,420,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations per share - Basic (usd per share)						$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — basic (usd per share)		$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.43	$ 1.28	$ 0.89	$ 2.96	$ 2.68	$ 2.39
Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares										0	5,000	4,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders										289,106,000	229,928,000	191,407,000
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares										2,000	1,178,000	1,022,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)										97,608,000	91,711,000	91,172,000
Income per share from continuing operations - diluted (usd per share)						$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 1.23	$ 0.85	$ 2.96	$ 2.50	$ 2.10
Diluted Earnings per Share from Discontinued Operations
Effect of dilutive stock options and other shares										0	0	0
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders										0	12,454,000	24,420,000
Additional dilutive stock options and other shares										2,000	1,178,000	1,022,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding										97,608,000	91,711,000	91,172,000
Income per share from discontinued operations - diluted (usd per share)						$ 0.00	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.14	$ 0.27
Net income per share — diluted (usd per share)		$ 0.23	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 0.94	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 1.27	$ 0.88	$ 2.96	$ 2.64	$ 2.37
Earnings Per Share Diluted Other Disclosures Abstract
Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share											0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	9,200,000
Shares Issued At Overallotment Option	1,200,000
Net proceeds from equity offering	390,200,000									390,205,000	0	0
Share Price													$ 44.00
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares												387,991
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value										$ 12,500,000
Summary Of Stock Option Activity [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number		0								0

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Financial Instruments (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of financial instrument assets and liabilities at fair value

The following table shows the fair values of our risk management assets and liabilities by segment at September 30, 2014 and 2013:

	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Assets from risk management activities, current(1)	$	23,102		$	22,725	$	45,827
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	13,038			—		13,038
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(1)	(1,730		)	—		(1,730		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(1)	(20,126		)	—		(20,126		)
Net assets	$	14,284		$	22,725	$	37,009
September 30, 2013
Assets from risk management activities, current(2)	$	1,837		$	10,129	$	11,966
Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent	109,354			—		109,354
Liabilities from risk management activities, current(2)	(1,543		)	—		(1,543		)
Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(2)	—			—		—
Net assets	$	109,648		$	10,129	$	119,777

⁽¹⁾  Includes $25.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was used to offset current and noncurent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $22.7 million is classified as current risk management assets.

⁽²⁾  Includes $24.8 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $14.7 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting arrangements and the remaining $10.1 million is classified as current risk management assets.

Outstanding commodity contracts volumes table

As of September 30, 2014, we had net long/(short) commodity contracts outstanding in the following quantities:

Contract Type	Hedge Designation	Regulated Distribution	Nonregulated
		Quantity (MMcf)
Commodity contracts	Fair Value	—	(10,298	)
	Cash Flow	—	49,290
	Not designated	31,812	96,711
		31,812	135,703

Financial instruments on the balance sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments by operating segment as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties.

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2014
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	8,912		$	(7,082	)
Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	21,869		—			—			—
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			757			(2,459		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	12,608		(19,835		)	—			—
Total		34,477		(19,835		)	9,669			(9,541		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,233		(1,730		)	43,677			(47,729		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	430		(291		)	15,677			(14,786		)
Total		1,663		(2,021		)	59,354			(62,515		)
Gross Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	69,023			(72,056		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(69,023		)	69,023
Net Financial Instruments		36,140		(21,856		)	—			(3,033		)
Cash collateral		—		—			22,725			3,033
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	36,140	$	(21,856	)	$	22,725		$	—

		Regulated Distribution					Nonregulated
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(In thousands)
September 30, 2013
Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	9,094		$	(12,173	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	—		—			416			(1,639		)
Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	107,512		—			—			—
Total		107,512		—			9,510			(13,812		)
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,837		(1,543		)	65,388			(70,876		)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,842		—			40,982			(45,892		)
Total		3,679		(1,543		)	106,370			(116,768		)
Gross Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	115,880			(130,580		)
Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Contract netting		—		—			(115,875		)	115,875
Net Financial Instruments		111,191		(1,543		)	5			(14,705		)
Cash collateral		—		—			10,124			14,705
Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities		$	111,191	$	(1,543	)	$	10,129		$	—

Fair value hedges table

The impact of our nonregulated commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on our consolidated income statement for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Commodity contracts	$	(792	)	$	2,165		$	30,266
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item	2,486			15,938			(5,797		)
Total decrease in purchased gas cost	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469
The decrease in purchased gas cost is comprised of the following:
Basis ineffectiveness	$	(919	)	$	(208	)	$	1,170
Timing ineffectiveness	2,613			18,311			23,299
	$	1,694		$	18,103		$	24,469

Cash flow hedges table

The impact of cash flow hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Gain reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	8,365	$	8,365
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			198		198
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			8,563		8,563
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(4,230		)	—		(4,230		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(4,230	)	$	8,563	$	4,333

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(10,778	)	$	(10,778	)
Gain arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			97			97
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(10,681		)	(10,681		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(3,489		)	—			(3,489		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(3,489	)	$	(10,681	)	$	(14,170	)

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Regulated Distribution			Nonregulated			Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of commodity contracts	$	—		$	(62,678	)	$	(62,678	)
Loss arising from ineffective portion of commodity contracts	—			(1,369		)	(1,369		)
Total impact on purchased gas cost	—			(64,047		)	(64,047		)
Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense	(2,009		)	—			(2,009		)
Total impact from cash flow hedges	$	(2,009	)	$	(64,047	)	$	(66,056	)

Other comprehensive income from hedging table

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because these amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred.

	Fiscal Year Ended September 30
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	(58,973	)	$	79,963
Forward commodity contracts	7,904			(2,057		)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	2,686			2,216
Forward commodity contracts	(5,102		)	6,576
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax(1)	$	(53,485	)	$	86,698

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

Expected recognition in earnings of deferred losses in AOCI table

The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2014. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of the interest rate agreements entered into in October 2012 and fiscal 2014 as those financial instruments have not yet settled.

	Interest Rate Agreements			Commodity Contracts			Total
	(In thousands)
2015	$	(804	)	$	(632	)	$	(1,436	)
2016	(634		)	(907		)	(1,541		)
2017	(735		)	(107		)	(842		)
2018	(936		)	(38		)	(974		)
2019	(961		)	10			(951		)
Thereafter	(23,609		)	—			(23,609		)
Total(1)	$	(27,679	)	$	(1,674	)	$	(29,353	)

⁽¹⁾  Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (PARENTHETICALS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period	$ 0	$ 3,986	$ 10,066
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Income (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation	$ 0	$ 2,909	$ 3,519

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 289,817	$ 243,194	$ 216,717
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairments	0	0	5,288
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	0	(8,203)	(9,868)
Depreciation and amortization:
Charged to depreciation and amortization	253,987	236,928	246,093
Charged to other accounts	969	679	484
Deferred income taxes	189,952	141,336	104,319
Stock-based compensation	25,531	17,814	19,222
Debt financing costs	9,409	8,480	8,147
Other	(428)	(2,887)	(493)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decreased in accounts receivable	(41,408)	(73,669)	32,578
Decrease in gas stored underground	(31,996)	31,979	28,417
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(24,411)	15,644	20,989
(Increase) decrease in deferred charges and other assets	30,662	111,069	(50,055)
Increase (decrease) in account payable and accrued liabilities	55,041	31,912	(64,234)
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities	2,413	(44,491)	7,889
Increase (decrease) in deferred credits and other liabilities	(19,552)	(96,658)	21,424
Net cash provided by operating activities	739,986	613,127	586,917
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(835,251)	(845,033)	(732,858)
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations	0	153,023	128,223
Other, net	(2,325)	(4,904)	(4,625)
Net cash used in investing activities	(837,576)	(696,914)	(609,260)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(165,865)	(208,070)	354,141
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	493,793	0
Net proceeds from equity offering	390,205	0	0
Settlement of Treasury lock agreement	0	(66,626)	0
Repayment of long-term debt	0	(131)	(257,034)
Cash dividends paid	(146,248)	(128,115)	(125,796)
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	(12,535)
Repurchase of equity awards	(8,717)	(5,150)	(5,219)
Issuance of common stock	4,274	46	1,606
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	73,649	85,747	(44,837)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(23,941)	1,960	(67,180)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	66,199	64,239	131,419
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	42,258	66,199	64,239
CASH PAID (RECEIVED) DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
Interest	156,606	148,461	150,606
Income taxes	$ (610)	$ 10,008	$ (432)

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Leases (Details) (USD $)				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Term				1 year	20 years
Capital Leases of Lessee [Abstract]
Capital Leased Assets Gross	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,300,000
Capital Leases Accumulated Depreciation	1,100,000	1,000,000
Capital Leases, 2015	186,000
Capital Leases, 2016	186,000
Capital Leases, 2017	186,000
Capital Leases, 2018	78,000
Capital Leases, 2019	0
Capital Leases, thereafter	0
Total Capital Minimum Lease Payments	636,000
Capital Leases, less amount representing interest	123,000
Present value of net minimum lease payments	513,000
Operating Leases, 2015	16,673,000
Operating Leases, 2016	16,021,000
Operating Leases, 2017	16,330,000
Operating Leases, 2018	15,907,000
Operating Leases, 2019	15,138,000
Operating Leases, Thereafter	75,620,000
Total Operating Lease Payments	155,689,000
Lease and Rental Expense	$ 31,700,000	$ 32,400,000	$ 33,600,000

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operation and maintenance					$ (505,154)	$ (488,020)	$ (453,613)
Interest charges					(129,295)	(128,385)	(141,174)
Income (loss) before income taxes					476,819	373,297	290,422
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)					(187,002)	(142,599)	(98,226)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,536	33,474	112,340	77,348	289,817	230,698	192,196
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations					3,211	(7,417)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operation and maintenance					1,252	2,166
Income (loss) before income taxes					1,252	2,166
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)					(457)	(791)
Income (loss) from continuing operations					795	1,375
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Interest Rate Hedges [Member] [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest charges					(4,230)	(3,489)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges [Member] [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Purchased gas cost					8,365	(10,778)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes					4,135	(14,267)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)					(1,719)	5,475
Income (loss) from continuing operations					$ 2,416	$ (8,792)

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is presented below. The sum of net income per share by quarter may not equal the net income per share for the fiscal year due to variations in the weighted average shares outstanding used in computing such amounts. Our businesses are seasonal due to weather conditions in our service areas. For further information on its effects on quarterly results, see the “Results of Operations” discussion included in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section herein.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2014:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	843,865		$	1,290,960		$	517,707		$	409,014
Regulated pipeline	71,341			73,615			87,189			86,314
Nonregulated	447,721			757,683			465,033			396,855
Intersegment eliminations	(107,779		)	(157,936		)	(127,211		)	(113,455		)
	1,255,148			1,964,322			942,718			778,728
Gross profit	388,957			496,277			359,533			337,659
Operating income	170,720			250,080			106,605			83,944
Net income	87,016			133,367			45,721			23,713
Net income per share — basic	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.94		$	1.38		$	0.45		$	0.23

	Quarter Ended
	December 31			March 31			June 30			September 30
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal year 2013:
Operating revenues
Regulated distribution	$	666,787		$	905,176		$	467,144		$	360,386
Regulated pipeline	60,681			61,848			74,041			72,330
Nonregulated	399,894			428,948			421,808			337,264
Intersegment eliminations	(93,207		)	(86,976		)	(105,058		)	(95,606		)
	1,034,155			1,308,996			857,935			674,374
Gross profit	362,362			432,751			316,497			300,440
Operating income	154,922			210,178			86,396			50,383
Income from continuing operations	77,348			112,340			33,474			7,536
Income from discontinued operations	3,117			4,085			—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			—			5,294			—
Net income	80,465			116,425			38,768			7,536
Basic earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.24		$	0.37		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.04		0.04			$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — basic	$	0.89		$	1.28		$	0.43		$	0.08
Diluted earnings per share
Income per share from continuing operations	$	0.85		$	1.23		$	0.36		$	0.08
Income per share from discontinued operations	$	0.03		$	0.04		$	0.06		$	—
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.88		$	1.27		$	0.42		$	0.08

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Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Member, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2010
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Member
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 20,624		$ 9,425				$ 7,440
Charged to costs & expenses	19,491		14,484		8,901
Charged to other accounts	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances And Reserves Deductions	16,123	[1]	3,285	[1]	6,916	[1]
Balance at end of period	$ 23,992		$ 20,624		$ 9,425		$ 7,440

[1] Uncollectible accounts written off.

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Leases (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments

The related future minimum lease payments at September 30, 2014 were as follows:

	Capital Leases		Operating Leases
	(In thousands)
2015	$	186	$	16,673
2016	186		16,021
2017	186		16,330
2018	78		15,907
2019	—		15,138
Thereafter	—		75,620
Total minimum lease payments	636		$	155,689
Less amount representing interest	123
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	513

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

Beginning in April 2009, Atmos Energy and two subsidiaries of AEH, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM) and Atmos Gathering Company, LLC (AGC) (collectively, the Atmos Entities), were involved in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky related to our Park City Gathering Project. The dispute which gave rise to the litigation involves the amount of royalties due from a third party producer to landowners (who own the mineral rights) for natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties. The third party producer was operating pursuant to leases between the landowners and certain investors/working interest owners. The third party producer filed a petition in bankruptcy, which was subsequently dismissed due to the lack of meaningful assets to reorganize or liquidate.

Although certain Atmos Energy companies entered into contracts with the third party producer to gather, treat and ultimately sell natural gas produced from the landowners’ properties, no Atmos Energy company had a contractual relationship with the landowners or the investors/working interest owners. After the lawsuit was filed, the landowners were successful in terminating for non-payment of royalties the leases related to the production of natural gas from their properties. Subsequent to termination, the investors/working interest owners under such leases filed additional claims against us for the termination of the leases.

During the trial, the landowners and the investors/working interest owners requested an award of compensatory damages plus punitive damages against us. On December 17, 2010, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the landowners and investor/working interest owners and awarded compensatory damages of $3.8 million and punitive damages of $27.5 million payable by Atmos Energy and the two AEH subsidiaries.

A hearing was held on February 28, 2011 to hear a number of motions, including a motion to dismiss the jury verdict and a motion for a new trial. The motions to dismiss the jury verdict and for a new trial were denied. However, the total punitive damages award was reduced from $27.5 million to $24.7 million. On October 17, 2011, we filed our brief of appellants with the Kentucky Court of Appeals (Court), appealing the verdict of the trial court. The appellees in this case subsequently filed their appellees’ brief with the Court on January 16, 2012, with our reply brief being filed with the Court on March 19, 2012. Oral arguments were held in the case on August 27, 2012.

In an opinion handed down on January 25, 2013, the Court of Appeals overturned the $28.5 million jury verdict returned against the Atmos Entities. In a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel, the Court of Appeals reversed the claims asserted by the landowners and investors/working interest owners. The Court of Appeals concluded that all of such claims that the Atmos Entities appealed should have been dismissed by the trial court as a matter of law. The Court of Appeals let stand the jury verdict on one claim that Atmos Energy and our subsidiaries chose not to appeal, which was a trespass claim. The jury had awarded a total of $10,000 in compensatory damages to one landowner on that claim. The Court of Appeals vacated all of the other damages awarded by the jury and remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial, solely on the issue of whether punitive damages should be awarded to that landowner and, if so, in what amount.

The investors/working interest owners, on February 25, 2013, and the landowners, on March 19, 2013, each filed with the Supreme Court of Kentucky, separate motions for discretionary review of the opinion of the Court of Appeals. We filed a response to the motion filed by the investors/working owners on March 27, 2013 and to the landowners’ motion on April 17, 2013. The Kentucky Supreme Court denied the motions for discretionary review on February 12, 2014 and the decision of the Court of Appeals became final on February 21, 2014.  We had previously accrued what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. This accrual was reversed during the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2014 as the appellate process in this case had been completed. Atmos Energy had also filed a motion with the trial court, the Circuit Court of Edmonson County, Kentucky, on March 10, 2014, seeking a ruling that the remaining landowner was not entitled to any punitive damages on the sole remaining claim of trespass.  On May 19, 2014, the Edmonson County Circuit Court entered judgment dismissing any claim for punitive damages relating to the trespass claim. There was no appeal of this judgment. The lawsuit in Edmonson County has now been fully resolved.

In addition, in a related matter, on July 12, 2011, the Atmos Entities filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Atmos Energy Corporation et al.vs. Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and Robert Thorpe and John F. Charles, against the third party producer and its affiliates to recover all costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Atmos Entities, which are associated with the defense and appeal of the case discussed above as well as for all damages awarded to the plaintiffs in such case against the Atmos Entities. The total amount of damages being claimed in the lawsuit is about $3.5 million, plus interest that continues to accrue. This lawsuit is based upon the indemnification provisions agreed to by the third party producer in favor of Atmos Gathering that are contained in an agreement entered into between Atmos Gathering and the third party producer in May 2009. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case on August 25, 2011, with Atmos Energy filing a brief in response to such motion on September 19, 2011. On March 27, 2012 the court denied the motion to dismiss. Atmos Energy filed a motion for partial summary judgment against the defendants with the District Court on July 15, 2014 and filed an Amended Complaint on July 18, 2014.

On August 28, 2014, the court entered an order authorizing the withdrawal of the lawyer representing the estate of Robert Thorpe, giving the Thorpe Estate until October 2, 2014 to engage a new lawyer. On September 29, 2014, Resource Energy Technologies, LLC and John Charles, individually, entered into an agreed-upon judgment in favor of the Atmos Entities in the amount of $3.6 million, which resolved all claims by the Atmos Entities against those defendants and which dismissed with prejudice all counterclaims against the Atmos Entities. That judgment was settled with the Atmos Entities for $15,000, based on information obtained in discovery that showed those defendants lacked the ability to pay. The only claims remaining in the case are the Atmos Entities’ claims against the Thorpe Estate. The Thorpe Estate has not responded to the motion for partial summary judgment or the amended complaint. In a hearing held on October 7, 2014, the court was advised that the Thorpe Estate was insolvent and without funds to hire another attorney. The court has entered an order to show cause setting the case for a hearing on December 3, 2014 and indicated that if the Thorpe Estate fails to appear, an order of default will be entered.

Tennessee Business License Tax

Atmos Energy, through its affiliate, AEM, has been involved in a dispute with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) regarding sales business tax audits over a period of several years. The cumulative assessment approximated $12 million as of March 31, 2014, which AEM challenged. We had previously accrued in prior years what we believed to be an adequate amount for the anticipated resolution of this matter. With respect to certain issues, AEM and the TDOR filed competing Partial Motions for Summary Judgment with the Chancery Court. On August 2, 2013, the Chancery Court granted the TDOR's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment and denied AEM's Partial Motion for Summary Judgment. An agreed order of dismissal with prejudice between AEM and TDOR was approved by the Chancery Court and entered on May 2, 2014, whereby AEM agreed to pay $6.2 million to TDOR to resolve all business tax-related liabilities outstanding through September 2014. The State of Tennessee also passed related legislation, effective July 1, 2014, that should help minimize any disputes over this type of sales business tax in the future.

We are a party to other litigation and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such litigation and claims both individually and in the aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We are a party to environmental matters and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the ultimate results of response actions to these environmental matters and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such response actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows because we believe that the expenditures related to such response actions will either be recovered through rates, shared with other parties or are adequately covered by insurance.

Purchase Commitments

Our regulated distribution divisions maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract.

Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices indexed to natural gas distribution hubs. At September 30, 2014, we were committed to purchase 49.7 Bcf within one year and 69.8 Bcf within one to three years under indexed contracts. Purchases under these contracts totaled $140.9 million, $89.0 million and $72.2 million for 2014, 2013, 2012.

Our nonregulated segment has commitments to purchase physical quantities of natural gas under contracts indexed to the forward NYMEX strip or fixed price contracts. At September 30, 2014, we were committed to purchase 111.5 Bcf within one year, 19.8 Bcf within one to three years and 0.5 Bcf after three years under indexed contracts. We are committed to purchase 7.8 Bcf within one year under fixed price contracts with prices ranging from $1.96 to $4.49 per Mcf. Purchases under these contracts totaled $1,687.5 million, $1,246.1 million and $978.8 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012.

In addition, our nonregulated segment maintains long-term contracts related to storage and transportation. The estimated contractual demand fees for contracted storage and transportation under these contracts as of September 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	7,426
2016	2,117
2017	1,437
2018	773
2019	143
Thereafter	214
	$	12,110

Other Contingencies

In December 2007, the Company received data requests from the Division of Investigations of the Office of Enforcement of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with its investigation into possible violations of the Commission’s posting and competitive bidding regulations for pre-arranged released firm capacity on natural gas pipelines.

The Company and the Commission entered into a stipulation and consent agreement, which was approved by the Commission on December 9, 2011, thereby resolving this investigation. The Commission’s findings of violations were limited to the nonregulated operations of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid to the United States Treasury a total civil penalty of approximately $6.4 million and to energy assistance programs approximately $5.6 million in disgorgement of unjust profits plus interest for violations identified during the investigation. The resolution of this matter did not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows and none of the payments were charged to any of the Company’s customers. In addition, none of the services the Company provides to any of its regulated or nonregulated customers were affected by the agreement.

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, representing an extensive overhaul of the framework for regulation of U.S. financial markets. The Dodd-Frank Act required various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, to establish regulations for implementation of many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. A number of those regulations have been adopted; we have enacted new procedures and modified existing business practices and contractual arrangements to comply with such regulations. We expect additional regulations to be issued, which should provide additional clarity regarding the extent of the impact of this legislation on us. The costs of participating in financial markets for hedging certain risks inherent in our business may be further increased when these expected additional regulations are adopted. We also anticipate that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission will issue additional related reporting and disclosure obligations.