EXHIBIT 99.1


          [ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION LETTERHEAD AND LOGO APPEAR HERE]



Date: July 2, 2001                      Investor & Media Contact:

For Release: Immediately                Lynn Hord (972) 855-3729


               Atmos Energy Corporation Completes Acquisition of
       Louisiana Gas Service Company and LGS Natural Gas Company Assets

Dallas, Texas - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) today announced that it
completed its purchase of the assets of Louisiana Gas Service Company and LGS
Natural Gas Company from Citizens Communications Company (NYSE: CZN) on July 1,
2001 for about $365 million in cash.  The purchase increases Atmos' customer
base by approximately 279,000, making Atmos the 5th largest pure gas utility in
the nation and the largest natural gas utility in the State of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Gas Service Company (LGS) utility operations serve customers in
Monroe and communities surrounding the City of New Orleans such as Metairie and
Harvey in Jefferson Parish.  LGS also serves the East Baton Rouge Parish and
areas adjacent to Baton Rouge in Ascension Parish. The LGS utility operations
will be integrated with Atmos' Trans Louisiana Gas Company (Trans LA) operations
over the next several months and will operate under a newly created business
unit identity, Atmos Energy Louisiana.

The LGS Natural Gas Company (LGSN) operations include non-regulated gas sales to
industrial customers and interests in two natural gas pipelines and a salt-dome
storage field.  The LGSN operations will be integrated with Atmos' existing non-
utility operations.

"We are very excited about expanding our operations in the State of Louisiana
and the opportunities we see there for continued growth," said Robert W. Best,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atmos Energy Corporation. "We
look forward to serving our new Louisiana customers and to providing them with
the highest quality customer service.  We also welcome the employees of LGS and
LGSN and thank them for their dedicated service and for their assistance in
working with us to complete this transaction.  We are pleased that Atmos has
doubled its customer base over the past four years and we remain resolute and
focused on continuing our tradition of growth through acquisitions".

Atmos Energy Corporation of Dallas, Texas distributes natural gas to about 1.4
million customers in 11 states through its operating divisions - Atmos Energy
Louisiana, Energas Company, Greeley Gas Company, United Cities Gas Company and
Western Kentucky Gas Company.  The Company's non-utility operations include
Woodward Marketing, Atmos Power Systems, Inc., natural gas storage, irrigation,
the sale of retail products and services, and an indirect equity interest in
Heritage Propane Partners.  For additional information about the Company, please
visit the Atmos website at www.atmosenergy.com.

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