Company: ATO
Filing Date: 2025-11-14
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000731802-25-000056
Chunk: 56

Company: ATMOS ENERGY CORP
Filing Date: 2025-11-14
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 7
Chunk 56
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 which we operate, and to prepare to serve the growing needs of the communities we serve. Between fiscal years 2026 and 2030, we anticipate spending approximately $26 billion, with more than 80 percent dedicated to safety and reliability spending. The magnitude and allocation of these expenditures may be affected by factors such as new policy and regulations, population growth, and increased labor and materials costs. Although we believe these costs are ultimately recoverable through our rates based on the regulatory frameworks currently available to us, full recovery is not assured.

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 PolicySummary of PolicyFactors Influencing Application of the PolicyRegulationOur 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 expected 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 or changes in the accounting for our various regulatory mechanisms 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 authoritiesIssuance of new regulations or regulatory mechanismsAssessing that the recoverability of deferred costs and utility assets is probableContinuing to meet the criteria of a cost-based, rate regulated entity for accounting purposes