В Кентукки жителям прекращают бесплатное газоснабжение после 60 лет: компания предлагает $2000 вместо $20000

GREENVILLE, Ky. (WFIE) - A decades-old agreement keeping the heat on for dozens of local families is coming to an end. Tonight, residents in Muhlenberg County say they’re being forced out of their free gas rights after 60 years by a major utility company. Residents say they are left with more questions than answers after they received letters from Texas Gas saying their free gas rights will be discontinued in 2027. 14 News spoke with residents who say the company has been providing free gas as part of contracts established when Texas Gas developed storage fields beneath their properties. Residents say were shocked to learn last month that they will soon be losing those services and may be required to pay thousands of dollars to switch to a new system. They say they have tried to reach out to officials with Texas Gas but only received a vague response. “We was given a phone number to call of the woman and when you call and talk to her, she’s reading the script,” says James Johnson. “She cannot answer them technical questions that Ricky has to answer. And they don’t want you to, they don’t want to refer you on to somebody that can answer them questions.” 14 News reached out to Boardwalk Pipelines, the parent company of Texas Gas for an official statement: “Texas Gas Transmission, LLC is notifying landowners in the Sharon School Storage Field that it is terminating all of its storage agreements in the field effective July 30, 2027 because the company no longer needs the underground gas storage rights granted under those agreements. Some landowners are receiving natural gas free of charge pursuant to these agreements. Once the agreements terminate, those free gas rights will end. For landowners who currently receive free gas, Texas Gas recognizes that losing that service may require them to secure another energy source; therefore, it is waiting twelve months to terminate the agreements and is offering those landowners a one-time payment of $2,000 to help with that transition.” Some residents say that $2,000 is not enough. “Just my little bit of research I’ve done to convert the average home is going to be anywhere from 8 to $10,000 to convert over to an alternative energy source,” Johnson said. Residents say customers in other areas in the area were offered much more. “My concern was just a mile down the road, they offered those guys $20,000,” says Rickey Hoskins. “They offered us 2 because they’re getting their gas from a different location. I don’t see the justification in that.” Official with Boardwalk Pipeline said the following about the discrepancy. “Texas Gas Transmission, LLC is notifying free gas users that, for safety reasons, it will discontinue delivery of natural gas through “community” or “shared” lines effective August 17, 2027. Such notice only impacts those users receiving gas through a community line; it does not impact users receiving gas through a direct connection. The company is not terminating eligible users’ contractual right to receive free gas. Users must either establish a direct connection to the applicable Texas Gas tap at their own cost or elect to transition away from free gas service. For users who choose the transition option, Texas Gas is offering a one-time payment of $20,000 in exchange for amending the applicable agreement to eliminate free-gas provisions. Affected users are being asked to contact Texas Gas by February 17, 2027, to discuss their preferred option and allow sufficient time for any necessary arrangements.” Residents say the disruption isn’t limited to Texas Gas customers. With Atmos Energy also notifying nearby residents that their service will end in 2027, entire neighborhoods are suddenly looking at an uncertain, and potentially expensive, energy future.