Tom Craddick’s $1,000 Toilet, Meet Atmos Energy’s $2,000 Chair

And we wonder why people are having to elect whether or not to pay their energy bill or buy groceries:

More than $70,000 in artwork. At least $5 million in office furniture — including a set of $2,000 chairs. Airline tickets costing more than $1,700 for an executive and a spouse to attend the presidential inauguration of George W. Bush. Thousands of dollars in meals at pricey Dallas restaurants.

These are a few of the seemingly discretionary items critics have found in Atmos Energy’s $63 million proposal to increase gas rates for North Texas customers.

Sniff–Sniff–Sniff–smells like ENRON.

As tacky as that is to say, I do have something serious to follow it. Instead of just throwing opinions at you, how about throw out a public policy change? Why not? After all, it is Friday.

I propose that companies and industries that provide required, regulated ‘commodities’ like electricity, natural gas, and water to consumers not be allowed to spend $2,000 on a chair or buy $75,000 worth of artwork.
Maybe I’m channeling the spirit of David “If You’re An Oil Company, You’d Better Watch Out” Van Os, but I think companies that provide required consumer services like electricity, water, and natural gas should not be spending money on extravagances when they’re hiking prices for consumers.

Let’s put it in this context: If you get water from a municipality or rural water supply, and your water rates went up 200 percent because someone in the home office decided the conference room needed a $18,000 oak conference table, you’d be mad. So, why is there not similar outrage when electric companies do this?

I’m not advocating public ownership of utilities or saying that no company should make a profit but let’s be realistic. If a utility has a 20 percent profit margin and is spending millions on furniture and plane tickets, then the utility could stop wasting money, charge less for its electricity or gas or water and still post a healthy profit.

I’m going to take this even further: some people will complain that liberals are upset because the company is posting a profit and spending money on art and say things like, “well, do you think those employees should have to look at bare walls? Don’t the employees deserve desks to sit at?”

The answer: sure. But $75,000 worth of art? $5 million in furniture? I’d venture to say $5 million would buy a lot of erganomic chairs—even top of the line ones. I think the Atmos Energy employees could do just as well with some Office Depot furniture and some inexpensive but tastful prints that can be purchased at any number of places.

One more thing I do want to touch on. Atmos is seeking reimbursment for, among other things:

Several meals at III Forks restaurant, also in Dallas. The utility wants ratepayer reimbursement for several group meals, including one costing $3,132.51, another costing $3,342.45 and a third costing $3,556.72.

III Forks is also a resturant with wine on the menu that costs thousands of dollars a bottle, for those not in the know. Personally, I don’t think they even have any business in asking their customers to pick up the tab for a dinner there. Dairy Queen, sure. I could even even Saltgrass Steakhouse. But III Forks?

Attention, Lawmakers: Do something about this, please.