Gas heat restored to Mississippi town

12/2/2011

The town of Winstonville, Mississippi, which had been without natural gas for the past six months, will have its service restored this week, The Associated Press reports.

Texas Gas Transmission, the town's natural gas supplier, shut off service in late May, citing continued sporadic payments for natural gas bills. In total, Winstonville was delinquent for more than $600,000 that accumulated over a 15-year period because the town's municipal gas system was not properly paying the supplier.

The area's median household income is just over $11,000. Many residents were forced to rely on electric space heaters, electric blankets or kerosene heaters to stay warm.

"We have some trials and tribulations," Mayor Henry Perkins Jr. told The Associated Press. "It's been really hard, especially when you're dealing with a lot of elderly people."

A deal was finalized this week by the Mississippi Public Service Commission to setup service with a new company, Atmos Energy, although TGT will remain diligent in obtaining its debt.

The Clarion-Ledger adds that the town was also delinquent through September 19 on a USDA loan - specifically a Community Facilities Loan. Winstonville was able to eventually settle that debt.