The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated February 28, 2023
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
$92,684,000 Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds
Atmos Energy Corporation
Sponsor, Depositor and Initial Servicer
Central Index Key Number: 0000731802
Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC
Issuing Entity
Central Index Key Number: 0001967097
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Tranche | | Expected weighted average life (years) | | | Principal amount offered | | | Scheduled final payment date | | | Final maturity date | | | Interest rate | | | Initial price to public | | | Underwriting discount and commission | | | Proceeds to issuing entity (before expenses) | | | CUSIP | | | ISIN | |
A | | | | | | $ | 92,684,000 | | | | | | | | | | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | | | | | |
The total initial price to the public is $ . The total amount of the underwriting discount and commission is $ . The total amount of proceeds to the issuing entity before deduction of expenses (estimated to be $ ) is $ . The distribution frequency is semi-annually. The first scheduled payment date is , 2024.
Investing in the Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds involves risks. Please read “RISK FACTORS” beginning on page 13 to read about factors you should consider before buying the securitized utility tariff bonds.
Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy”), as “depositor”, is offering up to $92,684,000 aggregate principal amount of Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds (the “securitized utility tariff bonds”) to be issued by Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “issuing entity” or “us”) and wholly owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy. Atmos Energy is the “seller,” the “initial servicer” and the “sponsor” with regard to the securitized utility tariff bonds. The securitized utility tariff bonds are senior secured obligations of the issuing entity and will be secured by the securitized utility tariff property (the “securitized utility tariff property”) consisting of the right to impose and collect securitized utility tariff charges (the “securitized utility tariff charge”) paid by all existing and future retail customers within Atmos Energy’s service area in Kansas, as such service area exists on the date of the financing order, and as such service area may, at the discretion of Atmos Energy, be expanded or acquired as provided for in the financing order. Securitized utility tariff charges are required to be adjusted at least semi-annually, and more frequently as necessary, to correct any under-collection or over-collection of securitized utility tariff charges during the preceding six months and to ensure the projected recovery of amounts sufficient to provide all payments of debt service and other required amounts and charges in connection with the securitized utility tariff bonds. The primary forms of credit enhancement for the securitized utility tariff bonds will be provided by such statutory true-up mechanism, as well as by general, excess funds and capital subaccounts held under the Indenture governing the securitized utility tariff bonds.
Each securitized utility tariff bond will be entitled to interest on and of each year, beginning on , 2024. The first scheduled payment date is , 2024. Interest will accrue from the date of issuance and must be paid by the purchaser of the securitized utility tariff bonds if the securitized utility tariff bonds are delivered after that date. On each payment date, scheduled principal payments shall be paid sequentially in accordance with the expected sinking fund schedule in this prospectus, but only to the extent funds are available in the collection account after payment of certain fees and expenses and after payment of interest.
The securitized utility tariff bonds represent obligations only of the issuing entity, Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC, and are secured only by the assets of the issuing entity, consisting principally of the securitized utility tariff property and related assets to support its obligations under the securitized utility tariff bonds. Please read “DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIZED UTILITY TARIFF BONDS—The Security for the Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds” and “DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIZED UTILITY TARIFF PROPERTY” in this prospectus. The securitized utility tariff property includes the right to impose, bill, charge, collect and receive securitized utility tariff charges from Atmos Energy’s retail customers in amounts sufficient to make payments on the securitized utility tariff bonds, as described further in this prospectus. Atmos Energy and its affiliates, other than the issuing entity, are not liable for any payments on the securitized utility tariff bonds. The securitized utility tariff bonds are not a debt or obligation of the State of Kansas or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and are not a charge on its or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities’ full faith and credit or taxing power.
All matters relating to the structuring and pricing of the securitized utility tariff bonds have been considered by Atmos Energy and the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas, acting through its designated representative.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriter expects to deliver the securitized utility tariff bonds through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants including Clearstream Banking, S.A. and Euroclear Banks SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System against payment on or about , 2023. There currently is no secondary market for the securitized utility tariff bonds, and we cannot assure you that one will develop.
J.P. Morgan
Structuring agent and sole bookrunner
The date of this prospectus is , 2023.