Each year, Atmos Energy celebrates Earth Day alongside the 1,400 communities we serve. This story is part of a continuing series being published all week about the ways in which our comprehensive environmental strategy supports a lower carbon future today and for generations to come.

According to an American Gas Foundation study, greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. residential natural gas use could be reduced by as much as 40 percent from 2020 to 2050 through the use of energy efficient emerging natural gas technologies – at about one-tenth the cost of electrification. That’s part of the reason why Atmos Energy offers SmartChoice rebate and carbon offset programs to help our customers conserve energy, save money, and reduce their environmental impact through lower emissions.

On the rebate side, SmartChoice energy efficiency and conservation programs provide financial incentives to purchase high efficiency natural gas equipment, smart thermostats, and home weatherization upgrades. Depending on the state and the specific type of equipment purchased, customers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, and parts of Texas can receive rebates between $25 and $600 on everything from ENERGY STAR-rated furnaces and water heaters to clothes dryers and smart thermostats. In addition, customers in those same states can request a free SmartChoice Energy Saving Kit that includes items like a showerhead, faucet aerator, kitchen swivel aerator, dimmable LED light bulb, rope caulking, weatherstripping, and more to deliver savings of up to $200 on annual energy bills. Take advantage of SmartChoice money-saving rebates on high efficiency natural gas appliances and equipment for your home and business by visiting atmosenergy.com/rebates.

Meanwhile, Atmos Energy customers in Tennessee seeking an affordable approach to reduce their carbon footprint are now able to enroll in the SmartChoice carbon offset program. As approved by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, customers have the ability to offset up to 100 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with their monthly use of natural gas.

A carbon credit is a certificate that represents the removal of 1 metric ton of CO2 from the atmosphere, originating from verified climate action projects that either capture and destroy greenhouse gases that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere (such as methane captured from a landfill) or capture and store greenhouse gases to prevent their release into the atmosphere (for example, a project that promotes the healthy growth and maintenance of forests).

Residential customers who enroll can choose to offset 25, 50 or 100 percent of their monthly CO2 emissions by way of a modest fee ranging from $1.50 to $6.00 per month. That charge, reflected as a separate line item on the monthly bill, will be used to purchase carbon credits that achieve the carbon offset targets chosen by customers. Enrollment for other states is anticipated later this year as the SmartChoice carbon offset program is approved by additional state regulatory agencies.

To learn more about Atmos Energy’s comprehensive environmental strategy and the ways it supports a lower carbon future, please review our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report at https://www.atmosenergy.com/sustainability/environmental-and-operational-sustainability.