ONE Gas, Inc.

Previous wording

We are subject to all the risks and hazards typically associated with the natural gas distribution business that could affect the public safety as well as the reliability of our distribution system. Operating risks include, but are not limited to, leaks, accidents, pipeline ruptures and the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes. Other operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions include adverse weather conditions, third-party damage to our system, accidents, explosions, fires, the collision of equipment or vehicles with our pipeline facilities and catastrophic events, such as severe weather events, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, sustained extreme temperatures, earthquakes, floods, acts of terrorism, pandemics and other health crises, or other similar events beyond our control. Climate change could cause these catastrophic events to become more severe or more frequent. It is also possible that our facilities, or those of our counterparties or service providers, could be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terrorism, including cyber-attacks. These issues could result in legal liability, repair and remediation costs, increased operating costs, significantly increased capital expenditures, regulatory fines and penalties and other costs and diminish customer confidence.

Current wording

We are subject to all the risks and hazards typically associated with the natural gas distribution business that could affect public safety as well as the reliability of our distribution system. Operating risks include, but are not limited to, leaks, accidents, pipeline ruptures, and the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes. Other operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions include adverse weather conditions, third-party damage to our system, accidents, explosions, fires, the collision of equipment or vehicles with our pipeline facilities, and catastrophic events, such as severe weather events, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, sustained extreme temperatures, earthquakes, floods, acts of terrorism, pandemics and other health crises, or other similar events beyond our control. Climate change could cause these catastrophic events to become more severe or more frequent. It is also possible that our facilities, or those of our counterparties or service providers, could be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terrorism, including cyber-attacks. These issues could result in legal liability, repair and remediation costs, increased operating costs, significantly increased capital expenditures, regulatory fines and penalties, and other costs, and diminish customer confidence.

Previous wording

Our ability to implement our business strategy, satisfy our regulatory requirements, and serve our customers is dependent upon our ability to continue to recruit and employ a skilled, agile, diverse, and engaged workforce consisting of talented and experienced managers, professional and technical employees. The competition for talent has become increasingly intense and we may experience increased employee turnover due to a tight labor market. If we are unable to recruit and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, we could encounter operating challenges primarily due to a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, errors due to inexperience, or the lengthy time period typically required to adequately train replacement personnel. In addition, higher costs could result from loss of productivity, increased safety compliance issues, or cost of contract labor. Additionally, approximately 18 percent of our employees are represented by collective-bargaining units under collective-bargaining agreements. Disputes over the agreements or failure to timely and effectively renegotiate new agreements upon their expiration could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations or result in a work stoppage. Any future work stoppage could, depending on the breadth and the length of the work stoppage, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Current wording

Our ability to implement our business strategy, satisfy our regulatory requirements, and serve our customers is dependent upon our ability to continue to recruit and employ a skilled, agile, diverse, and engaged workforce consisting of talented and experienced managers, professional, and technical employees. The competition for talent has become increasingly intense and we may experience increased employee turnover due to a tight labor market. If we are unable to recruit and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, we could encounter operating challenges primarily due to a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, errors due to inexperience, or the lengthy time period typically required to train replacement personnel adequately. In addition, higher costs could result from loss of productivity, increased safety compliance issues, or cost of contract labor. Additionally, approximately 18 percent of our employees are represented by collective-bargaining units under collective-bargaining agreements. Disputes over the agreements or failure to timely and effectively renegotiate new agreements upon their expiration could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, or result in a work stoppage. Any future work stoppage could, depending on the breadth and the length of the work stoppage, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Previous wording

The availability of adequate natural gas pipeline transportation and storage capacity and natural gas supply may decrease and impair our ability to meet customers’ natural gas requirements and our financial condition may be adversely affected.

Current wording

The unavailability of adequate natural gas pipeline transportation and storage capacity or a decrease in natural gas supply may decrease and impair our ability to meet customers’ natural gas requirements, and our financial condition may be adversely affected.

Previous wording

In order to meet customers’ natural gas demands, we rely on and must obtain sufficient natural gas supplies, pipeline transportation and storage capacity from third parties. If we are unable to obtain these, our ability to meet our customers’ natural gas requirements could be impaired. If a substantial disruption to or reduction in natural gas supply, pipeline capacity or storage capacity occurred due to operational failures or disruptions, legislative or regulatory actions, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, extreme cold weather, acts of terrorism, or cyber-attacks or acts of war, our operations or financial results could be adversely affected.

Current wording

To meet customers’ natural gas demands, we rely on and must obtain sufficient natural gas supply, pipeline transportation, and storage capacity from third parties. If we are unable to obtain these, our ability to meet our customers’ natural gas requirements could be impaired. If a substantial disruption to or reduction in natural gas supply, pipeline capacity, or storage capacity occurred due to operational failures or disruptions, legislative or regulatory actions, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, extreme cold weather, acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks, or acts of war, our operations or financial results could be adversely affected.

Previous wording

Due to technological advances, we have become more reliant on technology to effectively operate our business. We use computer programs and applications to help run our business, including an enterprise resource planning system that integrates data and reporting activities across the Company. Additionally, certain portions of our IT systems and infrastructure are provided or maintained by third-party vendors. The failure of these or other similarly important technologies, the lack of alternative technologies, or our inability to have these technologies supported, updated, expanded, or integrated into other technologies, could hinder our operations, and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Due to technological advances, we have become more reliant on technology to operate our business effectively. We use computer programs and applications to help run our business, including an enterprise resource planning system that integrates data and reporting activities across the Company. Additionally, certain portions of our IT systems and infrastructure are provided or maintained by third-party vendors. The failure of these or other similarly important technologies, the lack of alternative technologies, or our inability to have these technologies supported, updated, expanded, or integrated into other technologies, could hinder our operations, and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

While our Company employs a comprehensive cybersecurity program, with robust technical defenses and implemented policies, procedures, and controls, aimed at protecting our information technology, operational technology, and data systems from acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks and security breaches, our program cannot guarantee the prevention nor mitigation of all incidents. Any cyber breaches or physical security attacks, or threats of such attacks, that affect our IT systems, distribution facilities, customers, suppliers and third-party service providers or any financial data could disrupt normal business operations, expose sensitive information, and/or lead to physical damages that may have a material adverse effect on our business. A severe attack or security breach could adversely affect our business reputation, diminish customer confidence, disrupt operations, subject us to financial liability or increased regulation, increase our costs and expose us to material legal claims and liability which may not be fully covered by insurance, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. As cyber or physical security attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, we could be required to incur increased costs to strengthen our systems or to obtain additional insurance coverage against potential losses. Federal and state regulatory agencies, such as DHS and TSA, are increasingly focused on risks related to physical security and cybersecurity in general and have promulgated more stringent security regulations specifically for certain federal contractors and critical infrastructure sectors, including natural gas distribution. Any failure to comply with such government regulations may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Despite Company policy restrictions on AI, whitelisting of sites, and contractual limitations on vendors’ use of AI, there is also a risk of inadvertent sharing of confidential or proprietary data through the inappropriate use of open AI tools.

Current wording

Our Company employs a comprehensive cybersecurity program, with robust technical defenses and implemented policies, procedures, and controls aimed at protecting our information technology, operational technology, and data systems from acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks, and security breaches. Our program, however, cannot guarantee the prevention nor mitigation of all incidents. Any cyber breaches or physical security attacks, or threats of such attacks, that affect our IT systems, distribution facilities, customers, suppliers, and third-party service providers or any financial data could disrupt normal business operations, expose sensitive information, and/or lead to physical damage that may have a material adverse effect on our business. A severe attack or security breach could adversely affect our business reputation, diminish customer confidence, disrupt operations, subject us to financial liability or increased regulation, increase our costs, and expose us to material legal claims and liability which may not be fully covered by insurance, and our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected. As cyber or physical security attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, we could be required to incur increased costs to strengthen our systems or obtain additional insurance coverage against potential losses. Federal and state regulatory agencies, such as DHS and TSA, are increasingly focused on risks related to physical security and cybersecurity in general and have promulgated more stringent security regulations specifically for certain federal contractors and critical infrastructure sectors, including natural gas distribution. Any failure to comply with such government regulations may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Despite Company policy restrictions on AI, whitelisting of sites, and contractual limitations on vendors’ use of AI, there is also a risk of inadvertent sharing of confidential or proprietary data through the inappropriate use of open AI tools.

Previous wording

We are subject to federal, state, and local regulation of the safety of our systems and operations, including pipeline safety, system integrity, and the safety of our employees and facilities that may require significant expenditures or, in the case of noncompliance, substantial fines or penalties.

Current wording

We are subject to the federal, state, and local regulation of the safety of our systems and operations, including pipeline safety, system integrity, and the safety of our employees and facilities that may require significant expenditures or, in the case of noncompliance, substantial fines or penalties.

Previous wording

Weakening economic activity in our markets, caused by factors such as inflation and high interest rates, and supply chain disruptions could result in a loss of existing customers, fewer new customers, especially in newly constructed homes and other buildings, or a decline in energy consumption, any of which could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth. These conditions may make it more difficult for customers to pay their natural gas bills, leading to slow collections and higher-than-normal levels of accounts receivable, which in turn could increase our financing requirements and bad debt expense. Customers may also experience difficulties paying their natural gas bills in the instance of severe weather events that result in higher usage and higher natural gas prices, reducing our collections and increasing our financing requirements and bad debt expense, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity, and prospects.

Current wording

Weakening economic activity in our markets, caused by factors such as inflation, tariffs, high interest rates, and supply chain disruptions could result in a loss of existing customers, a decline in energy consumption, or fewer new customers, especially in newly constructed homes and other buildings. Any of these conditions could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth. These conditions may make it more difficult for customers to pay their natural gas bills, leading to slow collections and higher-than-normal levels of accounts receivable, which in turn could increase our financing requirements and bad debt expense. Customers may also experience difficulties paying their natural gas bills in the instance of severe weather events that result in higher usage and higher natural gas prices, reducing our collections and increasing our financing requirements and bad debt expense. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity, and prospects.

Previous wording

As part of our strategic objectives, we may pursue acquisitions to complement or expand our business, as well as divestitures and other strategic opportunities. We may not be able to successfully negotiate, finance or receive regulatory approval for future acquisitions or integrate the acquired businesses with our existing business and services. These efforts may also distract our management and employees from day-to-day operations and require substantial commitments of time and resources. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, a decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance the acquisition, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities and amortization expenses and substantial goodwill. The effects of these strategic decisions may have long-term implications that are not likely to be known to us in the short-term. We may be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to successfully integrate businesses that we acquire.

Current wording

As part of our strategic objectives, we may pursue acquisitions to complement or expand our business, as well as divestitures and other strategic opportunities. We may not be able to successfully negotiate, finance or receive regulatory approval for future acquisitions or integrate the acquired businesses with our existing business and services. These efforts may also distract our management and employees from day-to-day operations and require substantial commitments of time and resources. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, a decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance the acquisition, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses, and substantial goodwill. The effects of these strategic decisions may have long-term implications that are not likely to be known to us in the short-term. We may be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to successfully integrate businesses that we acquire.