Public Utility Finance

By Dennis Pidherny & Audra Dickinson U.S. water utilities fared remarkably well during the coronavirus pandemic and appear to be withstanding the effects of inflation on operations and capital spending thus far. This is not to say the sector hasn’t struggled. Operating costs are upRead More

By Seth Mansergh & Nancy Mortvedt Manufacturers of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) have been attempting to reduce their liability from the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their products for many years. The health effects from PFAS exposure are getting a lotRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this month announced the selection of 29 Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) that will help communities across the country access federal funding for infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction projects that improve public health and environmental protection. The EFCs will deliver targeted technicalRead More

The ratings of U.S. public finance issuers affected by Hurricane Ian will largely remain stable, although the credit quality of some issuers with lesser resources and financial flexibility could weaken, says Fitch Ratings. While the full extent of property damage in Florida, Georgia and theRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $315 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Metro Water Services in Nashville, Tennessee. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, Metro Water Services will modernize its infrastructure to provide safe, reliable drinking water to its growingRead More

According to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), Sen. Michal Bennet’s (D-Colo.) anticipated legislation would make it easier for water systems to finance full lead service line replacements with tax-exempt bonds. Bennet’s Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW Act) is almost identical to aRead More

By Wayne Hofmann & Rory Ball The fanfare accompanying the passage of the $1.2-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) might make you believe our industry’s dreams are coming true. After decades of clamor for increased investment in water and sewer infrastructure, the Federal governmentRead More

According to a recent annual peer review for the sector by Fitch Ratings, U.S. water utilities have fared remarkably well post-coronavirus and are withstanding the effects of inflation on operations and capital spending. Operating costs are up across the board after a decline in fiscalRead More

Why It’s Important to Think Strategically, Creatively and Holistically When Working with ARPA, IIJA Funds By Jeff Rowe Utilities are faced with a rare and remarkable opportunity to impact the present-day situation of their users and rate payers while also altering the long-term future ofRead More

By Jason Mumm Utility systems work better at scale. George Westinghouse demonstrated it to the world in 1896 when his company harnessed hydroelectric generating stations at Niagara Falls to power the entire city of Buffalo with alternating current. Compared to Thomas Edison’s direct current, Westinghouse’sRead More