Core Insights - Avista is seeking proposals to add energy and capacity, including distributed energy resources, to meet projected resource needs and address peak demand through a Demand Response program [1][4]. Group 1: RFP Details - The all-source RFP aims to meet capacity needs of up to 415 MW for winter and 425 MW for summer in Washington and Idaho [2]. - Avista may include repowering and/or self-build resources in the RFP and is utilizing an Independent Evaluator for the process [2]. Group 2: Resource Needs - Avista's 2025 Electric Integrated Resource Plan indicates a need for new electric resources to meet growing customer demand and comply with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) for carbon-neutral electric supply by 2030 [3]. - The company is committed to acquiring at least 5 MW of Demand Response starting in 2026, which provides a cost-effective solution for peak energy demand [5]. Group 3: Proposal Requirements - The RFP is open to parties that own, propose to develop, or hold rights to resources that meet Avista's energy and capacity requirements, with minimum eligibility criteria outlined in the RFP [4]. - Hybrid proposals combining clean energy, capacity, and/or storage are encouraged, but proposals for Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) only will not be accepted [5]. Group 4: Timeline and Company Overview - Responses to the RFP are due by June 30, 2025, with instructions available on Avista's website [6]. - Avista Utilities serves 422,000 electricity customers and 383,000 natural gas customers across a service territory of 30,000 square miles, covering parts of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon, with a total population of 1.7 million [6].

Core Viewpoint - The York Water Company has filed for a general increase in rates for water and wastewater services, citing the need for significant capital investments to maintain and improve infrastructure [1][2]. Summary by Sections Rate Increase Request - The company is requesting a $24.2 million increase in annual revenues, which would result in an additional cost of $14.16 per month for water and $35.85 per month for wastewater services for the typical residential customer [3]. Capital Investments - Since the last rate increase in 2022, the company has made $145 million in capital investments aimed at replacing and upgrading aging infrastructure, including water mains, meters, and treatment facilities [2]. Infrastructure Improvement - The investments are intended to ensure compliance with current regulations, enhance the reliability of services, and expand wastewater treatment capacity to accommodate growing communities [2]. Effective Date and Process - If approved, the rate increase could take effect on August 1, 2025, although the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) may delay this until March 2026 [4]. Customer Base - The York Water Company serves over 212,000 people across 57 municipalities in Adams, Franklin, Lancaster, and York counties [4].

28 May 2025 | 6:02AM CEST Powering Up Europe Domestic, defensive and growing; a new era for Utilities Domestic, defensive and growing. Utilities operate predominantly domestic businesses with a large share of regulated or contracted profits (i.e., defensive). We expect the industry to positively surprise on organic growth, thanks to: (1) the inflection in power demand; (2) a pivot in capital allocation; and (3) the secular need to modernize the entire power system. In this context, we believe Utilities may ...

28 May 2025 | 6:30AM BST GS EUROPEAN EXPRESS: New era for Utilities | AstraZeneca | Macro | Global | Corporate Access Click "here" to listen to the Europe Morning Call. A new era for Utilities: Domestic, defensive and growing ~50 pg deep dive into the sector from Alberto Gandolfi and Ajay Patel looking at why we are in a new era of Utilities, one where power demand is growing (after 15 years of decline), earnings are growing (power demand inflection, modernization of the grid to boost energy security and me ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a solid outlook for US power demand, with a year-over-year growth rate of 3.9% projected for 1Q2025, compared to a historical average of 1.0% over the past two decades [5]. Core Insights - US power demand growth remains robust despite macroeconomic uncertainties, with both bottom-up and top-down analyses supporting this conclusion [5]. - The average year-over-year growth rate for power sales in the US for 1Q2025 is reported at 2.0%, with a median of 1.8%, after adjustments for weather and leap years [5]. - The top-down approach indicates a significant increase in total power demand, highlighting a divergence from the bottom-up approach due to the sample size of utilities covered [9]. Summary by Sections Bottom-Up Analysis - The bottom-up approach utilized earnings reports from various US power utilities, adjusting for weather and leap-year effects to derive a growth rate of 2.0% [5]. - Utilities such as Xcel Energy (XEL) and WEC Energy Group (WEC) reported demand growth in line with their annual expectations, with XEL maintaining a 3% growth forecast for retail sales in 2025 [9]. Top-Down Analysis - The top-down analysis, based on EIA data, shows a year-over-year growth rate of 3.9% for total US power demand in 1Q2025, significantly higher than the historical average [5]. - The report notes that the differences between the two approaches may stem from the sample of utilities representing only 25-30% of overall US power sales, as well as varying weather adjustment methodologies [9]. Regional Insights - The report emphasizes that regional variations in demand can be significant, and the national weather-adjustment methodology may overestimate demand during extreme weather events [9]. - Large load customers are expected to continue driving demand, while residential demand is anticipated to grow due to customer increases and higher usage [9].

Core Points - FirstEnergy Corp. announced the FirstEnergy Foundation has distributed over $2 million in the first two quarters of 2025 to support local nonprofits [1] - The Foundation granted nearly $1.1 million for community needs including hunger relief, youth education, and disaster relief [2] - FirstEnergy employees have contributed nearly 5,000 volunteer hours this year, supported by the company's provision of 16 hours of volunteer time off annually [3] - Following the retirement of Lorna Wisham, FirstEnergy is seeking a new leader for the FirstEnergy Foundation to align giving priorities with business strategy [4] - The FirstEnergy Foundation supports 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that address critical community needs [5] - FirstEnergy serves over 6 million customers across multiple states and operates approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines [6]

Core Viewpoint - Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) is positioned as a strong investment option in the utility sector due to its strategic investments and acquisitions aimed at future growth and customer base expansion [1] Group 1: Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 4.5% over the past 90 days to $2.53 [2] - The estimated revenues for 2025 are projected at $200 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.2% [2] - MSEX's long-term earnings growth rate is forecasted at 6.1%, with an average earnings surprise of 11% over the last four quarters [2] Group 2: Debt Position - Middlesex Water's total debt to capital ratio stands at 44.34%, which is better than the industry average of 56.04% [3] - The time-to-interest earned ratio was 4.7 at the end of Q1 2025, indicating the company's strong ability to meet future interest obligations [3] Group 3: Dividend History - The company has consistently paid dividends, raising them for 52 consecutive years [4] - The current quarterly dividend is 34 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $1.36 and a dividend yield of 2.37%, surpassing the S&P 500 composite's yield of 1.25% [4] Group 4: Strategic Investments and Acquisitions - Middlesex Water plans to invest approximately $387 million in water and wastewater infrastructure over the next three years to enhance reliability and service [5] - In April 2025, MSEX's unit Tidewater Utilities, Inc. acquired water assets from the Town of Ocean View for $4.6 million, adding 900 customers to its base [6] Group 5: Stock Price Performance - Year-to-date, Middlesex Water has returned 9.1%, outperforming the sector's growth of 8.1% [7]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a solid outlook for US power demand, with a year-over-year growth rate of 3.9% projected for 1Q2025, compared to a historical average of 1.0% over the past two decades [5]. Core Insights - US power demand growth remains robust despite macroeconomic uncertainties, with both bottom-up and top-down analyses supporting this conclusion [5]. - The average/median year-over-year growth rate for power sales in the US for 1Q2025 is reported at 2.0%/1.8%, adjusted for weather and leap-year effects [5]. - The report highlights that the differences between top-down and bottom-up approaches are primarily due to the sample of power suppliers covered, which represents approximately 25-30% of overall US power sales [9]. Summary by Sections - **Bottom-Up Analysis**: The bottom-up approach shows an average/median growth rate of 2.0%/1.8% for 1Q2025 power sales, adjusted for weather and leap-year effects, based on earnings reports from US power utilities [5]. - **Top-Down Analysis**: The top-down approach indicates a year-over-year growth rate of 3.9% for total US power demand in 1Q2025, significantly higher than the historical average [5]. - **Utility Performance**: Utilities under coverage reported that 1Q demand was mostly in line with their annual guidance, with specific companies like XEL and WEC expecting continued demand growth aligned with their forecasts [9].

Core Points - Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission Company (MAIT), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is utilizing a helicopter with an aerial saw to trim trees along over 400 miles of high-voltage power lines in Pennsylvania, with completion expected by the end of 2025 [1][2] - The aerial saw is designed to maintain proper clearances around transmission lines, which helps prevent tree-related power outages, especially during severe weather [3][4] - The project is part of FirstEnergy's $51 million vegetation management program, which aims to trim trees along more than 4,100 miles of power lines in the Penelec service area [7] Company Operations - The aerial saw can cut tree limbs 8 to 10 inches in diameter, allowing for efficient trimming that covers more area in a day compared to traditional ground crews [5][4] - The helicopter operates in environmentally sensitive or inaccessible areas, enhancing safety and efficiency in maintaining high-voltage power lines [4][6] - FirstEnergy serves approximately 597,000 customers across 17,600 square miles in northern and central Pennsylvania through its Penelec service [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - The concept of "value management" has gained significant traction in the capital market since the release of the regulatory guidelines by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) in November last year, with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) being a key method for companies to enhance their market value [2][8]. Group 1: Employee Stock Ownership Plans - As of May 29, 2023, a total of 141 listed companies have disclosed employee stock ownership plans, with 27 companies planning initial funding of over 100 million yuan [2][6]. - Notable companies like BYD and Midea Group have announced substantial employee stock ownership plans, with BYD's plan amounting to approximately 3.988 billion yuan and Midea Group's plan totaling 1.331 billion yuan [6][7]. - The employee stock ownership plan by Zijin Mining involves up to 2,500 participants, with a share price set at 70% of the average repurchase price, amounting to 10.89 yuan per share [3][6]. Group 2: Market Trends and Implications - The trend of implementing employee stock ownership plans is seen as a way to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders, potentially leading to better corporate governance and reduced short-termism among management [2][8]. - Analysts suggest that these plans can create a positive feedback loop of "performance growth - stock price increase - employee benefits," although there are concerns about the potential for short-term focus [7][8]. - The CSRC's guidelines encourage companies to enhance operational efficiency and profitability while utilizing various methods, including employee stock ownership plans, to reflect their investment value accurately [8][9].