Typically, federal policies and laws aim to balance the needs of consumers, the industry, and the environment, while ensuring that public utilities provide reliable and affordable services. Furthermore, municipal debt issuance, also known as muni bonds, has traditionally been a popular way for state and local governments to finance public utilities such as electric and water companies. These bonds are considered to be relatively safe investments because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing government entity and the revenues generated through these respective utilities.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the outlook of public utilities in the United States and how current economic conditions may impact the capital projects related to these utilities.

One of the key factors that will shape the future of municipal debt issuance for public utilities is the overall health of the economy. If the economy remains strong, demand for muni bonds is likely to remain high, as investors seek out safe and stable investments. However, if the economy enters a recession and interest rates come down, municipal debt may not be the optimal investment from a yield perspective, yet still a suitable investment from a risk perspective. On the flip side, low interest rates, due to economic downturn or otherwise, may be attractive for issuers to access the capital markets at a reasonable cost compared to the inflationary environment, which also means planning for capital projects and their commencement may depend on how te financial markets react to the Fed’s monetary policy changes.

Another important factor that will shape the future of municipal debt issuance for public utilities is the changing regulatory environment. Here are a few federal policies that oversee public utilities and how they continue to evolve:
 

• One of the key federal laws that govern public utilities is the Federal Power Act of 1935. This law established the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the primary regulator of the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. The FERC’s main responsibilities include approving the construction of new transmission lines and ensuring transmission rates are just and reasonable. The FERC also plays a role in promoting competition in the electric and natural gas markets, which can lead to lower costs for consumers. These impact capital project planning and financing for local and state governments and their decision making.

• Another important federal law that governs public utilities is the Natural Gas Act of 1938. This law granted the FERC authority to regulate the interstate transportation and sale of natural gas. The FERC’s responsibilities under this law include approving the construction of new natural gas pipelines, setting rates for the transportation and sale of natural gas, and ensuring that natural gas supplies are adequate to meet demand.

• In addition to these laws, the federal government also plays a role in promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, for example, established a number of programs and incentives to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided additional funding for these programs and incentives. The federal government also plays a role in protecting the environment through laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. These laws establish standards for the emissions and discharge of pollutants from public utilities and require utilities to obtain permits to operate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for enforcing these laws and ensuring that public utilities comply with the established standards.

All federal regulations, paired with the state of the economy, impacts the planning and execution of public utilities; this includes water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities that are also impacted by federal regulations and the potential funding to expand or revamp existing infrastructures.

The future of municipal debt issuance for public utilities is also likely to be impacted by the increasing use of technology in financial markets. With the advent of new technologies such as blockchain and smart contracts, the process of issuing and trading municipal bonds is becoming increasingly digitized. This can make the process of issuing and trading bonds more efficient and less costly, which can be beneficial for both governments and investors. However, in the future, it raises concerns about cybersecurity and the potential for fraud. In addition, climate change and the need to invest in infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change is another factor that will shape the future of municipal debt issuance for public utilities. Governments at all levels will need to invest in projects, such as building sea walls, retrofitting buildings, and upgrading infrastructure, to adapt to extreme weather events. This can lead to an increase in the number of bond issuances as governments seek to raise funds to finance these projects, which can be beneficial for the market.

Furthermore, one of the most talked about reasons for renewing public utilities is to address aging infrastructure and equipment. Many public utilities have infrastructure that is decades old and in need of replacement or modernization. Upgrading this infrastructure can help to improve the reliability and efficiency of services, as well as reduce the risk of outages and other problems.

Another important reason for renewing public utilities is to implement new technologies. For example, many utilities are now investing in smart grid technology, which allows for more efficient and reliable distribution of electricity. Additionally, utilities are also investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce their environmental impact and decrease the dependence on fossil fuels.

The outlook on municipal debt markets related to public utilities is dependent on the market conditions and the need to revamp or expand existing infrastructure due to population growth or enhance aging technologies/infrastructure. All these areas will impact the future of capital markets and the investor appetite for municipal debt.

Be sure to check our Municipal Bonds Channel to stay up to date with the latest trends in municipal financing.