Conservation may or may not be coming on strong. But spending on new technology to encourage efficiency is ramping up because utilities’ rates are decoupling from energy demand, and because the cost of applying new technology to conserve energy can be instantly added to rate base. No longer are utilities penalized with lower earnings for helping customers use less energy. Rather, they’re increasing earnings while dramatically reducing the risks inherent in building new power plants. Read More

Without it, life stops. Yet unless you live in a particularly arid region, chances are you’re like most Americans, taking the availability of abundant, clean and cheap water for granted. Read More

Over the past 12 months 86 US power, gas, telecom and water companies have raised dividends. Only six have cut. And during the worst quarter on record for the US economy three of four hit or beat Wall Street earnings projections. Read More

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US economy shrank at an annual rate of more than 6 percent in the first quarter of 2009, the second straight decline of that magnitude. All 47 companies represented in the Utility Forecaster Portfolios, however, turned in first quarter results on track to meet full-year 2009 targets. And the vast majority met or beat Wall Street expectations. Read More

NuStar Energy LP (NYSE: NS) basically trades where it did when I added it to the UF Portfolio in late 2006. Revenue, however has quadrupled, and cash flow has doubled. The dividend has increased more than 20 percent. Read More

Rarely does the top player in a growing industry trade on the bargain rack. But that’s where Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is now. Read More

Stabilizing oil prices turned dividend-cut action from energy to communications last month. BT Group’s (NYSE: BT) GBP2.9 billion pension deficit and flagging earnings outside Britain meant its 67.2 percent slashing was no great surprise. The question is whether cutting another 10 percent of the workforce will be enough to prevent another cut, given a weak revenue outlook and $3 billion in maturing debt before 2011. Read More

“United Illuminating (NYSE: UIL) reacted to the rejection of its rate hike like a spoiled child…threatening public safety and reliability. The state authorized an 8.75 percent profit, an enviable rate of return…” That’s a direct quote from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, as he demanded state regulators launch an immediate investigation of the company’s recent cost cutting. Read More

There are still plenty of ways to score outsized returns and high yields from income-producing stocks, even at higher tax rates. For one thing, we’re coming off a very low point here in the markets. Despite the sharp rally from the March 9 lows, even financially secure companies that are consistently raising dividends and operating in recession-resistant industries are yielding in the upper single-digits. Read More

Companies will be able to decide how to best meet those declining limits for CO2 emissions over the next 10 years, either by changing processes entirely or adopting new technology that will now have more time to develop. There should be little if any immediate financial consequence, either for ratepayers or companies involved, other than the cost of building infrastructure for ultimate compliance once the free credits are auctioned. Meanwhile, incentives will be squarely in place for change. Read More