Emerald People’s Utility District (Emerald) received its first public credit ratings in over a decade earlier this month. The ratings, from Moody’s Investor Services and Fitch Ratings, place the District in the top end of investment grade rating categories. The strong ratings recently allowed Emerald to sell Electric System Revenue Bonds at lower rates and provided significant savings for its customer-owners.
Moody’s A1 rating cited the district’s solid financial operations, prudent management, and stable service area. It was also noted that growth is expected to continue within the district for the foreseeable future, and financial operations will remain strong and stable.
Fitch Ratings assigned an AA- rating to Emerald. This is the first rating Emerald has been assigned by Fitch and lands a level above the Moody’s rating. The rating cites the utility’s strong financial profile and very low operating risk as determining factors in the score.
“These ratings from independent third parties are a great indication of Emerald’s strong financial standing and positive growth potential,” said Emerald General Manager Kyle Roadman. “More importantly, they have provided us cheaper access to capital to invest back into our electric system for the benefit of our customers.”
The sale of the Electric System Revenue Bonds on May 21, 2025, provided $40 million for Emerald’s ongoing and future capital projects, and will be used to further improve reliability and resiliency of its electric system.
Emerald PUD is a not-for-profit electric utility formed in 1978 by a small group of local citizens who wanted better, customer-oriented service at the lowest possible rates. Today EPUD serves approximately 23,000 meters in Lane County, Oregon.
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