Essential Utilities CEO Chris Franklin Interviewed by Advisor Access

Essential Services and Shareholder Value Delivered with Integrity


SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG; formerly Aqua America, Inc. [WTR]) is one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater, and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately five million people across 10 states under the Aqua and Peoples brands. The company recognizes the importance water and natural gas play in everyday life and is proud to deliver safe, reliable services that contribute to a better quality of life in the communities it serves.

  • Delivered consecutive quarterly cash dividends for 75 years and increased the dividend 30 times in the last 29 years
  • Expects to invest approximately $3 billion through 2023 to replace and expand water and wastewater utility infrastructure and to replace and upgrade natural gas utility infrastructure, leading to significant reductions in methane emissions
  • Published a 2019 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable business practices, employee safety, diversity and inclusion, customer experience and community engagement

Click HERE to view the Essential Utilities Investor Presentations.
Click HERE to view the Essential Utilities ESG website.

Advisor Access spoke with Essential Utilities CEO Chris Franklin.

Advisor Access: Let’s start with your business model. Please describe the origins and traditional focus of Essential Utilities.

Chris Franklin: Essential Utilities provides a unique combination of experienced, regulated utility companies offering essential services to customers and a unique investment opportunity for investors. Our business model allows us to play an important role in solving our nation’s water and natural gas infrastructure challenges through thoughtful capital investment, operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to strengthening local communities…

AA: Tell us about your motivations for the acquisition of Peoples. Why did you decide to wander outside your area of expertise (water)?

AA: Can you provide an update on integration since closing the Peoples acquisition?

AA: You mentioned that the primary driver of your growth strategy is municipal initiatives in the water and wastewater industry. Can you discuss how fair market value (FMV) legislation has impacted this initiative?

AA: Can investors expect Essential’s long-standing policy of paying increasing dividends will continue going forward?

AA: Everyone seems to be talking about ESG these days. Tell us about Essential’s ESG program.

AA: Is there anything else you’d like investors to know about Essential Utilities?

Read the complete answer to these questions and more in the full interview with Essential Utilities HERE

About Advisor Access:

Advisor-Access LLC brings compelling investment ideas to investors in the form of in-depth interviews with company management and the latest fact sheets and corporate presentations.

DISCLOSURE:
Essential Utilities Inc. has paid Advisor Access a fee to distribute this email. Chris Franklin had final approval of the content and is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements and opinions.

 

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