Standard&Poor's Ratings Services revised its rating outlook on Austin, Texas' electric utility system bonds and combined utility system bonds to positive from stable. At the same time, Standard&Poor's assigned its 'A+' standard long-term rating to Austin's $175 million series 2008A electric system revenue refunding bonds. The outlook revision is based on the electric system's, known as Austin Energy, sustained trend of strong financial performance. The outlook revision affects approximately $1.0 billion of parity separate lien debt outstanding and $278 million in combined utility debt outstanding. The ratings continue to reflect the general creditworthiness of the system doing business as Austin Energy, which includes its: Diversified generation resource mix that consists of coal and efficient nuclear for
