NEW YORK (S&P Global Ratings) Oct. 11, 2022--Based on initial storm cost estimates, S&P Global Ratings does not anticipate ratings will be affected for the nine public power utilities and electric cooperatives it rates in Florida. We base our opinion on these utilities' strong liquidity levels compared to storm cost estimates that should provide a bridge to receiving federal disaster assistance. Advance disaster preparedness planning by Florida utilities prone to extreme weather, including undergrounding lines and mutual aid assistance from out-of-state public power utilities limited damage and supported power restoration efforts, though these utilities, like much of the industry, continue to face supply-chain challenges. Furthermore, utilities we rate in other states affected by Ian (including Georgia, South Carolina, and North
