` Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA' rating to the Nashville&Davidson Counties Metropolitan Government ("Metro"), Tenn.'s series 2012A district energy system revenue and tax refunding bonds, series 2012B general obligation (GO) refunding bonds, and series 2012 GO improvement bonds (Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds - Direct Payment). At the same time, we affirmed our 'AA' long-term and underlying ratings (SPUR) on Metro's GO debt outstanding. The outlook on all ratings is stable. The qualified energy conservation bonds are taxable bonds allocated by the U.S. Treasury for the purpose of financing qualified energy conservation projects. Metro will budget the principal and interest payments on an annual basis. The bond issuer may make an irrevocable election to receive a
