The ratings on Cleco Corp. reflect a satisfactory business risk profile of '6' (utility business risk profiles are categorized from '1' (excellent) to '10' (vulnerable)) and expectations of an aggressive financial risk profile. Cleco's business risk profile accounts for a stable but slow-growing electric utility, Cleco Power LLC; a generally supportive regulatory environment; utility operations that are disadvantaged by a low proportion of owned generation; and, importantly, residual issues from unsuccessful merchant power ventures. The business risk profile also accounts for Cleco's proposed $1 billion, 600 MW Rodemacher Unit 3 generation facility, which introduces material construction and financing risk. Cleco Power, Cleco's largest subsidiary, serves about 265,000 customers in Louisiana. Standard&Poor's Ratings Services views the regulatory environment as
