Why the American Jobs Plan Would Benefit Coal-Heavy Utility Stocks -

"A close look at some of the utilities publicly supporting a federal CES, which would require utilities to increase their share of carbon-free energy over time, reveals utilities like Exelon or PSEG heavy on nuclear and renewables were first to support the plan."

Why this is important: The American Jobs Plan may help coal-fired utilities switch to renewables according to Forbes. The Jobs Plan has a goal of 100 percent clean energy and to reduce CO2 emissions 80 percent by 2035. A new study by Morgan Stanley believes this mandate will improve the performance of coal heavy utilities and returns to their shareholders as rate regulators allow a reasonable return rate on the expenses to make this transition. Using American Electric Power as an example, the study notes it has plans to add 16,600 MW of renewables while shutting down 8,000 MWs of coal-fired electrical generation. The $13.8 billion cost would result in an increased return on investment for the utilities shareholders as the changes would be required by U.S. law and policy.