Green bonds

The increasing focus on ESG and innovation in the municipal market continues to grow as investors and issuers navigate a changing global market for state and local government debt amid COVID-19.

Build America Mutual has extended its GreenStar program to include non-insured deals as well as also being placed on the Nasdaq Sustainable Bond Network.

Breckinridge Capital Advisors’ Rob Fernandez, Director of ESG Research, and Andrew Teras, Senior Vice President, talk about how climate change can impact the municipal bond market as the country faces increased risks from coastal flooding, wildfires and drought. Chip Barnett hosts (24 minutes)

Ann-Charlotte Eliason, head of Nasdaq's Sustainable Bond Network, and Emily Robare, who leads ESG credit analysis for Gurtin, a PIMCO company, talk the current state and future of ESG, social, green and impact investing in munis through the lens of both domestic and international investors. Lynne Funk hosts. (38 minutes).

Gov. Gina Raimondo and top lawmakers want a clearer picture from Washington over coronavirus relief aid.

Nick Bucklin, vice president and portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton, talks with Chip Barnett about ESG investing and why municipal green bonds are an important component of an investor’s portfolio. (19 minutes)

The fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal green bonds from issuers including states, cities, municipal water and sewer enterprises, transportation systems, universities, and hospitals, and others.

The $16 million, small-denomination offering, to finance projects with climate and environmental benefits. is modeled after World War II Series E bonds.

Oregon's $320.4 million of taxable GO bonds were 7.7 times oversubscribed in some maturities.

No real clear, universal definition of ‘green’ exists and it is complicating investor understanding of the market.

The utility envisions a digital power grid and clean energy transmission, with this sale setting the stage.

Bryan Garcia and Eric Shrago of the Connecticut Green Bank, explain how “Green Liberty Bonds” will expand clean energy investment. The small-denomination munis for retail, modeled after the World War II Series E bonds, are independently certified to fight climate change. Chip Barnett hosts.

The state applied the green designation to the $80 million deal, but didn't obtain third party verification.

The firm will pre-qualify competitive sales to make sure they meet the ICMA’s green or social bond principles.

House Speaker Tina Kotek agreed to slow momentum on the state's cap-and-trade bill to prevent a Republican walkout.

Eric Garcetti's signed an executive directive

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, presenter of the Oscars, is issuing debt to cover cost overruns on the museum it plans to open in December.

An industry fall coincides with a rise in sustainable investing around the world and divestment from fossil fuels.

While scrutiny of climate risks grows for municipal bond issuers, so do opportunities to broaden investor interest.

While issuance is seen rising, not all analysts think it's a smart move to do taxable refundings.