Proposed U.S. Tariffs Threaten Unitil's Financial Stability

Unitil faces significant risks due to proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian energy imports, which could increase costs for natural gas and reduce customer demand, impacting its financial stability. Meanwhile, President Trump's administration has announced a global 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, which could also adversely affect various sectors of the U.S. economy, including energy. The tariffs are expected to raise material costs, with potential price increases impacting industries that rely on these metals, such as renewable energy and fossil fuels. In response to European environmental regulations, U.S. officials, including commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, are considering trade tools to mitigate their effects on American companies. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU is advocating for a review and delay of these ESG regulations, arguing they present barriers to trade. The complex EU regulatory environment, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the EU Taxonomy, is seen as increasing compliance costs and complicating energy trade.