1. Long-term rates have risen, creating potential buying opportunities for utilities like AEP, AWK, AWR, BKH, ES, EVRG, SJW, WEC, WTRG, and XEL; 2. These utilities have strong fundamentals, attractive valuations, and investment-grade balance sheets; 3. Despite rate sensitivity, these utilities are well-positioned for long-term growth with secure dividends and robust balance sheets.