Essential Utilities — May 6, 2026 release

Operations and maintenance expenses for Essential’s regulated natural gas segment increased slightly to $56.2 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $55.7 million in the first quarter of 2025. Dividend As previously announced on February 17, 2026, Essential’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3426 per share of common stock. This dividend will be payable on June 1, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2026.   Financing On March 9, 2026, the Company issued $500 million of senior notes due March 15, 2036, with an interest rate of 5.125%. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance to repay a portion of its commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2026, Essential’s weighted average cost of fixed-rate long-term debt was 4.16%, and the company had $1.035 billion available on its credit lines.   Rate Activity   Thus far in 2026, the Company’s regulated water segment received rate awards or infrastructure surcharges that will increase annual revenues in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio by $5.7 million, and its regulated natural gas segment received rate awards or infrastructure surcharges in Kentucky and Pennsylvania of $9.4 million. The Company currently has base rate cases or infrastructure surcharges pending in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey for its regulated water and wastewater segment for an estimated $101.9 million in incremental annual revenues. The company currently has a base rate case p