OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings assigns the following ratings and Rating Outlooks to the Utility Debt Securitization Authority restructuring bonds series 2016B as follows:

-- $26,250,000 T-1 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $33,200,000 T-2 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $37,715,000 T-3 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $38,655,000 T-4 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $8,015,000 T-5 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $8,215,000 T-6 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $35,850,000 T-7 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $36,745,000 T-8 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $44,930,000 T-9 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $46,050,000 T-10 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $12,930,000 T-11 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $13,255,000 T-12 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $2,940,000 T-13 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $3,010,000 T-14 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $36,645,000 T-15 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $4,350,000 T-16 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $26,830,000 T-17 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $28,185,000 T-18 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $10,000,000 T-19 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable;

-- $15,550,000 T-20 bonds 'AAAsf' Outlook Stable.

The collateral for the restructuring bonds consists primarily of the restructuring property, which represents the right to impose, charge and collect through the applicable non-bypassable restructuring charges (RCs) payable by retail electric customers.

Details regarding the restructuring bonds as well as Fitch's stress and rating sensitivity analysis are discussed in the presale report titled 'Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Bonds Series 2016B', dated Jul. 29, 2016, which is available on Fitch's website. The presale report details how Fitch addresses the key rating drivers which are summarized below.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

Statutory and Regulatory Framework: The strength and stability of the underlying RCs are established by the financing order issued by the authority as part of the LIPA Reform Act. The financing order establishes the irrevocable and non-bypassable RCs and defines bondholders' property rights in the 2016B restructuring property. The financing order contains the key elements important in a utility tariff securitization, as discussed in detail on page 19 of the presale.

Adequate Credit Enhancement via True-Ups: Mandatory annual true-up filings adjust RCs to ensure collections are sufficient to provide all scheduled payments of principal and interest, pay fees and expenses, and replenish the debt service (1.50%) and operating reserve (0.50%) subaccounts. Furthermore, semiannual and quarterly true-ups may occur if necessary but must meet certain defined parameters.

Supports 'AAAsf' Stresses: Demand shifts in consumption can be caused by various factors such as the introduction of new technologies, demographic changes or shifting usage patterns, which present greater risk in this transaction relative to others in this asset class given the longer tenor of the restructuring bonds. Fitch's 'AAAsf' scenario analysis stresses key model variables such as consumption variance, chargeoff rates, and delinquencies, to address this risk. Under Fitch's 'AAAsf' stress assumptions, the aggregate RC for the series 2013T/TE, 2015, 2016A and 2016B transactions is 3.49 cents/kWh, or 16.75% of the residential customer bill, which is consistent with 'AAAsf' ratings. Therefore, there is no rating impact on the series 2013T/TE, 2015, and 2016A, as a result of the issuance of the series 2016B.

Sound Legal Structure: Fitch reviews all associated legal opinions furnished to analyze the integrity of the legal structure.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

While Fitch believes that bondholders are protected from the various aforementioned risks based on the 'AAAsf' cash flow stress case, the break-the-bond case provides an alternative means by which to measure the potential effects of rapid, significant declines in power consumption while capping the residential RC at 20% of the total residential customers' bill.

In this scenario, the structure is able to withstand a maximum consumption decline of approximately 92.20% in year one. This is the level of forecast energy consumption decline that would cause a default in required payments on bonds or cause the RC to exceed 20% of the total residential customers' bill. Despite this severe decline in consumption, because of the true-up mechanism, RCs are able to pay all debt service by the legal final maturity date.

DUE DILIGENCE USAGE

Form ABS Due Diligence-15E was not provided to, or reviewed by, Fitch in relation to this rating action.