What is the maximum term for a COP financing?

• A. Up to the useful life of the facility financed
• B. 25 years
• C. 40 years
• D. 20 years

Answer: (A)

In COP financing, the debt term is tied to the asset being financed. The maximum term is up to the useful life of the facility financed because the payments for the COPs are intended to be supported by the period the asset provides benefits. Extending the debt beyond the asset’s life would leave debt service without a corresponding asset to secure or justify it, which isn’t prudent. So the longest you would typically issue COPs for is the facility’s useful life; for example, if the facility lasts 25 years, the COPs wouldn’t normally exceed 25 years.