OGE Energy’s OGE regular investments to add clean power generation assets to its generation portfolio, strong economic growth and load growth as well as customer additions make it a solid choice for investment in the utility space.Let’s focus on the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock a strong investment pick at the moment. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Growth ProjectionsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings per share has moved up 0.9% in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2021 and 2022 indicates year-over-year growth of 5.8% and 0.2%, respectively.Return on Equity & Dividend YieldReturn on Equity (ROE) indicates how efficiently OGE Energy is utilizing shareholders’ funds to generate returns. At present, OGE Energy’s ROE is 14.55%, higher than the industry average of 9.26%.Currently, OGE Energy has a dividend yield of 4.75% compared with the industry’s 3.39%.Surprise History and Earnings GrowthOGE Energy delivered an average earnings surprise of 24.1% in the last four quarters.OGE Energy’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth is projected at 4.5%.Customer & Load GrowthOGE Energy’s is gaining from strong economic conditions in its service territories. OGE is expected to register 2.2% year-over-year load growth in 2021 and strong customer growth. OGE Energy reported a 1.3% increase in customers in third-quarter 2021 from 2020 levels. Strong load trends are expected to continue in 2022, driven by an increase in residential and commercial customers of OGE. Regular Investments & Emission ReductionOGE Energy plans to spend around $4.2 billion between 2021 and 2025. Out of the planned investment, 75% will be directed toward low-risk transmission and distribution operations. For 2021, the company has allocated $750 million, which includes $670 million for distribution, solar panel subscription, generation and grid advancement activities, and $80 million for transmission projects.OGE Energy has plans to lower carbon dioxide emissions to 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. To achieve this target, the company has converted two coal-fired generating units at the Muskogee Station to natural gas, among other measures. OGE is also deploying more renewable energy sources to lower emissions.Price PerformanceOver the past 12 months, OGE Energy’s shares have returned 12.1% compared with the industry’s 5.5% growth.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchOther Stocks to ConsiderOther top-ranked stocks in the same sector include Otter Tail Corporation OTTR, California Water Service Group CWT and Chesapeake Utilities CPK, each holding a Zacks Rank #2.Otter Tail, California Water Service, and Chesapeake Utilities delivered an average earnings surprise of 27.9%, 10.8%, and 12.6%, respectively, in the last four quarters.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings per share of Otter Tail, California Water Service, and Chesapeake Utilities has moved up 0.8%, 7.6%, and 3.5%, respectively, in the past 60 days.Year to date, shares of Otter Tail, California Water Service, and Chesapeake Utilities have returned 60.9%, 18.2%, and 22%, respectively, compared with the Zacks Utility Sector’s 5% growth. Investor Alert: Legal Marijuana Looking for big gains? Now is the time to get in on a young industry primed to skyrocket from $13.5 billion in 2021 to an expected $70.6 billion by 2028. After a clean sweep of 6 election referendums in 5 states, pot is now legal in 36 states plus D.C. Federal legalization is expected soon and that could kick start an even greater bonanza for investors. Zacks Investment Research has recently closed pot stocks that have shot up as high as +147.0% You’re invited to immediately check out Zacks’ Marijuana Moneymakers: An Investor’s Guide. It features a timely Watch List of pot stocks and ETFs with exceptional growth potential.Today, Download Marijuana Moneymakers FREE >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report OGE Energy Corporation (OGE): Free Stock Analysis Report Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK): Free Stock Analysis Report California Water Service Group (CWT): Free Stock Analysis Report Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research