Avista Corporation AVA operates as an electric and natural gas utility company. It provides electric and natural gas services to 400,000 and 367,000 customers, respectively. The company is investing substantially to modernize infrastructure and upgrade systems.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 and 2022 earnings per share is pegged at $2.12 and $2.31, respectively. The estimates for 2021 and 2022 indicate year-over-year growth of 11.7% and 8.8%, respectively, and have increased 0.9% and 1.3% in the past 60 days.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 and 2022 revenues is pegged at $1.35 billion and $1.4 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 2.1% and 3.5%, respectively.Dividend Yield & Long-Term Earnings GrowthCurrently, the company has a dividend yield of 3.9% compared with the industry’s 3.09%. The long-term earnings per share (three to five years) growth of the company is currently pegged at 5.44%.Regular InvestmentsAvista makes consistent investments to upgrade and maintain the existing infrastructure as well as expand operations. The company anticipates investing $415 million in 2021 and $405 million annually between 2022 and 2023 in utility operations.These investments will increase the reliability of its services and enable it to serve a growing customer base effectively. The company expects this systematic investment to drive 5% annual rate base growth over the long term.Emission GoalThe company is investing in carbon neutral supply of electricity by the end of 2027 and provide 100% clean electricity to customers by 2045. The company is aiming to lower greenhouse emission from its Natural Gas business by 30% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The company aims to do this by investing in new technologies like renewable natural gas, hydrogen and other renewable biofuels. The company’s clean energy future encompasses both electric and natural gas resources. It will also reduce consumption through conservation and energy efficiency and improving infrastructure.Price PerformanceIn the past six months, the stock has gained 13.2% compared with the industry’s growth of 3.1%.Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Other Stocks to ConsiderOther top-ranked stocks in the same sector include Otter Tail Corporation OTTR, NewJersey Resource Corporation NJR and UGI Corporation UGI, each currently having a Zacks Rank #2.Otter Tail, NewJersey Resource and UGI Corp. pay regular dividends, thereby ensuring steady income for investors. The current dividend yield of Otter Tail, NewJersey Resource and UGI Corp. is 3.28%, 3.25% and 3%, respectively.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings for Otter Tail has moved up 3.2% in the past 60 days. Fiscal 2021 earnings estimates for NewJersey Resource and UGI Corp. have moved up 10.6%, and 3.4%, respectively, in the past 60 days.Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep AmericaA massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 7 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How to Profit from Trillions on Spending for Infrastructure >>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 Avista Corporation (AVA): Free Stock Analysis Report UGI Corporation (UGI): Free Stock Analysis Report Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR): Free Stock Analysis Report NewJersey Resources Corporation (NJR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research