The utility sector is generally one of the more boring segments of the broader energy industry, but that doesn't mean it is always uneventful. In fact, rising interest rates have resulted in Wall Street shunning utility stocks. While there are some good reasons for that, it has opened up an opportunity for long-term income investors to buy reliable dividend stocks like NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), and Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH). Here's a look at each of these energy specialists.

There's no way to hide the fact that utility stocks are in the dumps today. As the chart below clearly shows, the utility sector, using Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEMKT: VPU) as a proxy, has been heading lower while the S&P 500 index has been moving higher. What's been going on? The big issue is that interest rates have been on the rise. That poses two problems for utility stocks.

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Source Fool.com