TWO TOP UTILITY COMPANIES MERGE

Two of the top companies in the Pennsylvania utility market have agreed to a merger.  The Trib reports that New Jersey-based American Water would absorb Essential Utilities, which owns Peoples Natural Gas and water utility Aqua, in an all-stock transaction.  The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, pending review from federal antitrust authorities and “applicable public utility commissions.”  That includes the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which must sign off on any change in ownership of a regulated utility in the state.  Both companies say that the proposed merger will not raise customer rates.