Regulators Put Duke-Progress Deal on Next Agenda

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina regulators will discuss the proposed merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy at a hearing next month. The state Public Service Commission decided last week to put the merger on the agenda for a meeting Dec. 12, although documents from the agency show commissioners aren’t happy about considering the deal before federal regulators weigh in several days later. In the order setting the hearing date, commissioners say the utilities might have to come before the board again depending on what happens when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission takes up the merger later in the month. Duke and Progress hope to complete the merger by the end of the year.