New England Governors Oppose Major Utility Merger, Seek Extended Review
A significant proposed merger between utility giants NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy has faced strong opposition from five New England governors, raising concerns over market concentration and past anticompetitive actions. Notably absent from this opposition was New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte.
The merger, if approved, would result in the largest regulated utility worldwide, bringing New Hampshire’s Seabrook Station and Connecticut’s Millstone Power Station under the same corporate umbrella. This has prompted a debate among regional leaders and consumer advocates about the potential implications for energy infrastructure and pricing.
New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Don Kreis expressed his skepticism regarding the merger but noted that his office has yet to take an official stance. “I can’t argue with the governor’s decision to think more about it,” Kreis commented, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.
Elsewhere in New England, consumer advocates are actively examining the merger’s potential impacts and have requested an extension for the comment period with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to allow for more comprehensive analysis.
Concerns Over Monopoly and Infrastructure Delays
The governors of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Connecticut have articulated their concerns in a joint letter, warning that the merger would grant NextEra an “unprecedented amount of leverage.” They accused the company of exhibiting anticompetitive behavior that could hinder critical infrastructure projects in the region.
“The states’ concern that these companies will act to disrupt and delay infrastructure development is not hypothetical,” stated the New England States Committee on Electricity. The letter highlighted past instances where NextEra allegedly opposed infrastructure development, such as the New England Clean Energy Connect project, which aims to deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts via Maine.
Documentation from Maine Public indicated that NextEra was involved in attempts to obstruct this project through community groups and campaign donations. The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit eventually intervened, ruling that NextEra’s actions were “anticompetitive” and mandating the necessary infrastructure updates.
Despite these allegations, NextEra has yet to comment on the situation.
Regional Committee and Future Considerations
The joint letter emerged from the New England States Committee on Electricity, a non-profit organization representing the regional governors’ interests. New Hampshire’s representation on this committee includes Department of Energy Commissioner Jared Chicoine and Regional Policy Director Dan Phelan. Governor Ayotte has not addressed why she abstained from joining the letter.
As consumer advocates continue to scrutinize the merger, they aim to determine its potential effects on New England’s energy prices. The request to extend the FERC comment deadline by two months, as Kreis mentioned, underscores the need for careful consideration of this significant merger proposal.
Original Story at newhampshirebulletin.com