Regulators Ok Merger Of West Side Utilities

Regulators Wednesday approved the proposed merger of Puget Sound Power & Light Co. and Washington Energy Co., paving the way for creation of the Northwest’s largest electric and natural gas utility.

Since the final plan negotiated by the companies and the state differs from that proposed last year, the boards of directors of both utilities will meet Friday to decide whether to go ahead with the merger.

If approved, the new company would be named Puget Sound Energy and based in Bellevue. Its shares would begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.