FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy file merger application

FirstEnergy Corporation and Allegheny Energy Inc. on May 18 filed an application with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for approval of their proposed merger.

The filing provides additional information related to the merger and the companies' commitments to support jobs, customers and communities in West Virginia, including agreements to complete and staff the transmission operations center in Fairmont. In addition, the filing includes a commitment not to eliminate the Allegheny Power Customer Call Center as a result of the merger integration process. Also, the company will work to bring at least one Power Systems Institute (PSI) program to West Virginia. PSI is a partnership with local community colleges to educate and train future utility workers. Currently, there are two such programs in the state.

The companies filed applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission last week. They plan to file for state regulatory approval in Maryland later this month, and in Virginia later in the second quarter.

The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2011, subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals, as outlined in the preliminary S-4 Registration Statement, which was filed in March.