Hydro One, Avista to ask U.S. regulator to reconsider order against acquisition

TORONTO -
Hydro One Ltd. and Avista Corp. say they plan to formally request that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission reconsider its order last week denying approval of the $6.7-billion takeover of the U.S.-based energy utility.
The two companies say they will file a petition no later than Dec. 17 but haven't indicated on what grounds they are making the request.
Under Washington State law, the UTC has 20 days to consider the petition, otherwise it is deemed to be denied.
If it reconsiders its decision, the UTC can modify the prior order or take any actions it deems appropriate including extending deliberations.
Washington State regulators said they would not allow Ontario's largest utility to buy Avista for fear the provincial government, which owns 47 per cent of Hydro One's shares, might meddle in Avista's operations.
Hydro One's shares have risen since the order because the deal, announced in July 2017, would have eroded earnings per share and weakened Hydro One's balance sheet, according to analysts.
Related News

Beating Covid Is All About Electricity
NEW YORK - Robert Bryce, Contributor
During her three-year career as a registered nurse, my friend, C., has cared for tuberculosis patients as well as ones with severe respiratory problems. She’s now caring for COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Ventura County, California. Is she scared about catching the virus? “No,” she replied during a phone call on Thursday. “I’m pretty unflappable.”
What would scare her? She quickly replied, “a power outage.” About a year ago, while working in Oregon, the hospital she was working in lost power for about 45 minutes. “It was terrifying,” she said.
C., who wasn’t authorized by her…