American Water and Essential Utilities merger approved by Ohio’s PUCO

American Water (AWK) and Essential Utilities (WTRG) announced that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, issued an order approving the companies’ proposed merger, marking the second favorable regulatory action in less than a month toward completing the combination of the two companies. The companies received approval of the merger in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on April 21. The The combined company will operate under the American Water name and be headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. The merger is expected to close by the end of Q1 of 2027, but remains subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, obtaining clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and required regulatory approvals, including approval from all applicable public utility commissions.