US utilities: proposed merger depends on regulators' opinion as to whether customers will benefit

"However, seeing as how the companies operate as regulated monopolies, the final decision rests with a number of federal and state regulators. Given the fragmented and regionalized nature of the energy market in the US, the merger does little to encourage competition. The only way consumers would benefit from this merger is through cost savings shared via lower electricity rates. However, both firms are currently pressing for rate increases."