The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking additional information on the pending $5.3 billion merger of Spokane, WA-based Avista Corp. and Toronto-based Hydro One Ltd. The UTC is asking for the merger partners to file comments on governance changes. Hydro One is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with 1.3 million customers, and Avista serves eastern Washington and parts of Idaho and Oregon.

The California Department of Conservation has created an oil and gas enforcement unit within the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources under new budget authorization for the fiscal 2018-19 state budget. The enforcement unit may issue civil penalties per day of up to $25,000/violation. WellSTAR, new data tracking/reporting technology, would help the state identify violations and track compliance. WellSTAR includes information on enforcement actions and a portal allowing citizens to file complaints about suspected violations.