The Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO) filed a statementwith the federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)supporting the merger of Dominion Resources Inc. and ConsolidatedNatural Gas Co. The PUCO told the SEC that the agency wouldcontinue to exercise jurisdiction over the regulated activities ofThe East Ohio Gas Co., CNG’s gas distribution company in Ohio, andthat the merger would have no impact on its ability to protect theinterests of Ohio ratepayers. The PUCO’s approval is not needed,but the commission conducted a review at the request of East OhioGas.

The merger has been approved by public utility commissions inPennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as shareholders of bothcompanies. Still pending are decisions by Virginia and NorthCarolina public utility commissions and several federal agencies.

CNG has more than 2,200 employees and about 1.2 million gascustomers in Ohio. The merged company plans to participate inunregulated markets for both gas and electricity in Ohio. DominionResources and CNG have also announced plans to build two $200million gas-fired power generation facilities in Ohio to supplyelectricity during periods of peak need.

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