American Water and Essential Utilities Merger Wins Illinois Approval, Fourth Regulatory Green Light
American Water Works and Essential Utilities said Friday that the Illinois Commerce Commission issued an order approving their proposed merger, the fourth favorable regulatory action toward completing the deal, according to a joint press release filed with the SEC on Form 425.
The companies previously received approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission on June 22, 2026, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on May 13, 2026, and the Kentucky Public Service Commission on April 21, 2026.
Settlement agreements in the merger approval proceedings have been reached in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas and New Jersey. Each agreement remains subject to review and approval by the applicable public utility commission, the companies said.
The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act expired on Aug. 14, 2026, and shareholders of both companies approved the transaction earlier this year, according to the release.
The all-stock merger, announced Oct. 27, 2025, would create a combined company serving more than 4.7 million water and wastewater customer connections and more than 740,000 natural gas customer connections. It would operate under the American Water name and be headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
The companies expect the merger to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the remaining applicable public utility commissions.
Sources
- American Water Works Form 425 (joint press release with Essential Utilities), filed Nov. 6, 2026 (accession 0001410636-26-000164)
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