OREANDA-NEWS. Southern Company (NYSE: SO) and AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS) have  received unanimous regulatory approval of the companies' proposed merger from  the California Public Utilities Commission.

AGL  Resources is the parent company of Central Valley Gas Storage, a natural gas  storage facility located in the Sacramento River valley.

When  completed, the combination of Southern Company and AGL Resources is expected to  create the second-largest utility company in the U.S. by customer base, bringing  together:

  • Eleven regulated electric and natural gas  distribution companies providing service to approximately 9 million customers;
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  • Operations of nearly 200,000 miles of  electric transmission and distribution lines;
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  • More than 80,000 miles of gas pipelines; and
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  • Approximately 44,000 megawatts of electricity  generating capacity.

The companies expect to complete the  transaction in the second half of 2016.