This would be the first major merger by utilities in California.

The most visible part of this mission is the setting of rates and charges for service by public utilities.

And the new plants are cleaner than the cheaper older ones owned by utilities, she said.

Still, one thing that has not changed is the reliance on fuel oil by homeowners and utilities in the Northeast.

Another trend is the decline in efforts by electric utilities to persuade their customers to use less power.

The project is financially independent through the payment of fees by participating utilities.

In some states they also regulate tariffs by public utilities.

In the case of piped water supply by utilities compliance was highest at 88%.

As a result 24% of investments were self-financed by utilities in 2004.

Investors also have welcomed moves by large utilities to expand into renewable energy.