The U.S. utility sector is entering a new era of consolidation. The merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress will reunify Duke Energy’s electric operations across the Carolinas after more than a decade of operating as separate regulated utilities. Meanwhile, NextEra Energy’s proposed acquisition of Dominion Energy would create the nation’s largest regulated electric utility company.
Proponents argue that larger utilities can achieve economies of scale, lower financing costs, and more efficiently deploy the infrastructure needed to meet rising demand from electrification, manufacturing, and AI-driven data centers. Critics counter that increasing concentration may reduce regulatory leverage, limit competitive pressures, and raise concerns about customer costs, market power and system resilience.
This July 2026 webinar examined the drivers behind utility consolidation, the potential impacts for customers and investors, what these transactions could mean for the future structure of the U.S. electric power sector and state policy options available to advance competitiveness.
Jackson Ewing (Nicholas Institute) led a policy discussion with Maggie Shober (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy) on merger implications, followed by the presentation of new utility merger analysis and updates to the Southeast Power Sector Competitiveness Dashboard by the Nicholas Institute team.
