Then, all customers of the state's major utilities will receive new bills.

In 1999, some of the major utilities petitioned for the right to sign such contracts.

Industry analysts said they believed that if the deal went through, it would be the first time any state successfully acquired a major utility.

"We've never seen a state come in and try to take over a major utility," he said.

Executives at several major utilities in the region said they were relieved that the states had decided on a flexible approach.

Edison's offer is unusual because it would combine two major utilities.

There is a belief that major utilities can benefit by spreading costs over larger operations.

With the highest electric rates of any major utility in the country, its large customers are shopping for new suppliers.

It was the first major public utility to take that step since the Depression.

Before their acquisition, the company worked with major national utilities such as: