State Utilities Commission Hires Chicago Law Firm

Some new legal minds will be taking a look at the controversial Duke Energy-Progress Energy merger.

Gurnal Scott: The North Carolina Utilities Commission has hired a law firm to help in its investigation of the Duke Energy merger. Commissioners have retained Jenner and Block a firm based in Chicago. The commission held several hearings within the past month hoping to find out why a CEO switch was made after Duke Energy's acquisition of Raleigh-based Progress Energy was completed. The law firm is led by Anton Valukasdescribed as a veteran federal prosecutor. Valukas and his colleagues will be able to supplement the investigation by requesting internal documents and deposing key players. The cost of Jenner and Block's services under state law will be billed to Duke Energy. The utilities commission said recently that its continued investigation into the merger could take months to complete.