Southern Company and AGL Resources have received regulatory approval of the companies' proposed merger from the Maryland Public  Service Commission, with all intervening parties in support of the previously  announced settlement agreement.

AGL Resources is the parent company of Elkton Gas, a regulated utility providing  natural gas distribution services to customers in Elkton, Md.

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;
 
Operations of nearly 200,000 miles of  electric transmission and distribution lines;
 
More than 80,000 miles of gas pipelines; and
 
Approximately 44,000 megawatts of electricity  generating capacity.