Richard C. Kelly

People (July 2011)

Xcel Energy names new president and COO; Pacific Gas and Electric adds new senior v.p. and chief information officer; NorthWestern Energy appoints new members to executive management team; plus senior staff changes at Constellation Energy, Alliant Energy, GDF SUEZ, and others.

The Merger Paradox

More consolidation could trim costs, but some CEOs fear a backlash from regulators.

With the possible exception of keeping the lights on, the merger game dwarfs just about every other question facing today’s electric utilities. The last big wave of consolidation hit in the late 1990s. Now the forecast calls for a repeat performance, but don’t bet the farm. There’s a hitch, you see. It’s today’s high commodity costs.