Two of the region’s largest utilities are one step closer to combining forces.

Shareholders of Kansas City-based Great Plains Energy and Topeka-based Westar Energy have voted in favor of merging the two companies under a new corporation called Monarch Energy Holding. Officials announced yesterday shareholders for each company voted more than 90-percent in favor of the plan.

The merger requires final approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission, Kansas Corporation Commission and five federal agencies.

Source: MetroSource News