United States of America v. Exelon Corporation and Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement, 49477-49490 [06-7043]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
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United States of America v. Exelon
Corporation and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated;
Proposed Final Judgment and
Competitive Impact Statement
Notice is hereby given pursuant to the
Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act,
15 U.S.C. 16(b)–(h), that a proposed
Final Judgment, Hold Separate
Stipulation and Order, and Competitive
Impact Statement have been filed with
the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia in United States of
America v. Exelon Corporation and
Public Service Enterprise Group
Incorporated, Civil Action No.
1:06CV01138. On June 22, 2006, the
United States filed a Complaint alleging
that the proposed acquisition by Exelon
Corporation (‘‘Exelon’’) of Public
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated
(‘‘PSEG’’) would violate Section 7 of the
Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. The
Complaint alleges that the acquisition
would reduce competition substantially
for wholesale electricity in the MidAtlantic United States. Specifically, the
Complaint alleges that Exelon’s
acquisition of PSEG’s electric generation
assets would enhance Exelon’s ability
and incentive to raise wholesale
electricity prices, resulting in increased
retail electricity prices for millions of
residential, commercial, and industrial
customers. The proposed Final
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Judgment requires Exelon and PSEG to
divest six electric generation plants. The
plants to be divested are Cromby
Generating Station and Eddystone
Generating Station in Pennsylvania and
Hudson Generating Station, Linden
Generating Station, Mercer Generating
Station, and Sewaren Generating Station
in New Jersey.
Copies of the Complaint, proposed
Final Judgment, Hold Separate
Stipulation and Order, and Competitive
Impact Statement are available for
inspection at the Department of Justice,
Antitrust Division, Antitrust Documents
Group, 325 7th Street, NW., Room 215,
Washington, DC 20530 (telephone: 202–
514–2481), on the Department of
Justice’s Web site at https://
www.usdoj.gov/atr, and at the Office of
the Clerk of the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia.
Copies of these materials may be
obtained from the Antitrust Division
upon request and payment of the
copying fee set by Department of Justice
regulations.
Public comment is invited within
sixty (60) days of the date of this notice.
Such comments, and responses thereto,
will be published in the Federal
Register and filed with the Court.
Comments should be directed to Donna
N. Kooperstein, Chief, Transportation,
Energy & Agriculture Section, Antitrust
Division, Department of Justice, 325 7th
Street, NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC
20530 (telephone: 202–307–3278).
Patricia A. Brink,
Deputy Director of Operations, Antitrust
Division.
United States District Court, District of
Columbia
United States of America, U.S.
Department of Justice, Antitrust
Division, 325 7th Street, NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20530, Plaintiff, v.
Exelon Corporation, 10 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, IL 60603, and Public
Service Enterprise Group, Incorporated,
880 Park Plaza, P.O. Box 1171, Newark,
NJ 07101–1171, Defendants
Case No. 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Date Stamp: 06/22/2006
Complaint
The United States of America, acting
under the direction of the Attorney
General of the United States, brings this
civil action to enjoin the merger of
Exelon Corporation (‘‘Exelon’’) and
Public Service Enterprise Group
Incorporated (‘‘PSEG’’) and alleges as
follows:
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1. On December 20, 2004, Exelon
entered into an agreement to merge with
PSEG. The transaction would create one
of the largest electricity companies in
the United States, with total assets of
$79 billion and annual revenues of $27
billion.
2. Exelon and PSEG compete to sell
wholesale electricity throughout the
Mid-Atlantic and in Illinois, North
Carolina, West Virginia, and Ohio.
3. Exelon and PSEG are the two
largest electricity firms in the area
encompassing central and eastern
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, the
District of Columbia, and parts of
Maryland and Virginia. Together, they
would account for more than 35 percent
of the electric generating capacity in this
area and would have wholesale
electricity revenues of approximately
$4 billion.
4. In the eastern portion of this area,
which includes the densely populated
northern New Jersey and Philadelphia
areas, Exelon and PSEG together would
account for more than 45 percent of the
electric generating capacity in this area
and would have wholesale electricity
revenues of approximately
$3 billion.
5. Exelon’s merger with PSEG would
eliminate competition between them
and give the merged firm the incentive
and the ability to raise wholesale
electricity prices, resulting in increased
retail electricity prices for millions of
residential, commercial, and industrial
customers in these areas.
6. Accordingly, the merger would
substantially lessen competition in
violation of Section 7 of the Clayton
Act, 15 U.S.C. 18.
I. Jurisdiction and Venue
7. This action is filed by the United
States under Section 15 of the Clayton
Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 25, to
prevent and restrain Defendants from
violating Section 7 of the Clayton Act,
15 U.S.C. 18.
8. Exelon and PSEG are engaged in
interstate commerce and in activities
substantially affecting interstate
commerce. The Court has jurisdiction
over this action and the parties pursuant
to Sections 15 and 16 of the Clayton
Act, 15 U.S.C. 25, 26; and 28 U.S.C.
1331, 1337.
9. Exelon and PSEG transact business
and are found in the District of
Columbia. Venue is proper under
Section 12 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C.
22; and 28 U.S.C. 1391(c).
II. The Defendants and the Transaction
10. Defendant Exelon is a
Pennsylvania corporation, with its
headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Exelon
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owns Exelon Generation Company, LLC,
which owns electric generating plants
located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic
and the Midwest with a total generating
capacity of more than 25,000 megawatts
(‘‘MW’’). Exelon also owns two
electricity retailers that buy wholesale
electricity and resell it to consumers:
PECO Energy Company, a gas and
electric utility that serves customers in
the Philadelphia area; and
Commonwealth Edison Company, an
electric utility that serves customers in
northern Illinois.
11. Defendant PSEG is a New Jersey
corporation, with its headquarters in
Newark, New Jersey. PSEG owns PSEG
Power LLC, which owns electric
generating plants located primarily in
New Jersey with a total generating
capacity of more than 15,000 MW. PSEG
also owns a gas and electric utility,
Public Service Electric and Gas
Company, that serves customers in New
Jersey.
12. Following Exelon’s merger with
PSEG, the combined company would be
known as Exelon Electric & Gas, with
corporate headquarters in Chicago.
III. Trade and Commerce
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A. Background
13. Electricity supplied to retail
customers is generated at electric
generating plants, which consist of one
or more generating units. An individual
generating unit uses any one of several
types of generating technologies
(including hydroelectric turbine, steam
turbine, combustion turbine, or
combined cycle) to transform the energy
in fuels or the force of following water
into electricity. The fuels used by a
generating unit include uranium, coal,
oil, or natural gas.
14. Generating units vary
considerably in their operating costs,
which are determined primarily by the
cost of fuel and the efficiency of the
technology in transforming the energy
in fuel into electricity. ‘‘Baseload’’
units—which typically include nuclear
and some coal-fired steam turbine
units—have relatively low operating
costs. ‘‘Peaking’’ units—which typically
include oil- and gas-fired combustion
turbine units—have relatively high
operating costs. ‘‘Mid-merit’’ units—
which typically include combined-cycle
and some coal-fired steam turbine
units—have costs lower than those of
peaking units but higher than those of
baseload units.
15. Once electricity is generated at a
plant, an extensive set of interconnected
high-voltage lines and equipment,
known as the transmission grid,
transports the electricity to lower
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voltage distribution lines that relay the
power to homes and businesses.
Transmission grid operators must
closely monitor the grid to prevent too
little or too much electricity from
flowing over the grid, either of which
might damage lines or generating units
connected to the grid. To prevent such
damage and to prevent widespread
blackouts from disrupting electricity
service, a grid operator will manage the
grid to prevent any more electricity from
flowing over a transmission line as that
line approaches its operating limit (a
‘‘transmission constraint’’).
16. In the Mid-Atlantic, the
transmission grid is overseen by PJM
Interconnection, LLC (‘‘PJM’’), a private,
non-profit organization whose members
include transmission line owners,
generation owners, distribution
companies, retail customers, and
wholesale and retail electricity
suppliers. The transmission grid
administered by PJM is the largest in the
United States, providing electricity to
approximately 51 million people in an
area encompassing New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia, the District of
Columbia, and parts of North Carolina,
Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan,
Tennessee, and Illinois (the ‘‘PJM
control area’’).
17. PJM oversees two auctions for the
sale and purchase of wholesale
electricity: a day-ahead auction that
clears the day before the electricity is
required, and a real-time auction that
clears the day the electricity is required.
Generation owners located in the PJM
control area sell through these auctions
to electricity retailers that provide retail
electric service in the PJM control area.
Buyers and sellers of wholesale
electricity may also enter into contracts
for the sale and purchase of electricity
with each other, or third parties, outside
of the PJM auction process; prices for
these bilateral contracts generally reflect
expected auction prices.
18. In the day-ahead auction, each
buyer typically submits to PJM the
amount of electricity the buyer expects
to need each hour of the next day. Then
PJM adds up the amount of electricity
buyers will need to determine how
much electricity will be demanded each
hour. Each seller submits to PJM an
offer to sell electricity indicating the
amount of electricity it is willing to sell
the next day and the price at which it
is willing to sell. Then PJM sorts the
offers to sell from lowest to highest offer
price to determine how much electricity
will be supplied at any given price.
19. Subject to the physical and
engineering limitations of the
transmission grid, PJM seeks to have
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generating units operated in ‘‘merit’’
order, from lowest to highest offer. In
the day-ahead auction, as long as
transmission constraints are not
expected, PJM takes the least expensive
offer first and then continues to accept
offers to sell at progressively higher
prices until the needs for each hour the
next day are covered. In this way, PJM
minimizes the total cost of generating
electricity required for the next day. The
clearing price for any given hour
essentially is determined by the
generating unit with the highest offer
price that is needed for that hour, and
all sellers for that hour receive that price
regardless of their offer price or their
units’ costs. In the real-time auction,
which accounts for differences between
anticipated and actual supply and
demand, PJM accepts sellers’ offers in
merit order, subject to the physical and
engineering limitations of the
transmission grid, until there is a
sufficient quantity of electricity to meet
actual demand.
20. At times, transmission constraints
prevent the generating units with the
lowest offers from meeting demand in a
particular area within the PJM control
area. When that happens, PJM often
calls on more expensive units located
within the smaller area bounded by the
transmission constraints (a ‘‘constrained
area’’), and the clearing price for the
buyers in that area adjusts accordingly.
Because more expensive units are
required to meet demand, the clearing
price in a constrained area will be
higher than it would be absent the
transmission constraints.
21. PJM East. One historically
constrained area within the PJM control
area includes the densely populated
northern New Jersey and Philadelphia
areas. This area (‘‘PJM East’’) is defined
by the ‘‘Eastern Interface,’’ a set of five
major transmission lines that divides
New Jersey and the Philadelphia area
from the rest of the PJM control area.
When the Eastern Interface is
constrained, PJM is limited in its ability
to supply demand located east of the
constraint with electricity from
generating units located west of the
constraint. PJM often responds to
constraints on the Eastern Interface by
calling on additional generating units
east of the constraint to run, generally
resulting in higher prices in PJM East
because the cost of additional
generation east of the constraint is
higher than the cost of additional
generation west of the constraint
22. In PJM East during 2005, more
than $10 billion of wholesale electricity
was sold for resale to nearly 6 million
retail customers.
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23. PJM Central/East. A second
constrained area in PJM includes PJM
East and central Pennsylvania. This area
is defined by two major transmission
lines known as ‘‘5004’’ and ‘‘5005’’ that
run from western to central
Pennsylvania and divide the area east of
the lines (‘‘PJM Central/East’’) from the
rest of PJM. When the 5004 and 5005
transmission lines are constrained, PJM
is limited in its ability to supply
demand located east of the constraint
with electricity from generating units
located west of the constraint. PJM often
responds to constraints on the 5004 and
5005 lines by calling on additional
generating units east of the constraint to
run, generally resulting in higher prices
in PJM Central/East because the cost of
additional generation east of the
constraint is higher than the cost of
additional generation west of the
constraint.
24. In PJM Central/East during 2005,
more than $19 billion of wholesale
electricity was sold for resale to nearly
9 million retail customers.
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B. Relevant Product Market
25. Wholesale electricity is a relevant
product market and a line of commerce
within the meaning of Section 7 of the
Clayton Act. In the event of a small but
significant increase in the price of
wholesale electricity, insufficient
purchasers would switch away to make
that increase unprofitable.
C. Relevant Geographic Markets
26. When the Eastern Interface is
constrained, purchasers of wholesale
electricity for use in PJM East have
limited ability to turn to generation
outside of PJM East. At such times, the
amount of electricity that could be
purchased outside PJM East is
insufficient to make it unprofitable for
generators located inside PJM East to
seek a small but significant price
increase.
27. PJM East is a relevant geographic
market and a section of the country
within the meaning of Section 7 of the
Clayton Act.
28. When the 5004 and 5005
transmission lines are constrained,
purchasers of wholesale electricity in
PJM Central/East have limited ability to
turn to generation outside of PJM
Central/East. At such times, the amount
of electricity that could be purchased
outside PJM Central/East is insufficient
to make it unprofitable for generators
located inside PJM Central/East to seek
a small but significant price increase.
29. PJM Central/East is a relevant
geographic market and a section of the
country within the meaning of Section
7 of the Clayton Act.
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IV. Anticompetitive Effects
A. Market Shares and Concentration
30. Exelon owns approximately 20
percent of the generating capacity in
PJM East. PSEG owns approximately 29
percent of the generating capacity in
PJM East. After the merger, Exelon
would own approximately 49 percent of
the total generating capacity in PJM
East.
31. Using a measure of market
concentration called the HerfindahlHirschman Index (‘‘HHI’’), explained in
Appendix A, Exelon’s merger with
PSEG would yield a post-merger HHI in
PJM East of more than 2,700,
representing an increase of more than
1,100.
32. Exelon owns approximately 19
percent of the generating capacity in
PJM Central/East. PSEG owns
approximately 21 percent of the
generating capacity in PJM Central/East.
After the merger, Exelon would own
approximately 40 percent of the total
generating capacity in PJM Central/East.
33. Exelon’s merger with PSEG would
yield a post-merger HHI in PJM Central/
East of approximately 2,100,
representing an increase of
approximately 800.
B. Effect of Transaction
34. In addition to owning a significant
share of overall generating capacity in
PJM East and PJM Central/East, the
merged firm will own generating units
with a wide range of operating costs,
including low-cost baseload units that
provide the incentive to exercise market
power, mid-merit units that provide the
ability and incentive to exercise market
power, and certain peaking units that
provide additional ability to exercise
market power in times of high demand.
The combination of Exelon’s and
PSEG’s generating units would
significantly enhance Exelon’s ability
and incentive to reduce output and raise
prices in PJM East and PJM Central/East.
35. The merger would enhance
Exelon’s ability to reduce output and
raise prices in PJM East and PJM
Central/East by increasing its share of
mid-merit and peaking capacity in those
markets. With a greater share of midmerit and peaking capacity, Exelon
would more often be able to reduce
output and raise clearing prices at
relatively low cost to it by withholding
capacity. Exelon could withhold
capacity in several ways. For example,
it could submit high offers in the PJM
auctions for some of the capacity from
its mid-merit units such that they are
not all called on to produce electricity.
By reducing its output, Exelon could
force PJM to turn to more expensive
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units to meet demand, resulting in
higher clearing prices in PJM East and
PJM Central/East.
36. The merger would enhance
Exelon’s incentive to reduce output and
raise price in PJM East and PJM Central/
East by increasing the amount of
baseload and mid-merit capacity it owns
in these markets. With a greater amount
of baseload and mid-merit capacity,
Exelon would more often find it
profitable to reduce output and raise
market-clearing prices by withholding
capacity. For example, as clearing prices
increase due to its withholding certain
of its mid-merit capacity, Exelon would
earn those higher prices on its expanded
post-merger baseload capacity, which
almost always runs, making it more
likely that the benefit of increased
revenues on its baseload capacity would
outweigh the cost of withholding midmerit capacity.
37. Increasing Exelon’s incentive and
ability to profitably withhold output
makes it likely that Exelon will exercise
market power after its merger with
PSEG, resulting in significant harm to
competition and increased prices. Thus,
the effect of the merger may be
substantially to lessen competition in
violation of Section 7 of the Clayton
Act.
V. Entry
38. Entry into the wholesale
electricity market through the addition
of new generating capacity in PJM East
or PJM Central/East or the addition of
new transmission capacity that would
relieve the constraints that limit the
flow of electricity into PJM East or PJM
Central/East would take many years,
especially considering the necessary
environmental, safety, and zoning
approvals.
39. Entry into the PJM East or PJM
Central/East wholesale electricity
market would not be timely, likely, and
sufficient in its magnitude, character,
and scope to deter or counteract an
anticompetitive price increase.
VI. Violation Alleged
40. The effect of Exelon’s proposed
merger with PSEG, if it were
consummated, may be substantially to
lessen competition for wholesale
electricity in PJM East and PJM Central/
East in violation of Section 7 of the
Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. Unless
restrained, the transaction would likely
have the following effects, among
others:
a. competition in the market for
wholesale electricity in PJM East would
be substantially lessened;
b. prices for wholesale electricity in
PJM East would increase;
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c. competition in the market for
wholesale electricity in PJM Central/
East would be substantially lessened;
and
d. prices for wholesale electricity in
PJM Central/East would increase.
VII. Request for Relief
The United States requests:
41. that Exelon’s proposed merger
with PSEG be adjudged a violation of
Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C.
18;
42. that Defendants be permanently
enjoined and restrained from carrying
out the Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated December 20, 2004, or from
entering into or carrying out any
agreement, understanding, or plan by
which Exelon would merge with or
acquire PSEG, its capital stock or any of
its assets;
43. that the United States be awarded
the costs of this action; and
44. that the United States have such
other relief as the Court may deem just
and proper.
Dated: June 22, 2006.
Respectfully submitted.
For Plaintiff United States:
Thomas O. Barnett,
Assistant Attorney General.
J. Bruce McDonald,
Deputy Assistant Attorney General.
Dorothy B. Fountain,
Deputy Director of Operations.
Donna N. Kooperstein,
Chief, Transportation, Energy & Agriculture
Section.
William H. Stallings,
Assistant Chief, Transportation, Energy &
Agriculture Section.
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar #470370),
Jade Alice Eaton (DC Bar #939629),
Tracy Lynn Fisher (MN Bar #315837),
Jennifer L. Cihon (OH Bar #0068404),
J. Richard Doidge (MA Bar #600158),
Angela L. Hughes (DC Bar #303420),
J. Chandra Mazumdar (WI Bar #1030967),
James A. Ryan,
John M. Snyder (DC Bar #456921),
Stephanie Toussaint (TX Bar #24045253),
Janet Urban,
David S. Zlotow (CA Bar #235340),
Trial Attorneys, U.S. Department of Justice,
Antitrust Division, Transportation, Energy
& Agriculture Section, 325 7th Street, NW.,
Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004.
Telephone: (202) 307–6318. Facsimile:
(202) 307–2784.
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Appendix A—Definition of HHI
The term ‘‘HHI’’ means the HerfindahlHirschman Index, a commonly accepted
measure of market concentration. The HHI is
calculated by squaring the market share of
each firm competing in the market and then
summing the resulting numbers. For
example, for a market consisting of four firms
with shares of 30, 30, 20, and 20 percent, the
Hill is 2,600 (302 + 302 + 202 + 202 = 2,600).
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The HHI takes into account the relative size
and distribution of the firms in a market. It
approaches zero when a market is occupied
by a large number of firms of relatively equal
size and reaches its maximum of 10,000
when a market is controlled by a single firm.
The HID increases both as the number of
firms in the market decreases and as the
disparity in size between those firms
increases.
Markets in which the HHI is between 1,000
and 1,800 are considered to be moderately
concentrated, and markets in which the HHI
is in excess of 1,800 points are considered to
be highly concentrated. See Horizontal
Merger Guidelines ¶ 1.51 (revised Apr. 8,
1997). Transactions that increase the HHI by
more than 100 points in highly concentrated
markets presumptively raise significant
antitrust concerns under the Department of
Justice and Federal Trade Commission. See
id.
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that on June 22, 2006,
I caused a copy of the foregoing
Complaint, proposed Final Judgment,
Hold Separate Stipulation and Order,
and Plaintiff United States’ Explanation
of Procedures for Entry of the Final
Judgment to be served on counsel for
defendants in this matter in the manner
set forth below:
By electronic mail and hand delivery:
Counsel for Defendant Exelon
Corporation, John M. Nannes (DC Bar
#195966), John H. Lyons (DC Bar
#453191), Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, 1440 New York
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005.
Telephone: (202) 371–7500.
Facsimile: (202) 661–9191.
Counsel for Defendant Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated,
Douglas G. Green (DC Bar #183343),
Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330
Connecticut Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20036. Telephone:
(202) 429–3000. Facsimile: (202) 429–
3902.
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar #470370),
Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, 325
Seventh Street, NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20530. Telephone: (202)
307–6318. Facsimile: (202) 307–2784.
United States District Court for the
District of Columbia
United States of America, Plaintiff; v.
Exelon Corporation and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated,
Defendants
Case No.: 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Filed: 06/22/06
Proposed Final Judgment
And Whereas, Plaintiff, United States
of America, filed its Complaint on June
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22, 2006, relating to the proposed
merger of Defendants Exelon
Corporation (‘‘Exelon’’) and Public
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated
(‘‘PSEG’’);
And Whereas, Defendants, by their
respective attorneys, have consented to
the entry of this Final Judgment without
trial or adjudication of any issue of fact
or law, and without this Final Judgment
constituting any evidence against or
admission by any party regarding any
issue of fact or law;
And Whereas, Defendants agree to be
bound by the provisions of this Final
Judgment pending its approval by the
Court;
And Whereas, the essence of this
Final Judgment is the prompt
divestiture of certain assets by
Defendants to assure that competition is
not substantially lessened;
And Whereas, the United States
requires Defendants to make certain
divestitures for the purpose of
remedying the loss of competition
alleged in the Complaint;
And Whereas, Defendants have
represented to the United States that the
divestitures required below can and will
be made, subject to receipt of necessary
regulatory approvals, and that
Defendants will later raise no claim of
mistake, hardship, or difficulty of
compliance as grounds for asking the
Court to modify any of the provisions
contained below;
Now Therefore, before any testimony
is taken, without trial or adjudication of
any issue of fact or law, and upon
consent of the parties, it is Ordered,
Adjudged, and Decreed:
I. Jurisdiction
The Court has jurisdiction over the
subject matter of and each of the parties
to this action. The Complaint states a
claim upon which relief may be granted
against Defendants under Section 7 of
the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C.
II. Definitions
As used in this Final Judgment:
A. ‘‘Acquire’’ means obtain any
interest in any electricity generating
facility, including real property, deeded
development rights to real property,
capital equipment, buildings, or
fixtures.
B. ‘‘Acquirer’’ or ‘‘Acquirers’’ means
the entity or entities to whom
Defendants divest any of the Divestiture
Assets or with whom Defendants have
entered into definitive contracts to sell
any of the Divestiture Assets.
C. ‘‘Control’’ means have the ability,
directly or indirectly, to set the level of,
dispatch, or offer the output of one or
more units of an electricity generating
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facility or to operate one or more units
of an electricity generating facility.
D. ‘‘Designated Utility Zones’’ means
the service territories in which the
following companies on June 1, 2006,
owned the wires through which
electricity is distributed:
1. Atlantic City Electric Company,
2. Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company,
3. Delmarva Power and Light
Company,
4. Jersey Central Power and Light
Company,
5. Metropolitan Edison Company,
6. Rockland Electric Company,
7. PECO Energy Company,
8. Potomac Electric Power Company,
9. PPL Electric Utilities Corporation,
and
10. Public Service Electric and Gas
Company.
E. ‘‘Divestiture Assets’’ means the
following facilities: (1) Cromby
Generating Station, 100 Cromby Rd. at
Phoenixville, PA, 19460; (2) Eddystone
Generating Station, Number 1 Industrial
Hwy. at Eddystone, PA, 19022; (3)
Hudson Generating Station, Duffield &
Van Keuren Aves. at Jersey City, NJ,
07306; (4) Linden Generating Station,
4001 South Wood Ave. at Linden, NJ,
07036; (5) Mercer Generating Station,
2512 Lamberton Rd. at Hamilton, NJ,
08611; and (6) Sewaren Generating
Station, 751 Cliff Rd. at Sewaren, NJ,
07077; and
a. For each of those facilities, all of
Defendants’ rights, titles, and interests
in any tangible and intangible assets
relating to the generation, dispatch, and
offering of electricity at the facility;
including the land; buildings; fixtures;
equipment; fixed assets; supplies;
personal property; non-consumable
inventory on site as of June 1, 2006;
furniture; licenses, permits, and
authorizations issued by any
governmental organization relating to
the facility (including environmental
permits and all permits from federal or
state agencies and all work in progress
on permits or studies undertaken in
order to obtain permits); plans for
design or redesign of the facility or any
assets at the facility; agreements, leases,
commitments, and understandings
pertaining to the facility and its
operation; records relating to the facility
or its operation, wherever kept and in
whatever form (excluding records of
past offers submitted to PJM); all
equipment associated with connecting
the facility to PJM (including automatic
generation control equipment); all
remote start capability or equipment
located on site; and all other interests,
assets, or improvements at the facility
customarily used in the generation,
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dispatch, or offer of electricity from the
facility; provided, however, that
‘‘Divestiture Assets’’ shall not include
(i) electric and gas distribution or
transmission assets located in, or
appurtenant to, the boundaries of the
facility, or (ii) any communications
links between the facility and
Defendants, which will be
disconnected.
b. At the option of the Acquirer of the
Linden Generating Station, the natural
gas pipeline facilities connecting any
assets at the Linden Generating Station
(including the assets listed in Section
ILE.a. for the Linden Generating
Station), to an interconnection with the
Texas Eastern Gas Transmission LP, and
all of Defendants’ rights, titles, and
interests in any tangible and intangible
assets relating to the delivery of natural
gas from the Texas Eastern Gas
Transmission LP interconnection with
the Linden Generating Station,
including the land; buildings; fixtures;
equipment; fixed assets; supplies;
personal property; non-consumable
inventory on site as of June I, 2006;
furniture; licenses, permits, and
authorizations issued by any
governmental organization relating to
the facility (including environmental
permits and all permits from federal or
state agencies and all work in progress
on permits or studies undertaken in
order to obtain permits); plans for
design or redesign of the facility or any
assets at the facility; agreements, leases,
commitments, and understandings
pertaining to the facility and its
operation; records relating to the facility
or its operation, wherever kept and in
whatever form, and all other interests,
assets, or improvements customarily
used in the delivery of natural gas from
the interconnection of the Texas Eastern
Gas Transmission LP to the Linden
Generating Station.
To the extent that any licenses,
permits, or authorizations described in
Section IIE.a. or Section II.E.b. are
nontransferable, Defendants will use
their best efforts to obtain the necessary
consent for assignment to the Acquirer
or Acquirers of the license, permit, or
authorization.
F. ‘‘Exelon’’ means Exelon
Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, its
successors and assigns, and its
subsidiaries, divisions, groups,
affiliates, partnerships, joint ventures
(not including Exelon’s participation in
the ownership, operation, dispatch, or
offering of output of the Keystone
Generating Station or the Conemaugh
Generating Station), and their directors,
officers, managers, agents, and
employees.
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49481
G. ‘‘Exelon/PSEG Transaction’’ means
the merger of Exelon and PSEG that is
the subject of HSR Transaction
Identification No. 2005–696, which was
filed pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, 15 U.S.C.A. 18a (West 1997)
(‘‘HSR Act’’), including any changes in
the terms of that merger that do not
necessitate a new Hart-Scott-Rodino
filing.
H. ‘‘Good Utility Practice’’ means any
of the practices, methods, and acts
engaged in or approved by a significant
portion of the electric utility industry
during the relevant time period, or any
of the practices, methods, and acts
which, in the exercise of reasonable
judgment in light of the facts known at
the time the decision is made, could
have been expected to accomplish the
desired result at a reasonable cost
consistent with good business practices,
reliability, safety, and expedition.
‘‘Good Utility Practice’’ is not intended
to be limited to the optimum practice,
method, or act to the exclusion of all
others, but rather is intended to include
acceptable practices, methods, or acts
generally accepted in the region.
I. ‘‘Including’’ means including but
not limited to.
J. ‘‘Person’’ means any natural person,
corporation, association, firm,
partnership, or other business or legal
entity.
K. ‘‘PJM’’ means PJM Interconnection,
LLC.
L. ‘‘PSEG’’ means Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated, a New
Jersey corporation headquartered in
Newark, New Jersey, its successors and
assigns, and its subsidiaries, divisions,
groups, affiliates, partnerships, joint
ventures (not including PSEG’s
participation in the ownership,
operation, dispatch, or offering of
output of the Keystone Generating
Station, the Conemaugh Generating
Station, or the Yards Creek Generating
Station), and their directors, officers,
managers, agents, and employees.
III. Applicability
A. This Final Judgment applies to
Defendants Exelon and PSEG, as
defined above, and all other persons in
active concert or participation with any
of them who receive actual notice of this
Final Judgment by personal service or
otherwise.
B. Defendants shall require, as a
condition of the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of
their electricity generating facilities in
the Designated Utility Zones or of lesser
business units that include the
Divestiture Assets, that the purchaser
agrees to be bound by the provisions of
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this Final Judgment, provided, however,
that Defendants need not obtain such an
agreement from the Acquirers of the
Divestiture Assets.
IV. Divestitures
A. Defendants are hereby ordered and
directed, in accordance with the terms
of this Final Judgment, to sell the
Divestiture Assets to Acquirers
acceptable to the United States in its
sole discretion. Defendants shall enter
into definitive contracts for sale of the
Divestiture Assets within 150 days after
consummation of the Exelon/PSEG
Transaction. The United States, in its
sole discretion, may extend the time
period set forth in Section IV.A. for
entering into definitive contracts for sale
for an additional period not to exceed
thirty (30) calendar days and shall
notify the Court in such circumstances.
Defendants shall use their best efforts as
expeditiously and timely as possible (1)
to enter into these contracts, and (2)
after obtaining the United States’
approval of the Acquirers, to seek the
necessary approvals of the sale of
Divestiture Assets from regulatory
agencies with jurisdiction over the
Exelon/PSEG Transaction. Defendants
shall consummate the contracts for sale
no later than twenty-one (21) calendar
days after receiving, for each Divestiture
Asset, the last necessary regulatory
approval required for that Divestiture
Asset.
B. In accomplishing the requirements
imposed by Section IV.A., Defendants
promptly shall make known, by usual
and customary means, the availability
for sale of the Divestiture Assets.
Defendants shall inform any person
making an inquiry regarding a possible
purchase of the Divestiture Assets that
the sales are being made pursuant to
this Final Judgment and provide such
person with a copy of this Final
Judgment. Defendants shall also offer to
furnish to prospective Acquirers who
have been invited to submit binding
bids, subject to reasonable protection for
confidential commercial information, all
information and documents relating to
the Divestiture Assets customarily
provided in a due diligence process,
except such information subject to
attorney-client privilege or the attorney
work-product doctrine. Defendants shall
make available such information to the
United States at the same time that such
information is made available to any
other person.
C. Subject to reasonable protection for
confidential commercial information,
Defendants shall permit prospective
Acquirers who have been invited to
submit binding bids for the Divestiture
Assets to have reasonable access to their
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personnel and to make such inspection
of the Divestiture Assets and any and all
of their financial, operational, or other
documents and information customarily
provided as part of a due diligence
process, as well as access to any and all
environmental and other permit
documents and information.
D. Defendants shall provide to each
Acquirer of any of the Divestiture
Assets, and to the United States, the
name and most recent contact
information (if known) for each
individual who is currently, or who, to
the best of Defendants’ knowledge, has,
at any time since January 1, 2006, been
stationed at a specific Divestiture Asset
and involved in the operation, dispatch,
or offering of the output, of that
Divestiture Asset to be purchased by the
Acquirer. Defendants shall not impede
or interfere with any negotiations by the
Acquirer or Acquirers to employ such
persons.
E. Defendants also agree to preserve
the Divestiture Assets in a condition
and state of repair at least equal to their
condition and state of repair as of the
date the Complaint was filed, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, and consistent
with Good Utility Practice.
F. Defendants shall warrant to the
Acquirers of the Divestiture Assets that
each asset (other than assets retired in
place as of June 1, 2006) will be
operational, consistent with Good
Utility Practice, on the date of sale,
subject to legal or regulatory restrictions
on any of the Divestiture Assets in
existence on the date of sale.
G. Defendants shall warrant to the
Acquirers of the Divestiture Assets that
there are no undisclosed material
defects in the environmental, zoning, or
other permits pertaining to the
operation of each asset, and that
following the sale of the Divestiture
Assets, Defendants will not undertake,
directly or indirectly, any challenges to
any permits or certifications relating to
the operation of the Divestiture Assets,
or otherwise take any action to impede
the divestiture or operation of the
Divestiture Assets.
H. The divestitures, whether
accomplished by Defendants pursuant
to Section IV, or by the trustee
appointed pursuant to Section V of this
Final Judgment, shall be accomplished
in such a way as to satisfy the United
States, in its sole discretion, that the
Divestiture Assets can and will be used
by the Acquirers as part of viable,
ongoing businesses engaged in the
provision of electric generation services.
The divestitures, whether pursuant to
Sections IV or V of this Final Judgment,
(1) shall be made to Acquirers that, in
the United States’ sole judgment, have
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the intent and capability (including the
necessary managerial, operational,
technical, and financial capability) of
competing effectively in the business of
the provision of electric generation
services; and (2) shall be accomplished
so as to satisfy the United States, in its
sole discretion, that none of the terms of
any agreement between the Acquirers
and Defendants give Defendants the
ability unreasonably to raise the
Acquirers’ costs, to lower the Acquirers’
efficiency, or otherwise to interfere in
the ability of the Acquirers to compete
effectively.
V. Appointment of Trustee
A. If Defendants have not entered into
definitive contracts for sale of the
Divestiture Assets within the time
specified in Section IV.A. of this Final
Judgment, Defendants shall notify the
United States of that fact in writing.
Upon application of the United States,
the Court shall appoint a trustee
selected by the United States and
approved by the Court to effect the
divestiture of the Divestiture Assets,
including the application for necessary
regulatory approvals. Until such time as
a trustee is appointed, Defendants shall
continue their efforts to effect the sale
of the Divestiture Assets as specified in
Section IV.
B. After the appointment of a trustee
becomes effective, only the trustee shall
have the right to sell the Divestiture
Assets. The trustee shall have the power
and authority to accomplish the
divestitures at the earliest possible time
to Acquirers acceptable to the United
States, in its sole discretion, at such
price and on such terms as are then
obtainable upon reasonable effort by the
trustee, subject to the provisions of
Sections IV, V, and VI of this Final
Judgment, and shall have such other
powers as the Court deems appropriate.
Subject to Section V.D. of this Final
Judgment, the trustee shall have the
power and authority to hire at the cost
and expense of Defendants any
investment bankers, attorneys, or other
agents, who shall be solely accountable
to the trustee, reasonably necessary in
the judgment of the trustee to assist in
the divestitures.
C. Defendants shall not object to a sale
by the trustee on any ground other than
the trustee’s malfeasance. Any such
objections by Defendants must be
conveyed in writing to the United States
and the trustee within ten (10) calendar
days after the trustee has provided the
notice required under Section VI of this
Final Judgment.
D. The trustee shall serve at the cost
and expense of Defendants, on such
terms and conditions as the United
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States approves, and shall account for
all monies derived from the sale of the
assets sold by the trustee and all costs
and expenses so incurred. After
approval by the Court of the trustee’s
accounting, including fees for its
services and those of any professionals
and agents retained by the trustee, all
remaining money shall be paid to
Defendants, and the trust shall then be
terminated. The compensation of the
trustee and of any professionals and
agents retained by the trustee shall be
reasonable in light of the value of the
Divestiture Assets and based on a fee
arrangement providing the trustee with
an incentive based on the price and
terms of the divestitures and the speed
with which they are accomplished, but
timeliness is paramount.
E. Defendants shall use their best
efforts to assist the trustee in
accomplishing the required divestiture,
including their best efforts to effect all
necessary regulatory approvals. The
trustee and any consultants,
accountants, attorneys, and other
persons retained by the trustee shall
have full and complete access to the
personnel, books, records, and assets at
the facilities to be divested, and
Defendants shall develop financial or
other information relevant to the assets
to be divested customarily provided in
a due diligence process as the trustee
may reasonably request, subject to
reasonable protection for confidential
commercial information. Defendants
shall permit prospective Acquirers who
have been invited to submit binding
bids for any of the Divestiture Assets to
have reasonable access to their
personnel and to make such inspection
of the Divestiture Assets and any and all
financial, operational, or other
documents and other information as
may be relevant to the divestitures
required by this Final Judgment, subject
to reasonable protection for confidential
commercial information. Defendants
shall take no action to interfere with or
to impede the trustee’s accomplishment
of the divestitures.
F. After its appointment, the trustee
shall file monthly reports with the
United States and the Court setting forth
the trustee’s efforts to accomplish the
divestitures ordered under this Final
Judgment; provided however, that to the
extent such reports contain information
that the trustee deems confidential, such
reports shall not be filed in the public
docket of the Court. Such reports shall
include the name, address, and
telephone number of each person who,
during the preceding month, made an
offer to acquire, expressed an interest in
acquiring, entered into negotiations to
acquire, or was contacted or made an
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inquiry about acquiring, any interest in
the Divestiture Assets, and shall
describe in detail each contact with any
such person during that period. The
trustee shall maintain full records of all
efforts made to divest the Divestiture
Assets.
G. If the trustee has not accomplished
such divestitures within sixty (60)
calendar days after its appointment, the
trustee shall file promptly with the
Court a report setting forth (1) the
trustee’s efforts to accomplish the
required divestitures; (2) the reasons, in
the trustee’s judgment, why the required
divestitures have not been
accomplished; and (3) the trustee’s
recommendations. To the extent such
reports contain information that the
trustee deems confidential, such reports
shall not be filed in the public docket
of the Court. The trustee shall at the
same time furnish such report to the
United States, who shall have the right
to make additional recommendations
consistent with the purpose of the trust.
The Court shall enter thereafter such
orders as it shall deem appropriate to
carry out the purpose of this Final
Judgment which may, if necessary,
include extending this Final Judgment
and the term of the trustee’s
appointment by a period requested by
the United States.
VI. Notice of Proposed Divestitures
A. Within two (2) business days after
signing a definitive contract for sale of
any of the Divestiture Assets,
Defendants or the trustee, whichever is
then responsible for effecting the
divestiture required herein, shall notify
the United Stales of any proposed
divestiture required by Sections IV or V
of this Final Judgment, and submit to
the United States a copy of the proposed
contract for sale and any other
agreements with the Acquirer relating to
the Divestiture Assets. If the trustee is
responsible, it shall similarly notify
Defendants. The notice shall set forth
the details of the proposed divestiture
(including the name, address, and
telephone number of the proposed
Acquirer), and list the name, address,
and telephone number of each person
not previously identified who offered or
expressed an interest in or desire to
acquire the Divestiture Assets, together
with full details of the same.
B. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of
receipt by the United States of such
notice, the United States may request
from Defendants, the proposed
Acquirers, any other third party, or the
trustee if applicable, additional
information concerning the proposed
divestiture, the proposed Acquirers, and
any other potential Acquirers.
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49483
Defendants and the trustee shall furnish
any additional information requested
within fifteen (15) calendar days of the
receipt of the request, unless the parties
shall otherwise agree.
C. Within thirty (30) calendar days
after receipt of the notice or within
twenty (20) calendar days after the
United States has been provided the
additional information requested from
Defendants, the proposed Acquirers,
any third party, and the trustee,
whichever is later, the United States
shall provide written notice to
Defendants and the trustee, if there is
one, stating whether or not it objects to
the proposed divestiture, provided,
however, that the United States may
extend the period for its review up to an
additional thirty (30) calendar days. If
the United States provides written
notice that it does not object, the
divestiture may be consummated,
subject only to Defendants’ limited right
to object to the sale under Section V.C.
of this Final Judgment. Absent written
notice that the United States does not
object to the proposed Acquirer, or upon
objection by the United States, a
divestiture proposed under Section IV
or Section V shall not be consummated.
Upon objection by Defendants under
Section V.C., a divestiture proposed
under Section V shall not be
consummated unless approved by the
Court.
VII. Affidavits
A. Within twenty (20) calendar days
of the filing of the Complaint in this
matter and every thirty (30) calendar
days thereafter until the Divestiture
Assets have been sold, whether
pursuant to Sections IV or V of this
Final Judgment, Defendants shall
deliver to the United States an affidavit
as to the fact and manner of compliance
with Sections IV or V of this Final
Judgment. Each such affidavit shall
include the name, address, and
telephone number of each person who,
during the preceding thirty days, made
an offer to acquire, expressed an interest
in acquiring, entered into negotiations
to acquire, or was contacted or made an
inquiry about acquiring, any interest in
the Divestiture Assets, and shall
describe in detail each contact with any
such person during that period. Each
such affidavit shall also include a
description of the efforts that
Defendants have taken to solicit
purchasers for the Divestiture Assets
and to provide required information to
prospective purchasers including the
limitations, if any, on such information.
Assuming the information set forth in
the affidavit is true and complete, any
objection by the United States to
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information provided by Defendants,
including limitation on information,
shall be made within fourteen (14)
calendar days of receipt of such
affidavit.
B. Within twenty (20) calendar days
of the filing of the Complaint in this
matter, Defendants shall deliver to the
United States an affidavit that describes
in detail all actions Defendants have
taken and all steps Defendants have
implemented on an ongoing basis to
comply with Section IX of this Final
Judgment. The affidavit also shall
include a description of Defendants’
efforts to maintain the Divestiture
Assets in operable condition at no less
than current capacity configurations
with current levels of staffing and
management and to otherwise comply
with the Hold Separate Stipulation and
Order. Defendants shall deliver to the
United States an affidavit describing any
changes to the efforts and actions
outlined in Defendants’ earlier
affidavit(s) filed pursuant to this Section
within fifteen (15) calendar days after
the change is implemented.
C. Defendants shall keep all records of
all efforts made to preserve and divest
the Divestiture Assets until one year
after such divestitures have been
completed.
VIII. Financing
Defendants shall not finance all or
any part of any purchase made pursuant
to Sections IV or V of this Final
Judgment.
IX. Hold Separate
Until the divestitures required by this
Final Judgment have been
accomplished, Defendants shall take all
steps necessary to comply with the Hold
Separate Stipulation and Order entered
by the Court. Defendants shall take no
action that would jeopardize, delay, or
impede the divestiture order by the
Court.
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X. No Reacquisition
Defendants may not acquire or control
any of the Divestiture Assets during the
term of this Final Judgment.
XI. Prior Approval
A . Without the prior approval of the
United States, Defendants shall not
acquire any electricity generating
facility, or enter into any contract to
obtain control of, an electricity
generating facility or of one or more
units of an electricity generating facility
in the Designated Utility Zones, which
facility or units are in existence as of
June I, 2006, or are listed in Attachment
A. Such prior approval shall be within
the sole discretion of the United States.
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This prior approval requirement shall
not apply to:
1. Upgrades, expansions, or uprates of
existing units up to the amount of such
upgrades, expansions, or uprates;
2. Units that are rebuilt, repowered, or
activated out of inactive status after June
1, 2006, as long as such rebuild,
repowering, or activation, if done by
Defendants, begins within one year of
purchase of the facility that includes the
unit; and
3. Acquisitions of a facility of 25
megawatts or less of summer net
capability, as defined by PJM, or
contracts to control 25 megawatts or less
of summer net capability, as defined by
PJM, provided, however, that
Defendants do not acquire, or enter into
contracts to obtain control of, more than
100 megawatts of summer net capability
from units at a single facility during a
single calendar year. For the purpose of
Section XI.A.3., the summer net
capability of a unit that is an
intermittent capacity resource, as
defined by PJM, will be measured as of
the date of acquisition of the unit, or of
entry into the contract to control the
unit, in accordance with the
methodology used by PJM for
calculating capacity values for
intermittent capacity resources.
B. Unless a transaction subject to
Section XI.A. is otherwise subject to the
reporting and waiting period
requirements of the HSR Act:
1. Defendants shall provide
notification to the United States within
five (5) calendar days of acceptance of
any contract subject to Section XI.A.
and shall submit copies of the contracts
and any management or strategic plans
discussing the proposed transaction,
and the names of the principal
representatives of the parties to the
agreement who negotiated the
agreement. Defendants shall send the
required materials to Chief,
Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture
Section, Antitrust Division, United
States Department of Justice, 325
Seventh Street, NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20530. Should
oversight of this Final Judgment be the
responsibility of another section of the
Antitrust Division, the required
materials shall be sent to the chief of the
section responsible for oversight of this
Final Judgment;
2. Within thirty (30) calendar days of
the receipt of the required materials, if
the transaction is not reportable under
the HSR Act, the United States will
determine whether it requires additional
information from the parties to the
contract. If the United States makes
such a request for additional
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information, the parties will provide the
information requested.
C. Once the parties have provided all
of the information requested under
Section XIB. or under the HSR Act, the
United States must notify Defendants
within thirty (30) calendar days if the
United States disapproves the proposed
transaction.
D. Section XI.A. shall be broadly
construed and any ambiguity or
uncertainty shall be resolved in favor of
requiring prior approval.
E. Nothing in this Section limits
Defendants’ responsibility to comply
with the requirements of the HSR Act
with respect to any acquisition.
XII. Compliance Inspection
For purposes of determining or
securing compliance with this Final
Judgment, or of determining whether
this Final Judgment should be modified
or vacated, and subject to any legally
recognized privilege, from time to time
duly authorized representatives of the
United States Department of Justice,
including consultants and other persons
retained by the United States, shall,
upon written request of a duly
authorized representative of the
Assistant Attorney General in charge of
the Antitrust Division, and on
reasonable notice to Defendants, be
permitted:
1. Access during Defendants’ office
hours to inspect and copy, or at the
United States’ option, to require
Defendants to provide copies of, all
books, ledgers, accounts, records, and
documents in the possession, custody,
or control of Defendants, relating to any
matters contained in this Final
Judgment; and
2. To interview, either informally or
on the record, Defendants’ officers,
employees, or agents, who may have
their individual counsel present,
regarding such matters. The interviews
shall be subject to the reasonable
convenience of the interviewee and
without restraint or interference by
Defendants.
B. Upon the written request of a duly
authorized representative of the
Assistant Attorney General in charge of
the Antitrust Division, Defendants shall
submit written reports, or responses to
written interrogatories, under oath if
requested, relating to any of the matters
contained in this Final Judgment as may
be requested.
C. No information or documents
obtained by the means provided in this
section shall be divulged by the United
States to any person other than an
authorized representative of the
executive branch of the United States,
except in the course of legal proceedings
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to which the United States is a party
(including grand jury proceedings), or
for the purpose of securing compliance
with this Final Judgment, or as
otherwise required by law.
If at the time information or
documents are furnished by Defendants
to the United States, Defendants
represent and identify in writing the
material in any such information or
documents to which a claim of
protection may be asserted under Rule
26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, and Defendants mark each
pertinent page of such material,
‘‘Subject to claim of protection under
Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure,’’ then the United States
shall give Defendants ten (10) calendar
days notice prior to divulging such
material in any legal proceeding (other
than a grand jury proceeding).
XIII. Retention of Jurisdiction
The Court retains jurisdiction to
enable any party to this Final Judgment
to apply to the Court at any time for
further orders and directions as may be
necessary or appropriate to carry out or
construe this Final Judgment, to modify
any of its provisions, to enforce
compliance, and to punish violations of
its provisions.
XIV. Expiration of Final Judgment
Unless the Court grants an extension,
this Final Judgment shall expire ten (10)
years from the date of its entry.
XV. Public Interest Determination
Based on the record in this case, entry
of this Final Judgment is in the public
interest, and the parties have complied
with the procedures of the Antitrust
Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C.
16.
Dated: lllllllllllllllll
lllllllllllllllllllll
United States District Judge
ATTACHMENT A
Identification number
PJM Queue, www.pjm.com
State
DE
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
NJ
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
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United States District Court for the
District of Columbia
United States of America, Plaintiff; v.
Exelon Corporation and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated,
Defendants
Case No. 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Filed: August 10, 2006
Competitive Impact Statement
The United States, pursuant to
Section 2(b) of the Antitrust Procedures
and Penalties Act (’’APPA’’ or ‘‘Tunney
Act’’), 15 U.S.C. 16(b)–(h), files this
Competitive Impact Statement relating
to the proposed Final Judgment
submitted for entry in this civil antitrust
proceeding.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
I. Nature and Purpose of the Proceeding
On December 20, 2004, Defendants
entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger under which Exelon Corporation
(‘‘Exelon’’) would merge with Public
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated
(‘‘PSEG’’). On June 22, 2006, the United
States filed a civil antitrust Complaint
seeking to enjoin the proposed merger.
The Complaint alleges that the merger
likely would lessen competition
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substantially for wholesale electricity in
sections of the United States in violation
of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. 18. This loss of competition
would result in increased wholesale
electricity prices, raising retail
electricity prices for millions of
residential, commercial, and industrial
customers in parts of the Mid-Atlantic
states.
At the same time the Complaint was
filed, the United States filed a Hold
Separate Stipulation and Order
(‘‘Stipulation’’) and proposed Final
Judgment that are designed to eliminate
the anti competitive effects of the
merger. Under the proposed Final
Judgment, as explained more fully
below, Defendants are required to divest
six electric generating plants
(collectively the ‘‘Divestiture Assets’’).
The Stipulation and proposed Final
Judgment require Defendants to take
certain steps to ensure that these assets
are preserved and maintained and that
competition is maintained during the
pendency of the ordered divestiture.
The United States and Defendants
have stipulated that the proposed Final
Judgment may be entered after
compliance with the APPA. Entry of the
proposed Final Judgment would
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Indian River.
Bayonne 138 kV.
Red Oak 230 kV.
Red Oak 230 kV.
Churchtown 230 kV.
Mt. Hope Mine 34.5 kV.
South Lebanon 230 kV.
Martins Creek #4.
Susquehanna #1.
Susquehanna #2.
Peach Bottom 500 kV.
Holtwood.
Eldred-Frackville 230kV.
terminate this action, except that the
Court would retain jurisdiction to
construe, modify, or enforce the
provisions of the proposed Final
Judgment and to punish violations of it.
Defendants have also stipulated that
they will comply with the terms of the
Stipulation and the proposed Final
Judgment from the date of the signing of
the Stipulation, pending entry of the
proposed Final Judgment by the Court
and the required divestiture. Should the
Court decline to enter the proposed
Final Judgment, Defendants have also
committed to abide by its requirements
and those of the Stipulation until the
expiration of the time for appeal.
II. Description of the Events Giving Rise
to the Alleged Violation
A. The Defendants and the Proposed
Transaction
Defendant Exelon is a Pennsylvania
corporation, with its headquarters in
Chicago, Illinois; it owns Exelon
Generation Company, LLC, which owns
electric generating plants located
primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and the
Midwest with a total generating capacity
of more than 25,000 megawatts (‘‘MW’’).
Defendant PSEG is a New Jersey
corporation, with its headquarters in
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Newark, New Jersey; it owns PSEG
Power LLC, which owns electric
generating plants located primarily in
New Jersey with a total generating
capacity of more than 15,000 MW. By
combining the generating plants owned
by Exelon and PSEG, the proposed
merger would enhance the ability and
incentive of the merged firm to reduce
output and raise prices for wholesale
electricity in two areas of the MidAtlantic where Defendants are the
largest generators of electricity. Thus,
the transaction as originally proposed
would lessen competition substantially
in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton
Act, 15 U.S.C. 18.
B. Wholesale Electricity in the MidAtlantic
Electricity supplied to retail
customers is generated at electric
generating plants, which consist of one
or more generating units. An individual
generating unit uses anyone of several
types of generating technologies
(including hydroelectric turbine, steam
turbine, combustion turbine, or
combined cycle) to transform the energy
in fuels or the force of flowing water
into electricity. The generating units
typically are fueled by uranium, coal,
oil, or natural gas.
Generating units vary considerably in
their operating costs, which are
determined primarily by the cost of fuel
and the efficiency of the unit’s
technology in transforming the energy
in fuel into electricity. ‘‘Baseload’’
units—which typically include nuclear
and some coal-fired steam turbine
units— have relatively low operating
costs. ‘‘Peaking’’ units—which typically
include oil- and gas-fired combustion
turbine units—have relatively high
operating costs. ‘‘Mid-merit’’ units
which typically include combined cycle
and some coal-fired steam turbine
units—have costs lower than those of
peaking units but higher than those of
baseload units.
Once electricity is generated at a
plant, an extensive set of interconnected
high-voltage lines and equipment,
known as the transmission grid,
transports the electricity to lower
voltage distribution lines that relay the
power to homes and businesses.
Transmission grid operators must
closely monitor the grid to prevent too
little or too much electricity from
following over the grid, either of which
might damage lines or generating units
connected to the grid. To prevent such
damage and to prevent widespread
blackouts from disrupting electricity
service, a grid operator will manage the
grid to prevent any more electricity from
flowing over a transmission line as that
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line approaches its operating limit (a
‘‘transmission constraint’’).
In the Mid-Atlantic, the transmission
grid is overseen by PJM Interconnection,
LLC (‘‘PJM’’), a private, non-profit
organization whose members include
transmission line owners, generation
owners, distribution companies, retail
customers, and wholesale and retail
electricity suppliers. The transmission
grid administered by PJM is the largest
in the United States, providing
electricity to approximately 51 million
people in an area encompassing all or
parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West
Virginia, the District of Columbia, North
Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Tennessee, and Illinois (the
PJM control area’’).
PJM oversees two auctions for the sale
and purchase of wholesale electricity: A
day-ahead auction that clears the day
before electricity is to be generated and
delivered, and a real-time auction that
clears the day electricity is delivered. In
these auctions, generation owners
located in the PJM control area submit
offers to sell electricity and electricity
retailers submit bids to purchase
electricity. Buyers submit bids that
indicate the amount of electricity they
are willing to buy at different prices.
Sellers submit offers that indicate the
amount of electricity they are willing to
sell at different prices. PJM adds up the
bids and offers to determine the total
demand and supply for electricity. The
amount of electricity that actually is
generated and delivered is determined
by the PJM auctions. Buyers and sellers
of wholesale electricity may also enter
into contracts with each other or with
third parties, outside of the PJM auction
process; the prices of these contracts
generally reflect expected auction
prices.
Subject to the physical and
engineering limitations of the
transmission grid, PJM seeks to have
generating units operated in ‘‘merit’’
order, from lowest to highest offer. In
the day-ahead auction, as long as
transmission constraints are not
expected, PJM takes the least expensive
offer first and then continues to accept
offers to sell at progressively higher
prices until the needs for each hour of
the next day are covered. In this way,
PJM minimizes the total cost of
generating electricity required for the
next day. The clearing price for any
given hour essentially is determined by
the generating unit with the highest
offer price that is needed for that hour,
and all sellers for that hour receive that
price regardless of their offer price or
their units’ costs. In the real-time
auction, which accounts for differences
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between anticipated and actual supply
and demand, PJM also accepts sellers’
offers in merit order until there is a
sufficient quantity of electricity to meet
actual demand, subject to the physical
and engineering limitations of the
transmission grid.
At times, transmission constraints
prevent the generating units with the
lowest offers from meeting demand in a
particular area within the PJM control
area. When that happens, PJM often
calls on more expensive units located
within the smaller area bounded by the
transmission constraints (a ‘‘constrained
area), and the clearing price for the
buyers in that area adjusts accordingly.
Because more expensive units are
required to meet demand, the clearing
price in a constrained area will be
higher than it would be absent the
transmission constraints.
PJM East. One historically constrained
area within the PJM control area
includes the densely populated
northern New Jersey and Philadelphia
areas. This area, referred to in the
Complaint as ‘‘PJM East,’’ is defined by
the ‘‘Eastern Interface,’’ a set of five
major transmission lines that divides
New Jersey and the Philadelphia area
from the rest of the PJM control area.
When the Eastern Interface is
constrained, PJM is limited in its ability
to meet demand located east of the
constraint with electricity from
generating units located west of the
constraint. PJM often responds to
constraints on the Eastern Interface by
calling on additional generating units
east of the constraint to run, generally
resulting in higher prices in PJM East
than otherwise would exist because the
cost of additional generation east of the
constraint is higher than the cost of
additional generation west of the
constraint.
PJM Central/East. A second
constrained area in PJM includes PJM
East, central Pennsylvania, and eastern
Maryland. This area is defined by two
major transmission lines known as
‘‘5004’’ and ‘‘5005’’ that run from
western to central Pennsylvania and
divide central Pennsylvania, eastern
Maryland, and PJM East (‘‘PJM Central/
East’’) from the rest of PJM. When the
5004 and 5005 transmission lines are
constrained, PJM is limited in its ability
to supply demand located east of the
constraint with electricity from
generating units located west of the
constraint. PJM often responds to
constraints on the 5004 and 5005 lines
by calling on additional generating units
east of the constraint to run, generally
resulting in higher prices in PJM
Central/East than otherwise would exist
because the cost of additional
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generation east of the constraint is
higher than the cost of additional
generation west of the constraint.
C. Product Market
The Complaint alleges that wholesale
electricity, electricity that is generated
and sold for resale, is a relevant
antitrust product market. Wholesale
electricity demand is a function of retail
electricity demand: Electricity retailers,
who buy wholesale electricity to serve
their customers, must provide exactly
the amount of electricity their customers
require. Retail electricity consumers’
demand, however, is largely insensitive
to changes in retail price; thus, an
increase in retail prices due to an
increase in wholesale prices will have
little effect on the quantity of retail
electricity demanded and little effect on
the quantity of wholesale electricity
demanded. As a result, a small but
significant increase in the wholesale
price of electricity would not cause a
significant number of retail electricity
consumers to substitute other energy
sources for electricity or otherwise
reduce their consumption of electricity.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
D. Geographic Markets
The Complaint alleges that ‘‘PJM
East’’ and ‘‘PJM Central/East’’ are
relevant antitrust geographic markets
defined by transmission lines in the PJM
control area: PJM East is defined by the
Eastern Interface, and PJM Central/East
is defined by the 5004 and 5005
transmission lines. When these lines
approach their operating limits,
purchasers of electricity have limited
ability to purchase electricity generated
outside the relevant geographic market
to meet their needs. At such times, the
amount of electricity that could be
purchased outside PJM East or PJM
Central/East is insufficient to make it
unprofitable for generators located
inside those areas to make a small but
significant price increase. Thus, PJM
East and PJM Central/East are relevant
antitrust geographic markets.
E. The Competitive Effects of the
Transaction on Wholesale Electricity
The Complaint alleges that Exelon’s
proposed merger with PSEG would
eliminate competition between them
and give the merged firm the incentive
and ability profitably to raise wholesale
electricity prices, resulting in increased
retail prices for millions of residential,
commercial, and industrial customers in
PJM East and PJM Central/East. In PJM
East during 2005, more than $10 billion
of wholesale electricity was sold for
resale to nearly 6 million retail
customers; in PJM Central/East during
2005, more than $19 billion of
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wholesale electricity was sold for resale
to nearly 9 million retail customers. In
PJM East and PJM Central/East, the
merged firm would own a substantial
share of total generating capacity in
highly concentrated markets. More
importantly, in both geographic markets
the merged firm would own low-cost
baseload units that provide incentive to
raise prices, mid-merit units that
provide incentive and ability to raise
prices, and certain peaking units that
provide additional ability to raise prices
in times of high demand.
Market shares in PJM East and PJM
Central/East. In PJM East, Exelon
currently owns approximately 20
percent of the generating capacity and
PSEG currently owns approximately 29
percent of the generating capacity. After
the merger, Exelon would own
approximately 49 percent of the total
generating capacity in PJM East. In PJM
Central/East, Exelon currently owns
approximately 19 percent of the
generating capacity and PSEG currently
owns approximately 21 percent of the
generating capacity. After the merger,
Exelon would own approximately 40
percent of the total generating capacity
in PJM Central/East.
Concentration in PJM East and PJM
Central/East. The U.S. Department of
Justice and the Federal Trade
Commission’s 1992 Horizontal Merger
Guidelines consider markets in which
the post-merger Herfindahl-Hirschman
Index (‘‘HHI’’), a measure of
concentration explained in Appendix A
of the Complaint, exceeds 1800 points
to be highly concentrated. Transactions
that increase the HHI by more than 100
points in highly concentrated markets
presumptively raise significant antitrust
concerns under the Horizontal Merger
Guidelines.1 Exelon’s merger with PSEG
would yield a post-merger HHI in PJM
East of approximately 2750 points,
representing an increase of more than
1100 points. Exelon’s merger with PSEG
would yield a post-merger HHI in PJM
Central/East of approximately 2080
points, representing an increase of
approximately 790 points. Thus, the
proposed merger raises a presumption
of significant antitrust concerns in PJM
East and PJM Central/East.
Increased ability and incentive
profitably to withhold output and raise
prices. The Complaint alleges that the
proposed merger would substantially
lessen competition. The combination of
PSEG and Exelon’s generating units
would increase the merged firm’s ability
1 See U.S. Department of Justice and Federal
Trade Commission, Horizontal Merger Guidelines
§ 1.51 (April 2, 1992) available at https://
www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/guidelines/hmg.htm.
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49487
and incentive to withhold selected
output, forcing PJM to turn to more
expensive units to meet demand,
resulting in higher clearing prices in
PJM East and PJM Central/East.
Baseload units, such as nuclear steam
and some hydroelectric units, typically
generate electricity around the clock
during most of the year; certain lowercost mid-merit units, including some
coal-fired steam units, generate
electricity for a substantial number of
hours during the year. When they are
running, such baseload and mid-merit
units are positioned to benefit from an
increase in wholesale electricity prices.
Because they run so frequently, these
units provide a relatively significant
incentive to withhold output and raise
prices.
Mid-merit units also provide
substantial ability to withhold output to
increase the market clearing price. Midmerit units have costs that are close to
clearing prices for a substantial number
of hours during the year. Because their
costs are so close to clearing prices, the
opportunity cost of withholding output
from these units—the lost profit on the
withheld output—is smaller than it
would be for low-cost base load units.
This fact is also true of certain peaking
units during times of the year when
demand is higher.
By giving the merged firm an
increased amount of baseload and midmerit capacity, combined with an
increased share of mid-merit and
peaking capacity, the merger
substantially increases the likelihood
that Exelon would find it profitable to
withhold output and raise price. With
its increased share of mid-merit and
peaking capacity, the merged firm
would more often be able to reduce
output and raise market clearing prices
at relatively low cost to it. And with its
increased amount of baseload and midmerit capacity, the merger would make
it more likely that the increased revenue
on the merged firm’s baseload and midmerit capacity would outweigh the cost
of withholding its higher-cost mid-merit
and peaking capacity. Thus the merger
facilitates Exelon’s incentive and ability
to reduce output and raise market
prices.
F. Entry
The Complaint alleges that entry
through the construction of new
generation or transmission capacity
would not be timely, likely, and
sufficient to deter or counteract an anti
competitive price increase. Given the
necessary environmental, safety, and
zoning approvals required, it would take
many years for such new entry to take
place. Thus, entry via new generation or
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transmission capacity would, at a
minimum, not be timely.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
III. Explanation of the Proposed Final
Judgment
The proposed Final Judgment would
preserve the competition that would
have been lost in PJM East and PJM
Central/East had Exelon’s merger with
PSEG gone forward as proposed. Within
150 days after consummation of their
merger, Defendants must sell all of their
rights, titles, and interests in the
Divestiture Assets. The assets and
interests will be sold to purchasers
acceptable to the United States in its
sole discretion. In addition, the Final
Judgment prohibits the merged
company from reacquiring or
controlling any of the Divestiture
Assets, as well as limits its ability to
acquire, or enter into contracts to
control, generating units in PJM East or
PJM Central/East.
A. Divestiture
The Complaint alleges that the merger
would significantly enhance the merged
firm’s ability and incentive profitably to
reduce output and raise prices in PJM
East and PJM Central/East. The
divestiture requirements of the
proposed Final Judgment will maintain
competition for wholesale energy in
these geographic markets by allowing
independent competitors to acquire the
Divestiture Assets. The Divestiture
Assets are six generating plants located
inPJ East and PJM Central/East that
comprise mid-merit and peaking units:
• Cromby Generating Station, 100
Cromby Rd. at Phoenixville, PA 19460;
• Eddystone Generating Station,
Number 1 Industrial Hwy. at Eddystone,
PA 19022;
• Hudson Generating Station,
Duffield & Van Keuren Aves. at Jersey
City, NJ 07306;
• Linden Generating Station, 4001
South Wood Ave. at Linden, NJ 07036;
• Mercer Generating Station, 2512
Lamberton Rd. at Hamilton, NJ 08611;
and
• Sewaren Generating Station, 751
Cliff Rd. at Sewaren, NJ 07077.
The Divestiture Assets include all of
the merged firm’s coal-fired steam units
in PJM East and PJM Central/East
(located at the Eddystone, Cromby,
Hudson, and Mercer plants); one of the
merged firm’s two combined cycle units
(located at the Linden plant); and
several efficient peaking units (located
at the Eddystone, Cromby, Linden,
Hudson, and Sewaren plants).
Effect of divestiture on market shares
and concentration. Divestiture of these
plants will reduce market shares and
concentration substantially relative to
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what they would have been absent
divestiture. Absent divestiture, the
merged finn’s share of capacity would
be approximately 49 percent in PJM East
and 40 percent in PJM Central/East.
With divestiture, the merged firm’s
share of capacity will be approximately
32 percent in PJM East and 29 percent
in PJM Central/East.
The pre-merger HHI concentration
levels for PJM East and Central East are
approximately 1590 points and 1290
points, respectively. Absent divestiture,
the post-merger HHIs would increase to
highly concentrated levels of
approximately 2750 points and 2080
points, respectively. The divestiture,
however, significantly reduces these
levels.
Effect of divestiture on ability and
incentive profitably to withhold output
and raise prices. Although the
divestiture will substantially reduce
market shares and concentration levels
compared to the levels that would have
prevailed absent divestiture, the
purpose of the divestiture is to preserve
competition, not merely maintain HHIs
or market shares at their premerger
levels.2 Accordingly, the proposed Final
Judgment seeks to restore effective
competition by depriving Exelon of key
assets that would have made it
profitable for it to withhold output and
raise prices in PJM East and PJM
Central/East. Divestiture of the six
generating plants deprives the merged
firm of key generating plants whose
output it would otherwise have had the
ability profitably to withhold. At the
same time, the divestiture reduces the
incentive the merged firm otherwise
would have had to withhold output. In
this way, the proposed Final Judgment
assures that the merger is not likely to
lead to consumer harm.
The proposed Final Judgment requires
divestiture of generating units that
would have significantly enhanced the
merged firm’s ability profitably to
withhold output. These units include all
of the merged firm’s coal-fired steam
units in PJM East and PJM Central/East
(located at the Eddystone, Cromby,
Hudson, and Sewaren plants); one of the
merged firm’s two combined cycle units
(located at the Linden plant); and
several efficient peaking units (located
at the Eddystone, Cromby, Linden,
Hudson, and Sewaren plants). Because
their operating costs are relatively close
2 C.f. U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust
Division Policy Guide to Merger Remedies § II
(October 2004), available at https://www.usdoj.gov/
atr/public/guidelines/205108.htm (‘‘Restoring
competition requires replacing the competitive
intensity lost as a result of the merger rather than
focusing narrowly on returning to premerger HHI
levels’’).
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to clearing prices for a substantial
number of hours during the year, the
opportunity cost of withholding output
from these units—the lost profit on
withheld output from them—is
relatively small. Without these units,
Exelon will be left with few assets in
PJM East and PJM Central/East that
operate close to clearing prices for a
substantial number of hours of the year.
This will increase significantly the
opportunity cost of withholding output
and make it less likely to be profitable.
Thus the divestiture will substantially
limit the ability of the merged firm
profitably to withhold output and
thereby raise prices.
The divestiture will also reduce the
merged firm’s incentive to withhold
output and raise prices.3 Certain of the
divested assets—the coal-fired steam
and combined cycle units—have
operating costs that are below the
market clearing price for a substantial
portion of the year and which therefore
are frequently in a position to benefit
from an increase in the market clearing
price. Divestiture of these units will
reduce the potential gains to the merged
firm of withholding output and thus
reduce the incentive of the merged firm
to withhold output in the first place.
Requirements regarding divestiture.
Defendants must take all reasonable
steps necessary to accomplish the
divestiture quickly and shall cooperate
with prospective purchasers.
Defendants must also provide acquirers
information relating to personnel that
are or have been involved, at any time
since January 1, 2006, in the operation
of, or provision of generation services
by, the Divestiture Assets. Defendants
further must refrain from interfering
with any negotiations by the acquirer or
acquirers to employ any of the
personnel that are or have been
involved in the operation of any of the
Divestiture Assets. Moreover, the
proposed Final Judgment restricts
Defendants from reacquiring any of the
Divestiture Assets during the term of the
proposed Final Judgment. Finally, the
proposed Final Judgment requires that
Defendants, with certain exceptions,
obtain advance approval from the
Department of Justice, for the entire
duration of the Final Judgment, to
acquire or enter into contracts to control
any generating plants within the utility
3 Post divestiture, Exelon will retain a significant
amount of low-cost, baseload nuclear capacity.
Although this capacity may provide Exelon with
incentive to exercise market power by withholding
output, the divestiture called for by the proposed
Final Judgment substantially limits Exelon’s ability
to withhold output. Moreover, it is not likely that
Exelon will withhold output from nuclear units
given the large opportunity cost—the lost profit on
withheld nuclear output—of withholding.
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zones within PJM East or PJM Central/
East.
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B. Use of a Divestiture Trustee
In the event that Defendants do not
accomplish the divestiture within the
periods prescribed in the proposed
Final Judgment, the proposed Final
Judgment provides that the Court will
appoint a trustee selected by the United
States to effect the divestiture. If a
trustee is appointed, the proposed Final
Judgment provides that Defendants will
pay all the costs and expenses of the
trustee. The trustee’s commission will
be structured so as to provide an
incentive for the trustee based on the
price obtained and the speed with
which the divestiture is accomplished.
After his or her appointment becomes
effective, the trustee will file monthly
reports with the Court and the United
States setting forth his or her efforts to
accomplish the divestiture. At the end
of sixty (60) days, if the divestiture has
not been accomplished, the trustee and
the United States will make
recommendations to the Court, which
shall enter such orders as appropriate to
carry out the purpose of the trust,
including extending the trust or the
term of the trustee’s appointment.
IV. Explanation of the Hold Separate
Stipulation and Order
The Stipulation entered into by the
United States and Defendants ensures
that the Divestiture assets are preserved
and maintained and that competition is
maintained during the pendency of the
ordered divestiture. First, the
Stipulation includes terms requiring
that Defendants maintain the Divestiture
Assets as economically viable and
competitive facilities. Second, the
Stipulation includes terms ensuring that
Defendants do not withhold output from
the wholesale electricity market. In
particular, the Stipulation requires that
Defendants offer the output from certain
generating units that they continue to
own after consummation for sale into
the PJM auctions at no more than
specified price levels until the
Divestiture Assets are sold. The
Stipulation also calls for appointment of
an auditor to ensure that Defendants
offer their units at no more than the
specified price levels and that they do
not withhold the output of generating
units to raise prices. These requirements
seek to ensure that Defendants will not
offer their units into the PJM auctions in
a way that allows Defendants to raise
the market clearing price.
Requiring Defendants to hold the
Divestiture Assets separate and distinct,
a typical requirement in Antitrust
Division hold separate stipulation and
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16:04 Aug 22, 2006
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orders, would not have prevented
competitive harm in the interim period
from consummation to divestiture. The
operator of the Divestiture Assets would
have recognized that reducing their
output would increase the clearing price
and benefit Defendants’ remaining
generating units. Therefore, the
Stipulation requires that Defendants
maintain offers for output of the
Divestiture Assets at the specified
levels. Defendants are relieved of the
requirement to offer their units at no
more than specified levels if they
transfer to a third party the rights to
offer and receive the revenues from the
sale of the complete output of the
Divestiture Assets.
Remedies Available to Potential Private
Litigants
Section 4 of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. 15, provides that any person who
has been injured as a result of conduct
prohibited by the antitrust laws may
bring suit in federal court to recover
three times the damages the person has
suffered, as well as costs and reasonable
attorneys’ fees. Entry of the proposed
Final Judgment will neither impair nor
assist the bringing of any private
antitrust damage action. Under the
provisions of Section 5(a) of the Clayton
Act, 15 U.S.C. 16(a), the proposed Final
Judgment has no prima facie effect in
any subsequent private lawsuit that may
be brought against Defendants.
VI. Procedures Available for
Modification of the Proposed Final
Judgment
The United States and Defendants
have stipulated that the proposed Final
Judgment may be entered by the Court
after compliance with the provisions of
the APPA, provided that the United
States has not withdrawn its consent.
The APPA conditions entry upon the
Court’s determination that the proposed
Final Judgment is in the public interest.
The APPA provides a period of at
least sixty (60) days preceding the
effective date of the proposed Final
Judgment within which any person may
submit to the United States written
comments regarding the proposed Final
Judgment. Any person who wishes to
comment should do so within sixty (60)
days of the date of publication of this
Competitive Impact Statement in the
Federal Register. All comments
received during this period will be
considered by the Department of Justice,
which remains free to withdraw its
consent to the proposed Final Judgment
at any time prior to the Court’s entry of
judgment. The comments and the
response of the United States will be
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Sfmt 4703
49489
filed with the Court and published in
the Federal Register.
Written comments should be
submitted to: Donna N. Kooperstein,
Chief, Transportation, Energy &
Agriculture Section, Antitrust Division,
United States Department of Justice, 325
Seventh Street, NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20530.
The proposed Final Judgment
provides that the Court retains
jurisdiction over this action, and the
parties may apply to the Court for any
order necessary or appropriate for the
modification, interpretation, or
enforcement of the Final Judgment.
VII. Alternatives to the Proposed Final
Judgment
The United States considered, as an
alternative to the proposed Final
Judgment, a full trial on the merits
against Defendants. The United States
could have continued the litigation and
sought preliminary and permanent
injunctions against Exelon’s acquisition
of certain PSEG assets. The United
States is satisfied, however, that the
divestiture of assets described in the
proposed Final Judgment will preserve
competition in the market for wholesale
electricity in PJM East and PJM Central/
East.
VIII. Standard of Review Under the
APPA for the Proposed Final Judgment
The APPA requires that proposed
consent judgments in antitrust cases
brought by the United States be subject
to a sixty (60) day comment period, after
which the Court shall determine
whether entry of the proposed Final
Judgment ‘‘is in the public interest.’’ 15
U.S.C. 16(e)(I). In making that
determination, the Court shall consider:
(A) The competitive impact of such
judgment, including termination of alleged
violations, provisions for enforcement and
modification, duration of relief sought,
anticipated effects of alternative remedies
actually considered, whether its terms are
ambiguous, and any other competitive
considerations bearing upon the adequacy of
such judgment that the court deems
necessary to a determination of whether the
consent judgment is in the public interest;
and
(B) The impact of entry of such judgment
upon competition in the relevant market or
markets, upon the public generally and
individuals alleging specific injury from the
violations set forth in the complaint
including consideration of the public benefit,
if any, to be derived from a determination of
the issues at trial.
15 U.S.C. 16(e)(1)(A) & (B).4 As the
United States Court of Appeals for the
4 In 2004, Congress amended the APPA to ensure
that courts take into account the above-quoted list
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District of Columbia Circuit has held,
under the APPA a court considers,
among other things, the relationship
between the remedy secured and the
specific allegations set forth in the
government’s complaint, whether the
decree is sufficiently clear, whether
enforcement mechanisms are sufficient,
and whether the decree may positively
harm third parties. See United States v.
Microsoft Corp., 56 F.3d 1448, 1458–62
(D.C. Cir. 1995).
With respect to the adequacy of the
relief secured by the decree, a court may
not ‘‘engage in an unrestricted
evaluation of what relief would best
serve the public.’’ United States v. BNS,
Inc., 858 F.2d 456, 462 (9th Cir. 1988)
(citing United States v. Bechtel Corp.,
648 F.2d 660, 666 (9th Cir. 1981)); see
also Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1460–62.
Courts have held that:
[t]he balancing of competing social and
political interests affected by a proposed
antitrust consent decree must be left, in the
first instance, to the discretion of the
Attorney General. The court’s role in
protecting the public interest is one of
insuring that the government has not
breached its duty to the public in consenting
to the decree. The court is required to
determine not whether a particular decree is
the one that will best serve society, but
whether the settlement is ‘‘within the reaches
of the public interest.’’ More elaborate
requirements might undermine the
effectiveness of antitrust enforcement by
consent decree.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Bechtel, 1648 F.2d at 666 (emphasis
added) (citations omitted).5 In making
its public interest determination, a
district court must accord due respect to
the government’s prediction as to the
effect of proposed remedies, its
perception of the market structure, and
its views of the nature of the case.
United States v. Archer-DanielsMidland Co., 272 F.Supp.2d 1, 6 (D.D.C.
2003).
of relevant factors when making a public interest
determination. Compare 15 U.S.C. 16(e) (2004) with
15 U.S.C. § 16(e)(1) (2006) (substituting ‘‘shall’’ for
‘‘may’’ in directing relevant factors for court to
consider and amending list of factors to focus on
competitive considerations and to address
potentially ambiguous judgment terms). This
amendment does not affect the substantial
precedent in this and other Circuits analyzing the
scope and standard of review for Tunney Act
proceedings.
5 Cf BNS, 858 F.2d at 464 (holding that the court’s
‘‘ultimate authority under the [APPA] is limited to
approving or disapproving the consent decree’’);
United States v. Gillette Co.. 406 F. Supp. 713, 716
(D. Mass. 1975) (noting that, in this way, the court
is constrained to ‘‘look at the overall picture not
hypercritically, nor with a microscope, but with an
artist’s reducing glass’’); see generally Microsoft, 56
F.3d at 1461 (discussing whether ‘‘the remedies
[obtained in the decree are] so inconsonant with the
allegations charged as to fall outside of the ‘reaches
of the public interest’ ’’).
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Court approval of a final judgment
requires a standard more flexible and
less strict than the standard required for
a finding of liability. ‘‘[A] proposed
decree must be approved even if it falls
short of the remedy the court would
impose on its own, as long as it falls
within the range of acceptability or is
‘within the reaches of public interest.’ ’’
United States v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 552
F. Supp. 131, 151 (D.D.C. 1982)
(citations omitted) (quoting United
States v. Gillette Co., 406 F. Supp. 713,
716 (D. Mass. 1975)), aff’d sub nom.
Maryland v. United States, 460 U.S.
1001 (1983); see also United States v.
Alcan Aluminum Ltd., 605 F.Supp. 619,
622 (W.D. Ky. 1985) (approving the
consent decree even though the court
would have imposed a greater remedy).
Moreover, the Court’s role under the
APPA is limited to reviewing the
remedy in relationship to the violations
that the United States has alleged in its
Complaint, and does not authorize the
Court to ‘‘construct [its] own
hypothetical case and then evaluate the
decree against that case.’’ Microsoft, 56
F.3d at 1459. Because the ‘‘court’s
authority to review the decree depends
entirely on the government’s exercising
its prosecutorial discretion by bringing
a case in the first place,’’ it follows that
‘‘the court is only authorized to review
the decree itself,’’ and not to ‘‘effectively
redraft the complaint’’ to inquire into
other matters that the United States did
not pursue. Id. at 1459–60.
In its 2004 amendments to the
Tunney Act, Congress made clear its
intent to preserve the practical benefits
of utilizing consent decrees in antitrust
enforcement, adding the unambiguous
instruction ‘‘[n]othing in this section
shall be construed to require the court
to conduct an evidentiary hearing or to
require the court to permit anyone to
intervene.’’ 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(2). This
language codified the intent of the
original 1974 statute, expressed by
Senator Tunney in the legislative
history: ‘‘[t]he court is nowhere
compelled to go to trial or to engage in
extended proceedings which might have
the effect of vitiating the benefits of
prompt and less costly settlement
through the consent decree process.’’
119 Cong. Rec. 24,598 (1973) (statement
of Senator Tunney). Rather:
[a]bsent a showing of corrupt failure of the
government to discharge its duty, the Court,
in making its public interest finding, should
* * * carefully consider the explanations of
the government in the competitive impact
statement and its responses to comments in
order to determine whether those
explanations a reasonable under the
circumstances.
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Fmt 4703
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United States v. Mid-America
Dairymen, Inc., 1977–1 Trade Cas.
(CCH) ¶ 61,508, at 71,980 (W.D. Mo.
1977).
IX. Determinative Documents
There are no determinative materials
or documents within the meaning of the
APPA that were considered by the
United States in formulating the
proposed Final Judgment.
Dated: August 10, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar #470370),
Jade Alice Eaton (DC Bar #939629),
Tracy Lynn Fisher (MN Bar #315837).
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that on August 10,
2006, I caused a copy of the foregoing
Competitive Impact Statement to be
served on counsel for Defendants in this
matter in the manner set forth below:
By electronic mail and hand delivery:
Counsel for Defendant Exelon
Corporation, John M. Nannes, Esq.
(DC Bar #195966), Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and
Affiliates, 1440 New York Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20005–2111. Tel:
(202) 371–7090. Fax: (202) 661–9191.
Counsel for Defendant Public Service
Enterprise Group, Inc., Douglas G.
Green, Esq. (DC Bar #183343), Steptoe
& Johnson, LLP, 1330 Connecticut
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20036–
1795. Tel: (202) 429–6264. Fax: (202)
429–3902.
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar #470370),
Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, 325
Seventh Street, NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20530. Tel: (202) 307–
6318. Fax: (202) 307–2784.
[FR Doc. 06–7043 Filed 8–22–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–11–M
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS
ADMINISTRATION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NARA is giving public notice
that the agency proposes to request
extension of an information collection
currently in use. The information
collection is NA Form 6045, Volunteer
Service Application Form, used by
individuals who wish to volunteer at
the National Archives Building, the
National Archives at College Park,
regional records services facilities, and
E:\FR\FM\23AUN1.SGM
23AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49477-49490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7043]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
United States of America v. Exelon Corporation and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive
Impact Statement
Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Antitrust Procedures and
Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C. 16(b)-(h), that a proposed Final Judgment,
Hold Separate Stipulation and Order, and Competitive Impact Statement
have been filed with the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia in United States of America v. Exelon Corporation and
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, Civil Action No.
1:06CV01138. On June 22, 2006, the United States filed a Complaint
alleging that the proposed acquisition by Exelon Corporation
(``Exelon'') of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (``PSEG'')
would violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. The Complaint
alleges that the acquisition would reduce competition substantially for
wholesale electricity in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Specifically,
the Complaint alleges that Exelon's acquisition of PSEG's electric
generation assets would enhance Exelon's ability and incentive to raise
wholesale electricity prices, resulting in increased retail electricity
prices for millions of residential, commercial, and industrial
customers. The proposed Final Judgment requires Exelon and PSEG to
divest six electric generation plants. The plants to be divested are
Cromby Generating Station and Eddystone Generating Station in
Pennsylvania and Hudson Generating Station, Linden Generating Station,
Mercer Generating Station, and Sewaren Generating Station in New
Jersey.
Copies of the Complaint, proposed Final Judgment, Hold Separate
Stipulation and Order, and Competitive Impact Statement are available
for inspection at the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division,
Antitrust Documents Group, 325 7th Street, NW., Room 215, Washington,
DC 20530 (telephone: 202-514-2481), on the Department of Justice's Web
site at https://www.usdoj.gov/atr, and at the Office of the Clerk of the
United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Copies of
these materials may be obtained from the Antitrust Division upon
request and payment of the copying fee set by Department of Justice
regulations.
Public comment is invited within sixty (60) days of the date of
this notice. Such comments, and responses thereto, will be published in
the Federal Register and filed with the Court. Comments should be
directed to Donna N. Kooperstein, Chief, Transportation, Energy &
Agriculture Section, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice, 325 7th
Street, NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20530 (telephone: 202-307-3278).
Patricia A. Brink,
Deputy Director of Operations, Antitrust Division.
United States District Court, District of Columbia
United States of America, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust
Division, 325 7th Street, NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20530,
Plaintiff, v. Exelon Corporation, 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL
60603, and Public Service Enterprise Group, Incorporated, 880 Park
Plaza, P.O. Box 1171, Newark, NJ 07101-1171, Defendants
Case No. 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Date Stamp: 06/22/2006
Complaint
The United States of America, acting under the direction of the
Attorney General of the United States, brings this civil action to
enjoin the merger of Exelon Corporation (``Exelon'') and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (``PSEG'') and alleges as follows:
1. On December 20, 2004, Exelon entered into an agreement to merge
with PSEG. The transaction would create one of the largest electricity
companies in the United States, with total assets of $79 billion and
annual revenues of $27 billion.
2. Exelon and PSEG compete to sell wholesale electricity throughout
the Mid-Atlantic and in Illinois, North Carolina, West Virginia, and
Ohio.
3. Exelon and PSEG are the two largest electricity firms in the
area encompassing central and eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware, the District of Columbia, and parts of Maryland and Virginia.
Together, they would account for more than 35 percent of the electric
generating capacity in this area and would have wholesale electricity
revenues of approximately $4 billion.
4. In the eastern portion of this area, which includes the densely
populated northern New Jersey and Philadelphia areas, Exelon and PSEG
together would account for more than 45 percent of the electric
generating capacity in this area and would have wholesale electricity
revenues of approximately $3 billion.
5. Exelon's merger with PSEG would eliminate competition between
them and give the merged firm the incentive and the ability to raise
wholesale electricity prices, resulting in increased retail electricity
prices for millions of residential, commercial, and industrial
customers in these areas.
6. Accordingly, the merger would substantially lessen competition
in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18.
I. Jurisdiction and Venue
7. This action is filed by the United States under Section 15 of
the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 25, to prevent and restrain
Defendants from violating Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18.
8. Exelon and PSEG are engaged in interstate commerce and in
activities substantially affecting interstate commerce. The Court has
jurisdiction over this action and the parties pursuant to Sections 15
and 16 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 25, 26; and 28 U.S.C. 1331, 1337.
9. Exelon and PSEG transact business and are found in the District
of Columbia. Venue is proper under Section 12 of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. 22; and 28 U.S.C. 1391(c).
II. The Defendants and the Transaction
10. Defendant Exelon is a Pennsylvania corporation, with its
headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Exelon
[[Page 49478]]
owns Exelon Generation Company, LLC, which owns electric generating
plants located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest with a
total generating capacity of more than 25,000 megawatts (``MW'').
Exelon also owns two electricity retailers that buy wholesale
electricity and resell it to consumers: PECO Energy Company, a gas and
electric utility that serves customers in the Philadelphia area; and
Commonwealth Edison Company, an electric utility that serves customers
in northern Illinois.
11. Defendant PSEG is a New Jersey corporation, with its
headquarters in Newark, New Jersey. PSEG owns PSEG Power LLC, which
owns electric generating plants located primarily in New Jersey with a
total generating capacity of more than 15,000 MW. PSEG also owns a gas
and electric utility, Public Service Electric and Gas Company, that
serves customers in New Jersey.
12. Following Exelon's merger with PSEG, the combined company would
be known as Exelon Electric & Gas, with corporate headquarters in
Chicago.
III. Trade and Commerce
A. Background
13. Electricity supplied to retail customers is generated at
electric generating plants, which consist of one or more generating
units. An individual generating unit uses any one of several types of
generating technologies (including hydroelectric turbine, steam
turbine, combustion turbine, or combined cycle) to transform the energy
in fuels or the force of following water into electricity. The fuels
used by a generating unit include uranium, coal, oil, or natural gas.
14. Generating units vary considerably in their operating costs,
which are determined primarily by the cost of fuel and the efficiency
of the technology in transforming the energy in fuel into electricity.
``Baseload'' units--which typically include nuclear and some coal-fired
steam turbine units--have relatively low operating costs. ``Peaking''
units--which typically include oil- and gas-fired combustion turbine
units--have relatively high operating costs. ``Mid-merit'' units--which
typically include combined-cycle and some coal-fired steam turbine
units--have costs lower than those of peaking units but higher than
those of baseload units.
15. Once electricity is generated at a plant, an extensive set of
interconnected high-voltage lines and equipment, known as the
transmission grid, transports the electricity to lower voltage
distribution lines that relay the power to homes and businesses.
Transmission grid operators must closely monitor the grid to prevent
too little or too much electricity from flowing over the grid, either
of which might damage lines or generating units connected to the grid.
To prevent such damage and to prevent widespread blackouts from
disrupting electricity service, a grid operator will manage the grid to
prevent any more electricity from flowing over a transmission line as
that line approaches its operating limit (a ``transmission
constraint'').
16. In the Mid-Atlantic, the transmission grid is overseen by PJM
Interconnection, LLC (``PJM''), a private, non-profit organization
whose members include transmission line owners, generation owners,
distribution companies, retail customers, and wholesale and retail
electricity suppliers. The transmission grid administered by PJM is the
largest in the United States, providing electricity to approximately 51
million people in an area encompassing New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia,
and parts of North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan,
Tennessee, and Illinois (the ``PJM control area'').
17. PJM oversees two auctions for the sale and purchase of
wholesale electricity: a day-ahead auction that clears the day before
the electricity is required, and a real-time auction that clears the
day the electricity is required. Generation owners located in the PJM
control area sell through these auctions to electricity retailers that
provide retail electric service in the PJM control area. Buyers and
sellers of wholesale electricity may also enter into contracts for the
sale and purchase of electricity with each other, or third parties,
outside of the PJM auction process; prices for these bilateral
contracts generally reflect expected auction prices.
18. In the day-ahead auction, each buyer typically submits to PJM
the amount of electricity the buyer expects to need each hour of the
next day. Then PJM adds up the amount of electricity buyers will need
to determine how much electricity will be demanded each hour. Each
seller submits to PJM an offer to sell electricity indicating the
amount of electricity it is willing to sell the next day and the price
at which it is willing to sell. Then PJM sorts the offers to sell from
lowest to highest offer price to determine how much electricity will be
supplied at any given price.
19. Subject to the physical and engineering limitations of the
transmission grid, PJM seeks to have generating units operated in
``merit'' order, from lowest to highest offer. In the day-ahead
auction, as long as transmission constraints are not expected, PJM
takes the least expensive offer first and then continues to accept
offers to sell at progressively higher prices until the needs for each
hour the next day are covered. In this way, PJM minimizes the total
cost of generating electricity required for the next day. The clearing
price for any given hour essentially is determined by the generating
unit with the highest offer price that is needed for that hour, and all
sellers for that hour receive that price regardless of their offer
price or their units' costs. In the real-time auction, which accounts
for differences between anticipated and actual supply and demand, PJM
accepts sellers' offers in merit order, subject to the physical and
engineering limitations of the transmission grid, until there is a
sufficient quantity of electricity to meet actual demand.
20. At times, transmission constraints prevent the generating units
with the lowest offers from meeting demand in a particular area within
the PJM control area. When that happens, PJM often calls on more
expensive units located within the smaller area bounded by the
transmission constraints (a ``constrained area''), and the clearing
price for the buyers in that area adjusts accordingly. Because more
expensive units are required to meet demand, the clearing price in a
constrained area will be higher than it would be absent the
transmission constraints.
21. PJM East. One historically constrained area within the PJM
control area includes the densely populated northern New Jersey and
Philadelphia areas. This area (``PJM East'') is defined by the
``Eastern Interface,'' a set of five major transmission lines that
divides New Jersey and the Philadelphia area from the rest of the PJM
control area. When the Eastern Interface is constrained, PJM is limited
in its ability to supply demand located east of the constraint with
electricity from generating units located west of the constraint. PJM
often responds to constraints on the Eastern Interface by calling on
additional generating units east of the constraint to run, generally
resulting in higher prices in PJM East because the cost of additional
generation east of the constraint is higher than the cost of additional
generation west of the constraint
22. In PJM East during 2005, more than $10 billion of wholesale
electricity was sold for resale to nearly 6 million retail customers.
[[Page 49479]]
23. PJM Central/East. A second constrained area in PJM includes PJM
East and central Pennsylvania. This area is defined by two major
transmission lines known as ``5004'' and ``5005'' that run from western
to central Pennsylvania and divide the area east of the lines (``PJM
Central/East'') from the rest of PJM. When the 5004 and 5005
transmission lines are constrained, PJM is limited in its ability to
supply demand located east of the constraint with electricity from
generating units located west of the constraint. PJM often responds to
constraints on the 5004 and 5005 lines by calling on additional
generating units east of the constraint to run, generally resulting in
higher prices in PJM Central/East because the cost of additional
generation east of the constraint is higher than the cost of additional
generation west of the constraint.
24. In PJM Central/East during 2005, more than $19 billion of
wholesale electricity was sold for resale to nearly 9 million retail
customers.
B. Relevant Product Market
25. Wholesale electricity is a relevant product market and a line
of commerce within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act. In the
event of a small but significant increase in the price of wholesale
electricity, insufficient purchasers would switch away to make that
increase unprofitable.
C. Relevant Geographic Markets
26. When the Eastern Interface is constrained, purchasers of
wholesale electricity for use in PJM East have limited ability to turn
to generation outside of PJM East. At such times, the amount of
electricity that could be purchased outside PJM East is insufficient to
make it unprofitable for generators located inside PJM East to seek a
small but significant price increase.
27. PJM East is a relevant geographic market and a section of the
country within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
28. When the 5004 and 5005 transmission lines are constrained,
purchasers of wholesale electricity in PJM Central/East have limited
ability to turn to generation outside of PJM Central/East. At such
times, the amount of electricity that could be purchased outside PJM
Central/East is insufficient to make it unprofitable for generators
located inside PJM Central/East to seek a small but significant price
increase.
29. PJM Central/East is a relevant geographic market and a section
of the country within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
IV. Anticompetitive Effects
A. Market Shares and Concentration
30. Exelon owns approximately 20 percent of the generating capacity
in PJM East. PSEG owns approximately 29 percent of the generating
capacity in PJM East. After the merger, Exelon would own approximately
49 percent of the total generating capacity in PJM East.
31. Using a measure of market concentration called the Herfindahl-
Hirschman Index (``HHI''), explained in Appendix A, Exelon's merger
with PSEG would yield a post-merger HHI in PJM East of more than 2,700,
representing an increase of more than 1,100.
32. Exelon owns approximately 19 percent of the generating capacity
in PJM Central/East. PSEG owns approximately 21 percent of the
generating capacity in PJM Central/East. After the merger, Exelon would
own approximately 40 percent of the total generating capacity in PJM
Central/East.
33. Exelon's merger with PSEG would yield a post-merger HHI in PJM
Central/East of approximately 2,100, representing an increase of
approximately 800.
B. Effect of Transaction
34. In addition to owning a significant share of overall generating
capacity in PJM East and PJM Central/East, the merged firm will own
generating units with a wide range of operating costs, including low-
cost baseload units that provide the incentive to exercise market
power, mid-merit units that provide the ability and incentive to
exercise market power, and certain peaking units that provide
additional ability to exercise market power in times of high demand.
The combination of Exelon's and PSEG's generating units would
significantly enhance Exelon's ability and incentive to reduce output
and raise prices in PJM East and PJM Central/East.
35. The merger would enhance Exelon's ability to reduce output and
raise prices in PJM East and PJM Central/East by increasing its share
of mid-merit and peaking capacity in those markets. With a greater
share of mid-merit and peaking capacity, Exelon would more often be
able to reduce output and raise clearing prices at relatively low cost
to it by withholding capacity. Exelon could withhold capacity in
several ways. For example, it could submit high offers in the PJM
auctions for some of the capacity from its mid-merit units such that
they are not all called on to produce electricity. By reducing its
output, Exelon could force PJM to turn to more expensive units to meet
demand, resulting in higher clearing prices in PJM East and PJM
Central/East.
36. The merger would enhance Exelon's incentive to reduce output
and raise price in PJM East and PJM Central/East by increasing the
amount of baseload and mid-merit capacity it owns in these markets.
With a greater amount of baseload and mid-merit capacity, Exelon would
more often find it profitable to reduce output and raise market-
clearing prices by withholding capacity. For example, as clearing
prices increase due to its withholding certain of its mid-merit
capacity, Exelon would earn those higher prices on its expanded post-
merger baseload capacity, which almost always runs, making it more
likely that the benefit of increased revenues on its baseload capacity
would outweigh the cost of withholding mid-merit capacity.
37. Increasing Exelon's incentive and ability to profitably
withhold output makes it likely that Exelon will exercise market power
after its merger with PSEG, resulting in significant harm to
competition and increased prices. Thus, the effect of the merger may be
substantially to lessen competition in violation of Section 7 of the
Clayton Act.
V. Entry
38. Entry into the wholesale electricity market through the
addition of new generating capacity in PJM East or PJM Central/East or
the addition of new transmission capacity that would relieve the
constraints that limit the flow of electricity into PJM East or PJM
Central/East would take many years, especially considering the
necessary environmental, safety, and zoning approvals.
39. Entry into the PJM East or PJM Central/East wholesale
electricity market would not be timely, likely, and sufficient in its
magnitude, character, and scope to deter or counteract an
anticompetitive price increase.
VI. Violation Alleged
40. The effect of Exelon's proposed merger with PSEG, if it were
consummated, may be substantially to lessen competition for wholesale
electricity in PJM East and PJM Central/East in violation of Section 7
of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. Unless restrained, the transaction
would likely have the following effects, among others:
a. competition in the market for wholesale electricity in PJM East
would be substantially lessened;
b. prices for wholesale electricity in PJM East would increase;
[[Page 49480]]
c. competition in the market for wholesale electricity in PJM
Central/East would be substantially lessened; and
d. prices for wholesale electricity in PJM Central/East would
increase.
VII. Request for Relief
The United States requests:
41. that Exelon's proposed merger with PSEG be adjudged a violation
of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18;
42. that Defendants be permanently enjoined and restrained from
carrying out the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 20, 2004,
or from entering into or carrying out any agreement, understanding, or
plan by which Exelon would merge with or acquire PSEG, its capital
stock or any of its assets;
43. that the United States be awarded the costs of this action; and
44. that the United States have such other relief as the Court may
deem just and proper.
Dated: June 22, 2006.
Respectfully submitted.
For Plaintiff United States:
Thomas O. Barnett,
Assistant Attorney General.
J. Bruce McDonald,
Deputy Assistant Attorney General.
Dorothy B. Fountain,
Deputy Director of Operations.
Donna N. Kooperstein,
Chief, Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section.
William H. Stallings,
Assistant Chief, Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section.
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar 470370),
Jade Alice Eaton (DC Bar 939629),
Tracy Lynn Fisher (MN Bar 315837),
Jennifer L. Cihon (OH Bar 0068404),
J. Richard Doidge (MA Bar 600158),
Angela L. Hughes (DC Bar 303420),
J. Chandra Mazumdar (WI Bar 1030967),
James A. Ryan,
John M. Snyder (DC Bar 456921),
Stephanie Toussaint (TX Bar 24045253),
Janet Urban,
David S. Zlotow (CA Bar 235340),
Trial Attorneys, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division,
Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section, 325 7th Street, NW.,
Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004. Telephone: (202) 307-6318.
Facsimile: (202) 307-2784.
Appendix A--Definition of HHI
The term ``HHI'' means the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, a
commonly accepted measure of market concentration. The HHI is
calculated by squaring the market share of each firm competing in
the market and then summing the resulting numbers. For example, for
a market consisting of four firms with shares of 30, 30, 20, and 20
percent, the Hill is 2,600 (30\2\ + 30\2\ + 20\2\ + 20\2\ = 2,600).
The HHI takes into account the relative size and distribution of the
firms in a market. It approaches zero when a market is occupied by a
large number of firms of relatively equal size and reaches its
maximum of 10,000 when a market is controlled by a single firm. The
HID increases both as the number of firms in the market decreases
and as the disparity in size between those firms increases.
Markets in which the HHI is between 1,000 and 1,800 are
considered to be moderately concentrated, and markets in which the
HHI is in excess of 1,800 points are considered to be highly
concentrated. See Horizontal Merger Guidelines ] 1.51 (revised Apr.
8, 1997). Transactions that increase the HHI by more than 100 points
in highly concentrated markets presumptively raise significant
antitrust concerns under the Department of Justice and Federal Trade
Commission. See id.
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that on June 22, 2006, I caused a copy of the
foregoing Complaint, proposed Final Judgment, Hold Separate Stipulation
and Order, and Plaintiff United States' Explanation of Procedures for
Entry of the Final Judgment to be served on counsel for defendants in
this matter in the manner set forth below:
By electronic mail and hand delivery:
Counsel for Defendant Exelon Corporation, John M. Nannes (DC Bar
195966), John H. Lyons (DC Bar 453191), Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 1440 New York Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 371-7500. Facsimile: (202) 661-9191.
Counsel for Defendant Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated,
Douglas G. Green (DC Bar 183343), Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: (202) 429-
3000. Facsimile: (202) 429-3902.
Mark J. Niefer (DC Bar 470370),
Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, 325 Seventh Street, NW.,
Suite 500, Washington, DC 20530. Telephone: (202) 307-6318.
Facsimile: (202) 307-2784.
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States of America, Plaintiff; v. Exelon Corporation and Public
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, Defendants
Case No.: 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Filed: 06/22/06
Proposed Final Judgment
And Whereas, Plaintiff, United States of America, filed its
Complaint on June 22, 2006, relating to the proposed merger of
Defendants Exelon Corporation (``Exelon'') and Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (``PSEG'');
And Whereas, Defendants, by their respective attorneys, have
consented to the entry of this Final Judgment without trial or
adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and without this Final
Judgment constituting any evidence against or admission by any party
regarding any issue of fact or law;
And Whereas, Defendants agree to be bound by the provisions of this
Final Judgment pending its approval by the Court;
And Whereas, the essence of this Final Judgment is the prompt
divestiture of certain assets by Defendants to assure that competition
is not substantially lessened;
And Whereas, the United States requires Defendants to make certain
divestitures for the purpose of remedying the loss of competition
alleged in the Complaint;
And Whereas, Defendants have represented to the United States that
the divestitures required below can and will be made, subject to
receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, and that Defendants will
later raise no claim of mistake, hardship, or difficulty of compliance
as grounds for asking the Court to modify any of the provisions
contained below;
Now Therefore, before any testimony is taken, without trial or
adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and upon consent of the
parties, it is Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed:
I. Jurisdiction
The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of and each of
the parties to this action. The Complaint states a claim upon which
relief may be granted against Defendants under Section 7 of the Clayton
Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C.
II. Definitions
As used in this Final Judgment:
A. ``Acquire'' means obtain any interest in any electricity
generating facility, including real property, deeded development rights
to real property, capital equipment, buildings, or fixtures.
B. ``Acquirer'' or ``Acquirers'' means the entity or entities to
whom Defendants divest any of the Divestiture Assets or with whom
Defendants have entered into definitive contracts to sell any of the
Divestiture Assets.
C. ``Control'' means have the ability, directly or indirectly, to
set the level of, dispatch, or offer the output of one or more units of
an electricity generating
[[Page 49481]]
facility or to operate one or more units of an electricity generating
facility.
D. ``Designated Utility Zones'' means the service territories in
which the following companies on June 1, 2006, owned the wires through
which electricity is distributed:
1. Atlantic City Electric Company,
2. Baltimore Gas and Electric Company,
3. Delmarva Power and Light Company,
4. Jersey Central Power and Light Company,
5. Metropolitan Edison Company,
6. Rockland Electric Company,
7. PECO Energy Company,
8. Potomac Electric Power Company,
9. PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, and
10. Public Service Electric and Gas Company.
E. ``Divestiture Assets'' means the following facilities: (1)
Cromby Generating Station, 100 Cromby Rd. at Phoenixville, PA, 19460;
(2) Eddystone Generating Station, Number 1 Industrial Hwy. at
Eddystone, PA, 19022; (3) Hudson Generating Station, Duffield & Van
Keuren Aves. at Jersey City, NJ, 07306; (4) Linden Generating Station,
4001 South Wood Ave. at Linden, NJ, 07036; (5) Mercer Generating
Station, 2512 Lamberton Rd. at Hamilton, NJ, 08611; and (6) Sewaren
Generating Station, 751 Cliff Rd. at Sewaren, NJ, 07077; and
a. For each of those facilities, all of Defendants' rights, titles,
and interests in any tangible and intangible assets relating to the
generation, dispatch, and offering of electricity at the facility;
including the land; buildings; fixtures; equipment; fixed assets;
supplies; personal property; non-consumable inventory on site as of
June 1, 2006; furniture; licenses, permits, and authorizations issued
by any governmental organization relating to the facility (including
environmental permits and all permits from federal or state agencies
and all work in progress on permits or studies undertaken in order to
obtain permits); plans for design or redesign of the facility or any
assets at the facility; agreements, leases, commitments, and
understandings pertaining to the facility and its operation; records
relating to the facility or its operation, wherever kept and in
whatever form (excluding records of past offers submitted to PJM); all
equipment associated with connecting the facility to PJM (including
automatic generation control equipment); all remote start capability or
equipment located on site; and all other interests, assets, or
improvements at the facility customarily used in the generation,
dispatch, or offer of electricity from the facility; provided, however,
that ``Divestiture Assets'' shall not include (i) electric and gas
distribution or transmission assets located in, or appurtenant to, the
boundaries of the facility, or (ii) any communications links between
the facility and Defendants, which will be disconnected.
b. At the option of the Acquirer of the Linden Generating Station,
the natural gas pipeline facilities connecting any assets at the Linden
Generating Station (including the assets listed in Section ILE.a. for
the Linden Generating Station), to an interconnection with the Texas
Eastern Gas Transmission LP, and all of Defendants' rights, titles, and
interests in any tangible and intangible assets relating to the
delivery of natural gas from the Texas Eastern Gas Transmission LP
interconnection with the Linden Generating Station, including the land;
buildings; fixtures; equipment; fixed assets; supplies; personal
property; non-consumable inventory on site as of June I, 2006;
furniture; licenses, permits, and authorizations issued by any
governmental organization relating to the facility (including
environmental permits and all permits from federal or state agencies
and all work in progress on permits or studies undertaken in order to
obtain permits); plans for design or redesign of the facility or any
assets at the facility; agreements, leases, commitments, and
understandings pertaining to the facility and its operation; records
relating to the facility or its operation, wherever kept and in
whatever form, and all other interests, assets, or improvements
customarily used in the delivery of natural gas from the
interconnection of the Texas Eastern Gas Transmission LP to the Linden
Generating Station.
To the extent that any licenses, permits, or authorizations
described in Section IIE.a. or Section II.E.b. are nontransferable,
Defendants will use their best efforts to obtain the necessary consent
for assignment to the Acquirer or Acquirers of the license, permit, or
authorization.
F. ``Exelon'' means Exelon Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, its successors and assigns, and its
subsidiaries, divisions, groups, affiliates, partnerships, joint
ventures (not including Exelon's participation in the ownership,
operation, dispatch, or offering of output of the Keystone Generating
Station or the Conemaugh Generating Station), and their directors,
officers, managers, agents, and employees.
G. ``Exelon/PSEG Transaction'' means the merger of Exelon and PSEG
that is the subject of HSR Transaction Identification No. 2005-696,
which was filed pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C.A. 18a (West 1997)
(``HSR Act''), including any changes in the terms of that merger that
do not necessitate a new Hart-Scott-Rodino filing.
H. ``Good Utility Practice'' means any of the practices, methods,
and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the
electric utility industry during the relevant time period, or any of
the practices, methods, and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable
judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision is made,
could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a
reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability,
safety, and expedition. ``Good Utility Practice'' is not intended to be
limited to the optimum practice, method, or act to the exclusion of all
others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices,
methods, or acts generally accepted in the region.
I. ``Including'' means including but not limited to.
J. ``Person'' means any natural person, corporation, association,
firm, partnership, or other business or legal entity.
K. ``PJM'' means PJM Interconnection, LLC.
L. ``PSEG'' means Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, a
New Jersey corporation headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, its
successors and assigns, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups,
affiliates, partnerships, joint ventures (not including PSEG's
participation in the ownership, operation, dispatch, or offering of
output of the Keystone Generating Station, the Conemaugh Generating
Station, or the Yards Creek Generating Station), and their directors,
officers, managers, agents, and employees.
III. Applicability
A. This Final Judgment applies to Defendants Exelon and PSEG, as
defined above, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them who receive actual notice of this Final Judgment by
personal service or otherwise.
B. Defendants shall require, as a condition of the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of their electricity generating
facilities in the Designated Utility Zones or of lesser business units
that include the Divestiture Assets, that the purchaser agrees to be
bound by the provisions of
[[Page 49482]]
this Final Judgment, provided, however, that Defendants need not obtain
such an agreement from the Acquirers of the Divestiture Assets.
IV. Divestitures
A. Defendants are hereby ordered and directed, in accordance with
the terms of this Final Judgment, to sell the Divestiture Assets to
Acquirers acceptable to the United States in its sole discretion.
Defendants shall enter into definitive contracts for sale of the
Divestiture Assets within 150 days after consummation of the Exelon/
PSEG Transaction. The United States, in its sole discretion, may extend
the time period set forth in Section IV.A. for entering into definitive
contracts for sale for an additional period not to exceed thirty (30)
calendar days and shall notify the Court in such circumstances.
Defendants shall use their best efforts as expeditiously and timely as
possible (1) to enter into these contracts, and (2) after obtaining the
United States' approval of the Acquirers, to seek the necessary
approvals of the sale of Divestiture Assets from regulatory agencies
with jurisdiction over the Exelon/PSEG Transaction. Defendants shall
consummate the contracts for sale no later than twenty-one (21)
calendar days after receiving, for each Divestiture Asset, the last
necessary regulatory approval required for that Divestiture Asset.
B. In accomplishing the requirements imposed by Section IV.A.,
Defendants promptly shall make known, by usual and customary means, the
availability for sale of the Divestiture Assets. Defendants shall
inform any person making an inquiry regarding a possible purchase of
the Divestiture Assets that the sales are being made pursuant to this
Final Judgment and provide such person with a copy of this Final
Judgment. Defendants shall also offer to furnish to prospective
Acquirers who have been invited to submit binding bids, subject to
reasonable protection for confidential commercial information, all
information and documents relating to the Divestiture Assets
customarily provided in a due diligence process, except such
information subject to attorney-client privilege or the attorney work-
product doctrine. Defendants shall make available such information to
the United States at the same time that such information is made
available to any other person.
C. Subject to reasonable protection for confidential commercial
information, Defendants shall permit prospective Acquirers who have
been invited to submit binding bids for the Divestiture Assets to have
reasonable access to their personnel and to make such inspection of the
Divestiture Assets and any and all of their financial, operational, or
other documents and information customarily provided as part of a due
diligence process, as well as access to any and all environmental and
other permit documents and information.
D. Defendants shall provide to each Acquirer of any of the
Divestiture Assets, and to the United States, the name and most recent
contact information (if known) for each individual who is currently, or
who, to the best of Defendants' knowledge, has, at any time since
January 1, 2006, been stationed at a specific Divestiture Asset and
involved in the operation, dispatch, or offering of the output, of that
Divestiture Asset to be purchased by the Acquirer. Defendants shall not
impede or interfere with any negotiations by the Acquirer or Acquirers
to employ such persons.
E. Defendants also agree to preserve the Divestiture Assets in a
condition and state of repair at least equal to their condition and
state of repair as of the date the Complaint was filed, ordinary wear
and tear excepted, and consistent with Good Utility Practice.
F. Defendants shall warrant to the Acquirers of the Divestiture
Assets that each asset (other than assets retired in place as of June
1, 2006) will be operational, consistent with Good Utility Practice, on
the date of sale, subject to legal or regulatory restrictions on any of
the Divestiture Assets in existence on the date of sale.
G. Defendants shall warrant to the Acquirers of the Divestiture
Assets that there are no undisclosed material defects in the
environmental, zoning, or other permits pertaining to the operation of
each asset, and that following the sale of the Divestiture Assets,
Defendants will not undertake, directly or indirectly, any challenges
to any permits or certifications relating to the operation of the
Divestiture Assets, or otherwise take any action to impede the
divestiture or operation of the Divestiture Assets.
H. The divestitures, whether accomplished by Defendants pursuant to
Section IV, or by the trustee appointed pursuant to Section V of this
Final Judgment, shall be accomplished in such a way as to satisfy the
United States, in its sole discretion, that the Divestiture Assets can
and will be used by the Acquirers as part of viable, ongoing businesses
engaged in the provision of electric generation services. The
divestitures, whether pursuant to Sections IV or V of this Final
Judgment, (1) shall be made to Acquirers that, in the United States'
sole judgment, have the intent and capability (including the necessary
managerial, operational, technical, and financial capability) of
competing effectively in the business of the provision of electric
generation services; and (2) shall be accomplished so as to satisfy the
United States, in its sole discretion, that none of the terms of any
agreement between the Acquirers and Defendants give Defendants the
ability unreasonably to raise the Acquirers' costs, to lower the
Acquirers' efficiency, or otherwise to interfere in the ability of the
Acquirers to compete effectively.
V. Appointment of Trustee
A. If Defendants have not entered into definitive contracts for
sale of the Divestiture Assets within the time specified in Section
IV.A. of this Final Judgment, Defendants shall notify the United States
of that fact in writing. Upon application of the United States, the
Court shall appoint a trustee selected by the United States and
approved by the Court to effect the divestiture of the Divestiture
Assets, including the application for necessary regulatory approvals.
Until such time as a trustee is appointed, Defendants shall continue
their efforts to effect the sale of the Divestiture Assets as specified
in Section IV.
B. After the appointment of a trustee becomes effective, only the
trustee shall have the right to sell the Divestiture Assets. The
trustee shall have the power and authority to accomplish the
divestitures at the earliest possible time to Acquirers acceptable to
the United States, in its sole discretion, at such price and on such
terms as are then obtainable upon reasonable effort by the trustee,
subject to the provisions of Sections IV, V, and VI of this Final
Judgment, and shall have such other powers as the Court deems
appropriate. Subject to Section V.D. of this Final Judgment, the
trustee shall have the power and authority to hire at the cost and
expense of Defendants any investment bankers, attorneys, or other
agents, who shall be solely accountable to the trustee, reasonably
necessary in the judgment of the trustee to assist in the divestitures.
C. Defendants shall not object to a sale by the trustee on any
ground other than the trustee's malfeasance. Any such objections by
Defendants must be conveyed in writing to the United States and the
trustee within ten (10) calendar days after the trustee has provided
the notice required under Section VI of this Final Judgment.
D. The trustee shall serve at the cost and expense of Defendants,
on such terms and conditions as the United
[[Page 49483]]
States approves, and shall account for all monies derived from the sale
of the assets sold by the trustee and all costs and expenses so
incurred. After approval by the Court of the trustee's accounting,
including fees for its services and those of any professionals and
agents retained by the trustee, all remaining money shall be paid to
Defendants, and the trust shall then be terminated. The compensation of
the trustee and of any professionals and agents retained by the trustee
shall be reasonable in light of the value of the Divestiture Assets and
based on a fee arrangement providing the trustee with an incentive
based on the price and terms of the divestitures and the speed with
which they are accomplished, but timeliness is paramount.
E. Defendants shall use their best efforts to assist the trustee in
accomplishing the required divestiture, including their best efforts to
effect all necessary regulatory approvals. The trustee and any
consultants, accountants, attorneys, and other persons retained by the
trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books,
records, and assets at the facilities to be divested, and Defendants
shall develop financial or other information relevant to the assets to
be divested customarily provided in a due diligence process as the
trustee may reasonably request, subject to reasonable protection for
confidential commercial information. Defendants shall permit
prospective Acquirers who have been invited to submit binding bids for
any of the Divestiture Assets to have reasonable access to their
personnel and to make such inspection of the Divestiture Assets and any
and all financial, operational, or other documents and other
information as may be relevant to the divestitures required by this
Final Judgment, subject to reasonable protection for confidential
commercial information. Defendants shall take no action to interfere
with or to impede the trustee's accomplishment of the divestitures.
F. After its appointment, the trustee shall file monthly reports
with the United States and the Court setting forth the trustee's
efforts to accomplish the divestitures ordered under this Final
Judgment; provided however, that to the extent such reports contain
information that the trustee deems confidential, such reports shall not
be filed in the public docket of the Court. Such reports shall include
the name, address, and telephone number of each person who, during the
preceding month, made an offer to acquire, expressed an interest in
acquiring, entered into negotiations to acquire, or was contacted or
made an inquiry about acquiring, any interest in the Divestiture
Assets, and shall describe in detail each contact with any such person
during that period. The trustee shall maintain full records of all
efforts made to divest the Divestiture Assets.
G. If the trustee has not accomplished such divestitures within
sixty (60) calendar days after its appointment, the trustee shall file
promptly with the Court a report setting forth (1) the trustee's
efforts to accomplish the required divestitures; (2) the reasons, in
the trustee's judgment, why the required divestitures have not been
accomplished; and (3) the trustee's recommendations. To the extent such
reports contain information that the trustee deems confidential, such
reports shall not be filed in the public docket of the Court. The
trustee shall at the same time furnish such report to the United
States, who shall have the right to make additional recommendations
consistent with the purpose of the trust. The Court shall enter
thereafter such orders as it shall deem appropriate to carry out the
purpose of this Final Judgment which may, if necessary, include
extending this Final Judgment and the term of the trustee's appointment
by a period requested by the United States.
VI. Notice of Proposed Divestitures
A. Within two (2) business days after signing a definitive contract
for sale of any of the Divestiture Assets, Defendants or the trustee,
whichever is then responsible for effecting the divestiture required
herein, shall notify the United Stales of any proposed divestiture
required by Sections IV or V of this Final Judgment, and submit to the
United States a copy of the proposed contract for sale and any other
agreements with the Acquirer relating to the Divestiture Assets. If the
trustee is responsible, it shall similarly notify Defendants. The
notice shall set forth the details of the proposed divestiture
(including the name, address, and telephone number of the proposed
Acquirer), and list the name, address, and telephone number of each
person not previously identified who offered or expressed an interest
in or desire to acquire the Divestiture Assets, together with full
details of the same.
B. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the United
States of such notice, the United States may request from Defendants,
the proposed Acquirers, any other third party, or the trustee if
applicable, additional information concerning the proposed divestiture,
the proposed Acquirers, and any other potential Acquirers. Defendants
and the trustee shall furnish any additional information requested
within fifteen (15) calendar days of the receipt of the request, unless
the parties shall otherwise agree.
C. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the notice or
within twenty (20) calendar days after the United States has been
provided the additional information requested from Defendants, the
proposed Acquirers, any third party, and the trustee, whichever is
later, the United States shall provide written notice to Defendants and
the trustee, if there is one, stating whether or not it objects to the
proposed divestiture, provided, however, that the United States may
extend the period for its review up to an additional thirty (30)
calendar days. If the United States provides written notice that it
does not object, the divestiture may be consummated, subject only to
Defendants' limited right to object to the sale under Section V.C. of
this Final Judgment. Absent written notice that the United States does
not object to the proposed Acquirer, or upon objection by the United
States, a divestiture proposed under Section IV or Section V shall not
be consummated. Upon objection by Defendants under Section V.C., a
divestiture proposed under Section V shall not be consummated unless
approved by the Court.
VII. Affidavits
A. Within twenty (20) calendar days of the filing of the Complaint
in this matter and every thirty (30) calendar days thereafter until the
Divestiture Assets have been sold, whether pursuant to Sections IV or V
of this Final Judgment, Defendants shall deliver to the United States
an affidavit as to the fact and manner of compliance with Sections IV
or V of this Final Judgment. Each such affidavit shall include the
name, address, and telephone number of each person who, during the
preceding thirty days, made an offer to acquire, expressed an interest
in acquiring, entered into negotiations to acquire, or was contacted or
made an inquiry about acquiring, any interest in the Divestiture
Assets, and shall describe in detail each contact with any such person
during that period. Each such affidavit shall also include a
description of the efforts that Defendants have taken to solicit
purchasers for the Divestiture Assets and to provide required
information to prospective purchasers including the limitations, if
any, on such information. Assuming the information set forth in the
affidavit is true and complete, any objection by the United States to
[[Page 49484]]
information provided by Defendants, including limitation on
information, shall be made within fourteen (14) calendar days of
receipt of such affidavit.
B. Within twenty (20) calendar days of the filing of the Complaint
in this matter, Defendants shall deliver to the United States an
affidavit that describes in detail all actions Defendants have taken
and all steps Defendants have implemented on an ongoing basis to comply
with Section IX of this Final Judgment. The affidavit also shall
include a description of Defendants' efforts to maintain the
Divestiture Assets in operable condition at no less than current
capacity configurations with current levels of staffing and management
and to otherwise comply with the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order.
Defendants shall deliver to the United States an affidavit describing
any changes to the efforts and actions outlined in Defendants' earlier
affidavit(s) filed pursuant to this Section within fifteen (15)
calendar days after the change is implemented.
C. Defendants shall keep all records of all efforts made to
preserve and divest the Divestiture Assets until one year after such
divestitures have been completed.
VIII. Financing
Defendants shall not finance all or any part of any purchase made
pursuant to Sections IV or V of this Final Judgment.
IX. Hold Separate
Until the divestitures required by this Final Judgment have been
accomplished, Defendants shall take all steps necessary to comply with
the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order entered by the Court.
Defendants shall take no action that would jeopardize, delay, or impede
the divestiture order by the Court.
X. No Reacquisition
Defendants may not acquire or control any of the Divestiture Assets
during the term of this Final Judgment.
XI. Prior Approval
A . Without the prior approval of the United States, Defendants
shall not acquire any electricity generating facility, or enter into
any contract to obtain control of, an electricity generating facility
or of one or more units of an electricity generating facility in the
Designated Utility Zones, which facility or units are in existence as
of June I, 2006, or are listed in Attachment A. Such prior approval
shall be within the sole discretion of the United States.
This prior approval requirement shall not apply to:
1. Upgrades, expansions, or uprates of existing units up to the
amount of such upgrades, expansions, or uprates;
2. Units that are rebuilt, repowered, or activated out of inactive
status after June 1, 2006, as long as such rebuild, repowering, or
activation, if done by Defendants, begins within one year of purchase
of the facility that includes the unit; and
3. Acquisitions of a facility of 25 megawatts or less of summer net
capability, as defined by PJM, or contracts to control 25 megawatts or
less of summer net capability, as defined by PJM, provided, however,
that Defendants do not acquire, or enter into contracts to obtain
control of, more than 100 megawatts of summer net capability from units
at a single facility during a single calendar year. For the purpose of
Section XI.A.3., the summer net capability of a unit that is an
intermittent capacity resource, as defined by PJM, will be measured as
of the date of acquisition of the unit, or of entry into the contract
to control the unit, in accordance with the methodology used by PJM for
calculating capacity values for intermittent capacity resources.
B. Unless a transaction subject to Section XI.A. is otherwise
subject to the reporting and waiting period requirements of the HSR
Act:
1. Defendants shall provide notification to the United States
within five (5) calendar days of acceptance of any contract subject to
Section XI.A. and shall submit copies of the contracts and any
management or strategic plans discussing the proposed transaction, and
the names of the principal representatives of the parties to the
agreement who negotiated the agreement. Defendants shall send the
required materials to Chief, Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture
Section, Antitrust Division, United States Department of Justice, 325
Seventh Street, NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20530. Should oversight
of this Final Judgment be the responsibility of another section of the
Antitrust Division, the required materials shall be sent to the chief
of the section responsible for oversight of this Final Judgment;
2. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the receipt of the required
materials, if the transaction is not reportable under the HSR Act, the
United States will determine whether it requires additional information
from the parties to the contract. If the United States makes such a
request for additional information, the parties will provide the
information requested.
C. Once the parties have provided all of the information requested
under Section XIB. or under the HSR Act, the United States must notify
Defendants within thirty (30) calendar days if the United States
disapproves the proposed transaction.
D. Section XI.A. shall be broadly construed and any ambiguity or
uncertainty shall be resolved in favor of requiring prior approval.
E. Nothing in this Section limits Defendants' responsibility to
comply with the requirements of the HSR Act with respect to any
acquisition.
XII. Compliance Inspection
For purposes of determining or securing compliance with this Final
Judgment, or of determining whether this Final Judgment should be
modified or vacated, and subject to any legally recognized privilege,
from time to time duly authorized representatives of the United States
Department of Justice, including consultants and other persons retained
by the United States, shall, upon written request of a duly authorized
representative of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the
Antitrust Division, and on reasonable notice to Defendants, be
permitted:
1. Access during Defendants' office hours to inspect and copy, or
at the United States' option, to require Defendants to provide copies
of, all books, ledgers, accounts, records, and documents in the
possession, custody, or control of Defendants, relating to any matters
contained in this Final Judgment; and
2. To interview, either informally or on the record, Defendants'
officers, employees, or agents, who may have their individual counsel
present, regarding such matters. The interviews shall be subject to the
reasonable convenience of the interviewee and without restraint or
interference by Defendants.
B. Upon the written request of a duly authorized representative of
the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division,
Defendants shall submit written reports, or responses to written
interrogatories, under oath if requested, relating to any of the
matters contained in this Final Judgment as may be requested.
C. No information or documents obtained by the means provided in
this section shall be divulged by the United States to any person other
than an authorized representative of the executive branch of the United
States, except in the course of legal proceedings
[[Page 49485]]
to which the United States is a party (including grand jury
proceedings), or for the purpose of securing compliance with this Final
Judgment, or as otherwise required by law.
If at the time information or documents are furnished by Defendants
to the United States, Defendants represent and identify in writing the
material in any such information or documents to which a claim of
protection may be asserted under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, and Defendants mark each pertinent page of such
material, ``Subject to claim of protection under Rule 26(c)(7) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,'' then the United States shall give
Defendants ten (10) calendar days notice prior to divulging such
material in any legal proceeding (other than a grand jury proceeding).
XIII. Retention of Jurisdiction
The Court retains jurisdiction to enable any party to this Final
Judgment to apply to the Court at any time for further orders and
directions as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out or construe
this Final Judgment, to modify any of its provisions, to enforce
compliance, and to punish violations of its provisions.
XIV. Expiration of Final Judgment
Unless the Court grants an extension, this Final Judgment shall
expire ten (10) years from the date of its entry.
XV. Public Interest Determination
Based on the record in this case, entry of this Final Judgment is
in the public interest, and the parties have complied with the
procedures of the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C. 16.
Dated:-----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
United States District Judge
Attachment A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification number PJM
State Queue, www.pjm.com Substation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DE.................................. Q42......................... Indian River.
NJ.................................. P23......................... Bayonne 138 kV.
NJ.................................. Q08......................... Red Oak 230 kV.
NJ.................................. Q11......................... Red Oak 230 kV.
NJ.................................. Q26......................... Churchtown 230 kV.
NJ.................................. Q41......................... Mt. Hope Mine 34.5 kV.
PA.................................. CO2......................... South Lebanon 230 kV.
PA.................................. G06......................... Martins Creek 4.
PA.................................. M11......................... Susquehanna 1.
PA.................................. M12......................... Susquehanna 2.
PA.................................. P04......................... Peach Bottom 500 kV.
PA.................................. Q20......................... Holtwood.
PA.................................. Q28......................... Eldred-Frackville 230kV.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States of America, Plaintiff; v. Exelon Corporation and
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, Defendants
Case No. 1:06CV01138
Judge: John D. Bates
Deck Type: Antitrust
Filed: August 10, 2006
Competitive Impact Statement
The United States, pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Antitrust
Procedures and Penalties Act (''APPA'' or ``Tunney Act''), 15 U.S.C.
16(b)-(h), files this Competitive Impact Statement relating to the
proposed Final Judgment submitted for entry in this civil antitrust
proceeding.
I. Nature and Purpose of the Proceeding
On December 20, 2004, Defendants entered into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger under which Exelon Corporation (``Exelon'') would merge with
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (``PSEG''). On June 22,
2006, the United States filed a civil antitrust Complaint seeking to
enjoin the proposed merger. The Complaint alleges that the merger
likely would lessen competition substantially for wholesale electricity
in sections of the United States in violation of Section 7 of the
Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. This loss of competition would result in
increased wholesale electricity prices, raising retail electricity
prices for millions of residential, commercial, and industrial
customers in parts of the Mid-Atlantic states.
At the same time the Complaint was filed, the United States filed a
Hold Separate Stipulation and Order (``Stipulation'') and proposed
Final Judgment that are designed to eliminate the anti competitive
effects of the merger. Under the proposed Final Judgment, as explained
more fully below, Defendants are required to divest six electric
generating plants (collectively the ``Divestiture Assets''). The
Stipulation and proposed Final Judgment require Defendants to take
certain steps to ensure that these assets are preserved and maintained
and that competition is maintained during the pendency of the ordered
divestiture.
The United States and Defendants have stipulated that the proposed
Final Judgment may be entered after compliance with the APPA. Entry of
the proposed Final Judgment would terminate this action, except that
the Court would retain jurisdiction to construe, modify, or enforce the
provisions of the proposed Final Judgment and to punish violations of
it. Defendants have also stipulated that they will comply with the
terms of the Stipulation and the proposed Final Judgment from the date
of the signing of the Stipulation, pending entry of the proposed Final
Judgment by the Court and the required divestiture. Should the Court
decline to enter the proposed Final Judgment, Defendants have also
committed to abide by its requirements and those of the Stipulation
until the expiration of the time for appeal.
II. Description of the Events Giving Rise to the Alleged Violation
A. The Defendants and the Proposed Transaction
Defendant Exelon is a Pennsylvania corporation, with its
headquarters in Chicago, Illinois; it owns Exelon Generation Company,
LLC, which owns electric generating plants located primarily in the
Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest with a total generating capacity of more
than 25,000 megawatts (``MW''). Defendant PSEG is a New Jersey
corporation, with its headquarters in
[[Page 49486]]
Newark, New Jersey; it owns PSEG Power LLC, which owns electric
generating plants located primarily in New Jersey with a total
generating capacity of mor