1417 ET - NextEra Energy's acquisition of Dominion Energy highlights the long-term growth potential of the U.S. electrification infrastructure sector, but is unlikely to trigger a broad wave of utility consolidation given regulatory hurdles and the localized nature of utility oversight, says Tortoise Capital senior portfolio manager Rob Thummel. The greater scale from the deal could provide more financial flexibility and additional opportunities for future growth, he says, noting that Dominion's generation assets are "strategically located in the heart of 'Data Center Alley,' where electricity demand from AI and cloud infrastructure is accelerating." The deal likely faces a "lengthy and complex regulatory approval process," he adds. Dominion rises 7.8% and NextEra falls 7%.(anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 18, 2026 14:17 ET (18:17 GMT)

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