Enbridge Inc. has decided to move forward with the planned amalgamation of its Ontario-based natural gas utilities Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. and Union Gas Ltd., creating a single utility that would serve more than 3.5 million customers in the province.

Enbridge reviewed the parameters of provincial and corporate approvals before making the decision, which gives the reorganization an expected effective date of Jan. 1, 2019, according to an Oct. 15 news release. Enbridge on Aug. 30 obtained approval from the Ontario Energy Board for the amalgamation and from the board of directors of Enbridge and the two utilities.

Enbridge Gas Distribution is Canada's largest gas distribution company, serving over 2 million customers in Ontario. Union Gas provides service to about 1.5 million customers in Ontario. Union Gas' parent company was Spectra Energy Corp prior to its merger with Enbridge.