WASHINGTON – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the purchase of CH Energy Group, parent of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation headquartered in Poughkeepsie, to Fortis, Inc. of Canada.

CH Energy’s shareholders have already approved the deal.

The sale must now be reviewed and approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the US Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the State Public Service Commission.

The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of next year.

Fortis will pay $1.5 billion for the company.