The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld state regulators’ order approving the merger of two Kansas City-based power companies.

The Public Service Commission in 2008 approved the bid by Great Plains Energy Inc., parent company of Kansas City Power & Light, to acquire Aquila, Inc.

The deal was challenged by several industrial users and the Missouri public counsel, who represents the interests of utility customers. The public counsel raised questions about private meetings between regulators and utility executives before the merger request was filed. Industrial users argued that regulators should have allowed evidence about employee gift policies.

In its ruling Tuesday, Missouri’s high court found fault with how the regulators handled evidence about gift polices but concluded the error did not substantially affect the facts relevant to the merger.