TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Corporation Commission has granted several requests to intervene in the proposed $12.2 billion merger between Topeka-based Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy.

Requests from Occidental Chemicals, Midwest Energy and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers were granted Tuesday.

At least 15 other entities have either filed or been granted permission to intervene in the proposed merger. They say they have a particular interest in whether or the merger receives approval and how the merger is structured.

Kansas City Power and Light’s parent company, Great Plains, wants to purchase Westar for $8.6 billion, plus $3.6 billion to acquire Westar’s debt.

Great Plains and Westar hope to finalize the merger next year.