The quashing of Hydro One’s takeover of Avista by Washington State’s utilities regulator Wednesday means Hydro One, and by extension Ontario ratepayers, could be on the hook for a $138 million termination fee.

The terms of the merger between Hydro One and Avista state that if the deal is terminated due to events that arise “in connection with the Regulatory Approvals,” Hydro One, which is 47 per cent owned by the province of Ontario, must pay Avista a “Parent Termination Fee” of $103 million USD, or just over $138 million Canadian.

On Wednesday, The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected the deal, citing the Ontario Government’s decision in July to force CEO Mayo Schmidt, who Premier Doug Ford dubbed the “Six Million Dollar Man” due to his salary, to retire. That prompted the company’s board of directors to quit en masse.

The regulator cited the move as an example of “provincial government interference in Hydro One” that could negatively impact Avista if it were acquired.

“Avista's customers would be no better off with this transaction than they would be without it,” the regulator said in its decision.

Speaking about the possibility of paying the termination fee, Energy Minister Greg Rickford downplayed the rejection and said other regulators must weigh in on the proposal before the success of the deal can be known.

“That was one of three regulatory bodies’ decisions and that is not an expected outcome,” Rickford said during Question Period Thursday. “Hydro One and Avista are reviewing that decision and considering their options.”

In a brief published Thursday morning, Raymond James analysts write that Hydro One “will now have to pay a U.S. $103 million break fee.”

The analysts also say they have decided to discount slightly future estimates of Hydro One’s stock price, putting them lower than other large Canadian utilities, “due to the Ontario political backdrop.”

On Thursday, Ford issued a statement calling the planned acquisition “a deal that did nothing to lower hydro rates for Ontario residents.”

“While some critics might believe that the concerns of Ontario families, seniors, and businesses should take a back seat to foreign regulators, our government remains unwavering in our commitment to the people of Ontario to reduce hydro rates and provide a reliable energy system.”

He then suggested his dismissal of Schmidt was merely to follow through with a campaign promise.

“Upon assuming office we acted decisively to keep our promise to Ontario voters. I will never apologize for keeping my promises to the voters. We are reducing hydro rates and, after years of neglect, finally putting the ratepayer first.”

Fifty-three per cent of shares in Hydro One were offered on the TSX by the Wynne Liberals in Nov. 2015.

The former government said the $9 billion in proceeds from the offering were to be used to fund infrastructure and transit.

The decision to sell stock in the $23.9 billion utility was deeply unpopular at the time.

Deal faces more hurdles in Idaho, Oregon

As recently as Tuesday, opponents of the takeover and of Hydro One have been squaring off before utilities regulators in Idaho and Oregon, other states where Avista has a significant presence.

In Oregon, a citizens group filed documents before the Public Utility Commission arguing that the Province of Ontario is “incredibly likely” to interfere in the affairs of Hydro One in the future, based on the forced retirement of Schmidt in July.

They likened the relationship between the Ontario government and Hydro One to billionaire Warren Buffet’s influence over his energy company PacificCorp.

In response, Hydro One’s lawyer said the Ontario government will not be able to pass legislationthat impacts Hydro One’s operations in the U.S., the utility regulator could intervene if it ever did, and the terms of the acquisition “curtails the powers of the province” in the company’s affairs.

In Idaho in November, a group of Avista customers highlighted state officials’ own concerns about the deal.

“There does not appear to be a limit on the Province of Ontario’s authority over Hydro One,” staff told the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, citing the retirement of Schmidt.

They also argued a 1982 law passed by the state of Idaho prevents “foreign entities” from owning power infrastructure.