Utility giant Electricite de France SA (EDF.FR) still believes it will gain the regulatory authorizations it needs to complete its purchase of 50% of Constellation Energy Group Inc.'s (CEG) nuclear business by the autumn, the company's chief executive tells La Tribune in an interview to be published Friday.

Chief Executive Pierre Gadonneix tells La Tribune he has recently received signs from Maryland state and federal authorities that EDF is welcome in the U.S.

EDF plans to take another look at its share of energy-services unit Dalkia that it holds jointly with Veolia Environnement SA (VE) to make it more effective or sell it, he also tells the paper, adding that in no case would EDF increase its stake.

Financial investors are interested in regulated assets like power grids, Gadonneix also tells La Tribune, when asked if EDF might sell all or part of its power-grid businesses in France or its distribution network in the U.K.

EDF has raised around EUR3.2 billion in a bond-issue aimed at private individuals, Gadonneix also says, adding that the figure could yet rise as the company receives the final applications from would-be investors.

 
   Newspaper Web site: www.latribune.fr

-By Adam Mitchell, Dow Jones Newswires, +33 1 40171756; adam.mitchell@dowjones.com