HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut regulators have approved a contract between the owner of the Millstone nuclear power plant and the state's two major electric distribution utilities.

The deal approved Wednesday by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has been seen as crucial to keeping the Dominion Energy facility in Waterford open for the next decade. Dominion had signaled Millstone could close in 2023 if a long-term power contract wasn't achieved.

The contract requires Eversource and United Illuminating to purchase approximately half of Millstone's electricity output for 10 years, beginning this year. Connecticut officials say that will give the state and region more time to expand renewable and other clean energy resources, including offshore wind power.

Dominion says the deal ensures Millstone will continue powering 2.1 million homes for "at least the next decade."