Warren Buffet's Berkshire buying NV Energy for $5.6 billion

Warren Buffett has found another elephant. Berkshire Hathaway's MidAmerican Energy utility said Wednesday that it will buy Nevada electric and natural gas company NV Energy for $5.6 billion as it expands its footprint in the energy sector.

Here is the official news release:

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and NV Energy, Inc. announced Wednesday that they have reached a definitive acquisition agreement whereby MidAmerican will acquire NV Energy, an energy holding company serving approximately 1.3 million electric and natural gas customers in Nevada.

Under the terms of the agreement, MidAmerican will purchase all outstanding shares of NV Energy's common stock for $23.75 per share in cash. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors, has an enterprise value of approximately $10 billion. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the transaction by NV Energy's shareholders and the receipt of required state and federal approvals. The transaction is currently expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

Greg Abel, MidAmerican Chairman, President and CEO, said, "This partnership combines the strengths of two companies that share a common goal of serving our customers well through operational excellence and enhancing value for the communities we serve. Part of what attracted MidAmerican to NV Energy is its solid commitment to the state of Nevada and its performance as a high-quality energy business that has a strong focus on customer satisfaction, safety, environmental stewardship, and employee commitment." Abel added, "The benefits we bring to NV Energy are the resources and strength of a global energy partner that lends stability, expertise, and access to competitively priced capital to support NV Energy's strategic focus. We are very excited about the strategic direction of Michael Yackira and his team; it is an excellent fit with our business model and customer focus."

"By joining forces with MidAmerican, we will gain access to additional operational and financial resources as we continue to position NV Energy to support the evolving energy needs of our state and work with public policy leaders and regulators to reshape Nevada's energy future," said Michael Yackira , President and CEO of NV Energy. "Importantly, we will have the opportunity to combine MidAmerican's expertise in renewable energy with Nevada's vast renewable resources for the benefit of our customers and our state. While we will have new owners, NV Energy will remain a Nevada company, committed to the communities we serve, and our customers will continue to receive the safe and reliable service they have come to expect from our dedicated team of employees. This transaction will deliver important additional, long-term benefits to our customers and communities, as well as significant value to our shareholders."

NV Energy will operate as a separate corporate subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company under its current name and will continue to be headquartered in Las Vegas.

"This is a great fit for Berkshire Hathaway, and we are pleased to make a long-term investment in Nevada's economy," said Warren Buffett , chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. "Through MidAmerican, we have found in NV Energy a great company with similar values, outstanding assets, and a superb management team."
Upon completion of this transaction, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company will have assets of approximately $66 billion and its regulated electric and gas utilities will serve 8.4 million customers.

"I am pleased to be working with NV Energy's dedicated employees and great management team," said Abel. "We look forward to supporting them in executing their business plans, including their focus on expanding renewable resources and providing new technology for the benefit of their customers."

For NV Energy, Lazard Ltd. served as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP, Hogan Lovells and Reno-based Woodburn and Wedge served as legal advisors.

NV Energy, Inc.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, NV Energy, Inc. is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. Serving a combined service territory of nearly 46,000 square miles, NV Energy provides a wide range of energy services and products to approximately 2.4 million citizens of Nevada and nearly 40 million tourists annually.

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a global provider of energy services. Through its energy-related businesses, MidAmerican provides electric and natural gas service to more than 7 million customers worldwide. These businesses are Pacific Power, Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp Energy, comprising PacifiCorp; MidAmerican Energy Company; Northern Powergrid Holdings Company; Northern Natural Gas Company; Kern River Gas Transmission Company; MidAmerican Transmission; MidAmerican Renewables; and CalEnergy Philippines. Information about MidAmerican is available at www.midamerican.com.