As part of MidAmerican’s expansion into the unregulated renewables market, a primary subsidiary – MidAmerican Renewables – was put in place in 2011 to oversee unregulated wind, geothermal, solar and hydro projects. MidAmerican Renewables encompasses MidAmerican Wind, MidAmerican Geothermal, MidAmerican Solar and MidAmerican Hydro.

MidAmerican Wind signed an agreement to acquire the 81-megawatt Bishop Hill II project, under construction in Henry County, Ill. MidAmerican Solar’s 550-megawatt Topaz project and ownership interest in the 290-megawatt Agua Caliente project further expand our renewable energy footprint, and we are actively pursuing other acquisitions.

Northern Powergrid continued successful implementation of its Low-Carbon Networks Fund project, placing the company at the forefront of the move toward a low-carbon economy in the U.K. 

MidAmerican Energy and Northern Natural Gas demonstrated the value of the companies’ risk management plans and programs when they implemented extensive disaster preparedness and recovery plans to prevent record Missouri River flooding from impacting operations and facilities necessary to serve customers.

We are proud to be a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and we are pleased with the benefits this relationship brings to our customers. Our management team’s extensive experience in the energy industry combined with Berkshire Hathaway’s unparalleled financial strength and our shared culture of integrity uniquely position us to deliver sustainable energy solutions for our customers. 

Integrity in performance – engaging in dialogue, doing what we say we will do, and maintaining compliance – is at the core of our business philosophy. We are committed to achieving balanced outcomes for our stakeholders as we prepare today to meet our customers’ energy needs in the future.

http://www.midamerican.com/aboutus5.aspx

 

Meanwhile at savemoney headquaters:

A Message From Warren E. Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 

Dear Reader, 

You probably know that I don't make stock recommendations. However, I have three thoughts regarding your personal expenditures that can save you real money. I'm suggesting that you call on the services of three subsidiaries of Berkshire: GEICO, Borsheim's and Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska (BHLN).

http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/message.html

 

Wind and solar are the way to go...

 

Tasmanian police say about 100 people are missing and several hundred have been displaced by bushfires that have ravaged the state over the past three days.

The Tasmanian Fire Service has downgraded an emergency warning for the Forcett bushfire burning out of control south-east of Hobart but residents have been told to activate their bushfire plans.

Police fear there may have been deaths in the area where more than 100 homes have already been destroyed by the fire between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula since Friday

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-06/tas-residents-counting-cost-as-fire-fighting-continues/4454148?WT.svl=news0

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China sees coldest weather in 28 years

The Shizuishan segment of the Yellow River is frozen due to persisiting cold weather in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 5, 2012. Two segments of the Yellow River in Ningxia region have been frozen up due to low temperature. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

http://english.cntv.cn/album/20130106/100031/pic_show_js.shtml#g=%2Fnettv%2

 

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North India reeled under icy conditions Saturday with 16 people dying of the intense cold in Uttar Pradesh Friday, officials said Saturday. Over a hundred people have died so far in the bitter cold in India.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Cold-claims-16-more-lives-
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BEFORE there was air conditioning Hay residents would hang sheets drenched in cold water on the line and stand underneath to enjoy the cool breeze.
Now, locals in Hay, in the state's south-west, where it hit 48 degrees on Saturday - the highest temperature since recordings in the town began 56 years ago - set their thermostats as low as possible, stay inside and avoid using their stoves. Or, they go to the pub.
New Crown Hotel publican Chris Shalders said trade was booming as locals and travellers sought refuge in his air conditioning, which was working ''flat out''.

''The streets are fairly empty,'' Mr Shalders said. ''There's a few in the river swimming. The pool was crowded with kids. Even the golfers started playing early. Everybody is hot. There's no point walking around saying, 'Shit, it's hot' because everybody knows.''

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts the temperature in Hay will stay in the low-40s until Wednesday, when a change will bring it down to the low to mid-30s.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/heat-provides-little-cheer-but-pub-has-cold-beer-20130106-2cb6g.html#ixzz2HEuyfoq6

note: 48 degrees Celsius equals 118.4 degrees fahrenheit