BHE Shareholders' Equity (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

BHE Shareholders' Equity [Text Block]

BHE Shareholders' Equity

Common Stock

On March 14, 2000, and as amended on December 7, 2005, BHE's shareholders entered into a Shareholder Agreement that provides specific rights to certain shareholders. One of these rights allows certain shareholders the ability to put their common shares back to BHE at the then current fair value dependent on certain circumstances controlled by BHE.

On June 19, 2017, BHE issued $100 million of its 5.00% junior subordinated debentures due June 2057 in exchange for 181,819 shares of its common stock from certain family interests of Mr. Walter Scott, Jr. On February 17, 2017, BHE repurchased from certain family interests of Mr. Walter Scott, Jr. 35,000 shares of its common stock for $19 million. On February 17, 2015, BHE repurchased from certain family interests of Mr. Walter Scott, Jr. 75,000 shares of its common stock for $36 million.

Restricted Net Assets

BHE has maximum debt-to-total capitalization percentage restrictions imposed by its senior unsecured credit facilities expiring in May 2018 and June 2020 which, in certain circumstances, limit BHE's ability to make cash dividends or distributions. As a result of this restriction, BHE has restricted net assets of $16.9 billion as of December 31, 2017.

Certain of BHE's subsidiaries have restrictions on their ability to dividend, loan or advance funds to BHE due to specific legal or regulatory restrictions, including, but not limited to, maximum debt-to-total capitalization percentages and commitments made to state commissions or federal agencies in connection with past acquisitions. As a result of these restrictions, BHE's subsidiaries had restricted net assets of $19.4 billion as of December 31, 2017.