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BHE Debt (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
MEHC Debt [Abstract]  
BHE Debt [Text Block]
BHE Debt

Senior Debt

BHE senior debt represents unsecured senior obligations of BHE that are redeemable in whole or in part at any time generally with make-whole premiums. BHE senior debt consists of the following, including unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs, as of December 31 (in millions):
 
Par Value
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.10% Senior Notes, due 2017
$
400

 
$
400

 
$
399

5.75% Senior Notes, due 2018
650

 
649

 
648

2.00% Senior Notes, due 2018
350

 
349

 
348

2.40% Senior Notes, due 2020
350

 
349

 
348

3.75% Senior Notes, due 2023
500

 
497

 
497

3.50% Senior Notes, due 2025
400

 
397

 
397

8.48% Senior Notes, due 2028
475

 
477

 
477

6.125% Senior Bonds, due 2036
1,700

 
1,690

 
1,690

5.95% Senior Bonds, due 2037
550

 
547

 
547

6.50% Senior Bonds, due 2037
1,000

 
987

 
987

5.15% Senior Notes, due 2043
750

 
739

 
739

4.50% Senior Notes, due 2045
750

 
737

 
737

Total BHE Senior Debt
$
7,875

 
$
7,818

 
$
7,814

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reflected as:
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
$
400

 
$

Noncurrent liabilities
 
 
7,418

 
7,814

Total BHE Senior Debt
 
 
$
7,818

 
$
7,814



Junior Subordinated Debentures

BHE junior subordinated debentures consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
Par Value
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Junior subordinated debentures, due 2043
$

 
$

 
$
1,444

Junior subordinated debentures, due 2044
944

 
944

 
1,500

Total BHE junior subordinated debentures - noncurrent
$
944

 
$
944

 
$
2,944



BHE issued junior subordinated debentures to certain subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway pursuant to an indenture, by and between BHE and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of December 19, 2013 and November 12, 2014. The junior subordinated debentures are unsecured and junior in right of payment to BHE's senior debt. The junior subordinated debentures (i) have a 30 year maturity; (ii) bear interest at a floating rate equal to (a) the greater of 1% and the LIBOR (the greater of such two rates, the "Base Rate") plus 200 basis points through the date prior to the third anniversary of the issuance date; (b) the Base Rate plus 300 basis points (or, if at least 50% of principal is repaid prior to the third anniversary of the issuance date, the Base Rate plus 200 basis points) from the third anniversary of the issuance date through the date prior to the seventh anniversary of the issuance date; and (c) the Base Rate plus 375 basis points from the seventh anniversary of the issuance date until the maturity of the junior subordinated debentures; and (iii) are redeemable at BHE's option from time to time at par plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders are restricted from transferring the junior subordinated debentures except to Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the interest rate was 3.0%. Interest expense to Berkshire Hathaway for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $65 million, $104 million and $78 million, respectively.

In February 2017, BHE provided notice of redemption for $200 million of the junior subordinated debentures due 2044 at par value to occur in March 2017.