Investments and Restricted Cash and Investments (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Investments, Including Equity Method And Restricted Cash And Investments [Line Items]

Investments and Restricted Cash and Investments [Text Block]

Investments and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments

Investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):

	2019		2018
Investments:
BYD Company Limited common stock	$	1,122	$	1,435
Rabbi trusts	410		371
Other	187		168
Total investments	1,719		1,974
Equity method investments:
BHE Renewables tax equity investments	3,130		1,661
Electric Transmission Texas, LLC	555		527
Bridger Coal Company	81		99
Other	181		153
Total equity method investments	3,947		2,440
Restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments:
Quad Cities Station nuclear decommissioning trust funds	599		504
Other restricted cash and cash equivalents	230		256
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments	829		760
Total investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments	$	6,495	$	5,174
Reflected as:
Other current assets	$	240	$	271
Noncurrent assets	6,255		4,903
Total investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments	$	6,495	$	5,174

Investments

BHE's investment in BYD Company Limited common stock is accounted for as a marketable security with changes in fair value recognized in net income.

Rabbi trusts primarily hold corporate-owned life insurance on certain current and former key executives and directors. The Rabbi trusts were established to hold investments used to fund the obligations of various nonqualified executive and director compensation plans and to pay the costs of the trusts. The amount represents the cash surrender value of all of the policies included in the Rabbi trusts, net of amounts borrowed against the cash surrender value.

(Losses) gains on marketable securities, net recognized during the period consists of the following (in millions):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019			2018
Unrealized losses recognized on marketable securities still held at the reporting date	$	(290	)	$	(540	)
Net gains recognized on marketable securities sold during the period	2			2
Losses on marketable securities, net	$	(288	)	$	(538	)

Equity Method Investments

The Company has invested in projects sponsored by third parties, commonly referred to as tax equity investments. Under the terms of these tax equity investments, the Company has entered into equity capital contribution agreements with the project sponsors that require contributions. The Company has made contributions of $1,619 million, $698 million and $403 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and has commitments as of December 31, 2019, subject to satisfaction of certain specified conditions, to provide equity contributions of $2.4 billion in 2020 pursuant to these equity capital contribution agreements as the various projects achieve commercial operation. Once a project achieves commercial operation, the Company enters into a partnership agreement with the project sponsor that directs and allocates the operating profits and tax benefits from the project.

BHE, through a subsidiary, owns 50% of Electric Transmission Texas, LLC, which owns and operates electric transmission assets in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas footprint. BHE, through a subsidiary, owns 66.67% of Bridger Coal Company ("Bridger Coal"), which is a coal mining joint venture that supplies coal to the Jim Bridger Nos. 1-4 generating facility. Bridger Coal is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Bridger Coal's economic performance are shared with the joint venture partner. See Note 12 for discussion of 2017 Tax Reform impacts to equity earnings recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Restricted Investments

MidAmerican Energy has established a trust for the investment of funds for decommissioning the Quad Cities Nuclear Station Units 1 and 2 ("Quad Cities Station"). These investments in debt and equity securities are reported at fair value. Funds are invested in the trust in accordance with applicable federal and state investment guidelines and are restricted for use as reimbursement for costs of decommissioning the Quad Cities Station, which are currently licensed for operation until December 2032.

MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]

Investments, Including Equity Method And Restricted Cash And Investments [Line Items]

Investments and Restricted Cash and Investments [Text Block]

Investments and Restricted Investments

Investments and restricted investments consists of the following amounts as of December 31 (in millions):

	2019		2018
Nuclear decommissioning trust	$	599	$	504
Rabbi trusts	203		191
Other	16		13
Total	$	818	$	708

MidAmerican Energy has established a trust for the investment of funds for decommissioning the Quad Cities Station. The debt and equity securities in the trust are reported at fair value. Funds are invested in the trust in accordance with applicable federal and state investment guidelines and are restricted for use as reimbursement for costs of decommissioning the Quad Cities Station, which is currently licensed for operation until December 2032. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of the trust's funds was invested as follows: 56% and 51%, respectively, in domestic common equity securities, 31% and 37%, respectively, in United States government securities, 10% and 9%, respectively, in domestic corporate debt securities and 3% and 3%, respectively, in other securities.

Rabbi trusts primarily hold corporate-owned life insurance on certain current and former key executives and directors. The Rabbi trusts were established to hold investments used to fund the obligations of various nonqualified executive and director compensation plans and to pay the costs of the trusts. The amount represents the cash surrender value of all of the policies included in the Rabbi trusts, net of amounts borrowed against the cash surrender value. Changes in the cash surrender value of the policies are reflected in other income (expense) - other, net on the Statements of Operation.

MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]

Investments, Including Equity Method And Restricted Cash And Investments [Line Items]

Investments and Restricted Cash and Investments [Text Block]

Investments and Restricted Investments

Refer to Note 6 of MidAmerican Energy's Notes to Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. In addition to MidAmerican Energy's investments and restricted investments, MHC had corporate-owned life insurance policies in a Rabbi trust owned by MHC with a total cash surrender value of $2 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.