BRIEF-Berkshire Hathaway Energy issues preferred stock to unit that invests in wind power; unit will merge into parent

Dec 31 (Reuters) - Berkshire hathaway energy issued 481,000 shares of 4% perpetual preferred stock to an indirect wholly owned subsidiary as part of a merger agreement, sec filing says

Bhe b owns eight investments in wind-powered generating facilities sponsored by third parties, commonly referred to as tax equity investments, and had about $1 billion of net assets as of sept 30

Berkshire hathaway energy says the subsidiary, bhe b, will merge into its parent and disappear

Berkshire hathaway energy says bhe b's preferred stock will be converted into and become exchangeable in the aggregate for (1) the perpetual preferred stock, and (2) $420.9 million of cash and short-term investments