Las Vegas, NV-based NV Energy Inc.’s shareholders on Wednesday “decidedly” approved the power utility’s acquisition by billionaire Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway’ MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., a $5.59 billion deal announced last May (see Daily GPI, May 31). Speaking at a special stockholders’ meeting called for the vote, NV Energy CEO Michael Yackira said the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter next year, assuming that all customary closing conditions are met, including approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.

Twenty-nine area energy companies have pledged more than $1.5 million to the American Red Cross to help the victims of flooding in Colorado, the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) said Wednesday. In response to a solicitation by COGA CEO Tisha Schuller, members fromAnadarko Petroleum Corp. to local utility Xcel Energy have responded, led by Noble Energy Inc., which made a $500,000 challenge grant pledge to the Red Cross. COGA said the pledges from the companies do not include contributions by individual companies.