Attached files
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EX-99.2 - EX-99.2 - SOUTHERN UNION CO | a11-15055_4ex99d2.htm |
EX-99.1 - EX-99.1 - SOUTHERN UNION CO | a11-15055_4ex99d1.htm |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 2011
SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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1-6407 |
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75-0571592 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification | ||
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5444 Westheimer Road |
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77056-5306 | ||||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) | ||||
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (713) 989-2000
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On June 25, 2011, counsel to Southern Union Company (the Company) received a letter from counsel to Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ETE) in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) entered in to by the Company and ETE on June 15, 2011 and the subsequent, unsolicited June 23, 2011 proposal from The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company for $39.00 per share in cash (the Williams Proposal). The letter stated that it was ETEs position that (i) at the current time the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) is not permitted by the Merger Agreement to engage in any discussions or negotiations with Williams concerning the Williams Proposal, or furnish Williams any non-public information concerning the Company, and (ii) that ETE does not believe that the Board can conclude, in good faith, that the Williams Proposal constitutes, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The Board has not expressed any position on ETEs assertions and has not responded to ETEs letter, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 in connection herewith.
On June 26, 2011, upon the instructions of the special committee (the Special Committee) of the Board, a letter was sent to Williams, seeking clarification of certain aspects of the Williams Proposal. Receipt of the clarifications requested in the letter are important for the Special Committees and the Boards evaluation of the Williams Proposal in accordance with their fiduciary duties and to comply with terms of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the letter requesting clarification is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2.
At this time the Board reaffirms its recommendation of the Merger Agreement.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in this Item 7.01 and in the attached Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
To the extent required, the information included in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit |
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Description |
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99.1* |
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June 25, 2011 Letter from Latham & Watkins, LLP to Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP regarding Conditional Proposal Received from The Williams Companies, Inc. |
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99.2* |
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June 26, 2011 Request for Clarification Letter from the Board of Directors of Southern Union Company to The Williams Companies, Inc. |
* In accordance with general instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information in this Form 8-K under Item 7.01 (Regulation FD Disclosure) shall be deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY | |
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June 27, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ Robert M. Kerrigan, III |
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Robert M. Kerrigan, III | |
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Vice President, Assistant General Counsel & Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
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Description |
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99.1* |
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June 25, 2011 Letter from Latham & Watkins, LLP to Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP regarding Conditional Proposal Received from The Williams Companies, Inc. |
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99.2* |
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June 26, 2011 Request for Clarification Letter from the Board of Directors of Southern Union Company to The Williams Companies, Inc. |
* In accordance with general instruction B.2 to Form 8-K, the information in this Form 8-K under Item 7.01 (Regulation FD Disclosure) shall be deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.