RE:RE:RE:ALA blew their brains outThis only part of News release that I received today. Someone wanted to know more about what ALA DOING NOW WE ALL NKOW. AltaGas Ltd. to Acquire WGL Holdings, Inc. in C$8.4 Billion Transaction Upon closing, AltaGas becomes a larger, more diversified energy infrastructure company with leading North American gas utilities, significant high growth midstream platforms in two premier basins, and clean energy lines of business across North America Calgary, Alberta (January 25, 2017) Highlights: Transformational acquisition enhancing AltaGas Ltd.s position as a leading, North American diversified energy infrastructure company with strong growth opportunities in Midstream, Power and Utilities; WGL Holdings, Inc. will continue to operate as a standalone utility headquartered in Washington D.C., with the same complement of dedicated employees, while also assisting in the management of AltaGas Ltd.s U.S. regulated utility business; AltaGas Ltd. will relocate the headquarters of its U.S. power business to WGL Holdings, Inc.s service region, with opportunities and benefits for the region; AltaGas Ltd., following the closing of the transaction, will target high growth markets, enhance clean energy offerings, ensure safe, reliable and affordable customer service with rates no higher as a result of the transaction, and increase community involvement and charitable giving; AltaGas Ltd. and WGL Holdings, Inc. share a strong corporate culture focused on safety, people, customer service, working with regulators, and contributing to the communities in which they operate; Upon closing of the acquisition, AltaGas Ltd. will have approximately C$22 billion of high quality, low risk, long-lived assets, with over C$7 billion of highly attractive embedded organic growth in all three business segments and across multiple geographies; Earnings per common share (EPS) accretion of approximately 7-9 percent with normalized funds from operation per share (FFOPS)1 accretion of over 20 percent in the first full year of operations; Material accretion to EPS (8-10 percent) and normalized FFOPS (15-20 percent) on average through 2021; Higher growth on an absolute dollar and per share basis through 2021; Target of 8-10 percent annual dividend growth through 2021, while reducing AltaGas Ltd.s dividend payout ratios; and Strong liquidity and investment grade credit ratings for AltaGas Ltd. and WGL Holdings, Inc. 1 Non-GAAP measure; see discussion in the advisories of this news release. AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas) (TSX:ALA) and WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) (NYSE:WGL) announced today the entering into of a definitive agreement and plan of merger for AltaGas to acquire WGL in an all cash transaction (the "Transaction") valued at approximately C$8.4 billion. WGL is a diversified energy infrastructure company which is the sole shareholder of Washington Gas Light Company, a regulated natural gas utility headquartered in Washington D.C., has a growing contracted midstream franchise in the Marcellus/Utica, and also owns non-regulated contracted power and energy marketing businesses throughout the United States. The Transaction enhances AltaGas position as a leading, diversified North American energy infrastructure company, with assets of approximately C$22 billion. AltaGas will have, on a combined basis, natural gas rate base assets of C$4.5 billion and over C$7 billion of identified capital investment opportunities identified through to 2021 in highly attractive clean energy lines of business. "We look forward to welcoming WGL employees and customers to AltaGas," said David Harris, President and CEO of AltaGas. "This acquisition provides us with a robust, complementary set of energy businesses that greatly increase our scale and diversity. Our first priority in making this successful is to continue serving WGLs customers and communities with safe, reliable and affordable service and maintaining the strong relationships WGL has built with regulators. This is a significant and positive event for WGL and all of its stakeholders -- its employees, customers and shareholders," said Terry McCallister, Chairman and CEO of WGL. Our leadership team and Board of Directors are convinced that we have found exactly the right partner in AltaGas. We are confident that, together, we will be a more diverse and stronger company that will open up new and exciting opportunities to provide value for all of our stakeholders. Under the terms of the Transaction, WGL shareholders will receive US$88.25 in cash per WGL share, which represents an 11.8 percent premium to WGLs closing share price on January 24, 2017. The purchase price also represents a premium of 27.9 percent to WGLs closing share price on November 28, 2016, the day prior to news reports of a potential acquisition of WGL by a third party. The Transaction represents a total enterprise value of C$8.4 billion, including the assumption of approximately C$2.4 billion of debt. The Boards of Directors of AltaGas and WGL have unanimously approved the Transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2018. The Transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including WGL common shareholder approval and certain regulatory and government approvals, including approval by the public utility commissions of Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Leading North American Energy Infrastructure Company This transformational Transaction enhances AltaGas status as a leading, North American diversified energy infrastructure company with high quality, high growth assets balanced across three business lines and multiple geographies. Following the closing of the Transaction, AltaGas will have substantially increased scale and scope, with approximately 3,300 employees across significant operations in over 30 states and provinces in both regulated and un-regulated businesses, including eight growing gas utility franchises, a large and growing midstream and energy export footprint in both the Montney and the Marcellus/Utica, and a substantial contracted clean power and energy efficiency business in over 20 states and provinces. Upon the closing of the Transaction, AltaGas assets are estimated to be approximately C$22 billion and AltaGas is expected to have a diversified growth portfolio of over C$7 billion in low-risk, investment opportunities throughout its three business segments through to 2021. AltaGas Utility business segment will also become a leading North American natural gas utility, with an estimated C$4.5 billion in rate base assets, as measured at the end of 2016. Both companies have complementary pipeline and midstream businesses in two prolific regions, which are connected with marine-based energy exports both on the North American Pacific coast (through AltaGas interest in the existing Ferndale LPG terminal, and AltaGas Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal project which is expected to be completed in 2019) and the North American Atlantic coast (through WGLs growing LNG exposure at the proposed Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland, currently expected to be operational in late 2017). The combined Midstream business is expected to drive a significant portion of the growth in the near term. WGL also has a significant existing portfolio of clean power assets that generate stable cash flows and will also be well-positioned to significantly grow in solar, wind, fuel cell, battery storage and other clean technologies, as well as natural gas generation. WGL also has a retail energy services business with 275,000 customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. The strategic fit and compatibility of our two companies is exceptional. Both companies are strong utility operators, have a sweet spot of pipeline and midstream investments in premier supply basins, and have power generation businesses weighted to clean energy and innovations, said David Harris, President and CEO of AltaGas. With WGL joining the AltaGas family of companies, AltaGas business will enjoy a larger, more stable and geographically diverse regulated footprint. We can also deploy capital for future growth in all lines of business with greater scope, scale, talent, access to capital and consistent strategy. For our shareholders, the Transaction is expected to be meaningfully accretive to earnings and operating cash flow in the short and long term. Terry McCallister, Chairman and CEO of WGL said, We are proud of our company and are enthusiastic about the combination. Our focus at WGL has been creating value for our shareholders while at the same time providing superior service to our customers and to the communities we serve. This Transaction not only allows our shareholders to benefit from a substantial premium on their shares, but it also ensures our customers and communities will continue to receive the same great service we have provided for decades. AltaGas shares our values, including maintaining the strong working relationships we have developed with our regulatory agencies. The WGL team looks forward to contributing to AltaGas future and the opportunities for growth across the organization. Social Values and Commitments to WGLs Communities, Customers and Employees David Cornhill, Chairman of AltaGas said, Creating social value has always been part of AltaGas DNA. We welcome WGL employees with open arms and will do our best to ensure the safe, reliable and affordable service that our customers and communities deserve. Combined with WGL, AltaGas is clearly a leading Canada-based North American energy infrastructure company. Following the completion of the Transaction, WGLs natural gas utility will continue to be regulated by the three state public service commissions and will continue to operate under the WGL brand. WGLs experienced workforce will continue to deliver safe and reliable service at reasonable rates. As part of the Transaction, AltaGas will keep WGLs headquarters in Washington D.C. and intends to retain existing WGL executives to assist in managing AltaGas U.S. regulated Utility business. AltaGas will relocate the headquarters of its U.S. Power business to WGLs service region. Mr. Harris commented, We recognize the strength of the platform that WGL has built in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., including its high-quality customer and employee bases. Like WGL, AltaGas has a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to our customers and communities. Together we look forward to building up our presence in each of these jurisdictions as we integrate our companies and further invest in the region. We also intend to expand WGLs presence in other states as well. AltaGas and WGL are committed to engaging regulators in all jurisdictions as promptly as possible. AltaGas has a history of successfully executing acquisitions in the United States, working constructively in regulatory processes, standing behind its commitments and successfully engaging with stakeholders in its service areas.