(Changes sourcing, adds paragraph 2)
NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Electricite de France SA is
considering a number of ways to snag Constellation Energy Group
Inc away from Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co,
according to a source familiar with the matter.
MidAmerican Energy, a subsidiary of Buffett's Berkshire
Hathaway Inc, agreed to pay $4.7 million in September for
Constellation, which was on the brink of bankruptcy. As part of
the deal, MidAmerican gave the power company an immediate $1
billion cash infusion.
Constellation shareholders are set to vote on the deal on
Dec. 23.
In October, EDF, the world's largest producer of nuclear
energy, dropped a bid for Constellation, saying the credit
crisis had made financing more difficult to obtain. EDF already
owns 9.5 percent of Baltimore-based Constellation.
"We are focused on completing our merger with MidAmerican
Energy Holdings and beyond that, we cannot comment on market
rumor and speculation," said Constellation spokesman Robert
Gould.
EDF is not working with other firms on any potential bid,
the source said.
(Reporting by Michael Erman and Phil Wahba; editing by Jeffrey
Benkoe, Gary Hill)