GE submitted a binding offer to acquire the thermal, renewables (power) and grid businesses of Alstom consisting of $13.5 billion enterprise value and $3.4 billion of net cash, totaling $16.9 billion. The Alstom board of directors has positively received GE’s offer and has appointed a committee of independent directors led by Jean-Martin Folz to review the transaction. Although the transaction involves the acquisition of Alstom’s power and grid businesses, GE’s offer, typical of a public company transaction, permits the board of Alstom to consider unsolicited alternative proposals for the acquisition of Alstom, or of the power and grid businesses. The deal is expected to close in 2015.