tepco is considering chubu electric power company. they say they will rebuild aging power plants. they are weighing heavily on tepco which has been forced to take all its nuclear plants offline. tepco may be leaning toward chubu electric because it expects significant cost reduction from the deal. tepco is also reportedly negotiating a tie up separately with tokyo gas. tepco is expected to choose a priority negotiating partner as early as september. >>> officials with swedish alliance manufacturer have announced they're in talks to buy general electric's home appliance unit. it includes refrigerators and washing machines. it has been struggling for years. they say the two companies are in negotiations, but ge has made no official comment. analysts say the takeover would help the swedish company expand sales in the u.s. they want to strengthen growth areas and sell off the money losing appliance business. >>> u.s. media outlets say several other appliance makers also have approached ge. >>> investors in china have been cheered by the pledge of government help from domestic firms tr

sources say tepco is considering setting up a new company with chubu electric power company. they say the two utilities will use the new firm to jointly procure fuel and rebuild aging thermal power plants. soaring fuel costs and inefficient old plants are weighing heavily on tepco, which has been forced to take all its nuclear plants offline. sources say tepco may be leaning toward chubu electric because it expects significant cost reductions from the deal. the two companies buy nearly half of japan's liquefied natural gas. tepco officials are also reportedly negotiating a tie-up separately with tokyo gas. the two firms jointly manage an lng terminal in tokyo bay. tepco is expected to choose a priority negotiating partner as early as september. >>> officials with swedish appliance manufacturer electrolux have announced they're in talks to buy general electric's home appliance unit. the business includes refrigerators and washing machines. it was founded over 100 years ago but has been struggling for years. electrolux officials say the two companies are in negotiations, but ge