KEYSPAN CORP
8-K, 2000-02-01
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC  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):February 1, 2000


                               KEYSPAN CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


                                   New York
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


            1-14161                                               11-3431358
(Commission File Number)                     (IRS Employer Identification No.)

  175 East Old Country Road, Hicksville, New York               11801
     One MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York                   11201
        (Address of Principal Executive Offices)            (Zip Code)

                          (516) 755-6650 (Hicksville)
                          (718) 403-1000 (Brooklyn)
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                                       N/A
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

                                      1

<PAGE>




Item 5.     Other Events.
            ------------

            On January 21, 2000,  KeySpan Gas East  Corporation  d/b/a  Brooklyn
Union of Long Island ("BULI"),  a wholly owned subsidiary of KeySpan Corporation
d/b/a  KeySpan  Energy (the  "Company"),  established a program for the issuance
from  time  to  time  of  up  to  $600,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount  of
Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Due Nine Months or More from the Date of Issue (the
"Medium-Term  Notes"),  such Medium-Term  Notes to be fully and  unconditionally
guaranteed by the Company. Issuances of Medium-Term Notes will be made under the
Company's and BULI's previously filed joint Registration  Statement on Form S-3,
as amended (Reg. Nos. 333-92003 and  333-92003-01),  dated January 19, 2000 (the
"Registration Statement"),  and the related prospectus supplement, dated January
21, 2000.  On February 1, 2000,  BULI issued  $400,000,000  aggregate  principal
amount of Medium-Term Notes, titled 7 7/8% Notes Due February 1, 2010
(the "7 7/8% Notes").

Item 7.   Financial Statement, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
          ------------------------------------------------------------------

      (c)   Exhibits.  The following Exhibit is filed as part of this Report and
            as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement.

           (1) Form of  Medium-Term  Note issued in  connection  with the 7 7/8%
Notes.


                                      2

<PAGE>




                                  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.



                              KEYSPAN CORPORATION

Dated: February 1, 2000       By:   /s/ Robert R. Wieczorek
                                    -----------------------
                              Name: Robert R. Wieczorek
                              Title:Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer


                                      3

<PAGE>




                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.    Exhibit                                                Page
- ----------     -------                                                ----

     4         Form of Medium-Term Note issued in connection with the
               7 7/8% Notes                                             5



                                      4







                                                               EXHIBIT 4

                      KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION
                   GLOBAL MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES A


THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY  WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE  HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE  THEREOF.
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED  IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN  CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (THE  "DEPOSITARY")  TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY
OR ANY SUCH  NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR  DEPOSITARY  OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH  SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITARY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT,  AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH
OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND
ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER  ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY),  ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR  OTHERWISE  BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL  INASMUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.



REGISTERED                                                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
No. FX-1                    CUSIP No. 49337EAA8            U.S. $400,000,000

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:        INTEREST RATE:                 STATED MATURITY:
February 1, 2000            7 7/8%                         February 1, 2010

INTEREST PAYMENT            REGULAR RECORD DATE:
DATES: February 1 and       Close of business on the 15th
August 1, commencing        calendar day preceding the
August 1, 2000              interest payment date

OPTIONAL REPAYMENT                                         ADDENDUM
DATE(S):                                                   ATTACHED:
Not Applicable                                              Yes
                                                           x No

DENOMINATIONS:                                             OTHER PROVISIONS:
$1,000 and integral multiples                              Not Applicable
thereof



                                   5

<PAGE>






         KEYSPAN GAS EAST  CORPORATION,  a New York corporation (the "Issuer" or
the "Company," which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture
hereinafter  referred to), for value received,  hereby promises to pay to CEDE &
CO., or registered  assigns,  the  principal  sum of U.S.  FOUR HUNDRED  MILLION
DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above (except to the extent redeemed or
repaid  prior  to the  Stated  Maturity),  and to pay  interest  thereon  at the
Interest Rate per annum specified  above,  until the principal hereof is paid or
duly made  available  for payment.  Reference  herein to "this Note",  "hereof",
"herein" and comparable terms shall include an Addendum hereto if an Addendum is
specified above.

         The Company will pay interest on each Interest  Payment Date  specified
above,  commencing  on the  first  Interest  Payment  Date next  succeeding  the
Original  Issue  Date  specified  above,  and  on  the  Stated  Maturity  or any
Redemption Date or Optional  Repayment Date (as defined below) (the date of each
such Stated Maturity,  Redemption Date and Optional  Repayment Date and the date
on  which  principal  or an  installment  of  principal  is due and  payable  by
declaration  of  acceleration  pursuant  to  the  Indenture  being  referred  to
hereinafter  as a "Maturity"  with  respect to principal  payable on such date);
provided,  however,  that if the Original Issue Date is between a Regular Record
Date (as defined below) and the next succeeding  Interest Payment Date, interest
payments  will  commence on the second  Interest  Payment  Date  succeeding  the
Original Issue Date. Unless otherwise specified above, the "Regular Record Date"
shall be the date 15 calendar  days (whether or not a Business Day) prior to the
applicable  Interest  Payment  Date.  Interest on this Note will accrue from and
including the most recent Interest  Payment Date to which interest has been paid
or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid,  from the Original  Issue
Date  specified  above,  to, but excluding  such  Interest  Payment Date. If the
Maturity or an Interest Payment Date falls on a day which is not a Business Day,
the payment due on such  Maturity or Interest  Payment  Date will be paid on the
next  succeeding  Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such
Maturity or Interest  Payment  Date,  as the case may be, and no interest  shall
accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such  Maturity
or Interest  Payment Date. The interest so payable and  punctually  paid or duly
provided for on any Interest  Payment Date will as provided in the  Indenture be
paid to the  Person  in  whose  name  this  Note  (or  one or  more  Predecessor
Securities)  is registered  at the close of business on the Regular  Record Date
for such Interest  Payment Date.  Any such  interest  which is payable,  but not
punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called
"Defaulted  Interest"),  shall  forthwith  cease to be payable to the registered
Holder on such Regular  Record Date, and may be paid to the Person in whose name
this Note (or one or more Predecessor  Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted  Interest to
be fixed by the  Trustee,  notice  whereof  shall be given to the Holder of this
Note not less than 10 days prior to such Special  Record Date, or may be paid at
any  time  in any  other  lawful  manner,  all as  more  fully  provided  in the
Indenture.

         The Notes are, and all other Securities issued under the Indenture will
be, unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of principal (and premium, if any),
interest, if any, and additional amounts, if any, by KeySpan Corporation,  a New
York corporation (the "Guarantor").

         Payment of the principal of (and premium,  if any) and interest on this
Note  will be made at the  office or agency  of the  Company  maintained  by the
Company for such purpose in the


                                   6

<PAGE>



                                                                    7


Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New York,  in such coin or  currency  of the
United  States of America as at the time of payment is legal  tender for payment
of public and private debts.

         Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or
on behalf of The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  the  Trustee  for this Note  under the
Indenture,  or its successor  thereunder,  by the manual signature of one of its
authorized  officers,  this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit  under the
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities  (hereinafter
called the  "Securities")  of the Company  designated as its Medium-Term  Notes,
Series A (the  "Notes").  The  Securities  are issued and to be issued  under an
indenture (the "Indenture")  dated as of December 1, 1999,  between the Company,
the Guarantor and The Chase  Manhattan Bank (herein called the "Trustee,"  which
term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and
all indentures  supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of
the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Guarantor,  the Trustee and
the  Holders  of the  Notes  and  the  terms  upon  which  the  Notes  are to be
authenticated  and delivered.  The terms of other Notes may vary with respect to
interest rates or interest rate  formulas,  issue dates,  maturity,  redemption,
repayment, currency of payment and otherwise as provided in the Indenture.

         The Notes are  issuable  only in  registered  form  without  coupons in
denominations,   unless  otherwise  specified  above,  of  $1,000  and  integral
multiples  thereof.  As  provided  in  the  Indenture  and  subject  to  certain
limitations  therein set forth,  the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal  amount of Notes as requested by the Holder  surrendering the same. If
(x) the  Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository
and a successor  depository is not appointed by the Company  within 90 days, (y)
the Company delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that this Note
shall be  exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
with  respect  to the  Notes,  this  Note  shall be  exchangeable  for  Notes in
definitive form of like tenor and in an equal  aggregate  principal  amount,  in
authorized denominations. Such definitive Notes shall be registered in such name
or names as the Depositary  shall instruct the Trustee.  If definitive Notes are
so delivered,  the Company may make such changes to the form of this Note as are
necessary or appropriate to allow for the issuance of such definitive Notes.

         This Note is not subject to any sinking fund.

         This Note may be subject to repayment at the option of the Holder prior
to its Stated  Maturity on any  Holder's  Optional  Repayment  Date(s),  if any,
indicated above. If no Optional  Repayment Dates are set forth above,  this Note
may not be so repaid at the  option of the  Holder  hereof  prior to the  Stated
Maturity.  On any Optional  Repayment Date this Note shall be repayable in whole
or in part in an  amount  equal  to  $1,000  or any  integral  multiple  thereof
(provided   that  any  remaining   principal   amount  shall  be  an  authorized
denomination)  at the option of the Holder hereof at a repayment  price equal to
100% of the  principal  amount to be  repaid,  together  with  interest  thereon
payable to the date of repayment. For this Note to be repaid in whole or in part
at the option of the Holder  hereof,  this Note must be received,  with the form
entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" below duly completed, by the Trustee at its
office at 450 West 33rd  Street,  15th Floor,  New York,  New York 10001 or such
address which the Company


                                   7

<PAGE>






shall from time to time notify the Holder hereof ("Corporate Trust Office"), not
more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to an  Optional  Repayment  Date.  This
Note must be received by the  Trustee by 5:00 P.M.,  New York City time,  on the
last day for giving such notice. Exercise of such repayment option by the Holder
hereof shall be irrevocable.  In the event of payment of this Note in part only,
a new Note for the  unpaid  portion  hereof  shall be  issued in the name of the
Holder hereof upon the surrender hereof.

         This Note will be redeemable  at the option of the Issuer,  in whole at
any  time  or in  part  from  time to time ( each  such  date of  redemption,  a
"Redemption Date") prior to its Stated Maturity,  at a redemption price equal to
the greater of (i) 100% of its principal  amount and (ii) the sum, as determined
by the  Independent  Investment  Banker,  of the present  value of the principal
amount and the  remaining  scheduled  payments  of  interest  on the notes to be
redeemed,  discounted from their scheduled  payment dates to the Redemption Date
on a semiannual  basis  (assuming a 360-day  year  consisting  of twelve  30-day
months) at the Adjusted  Treasury Rate, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon
to the Redemption Date.

         "Adjusted  Treasury Rate" means,  with respect to any Redemption  Date,
the rate per annum equal to the semiannual  equivalent  yield to maturity of the
Comparable  Treasury Issue,  calculated on the third Business Day preceding such
Redemption Date using a price for the Comparable  Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal  amount) equal to the Comparable  Treasury Price for
such Redemption Date, plus 25 basis points.

         "Comparable  Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury  security
selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining  term of the notes to be redeemed  that would be utilized,  at the
time of selection  and in  accordance  with  customary  financial  practice,  in
pricing new issues of corporate  debt  securities of comparable  maturity to the
remaining term of such notes to be redeemed.

         "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date,
the average of the Reference  Treasury  Dealer  Quotations  for such  Redemption
Date,  after  excluding the highest and lowest such  Reference  Treasury  Dealer
Quotations,  or if the Trustee  obtains fewer than four such Reference  Treasury
Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

         "Independent  Investment  Banker" means one of the  Reference  Treasury
Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Issuer.

    "Reference Treasury Dealers" means Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc.,
Chase Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
or their affiliates which are primary U.S. Government securities dealers, and
their respective successors and any other primary U.S. Government securities
dealers in New York City (each a "Primary Treasury Dealer") selected by the
Issuer in addition to, or in substitution for, such firms; provided, however,
that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the
Issuer will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.



                                   8

<PAGE>






         "Reference  Treasury  Dealer  Quotations"  means,  with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by
the  Trustee,  of the bid and asked  prices for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue
(expressed  in each case as a  percentage  of its  principal  amount)  quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference  Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

         Interest on this Note will accrue  from,  and  including,  the Original
Issue Date indicated  above,  or the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for, to, but excluding,  the related Interest Payment Date
or  Maturity,  as the case may be, at the  Interest  Rate per annum stated above
until the principal amount hereof is paid or made available for payment.  Unless
otherwise  specified above,  interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months for the period specified hereunder.

         Any provision  contained  herein with respect to the calculation of the
interest applicable to this Note, its payment dates or any other matter relating
hereto  may be  modified  as  specified  in an  Addendum  relating  hereto if so
specified above or as set forth under "Other Provisions" if so set forth above.

         If an Event of Default (as defined in the  Indenture)  with  respect to
the Notes shall occur and be  continuing,  the principal of all the Notes may be
declared  due and  payable in the manner  and with the  effect  provided  in the
Indenture.  If the principal of any Original  Issue Discount Note is declared to
be due and payable  immediately,  the amount of  principal  due and payable with
respect to such Note shall be limited to the amount  equal to (i) the sum of the
aggregate  principal amount of such Note multiplied by the price (expressed as a
percentage of the aggregate  principal amount) at which such Note will be issued
(the "Issue Price") plus (ii) the original issue discount  accrued from the date
of issue to the date of declaration, which accrual shall be calculated using the
"interest  method"  computed in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting
principals in effect on the date of  declaration.  An "Original  Issue  Discount
Note"  means  (i) a Note,  including  any  zero-coupon  Note,  that has a stated
redemption  price at maturity  that  exceeds the initial  offering  price to the
public at which a substantial amount of an offering is sold by at least 0.25% of
its  principal  amount  multiplied by the number of full years from the Original
Issue Date to the stated  Maturity for such Note and which is  designated  as an
Original  Issue  Discount  Note  in the  terms  of  such  Note  pursuant  to the
Indenture,  and (ii) any other Note  designated  by the  Company as issued  with
original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

         The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment or modification  thereof at any time by the Company, the Guarantor and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount
of the  Securities  at the time  outstanding  of each  series  issued  under the
Indenture  to be  affected  thereby.  The  Indenture  also  contains  provisions
permitting the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Securities of
each  series  at the time  outstanding,  on  behalf  of the  Holders  of all the
Securities of that series,  to waive compliance by the Company and the Guarantor
with certain  provisions of the  Indenture  and certain past defaults  under the
Indenture and their  consequences with respect to such series.  Any such consent
or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be  conclusive  and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future  Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the
registration of


                                   9

<PAGE>






transfer  hereof  or in  exchange  herefor  or in lieu  hereof,  whether  or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

         No reference  herein to the  Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture  shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,  which is
absolute and  unconditional,  to pay the principal of (and premium,  if any) and
interest on this Note at the time,  place and rate, and in the coin or currency,
herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

         As provided in the  Indenture  and subject to certain  limitations  set
forth  therein and above,  the  transfer of this Note may be  registered  on the
Security  Register of the Company,  upon surrender of this Note for registration
of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of  Manhattan,
The City of New York,  duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written  instrument
of transfer in form  satisfactory  to the Company  duly  executed by, the Holder
hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing,  and thereupon one or more
new  Notes of  authorized  denominations  and for the same  aggregate  principal
amount,  and having endorsed thereon a Guarantee duly executed by the Guarantor,
will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

         No service charge shall be made for any such  registration  of transfer
or exchange,  but the Company may require  payment of a sum  sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Guarantor,  the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Note is  registered  as the owner hereof
for all purposes,  whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company,
the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

         Certain of the  Company's  and the  Guarantor's  obligations  under the
Indenture  with  respect  to Notes,  may be  terminated  if the  Company  or the
Guarantor irrevocably deposits with the Trustee money or Government  Obligations
sufficient  to pay and  discharge  the  entire  indebtedness  on all  Notes,  as
provided in the Indenture.

         The  Indenture  and the Notes  shall be governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         All terms used in this Note which are  defined in the  Indenture  shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.



                                   10

<PAGE>






         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed, manually or in facsimile, and an imprint or facsimile of its corporate
seal to be imprinted hereon.


Dated: February 1, 2000


                                    KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION


                                    By:   ______________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



                                    Attest:


                                    By:   ______________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



CERTIFICATE  OF  AUTHENTICATION  This  is one of the  Securities  of the  series
designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
    as Trustee



By: ______________________________
     Authorized Officer







                                   11

<PAGE>






                        OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

The  undersigned  hereby  irrevocably  request(s) and instruct(s) the Company to
repay this Note (or portion hereof  specified  below) pursuant to its terms at a
price  equal to the  principal  amount  hereof  together  with  interest  to the
repayment date, to the undersigned, at

     (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

         For this Note to be repaid,  the Trustee must receive at its  Corporate
Trust  Office,  or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from
time to time  notify the Holder of this Note,  not more than 60 nor less than 30
days prior to an  Optional  Repayment  Date,  if any,  shown on the face of this
Note, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.  This
Note notice must be received by the Trustee by 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the last day for giving such notice.

         If less than the entire  principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion  hereof  (which  shall be in an amount equal to $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof, provided that any remaining principal amount is equal
to an  authorized  denomination)  which the  Holder  elects to have  repaid  and
specify the denomination or denominations  (which shall be in an amount equal to
an  authorized  denomination)  of the Notes to be issued to the  Holder  for the
portion of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification,
one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).

$ -----------------------     ----------------------------------------------
                              NOTICE: The signature on this Option to Elect
Date_____________________     Repayment must correspond with the name as written
                              upon  the face of this  Note in every  particular,
                              without  alteration or  enlargement  or any change
                              whatever





                                   12

<PAGE>






                        ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM


  FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s)
and transfer(s) unto (insert Taxpayer Identification No.) ______________________
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
assignee)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Note and all rights thereunder,  hereby irrevocably  constituting and
appointing  ________________________________________  attorney to transfer  said
Note on the  books  of the  Company  with  full  power  of  substitution  in the
premises.


Date: _____________     ______________________________________________
                        NOTICE: The signature of the registered Holder to this
                        assignment must correspond with the name as written upon
                        the face of the within instrument in every particular,
                        without alteration or enlargement or any change
                        whatsoever.



                                   13

<PAGE>






                                GUARANTEE

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  KEYSPAN  CORPORATION,  a New York corporation (the
"Guarantor"),  hereby fully and  unconditionally  guarantees to each Holder of a
Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, and to the Trustee on behalf of
each such Holder, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest, if any, on each such Note, the due and punctual payment of
any sinking  fund  payments  provided for pursuant to the terms of such Note and
the payment of any additional  amounts when and as the same shall become due and
payable,  whether at the Stated Maturity,  by declaration of acceleration,  call
for  redemption or otherwise,  in accordance  with the terms of such Note and of
the  Indenture,  dated as of  December  1, 1999 (the  "Indenture")  by and among
KeySpan Gas East Corporation (the "Issuer" or the "Company"),  the Guarantor and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the "Trustee").  In case of the failure of
the Company  punctually  to make any such payment of principal  (or premium,  if
any) or  interest,  if any,  or sinking  fund  payment or payment of  additional
amounts,  the  Guarantor  hereby  agrees  to cause any such  payment  to be made
punctually  when and as the same shall  become due and  payable,  whether at the
Stated  Maturity or by  declaration  of  acceleration,  call for  redemption  or
otherwise, and as if such payment were made by the Company.

         The Guarantor  hereby agrees that its  obligations  hereunder  shall be
unconditional,  irrespective of the validity,  regularity or  enforceability  of
such Note or the  Indenture,  the absence of any action to enforce the same, any
waiver or consent by the Holder of such Note or by the Trustee  with  respect to
any  provisions  thereof or of the  Indenture,  the  obtaining  of any  judgment
against the Company or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances
which might otherwise  constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
guarantor.  The Guarantor hereby waives the benefits of diligence,  presentment,
demand of payment,  filing of claims with a court in the event of  insolvency or
bankruptcy of the Company,  any right to require a proceeding  first against the
Company,  protest  or  notice  with  respect  to such  Note or the  indebtedness
evidenced  thereby or with respect to any sinking fund payment required pursuant
to the terms of such Note and all demands  whatsoever,  and covenants  that this
Guarantee  will  not  be  discharged  except  by  complete  performance  of  the
obligations  contained in the Notes and in this  Guarantee.  This Guarantee is a
guarantee  of payment  and not  collection.  If the Trustee or the Holder of any
Note is  required  by any court or  otherwise  to return to the  Company  or the
Guarantor,  or any custodian,  receiver,  liquidator,  trustee,  sequestrator or
other similar  official acting in relation to the Company or the Guarantor,  any
amount paid to the Trustee or such Holder in respect of a Note,  this Guarantee,
to the extent  theretofore  discharged,  shall be  reinstated  in full force and
effect. The Guarantor further agrees, to the fullest extent that it lawfully may
do so, that, as between the  Guarantor on the one hand,  and the Holders and the
Trustee,  on the other hand, the maturity of the obligations  guaranteed  hereby
may be accelerated as provided in Article V of the Indenture for the purposes of
this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition extant
under any applicable  bankruptcy law preventing such  acceleration in respect of
the obligations guaranteed hereby.

         The  Guarantor  shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders of the
Notes of a particular  series  against the Company in respect of any amount paid
by the  Guarantor  on account of such Note  pursuant to the  provisions  of this
Guarantee or the Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,


                                   14

<PAGE>






that the  Guarantor  shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments
arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation  until the principal of
(and premium,  if any) and interest,  if any, on all Notes of such series issued
hereunder shall have been paid in full.

         The Guarantor hereby  certifies and warrants that all acts,  conditions
and things  required to be done and performed and to have happened  prior to the
creation and issuance of this Guarantee and to constitute the same as the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its
terms,  have  been  done and  performed  and  have  happened  in due and  strict
compliance with applicable laws.

         The  delivery  of any Note by the  Trustee,  after  the  authentication
thereof,  shall  constitute due delivery of this Guarantee  endorsed  thereon on
behalf of the Guarantor.  The Guarantor  hereby agrees that this Guarantee shall
remain in full force and effect  notwithstanding  any failure to endorse on each
Note a notation of this Guarantee.

         This  Guarantee  shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of New York.

         All terms used in this  Guarantee  which are  defined in the  Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.



                                   15

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, KEYSPAN CORPORATION has caused this Guarantee to be
duly  executed in its corporate  name by the  facsimile  signature of one of its
officers  thereunto duly  authorized and has caused a facsimile of its corporate
seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted or otherwise reproduced hereon.

Dated as of: February 1, 2000

                              KEYSPAN CORPORATION


                              By:   ___________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:




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