<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 2, 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
VIRGINIA 4924 52-2210912
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (IRS EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
------------------------
1100 H STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20080
(703) 750-4440
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
DOUGLAS V. POPE
SECRETARY
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
1100 H STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20080
(202) 624-6395
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
Copy to:
J. ANTHONY TERRELL, ESQ.
THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP
40 WEST 57TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
(212) 603-2000
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and
the effective time of the merger of the Registrant and Washington Gas Light
Company as described in the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus.
------------------------
If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) UNIT(2) PRICE(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, no par value per share............ 46,465,890 $24.91 $1,157,465,320
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------ -------------------
- ------------------------------------------------ -------------------
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTRATION FEE(3)
- ------------------------------------------------ -------------------
<S> <C>
Common Stock, no par value per share............ $39,210.55
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Based on the number of shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock
expected to be outstanding at the effective time of the merger of the
Registrant and Washington Gas Light Company, as described in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1), based upon the average of the high and low
prices of the Common Stock of Washington Gas Light Company as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange on January 31, 2000.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(b), the total fee required of $305,570.84 registration
fee has been reduced by $266,360.29, which was paid on November 22, 1999 in
connection with the filing by Washington Gas Light Company of preliminary
proxy materials relating to this transaction.
------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
1100 H STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
[WASHINGTON GAS LOGO] 20080
February 3, 2000
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to invite you to our annual meeting of shareholders to be
held March 3, 2000 at 10 a.m.
The meeting will be held at a new location for us, the Kellogg Center at
Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave., N.E. in Washington, D.C. 20002.
Directions to the Kellogg Center are on the inside of the back cover page of
this proxy statement and prospectus.
This year's meeting has added importance to you as a shareholder of
Washington Gas Light Company. The board of directors is recommending that you
vote to adopt a new holding company structure for the company.
We describe the reasons for this holding company structure in the attached
proxy statement and prospectus. Your board of directors recommends this action
to provide a better structure for success in the company's regulated utility
business as well as in markets which are becoming less regulated and more
competitive.
Every vote is important. Approval of the holding company structure requires
the favorable vote of more than two-thirds of our outstanding common and
preferred shares. If you do not send in your proxy, and you do not vote in
person at the meeting, that will have the effect of a vote "against" the holding
company structure. If you own your shares through a stock broker, and you do not
vote, that will also have the effect of a vote "against" the holding company
structure.
We ask that you please vote your proxy -- even if you are planning to
attend the meeting. This year, more than most years, every share voted has great
significance to the future of your company. Without approval by more than
two-thirds majority vote, your company will be hindered by constraints not
applicable to competitors and peers as we continue our pursuit of enhanced value
for our investors.
In addition to the vote on the holding company structure, shareholders will
vote on electing nine directors, ratification of appointment of independent
accountants, and consideration of a shareholder proposal. These matters are also
described in the attached proxy statement and prospectus.
We are excited about this holding company proposal and the opportunities it
may provide for the company. We thank you in advance for sending your proxy this
year.
Sincerely,
[/s/ JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT]
James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
[/s/ JOSEPH M. SCHEPIS]
Joseph M. Schepis
President and Chief Operating Officer
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UNDER THIS
PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE> 3
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
1100 H STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20080
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The annual meeting of shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company will be
held at the Kellogg Center at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20002, on Friday, March 3, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. for the
following purposes, as more fully set forth in the annexed proxy statement and
prospectus:
(1) To elect directors for the ensuing year;
(2) To ratify the appointment of independent public accountants for
2000;
(3) To consider and act upon a proposal by the board of directors of
Washington Gas Light Company to approve an agreement and plan of merger and
reorganization dated as of January 13, 2000, (a copy of which is attached
as Appendix A to this proxy statement and prospectus) to effect a
reorganization of Washington Gas Light Company into a holding company
structure;
(4) To consider and act on a shareholder proposal relating to
cumulative voting, if this proposal is brought before the meeting; and
(5) To transact any other business properly brought before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
Each holder of common and preferred stock is entitled to one vote for each
share of that stock standing in the name of the holder on the records of
Washington Gas Light Company at the close of business on January 13, 2000.
If the agreement and plan of merger and reorganization is approved by
Washington Gas Light Company shareholders and the reorganization occurs, a
holder of record of Washington Gas Light Company common stock and preferred
stock on the record date who dissents and does not vote "FOR" the reorganization
is entitled to receive payment in cash if that holder follows the procedures
provided in Section 29-373 of the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act,
attached as Appendix D to this proxy statement and prospectus. Further
information regarding voting rights and the business to be transacted at the
annual meeting is set forth in the proxy statement and prospectus.
By order of the board of directors,
Douglas V. Pope
Secretary
- ------------------------------------
February 3, 2000
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING, PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY TO VOTE YOUR SHARES. YOU MAY VOTE YOUR SHARES BY
MARKING, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE
RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE YOUR
SHARES IN PERSON, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A PROXY IN WRITING.
<PAGE> 4
------------------------
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
ADMISSION TO THIS YEAR'S MEETING WILL BE LIMITED TO PERSONS WHO (A) ARE
LISTED ON WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY'S RECORDS AS SHAREHOLDERS AS OF JANUARY
13, 2000 (THE "RECORD DATE"), OR (B) BRING A STATEMENT TO THE MEETING SHOWING
THEIR BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY STOCK THROUGH A
BROKER, A BANK OR OTHER INSTITUTION AS OF THE RECORD DATE.
This proxy statement and prospectus is dated February 3, 2000, and is first
being mailed to shareholders on February 3, 2000.
<PAGE> 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE HOLDING COMPANY............. 3
SUMMARY..................................................... 5
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements............................................. 5
Name of New Holding Company............................... 5
Business of WGL Holdings, Inc............................. 5
The Annual Shareholders Meeting........................... 5
Shareholder Vote Required to Approve the Reorganization... 6
Our Recommendations to Shareholders....................... 6
Comparative Shareholders' Rights.......................... 6
Statutory Dissenters' Rights.............................. 6
Regulation of WGL Holdings, Inc. and Washington Gas Light
Company Resulting from the Reorganization.............. 7
Conditions to the Reorganization.......................... 7
Amendment or Termination of the Agreement and Plan of
Merger and Reorganization.............................. 7
Present and Proposed Corporate Structures................. 7
The Present Corporate Structure and Proposed Corporate
Structure.............................................. 9
RISK FACTORS................................................ 10
Dividends paid by WGL Holdings, Inc. will at least
initially depend primarily on dividends paid by
Washington Gas Light Company and may be subject to
financial uncertainties................................ 10
If WGL Holdings, Inc. issues preferred stock in the future
having preferential dividend rights, this may
negatively affect holders of common stock.............. 10
WGL Holdings, Inc. may invest in unregulated activities
that may prove to be riskier than the current
activities of Washington Gas Light Company............. 10
Virginia state law and WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of
incorporation and bylaws will contain anti-takeover
provisions............................................. 10
THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING............................. 11
Adjournments.............................................. 12
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS............................ 12
The Board of Directors and Committees of the Board........ 16
Non-Employee Director Compensation........................ 16
Business Relationships with Associates of Directors....... 16
Security Ownership of Management.......................... 16
Executive Compensation.................................... 18
Summary Compensation Table................................ 18
Employment Agreements..................................... 19
Option Grants............................................. 21
Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year..................... 21
Long-Term Incentive Plans -- Performance Share Awards..... 22
Performance Shares Awarded in the Last Fiscal Year........ 22
Report of the Human Resources Committee................... 22
Elements of Executive Compensation........................ 22
Compensation of the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer................................................ 25
Deductibility of Compensation............................. 25
Shareholder Return Performance Presentation............... 26
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Returns.......... 26
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS............................................... 26
PROPOSAL 3 REORGANIZATION OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY... 27
General................................................... 27
Reasons for the Reorganization............................ 27
The Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization....... 29
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Vote Required............................................... 30
Regulatory Matters and Approval........................... 30
Accounting Treatment...................................... 30
Conditions to Effectiveness of the Reorganization......... 31
Exchange of Stock Certificates............................ 31
Serial Preferred Stock of Washington Gas Light Company
after the Reorganization............................... 32
Transfer of Washington Gas Light Company Subsidiaries to
WGL Holdings, Inc...................................... 32
Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan...... 33
Washington Gas Light Company Employee and Director Stock
Plans.................................................. 33
Amendment or Termination of the Agreement and Plan of
Merger and Reorganization.............................. 33
Listing of WGL Holdings, Inc. Common Stock................ 34
Dividend Policy........................................... 34
Federal Income Tax Consequences........................... 34
Description of WGL Holdings, Inc. Capital Stock........... 36
Authorized Capital........................................ 36
WGL Holdings, Inc. Common Stock........................... 36
WGL Holdings, Inc. Preferred Stock........................ 36
Possible Anti-Takeover Effect of Provisions of WGL
Holdings, Inc.'s Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws................................................. 37
Fair Price Provision...................................... 38
Shareholder Protection Statutes........................... 38
Indemnification and Limitation of Liability............... 39
Differences in Rights of Washington Gas Light Company and
WGL Holdings, Inc. Shareholders........................ 40
Material Differences Between the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act and the District of Columbia Business
Corporation Act........................................ 40
Authorized Common Stock................................... 43
Authorized Preferred Stock................................ 43
Transfer Agent and Registrar.............................. 43
Director and Officer Exculpation.......................... 43
Indemnification of Officers and Directors................. 44
Director Nominations and Shareholder Proposals............ 44
Business of WGL Holdings, Inc............................. 44
Regulation of WGL Holdings, Inc., Washington Gas Light
Company and Subsidiaries after the Reorganization...... 44
Regulation of WGL Holdings, Inc........................... 44
Regulation of Washington Gas Light Company and Hampshire
Gas Company............................................ 45
Right of Dissenting Shareholders to Receive Payment for
Shares................................................. 45
Management of WGL Holdings, Inc........................... 46
Financial Statements...................................... 47
Legal Opinions............................................ 47
Experts................................................... 47
PROPOSAL 4 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL............................. 47
Shareholder Proposal...................................... 48
Opposition of Your Board of Directors and the Management
and Reasons Therefor................................... 48
OTHER MATTERS............................................... 49
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING........... 49
VOTING BY PROXY............................................. 50
APPENDIX A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND
REORGANIZATION............................................ A-1
APPENDIX B ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION WGL HOLDINGS, INC...... B-1
APPENDIX C WGL HOLDINGS, INC. BYLAWS........................ C-1
APPENDIX D SECTION 29-373 OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT.................................. D-1
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 7
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Washington Gas Light Company files annual, quarterly and current reports,
and proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You may read and copy any of those materials we file at the
Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference rooms and at its regional
offices:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Public Reference Room New York Regional Office Chicago Regional Office
Judiciary Plaza 7 World Trade Center Citicorp Center
450 Fifth Street, N.W. Suite 1300 500 West Madison Street
Room 1024 New York, New York 10048 Suite 1400
Washington, D.C. 20549 Chicago, Illinois 60661
</TABLE>
You may obtain information on the operation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission's public reference rooms by calling the Securities and Exchange
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain copies of this material from
the public reference section of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed
rates. The Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Washington Gas Light
Company are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval
services, over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site
at http://www.sec.gov and at the Washington Gas Light Company web site at
http://www.washgas.com.
Washington Gas Light Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and reports, proxy statements and
other information concerning Washington Gas Light Company can also be inspected
at the offices of those exchanges located at the New York Stock Exchange, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 1900
Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
WGL Holdings, Inc. has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to
register with the Securities and Exchange Commission the WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock to be issued to Washington Gas Light Company shareholders in the
merger. This document is a part of that registration statement and constitutes a
prospectus of WGL Holdings, Inc., in addition to being part of the annual
meeting proxy statement of Washington Gas Light Company. As allowed by the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this proxy statement and prospectus
does not contain all the information you can find in the registration statement
or the exhibits to the registration statement.
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by
reference" information into this proxy statement and prospectus. This means that
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another
document filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this proxy
statement and prospectus, except for any information superseded by information
in this proxy statement and prospectus. This proxy statement and prospectus
incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain
important information about Washington Gas Light Company and its finances.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOCUMENT PERIOD/DATE
<S> <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K Year ended September 30, 1999
Current Reports on Form 8-K December 30, 1999 and January
11, 2000
Amendment to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A January 28, 2000
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 8
We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 between the date of this proxy statement and prospectus and the date of the
meeting of our shareholders.
If you are a shareholder, we may have previously sent you some of the
documents that are incorporated by reference. You can obtain any of the
incorporated documents by contacting us or the Securities and Exchange
Commission. If you would like to request documents from us, including any
documents we may subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
prior to the annual meeting, please do so as soon as possible so that you will
receive them before the annual meeting. We will send you the documents
incorporated by reference without charge, excluding exhibits, unless we have
specifically incorporated the exhibit by reference in this proxy statement and
prospectus.
Shareholders may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement and prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from:
Shareholder Services
Washington Gas Light Company
1100 H St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20080
1-800-221-9427
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS
DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS IS DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2000. YOU
SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND NEITHER THE
MAILING OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS TO SHAREHOLDERS NOR THE ISSUANCE
OF COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER SHALL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY. IN
THE EVENT ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS IS
MATERIALLY CHANGED AFTER THE DATE LISTED ABOVE, WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
WILL RECIRCULATE THE PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS TO SHAREHOLDERS.
2
<PAGE> 9
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE HOLDING COMPANY
Please note: The following questions and answers are only a summary of some of
the important information contained in this proxy statement and prospectus.
These questions and answers do not necessarily give you all the facts you need
to know in voting on this proposal. Please read the full proxy statement and
prospectus for a complete explanation of these matters.
WHAT IS THE HOLDING COMPANY PROPOSAL?
We are proposing to reorganize our corporate structure to form a holding
company that will have as its subsidiaries Washington Gas Light Company and its
present subsidiaries.
Companies which are now subsidiaries of Washington Gas Light Company will
become subsidiaries of the new holding company.
To see a diagram and description of the present and the proposed corporate
structures, please see pages 7, 8 and 9.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY SHARES OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY COMMON STOCK?
If the holding company form is adopted, your shares of common stock of
Washington Gas Light Company will be converted into the same number of shares of
common stock of the new holding company. The common stock of the new holding
company will have the same voting rights as the current shares of Washington Gas
Light Company common stock. Please see page 36.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SHARES OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY SERIAL PREFERRED
STOCK?
Your shares of serial preferred stock will remain issued and outstanding as
shares of serial preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company. You will still
have the right to one vote per share on all matters coming before future
shareholder meetings of Washington Gas Light Company. You will not, however, in
most cases be asked to vote your shares of serial preferred stock at future
meetings of Washington Gas Light Company. Holders of shares of serial preferred
stock of Washington Gas Light Company will not have the right to vote those
shares at future shareholder meetings of WGL Holdings, Inc. The Washington Gas
Light Company serial preferred stock, $4.36 convertible series and $4.60
convertible series are being redeemed effective February 1, 2000. These two
series will have no further voting rights following the annual meeting of
shareholders scheduled for March 3, 2000. Please see page 32.
WHY IS THIS HOLDING COMPANY BEING RECOMMENDED?
The overriding purpose of this proposal is to allow Washington Gas Light
Company and its affiliates to strive for excellence as a utility and to compete
more effectively in the energy and energy-related markets. We believe the
holding company structure will provide greater flexibility and opportunity to
execute strategies in these markets. Please see a further discussion of these
and other related factors beginning on page 27.
WHO WILL MANAGE THE NEW HOLDING COMPANY?
The current directors of Washington Gas Light Company will also become
directors of the holding company. Some principal executive officers of
Washington Gas Light Company will also be executive officers of the holding
company. Please see page 46.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR CASH DIVIDENDS ON COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK?
We anticipate that the board of directors of the holding company will
continue the current common stock dividend rate and policy, but this practice is
always subject to change at the
3
<PAGE> 10
discretion of the board of directors. Dividends paid by the holding company
will, at least initially, depend primarily upon the financial performance and
the financial position of its utility subsidiary, Washington Gas Light Company.
The reorganization into a holding company structure will not affect Washington
Gas Light Company's preferred stock dividends. Please see page 34.
WHEN WILL THE HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE BE IMPLEMENTED?
We plan to implement the holding company structure as soon as possible
after the annual meeting. This implementation, however, is subject to regulatory
approval and completion of required filings. Please see page 30.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY SHARES IN WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY'S DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN?
Your shares in this plan will automatically be converted into shares of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock. WGL Holdings, Inc. will adopt the plan and continue
it using shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock. Please see page 33.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SHARES OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY WHICH I HOLD IN OUR
SAVINGS PLAN OR CAPITAL APPRECIATION PLAN? (THIS QUESTION APPLIES TO EMPLOYEES
AND RETIREES).
These shares will automatically be converted into shares of WGL Holdings,
Inc. common stock. The plans will continue to operate using shares of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock. Please see page 33.
WHAT ARE THE TAX EFFECTS TO ME OF THIS PROPOSAL?
In the opinion of our legal counsel, for federal income tax purposes, no
gain or loss will be recognized by shareholders on the conversion of Washington
Gas Light Company common stock into common stock of WGL Holdings, Inc. Please
see page 34.
I OWN MY SHARES THROUGH A BROKER. WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY SHARES ON THE HOLDING
COMPANY PROPOSAL FOR ME?
Your broker will only vote for you on the holding company proposal if you
have given specific instructions to your broker on how to vote. Your broker
should have sent you a proxy card for your vote. Unless you sign and return that
proxy card to your broker, your broker cannot vote on the proposal for the
holding company, which will have the effect of a vote "against" the holding
company proposal. Therefore, we strongly urge that you vote your proxy. Please
see page 6.
WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
Please vote your shares by filling out and mailing your proxy card.
WHO SHOULD I CALL WITH QUESTIONS?
We have established a special toll-free telephone number with
representatives to answer your questions. Morrow & Co, our proxy solicitor, will
be responding to those calls. This service is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through Friday. The number is 1-800-566-9061.
4
<PAGE> 11
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information about the holding company
proposal. It does not contain all of the information that is important to you.
You should carefully read the entire proxy statement and prospectus and the
other documents to which we have referred you. We have not included information
regarding Washington Gas Light Company that has previously been included in
documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which
are incorporated by reference, unless that information is required to be
included in this proxy statement and prospectus or we believe it will assist you
in understanding the proposals. For information on how to obtain the documents
we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, see "Where You Can
Find More Information" on page 1. We have included page references in
parentheses to direct you to a more complete description of the topics presented
in this summary.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this proxy statement and prospectus, excluding
historical information, include forward-looking statements. Words including, but
not limited to, "estimates," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends,"
"believes," and variations of these words, identify forward-looking statements
that involve uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, the information concerning possible or assumed future
results of operations of WGL Holdings, Inc., Washington Gas Light Company and
their subsidiaries set forth under "Questions and Answers about the
Reorganization," the "Summary," "Reasons for the Reorganization" and "Dividend
Policy". Although Washington Gas Light Company and WGL Holdings, Inc. believe
these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they
cannot give assurance that every objective will be reached. Washington Gas Light
Company and WGL Holdings, Inc. make these statements in reliance on the safe
harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Examples of factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from Washington Gas Light Company's beliefs described herein include,
but are not limited to, variations in weather, regulatory and legislative
changes and increased competition.
NAME OF NEW HOLDING COMPANY
WGL Holdings, Inc.
BUSINESS OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. (SEE PAGE 44)
WGL Holdings, Inc. is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Washington Gas
Light Company and was incorporated in Virginia for the purpose of implementing
the proposed holding company reorganization. WGL Holdings, Inc. does not
currently own any assets or engage in any business. The address of WGL Holdings,
Inc. is:
WGL Holdings, Inc.
1100 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20080
THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
The Washington Gas Light Company annual shareholders meeting will be held
on Friday, March 3, 2000. At this meeting Washington Gas Light Company
shareholders will be asked, among other things, to consider and act upon an
agreement and plan of merger and reorganization which will establish the holding
company structure.
5
<PAGE> 12
You are entitled to vote at the meeting if you were a shareholder of record
of Washington Gas Light Company common stock or preferred stock at the close of
business on January 13, 2000, the record date.
SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION (SEE PAGE 30)
More than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light
Company common stock voting separately as a class, and more than two-thirds of
the outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred
stock voting together as a single class, must be voted "FOR" Proposal 3 at the
annual meeting in order to approve the holding company reorganization. For
purposes of determining whether the holding company reorganization has been
approved, an abstention or broker non-vote will not be counted in favor of
adoption of the proposal, but instead will have the effect of a vote against the
proposal.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (SEE PAGES 12, 26, 47 AND 48)
The Washington Gas Light Company board of directors has unanimously adopted
the agreement and plan of merger and reorganization, believes the reorganization
to be in the best interests of Washington Gas Light Company and its
shareholders, and recommends that the holders of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock and preferred stock vote "FOR" the holding company reorganization.
The board of directors of Washington Gas Light Company also recommends a
vote "FOR" all director nominees and the ratification of independent public
accountants, and a vote "AGAINST" the shareholder proposal regarding cumulative
voting.
COMPARATIVE SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS (SEE PAGE 40)
When the reorganization is completed, holders of Washington Gas Light
Company common stock will automatically become holders of WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock. Rights of WGL Holdings, Inc. shareholders will be governed by the
WGL Holdings, Inc. articles of incorporation and bylaws instead of those of
Washington Gas Light Company, and by the corporation law of Virginia instead of
the corporation laws of both Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Serial preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company outstanding as of
the date of the reorganization will remain outstanding as shares of serial
preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company.
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation and bylaws will give WGL
Holdings, Inc. broad corporate powers to engage in any lawful activity for which
a corporation may be formed under Virginia law, and will include
indemnification, limitation of liability and nomination and proposal submission
provisions that are included in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of
Washington Gas Light Company in substantially the same form. In addition, the
articles of incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc. will provide that the directors
of WGL Holdings, Inc. may designate the rights and preferences of preferred
stock and issue preferred stock without further approval by WGL Holdings, Inc.
shareholders. Additional information regarding the rights of holders of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock and those of holders of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock are summarized in the section of this proxy statement and
prospectus entitled "Differences in Rights of Washington Gas Light Company and
WGL Holdings, Inc. Shareholders."
STATUTORY DISSENTERS' RIGHTS (SEE PAGE 45 AND APPENDIX D)
If the proposed merger is consummated, holders of common stock and serial
preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company will have statutory dissenters'
rights. Although Virginia law does not provide rights to dissenting shareholders
in this case, shareholders who comply with
6
<PAGE> 13
the requirements of Section 29-373 of the District of Columbia Business
Corporation Act will be entitled to dissenters' rights of appraisal under
District of Columbia law with respect to their shares of Washington Gas Light
Company common stock and serial preferred stock. See "Right of Dissenting
Shareholders to Receive Payment for Shares" and Appendix D for a description of
the procedures required to be followed to perfect these rights.
REGULATION OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. AND WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY RESULTING FROM
THE REORGANIZATION (SEE PAGE 44)
Following the reorganization, Washington Gas Light Company will continue to
be regulated by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, the
Maryland Public Service Commission and the Virginia State Corporation
Commission. As a result of the reorganization, WGL Holdings, Inc. will become a
"public utility holding company" within the meaning of the federal Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and will register with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under that act.
CONDITIONS TO THE REORGANIZATION (SEE PAGE 31)
Completion of the reorganization depends on meeting some conditions,
including:
(a) receipt of all required regulatory and third party approvals and
consents on acceptable terms;
(b) shareholder approval at the annual meeting;
(c) approval to list the common stock of WGL Holdings, Inc. on the New York
Stock Exchange;
(d) the merger of Shenandoah Gas Company into Washington Gas Light Company;
and
(e) receipt of an acceptable opinion of counsel regarding the tax status of
the merger and reorganization.
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
(SEE PAGE 33)
The boards of directors of Washington Gas Light Company, WGL Holdings, Inc.
and Washington Gas Acquisition Co. may amend the terms of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger and Reorganization at any time prior to its approval by Washington Gas
Light Company shareholders. These boards of directors may amend these terms
after shareholder approval if the amendment does not materially and adversely
affect the rights of the shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company. If the
Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization is materially amended Washington
Gas Light Company will recirculate the proxy statement and prospectus.
If the Washington Gas Light Company board of directors determines that the
merger and reorganization would be inadvisable, or not in the best interests of
Washington Gas Light Company or its shareholders, it may terminate the agreement
and abandon the reorganization at any time, even after shareholder approval.
PRESENT AND PROPOSED CORPORATE STRUCTURES (SEE PAGE 9)
Present and proposed corporate structures are shown on the next page. WGL
Holdings, Inc. will become the holding company. Shenandoah Gas Company, a
current subsidiary of Washington Gas Light Company, will be merged into
Washington Gas Light Company prior to the consummation of the merger and
reorganization. All other current subsidiaries of Washington Gas Light Company
will become direct subsidiaries or investments of WGL Holdings, Inc.
7
<PAGE> 14
Shenandoah Gas Company is a regulated natural gas distribution utility.
Prior to July 1999, Shenandoah Gas Company operated utility operations in
Virginia and West Virginia. In July 1999, Shenandoah Gas Company sold all of its
utility operations in West Virginia. In order to maximize the efficiency of its
utility operations in Virginia, Washington Gas Light Company has decided to
merge Shenandoah Gas Company into Washington Gas Light Company, which has
significant utility operations in Virginia. An application to merge Shenandoah
Gas Company into Washington Gas Light Company was filed with the State
Corporation Commission of Virginia on October 5, 1999. If Washington Gas Light
Company did not merge Shenandoah Gas Company into it, Washington Gas Light
Company would have had to apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for
approval to form a holding company.
8
<PAGE> 15
THE PRESENT CORPORATE STRUCTURE
[CURRENT CORPORATE STRUCTURE CHART]
THE PROPOSED CORPORATE STRUCTURE
[PROPOSED CORPORATE STRUCTURE CHART]
9
<PAGE> 16
RISK FACTORS
The following matters should be considered carefully in deciding whether to
vote for the proposed holding company formation. In addition, please read the
"Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" on page 5, as well
as the other information contained in this proxy statement and prospectus.
DIVIDENDS PAID BY WGL HOLDINGS, INC. WILL AT LEAST INITIALLY DEPEND PRIMARILY ON
DIVIDENDS PAID BY WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND THE AMOUNT AND FREQUENCY OF
DIVIDENDS, IF ANY, PAID BY EITHER OF THOSE COMPANIES CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.
WGL Holdings, Inc. does not have any operations of its own to generate cash
for dividends. Dividends paid by WGL Holdings, Inc. will depend initially upon
dividends paid to it by Washington Gas Light Company, which will be its largest
subsidiary. In the future, dividends may also be paid by other subsidiaries of
WGL Holdings, Inc., which could be available for distribution to WGL Holdings,
Inc. shareholders.
We expect that the dividend rate of Washington Gas Light Company will be
continued by WGL Holdings, Inc. However, as in the case of Washington Gas Light
Company prior to the formation of WGL Holdings, Inc., the amount and frequency
of dividends to be paid by WGL Holdings, Inc. cannot be guaranteed. This will
depend on, among other things, the amount of dividends paid to it by the
subsidiaries and the future financial condition and financial performance of
those companies. Furthermore, any dividend payments by Washington Gas Light
Company to WGL Holdings, Inc. will be subject to the rights of holders of
outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company preferred stock.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC. MAY ISSUE PREFERRED STOCK IN THE FUTURE HAVING PREFERENTIAL
DIVIDEND RIGHTS, WHICH COULD CONTAIN PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESTRICT PAYMENTS OF
DIVIDENDS TO HOLDERS OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. COMMON STOCK.
WGL Holdings, Inc. could issue preferred stock in the future which would
have a preferential claim on earnings for payment of dividends. Washington Gas
Light Company presently has the same power.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC. MAY INVEST IN UNREGULATED ACTIVITIES THAT MAY PROVE TO BE
RISKIER THAN THE CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY WHICH COULD
CAUSE LOSSES AND RESULT IN DECLINES IN WGL HOLDINGS, INC.'S STOCK PRICE.
The holding company structure will allow greater opportunities for
investments in unregulated businesses. We expect that WGL Holdings, Inc. will
implement a strategy to become a more diversified energy company through
investments in primarily energy-related activities. Many of these new
investments will be in highly competitive markets which will likely involve
greater investment risk than the regulated utility business. If losses are
incurred in these activities, they will likely not be recoverable in utility
rates and they could adversely affect the performance of the common stock of WGL
Holdings, Inc.
VIRGINIA STATE LAW AND WGL HOLDINGS, INC.'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
WILL CONTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS WHICH COULD DISCOURAGE OR IMPEDE
UNSOLICITED ATTEMPTS TO ACQUIRE CONTROL OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Provisions of Virginia law and WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of
incorporation and bylaws could discourage transactions involving a future change
of control of WGL Holdings, Inc. These provisions will include a fair price
provision and advance notice requirements applicable to shareholder meetings and
election of directors. WGL Holdings, Inc. directors will also have the power to
issue additional shares of common stock which could discourage a takeover. These
provisions are substantially similar to provisions contained in Washington Gas
Light Company's
10
<PAGE> 17
articles of incorporation and bylaws. See a further discussion of these matters
beginning on page 37.
THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
This proxy statement and prospectus is furnished in connection with a
solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of Washington Gas Light
Company to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders of Washington Gas Light
Company to be held on Friday, March 3, 2000 and at any adjournment thereof. The
meeting will be held at the Kellogg Center at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida
Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 at 10:00 a.m. If the enclosed proxy card is
executed and returned, it will be voted in the manner directed, but if not
otherwise marked, proxies will be voted "FOR" proposals (1), (2) and (3) and
"AGAINST" proposal (4). The proxy may be revoked at any time by written notice
delivered to the Corporate Secretary of Washington Gas Light Company, by
execution of a later proxy card, to the extent that it has not been voted, or by
voting in person at the annual meeting.
Each holder of common and preferred stock is entitled to one vote for each
share of the stock standing in the name of the holder on the records of
Washington Gas Light Company at the close of business on January 13, 2000.
Outstanding voting securities as of January 13, 2000, consisted of 46,465,890
shares of common stock and an aggregate of 283,002 shares of preferred stock.
The matters to be voted upon at the annual meeting are described in this proxy
statement and prospectus.
As provided in Washington Gas Light Company's bylaws, a majority of the
shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting, present in person or represented
by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the meeting.
- The reorganization proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of
(a) more than two-thirds of the shares of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock, voting separately as a class, and (b) more than two-thirds
of the shares of Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock
voting together, as a single class, that are outstanding and entitled to
vote at the annual meeting;
- The nine director nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be
elected;
- The proposal to ratify the appointment of independent public accountants
and the shareholder proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock and
preferred stock, voting together, present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting;
- Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining a quorum
for the meeting;
- Shares withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election
of directors;
- Abstentions as to the approval of the reorganization proposal,
ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, and
approval of the shareholder proposal will have the same effect as votes
"against" these matters; and
- Broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes "against" the
reorganization proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the
votes on the ratification of the appointment of independent public
accountants and approval of the shareholder proposal.
11
<PAGE> 18
ADJOURNMENTS
We currently expect to take votes and close the polls on all proposals on
the scheduled date of the annual meeting. However, we may:
- keep the polls open to facilitate additional proxy solicitation with
regard to any or all proposals;
- allow the inspectors of the election to count and report on the votes
that have been cast after the polls have closed; and/or
- close the polls with respect to one class of stock while leaving the
polls open with respect to the other class of stock to permit further
solicitation of proxies from that class.
If any of the above occurs, we could propose one or more adjournments of
the annual meeting. For any adjournment to be approved, the votes cast in favor
of it must represent a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast
by the holders of all classes of stock present at the meeting in person or by
proxy, voting together as a single class.
Proxies that we have solicited will be voted in favor of any adjournment
that we propose but will not be considered a direction to vote for any
adjournment proposed by anyone else. If any adjournment is properly proposed at
the meeting on behalf of anyone else, the persons named as proxies, acting in
that capacity, will have discretion to vote on the adjournment in accordance
with their best judgment.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the annual meeting, nine directors are to be elected to hold office for the
ensuing year.
It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote
such proxy for the election of the nominees named below, all of whom are now
serving as directors, unless such authority is withheld. Washington Gas Light
Company does not contemplate that any of such nominees will become unavailable
for any reason, but if that should occur before the meeting, proxies received
for that nominee will be voted for another nominee, or other nominees, to be
selected by the board of directors.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PHOTO] MICHAEL D. BARNES, age 56, is a partner in the Washington,
D.C. law firm of Hogan & Hartson. Mr. Barnes was previously
a partner in the law firm of Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin &
Kahn (1987-1993). Mr. Barnes was United States
Representative from Maryland's 8th Congressional District
from 1979 to 1987. He was Commissioner of the Maryland
Public Service Commission and Vice Chairman of the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission from 1975 to
1978. Mr. Barnes is a graduate of the University of North
Carolina and the George Washington University National Law
Center, where he received his law degree with honors. Mr.
Barnes is active in several civic and business groups,
including the Center for National Policy, the University of
Maryland Foundation, the International Human Rights Law
Group, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Barnes has
been a Director of Washington Gas Light Company since 1991
and serves as Chairman of the Governance Committee.
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE> 19
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PHOTO] FRED J. BRINKMAN, age 71, retired in 1991 as a Senior
Partner with the firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., independent
public accountants (Arthur Andersen & Co. is now Arthur
Andersen LLP). From 1981-1989, Mr. Brinkman was Area
Managing Partner for the Asia-Pacific Area and Managing
Partner of the Washington, D.C. office of Arthur Andersen &
Co. From 1989 to June 1991, at which time he retired, he was
Senior Partner consulting on global initiatives of Arthur
Andersen & Co. From 1991 to present, he has engaged in
consulting. Mr. Brinkman is a member of several professional
and civic organizations, including the American Institute of
CPAs, the Boards of Directors of SHARE, Inc. and Special
Olympics International. Mr. Brinkman also serves on the
Board of Directors of Washington Mutual Investors Fund. Mr.
Brinkman has been a Director of Washington Gas Light Company
since 1992.
[PHOTO] DANIEL J. CALLAHAN, III, age 67, is Vice Chairman and
Treasurer of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
Mr. Callahan retired in 1995 as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of USLICO Corporation, an insurance holding company,
a position he held since 1992. Mr. Callahan was previously
Vice Chairman of American Security Bank (1991-1992) and
served as President of MNC Financial Inc. (1987-1991) and
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
American Security Corporation and American Security Bank,
N.A. from 1985-1991. Mr. Callahan also is a Director of
Washington Mutual Investors Fund. Mr. Callahan is on the
Atlantic Council, the Federal City Council and is a former
Chairman of the Greater Washington Research Center. He has
been a Director of Washington Gas Light Company since 1989
and serves as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee.
[PHOTO] ORLANDO W. DARDEN, age 69, is President of OWD Enterprises
Inc, a real estate investment firm and is a partner in
several real estate limited partnerships. He is a graduate
of Howard University. Mr. Darden founded and was President
and Chief Executive Officer of Community Federal Savings and
Loan Association of Washington, D.C., from 1974 to 1981. He
has served as Director of the Pennsylvania Avenue
Development Corporation (PADC). He also was a trustee and
Chairman of the Investment Committee of the District of
Columbia Retirement Board. He is a member of the Board of
Trustees of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington
Metropolitan Area and he is also a member of The Greater
Washington Board of Trade. He has been a Director of
Washington Gas Light Company since 1979.
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE> 20
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PHOTO] JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT, JR., age 46, is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Washington Gas Light Company. Mr.
DeGraffenreidt joined Washington Gas Light Company in 1986
as managing attorney, and was promoted to senior managing
attorney in 1988, and then Vice President of Rates and
Regulatory Affairs in 1991. He was elected Senior Vice
President in May 1993, President and Chief Operating Officer
effective December 1, 1994 and President and Chief Executive
Officer effective January 1, 1998. Mr. DeGraffenreidt was
elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer effective
December 1, 1998. Prior to joining Washington Gas Light
Company, Mr. DeGraffenreidt was a partner with a Washing-
ton, D.C. law firm where he specialized in public utilities,
telecommunications and public finance. Previous to that, he
was assistant people's counsel in the Maryland Office of
People's Counsel. Mr. DeGraffenreidt earned his Juris Doctor
and Master of Business Administration degrees from Columbia
University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale
College. He is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and
the Maryland Bar, and is a member of the Washington Bar
Association and the National Bar Association. Mr.
DeGraffenreidt also serves on numerous boards, including
Harbor Bank, the American Gas Association, Institute of Gas
Technology, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce,
Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Federal City Council, MedStar
Health, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Maryland
Science Center, and The Walters Art Gallery. He has been a
member of the Board of Directors of Washington Gas Light
Company since 1994.
[PHOTO] MELVYN J. ESTRIN, age 57, is Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Avatex Corp., involved in medical and
beauty products investments. Mr. Estrin is also Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Phar-Mor, Inc.,
retail drug stores. He is also Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Human Service Group, Inc.
(trading as Estrin International) (1983-present) and is
President and a director of HSG Acquisition Co. (1986-
present), both of which are private management and
investment firms. He served as Trustee of the University of
Pennsylvania and is active with several charitable
organizations, including serving as a Director of The
National Council for the Performing Arts and the Endowment
Board of the Kennedy Center. Mr. Estrin is a member of The
Washington Board of Trade and The Economic Club of
Washington. He is a former Commissioner of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission. Mr. Estrin is a
graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School
of Finance. Mr. Estrin is a director of Avatex Corporation,
Grandbanc, Inc., Carson, Inc., Phar-Mor Inc., iLife Systems,
Inc., ChemLink, Inc., Global Household Brands, Presby, Inc.
and is a managing partner of Centaur Partners, Inc. Mr.
Estrin has been a Director of Washington Gas Light Company
since 1991.
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE> 21
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PHOTO] PHILIP A. ODEEN, age 64, is Executive Vice President of TRW
Inc., a technology, manufacturing and service company. Mr.
Odeen has held this position since 1997. From 1992 to 1997,
Mr. Odeen was President and Chief Executive Officer of BDM
International, Inc., a firm providing technical services in
the defense, communications and information technology
areas. BDM was acquired by TRW in December 1997. Prior to
that, he was Vice Chairman for Management Consulting
Services at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Odeen is a graduate of
the University of South Dakota (magna cum laude) and the
University of Wisconsin (with honors). Mr. Odeen is a
Director of The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, which is a
technology company which assists other companies to manage
information flows. He was Chairman of the National Defense
Panel, which reviewed the Defense Department policies and
procedures, and he serves as Chairman of the Virginia
Business Council, an organization representing about 50 of
the largest companies operating in Virginia. He has been a
member of the Board of Directors of Washington Gas Light
Company since February 1999.
[PHOTO] JOSEPH M. SCHEPIS, age 46, is President and Chief Operating
Officer of Washington Gas Light Company. Mr. Schepis joined
Washington Gas Light Company in 1978. After holding various
positions in Washington Gas Light Company's Finance and
Marketing departments, he was elected Treasurer in 1986,
Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs in 1993,
Chief Financial Officer in 1994 and Senior Vice President
for Customer Services in 1996. In January 1998, he was
elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
and then was elected President and Chief Operating Officer
effective December 1, 1998. Mr. Schepis is a graduate of
Georgetown University and George Washington University. Mr.
Schepis is a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade
and is also on the Board of Trustees of the Lab School of
Washington, D.C. He has been a member of the Board of
Directors of Washington Gas Light Company since December
1998.
[PHOTO] KAREN HASTIE WILLIAMS, age 55, is a Partner with the
Washington, D.C. law firm of Crowell & Moring, where she
specializes in public contract law. Prior to joining Crowell
& Moring, Ms. Williams served as Administrator for the
Office of Federal Procurement Policy at the Office of
Management and Budget (1980-81) and she was Chief Counsel of
the Senate Committee on the Budget (1977-1980). Ms. Williams
is a member of many professional and civic organizations,
including serving as Chair of the American Bar Association
Section of Public Contract Law (from 1992-1993). Ms.
Williams is a Director of Crestar Financial Services
Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association,
Continental Airlines Company and Gannett Co. Ms. Williams
has been a director of Washington Gas Light Company since
1992 and serves as Chair of the Audit Review Committee.
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE> 22
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
(Information on Committee Membership is as of January 13, 2000.)
The board of directors has established four standing committees:
The Executive Committee members are: James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr.
(Chairman), Michael D. Barnes, Daniel J. Callahan, III, Joseph M. Schepis and
Karen Hastie Williams. There are three alternate members: Fred J. Brinkman,
Orlando W. Darden and Melvyn J. Estrin. This committee may exercise all of the
authority of the board of directors when the board is not in session. This
committee met one time during the fiscal year which ended September 30, 1999.
The Audit Review Committee members are: Karen Hastie Williams (Chair),
Fred J. Brinkman, Daniel J. Callahan, III, and Orlando W. Darden. Functions of
the audit review committee include recommending the independent public
accountants to be engaged by Washington Gas Light Company, reviewing with the
independent public accountants the financial statements and their accompanying
report and reviewing Washington Gas Light Company's system of internal controls
and the adequacy of the internal audit program. This committee held five
meetings during fiscal year 1999.
The Governance Committee members are: Michael D. Barnes (Chairman), Philip
A. Odeen, and Karen Hastie Williams. Functions of the governance committee
include maintaining a roster of persons for consideration as members of the
board of directors and recommending procedures for filling vacancies on the
board of directors. The governance committee will consider nominees recommended
by shareholders; the name and resume of each nominee should be sent to the
chairman of the governance committee. This committee held four meetings during
fiscal year 1999.
The Human Resources Committee members are: Daniel J. Callahan, III
(Chairman), Fred J. Brinkman and Melvyn J. Estrin. The human resources committee
considers compensation and benefits for directors and officers of Washington Gas
Light Company and succession planning matters. There were seven meetings of this
committee during fiscal year 1999.
The board of directors held eight meetings during fiscal year 1999.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors who are not employees of Washington Gas Light Company are paid
$1,000 per meeting of the board, committee of the board, and shareholders
meetings which they attend. Directors are also paid a retainer of $10,000 per
year and issued 800 shares of common stock of Washington Gas Light Company. A
retirement plan for outside directors adopted in 1995 was terminated by the
board effective January 1, 1998, subject to vesting of benefits earned by the
directors as of that date.
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ASSOCIATES OF DIRECTORS
The law firm of Crowell & Moring, with which Ms. Williams is a partner, and
the law firm of Hogan and Hartson, with which Mr. Barnes is a partner, performed
legal services for Washington Gas Light Company during fiscal year 1999.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership information as of
January 13, 2000, regarding Washington Gas Light Company's outstanding equity
securities by each director, each nominee for election as a director, the
executive officers named in the summary compensation
16
<PAGE> 23
table in this proxy statement and prospectus, and all directors, nominees and
executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OF
TITLE OF CLASS NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP* CLASS
- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock....................... Michael D. Barnes............ 3,906 **
Common Stock....................... Fred J. Brinkman............. 4,650 **
Common Stock....................... Daniel J. Callahan, III...... 8,656 **
Common Stock....................... Orlando W. Darden............ 1,230 **
Common Stock....................... James H. DeGraffenreidt, 35,779 **
Jr...........................
Common Stock....................... Melvyn J. Estrin............. 10,506 **
Common Stock....................... John K. Keane, Jr............ 18,456 **
Common Stock....................... Frederic M. Kline............ 12,175 **
Common Stock....................... Philip A. Odeen.............. 2,600 **
Common Stock....................... Joseph M. Schepis............ 31,424 **
Common Stock....................... James B. White............... 6,751 **
Common Stock....................... Karen Hastie Williams........ 3,224 **
All directors and executive
officers as a group:
Common Stock...................................................... 187,692 **
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* All shares are directly owned by persons shown in this table except the
following shares which are owned indirectly: (a) 12,942 shares are held by
executive officers in the Washington Gas Light Company's Savings Plan for
Management Employees, and (b) 2,000 shares are owned by Mr. Callahan's wife,
and Mr. Callahan disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares.
** Less than 1% of class outstanding.
17
<PAGE> 24
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The table that follows presents information about compensation for
Washington Gas Light Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most
highly compensated executive officers. It includes all compensation awarded to,
earned by or paid to the named executive officers for each of the last three
fiscal years.
The amounts shown in the column titled "Other Annual Compensation"
represent taxes paid by Washington Gas Light Company on behalf of the named
executive officer relating to group term life insurance coverage with benefits
exceeding $50,000 in each listed fiscal year. The amounts shown in the column
titled "All Other Compensation" represent Washington Gas Light Company's
matching contributions to Washington Gas Light Company's savings plan for
management employees during the each of the listed fiscal years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------------------------- ----------------
NAME AND FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED STOCK ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS(1) COMPENSATION
- ------------------------------ ------ -------- -------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James H. DeGraffenreidt,
Jr. .......................... 1999 $415,000 $ 0 $2,643 $ 0 $6,277
Chairman and 1998 351,250 255,000 1,550 327,750(2) 6,400
Chief Executive Officer 1997 295,000 265,000 1,550 0 6,300
Joseph M. Schepis............. 1999 280,000 0 374 0 6,277
President and Chief 1998 232,500 150,000 1,040 163,875(2) 6,400
Operating Officer 1997 195,000 160,000 983 0 6,300
Frederic M. Kline............. 1999 202,000 0 1,191 0 6,277
Vice President and Chief 1998 180,000 110,000 1,081 0 6,400
Financial Officer 1997 165,000 130,000 936 0 6,325
John K. Keane, Jr. ........... 1999 180,000 0 3,040 0 6,277
Senior Vice President and 1998 180,000 90,000 1,823 0 6,133
General Counsel 1997 170,000 110,000 1,710 0 6,175
James B. White................ 1999 160,000 0 777 0 6,277
Vice President 1998 155,000 65,000 720 0 6,200
1997 145,000 80,000 356 0 5,800
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The number and value of the aggregate restricted stock holdings at the end
of fiscal year 1999 for each named executive officer were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME SHARES VALUE
---- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C>
James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr. ............... 25,200 $638,550
Joseph M. Schepis........................... 12,700 344,488
Frederic M. Kline........................... 3,200 86,800
John K. Keane, Jr. ......................... 4,200 113,925
James B. White.............................. 2,200 59,675
</TABLE>
(2) Restricted stock awards are reported at the aggregate market value on the
date of the grant. The number of restricted shares granted in fiscal year
1998 to Messrs. DeGraffenreidt and Schepis was 12,000 and 6,000 shares,
respectively. The shares were granted on January 1, 1998 and vest at the
rate of 20% each year for five years beginning January 1, 1999. The market
value on the grant date was $27.3125 per share. The vesting schedule may
accelerate in connection with a change of control as defined in Washington
Gas Light Company's Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. Dividends are
paid on restricted shares from the effective date of the awards.
18
<PAGE> 25
Washington Gas Light Company maintains a trusteed, noncontributory pension
plan covering all active employees and vested former employees of Washington Gas
Light Company and its utility subsidiaries. Executive officers also participate
in a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Upon normal retirement (age 65),
each eligible participant is entitled under the supplemental executive
retirement plan to an annual benefit that is based on both years of benefit
service (up to a maximum of 30 years) and the average of the participant's
highest rates of annual basic compensation, including any short-term incentive
awards paid or deferred under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan and the
1999 Incentive Compensation Plan, or any successor plan, on December 31 of the
three years out of the final five years of the participant's service as a
participant. Participants may elect to have a portion of their Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan benefit paid in the form of a lump sum.
The following table shows the estimated annual single life benefits payable
under the pension plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan upon normal
retirement (age 65) to executive officers in various salary and years-of-service
classifications:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL YEARS OF BENEFIT SERVICE
AVERAGE ------------------------------
COMPENSATION 10 20 30
- ------------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$200,000................................... $ 40,000 $ 80,000 $120,000
400,000................................... 80,000 160,000 240,000
600,000................................... 120,000 240,000 360,000
700,000................................... 140,000 280,000 420,000
</TABLE>
Each of the five executive officers named above in the summary compensation
table has 30 years of benefit service except Messrs. DeGraffenreidt and White,
who have 21 and 28 years of benefit service, respectively. Benefits shown in the
above table are not subject to reductions for social security.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
During fiscal year 1999, Washington Gas Light Company entered into
employment agreements with Messrs. DeGraffenreidt, Schepis, Kline, Keane and
White. The agreements with these officers will be effective during the period of
one year prior to, and two years following, a change of control of Washington
Gas Light Company. A change of control is generally defined in these agreements
as one of the following:
- acquisition of 30% or more of Washington Gas Light Company's voting
stock;
- a change in the majority of Washington Gas Light Company's board of
directors; and
- a merger, reorganization, consolidation or sale of all or substantially
all of Washington Gas Light Company's assets.
The merger and reorganization discussed in this proxy statement and
prospectus will not constitute a change of control under the employment
agreements.
From the change of control to its second anniversary, the executive's
position, duties and responsibilities must be commensurate with the most
significant of those held, exercised and assigned at the time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the change of control. The executive agrees to
devote reasonable attention and time necessary to the business affairs of the
company.
During the one year prior and two years following a change of control the
executive is entitled to base salary, annual incentives, savings and retirement
plans, welfare benefit plans, expenses, fringe benefits, office and vacation,
consistent with those in place prior to the change of control or available after
the change of control if more beneficial.
19
<PAGE> 26
Base salary is defined as an amount equal to twelve times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable during the 12-month period immediately
preceding the change of control. The annual incentive is an amount at least
equal to that available to peer executives of Washington Gas Light Company and
its affiliated companies.
With respect to Messrs. DeGraffenreidt, Schepis, Kline and Keane, if the
executive is terminated during the effective period for reasons other than
cause, or if the executive resigns for good reason, the executive is entitled to
severance pay equal to three times the sum of the executive's annual base
salary, plus the highest of the executive's annual incentive actually earned for
the last three full fiscal years. Also the executive is entitled to an extension
of other employment benefits for three years. Mr. White is entitled to the same
benefit, except that the severance payment is two times the sum of the
executive's annual base salary, plus the highest of the executive's annual
incentive actually earned for the last three full fiscal years. The extension of
other employment benefits for Mr. White is for two years. Payments under these
agreements may be increased for any excise taxes payable under the Internal
Revenue Code.
"Good reason" is defined differently in these agreements based on the
position the named officer holds. The term includes one or more of the following
provisions:
(1) the assignment to the executive of any duties inconsistent in any
material respect with the executive's position;
(2) any failure by Washington Gas Light Company to comply with any of
the general employment provisions of the agreement;
(3) if there is a change of control, merger, acquisition or other
similar affiliation with another entity, and the executive does not
continue in the position of Chief Executive Officer of the most
senior resulting entity;
(4) if there is a change of control, merger, acquisition or other
similar affiliation with another entity, and the executive does not
continue in his or her existing position or a more senior position
of the most senior resulting entity;
(5) failure by Washington Gas Light Company to reimburse the executive
for expenses related to a required relocation;
(6) any required relocation of the executive more than thirty five miles
from Washington, D.C.;
(7) any purported termination by Washington Gas Light Company of the
executive's employment; or
(8) any failure by Washington Gas Light Company or any successor to
comply with and satisfy the agreement.
Following is a summary of the contract provisions indicated above that are
contained in each named executive's employment agreement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPLICABLE
EXECUTIVE PROVISIONS
--------- -------------
<S> <C>
James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr. .................... 1,2,3,5,6,7,8
Joseph M. Schepis................................ 1,2,4,5,6,7,8
Frederic M. Kline................................ 1,2,4,5,6,7,8
John K. Keane, Jr. .............................. 1,2,4,5,6,7,8
James B. White................................... 1,2,5,6,7,8
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE> 27
OPTION GRANTS
The following table provides information regarding the number and terms of
stock options granted to the named executive officers during the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1999. Washington Gas Light Company utilized the
Black-Scholes option pricing model to develop the theoretical values set forth
under the "Grant Date Present Value" column. An officer realizes value from a
stock option only to the extent that the price of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock on the exercise date exceeds the price of the stock on the grant
date. Consequently, there is no assurance that the value realized by an officer
will be at or near the value estimated below. Those amounts should not be used
to predict stock performance.
OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF TOTAL
OPTIONS
NUMBER OF GRANTED TO
SECURITIES EMPLOYEES
UNDERLYING IN EXERCISE OR GRANT DATE
OPTIONS FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE
NAME GRANTED(1) YEAR ($/SH)(2) DATE ($)(3)
---- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr. ........ 25,895 26.03% $22.625 03/31/09 $99,600
Joseph M. Schepis.................... 14,560 14.64 22.625 03/31/09 56,000
Frederic M. Kline.................... 7,353 7.39 22.625 03/31/09 28,280
John K. Keane, Jr.................... 6,552 6.59 22.625 03/31/09 25,200
James B. White....................... 5,824 5.86 22.625 03/31/09 22,400
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Options were granted to the named executive officers under the 1999
Incentive Compensation Plan at prices equal to the fair market value on the
date of grant. These are nonqualified stock options that become exercisable
three years after the date of grant. These options are subject to early
termination upon the occurrence of events related to termination of
employment. All options immediately become exercisable in the event of a
change in control.
(2) The exercise price of options may be paid in cash, by delivery of
already-owned shares of common stock of Washington Gas Light Company or by
any other method approved by the Human Resources Committee, which
administers the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan. The Human Resources
Committee could grant a "reload option" to the optionee. A reload option is
an option granted to an employee for the same number of shares as is
exchanged in payment of the exercise price and is subject to all of the same
terms and conditions as the original option except for the exercise price
which is determined on the basis of the fair market value of the common
stock of Washington Gas Light Company on the date the reload option is
granted. One or more successive reload options could be granted by the Human
Resources Committee.
(3) This represents the estimated present value of stock options, measured at
the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Warrant Valuation Call Option
Model. Unless otherwise noted with respect to specific option grants in the
following paragraphs, this model assumes no dilutive effects.
The following underlying assumptions were used in developing the grant
valuations:
- an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant;
- expected volatility of 24%;
- an annual risk free rate of return (represents the yield of Treasury
notes during the month of the grant with a maturity date corresponding to
the contractual term of the option) of 6.3%;
- an annual dividend yield as of the date of grant of 4.8%; and
21
<PAGE> 28
- a contractual exercise period for options granted of three years.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS
The following table provides information regarding the number and terms of
performance shares awarded to the named executive officers during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1999 under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan. The
targeted awards are based on an economic value of between 10.5% and 30.0% of the
executive's base salary. The awards ultimately earned vary based on Washington
Gas Light Company's total shareholder return relative to a peer group. Median
performance relative to the peer group earns awards at the targeted level. The
maximum that can be earned is 200 percent of the targeted level of shares. The
minimum that the executives can earn is zero shares. The performance period is
generally three years. However, awards made during fiscal year 1999 were for
performance periods of 18 and 30 months.
PERFORMANCE SHARES AWARDED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED FUTURE
PAYOUTS UNDER
NON-STOCK PRICE-BASED PLANS
NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE OR ----------------------------
SHARES, UNITS OR OTHER PERIOD UNTIL
NAME OTHER RIGHTS MATURATION OR PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
---- ---------------- -------------------- --------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James H. DeGraffenreidt, 7,784 September 30, 2001 -- 7,784 15,568
Jr. ......................... 4,114 September 30, 2000 -- 4,114 8,228
Joseph M. Schepis............ 4,377 September 30, 2001 -- 4,377 8,754
2,313 September 30, 2000 -- 2,313 4,626
Frederic M. Kline............ 2,210 September 30, 2001 -- 2,210 4,420
1,168 September 30, 2000 -- 1,168 2,336
John K. Keane, Jr. .......... 1,970 September 30, 2001 -- 1,970 3,940
1,041 September 30, 2000 -- 1,041 2,082
James B. White............... 1,751 September 30, 2001 -- 1,751 3,502
925 September 30, 2000 -- 925 1,850
</TABLE>
REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
The Human Resources Committee of the board of directors has responsibility
for recommending levels of executive compensation for consideration by
Washington Gas Light Company's board of directors. The objective of the
executive compensation program is to provide remuneration which fairly reflects
corporate performance and achievements and responsibilities of each officer.
Executive compensation is also intended to provide rewards and incentives for
achievement of long-term growth in shareholder value and to attract and retain
experienced corporate executives.
ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The committee's philosophy is that total compensation for each of
Washington Gas Light Company's officers should be competitive with executives
with similar experience and responsibility. This compensation should also
reflect the individual performance of each officer as well as corporate
performance.
To accomplish these objectives, each officer's compensation is composed of
base salary and elements of short-term and long-term incentive compensation.
Short-term incentive compensation is "at risk," in that payment of any of this
compensation depends upon performance of the
22
<PAGE> 29
individual officer and performance of Washington Gas Light Company as a whole.
Long-term incentive compensation is also "at risk" in that it relates directly
to the performance of Washington Gas Light Company's common stock.
Total compensation opportunities at target levels are set at the
size-adjusted median of the utilities market. General industry data is also
reviewed, but to date has not impacted the determination of market levels.
Companies forming the utilities market are, to the extent possible, gas and
electric and gas utilities that are similar to Washington Gas Light Company in
business and revenues size. This is not the same group of companies used in the
performance graph shown on page 26.
The committee has retained an independent executive compensation consultant
to review Washington Gas Light Company's executive compensation practices and
policies. The independent advisor conducts an annual study of Washington Gas
Light Company's executive compensation practices and policies to determine their
reasonableness and competitiveness in the relevant market. The committee meets
with the independent advisor during the year to review all elements of
Washington Gas Light Company's executive compensation plans.
The following is a description of the elements of each officer's
compensation:
Base Salary: The committee intends base salary levels of officers to be
set at a level approximately equal to 90% of utility market levels for officers
of similar experience and responsibility. This approach was taken to place base
salaries below overall market rates, and to leave the opportunity for each
officer to meet or exceed market compensation through incentive pay. This
continuing practice is designed to encourage higher levels of performance by the
officers. It is seen by the committee as a way to align the interests of the
officers of Washington Gas Light Company more closely with the interests of the
shareholders.
To determine competitive compensation levels, management of Washington Gas
Light Company obtains data on executive compensation paid by other utility and
non-utility companies. Based on that information and in consideration of each
officer's responsibility and performance, the chairman and chief executive
officer of Washington Gas Light Company makes specific recommendations for
salary adjustments for all officers except himself. The committee reviews these
recommendations in consultation with the independent advisor retained by the
committee. Based on this consultation and the data on industry compensation
levels, the committee makes a final recommendation to the full board of
directors as to all officers, including the chairman and chief executive officer
(whose compensation is described further below).
Short-Term Incentive Compensation: Short-term incentive pay opportunities
are set so that, when target awards are combined with base salaries at 90% of
market, total cash compensation is at market.
For fiscal year 1999, any short-term incentive compensation for officers
would have been earned under Washington Gas Light Company's Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan. Payments could have only been made under the Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan if Washington Gas Light Company's rate of return on
common stock equity exceeded a threshold amount predetermined by the board of
directors. For fiscal year 1999, that threshold was an 11% rate of return on
common equity. Since Washington Gas Light Company earned a rate of return on
common equity of less than that threshold, individual awards for 1999 were not
paid under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. For fiscal years beginning
with fiscal year 2000, short term incentive compensation will not be awarded
under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, but will be awarded under terms
of Washington Gas Light Company's 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan, as described
further below. This plan was approved by shareholders at the 1999 Annual
Meeting.
23
<PAGE> 30
The committee determines individual awards under the 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan annually. If the rate of return on common equity threshold and
any other criteria are met for payments under the 1999 Incentive Compensation
Plan, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will make recommendations to the
committee for awards for each officer except himself. These recommendations
include evaluation of the following factors applicable to the corporation and
each of the officers:
For the corporation:
- return on equity;
- earnings before income tax;
- operation and maintenance cost per customer;
- customer loyalty; and
- operational effectiveness.
For the officers:
- success in meeting established corporate and departmental goals;
- managing resources within established departmental budgets;
- effectiveness in areas of leadership, planning and teamwork;
- peer evaluations; and
- comparison to incentive compensation in the natural gas distribution
and other industries, based on data supplied by the outside study of
executive compensation.
The committee considers the amount and basis for these recommendations in
consultation with its independent advisor.
Payouts under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan will be higher or lower
than target depending on both corporate and individual performance. Payouts may
range from 0% to 225% of target.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation, the 1999 Incentive Compensation
Plan: The 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan replaced Washington Gas Light
Company's Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, which expired by its terms on
June 27, 1999. Outstanding grants under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Plan will remain outstanding and will vest according to the terms of those
grants. For fiscal year 2000 and future years, long-term incentive compensation
awards will be made by the committee under terms and conditions of the 1999
Incentive Compensation Plan.
The 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan is intended to provide key personnel
of Washington Gas Light Company with additional incentives by increasing their
interests in Washington Gas Light Company and its success. The 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan promotes achievement of long-term growth of Washington Gas
Light Company by assisting in the recruiting and retention of key employees,
including the officers. Under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan, there may be
awards of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights,
performance shares, bonus stock, other awards based on the value of Washington
Gas Light Company's common stock, dividend units, and cash incentives. As noted
previously, short-term incentives may also be granted under the 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan. The committee is the Administrator of the 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan and has the authority to grant awards under it.
In accordance with terms of the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan, the
committee has granted long-term compensation awards in the form of stock options
and performance shares. The size of these grants was set to approximate the
size-adjusted median of the utility market.
24
<PAGE> 31
The exercise price of stock options is the fair market value of Washington Gas
Light Company's common stock on the date of grant. The stock options vest on the
third anniversary of the grant and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant.
For fiscal year 1999 awards, performance shares vest on the 18- and 30-month
anniversary of the date of grant and are earned only if Washington Gas Light
Company achieves minimum total shareholder return levels as compared to a peer
group of companies.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. DeGraffenreidt served as President and Chief Executive Officer until
December 1, 1998, when he was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr.
DeGraffenreidt's base salary was set at a level of approximately 90% of the
relevant market for positions of similar responsibilities. In accordance with
the incentive compensation plan, described above, since the threshold rate of
return on common equity target for the year was not achieved, no short-term
incentive payment was paid to Mr. DeGraffenreidt for fiscal year 1999.
Long-term incentive awards in the form of stock options and performance
shares were granted to Mr. DeGraffenreidt and to other Washington Gas Light
Company officers during fiscal year 1999 under terms of the 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan. These grants were at competitive levels based on a market
study conducted by the committee's independent advisor. The shares awarded to
Mr. DeGraffenreidt are shown in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy
statement and prospectus. As for other executives, the size of these grants was
set so as to approximate the size-adjusted median of the utility market. As
described above, these stock option awards under the 1999 Incentive Compensation
Plan vest in three years and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of
grant. The exercise price of the stock options is the fair market value of the
shares on the date of grant. Performance shares granted in fiscal year 1999 vest
after 18 and 30 months. Performance shares are earned only if Washington Gas
Light Company achieves minimum total shareholder return levels compared to a
group of peer companies.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF COMPENSATION
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, Washington Gas Light
Company may not deduct compensation in excess of $1 million paid to Washington
Gas Light Company's Chief Executive Officer and to the other four highest
compensated executive officers unless it meets specific criteria for
performance-based compensation. As discussed in this report, the committee
intends to provide compensation that is both market and performance based.
Awards under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan are performance-based awards
and are intended to meet the Section 162(m) performance based plan requirements.
Washington Gas Light Company's compensation program is designed to achieve full
tax deductibility. However, we reserve the right to approve non-deductible
compensation if we believe it is in Washington Gas Light Company's best
interests. All compensation paid for fiscal year 1999 was fully deductible by
Washington Gas Light Company for federal income tax purposes.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Daniel J. Callahan, III (Chairman)
Fred J. Brinkman
Melvyn J. Estrin
25
<PAGE> 32
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly cumulative total
shareholder return on Washington Gas Light Company's common stock against the
cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow
Jones Utility Average for the period of five years commencing September 30,
1994, and ended September 30, 1999.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS*
[CURRENT CORPORATE STRUCTURE CHART]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT DOW JONES UTILITY
COMPANY STANDARD & POOR'S 500 AVERAGE
-------------------- --------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1994 100.00 100.00 100.00
1995 117.73 129.74 126.29
1996 137.59 156.13 135.56
1997 168.33 219.27 156.50
1998 190.33 239.11 209.54
1999 195.52 305.61 211.28
</TABLE>
* Assumes reinvestment of dividends daily for Standard & Poor's 500, quarterly
for the Dow Jones Utility Average and Washington Gas Light Company. This
calculation is based on $100 invested on September 30, 1994.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The board of directors recommends that the shareholders ratify the
appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, to audit the
books, records and accounts of Washington Gas Light Company for fiscal year
2000. The appointment was made upon the recommendation of the audit review
committee, which is composed of directors who are not officers or otherwise
employees of Washington Gas Light Company. This firm has been similarly employed
by Washington Gas Light Company since 1949. Representatives of Arthur Andersen
LLP will be present at the annual meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.
26
<PAGE> 33
PROPOSAL 3
REORGANIZATION OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
GENERAL
The board of directors of Washington Gas Light Company unanimously believes
that it is in the best interests of Washington Gas Light Company and its
shareholders to reorganize Washington Gas Light Company. In the reorganization:
- Washington Gas Light Company will become a separate subsidiary of a new
parent holding company, WGL Holdings, Inc.;
- the present holders of Washington Gas Light Company common stock will
hold the common stock of WGL Holdings, Inc.;
- Hampshire Gas Company, Washington Gas Resources Corp., Crab Run Gas
Company and Primary Investors, LLC. which are presently subsidiaries or
investments of Washington Gas Light Company, also will become
subsidiaries or investments of WGL Holdings, Inc.; and
- all other subsidiaries will remain as they were prior to the
reorganization.
To carry out the reorganization, Washington Gas Light Company has
incorporated two Virginia corporations, WGL Holdings, Inc., and Washington Gas
Acquisition Co. Each of these corporations has a nominal amount of stock
outstanding and no present business or properties of its own. All of the
currently outstanding shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock, are owned by
Washington Gas Light Company, and all of the currently outstanding shares of
Washington Gas Acquisition Co., are owned by WGL Holdings, Inc.
Washington Gas Acquisition Co. will merge into Washington Gas Light
Company, which will be the surviving company. Washington Gas Light Company will
become a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, Inc. The outstanding shares of Washington
Gas Light Company common stock will be converted into shares of WGL Holdings,
Inc. common stock. Washington Gas Light Company shareholders will receive full
and fractional shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock equal to and in
exchange for the number of full and fractional shares of Washington Gas Light
Company common stock held at the effective time of the merger.
After the merger, the existing subsidiaries or investments of Washington
Gas Light Company will be transferred to WGL Holdings, Inc. and will become
subsidiaries or investments of WGL Holdings, Inc.
REASONS FOR THE REORGANIZATION
The primary purpose of the reorganization is to establish the optimal
corporate structure to respond to increased competition in the natural gas
industry.
As a result of the significant changes that the utility industry in general
and the natural gas distribution business specifically are experiencing,
Washington Gas Light Company is proposing a reorganization that will allow it to
take advantage of the opportunities that have and will continue to present
themselves in the relatively near future. The proposed reorganization will allow
for clearly defined utility operations that reinforce the financial strength of
the regulated utility. Components of the utility business have the potential to
be unbundled from the regulated utility business. The prospects for those
businesses to succeed as independent businesses and to realize maximum value for
shareholders will be greater under a holding company structure than under the
current structure. Separate nonutility businesses will be able to operate
independently from the utility in competitive markets without the historical
regulatory encum-
27
<PAGE> 34
brances imposed on the utility. Financing flexibility of the businesses in which
Washington Gas Light Company and subsidiaries currently operate will be enhanced
under a holding company structure.
Deregulation and increased competition have led to significant changes in
the energy industry. As a regulated natural gas distribution company, Washington
Gas Light Company has traditionally provided a "bundled" service to its
customers, including two primary functions: (1) the merchant function (i.e.,
natural gas acquisition and retail sales), and (2) the core utility, or delivery
function. As the industry has changed, we have changed our view of these
functions.
Historically, we have bought natural gas for our customers from producers,
and have had it delivered to the entrance point of our distribution system by
interstate pipeline companies. Subject to regulatory prudence reviews, we have
passed the costs paid to the producers and the interstate pipelines directly
through to our customers, generally without our having any opportunity for
profit or any risk of loss.
The merchant function is the industry segment currently experiencing the
greatest change. These changes offer customers in many jurisdictions, including
those in which we operate, the opportunity to purchase their natural gas from
unregulated marketers as well as from their regulated local distribution
company. These unregulated marketers compete for these sales and have the
opportunity to make a profit or incur a loss from them. One of Washington Gas
Light Company's subsidiaries, Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc., is an
unregulated energy marketer. Ultimately, we expect our regulated local
distribution company to play a much smaller role in the merchant function. Our
distribution company may ultimately exit the merchant function as more customers
buy natural gas from unregulated energy marketers.
Through the construction of our distribution system, we have committed over
90% of our assets to the delivery of natural gas to our customers. The core
utility function currently includes the infrastructure needed to provide
customer services including reading meters, preparing bills, and answering
telephones. Historically, local regulatory commissions have allowed Washington
Gas Light Company an opportunity to earn a fair rate of return on the capital
invested in its distribution system and to recover reasonable operating
expenses.
Even after forming a holding company, we expect the profile of our
regulated distribution business to remain substantially the same. We plan to
continue to construct, operate and maintain our natural gas distribution system,
enhance the efficiency of our operations, add customers profitably, and compete
against electricity and oil. Unbundling the merchant function from the
operations of the regulated distribution company is not expected to affect the
potential profitability of the traditional regulated utility operations.
However, Washington Gas Light Company may be able to create greater value for
its shareholders by further separating the previously discussed merchant
function into an unregulated subsidiary that reports to a holding company.
Like retail gas sales service, customer service functions currently
performed by the regulated utility may become available to customers on a
competitive basis from other service providers. As some of these customer
services become "unbundled" from the utility service, they may be offered
through unregulated subsidiaries that will have to compete for customers. The
holding company structure will allow these entities to operate with greater
flexibility and autonomy than if they were part of the existing corporate
structure, thus increasing the value of components that are currently part of
the regulated utility.
Existing regulations in Virginia and Maryland require us to define the
nature and methods used to allocate expenses and to transfer assets between
companies. The Virginia State Corporation Commission requires that Washington
Gas Light Company use asymmetrical pricing for transactions among affiliates.
Under an asymmetrical pricing concept, when services are provided by the utility
to the unregulated subsidiary, the expenses are transferred at the higher of
28
<PAGE> 35
cost or market. When services are acquired by the utility from the unregulated
subsidiary, the expenses are allocated at the lower of cost or market. Over
time, these regulations are subject to change.
At the present time, our unregulated activities include: (1) selling
natural gas in competition with unregulated marketing companies; (2) providing
residential and commercial energy services by designing, renovating, installing,
selling and repairing heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems; and (3)
financing gas appliances and other equipment for residential and small
commercial customers. The proposed holding company structure will provide
desirable insulation of Washington Gas Light Company's public utility customers
and the public holders of its securities from the risks of nonutility businesses
by further segregating the nonutility businesses into separate corporations that
will be direct subsidiaries of the holding company and not of Washington Gas
Light Company. Because nonutility businesses of the holding company will be
conducted through separate subsidiaries, any liabilities incurred by those
subsidiaries will not constitute liabilities of the utility.
Financing of Washington Gas Light Company's activities are subject to,
among other things, approval of regulatory authorities. After the
reorganization, financing by WGL Holdings, Inc. and its nonutility subsidiaries
will generally require approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. The board of directors believes
that the holding company structure can provide enhanced financing flexibility
for the broader array of businesses in which WGL Holdings, Inc. wishes to
participate. For example, the holding company structure may permit the
structuring of loan facilities appropriate for the individual nonutility
businesses, without affecting the capital structure of the regulated utility,
Washington Gas Light Company.
THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
The discussion in this proxy statement and prospectus of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger and Reorganization is subject to and qualified in its entirety to
the agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement and
prospectus as Appendix A and is incorporated herein by reference.
The agreement, which is among Washington Gas Light Company, WGL Holdings,
Inc. and Washington Gas Acquisition Co., has been adopted by the parties'
respective boards of directors. The holders of more than two-thirds of the
issued and outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
voting separately as a class and more than two-thirds of the outstanding shares
of Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock voting together as a
single class must also approve the agreement. See "Vote Required" on page 30.
The first step in the reorganization is the merger. In the merger:
- Washington Gas Acquisition Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WGL
Holdings, Inc., will be merged with and into Washington Gas Light
Company, with Washington Gas Light Company being the surviving
corporation;
- each share of Washington Gas Light Company common stock outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted
into an equal number of new shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock;
- each share of Washington Gas Acquisition Co. common stock outstanding
immediately prior to the merger will be converted into shares of
Washington Gas Light Company, resulting in WGL Holdings, Inc. becoming
the owner of all outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock; and
29
<PAGE> 36
- the shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock held by Washington Gas
Light Company immediately prior to the merger will be canceled.
As a result of the merger, WGL Holdings, Inc. will become a holding company
with Washington Gas Light Company as its wholly-owned subsidiary. All of the WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock outstanding immediately after the merger will be
owned by the former holders of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the merger. Shares of Washington Gas Light
Company preferred stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger will remain
as outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company preferred stock, unchanged
by the merger.
After the completion of the merger, Hampshire Gas Company, Washington Gas
Resources Corp. Primary Investors, LLC and Crab Run Gas Company will be
transferred to WGL Holdings, Inc., which will then hold them as wholly-owned
subsidiaries or investments. See "Transfer of Washington Gas Light Company
Subsidiaries to WGL Holdings, Inc." on page 32.
All outstanding indebtedness and other obligations of Washington Gas Light
Company will remain as outstanding obligations of Washington Gas Light Company
after the reorganization. Immediately after the consummation of the merger, WGL
Holdings, Inc. will have no outstanding securities other than common stock but
could issue other securities in the future. Holders of Washington Gas Light
Company medium-term notes will continue as security holders of Washington Gas
Light Company.
VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of the holders of record of more than two-thirds of
the outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock voting
separately as a class, and more than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock voting together as a
single class, is required to approve the reorganization.
REGULATORY MATTERS AND APPROVAL
As a result of the reorganization, if approved, WGL Holdings, Inc. will
become a "public utility holding company" under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935. See "Regulation of WGL Holdings, Inc. and Washington Gas
Light Company and Subsidiaries After the Reorganization."
The reorganization cannot be consummated unless and until all approvals,
authorizations and consents are obtained on conditions acceptable to the board
of directors of Washington Gas Light Company.
Under Virginia law governing public utilities, any transaction involving
the transfer of utility stock must be approved in advance by the Virginia State
Corporation Commission. Washington Gas Light Company will submit an application
seeking that Commission's approval of the merger and reorganization and the
affiliated transactions arising therefrom.
Washington Gas Light Company has notified the Maryland Public Service
Commission and the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
regarding the proposed merger and reorganization, although no approval or other
action is required by either commission in connection with the merger and
reorganization.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The accounting treatment for the reorganization will be based on non-cash,
non-taxable transactions, with resulting assets and liabilities recorded at
historical cost amounts. After the consummation of the merger and
reorganization, the consolidated financial statements of WGL
30
<PAGE> 37
Holdings, Inc. are expected to be substantially similar to those of Washington
Gas Light Company.
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REORGANIZATION
In addition to approval of the agreement by Washington Gas Light Company
shareholders, the reorganization is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
- the receipt of all necessary orders, authorizations, consents, approvals
or waivers from the Virginia State Corporation Commission and any other
third parties. These approvals must remain in full force and effect, and
may not include conditions that the board of directors of Washington Gas
Light Company deems unacceptable; and
- the merger of Shenandoah Gas Company into Washington Gas Light Company;
and
- listing on the New York Stock Exchange of shares of WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock; and
- the receipt of an acceptable opinion of counsel for Washington Gas Light
Company regarding the non-taxable status of the merger and
reorganization.
After each of these conditions is satisfied, the merger will become
effective when the Virginia State Corporation Commission issues articles of
merger under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act and WGL Holdings, Inc. files
articles of merger with the District of Columbia pursuant to the District of
Columbia Business Corporation Act. Washington Gas Light Company cannot predict
if or when the conditions to effectiveness of the merger will be satisfied, but
Washington Gas Light Company currently is working to complete the merger and
reorganization before July 1, 2000.
EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
Upon the effectiveness of the merger, certificates previously representing
shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock will automatically represent
the same number of shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock and will entitle
the holder to receive a certificate of WGL Holdings, Inc. WGL Holdings, Inc.
will issue and deliver to the transfer agent certificates representing shares of
WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock into which outstanding shares of Washington Gas
Light Company common stock have been converted. Promptly after the effectiveness
of the merger, WGL Holdings, Inc. will send to each person who was a Washington
Gas Light Company common shareholder of record immediately prior to the
effectiveness of the merger written instructions and transmittal materials for
use in surrendering Washington Gas Light Company common stock certificates to
the transfer agent. Washington Gas Light Company shareholders should NOT send in
their stock certificates to the transfer agent until they receive the
transmittal letter after the effectiveness of the merger.
WGL Holdings, Inc. also will send to brokers, banks and other nominee
record holders of Washington Gas Light Company common stock appropriate
instructions and transmittal materials for use in surrendering Washington Gas
Light Company stock certificates to the transfer agent, so that the shares held
by these record holders on behalf of beneficial owners of Washington Gas Light
Company common stock can be exchanged for the shares of WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock.
After a former common shareholder of Washington Gas Light Company properly
surrenders the shareholder's stock certificate along with a completed
transmittal letter to the transfer agent, the transfer agent will issue,
register and deliver to the shareholder a WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock
certificate. The holder of record of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
at the effectiveness of the merger, or someone on the holder's behalf, must
surrender the Washington Gas Light Company certificate representing the shares.
After the effectiveness of the merger, there will be no further transfers of
Washington Gas Light Company common stock on
31
<PAGE> 38
the stock transfer books of Washington Gas Light Company nor the registration or
any transfer of a Washington Gas Light Company common stock certificate.
Except as described with respect to lost or otherwise missing certificates
below, the transfer agent will not deliver a WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock
certificate to any former common shareholder of Washington Gas Light Company
until the shareholder properly surrenders the shareholder's Washington Gas Light
Company stock certificate(s) along with a completed transmittal letter. But,
subject to state abandoned property law, when a shareholder properly surrenders
their Washington Gas Light Company common stock certificate(s), the transfer
agent will give the shareholder a new certificate for the shares of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock represented by the Washington Gas Light Company
certificate(s). Any shareholder of Washington Gas Light Company whose
certificate evidencing shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock has
been lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise is missing will have the right to
receive a certificate representing shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock
under any conditions imposed by the transfer agent or WGL Holdings, Inc., which
may include a requirement that the shareholder provide a lost instrument
indemnity or surety bond in form, substance and amount satisfactory to the
transfer agent and WGL Holdings, Inc.
SERIAL PREFERRED STOCK OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AFTER THE REORGANIZATION
Serial preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company which is issued and
outstanding on the effective date of the reorganization will remain issued and
outstanding as shares of Washington Gas Light Company serial preferred stock.
The dividend rate will not be changed and those dividends will continue to be
paid by Washington Gas Light Company.
After the effective date of the merger and reorganization, holders of
serial preferred stock of Washington Gas Light Company will continue to receive
notice of any meetings of shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company and have
the right to one vote per share, but, in most cases, they will not be asked to
send in a proxy to vote at that meeting. This is because WGL Holdings, Inc., as
holder of all the common stock of Washington Gas Light Company, will have the
power to elect directors and take most other actions which could be raised at
those meetings. Holders of shares of serial preferred stock of Washington Gas
Light Company will not have the right to vote those shares at future shareholder
meetings of WGL Holdings, Inc. The Washington Gas Light Company serial preferred
stock, $4.36 convertible series and $4.60 convertible series are being redeemed
effective February 1, 2000. These two series will have no further voting rights
following the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for March 3, 2000.
Rights and privileges of the preferred stockholders of Washington Gas Light
Company will not be changed by this merger and reorganization. In the event an
issue is to be raised at a future shareholder meeting requiring the vote of
preferred shareholders, proxies of those shareholders will be solicited for the
meeting.
Holders of the serial preferred stock will also continue to receive any
other documents which may be required under the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable state laws.
TRANSFER OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES TO WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
Washington Gas Light Company will, as part of the reorganization, by
noncash dividend, transfer to WGL Holdings, Inc. all of the outstanding stock of
Hampshire Gas Company, Washington Gas Resources Corp. and Crab Run Gas Company
and Washington Gas Light Company's investment in Primary Investors LLC. After
the reorganization, WGL Holdings, Inc. will be the parent holding company of
four wholly-owned companies: Washington Gas Light Company (with Shenandoah Gas
Company having been previously merged into Washington Gas Light Company),
Hampshire Gas Company, Washington Gas Resources Corp. and Crab Run Gas Company.
WGL Holdings, Inc. will also own a 50% interest in Primary Investors, LLC.
32
<PAGE> 39
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Under the agreement, shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
held in the Washington Gas Light Company dividend reinvestment and common stock
purchase plan at the effectiveness of the merger, including uncertificated whole
and fractional shares, will automatically be converted into an equal number of
shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock. At the effectiveness of the merger,
WGL Holdings, Inc. will succeed to the dividend reinvestment and common stock
purchase plan as in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of the merger,
and shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock will be issued under the plan and
after the effectiveness of the merger. WGL Holdings, Inc. will file a
post-effective amendment to the Washington Gas Light Company registration
statement for the plan shortly after the effectiveness of the merger. This
discussion will serve as written notice to participants in the plan of our
intent to amend this plan, as described above, upon the effectiveness of the
merger.
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK PLANS
The agreement also provides that all employee and director plans which
include investments in Washington Gas Light Company common stock will be amended
to provide for these plans to utilize common stock of WGL Holdings, Inc. instead
of Washington Gas Light Company common stock after the merger.
After the merger, all outstanding stock options and rights to performance
shares under the Washington Gas Light Company 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan
will be converted into options and rights to performance shares of WGL Holdings,
Inc. common stock. The terms and conditions of the 1999 Incentive Compensation
Plan will not otherwise be changed. Future grants under the 1999 Incentive
Compensation Plan will be made in WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock. WGL Holdings,
Inc. will file a post-effective amendment to Washington Gas Light Company's
registration statement for the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan shortly after
the effectiveness of the merger.
All shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock held in Washington
Gas Light Company's Savings Plan for Management Employees and the Capital
Appreciation Plan will be converted into shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common
stock. Participants in these plans will have the opportunity to direct future
investments into shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. in place of shares of Washington
Gas Light Company.
All shares of Washington Gas Light Company restricted stock held in
participant accounts under the Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan will be
converted into restricted shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock. The terms
and conditions of the Plan will not otherwise be changed. The preceding
discussion will serve as written notice to participants in all plans which
include investments in Washington Gas Light Company common stock of our intent
to amend those plans, as described above, at the effectiveness of the merger.
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
The boards of directors of Washington Gas Light Company, WGL Holdings, Inc.
and Washington Gas Acquisition Co. may amend any of the terms of the agreement
at any time before or after its approval by Washington Gas Light Company
shareholders and prior to the effective time. After the agreement is approved by
Washington Gas Light Company shareholders, the parties cannot amend the
agreement in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the rights of
Washington Gas Light Company shareholders. If the agreement is materially
amended, Washington Gas Light Company will recirculate the proxy statement and
prospectus. However, notwithstanding the approval by Washington Gas Light
Company shareholders, if the board of directors of Washington Gas Light Company
determines, in its sole judgment, that consummation of the merger would, for any
reason, be inadvisable or not in the best interests of
33
<PAGE> 40
Washington Gas Light Company or its shareholders, the agreement may be
terminated and the merger abandoned at any time prior to the effective time.
LISTING OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. COMMON STOCK
WGL Holdings, Inc. is applying to have its common stock listed on the New
York Stock Exchange. It is expected that the listing will be effective at the
effective time of the merger. The ticker symbol of WGL Holdings, Inc. common
stock is expected to be "WGL" on the exchange and quotations will be carried in
newspapers as they have been for Washington Gas Light Company common stock.
Following the reorganization, Washington Gas Light Company common stock will no
longer be quoted or traded and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange
and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
DIVIDEND POLICY
WGL Holdings, Inc. does not now, nor will it immediately after the merger
and reorganization, conduct directly any revenue generating business operations.
WGL Holdings, Inc. initially plans to obtain operating funds primarily from
dividends paid to WGL Holdings, Inc. on the stock of its subsidiaries, and
possibly from the sale of securities or debt incurred by WGL Holdings, Inc.
Initially, dividends on WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock will depend primarily
upon the earnings, financial condition and capital requirements of Washington
Gas Light Company, and the dividends paid by Washington Gas Light Company to WGL
Holdings, Inc.
WGL Holdings, Inc. presently expects to continue Washington Gas Light
Company's policy of paying an appropriate percentage of earnings to shareholders
of its common stock. Washington Gas Light Company will continue to pay dividends
on its outstanding preferred stock in accordance with the terms of each series
and any dividends that Washington Gas Light Company may pay in the future on its
common stock will be subject to the rights of the holders of such preferred
stock. In the future, dividends from WGL Holdings, Inc.'s subsidiaries other
than Washington Gas Light Company may be a source of funds for dividend payments
by WGL Holdings, Inc. In addition, although it has no present intention to do
so, WGL Holdings, Inc. may issue preferred stock in the future to meet its
capital requirements. See "Description of WGL Holdings, Inc. Capital Stock --
Authorized Capital -- Preferred Stock." This preferred stock could have
preferential dividend rights over WGL Holdings, Inc.'s common stock.
WGL Holdings, Inc. presently expects to pay quarterly dividends on WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock at least equal to the rate, and on approximately the
same schedule as, the dividend most recently declared by Washington Gas Light
Company on its common stock. The quarterly dividend most recently declared by
Washington Gas Light Company's board of directors on Washington Gas Light
Company common stock was $.305 per share, payable February 1, 2000, to holders
of record on January 10, 2000. As currently in the case of Washington Gas Light
Company, the payment and amount of future dividends, however, is at the
discretion of WGL Holdings, Inc.'s board of directors based on financial and
other factors and cannot be assured. The amount of dividends paid by Washington
Gas Light Company to WGL Holdings, Inc. following the reorganization may be
greater than the amount of dividends WGL Holdings, Inc. may pay on its common
stock, as WGL Holdings, Inc. may need to retain funds for its expected holding
company activities, which include potential new investments in subsidiaries.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion constitutes the opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest
LLP as to the material federal income tax consequences of the merger and
reorganization. Consummation of the merger and reorganization is conditioned
upon, among other things, the receipt by Washington Gas Light Company on the
effective date of the merger of a confirmatory opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest
LLP. While this constitutes the opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, this
34
<PAGE> 41
opinion is not binding in any manner upon the Internal Revenue Service or the
courts and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not
assert contrary positions. Each holder of Washington Gas Light Company's common
stock should consult the holder's own tax advisor as to the specific income tax
consequences to the holder, including the application and effect of state or
local income and other tax laws.
The following is a discussion of material United States federal income tax
consequences of the reorganization to holders of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended to the date hereof, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions
and Treasury regulations, all of which are subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect, which changes could affect the tax consequences described
herein, and on factual representations provided by Washington Gas Light Company
and WGL Holdings, Inc. The discussion applies only to investors that hold
Washington Gas Light Company common stock as capital assets and does not address
tax considerations which may affect the treatment of special status taxpayers
including financial institutions, broker-dealers, life insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, investment companies, foreign taxpayers, persons who
acquired stock pursuant to employee stock options or plans and debtors in
bankruptcy and similar proceedings. In addition, this discussion does not
provide any information regarding the tax consequences of the reorganization
under the tax laws of any state or any local or foreign jurisdiction. No rulings
have been sought from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the
reorganization and it is not currently expected that rulings will be sought.
The formation of Washington Gas Acquisition Co. and its merger with and
into Washington Gas Light Company will be disregarded for federal income tax
purposes, and the reorganization will be treated as an exchange, governed by the
provisions of Internal Revenue Code section 351, of Washington Gas Light Company
common stock for WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock. As a consequence:
(1) No income, gain or loss will be recognized by a holder of Washington
Gas Light Company common stock upon the exchange of the stock of Washington Gas
Light Company for common stock of WGL Holdings, Inc;
(2) The tax basis of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock received by the holder
will be the same as the tax basis of the Washington Gas Light Company stock
surrendered in exchange therefor;
(3) The holding period of the WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock will include
the holding period for the Washington Gas Light Company common stock exchanged
therefor;
(4) Holders of Washington Gas Light Company common stock who exercise their
statutory right to dissent and receive solely cash in exchange for the stock of
Washington Gas Light Company will be treated as having received such payments as
distributions in redemption, as provided in Internal Revenue Code section
302(a), of this stock. Each affected shareholder should consult their own tax
advisor for the tax effect of the redemption (i.e., exchange treatment or
dividend) in light of the shareholder's particular facts and circumstances; and
(5) Holders of nonqualified stock options to acquire common stock of
Washington Gas Light Company will not recognize any income, gain, or loss upon
the conversion of those options into nonqualified stock options to acquire WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock;
(6) Neither Washington Gas Light Company nor WGL Holdings, Inc. will incur
current U.S. federal income tax as a result of the reorganization.
EACH HOLDER OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY STOCK SHOULD CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS
TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REORGANIZATION TO
THE HOLDER.
35
<PAGE> 42
DESCRIPTION OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC. CAPITAL STOCK
The following statements with respect to WGL Holdings, Inc. capital stock
are based on WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation and bylaws, as they
will be in effect as of the effectiveness of the merger, and the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Copies of WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles and bylaws as
they will be in effect as of the effectiveness of the merger are attached as
Appendices B and C hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
WGL Holdings, Inc. will be authorized to issue up to 123,000,000 shares of
capital stock, consisting of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value
per share and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share. As of
January 13, 2000, there were 100 shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock
issued and outstanding, all of which are owned by Washington Gas Light Company.
No shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. preferred stock are currently issued and
outstanding. Immediately after giving effect to the merger, WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock will be outstanding in an amount equal to Washington Gas Light
Company common stock immediately prior to the merger. No shares of WGL Holdings,
Inc. preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC. COMMON STOCK
Dividend Rights Subject to the limitations, if any, specified with
respect to the preferred stock, or any series
thereof, dividends may be paid on shares of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock, out of any funds
legally available therefor, when and as declared by
the WGL Holdings, Inc. board of directors.
Liquidation Rights Subject to the limitations, if any, specified with
respect to the preferred stock, or any series
thereof, in the event of any dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of WGL Holdings, Inc.,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of WGL
Holdings, Inc. available for payment and
distribution to shareholders shall be distributed
ratably in accordance with their holders to the
holders of shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common
stock.
Voting Rights The holders of shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common
stock will have exclusive voting powers, except as
any statute of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall
expressly provide to the contrary, and except as
and to the extent otherwise specified with respect
to the preferred stock, or any series thereof. Each
holder of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock shall, in
the election of directors and upon each other
matter coming before any meeting of shareholders,
be entitled to one (1) vote for each of share of
the stock standing in the name of the holder on the
books of WGL Holdings, Inc.
Miscellaneous WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock has no preemptive
or conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund
provisions and the outstanding common stock is
fully paid and non-assessable.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC. PREFERRED STOCK
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation will permit its board of
directors to fix the preferences, limitations and relative rights, within the
limits provided by applicable law, of the
36
<PAGE> 43
WGL Holdings, Inc. preferred stock before the issuance of any shares of that
class or one or more series within the class of preferred stock before the
issuance of any shares of that series.
POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF PROVISIONS OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC.'S
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
It is not the intent of the board of directors of WGL Holdings, Inc. to
discourage legitimate offers to enhance shareholder value. Provisions of WGL
Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation or bylaws, however, may have the
effect of discouraging unilateral tender offers or other attempts to acquire the
business of WGL Holdings, Inc. The following is a list of those provisions:
- Director nominations by shareholders generally must be made at least 60
days prior to the date of the shareholders meeting;
- Vacancies on the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the
remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum and
- Business combinations may require the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least 80% of the outstanding voting shares. See discussion of the Fair
Price Provision below.
The provisions listed above also currently apply to Washington Gas Light Company
shareholders.
These provisions might discourage a potentially interested purchaser from
attempting a unilateral takeover bid for WGL Holdings, Inc. on terms that some
shareholders might favor. If they discourage potential takeover bids, these
provisions might limit the opportunity for shareholders of WGL Holdings, Inc. to
sell their shares at a premium.
In addition, the articles of incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc., like
those of Washington Gas Light Company, will not provide for cumulative voting in
the election of directors. Cumulative voting permits shareholders to multiply
their number of votes by the total number of directors being elected and to cast
their total number of votes for one or more candidates.
The bylaws of WGL Holdings, Inc. will also include provisions setting forth
specific conditions and restrictions under which business may be transacted at
meetings of shareholders. For example, no business may be transacted at a
meeting unless it is:
- specified in the notice of meeting;
- otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board
of directors; or
- brought before the meeting by a shareholder of record who provided notice
in writing to the Secretary not less than 60 days prior to the meeting.
These provisions may create an anti-takeover effect by placing restrictions
on the content of the issues to be discussed at a shareholder meeting.
In addition, the issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common or
preferred stock of WGL Holdings, Inc. may have an anti-takeover effect. These
shares might be issued by the board of directors without shareholder approval in
transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or costly the
completion of a takeover transaction, for example by diluting voting or other
rights of the proposed acquiror. In this regard, the articles of incorporation
of WGL Holdings, Inc. will grant the board of directors broad power to establish
the rights and preferences of the authorized and unissued preferred stock, one
or more series of which could be issued entitling holders to vote separately as
a class on any proposed merger or consolidation, to convert the stock into
shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock or possibly other securities, to
demand redemption at a specified price under prescribed circumstances related to
a change of control, or to exercise other rights designed to impede a takeover.
See "Differences in Rights of Washington Gas Light Company and WGL
Holdings, Inc. Shareholders."
37
<PAGE> 44
FAIR PRICE PROVISION
The articles of incorporation of Washington Gas Light Company contain and
the articles of incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc., will contain, a "fair
price" provision which requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the voting power of all the outstanding shares of stock of the
corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors for the consummation
of business combinations, including:
- mergers;
- consolidations;
- recapitalizations;
- dispositions of assets;
- issuances of securities;
- liquidations; and
- dissolutions.
The fair price provision applies in any case involving the respective
company and a person or entity which is or was the beneficial owner, and who is
entitled to vote in the election of directors, of 10% or more of the outstanding
shares of stock of the respective company (an "interested shareholder"). The
fair price provision does not apply in cases where:
- the business combination has been approved by a majority of the directors
unaffiliated with the interested shareholder; or
- minimum price and procedural requirements are met.
With respect to the disposition of assets or the issuance of securities,
the fair price provision requires shareholder approval only if the transaction
involves the disposition of assets, or the issuance of securities, as the case
may be, having a fair market value of not less than $1,000,000 or more.
SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION STATUTES
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act includes two shareholder protection
statutes, the Affiliated Transactions Statute and the Control Share Acquisitions
Statute, that apply currently to Washington Gas Light Company and will apply to
WGL Holdings, Inc. after the effectiveness of the merger.
The Affiliated Transactions Statute restricts transactions between a
Virginia corporation having more than 300 shareholders of record and a
beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of voting stock. An affiliated
transaction is defined in the Virginia Stock Corporation Act as any of the
following transactions with or proposed by an interested shareholder: a merger;
a share exchange; dispositions of assets or guaranties of indebtedness other
than in the ordinary course of business; significant securities issuances;
dissolution of the corporation; or reclassification of the corporation's
securities. Under the statute, an affiliated transaction generally requires the
approval of a majority of disinterested directors and two-thirds of the voting
shares of the corporation other than shares owned by an interested shareholder
during a three-year period commencing as of the date the interested shareholder
crosses the 10% threshold. This special voting provision does not apply if a
majority of disinterested directors approved the acquisition of the more than
10% interest in advance. After the expiration of the three-year moratorium, an
interested shareholder may engage in an affiliated transaction only if it is
approved by a majority of disinterested directors or by two-thirds of the
outstanding shares held by disinterested shareholders, or if the transaction
complies with fair price provisions. This special voting rule is in addition to,
and not in lieu of, other voting provisions contained in the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act and the articles of incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc.
38
<PAGE> 45
The Control Share Acquisitions Statute provides that, with respect to
Virginia corporations having 300 or more shareholders of record, shares acquired
in a transaction that would cause the acquiring person's aggregate voting power
to meet or exceed any of three thresholds (20%, 33 1/3% or a majority) have no
voting rights unless the rights are granted by a majority vote of the shares not
owned by the acquiring person or any officer or employee-director of the
corporation. The statute sets out a procedure whereby the acquiring person may
call a special shareholder's meeting for the purpose of considering whether
voting rights should be conferred. Acquisitions as part of a merger or share
exchange to which the corporation is a party and acquisitions as part of a
tender or exchange offer arising out of an agreement to which the corporation is
a party are exempt from the statute.
Application of the Affiliated Transactions and Control Share Acquisitions
statutes is automatic unless a corporation takes steps to "opt out" of their
application. WGL Holdings, Inc. will not "opt out" of the statutes at the time
of effectiveness of the merger.
INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation will contain a provision
that, subject to the exceptions described below, eliminates the liability of a
director or officer to WGL Holdings, Inc. or to its shareholders for monetary
damages for any breach of duty as a director or officer. This provision will not
eliminate the liability to the extent that it is proved that the director or
officer engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law or
of any federal or state securities law.
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation require WGL Holdings, Inc.
to indemnify any director or officer who is or was a party to a proceeding,
including a proceeding by or in the right of WGL Holdings, Inc., by reason of
the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer or is or was serving at
the request of WGL Holdings, Inc. as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another entity. Under WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation and bylaws,
a director or officer of WGL Holdings, Inc. will be entitled to be indemnified
against all liabilities and expenses incurred by the director or officer in the
proceeding, except those liabilities and expenses as are incurred because of his
or her willful misconduct or knowing violation of the criminal law. Unless a
determination has been made that indemnification is not permissible, a director
or officer also will be entitled to have WGL Holdings, Inc. make advances and
reimbursement for expenses prior to final disposition of the proceeding upon
receipt of a written undertaking from the director or officer to repay the
amounts advanced or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that he or she is
not entitled to indemnification. The board of directors of WGL Holdings, Inc.
also will have the authority to extend to any person who is an employee or agent
of WGL Holdings, Inc., or who is or was serving at the request of WGL Holdings,
Inc. as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, the same
indemnification rights held by directors and officers, subject to all of the
accompanying conditions and obligations.
Washington Gas Light Company's articles of incorporation and bylaws contain
provisions that are substantially similar to those listed above.
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits a court, upon application of a
director or officer, to review WGL Holdings, Inc.'s determination as to a
director's or officer's request for advances, reimbursement or indemnification.
If it determines that the director or officer is entitled to the advances,
reimbursement or indemnification, the court may order WGL Holdings, Inc. to make
advances and/or reimbursement for expenses or to provide indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling WGL Holdings, Inc. under the foregoing provisions, WGL Holdings,
Inc. has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
39
<PAGE> 46
DIFFERENCES IN RIGHTS OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
SHAREHOLDERS
Washington Gas Light Company is incorporated under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. WGL Holdings, Inc. is
incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. When the
reorganization becomes effective, holders of Washington Gas Light Company common
stock will become holders of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock, and their rights
will be governed by WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation and bylaws
instead of those of Washington Gas Light Company.
Since WGL Holdings, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Virginia only, the rights of WGL Holdings, Inc. shareholders will be governed
solely by Virginia law rather than by both Virginia and District of Columbia
law.
Material differences between the rights of holders of WGL Holdings, Inc.
common stock and rights of holders of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Virginia Stock Corporation Act,
the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act, the information included in
the exhibits to this proxy statement and prospectus, in exhibits to the
registration statement of which this proxy statement and prospectus is a part,
and in materials incorporated herein by reference.
MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VIRGINIA STOCK CORPORATION ACT AND THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
As incorporation under the laws of two states is rare, Washington Gas Light
Company believes that there is no clear general standard for determining which
state's corporate laws would govern in the event there is a conflict between the
corporate laws of the District of Columbia and Virginia. As a matter of course,
in the event of a conflict, Washington Gas Light Company has generally applied
the state law with the more stringent requirements. While there are few
instances of material differences between Virginia and District of Columbia
corporate law, listed below are the topics in which Washington Gas Light Company
believes there are material differences. The following listing is included to
assist you in understanding what your rights currently are as a Washington Gas
Light Company shareholder and how these rights will differ when you become a
holder of WGL Holdings, Inc.'s common stock, which will be governed solely by
Virginia law. At the end of each topic, if applicable, is Washington Gas Light
Company's conclusion as to which state's law would govern in each instance.
Because each situation in which the rules would apply tend to be unique, it is
difficult to accurately predict the decision a court would make if a conflict
actually arose and Washington Gas Light Company does not present its conclusions
as statements of law.
Use of Electronic Transmission in Shareholder Communication and
Proxies. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act provides that a corporation with
300 or more record shareholders may notify shareholders of annual and special
shareholders meetings by means of electronic transmission, including, but not
limited to, electronic mail. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act further provides
that a shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act as proxy by
means of electronic transmission. The District of Columbia Business Corporation
Act does not explicitly permit electronic transmission of shareholder
communications or proxies. Washington Gas Light Company believes that on this
topic the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act would generally govern.
Removal of Members of Board of Directors; Vacancies on Board of
Directors. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act provides that any director can be
removed by shareholders with or without cause, unless otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation. Under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, any vacancy on the board of
directors may be filled by either the shareholders, the board, or a majority of
the board remaining if there is less than a quorum. The District of Columbia
Business Corporation Act does
40
<PAGE> 47
not contain a provision relating to the removal of directors but provides that
if there is a vacancy on the board due to an increase in the number of
directors, this vacancy can be filled at either an annual meeting or a special
meeting called for that purpose. All other vacancies may be filled by the vote
of a majority of remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, unless the
articles of incorporation provide otherwise. Washington Gas Light Company
believes that on this topic the Virginia Stock Corporation Act would generally
govern.
Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. The Virginia Stock Corporation
Act provides that in any proceeding brought by or in the right of a corporation
or its shareholders, damages assessed against an officer or director are
generally limited to the lesser of the amount specified in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws (which may include the elimination of liability) or the
greater of $100,000 or the amount of cash compensation received by the officer
or director in the 12 months preceding the act or omission. The District of
Columbia Business Corporation Act does not explicitly provide for limitation of
liability of officers and directors.
Under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, a corporation has the power to
indemnify a director, and unless limited by the articles of incorporation, an
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, against liability in a proceeding
if the individual acted in good faith and:
- in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, in a manner he or
she believed to be in the best interests of the corporation;
- in the case of all other conduct, in a manner not opposed to the
corporation's best interests; or
- in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Notwithstanding the above, a corporation may not indemnify a director in
connection with a derivative proceeding or any other proceeding charging
improper personal benefit in which, in either case, the individual was adjudged
liable to the corporation. Indemnification for reasonable expenses incurred is
mandatory for a director who entirely prevails in the defense of any proceeding
to which he or she is a party because he or she is or was a director of the
corporation, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. A
corporation may also advance to a director expenses prior to the final
disposition of a proceeding.
In addition, the Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits a corporation to
provide for indemnification beyond that explicitly provided for in the Virginia
Stock Corporation Act. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act also permits a
corporation to similarly advance and reimburse expenses incurred by any
director, officer, employee or agent, though indemnification relating to willful
misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law is not permitted.
The District of Columbia Business Corporation Act authorizes a corporation
to indemnify directors and officers against expenses incurred in connection with
the defense of any proceeding in which the individual is made a party by reason
of his or her being or having been a director or officer of the corporation,
except in cases where the individual has been adjudged in the proceeding to be
liable for negligence or misconduct. Washington Gas Light Company believes that
on this topic the Virginia Stock Corporation Act would generally govern.
Mergers, Share Exchanges, Consolidations and Sale of Assets. Under the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act, a plan of merger or share exchange must be
adopted by the board of directors and approved by each voting group entitled to
vote separately on the plan by more than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to
be cast on the plan by that voting group, unless the articles of
41
<PAGE> 48
incorporation require a different proportion, which may not be less than a
majority. Separate voting by voting groups is required on:
- a plan of merger if the plan contains a provision that, if contained in a
proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation, would, under
applicable law, require action by separate voting groups; and
- on a plan of share exchange by each class or series included in the
exchange or if the plan contains a provision that, if contained in a
proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation, would, under
applicable law, require action by separate voting groups.
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits a corporation to sell, lease,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of its property,
other than in the usual and regular course of business if the transaction is
recommended to the shareholders by the board of directors and approved by more
than two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast, unless the articles of
incorporation require a different proportion, which may not be less than a
majority.
The District of Columbia Business Corporation Act requires that, unless the
articles of incorporation provide otherwise, a plan of merger or consolidation
be adopted by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares unless two or more classes of
shares are issued, in which event the plan must be so approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each
class, unless the articles of incorporation require a different proportion,
which may not be less than a majority in either case.
The District of Columbia Business Corporation Act provides that a
corporation may sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of
all, or substantially all, of its property and assets, by action taken by its
board of directors, and as authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless there are
two or more classes of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, in
which case the authorization requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each class of shares issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote, unless the articles of incorporation require a
different proportion, which may not be less than a majority in either case.
Washington Gas Light Company believes that on this topic the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act would generally govern.
Increase or Decrease in Number of Board Members by Action of Board of
Directors. If a corporation's bylaws fix the number of directors who shall
constitute the board of directors, and the board of directors is granted the
authority to amend that bylaw, the Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits the
board of directors, without shareholder approval, to amend the bylaws to
increase or decrease the number of directors by up to thirty percent of the
number of directors last elected by the shareholders. There is no similar
provision under the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act.
Record Date. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act provides that a
corporation may set a record date for a meeting or action by shareholders that
is not more than 70 days prior to the meeting or action, while the District of
Columbia Business Corporation Act provides that a record date can be no more
than 50 days prior to the meeting or action. Washington Gas Light Company
believes that on this topic the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act
would generally govern.
Dissenters' Rights. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act allows shareholders
to dissent from, and obtain payment for the fair value of their shares in the
event of specified corporate actions, including mergers, share exchanges and
sales of property. The right to dissent and obtain a fair value payment is not
available under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act for holders of shares of any
class or series which were listed on a national securities exchange or on NASDAQ
or were
42
<PAGE> 49
held by at least 2,000 record shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
right to dissent is available if:
- the articles of incorporation so provide;
- the transaction is an "affiliated transaction" (as defined in the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act); or
- in the case of a merger or share exchange, the shareholders are required
to accept anything other than cash or shares or membership interests of
the surviving corporation or limited liability company or any other
corporation or limited liability company which were ether listed on a
national securities exchange or held of record by at least 2,000 holders.
The material provisions of the District of Columbia Business Corporation
Act are discussed in "Right of Dissenting Shareholders to Receive Payment for
Shares" herein and the text of the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act
governing dissenter's rights is included as Appendix D hereto. Washington Gas
Light Company believes that on this topic, to the extent dissenters' rights
would be denied under Virginia law in transactions similar to the subject matter
of this proxy statement and prospectus, the District of Columbia Business
Corporation Act would govern. In other situations involving dissenters' rights,
Washington Gas Light Company believes that the Virginia Business Corporation Act
would generally govern.
AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
The number of authorized shares of Washington Gas Light Company common
stock and WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock is 80,000,000 and 120,000,000 shares,
respectively. As of January 13, 2000, there were 46,465,890 shares of Washington
Gas Light Company common stock issued and outstanding. At the time of the
reorganization, WGL Holdings, Inc. will issue the same number of shares of
common stock as there are shares of Washington Gas Light Company common stock
outstanding at that time. The additional authorized but unissued shares of WGL
Holdings, Inc. common stock will be available for issuance under existing
dividend reinvestment, stock purchase, bonus and incentive plans, as well as
possibly for stock splits, stock dividends, equity financings, and for other
general corporate purposes, including, possibly, acquisitions. See "Capital
Stock of WGL Holdings, Inc."
AUTHORIZED PREFERRED STOCK
Washington Gas Light Company presently has 1,500,000 authorized shares of
preferred stock. As of the record date, an aggregate 283,002 shares of preferred
stock were issued and outstanding. There will be 3,000,000 authorized shares of
WGL Holdings, Inc. preferred stock, all of which will be unissued.
Management believes that the ability to issue WGL Holdings, Inc. preferred
stock will provide important flexibility, although it has no present plans to
issue preferred stock and any issuance would be subject to Securities and
Exchange Commission approval.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for WGL Holdings, Inc. is The Bank of New
York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.
DIRECTOR AND OFFICER EXCULPATION
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation will provide for the
elimination of personal liability for monetary damages of directors or officers
of WGL Holdings, Inc. in connection with civil, criminal and administrative
proceedings. This elimination of liability will not apply if the
43
<PAGE> 50
director or officer engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of
criminal law or any federal or state securities law. See "Indemnification and
Limitation of Liability."
Washington Gas Light Company's bylaws contain provisions that are
substantially similar to those that will be contained in WGL Holdings, Inc.'s
articles of incorporation and bylaws.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
WGL Holdings, Inc.'s articles of incorporation will provide for
indemnification of an officer, director, employee or agent as set out under
"Indemnification and Limitation of Liability." WGL Holdings, Inc.'s bylaws will,
and Washington Gas Light Company's bylaws do, contain provisions indemnifying
directors, officers, employees and agents of the respective corporations against
expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement. WGL Holdings, Inc.'s
bylaws will, and Washington Gas Light Company's bylaws do, prohibit
indemnification in the case of willful misconduct or a knowing violation of
criminal law.
DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS AND SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The bylaws of WGL Holdings, Inc. will establish procedures that must be
followed for a shareholder to nominate directors or submit a proposal to a vote
of the shareholders of WGL Holdings, Inc. that are substantially similar to
those procedures established in Washington Gas Light Company's bylaws.
BUSINESS OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
WGL Holdings, Inc. is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Washington Gas
Light Company and was incorporated for the purpose of accomplishing the proposed
merger and reorganization. WGL Holdings, Inc. owns all of the outstanding common
stock of Washington Gas Acquisition Co., a Virginia corporation which was formed
also for the purpose of accomplishing the merger and reorganization. Neither WGL
Holdings, Inc. nor Washington Gas Acquisition Co. owns any utility assets or
engages in any business.
REGULATION OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC., WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
AFTER THE REORGANIZATION
REGULATION OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
As a result of the reorganization, WGL Holdings, Inc. will become a "public
utility holding company" under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
because it will own all of the common stock of Washington Gas Light Company,
which is a "gas utility company" as defined under the 1935 Act. Upon the
consummation of the reorganization, WGL Holdings, Inc. will register as a public
utility holding company under the 1935 Act since none of the exemptions from
registration under the 1935 Act will be available to WGL Holdings, Inc. The 1935
Act imposes a number of restrictions on the operations, financing and capital
structure of registered holding companies. Among these restrictions are
requirements that securities acquisitions and issuances, sales and acquisitions
of assets or securities of utility companies or acquisitions of interests in any
other business must be approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
1935 Act also limits the ability of registered holding companies to engage in
activities unrelated to their utility operations and regulates many types of
affiliate transactions between members of the holding company system. WGL
Holdings, Inc. believes it will be able to satisfy the Securities and Exchange
Commission's requirements for a registered holding company system.
The standards under the 1935 Act applicable to nonutility activities of
registered holding companies referred to above could limit the ability of WGL
Holdings, Inc. to invest in non energy-related businesses and pursue nonutility
business opportunities after the reorganization.
44
<PAGE> 51
However, WGL Holdings, Inc. has no current plans to engage in any business
activities or make any investments which would, in its view, be inconsistent
with the 1935 Act standards. Further, WGL Holdings, Inc. believes that the
standards under the 1935 Act applicable to the nonutility activities of
registered holding companies are less restrictive than those under state
regulatory laws that currently apply to nonutility businesses undertaken
directly or indirectly through subsidiaries by Washington Gas Light Company.
Among other benefits of the reorganization, financing of nonutility subsidiaries
of WGL Holdings, Inc. can be arranged without implicating Washington Gas Light
Company and without the need to obtain approvals from state regulatory
commissions.
Legislation to repeal the 1935 Act has been introduced in Congress from
time to time. Neither WGL Holdings, Inc. nor Washington Gas Light Company can
predict whether Congress will take any action to repeal or significantly modify
the 1935 Act or whether the Securities and Exchange Commission will take action
to further modify significantly the 1935 Act rules, decisions and
interpretations.
REGULATION OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND HAMPSHIRE GAS COMPANY
Following completion of the reorganization, the activities of Washington
Gas Light Company will continue to be subject to regulation by the Public
Service Commission of the District of Columbia, the Maryland Public Service
Commission and the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and the activities of
Hampshire Gas Company will continue to be subject to regulation by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
Transactions between Washington Gas Light Company and any other entity,
including WGL Holdings, Inc., which is an "affiliated interest" of Washington
Gas Light Company within the meaning of the Virginia statute are subject to
prior approval by the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
The District of Columbia Public Service Commission, the Maryland Public
Service Commission and the Virginia State Corporation Commission each has full
authority to investigate public utilities for purposes of determining efficiency
and economy of operation, to conduct continuing reviews and audits and to issue
appropriate directives. Each of the commissions reviews cost allocations by
Washington Gas Light Company and, in every rate case, requires the company to
submit substantial data to support both rate-base components and cost components
between or among divisions, utility or nonutility.
RIGHT OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR SHARES
Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred shareholders entitled to
vote on the approval of Proposal 3 will be entitled to have the fair value of
their shares of common and preferred stock immediately prior to the consummation
of the merger paid in cash, together with any interest, if any, by complying
with the provisions of Section 29-373 of the District of Columbia Business
Corporation Act. Dissenting shareholders will not be required to comply with the
provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act relating to dissenters' rights,
as the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia will not afford dissenting
shareholders any rights to receive similar payment for their shares.
Under the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act, a dissenting
common or preferred shareholder must file a written objection to the merger
before or at the meeting of shareholders where the vote is taken and the holder
cannot vote for Proposal 3. Within 20 days after the effectiveness of the
merger, the shareholder also must make a written demand for payment of the fair
value of the shareholder's common or preferred shares as of the day prior to the
date on which the vote was taken approving the merger.
45
<PAGE> 52
The District of Columbia Business Corporation Act provides that if the
value of the shares is agreed upon between the dissenting shareholder and
Washington Gas Light Company within 30 days after the effectiveness of the
merger, payment must be made upon surrender by the shareholder of the
certificate or certificates representing the shares of Washington Gas Light
Company common or preferred stock. Upon payment of the agreed value of the
shares, the dissenting shareholder will cease to have any interest in the shares
of Washington Gas Light Company.
Pursuant to the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act, if the
dissenting shareholder and Washington Gas Light Company do not agree upon the
value of the shares within 30 days after the effectiveness of the merger, the
dissenting shareholder may file a petition within the next 60 days after the
expiration of the 30 day period in any District of Columbia court having
jurisdiction. The dissenting shareholder may ask the court to determine the fair
value of the shares. The dissenting shareholder will be entitled to a judgment
for the amount of the fair value of the shares as of the day prior to the date
when the vote approving the merger was taken, plus interest at an annual rate of
five percent per annum to the date of the judgment. This judgment will be
payable upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the
shares. Upon payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholder will cease to
have any interest in the shares or in the surviving corporation. Unless the
dissenting shareholder files the petition within the timeframes set forth above,
the shareholder and all persons claiming under him or her will be bound by the
terms of the merger. In the event the merger is abandoned, all rights of a
dissenting shareholder to be paid the fair value of his, her or its shares, as
set forth above, will cease. The District of Columbia Business Corporation Act
does not provide criteria for determining "fair value". Therefore, a
determination of fair value appears to be a matter of common law in the District
of Columbia, and it is not possible to predict with reasonable certainty how a
court might make that determination.
The foregoing is only a summary of the rights of dissenting Washington Gas
Light Company common and preferred shareholders. However, all material terms of
the articles, bylaws, District of Columbia Business Corporation Act and Virginia
Stock Corporation Act relating to dissenting shareholders' rights have been
disclosed. Any holder of Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock
who intends to dissent from the merger and reorganization should carefully
review the text of Section 29-373 of the District of Columbia Business
Corporation Act, set forth in Appendix D to this proxy statement and prospectus
and should also consult with the holder's attorney. The failure of a holder of
Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock to follow precisely
those procedures summarized above, and set forth in Appendix D, may result in
loss of dissenters' rights. No further notice of the events giving rise to
dissenters' rights or any steps associated therewith will be furnished to
holders of Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock, except as
indicated above or otherwise required by law.
In general, any dissenting shareholders who perfect their rights to be paid
the fair value of their Washington Gas Light Company common and preferred stock
in cash will recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon
receipt of this cash. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences."
MANAGEMENT OF WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
Members of the board of directors of WGL Holdings, Inc. serve in the same
manner as members of the board of directors of Washington Gas Light Company,
with directors being elected for a one-year term. At least initially WGL
Holdings, Inc.'s board of directors will be composed of the same persons who
serve on Washington Gas Light Company's board of directors.
46
<PAGE> 53
Some of the current principal executive officers of Washington Gas Light
Company also serve as the principal executive officers of WGL Holdings, Inc. and
are expected to continue as principal executive officers of Washington Gas Light
Company and WGL Holdings, Inc. at the time of the reorganization.
In the future, the boards and executive officers of WGL Holdings, Inc. and
Washington Gas Light Company may not always necessarily be the same in
membership or composition.
For further information concerning persons who are directors and principal
executive officers of WGL Holdings, Inc., see "Proposal 1: Election of
Directors" and "Security Ownership of Management" in this proxy statement and
prospectus and "Executive Officers of the Registrant" following Part I of
Washington Gas Light Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 1999, which is incorporated by reference herein.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Washington Gas Light Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1999 contains Washington Gas Light Company's financial
statements and other financial information. Washington Gas Light Company's
annual report has been incorporated in this proxy statement and prospectus by
reference. Copies of this annual report were first mailed to shareholders on or
about December 31, 1999. Additional copies of this report may be obtained
without charge upon request as provided under "Where You Can Find More
Information."
Financial statements of WGL Holdings, Inc. are not presented in this proxy
statement and prospectus because WGL Holdings, Inc. is an inactive company
without material assets or liabilities or operating history. Pro forma financial
effects of the merger are not set forth herein since, on a consolidated basis,
no change will result from the merger and reorganization.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the shares of WGL Holdings, Inc. common stock to be issued
in the merger will be passed upon by John K. Keane, Jr., Esq., Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of Washington Gas Light Company and by Thelen Reid
& Priest LLP, 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019, counsel to
Washington Gas Light Company and WGL Holdings, Inc. Mr. Keane is regularly
employed by Washington Gas Light Company and owns 18,456 shares of the company's
common stock as of January 13, 2000.
Statements of legal conclusion contained herein regarding federal tax
treatment are also based on the legal opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP.
EXPERTS
The 1999 consolidated financial statements incorporated in this proxy
statement and prospectus by reference from Washington Gas Light Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as stated in
their report which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the reports of said firm and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE HOLDING COMPANY REORGANIZATION, ADOPTED THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER AND REORGANIZATION, AND BELIEVES THE REORGANIZATION TO BE IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS, AND RECOMMENDS
THAT THE HOLDERS OF WASHINGTON GAS
47
<PAGE> 54
LIGHT COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3 AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING.
PROPOSAL 4
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
Mrs. Evelyn Y. Davis, whose address is The Watergate Office Building, 2600
Virginia Ave., N.W., Suite 215, Washington, D.C. 20037, has given Washington Gas
Light Company notice of her intention to present a proposal for consideration by
the shareholders at the annual meeting. The proposal of Mrs. Davis, who is owner
of record of 280 shares of common stock of Washington Gas Light Company, is set
forth below in the form of a resolution along with her supporting statement.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
OPPOSE THE ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL FOR THE REASONS STATED AFTER THE
PROPOSAL AND, THEREFORE, RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "AGAINST" THE
PROPOSAL.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
RESOLVED, "That the shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company, assembled
in annual meeting in person and by proxy, hereby request the Board of Directors
to take the necessary steps to provide for cumulative voting in the election of
directors, which means each stockholder shall be entitled to as many votes as
shall equal the number of shares he or she owns multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected, and he or she may cast all of such votes for a single
candidate, or any two or more of them as he or she may see fit."
The statement submitted by Mrs. Davis in support of her resolution is as
follows:
REASONS: "Many states have mandatory cumulative voting, so do National
Banks." "In addition, many corporations have adopted cumulative voting."
Last year the owners of 6,560,395 shares, representing approximately 24.7%
of the shares voting, voted for this proposal.
"If you AGREE, please mark your proxy FOR this resolution."
OPPOSITION OF YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT AND REASONS THEREFOR
Your board of directors believes it is important for each member of the
board to represent all shareholders, not just a particular interest group or
faction.
Persons serving on Washington Gas Light Company's board of directors have
wide experience in law, public accounting, business and finance. Directors are
not elected to represent a particular viewpoint, and the directors do not
believe it is desirable to select candidates for election in that manner.
These objectives of your directors are fundamentally different from the
objectives of a cumulative voting procedure. Cumulative voting could permit a
relatively small group of shareholders to elect a particular director. A
director elected through cumulative voting might therefore become (or appear to
become) an advocate for a particular shareholder group. This result would be
directly opposite to the purpose of having each member of your board of
directors represent all shareholders.
For these reasons, the board of directors and the management oppose the
proposed resolution.
48
<PAGE> 55
Mrs. Davis has submitted substantially the same proposal in the preceding
thirteen years and it was defeated by a vote of over 75% of shares voting on the
proposal each year.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
RECOMMEND A VOTE "AGAINST" THE ADOPTION OF THIS SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the
meeting. However, if any other matters come before the meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote in accordance
with their best judgment on such matters.
The annual report for 1999, including financial statements, was first
mailed to shareholders on or about December 31, 1999.
Upon written request, Washington Gas Light Company will furnish without
charge a copy of its most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Please direct these
requests to: Shelley Jennings, Treasurer, Washington Gas Light Company, 1100 H
St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20080.
The solicitation of proxies is being made on behalf of the Board of
Directors, and the cost will be borne by Washington Gas Light Company. Brokerage
houses and other custodians will be reimbursed by Washington Gas Light Company
for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to principals. Further
solicitation of proxies may be made by telephone or other communication by
regular employees of Washington Gas Light Company. Morrow & Company has been
retained by Washington Gas Light Company for a fee of $50,000, plus expenses, to
assist in the solicitation of proxies.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Note: If the proposed holding company is approved and the holding company is
implemented, the following information will be applicable to the annual meeting
of shareholders of WGL Holdings, Inc.
Any shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for printing in Washington
Gas Light Company's proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be
held in year 2001 (expected to be held in March 2001) must submit that proposal
so it is received by Washington Gas Light Company's corporate secretary no later
than the close of business on October 16, 2000. To be included in Washington Gas
Light Company's proxy statement, the shareholder proposal must meet the
requirements of the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Proposals should be addressed to the corporate secretary, Washington Gas Light
Company; 1100 H St., N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20080.
Other business matters to be brought by shareholders, including any
nominations for board membership, can only be considered at the shareholder
meeting in accordance with advance notice provisions of Washington Gas Light
Company's bylaws. Notice of these matters must be received by Washington Gas
Light Company's corporate secretary not later than close of business on January
2, 2001. Notice of such matters should be addressed to the corporate secretary,
Washington Gas Light Company; 1100 H St., N.W.; Washington, DC 20080. A copy of
the corporate bylaws which describes the advance notice procedures can be
obtained from the corporate secretary at the address shown in this paragraph.
49
<PAGE> 56
VOTING BY PROXY
Proxy cards will be voted as specified, but if not otherwise marked they
will be voted: "FOR" Proposals (1), (2) and (3) and "AGAINST" Proposal (4).
By order of the board of directors,
Douglas V. Pope
Secretary
February 3, 2000
50
<PAGE> 57
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION, dated as of January
13, 2000 (the "Agreement"), by and among WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
District of Columbia, WGL HOLDINGS, INC., a Virginia corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Washington Gas Light Company ("WGL Holdings") and
WASHINGTON GAS ACQUISITION CO., a Virginia corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of WGL Holdings ("Acquisition"),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of Washington Gas Light Company,
WGL Holdings and Acquisition deem it advisable to merge Acquisition with and
into Washington Gas Light Company in accordance with the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act (the "Virginia Stock Corporation Act") and the District of
Columbia Business Corporation Act (the "D.C. Business Corporation Act") and this
Agreement for the purpose of establishing WGL Holdings as the parent corporation
of Washington Gas Light Company, as a result of which the holders of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share of Washington Gas Light Company (the
"Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock") would hold, in lieu thereof, common
stock of WGL Holdings, no par value per share (the "WGL Holdings Common Stock");
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Washington Gas Light Company, WGL
Holdings and Acquisition have determined to recommend that their respective
shareholders approve this Agreement, the merger of Acquisition with and into
Washington Gas Light Company (the "Merger") and the other matters set forth
herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER
1.1 MERGER. Acquisition shall be merged with and into Washington Gas
Light Company, with Washington Gas Light Company being the corporation surviving
the Merger.
1.2 ARTICLES OF MERGER. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement, Articles of Merger of Washington Gas Light Company shall be
delivered for filing to the Clerk's Office of the Virginia State Corporation
Commission and the Mayor's Office of the District of Columbia, all as provided
by applicable law.
1.3 EFFECTIVE TIME. The Merger shall become effective at the time of
filing on the date on which the Articles of Merger are filed with the Clerk's
Office of the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Mayor's Office of
the District of Columbia, as contemplated by Section 1.2 above, unless otherwise
specified in these Articles of Merger (the "Effective Time"). At the Effective
Time, the separate existence of Acquisition shall cease and Acquisition shall be
merged with and into Washington Gas Light Company, which shall continue its
corporate existence as the surviving corporation (Washington Gas Light Company
and Acquisition being sometimes referred to herein as the "Constituent
Corporations" and Washington Gas Light Company, as the surviving corporation,
being sometimes referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation"). Washington
Gas Light Company shall succeed, without other transfer, to all the rights and
property of Acquisition and shall be subject to all the debts and liabilities of
Acquisition in the same manner as if Washington Gas Light Company had itself
incurred them. All rights of
A-1
<PAGE> 58
creditors and all liens upon the property of each of Washington Gas Light
Company and Acquisition shall be preserved unimpaired.
1.4 APPROPRIATE ACTIONS. Prior to and after the Effective Time, WGL
Holdings, Washington Gas Light Company and Acquisition, respectively, shall take
all actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the
Merger. In this connection, WGL Holdings shall issue and deliver the shares of
WGL Holdings Common Stock into which outstanding shares of Washington Gas Light
Company Common Stock will be converted on the basis and to the extent provided
in Article 2 of this Agreement, and shall take other actions as are necessary to
fulfill WGL Holdings' obligations hereunder, including, without limitation,
those specified in Article 6 of this Agreement. In case at any time after the
Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full title
to all properties, assets, privileges, rights, immunities and franchises of
either of the Constituent Corporations, Washington Gas Light Company and the
individuals who were the officers and directors of Acquisition as of the
Effective Time shall take all further action.
ARTICLE 2
TERMS OF CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES
2.1 WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY COMMON STOCK. At the Effective Time,
whole and fractional shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall be automatically changed
and converted into shares of WGL Holdings Common Stock, in the ratio of one
share of WGL Holdings Common Stock for each one share of Washington Gas Light
Company Common Stock, and the WGL Holdings Common Stock shall thereupon be
issued and outstanding and shall be fully-paid and non-assessable; provided,
however, that this conversion shall not affect shares of holders, if any, who
perfect their rights as dissenting shareholders under the D.C. Business
Corporation Act with respect to these shares.
2.2 ACQUISITION COMMON STOCK. The shares of Acquisition Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall be automatically
changed and converted into all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Surviving Corporation, which shall thereupon be issued and
fully-paid and non-assessable, with the effect that the number of issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation shall be the
same as the number of issued and outstanding shares of Acquisition Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
2.3 WGL HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK. Each share of WGL Holdings Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall be canceled.
ARTICLE 3
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
3.1 WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY ARTICLES AND BYLAWS. From and after the
Effective Time, and until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law,
the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Washington Gas Light Company as in
effect immediately prior to the Merger shall be and continue to be the Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of Washington Gas Light Company.
3.2 WGL HOLDINGS ARTICLES AND BYLAWS. From and after the Effective Time,
and until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law, the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of WGL Holdings, as in effect immediately prior to the
Merger, shall be and continue unchanged to be the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of WGL Holdings.
A-2
<PAGE> 59
ARTICLE 4
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
4.1 WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The persons who
are directors and officers of Washington Gas Light Company immediately prior to
the Merger shall continue as directors and officers, respectively, of Washington
Gas Light Company and shall until further action of WGL Holdings, continue to
hold office as provided in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Washington Gas Light Company.
4.2 WGL HOLDINGS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The persons who are directors
and officers of WGL Holdings immediately prior to the Merger shall continue as
directors and officers, respectively, of WGL Holdings and shall continue to hold
office, subject to change pursuant to action taken, as provided in the Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of WGL Holdings.
ARTICLE 5
STOCK CERTIFICATES
5.1 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CERTIFICATES. Following the Effective Time,
certificates representing shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock
outstanding at the Effective Time (herein sometimes referred to as "Washington
Gas Light Company Certificates") shall represent the same number of shares of
WGL Holdings Common Stock and shall evidence the right of the registered holder
thereof to receive, and may be exchanged for, certificates for the shares of WGL
Holdings Common Stock into which shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common
Stock were converted in accordance with Section 2.1. At the Effective Time, WGL
Holdings shall issue and deliver, or cause to be issued and delivered, to the
transfer agent for WGL Holdings (the "Transfer Agent") certificates representing
whole shares of WGL Holdings Common Stock into which outstanding shares of
Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock have been converted as provided above.
As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, WGL Holdings shall send
or cause to be sent to each former shareholder of record of Washington Gas Light
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time written instructions and
transmittal materials (a "Transmittal Letter") for use in surrendering
Washington Gas Light Company Certificates to the Transfer Agent. Upon the proper
surrender and delivery to the Transfer Agent (in accordance with WGL Holdings'
instructions, and accompanied by a properly completed Transmittal Letter) by a
former shareholder of Washington Gas Light Company of the shareholder's
Washington Gas Light Company Certificate(s), and in exchange therefor, the
Transfer Agent shall as soon as practicable, issue, register and deliver to the
stockholder a certificate evidencing the shares of WGL Holdings Common Stock as
contemplated in Section 2.1 above.
5.2 OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATES. Each outstanding certificate which, prior
to the Effective Time, represented Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock
shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to represent the same number of
shares of WGL Holdings Common Stock and the right to receive certificates
therefor.
5.3 STOCK TRANSFER BOOKS. The stock transfer books for Washington Gas
Light Company Common Stock shall be deemed to be closed at the Effective Time
and no transfer of shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock
outstanding prior to the Effective Time shall thereafter be made on the books.
As of the Effective Time, WGL Holdings shall establish a stock register
reflecting ownership of WGL Holdings Common Stock by former holders of record of
Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock.
5.4 POST-MERGER RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. Following the Effective Time, the
holders of certificates for Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any
rights with respect to stock of Washington Gas Light
A-3
<PAGE> 60
Company and their sole rights shall be with respect to the WGL Holdings Common
Stock into which their shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock shall
have been converted by the Merger, subject to the rights of any dissenting
shareholders who perfect dissenters' rights under Section 29-373 of the D.C.
Business Corporation Act.
5.5 UNSURRENDERED CERTIFICATES. Subject to Section 5.6 below, no WGL
Holdings Common Stock certificate shall be delivered to any former shareholder
of Washington Gas Light Company unless and until the shareholder shall have
properly surrendered to the Transfer Agent the Washington Gas Light Company
Certificate(s) formerly representing his or her shares of Washington Gas Light
Company Common Stock, together with a properly completed Transmittal Letter in
the form as shall be provided to the shareholder by WGL Holdings for that
purpose. However, subject to prior escheatment under applicable law, upon the
proper surrender of the Washington Gas Light Company Certificate(s), the
Transfer Agent shall issue, register and deliver a certificate evidencing the
shares of WGL Holdings common stock, as described in Sections 2.1 and 5.1,
above.
5.6 LOST, ETC., CERTIFICATES. Any shareholder of Washington Gas Light
Company whose certificate for shares of Washington Gas Light Company Common
Stock has been lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise is missing shall be entitled
to receive a certificate representing the shares of WGL Holdings Common Stock to
which he or she is entitled in accordance with and upon compliance with
conditions imposed by the Transfer Agent or WGL Holdings (including, without
limitation, a requirement that the shareholder provide a lost instruments
indemnity or surety bond in form, in substance and amount satisfactory to the
Transfer Agent and WGL Holdings).
ARTICLE 6
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY STOCK PLANS
Washington Gas Light Company and WGL Holdings shall take all actions
required to provide that, from and after the Effective Time, all director,
officer, employee, customer, shareholder and other plans of Washington Gas Light
Company or its affiliates, to the extent they directly or indirectly utilize
Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock, shall utilize WGL Holdings Common
Stock instead of Washington Gas Light Company Common Stock.
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS OF THE MERGER
Completion of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
7.1 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The principal terms of this Agreement shall
have been approved by the holders of capital stock of the parties hereto as is
required by each of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act and the D.C. Business
Corporation Act.
7.2 WGL HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK LISTED. All conditions for the listing on
the New York Stock Exchange as of the Effective Time of the WGL Holdings Common
Stock to be issued and to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Merger shall
have been satisfied.
7.3 REGULATORY APPROVALS. All necessary orders, consents, authorization,
approvals or waivers from the Virginia State Corporation Commission and all
other regulatory bodies, boards or agencies, or from other third parties, shall
have been received, remain in full force and effect, and shall not include, in
the sole judgment of the Board of Directors of Washington Gas Light Company,
unacceptable conditions.
A-4
<PAGE> 61
7.4 FILINGS. All documents that are required to be filed pursuant to the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act and the D.C. Business Corporation Act shall have
been duly executed and filed with the appropriate agency.
7.5 SHENANDOAH GAS COMPANY MERGER. Merger of Shenandoah Gas Company into
Washington Gas Light Company shall be effective.
7.6 TAX OPINION. Washington Gas Light Company shall have received an
acceptable opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP confirming the tax status of the
Merger and reorganization contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
8.1 AMENDMENT. The parties to this Agreement, by consent of their
respective boards of directors, may amend, modify or supplement this Agreement
in such manner as may be agreed upon by them in writing at any time before or
after approval of this Agreement by the pre-Merger shareholders of Washington
Gas Light Company (as provided in Section 7.1 above); provided, however, that no
such amendment, modification or supplement shall, if agreed to after such
approval by the pre-Merger shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company, change
any of the principal terms of this Agreement in a manner which would materially
and adversely affect the rights of the shareholders of Washington Gas Light
Company.
8.2 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
provided for by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time, whether before or
after approval of this Agreement by the pre-Merger shareholders of Washington
Gas Light Company, by action of the board of directors of Washington Gas Light
Company if such board of directors determines for any reason that the completion
of the transactions provided for herein would for any reason be inadvisable or
not in the best interests of Washington Gas Light Company or its shareholders.
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original hereof.
9.2 VIRGINIA LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
A-5
<PAGE> 62
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Washington Gas Light Company, WGL Holdings and
Acquisition have each caused this Agreement to be executed by an authorized
officer.
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
By: s/ James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
By: s/ James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
WASHINGTON GAS ACQUISITION CO.
By: s/ James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
A-6
<PAGE> 63
APPENDIX B
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
The undersigned, being an individual, does hereby act as incorporator in
adopting the following Articles of Incorporation for the purpose of organizing a
corporation authorized by law to issue shares, pursuant to the provisions of the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act, Chapter 9 of Title 13.1 of the Code of Virginia.
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is WGL Holdings, Inc. (the
"Corporation").
SECOND: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity not required to be specifically stated in these Articles of
Incorporation ("Articles") for which corporations may be organized under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
THIRD: (a) The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation is
authorized to issue and the par value per share are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS NUMBER OF SHARES PAR VALUE
----- ---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Common 120,000,000 No Par Value
Preferred 3,000,000 No Par Value
</TABLE>
(b) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the authority
to fix, in whole or in part, the preferences, limitations and relative
rights, within the limits set by law, of (i) any class of shares before the
issuance of any shares of that class, or (ii) one or more series within a
class before the issuance of any shares of that series.
(c) The holders of common stock, to the exclusion of any other class
of stock of the Corporation, have sole and full power to vote for the
election of directors and for all other purposes without limitation except
only (i) as otherwise expressly provided in the serial designation of any
series of preferred stock, (ii) as otherwise expressly provided in these
Articles or (iii) as otherwise expressly provided by the then existing laws
of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In the election of directors and in all
other matters as to which the shareholders shall be entitled to vote, the
holders of common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of
common stock held by them. The outstanding shares of common stock, upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, entitle their
holders to share, pro rata, based on the number of shares owned, in the
Corporation's assets remaining after payment or provisions for payment of
all debts and liabilities of the Corporation, and after provisions for the
outstanding shares of any class of stock or other security having senior
liquidation rights to the common stock.
(d) No holder of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation will
have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of
any class of stock of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized,
or to any obligations of the Corporation convertible into stock of the
Corporation, issued or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof.
FOURTH: Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock
to elect directors under specified circumstances:
(a) The number of directors of the Corporation shall consist of one or
more individuals as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(b) Any action required or permitted by these Articles of
Incorporation to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken by a duly
authorized committee of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise
required by law.
B-1
<PAGE> 64
FIFTH: No director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the
Corporation or its shareholders for any monetary damages for any action taken or
any failure to take any action as a director or officer; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall be deemed to eliminate or limit any liability which may not
be so eliminated or limited under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as
in effect at the effective date of these Articles of Incorporation or as
thereafter amended. No amendment, modification or repeal of this ARTICLE FIFTH
shall eliminate or limit the protection afforded to a officer or director with
respect to any act or omission occurring before the effective date hereof.
SIXTH: (a) The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, as from time to time in effect, indemnify any person who was, is
or is threatened to be named as a defendant or respondent in or otherwise
involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or
informal, including without limitation any such action, suit or proceeding by or
in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (any such
action, suit or proceeding being herein called a "Proceeding"), because he or
she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or because he or she,
while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the
Corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or
agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or any other entity or enterprise, against any and
all judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, including any excise tax assessed
with respect to an employee benefit plan, and/or reasonable expenses (including
counsel fees) incurred with respect to a Proceeding or any appeal therein.
(b) The Corporation shall pay any such expenses incurred by a director
or officer, or former director or officer, of the Corporation in connection
with any such Proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such
advances to the extent of the amount to which such person shall ultimately
be determined not to be entitled and upon satisfaction of such other
conditions as may be required by applicable law.
(c) The Corporation, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may
extend the benefits of this Article SIXTH to current and/or former
employees, agents and other representatives of the Corporation (each person
entitled to benefits under this Article SIXTH being hereinafter sometimes
called an "Indemnified Person").
(d) All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
granted under or pursuant to this Article SIXTH shall be deemed to arise
out of a contract between the Corporation and each person who is an
Indemnified Person at any time while this Article SIXTH is in effect and
may be evidenced by a separate contract between the Corporation and each
Indemnified Person; and such rights shall be effective in respect of all
Proceedings commenced after the effective date of these Articles of
Incorporation, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or
after such date. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article SIXTH
shall affect any rights or obligations theretofore existing.
(e) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of,
or insure or cause to be insured, any person who is an Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against or incurred by him or her in any
capacity in respect of which he or she is an Indemnified Person, or arising
out of his or her status in such capacity, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
this Article SIXTH. As used in this Section "insurance" includes
retrospectively rated and self-insured programs; provided, however that no
such program shall provide coverage for directors and officers which is
prohibited by applicable law. The Corporation's indemnity of any person who
is an Indemnified Person shall be reduced by any amounts such person may
collect with respect to such liability (1) under any policy of insurance
purchased and
B-2
<PAGE> 65
maintained on his or her behalf by the Corporation or (2) from any other
entity or enterprise served by such person.
(f) The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
and all other benefits provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article
SIXTH shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity
in respect of which such person was an Indemnified Person and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
(g) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Article SIXTH shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which any Indemnified Person may be entitled under any
statute or court order or any Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
(h) The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make,
alter, amend and repeal such procedural rules and regulations relating to
indemnification and the advancement of expenses as it, in its discretion,
may deem necessary or expedient in order to carry out the purposes of this
Article SIXTH, such rules and regulations, if any, to be set forth in the
Bylaws of the Corporation or in a resolution of the Board of Directors.
SEVENTH:
A. PURPOSE. Article SEVENTH seeks to assure fair treatment of each
shareholder in the event of specified corporate actions.
B. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of Article SEVENTH, the following terms mean:
1. "Business Combinations" include:
a. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(as hereinafter defined) with (1) any Interested Shareholder (as
hereinafter defined), or (2) any other corporation (whether or not it is
an Interested Shareholder) which is, or after such merger or
consolidation would be, an affiliate of an Interested Shareholder; or
b. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other
disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with
any Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested
Shareholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an
aggregate Fair Market Value of $1,000,000 or more; or
c. the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of
the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Shareholder or any
affiliate of any Interested Shareholder in exchange for cash,
securities, or other property (or a combination thereof) having an
aggregate Fair Market Value of $1,000,000 or more; or
d. the adoption of any plan or proposal for a statutory exchange of
shares or the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation initiated by
an Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested
Shareholder; or
e. any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or
consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any
other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an
Interested Shareholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly of
increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any
class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary which are directly or indirectly owned by any Interested
Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested Shareholder.
2. A "person" includes any individual, firm, corporation, association,
or other entity. When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, or other
B-3
<PAGE> 66
group for the purpose of acquiring Voting Stock of the Corporation, such
partnership, syndicate, or group shall be deemed a "person."
3. "Voting Stock" includes those issued and outstanding shares of the
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
Directors but shall not include any shares which may be issuable pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, or upon exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options.
4. "Affiliate" or "associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
5. A "beneficial owner" of Voting Stock is a person or any of its
affiliates or associates who or which:
a. own, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock; or
b. have (i) the right to acquire Voting Stock (whether such right
may be exercised immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options, or (ii) the
right to vote Voting Stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or
understanding; or
c. have any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of any shares of
Voting Stock with any other person which owns the Voting Stock, directly
or indirectly.
6. An "Interested Shareholder" is any person (other than the
Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which:
a. is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than
10% of the Voting Stock; or
b. is an affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the
two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting
Stock; or
c. is an assignee of, or has otherwise succeeded to, any shares of
Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year period
immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any
Interested Shareholder, if such assignment or succession shall have
occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not
involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
7. A "Subsidiary" is any corporation of which a majority of any class
of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation,
provided that, for purposes of the definition of Interested Shareholder set
forth in B-6 above, the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of
which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation.
8. A "Continuing Director" is any member of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation (the Board) who is unaffiliated with the Interested
Shareholder and was a member of the Board immediately prior to the time
that the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, and any
successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with the Interested
Shareholder and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a
majority of Continuing Directors then on the Board.
B-4
<PAGE> 67
9. "Fair Market Value" means:
a. in the case of stock, the highest closing price during the
30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of
such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed
Stock; or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New
York Stock Exchange; or, if such stock is not listed on such exchange,
on the principal securities exchange registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which such stock is listed; or, if
such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing-bid
quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period
preceding the date in any system then in use; or, if no such quotation
for a share of such stock is available, a fair price as determined by
the Board in good faith; and
b. the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market
value of such property on the date in question as determined by the
Board in good faith.
10. If the Corporation survives in any Business Combination, the
phrase "consideration other than cash to be received" as used in Paragraph
E shall include shares of Common Stock of the Corporation and/or the shares
of any other class of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally
in election of Directors.
C. POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board shall have the power to
determine, after reasonable inquiry, (1) whether a person is an Interested
Shareholder, (2) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any
person, (3) whether a person is an affiliate or associate of another, and (4)
whether the assets which are the subject of any Business Combination have, or
the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by
the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has, an aggregate
Fair Market Value of $1,000,000 or more.
D. REQUIRED SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF A BUSINESS COMBINATION. In addition to
any affirmative vote required by law or other provision of these Articles, the
consummation of any Business Combination shall require the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the shares of the outstanding Voting Stock,
voting together as a single class. For purposes of this Article SEVENTH, each
share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant
to Article THIRD, paragraph (c) of these Articles. Such vote shall be taken at a
duly called Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of Shareholders. Such affirmative
vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required by
law or that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, an agreement with any
national securities exchange, or otherwise.
E. WHEN VOTE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH D IS NOT REQUIRED. The provisions of
Paragraph D shall not be applicable to any Business Combination, and such
Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by
law or other provision of these Articles, if:
1. the Business Combination shall have been approved by a majority of
the Continuing Directors; or
2. the following Minimum Price Condition and Specified Conditions have
been met:
a. As to the Minimum Price Condition, the following standards of
fairness must be met:
(1) COMMON STOCK. As of the date of the consummation of the
Business Combination, the aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair
Market Value of consideration other than cash to be received per
share by holders of the
B-5
<PAGE> 68
Corporation's Common Stock upon the consummation of such Business
Combination shall be at least equal to the highest of:
(a) the highest per-share price (including any brokerage
commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by
the Interested Shareholder for any shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to
the first public announcement of the proposed Business Combination
(the Announcement Date) or in the transaction by which it became an
Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher;
(b) The Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the
Announcement Date or on the date on which the Interested Shareholder
became an Interested Shareholder (the Determination Date), whichever
is higher; or
(c) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share
of the Corporation's Common Stock determined pursuant to (b) above
multiplied by the ratio of the highest per-share price (including any
brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers' fees)
paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of Common Stock
acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the
Announcement Date to the Fair Market Value per share of common stock
on the first day in such two-year period during which the Interested
Shareholder acquired any shares of Common Stock.
(2) PREFERRED STOCK. As of the date of the consummation of the
Business Combination, the aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market
Value of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders
of shares of any other class of outstanding Voting Stock shall be at least
equal to the highest of the following (it being intended that this
Paragraph E-2a(2) must be satisfied with respect to every class of
outstanding Voting Stock whether or not the Interested Shareholder has
previously acquired any shares of a particular class of Voting Stock):
(a) the highest per-share price (including any brokerage
commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by
the Interested Shareholder for any shares of such class of Voting
Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to
the Announcement Date or in the transaction by which it became an
Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher;
(b) the highest preferential amount per share to which the
holders of shares of such class of Voting Stock are entitled in the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the Corporation;
(c) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting
Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date,
whichever is higher; or
(d) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share
of such class of Voting Stock determined pursuant to (c) above
multiplied by the ratio of the highest per-share price (including any
brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers' fees)
paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of such class of
Voting Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately
prior to the Announcement Date to the Fair Market Value per share of
such class of Voting Stock on the first day in such two-year period
during which the Interested Shareholder acquired any shares of such
class of Voting Stock.
b. In addition to the Minimum Price Condition in Paragraph E-2a, the
following Specified Conditions in this Paragraph E-2b must also be met:
(1) FORM OF PAYMENT. The consideration to be received by holders
of a particular class of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common
Stock) shall be in cash or in the
B-6
<PAGE> 69
same form as the Interested Shareholder has previously paid for shares
of such class of Voting Stock. If the Interested Shareholder has paid
for shares of any class of Voting Stock with varying forms of
consideration, the form of consideration for such class of Voting Stock
shall be either in cash or in the same form used to acquire the largest
number of shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired by
it.
(2) CHANGES IN CORPORATION DIVIDENDS. After the Interested
Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder and prior to the
consummation of a Business Combination,
(a) the Corporation shall have continued to declare and pay at
the regular date therefor the full quarterly dividends (whether or
not cumulative) on the outstanding Preferred Stock, except as
otherwise approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors; and
(b) the Corporation shall have continued to declare and pay at
the regular date the established dividends on the Common Stock
(except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock
and as otherwise approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors)
and the Corporation shall have declared and paid an increase in such
established rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any
reclassification (including any reverse stock split),
recapitalization, reorganization, or any similar transaction which
has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock, except as otherwise approved by a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
(3) NO CHANGES IN STOCK INTERESTS. The Interested Shareholder
shall not have become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of
Voting Stock except as part of the transaction which results in such
Interested Shareholder becoming an Interested Shareholder.
(4) FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH THE CORPORATION. After becoming an
Interested Shareholder, the Interested Shareholder shall not have
received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as
a shareholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other
financial assistance, or any tax credits or other tax advantages
provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of, or in
connection with, such Business Combination or otherwise.
(5) SHAREHOLDERS PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION. The Corporation or the
Interested Shareholder shall have mailed to shareholders of the
Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such Business
Combination a proxy or information statement (whether or not such proxy
or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to law or
otherwise) describing the proposed Business Combination and complying
with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing
such Act, rules, or regulations).
F. NO EFFECT ON FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS OF INTERESTED SHAREHOLDERS. Nothing
contained in this Article SEVENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested
Shareholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
G. AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ARTICLE SEVENTH. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of law, these Articles, or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the
affirmative vote of not less than 80% of the Voting Stock, voting together as
one class, shall be required to amend, alter, change, repeal, or adopt any
provision inconsistent with this Article SEVENTH.
EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any
provisions contained in these Articles from time to time and at any time in the
manner now or hereafter prescribed by the
B-7
<PAGE> 70
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and all rights herein conferred upon
stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this reserved power.
NINTH: The post office address with street and number, if any, of the
registered office of the Corporation in the Commonwealth of Virginia is
. The county or city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in which the said
registered office of the Corporation is located is the .
The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at the said registered
office is:
Dated:
--------------------- ---------------------------
Incorporator
B-8
<PAGE> 71
APPENDIX C
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Shareholders.
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders of WGL
Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") shall be held at such time and place within or
without the state of Virginia as shall be determined by the Board of Directors
and as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. The meeting shall be held
for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other
business as properly may come before such meeting.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of shareholders may be held
upon call by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary, a majority
of the Board of Directors, or a majority of the Executive Committee, and shall
be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President or Secretary upon the
request in writing of the holders of record of not less than one-tenth of all
the outstanding shares of stock entitled by its terms to vote at such meeting,
at such time and at such place within or without the state of Virginia as may be
fixed in the call and stated in the notice setting forth such call. Such request
by the shareholders and such notice shall state the purpose of the proposed
meeting.
SECTION 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time, place and purpose of
every meeting of the shareholders, shall, except as otherwise required by law,
be delivered personally or mailed at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60)
days prior to the date of such meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to
vote at the meeting at his or her address as it appears on the records of the
Company. Any meeting may be held without notice if all of the shareholders
entitled to vote thereat are present in person or by proxy at the meeting, or if
notice is waived by those not so present in person or by proxy.
SECTION 4. Quorum. At every meeting of the shareholders, the holders of
record of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, represented
in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. The vote of the majority of
such quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of any business, unless
otherwise provided by law or the articles of incorporation. If the meeting
cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended, those present in person
or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present
when any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally called.
SECTION 5. Voting and Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by law or the
articles of incorporation, every shareholder of record entitled to vote at any
meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to one vote for every share of stock
standing in his or her name on the records of the Company on the record date
fixed as provided in these Bylaws. In the election of directors, all votes shall
be cast by ballot and the persons having the greatest number of votes shall be
the directors. On matters other than election of directors, votes may be cast in
such manner as the Chairman of the meeting may designate.
Shareholders of record and entitled to vote may vote at any meeting held,
in person or by proxy, authorized by any means permitted by the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act or other applicable law.
SECTION 6. Inspectors. The Board of Directors shall annually appoint two
or more persons to act as inspectors or judges at any election of directors or
vote conducted by ballot at any meeting of shareholders. Such inspectors or
judges of election shall take charge of the polls and after the balloting shall
make a certificate of the result of the vote taken. In case of a failure to
appoint inspectors, or in case an inspector shall fail to attend, or refuse or
be unable to serve,
C-1
<PAGE> 72
the Chairman of the meeting may appoint, or the shareholders may elect, an
inspector or inspectors to act at such meeting. Such inspector or inspectors
shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken.
SECTION 7. Conduct of Shareholders' Meeting. The following persons, in
the order named, shall be entitled to call each shareholders' meeting to order:
(1) the Chairman of the Board, (2) the President of the Company, (3) a Vice
President, or (4) any person elected by the shareholders. The shareholders shall
have the right to elect a Chairman of the meeting.
The Secretary of the Company, or in his or her absence any person appointed
by the Chairman, shall act as Secretary of the meeting for organization
purposes. The shareholders shall have the right to elect a secretary of the
meeting.
SECTION 8. Record Date. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the
Board of Directors, in order to make a determination of shareholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting, or to receive payment of any dividends or
for any other proper purpose, may fix in advance a date, but not more than
seventy days in advance, as a record date for such determination, and in such
case only shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend,
or to exercise such other rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any
transfer of stock on the books of the Company after such date. If the Board of
Directors does not fix a record date as aforesaid, such date shall be as
provided by law.
SECTION 9. Notice of Business. At any meeting of the shareholders, only
such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting
(1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2) by any shareholder
of the Company who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of the
notice as provided for in this Section 9, who shall be entitled to vote at such
meeting and who complies with the following procedures:
Requirement of Timely Notice. For business to be properly brought
before a meeting of shareholders by a shareholder, the business shall be a
proper subject of shareholder action and the shareholder shall have given
timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a
shareholder's notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received by the
Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company not less than
sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting (regardless of
any postponements, deferrals or adjournments of the meeting to a later
date); provided, however, if no notice is given and no public announcement
is made to the shareholders regarding the date of the meeting at least 75
days prior to the meeting, the shareholder's notice shall be valid if
delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal
executive office of the Company not less than fifteen (15) days following
the day on which the notice or public announcement of the date of the
meeting was given or made.
Contents of Notice. Such shareholder's notice to the Secretary shall
set forth as to each item of business the shareholder proposes to bring
before the meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the
meeting and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend
either the articles of incorporation or these Bylaws, the language of the
proposed amendment, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the
Company's books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (3) the class
and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that are beneficially
owned by such shareholder, and (4) any material interest (financial or
other) of such shareholder in such business.
Compliance with Bylaws. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to
the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a shareholders' meeting
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 9. The
Chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare
to the meeting that the business was not properly brought
C-2
<PAGE> 73
before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws,
and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the
meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall
not be transacted at the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in
this Section 9.
Effective Date of Shareholder Business. Notwithstanding anything in
these Bylaws to the contrary, no business brought before a meeting of the
shareholders by a shareholder shall become effective until the final
termination of any proceeding which may have been commenced in any court of
competent jurisdiction for an adjudication of any legal issues incident to
determining the validity of such business and the procedure pursuant to
which it was brought before the shareholders, unless and until such court
shall have determined that such proceedings are not being pursued
expeditiously and in good faith.
ARTICLE II
Board of Directors.
SECTION 1. Number, Powers, Term of Office, Quorum. The Board of Directors
of the Company shall consist of one or more individuals as may be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may exercise all
the powers of the Company and do all acts and things which are proper to be done
by the Company which are not by law or by these Bylaws directed or required to
be exercised or done by the shareholders. The members of the Board of Directors
shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders and shall hold office
until the next succeeding annual meeting, or until their successors shall be
elected and shall qualify. A majority of the number of directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The action of a majority of
the directors present at any lawful meeting at which there is a quorum shall,
except as otherwise provided by law or by these Bylaws, be the action of the
Board.
SECTION 2. Election. Except as provided in Section 3 hereof, directors
shall be elected by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the procedures
enumerated below:
Eligible Persons. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with
the following procedures shall be eligible for election by the shareholders
as directors of the Company.
Nominations. Nominations of persons for election as directors of the
Company may be made at a meeting of shareholders (1) by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors, (2) by any committee or person appointed by the
Board of Directors or (3) by any shareholder of the Company entitled to
vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the
notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.
Nomination by Directors or Committee. Nominations made by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or the committee or person appointed by
the Board of Directors may be made at any time prior to the shareholders'
meeting. The Board of Directors must send notice of nominations to the
shareholders together with the notice of the meeting of the shareholders;
provided, however, if the nominations are made after the notice of the
meeting has been mailed, the Board of Directors must send notice of its
nominations to the shareholders as soon as practicable.
Nomination by Shareholders. Nominations, other than those made by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors or the committee or person
appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely
notice in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a shareholder's notice
shall be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the
principal executive office of the Company not less than sixty (60) days
prior to the
C-3
<PAGE> 74
scheduled date of the meeting (regardless of any postponements, deferrals
or adjournments of the meeting to a later date); provided, however, if no
notice is given and no public announcement is made to the shareholders
regarding the date of the meeting at least 75 days prior to the meeting,
the shareholder's notice shall be valid if delivered to or mailed and
received by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company
not less than fifteen (15) days following the day on which the notice or
public announcement of the date of the meeting was given or made.
Contents of Notice. Nominations, other than those made by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or the committee or person appointed by
the Board of Directors, shall set forth:
(1) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for
election or reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business
address and residential address of the person, (b) the principal
occupation or employment of the person (c) the class and number of
shares of capital stock of the Company that are beneficially owned by
the person, (d) written consent by the person, agreeing to serve as
director if elected, (e) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the person and the shareholder regarding the
nomination, (f) a description of all arrangements or understandings
between the person and any other person or persons (naming such persons)
regarding the nomination, (g) all information relating to the person
that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for
election of directors pursuant to Rule 14a under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and (h) such other information as the Company
may reasonably request to determine the eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as director of the Company; and
(2) as to the shareholder giving the notice, (a) the name, business
address and residential address of the shareholder giving the notice,
(b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that
are beneficially owned by such shareholder, (c) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and the nominee
regarding the nomination, and (d) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the shareholder and any other person or persons
(naming such persons) regarding the nomination.
Compliance with Bylaws. No person shall be eligible for election by
the shareholders as a director of the Company unless nominated in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this section of the Bylaws. The
Chairman of the Board of Directors shall, if the facts warrant, determine
and declare prior to the meeting of shareholders that the nomination was
not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he or she
should so determine, he or she shall so inform the nominee and the
shareholder who nominated the nominee as soon as practicable and the
defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Effective Date of Election of Director. Notwithstanding anything in
these Bylaws to the contrary, no election of a director nominated by a
shareholder shall become effective until the final termination of any
proceeding which may have been commenced in any court of competent
jurisdiction for an adjudication of any legal issues incident to
determining the procedure pursuant to which the nomination of such director
was brought before the shareholders, unless and until such court shall have
determined that such proceedings are not being pursued expeditiously and in
good faith.
SECTION 3. Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the board of directors,
including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors:
(a) the shareholders may fill the vacancy;
(b) the board of directors may fill the vacancy; or
C-4
<PAGE> 75
(c) if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of
the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of
directors remaining in office.
A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date, by reason of a
resignation effective at a later date, may be filled before the vacancy occurs
but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired
term of his or her predecessor in office. A director filling a position
resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is
elected and qualified.
SECTION 4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such
time and place as provided by resolution of the Board of Directors or as stated
in the notice of the meeting.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board,
the President of the Company, or by any two directors. At least two days' notice
of all special meetings of the Board shall be given to each director personally
by telegraphic, electronic or written notice. Any meeting may be held without
notice if all of the directors are present, or if those not present waive notice
of the meeting by telegram, electronic communication or in writing. Special
meetings of the Board of Directors may be held within or without the state of
Virginia.
SECTION 5. Committees. The Board of Directors shall, by resolution or
resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate an Executive
Committee, to consist of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company who may be
the Chairman of the Board, or the President and three additional members, and
three alternates to serve at the call of the Chief Executive Officer in case of
the unavoidable absence of one of the regular members, to be elected from the
Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall, when the Board is not in
session, have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in
the management of the business and affairs of the Company.
The Board of Directors may appoint other committees, standing or special,
from time to time, from among their own number, or otherwise, and confer powers
on such committees, and revoke such powers and terminate the existence of such
committees at its pleasure.
A majority of the members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum
for the purpose of fixing the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board
shall otherwise provide. All action taken by any such committee shall be
reported to the Board at its meeting next succeeding such action.
SECTION 6. Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors shall fix
the fee to be paid to each director for attendance at any meeting of the Board
or of any committee thereof, and may, in its discretion, authorize payment to
directors of traveling expenses incurred in attending any such meeting.
SECTION 7. Removal. Any director may be removed from office at any time,
with or without cause, and another be elected in his or her place, by the vote
of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the
Company (of the class or classes by which such director was elected) entitled to
vote thereon, at a special meeting of shareholders called for such purpose.
ARTICLE III
Officers.
SECTION 1. Officers. The officers of the Company shall be elected by the
Board of Directors and shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a President, a
Secretary, a Treasurer,
C-5
<PAGE> 76
and one or more Vice Presidents, and such other officers as the Board from time
to time shall elect, with such duties as the Board shall deem necessary to
conduct the business of the Company. Any officer may hold two or more offices
(including those of the Chairman of the Board and President) except that the
offices of President and Secretary may not be held by the same person. The
Chairman of the Board shall be a director; other officers, including any Vice
Chairman and the President, may be, but are not required to be, Directors.
SECTION 2. Term of Office. Removal. In the absence of a special contract,
all officers shall hold their respective offices for one year or until their
successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, but they or any of them
may be removed from their respective offices on a vote by a majority of the
Board.
SECTION 3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Company shall have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their offices, respectively, as well
as such powers and duties as from time to time shall be conferred by the Board
of Directors and/or by the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Chairman
of the Board, if any, the President shall preside at the meetings of the Board
of Directors. In the absence of both the Chairman of the Board and the
President, and provided a quorum is present, the senior member of the Board
present, in terms of service on the Board, shall serve as Chairman pro tem of
the meeting.
SECTION 4. Salaries. The salaries of all executive officers of the
Company shall be determined and fixed by the Board of Directors, or pursuant to
such authority as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE IV
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
SECTION 1. Any indemnification (unless ordered by a court) shall be made
by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstance because the person was not finally adjudged in any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (an "Action") to have knowingly
violated criminal law or was not liable for willful misconduct in the
performance of the person's duty to the Company. In the case of any director,
such determination shall be made: (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority
vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such Action; or
(2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, by majority vote of a committee duly
designated by the Board of Directors (in which designation directors who are
parties may participate) consisting solely of two or more directors not at the
time parties to the proceeding; or (3) by special legal counsel selected by the
Board of Directors or its committee in the manner prescribed by clause (1) or
(2) of this paragraph, or if such a quorum is not obtainable and such a
committee cannot be designated, by majority vote of the Board of Directors, in
which selection directors who are parties may participate; or (4) by vote of the
shareholders, in which vote shares owned by or voted under the control of
directors, officers and employees who are at the time parties to the Action may
not be voted. In the case of any officer, employee, or agent other than a
director, such determination may be made (i) by the Board of Directors or a
committee thereof; (ii) by the Chairman of the Board of the Company or, if the
Chairman is a party to such Action, the President of the Company, or (iii) such
other officer of the Company, not a party to such Action, as such person
specified in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph may designate. Authorization
of indemnification and evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made
in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible,
except that if the determination is made by special legal counsel, authorization
of indemnification and evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made
by those entitled hereunder to select such legal counsel.
C-6
<PAGE> 77
It is the intention of the Company that the indemnification set forth in
this Section of Article IV, shall be applied to no less extent than the maximum
indemnification permitted by law. In the event that any right to indemnification
or other right hereunder may be deemed to be unenforceable or invalid, in whole
or in part, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not affect any other right
hereunder, or any right to the extent that is not deemed to be unenforceable.
The indemnification provided herein shall be in addition to, and not exclusive
of, any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under the
articles of incorporation, any Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders, or
otherwise, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee, or agent and inure to the benefit of such person's heirs,
executors, and administrators.
ARTICLE V
Checks, Notes, Etc.
SECTION 1. All checks and drafts on the Company's bank accounts and all
bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations and
other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such officer or
officers, agent or agents, as shall be thereunto authorized from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. Shares of stock and other interests in other corporations or
associations shall be voted by such officer or officers as the Board of
Directors may designate.
SECTION 3. Except as the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, all
contracts expressly approved by the Board shall be signed on behalf of the
Company by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or a Vice President.
ARTICLE VI
Capital Stock.
SECTION 1. Certificate for shares. The interest of each shareholder of
the Company shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates for shares of
stock in such form as required by law and as the Board of Directors may from
time to time prescribe. The certificates of stock shall be signed by the
President or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and
sealed with the seal of the Company. Such seal may be a facsimile.
Where any such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent other than
the Company, or an employee of the Company, or is countersigned by a transfer
clerk and is registered by a registrar, the signatures of the President or Vice
President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary may be facsimiles.
In case any officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been
placed upon such certificate, shall have ceased to be such officer before such
certificate is issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Company with the
same effect as if such officer had not ceased to hold such office at the date of
its issue.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. The shares of stock of the Company shall
be transferable on the books of the Company by the holders thereof in person or
by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for
a like number of shares, with duly executed assignment and power of transfer
endorsed thereon or attached thereto, and with such proof of the authenticity of
the signatures as the Company or its agents may reasonably require.
SECTION 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. No certificate of
stock claimed to have been lost, destroyed or stolen shall be replaced by the
Company with a new certificate of stock until the holder thereof has produced
evidence of such loss, destruction or theft, and has
C-7
<PAGE> 78
furnished indemnification to the Company and its agents to such extent and in
such manner as the proper officers or the Board of Directors may from time to
time prescribe.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Records.
SECTION 1. Records. The Company shall keep such books and records as may
be required by applicable law.
SECTION 2. Inspection. Shareholders of the Company shall have the right
to inspect the books and records of the Company as provided by the law of the
state of Virginia.
ARTICLE VIII
Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on the 1st day of October in
each year and shall end on the 30th day of September following.
ARTICLE IX
Corporate Seal.
The seal of the Company shall be circular in form and there shall be
inscribed thereon -- WGL Holdings, Inc. -- a Corporation of Virginia -- 2000.
ARTICLE X
Amendments.
The Board of Directors may amend or repeal the Company's Bylaws except to
the extent that (i) The Company's articles of incorporation or Virginia state
law reserves this power to the stockholders, or (ii) the shareholders in
adopting or amending particular bylaws provide expressly that the board of
directors may not amend or repeal that bylaw. The Company's shareholders may
amend or repeal the Company's bylaws even though the bylaws may also be amended
or repealed by the Board of Directors.
C-8
<PAGE> 79
APPENDIX D
SECTION 29-373 OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
29-373 SAME--RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS.--(a) If a shareholder of a
corporation which is a party to a merger or consolidation shall file with the
corporation, prior to or at the meeting of shareholders at which the plan of
merger or consolidation is submitted to a vote, a written objection to the plan
of merger or consolidation, and shall not vote in favor of the plan, and the
shareholder, within 20 days after the merger or consolidation is effected, shall
make written demand on the surviving or new corporation for payment of the fair
value of his or her shares as of the day prior to the date on which the vote was
taken approving the merger or consolidation, the surviving or new corporation
shall pay to the shareholder the fair value of the shares forthwith, in the case
of holders of uncertificated shares, or upon surrender of the certificate or
certificates representing the shares, in the case of holders of shares
represented by certificates. Such a demand shall state the number and class of
the shares owned by the dissenting shareholder. Any shareholder failing to make
demand within the 20-day period shall be bound by the terms of the merger or
consolidation.
(b) If within 30 days after the date on which the merger or consolidation
was effected the value of the shares is agreed upon between the dissenting
shareholder and the surviving or new corporation payment therefor shall be made
within 90 days after the date on which the merger or consolidation was effected,
in the case of holders of uncertificated shares, or upon surrender of the
certificate or certificates representing the shares, in the case of holders of
shares represented by certificates. Upon payment of the agreed value, the
dissenting shareholder shall cease to have any interest in the shares of the
corporation.
(c) If within the period of 30 days the shareholder and the surviving or
new corporation do not agree, the dissenting shareholder may, within 60 days
after the expiration of the 30-day period, file a petition in any court of
competent jurisdiction within the District of Columbia asking for a finding and
determination of the fair value of the shares, and shall be entitled to judgment
against the surviving or new corporation for the amount of the fair value as of
the day prior to the date on which the vote was taken approving the merger or
consolidation, together with interest at the rate of 5% per annum to the date of
the judgment. The judgment shall be payable forthwith, in the case of holders of
uncertificated shares, or upon surrender of the certificate or certificates
representing the shares to the surviving or new corporation, in the case of
holders of shares represented by certificates. Upon payment of the judgment, the
dissenting shareholder shall cease to have any interest in the shares or in the
surviving or new corporation. The shares may be held and disposed of by the
surviving or new corporation. The shares may be held and disposed of by the
surviving or new corporation as it may see fit. Unless the dissenting
shareholder shall file the petition within the time herein limited, the
shareholder and all persons claiming under him or her shall be bound by the
terms of the merger or consolidation.
(d) The right of a dissenting shareholder to be paid the fair value of his
or her shares as herein provided shall cease if and when the corporation shall
abandon the merger and consolidation.
D-1
<PAGE> 80
WASHINGTON GAS ANNUAL MEETING -- MARCH 3, 2000 -- 10:00 A.M.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY KELLOGG CONFERENCE CENTER
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 (202)651-6000
DIRECTIONS & SHUTTLE SERVICE
DIRECTIONS BY CAR
FROM THE NORTH:
- - INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH to the BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON PARKWAY (ROUTE 295)
- - Parkway becomes ROUTE 50/NEW YORK AVENUE
- - LEFT at BLADENSBURG ROAD (first stoplight on New York Avenue)
- - RIGHT on MT. OLIVET ROAD (second stoplight on Bladensburg)
- - LEFT on WEST VIRGINIA AVENUE (first stoplight on Mt. Olivet)
- - RIGHT on FLORIDA AVENUE (first stoplight on West Virginia)
- - First RIGHT onto Gallaudet's Campus
FROM THE SOUTH
- - INTERSTATE 395 NORTH into Washington via the 14(TH) STREET BRIDGE
- - EXIT at 6(TH) STREET, SE (Go NORTH to FLORIDA AVENUE, NE)
- - RIGHT onto FLORIDA AVENUE
- - Turn LEFT just beyond 6(TH) STREET, NE
- - Enter Gallaudet's main gate at 8(TH) STREET
FROM THE SOUTHEAST:
- - ROUTE 5 NORTH
- - LEFT onto PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
- - RIGHT onto 8(TH) STREET, NE
- - Proceed NORTH ON 8(TH) STREET to Gallaudet's main gate
FROM THE WEST:
- - From CONNECTICUT AVENUE SOUTH, go past CHEVY CHASE CIRCLE to MILITARY ROAD
- - LEFT onto MILITARY ROAD and continue until you CROSS GEORGIA AVENUE & MILITARY
ROAD (Military Road becomes MISSOURI AVENUE)
- - Continue on Missouri Avenue to NORTH CAPITOL STREET
- - RIGHT onto NORTH CAPITOL STREET -- stay to the right
- - Pass MICHIGAN AVENUE
- - Get in LEFT LANE, continue one block past FLORIDA AVENUE
- - LEFT onto P STREET (P Street will lead you back onto Florida Avenue)
- - RIGHT onto FLORIDA AVENUE
- - Pass NEW YORK AVENUE, get into LEFT LANE
- - LEFT at 8(TH) STREET, NE onto Gallaudet's campus
ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
- - Turn LEFT past the security gate, onto LINCOLN CIRCLE SOUTH
- - Take the SECOND RIGHT onto LINCOLN CIRCLE WEST
- - LEFT at first stop sign onto FACULTY ROW to PARKING GARAGE
- - After parking, follow Washington Gas Annual Meeting signage to KELLOGG
CONFERENCE CENTER
SHUTTLE VAN SERVICE FROM/TO UNION STATION METRO
If you are arriving by Metro train, a Washington Gas representative with signage
will be stationed at the corner just outside the front of the Union Station
Metro stop to assist you in getting a free shuttle van to the annual meeting
site at Gallaudet University. The van will run every 15 minutes between 9:00
a.m. and 10 a.m. It will also run from the University back to Union Station
Metro stop every 15 minutes for one hour after the meeting concludes.
<PAGE> 81
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
Section 13.1-692.1 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended (the
"Virginia Code"), places a limitation on the liability of officers and directors
of a corporation in any proceeding brought by or in the right of the corporation
or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the corporation. The damages
asserted against an officer or director arising out of a single transaction,
occurrence, or course of conduct shall not exceed the greater of $100,000 or the
amount of cash compensation received by the officer or director from the
corporation during the 12 months immediately preceding the act or omission for
which liability was imposed. The statute also authorizes the corporation, in its
articles of incorporation or, if approved by the shareholders, in its bylaws, to
provide for a different specific monetary limit on, or to eliminate entirely,
liability. The liability of an officer or director shall not be limited if the
officer or director engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the
criminal law or any federal or state securities law.
Virginia Code Section 13.1-700.1 permits a court, upon application of a
director or officer, to review WGL Holdings Inc.'s determination as to a
director's or officer's request for advances, reimbursement or indemnification.
If it determines that the director or officer is entitled to such advances,
reimbursement or indemnification, the court may order WGL Holdings Inc. to make
advances and/or reimbursement for expenses or to provide indemnification, in
which case the court shall also order WGL Holdings Inc. to pay the officer's or
director's reasonable expenses incurred to obtain the order. With respect to a
proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, the court may order
indemnification to the extent of the officer's or director's reasonable expenses
if it determines that, considering all the relevant circumstances, the officer
or director is entitled to indemnification even though he or she was adjudged
liable, and may also order WGL Holdings to pay the officer's and director's
reasonable expenses incurred to obtain the order.
Articles FIFTH and SIXTH of the Articles of Incorporation of WGL Holdings
Inc. provide, in part, as follows:
FIFTH: No director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the
Corporation or its shareholders for any monetary damages for any action taken or
any failure to take any action as a director or officer; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall be deemed to eliminate or limit any liability which may not
be so eliminated or limited under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as
in effect at the effective date of these Articles of Incorporation or as
thereafter amended. No amendment, modification or repeal of this ARTICLE FIFTH
shall eliminate or limit the protection afforded to a officer or director with
respect to any act or omission occurring before the effective date hereof.
SIXTH: (a) The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, as from time to time in effect, indemnify any person who was, is
or is threatened to be named as a defendant or respondent in or otherwise
involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or
informal, including without limitation any such action, suit or proceeding by or
in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (any such
action, suit or proceeding being herein called a "Proceeding"), because he or
she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or because he or she,
while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the
Corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or
agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or any other entity or enterprise, against any and
all judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, including any excise tax assessed
with respect to an employee benefit plan, and/or reasonable expenses (including
counsel fees) incurred with respect to a Proceeding or any appeal therein.
II-1
<PAGE> 82
(b) The Corporation shall pay any such expenses incurred by a director
or officer, or former director or officer, of the Corporation in connection
with any such Proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such
advances to the extent of the amount to which such person shall ultimately
be determined not to be entitled and upon satisfaction of such other
conditions as may be required by applicable law.
(c) The Corporation, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may
extend the benefits of this Article SIXTH to current and/or former
employees, agents and other representatives of the Corporation (each person
entitled to benefits under this Article SIXTH being hereinafter sometimes
called an "Indemnified Person").
(d) All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
granted under or pursuant to this Article SIXTH shall be deemed to arise
out of a contract between the Corporation and each person who is an
Indemnified Person at any time while this Article SIXTH is in effect and
may be evidenced by a separate contract between the Corporation and each
Indemnified Person; and such rights shall be effective in respect of all
Proceedings commenced after the effective date of these Articles of
Incorporation, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or
after such date. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article SIXTH
shall affect any rights or obligations theretofore existing.
(e) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of,
or insure or cause to be insured, any person who is an Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against or incurred by him or her in any
capacity in respect of which he or she is an Indemnified Person, or arising
out of his or her status in such capacity, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
this Article SIXTH. As used in this Section "insurance" includes
retrospectively rated and self-insured programs; provided, however that no
such program shall provide coverage for directors and officers which is
prohibited by applicable law. The Corporation's indemnity of any person who
is an Indemnified Person shall be reduced by any amounts such person may
collect with respect to such liability (1) under any policy of insurance
purchased and maintained on his or her behalf by the Corporation or (2)
from any other entity or enterprise served by such person.
(f) The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
and all other benefits provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article
SIXTH shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity
in respect of which such person was an Indemnified Person and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
(g) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Article SIXTH shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which any Indemnified Person may be entitled under any
statute or court order or any By-Law, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
(h) The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make,
alter, amend and repeal such procedural rules and regulations relating to
indemnification and the advancement of expenses as it, in its discretion,
may deem necessary or expedient in order to carry out the purposes of this
Article SIXTH, such rules and regulations, if any, to be set forth in the
By-Laws of the Corporation or in a resolution of the Board of Directors.
II-2
<PAGE> 83
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2 Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of
January 13, 2000, by and among Washington Gas Light Company,
WGL Holdings, Inc. and Washington Gas Acquisition Co.
(attached as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus)
3(a) Articles of Incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc. (attached as
Appendix B to the Proxy Statement and Prospectus)
3(b) Bylaws of WGL Holdings, Inc. (attached as Appendix C to the
Proxy Statement and Prospectus)
4 Specimen copy of certificate for WGL Holdings, Inc. Common
Stock, no par value
5(a) Opinion of John K. Keane, Jr., Esq.
5(b) and 8 Opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
23(a) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23(b) Consent of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP (included in Exhibits 5
and 8)
99 Form of Proxy
</TABLE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration
Statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered hereby which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and
II-3
<PAGE> 84
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to request for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
(f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-4
<PAGE> 85
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each director and/or officer of the Registrant whose signature appears
below hereby appoints the Agents for Service named in this Registration
Statement, and each of them severally, as his or her attorney-in-fact to sign
his name and behalf, in any and all capacities stated below, and to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, any and all amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of
Columbia, on February 2, 2000.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC
By: /s/ JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT,
JR.
------------------------------------
JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT, JR.
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT, JR. Chairman and Chief February 2, 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------- Executive Officer and
JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT, JR. Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
/s/ FREDERIC M. KLINE Vice President and Chief February 2, 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------- Financial Officer
FREDERIC M. KLINE (Principal Financial
Officer)
/s/ ROBERT E. TUORINIEMI Controller February 2, 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting
ROBERT E. TUORINIEMI Officer)
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 86
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
<S> <C>
2 Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of
January 13, 2000 by an among Washington Gas Light Company,
Washington Gas Acquisition Corp. and WGL Holdings, Inc.
(attached as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement and
Prospectus)
3(a) Articles of Incorporation of WGL Holdings, Inc. (attached as
Appendix B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus)
3(b) Bylaws of WGL Holdings, Inc. (attached as Appendix C to the
Proxy Statement and Prospectus)
4 Specimen copy of certificate for WGL Holdings, Inc. Common
Stock, no par value
5(a) Opinion of John K. Keane, Jr., Esq.
5(b) and 8 Opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
23(a) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23(b) Consent of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP (included in Exhibits 5
and 8)
99 Form of Proxy
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
NO PAR VALUE NO PAR VALUE
NUMBER SHARES
[ARTWORK]
A CORPORATION CUSIP
OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
</TABLE>
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
This Certifies that
is the owner of
FULLY PAID AND NON ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
CERTIFICATE OF STOCK
WGL Holdings, Inc. transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder
hereof in person or by duly authorized Attorney upon surrender of this
Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid unless
countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the
facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly
authorized officers.
/S/ DOUGLAS V. POPE /S/ JOSEPH M. SCHEPIS
SECRETARY PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
DATED: COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
(NEW YORK) TRANSFER AGENT
AND REGISTRAR,
BY
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
<PAGE> 2
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
TEN COM -- as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT--.............Custodian..............
TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN -- as joint tenants with right under Uniform Gifts to Minors
of survivorship and not as Act..............................
tenants in common (State)
</TABLE>
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
WGL HOLDINGS, INC.
A full statement of the designations, preferences, limitations, and
relative rights of the shares of each class of capital stock of the Company
authorized to be issued, and the variations in the relative rights and
preferences between the shares of each series of each class of the Company's
preferred stock, so far as the same have been fixed and determined, and the
authority of the Board of Directors to fix and determine the relative rights and
preferences of subsequent series of the Company's classes of preferred stock, is
set forth in the Charter of the Company. The Company will furnish a copy of such
Charter to any shareholder upon request and without charge. Such request should
be directed to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office, 1100 H
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20080.
For value received,........................hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------......................................
............................................................................
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE
............................................................................
............................................................................
......................................................................Shares
of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint..........................................
............................................................................
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named
Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated,..................
..................................
SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED:
-------------------------------------------------------
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE
GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS SAVINGS AND
LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN
AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM),
PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
NOTICE; THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT
ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5(a)
Washington Gas Light Company
1100 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20080
Washington, D.C.
February 2, 2000
WGL Holdings, Inc.
1100 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20080
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Washington Gas Light
Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia
and the District of Columbia ("Gas Light"), WGL Holdings, Inc., a Virginia
corporation (the "Company") and Washington Gas Acquisition Co., a Virginia
corporation ("Gas Acquisition") I am familiar with the proposed merger (the
"Merger") between Gas Light and the Company. The Merger is to be effected
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the "Merger
Agreement") between Gas Light, the Company and Gas Acquisition. Under the terms
of the Merger Agreement, all of the outstanding common stock of Gas Light will
be converted on a share-for-share basis for Company common stock.
This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing by the Company
of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating
to the registration of the shares of Company common stock to be issued in the
Merger under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").
For purposes of this opinion, I have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of (i) the Merger
Agreement; (ii) the Registration Statement; (iii) the Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as to be amended
immediately prior to consummation of the Merger; (iv) resolutions adopted by the
Board of Directors of Gas Light relating to the Merger; (v) resolutions adopted
by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Merger and the issuance
and delivery of Company common stock in connection therewith; and (vi) such
other documents, certificates or other records as I have deemed necessary or
appropriate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications hereinafter
expressed, I am of the opinion that:
<PAGE> 2
1. Gas Light is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
District of Columbia.
2. The outstanding shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, of Gas Light
have been legally issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
3. The Board of Directors of Gas Light has taken such action as may be
necessary to authorize the consummation of the Merger.
4. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
5. The Board of Directors of the Company has taken such action as may be
necessary to authorize the consummation of the Merger and the issuance
and delivery of the Company's common stock in connection therewith.
6. When the Merger shall have been consummated in accordance with the
terms of the Merger Agreement, the shares of the Company common stock
registered by the Registration Statement will be legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.
This opinion addresses the law of the District of Columbia and the
Commonwealth of Virginia and the federal law of the United States.
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP is hereby authorized to rely upon this letter as
if such letter were addressed to it.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration Statement and to the
reference to our firm under the caption "LEGAL OPINIONS" in the Proxy Statement
and Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, I do not
admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
John K. Keane, Jr.
2
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5(b) and 8
THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP
40 WEST 57TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10019-4097
TELEPHONE (212) 603-2000
FAX (212) 603-2001
(212) 603-2000
New York, New York
February 2, 2000
WGL Holdings, Inc.
1100 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20080
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel to Washington Gas Light Company, a corporation
organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of
Columbia ("Gas Light"), WGL Holdings, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the
"Company") and Washington Gas Acquisition Co., a Virginia corporation ("Gas
Acquisition") in connection with the proposed merger (the "Merger") between Gas
Light and the Company. The Merger is to be effected pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the "Merger Agreement") between Gas Light the
Company and Gas Acquisition. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement all, of the
outstanding common stock of Gas Light will be converted on a share-for-share
basis for Company common stock.
This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing by the
Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement")
relating to the registration of the shares of Company common stock to be issued
in the Merger under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").
For purposes of this opinion, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Merger
Agreement; (ii) the Registration Statement; (iii) the Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as to be amended
immediately prior to consummation of the Merger; (iv) resolutions adopted by the
Board of Directors of Gas Light relating to the Merger; (v) resolutions adopted
by the Board of
<PAGE> 2
Directors of the Company relating to the Merger and the issuance and delivery of
Company common stock in connection therewith; and (vi) such other documents,
certificates or other records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications hereinafter
expressed, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. The Board of Directors of the Company has taken such action as may be
necessary to authorize the consummation of the Merger and the issuance
and delivery of the Company's common stock in connection therewith.
3. When the Merger shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms
of the Merger Agreement, the shares of the Company common stock
registered by the Registration Statement will be legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.
The statements contained in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus under the
caption "Proposal 3 -- Reorganization of Washington Gas Light Company -- Federal
Income Tax Consequences" constitute our opinion as to the material United States
federal income tax consequences of the Merger to holders of Gas Light common
stock.
This opinion addresses the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
federal law of the United States. However, to the extent that the opinions
expressed herein are dependent upon matters which are governed by the law of
Virginia or which are otherwise addressed in the opinion of even date herewith
addressed to you by John K. Keane, Jr., Esq., they are based upon such opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5(b) and 8 to the Registration Statement
and to the reference to our firm under the caption "LEGAL OPINIONS" in the Proxy
Statement and Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we
do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP
2
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23(a)
Consent of Independent Public Accountants
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our reports dated October 25, 1999
included in or incorporated by reference in Washington Gas Light Company's Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999 and to all references to our Firm
included in this registration statement.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Washington, D.C.
February 2, 2000
<PAGE> 1
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MARCH 3, 2000
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I (WE) here appoint James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr. and Joseph M. Schepis and
each of them as proxies, with full power of substitution to each, to act and
vote in the name of the undersigned with all the powers that the undersigned
would possess if personally present, on all matters which may come before the
March 3, 2000 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Washington Gas Light Company
and any adjournment of such meeting, hereby revoking any prior conflicting
proxies. The meeting will be held at Kellogg Center at Gallaudet University, 800
Florida Ave., N.E. in Washington, D.C. on Friday, March 3, 2000 at 10 a.m.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate
boxes. SEE REVERSE SIDE. You need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in
accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations. This proxy when properly
executed and presented will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1,
2, and 3, and AGAINST proposal 4.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS
PROXY IMMEDIATELY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
Change of Address and or Comments Mark
Here [ ]
Please sign exactly as name or names
appear on this proxy. If stock is held
jointly, each holder should sign. If
signing as attorney, trustee, executor,
administrator, custodian, guardian or
corporate officer, please give full title.
Dated: ________ , 2000
______________ (L.S.)
______________ (L.S.)
<PAGE> 2
VOTES MUST BE INDICATED (X) [ ]
IN BLACK OF BLUE INK.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 1.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Election of all Directors FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote [ ]
listed below for all nominees
Nominees: Michael D. Barnes, Fred J. Brinkman, Daniel J. Callahan, III,
Orlando W. Darden, James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr., Melvyn J. Estrin,
Philip A. Odeen, Joseph M. Schepis and Karen Hastie Williams
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THAT NOMINEE'S NAME.)
</TABLE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2. Ratification of the Appointment of Auditors. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3.
3. Agreement and Plan of Merger and
Reorganization. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "AGAINST" PROPOSAL 4.
4. Stockholder Proposal re Cumulative Voting. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
5. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
</TABLE>
(Continued and to be signed and dated on the reverse side.)
