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FORM 8-A
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan 38-0478650
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(State of incorporation (IRS Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
2000 Second Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
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(Address of principal (Zip Code)
executive offices)
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is
effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c)(1), please check
the following box. [X]
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is
to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1993 pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c)(2), please check the following box. [ ]
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange on
Title of each class which each class is to be
to be so registered registered
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Junior Subordinated New York Stock
Deferrable Interest Exchange, Inc.
Debentures, Due 2026
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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(Title of class)
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Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.
A description of the securities is contained under the heading "Description
of QUIDS" in the Prospectus Supplement, dated February 8, 1996, to Prospectus
dated August 17, 1994 relating to The Detroit Edison Company's (the
"Company") 7 5/8% Quarterly Income Debt Securities (Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures, Due 2026) (the "QUIDS") filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 33-53207) of the Company, which description is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 2. Exhibits Filed Herewith.
4-1 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1996
(including form of QUIDS as set forth in Exhibit A).
8-1 Tax Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which
includes professional corporations).
Exhibits Incorporated by Reference
4 (a) Collateral Trust Indenture (Notes), dated as of June 30, 1993
between The Detroit Edison Company and Bankers Trust Company
(Exhibit 4-152 to Registration Statement No. 33-50325).
4 (b) First Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of June 30, 1993
(Exhibit 4-153 to Registration No. 33-50325).
4 (c) Second Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of September 15,
1993 (Exhibit 4-159 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q
for quarter ended September 30, 1993).
4 (d) Third Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1994
(Exhibit 4-169 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q for
quarter ended September 30, 1994).
4 (e) First Amendment, dated as of December 12, 1995, to Third
Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1994
(Exhibit 4-13 to Registration No. 333-00023).
4 (f) Fourth Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1995
(Exhibit 4-175 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q for
quarter ended September 30, 1995).
99 (a) Prospectus Supplement, dated February 8, 1996, to Prospectus
dated August 17, 1994 (filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2),
Registration No. 33-53207).
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3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement or amendment
thereto to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Elaine M. Godfrey
------------------------
Name: Elaine M. Godfrey
Title: Assistant
Corporate Secretary
Date: March 11, 1996
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits filed herewith
Exhibit
Number Description
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4-1 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1996
(including form of QUIDS as set forth in Exhibit A).
8-1 Tax Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which
includes professional corporations).
Exhibits Incorporated by Reference
4 (a) Collateral Trust Indenture (Notes), dated as of June 30, 1993
between The Detroit Edison Company and Bankers Trust Company
(Exhibit 4-152 to Registration Statement No. 33-50325).
4 (b) First Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of June 30, 1993
(Exhibit 4-153 to Registration No. 33-50325).
4 (c) Second Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of September 15,
1993 (Exhibit 4-159 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q
for quarter ended September 30, 1993).
4 (d) Third Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1994
(Exhibit 4-169 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q for
quarter ended September 30, 1994).
4 (e) First Amendment, dated as of December 12, 1995, to Third
Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1994
(Exhibit 4-13 to Registration No. 333-00023).
4 (f) Fourth Supplemental Note Indenture, dated as of August 15, 1995
(Exhibit 4-175 to The Detroit Edison Company's Form 10-Q for
quarter ended September 30, 1995).
99 (a) Prospectus Supplement, dated February 8, 1996, to Prospectus
dated August 17, 1994 (filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2),
Registration No. 33-53207).
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EXHIBIT 4.1
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THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
AND
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
TRUSTEE
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FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1996
------------------------
SUPPLEMENTING THE COLLATERAL TRUST INDENTURE
DATED AS OF JUNE 30, 1993
PROVIDING FOR
7 5/8% QUARTERLY INCOME DEBT SECURITIES
("QUIDS") (JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE
INTEREST DEBENTURES, DUE 2026)
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FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of the 1st day of February 1996,
between THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Michigan (the "Company"), and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a
New York banking corporation, having its principal office in The City of New
York, New York, as trustee (the "Trustee");
WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a
Collateral Trust Indenture dated as of June 30, 1993 (the "Original Indenture"),
as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 1993, a
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 15, 1993, a Third
Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 1994, as amended, and a Fourth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 1995 (the "Prior Supplemental
Indentures") providing for the issuance by the Company from time to time of its
notes; and
WHEREAS, the Company now desires to provide for the issuance of an
additional series of its unsecured, subordinated debt securities pursuant to the
Original Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Company intends hereby to designate a series of debt
securities which shall not have the benefit of the provisions of Article Four of
the Original Indenture and the other related provisions of the Original
Indenture relating to the grant of security and which shall have the terms and
variations from the provisions of the Original Indenture as set forth herein;
and
WHEREAS, the Company, in the exercise of the power and authority conferred
upon and reserved to it under the provisions of the Original Indenture,
including Section 1001 thereof, and pursuant to appropriate resolutions of the
Board of Directors, has duly determined to make, execute and deliver to the
Trustee this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to the Original Indenture as permitted
by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture in order to establish the form
or terms of, and to provide for the creation and issue of, a series of its debt
securities under the Original Indenture, which shall be known as the 7 5/8%
Quarterly Income Debt Securities (the "QUIDS") (Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures Due 2026); and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make such debt securities, when executed
by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or any
Authenticating Agent and issued upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter and in the Original Indenture set forth against payment therefor,
the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company and to make this Fifth
Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal agreement of the Company, have
been done;
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH that, in order
to establish the terms of a series of debt securities, and for and in
consideration of the premises and of the covenants contained in the Original
Indenture and in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and for other good and
valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER
PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions. Each capitalized term that is used herein and is
defined in the Original Indenture shall have the meaning specified in the
Original Indenture unless such term is otherwise defined herein.
"Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions located in the State of
Michigan or in the state in which the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee is located, are authorized or obligated by or pursuant to law or
executive order to close.
"Capital Stock" means any and all shares of the Company's Preferred Stock,
Preference Stock or Common Stock or any other equity securities of the Company.
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"Payment Obligation", when used with respect to Senior Indebtedness, means
an obligation stated in an agreement, instrument or lease to pay money (whether
for principal, premium, interest, sinking fund, periodic rent, stipulated value,
termination value, liquidated damages or otherwise), but excluding an obligation
to pay money in respect of fees of, or as payment or reimbursement for expenses
incurred by or on behalf of, or as indemnity for losses, damages, taxes or other
indemnity claims of any kind owed to, any holder of Senior Indebtedness or other
party to such agreement, instrument or lease.
"Senior Indebtedness" means each of the following, whether outstanding on
the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred or assumed:
(a) any Payment Obligation of the Company in respect of any
indebtedness, directly or indirectly, created, incurred or assumed (i) for
borrowed money or (ii) in connection with the acquisition of any business,
property or asset (including securities), other than any account payable or
other indebtedness created, incurred or assumed in the ordinary course of
business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services;
(b) any Payment Obligation of the Company in respect of any lease that
would, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, be
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease;
(c) any Payment Obligation of the Company in respect of any interest
rate exchange agreement, currency exchange agreement or similar agreement
that provides for payment (whether or not contingent) over a period or term
(including any renewals or extensions) longer than one year from the
execution thereof;
(d) any Payment Obligation of the Company in respect of any agreement
relating to the acquisition (including a sale and buyback) or lease
(including a sale and leaseback) of real or personal property that provides
for payment (whether or not contingent) over a period or term (including
any renewals or extensions) longer than one year from the execution
thereof;
(e) any Payment Obligation of any Subsidiary or of others of the kind
described in the preceding clauses (a) through (d) assumed or guaranteed by
the Company or for which the Company is otherwise responsible or liable;
and
(f) any amendment, renewal, extension or refunding of any Payment
Obligation described in the preceding subparagraphs (a) through (e);
unless in the agreement, instrument or lease in which any such Payment
Obligation is stated it is expressly provided that such Payment Obligation is
not senior in right of payment to the QUIDS.
SECTION 102. Section References. Each reference to a particular section set
forth in this Supplemental Indenture shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, refer to this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.
ARTICLE TWO
TITLE AND TERMS OF THE QUIDS
SECTION 201. Title of the QUIDS. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture hereby
establishes a series of QUIDS, which shall be known as the Company's 7 5/8%
Quarterly Income Debt Securities (Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures, Due 2026) (referred to herein as the "QUIDS"). For purposes of the
Original Indenture, the QUIDS shall constitute a single series of Securities.
The stated maturity of the QUIDS will be March 31, 2026.
SECTION 202. Variations from the Original Indenture. Notwithstanding the
provisions of the Original Indenture, the QUIDS shall be without benefit of any
security and shall be subordinated to Senior Indebtedness as and to the extent
provided in Article Four of this Supplemental Indenture. The QUIDS shall not
have the benefit of the provisions of Article Four of the Original Indenture and
shall not have the benefit of, or be subject to, the other related provisions of
the Original Indenture relating to the grant of security, including (for
avoidance of doubt and not for purposes of limitation) the Granting Clause, the
definitions of
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"Deliverable Mortgage Bonds," Deliverable Securities," "Designated Mortgage
Bonds," "Grant," "Mortgage," "Mortgage Bonds," "Mortgage Trustee," "Previously
Delivered Mortgage Bonds," and "Trust Estate," Section 301(20), Sections
301(a)(v), (ix), (x) and (xi), Sections 301(b)(ii) and (iii), Section 301(d),
and Sections 601(4) and (8).
SECTION 203. Amount and Denominations; DTC. The aggregate principal amount
of QUIDS that may be issued under this Fifth Supplemental Indenture is limited
to $185,000,000. The QUIDS shall be issuable only in fully registered form and,
as permitted by Sections 301 and 302 of the Original Indenture, in denominations
of $25 and integral multiples thereof. The QUIDS will initially be issued under
a book-entry system, registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as
depository ("DTC"), or its nominee, who is hereby designated as "U.S.
Depository" under the Original Indenture.
SECTION 204. Interest Rate and Interest Payment Dates. (a) The QUIDS will
bear interest at the rate of 7 5/8% per annum from the date of original issuance
until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue
principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per
annum during such overdue period. Interest on the QUIDS will be payable
quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing March 31, 1996 to the persons in whose names the QUIDS are registered
at the close of business on the relevant record date for such interest
installment, which will be one Business Day prior to the relevant Interest
Payment Date or, in the case of a Deferral Period (as described herein), one
Business Day prior to the Interest Payment Date for such Deferral Period (each a
"Record Date"); provided, however, that, in the event that any Interest Payment
Date shall not be a Business Day, then interest shall be payable on the next day
that is a Business Day (but without interest or other payment in respect of such
delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day
without reduction in amount due to such early payment (and in which case the
relevant Record Date shall be on the Business Day immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Date), in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such Interest Payment Date, subject to certain rights of deferral described
in Section 204(b) hereof.
The amount of interest payable in any period will be computed on the basis
of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year and, for any period shorter than a
full quarterly interest period, will be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed in such period.
(b) The provisions of Section 204(a) notwithstanding, the Company shall
have the right at any time, on one or more occasions so long as an Event of
Default with respect to the QUIDS has not occurred and is not continuing, to
extend any interest payment period on the QUIDS for a period (a "Deferral
Period") not to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods;
provided that the date on which such Deferral Period ends must be an Interest
Payment Date and must be no later than March 31, 2026 or any date on which any
QUIDS are fixed for redemption. On the Interest Payment Date at the end of the
Deferral Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid,
which shall be compounded quarterly at the rate of interest on the QUIDS (except
to the extent prohibited by law) to the date of payment, to the persons in whose
names the QUIDS are registered on the Record Date for such Deferral Period. The
Company shall give the Holders of the QUIDS notice of its election to defer
interest payments or to extend the Deferral Period ten Business Days prior to
the earlier of (1) the next scheduled quarterly payment date and (2) the date
the Company is required to give notice of the record date of such related
interest payment to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable
self-regulatory organization or to the Holders of the QUIDS, but in any event
not less than two Business Days prior to such record date. During the Deferral
Period the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its Capital Stock
or make any guaranty payment with respect to the foregoing, other than
redemptions of any series of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to the terms
of any sinking fund provisions with respect thereto. During any Deferral Period,
the Company may not (i) make any distributions, loans or guarantees for the
benefit of, (ii) purchase, defease, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value any securities of or (iii) make any other investment in, any person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with the Company, for the purpose of, or to enable the payment
of,
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directly or indirectly, dividends on any equity securities of DTE Holdings, Inc.
and its successors or assigns. During any Deferral Period, the Company may
continue to extend the interest payment period by extending the Deferral Period,
on one or more occasions, by notice given as aforesaid in this paragraph (b),
provided that such Deferral Period, as extended, must end on an Interest Payment
Date and in no event shall the aggregate Deferral Period, as extended, exceed 20
consecutive quarterly interest payment periods or extend beyond March 31, 2026
or any date on which QUIDS are fixed for redemption. No interest shall be due
and payable during a Deferral Period except at the end thereof.
SECTION 205. Redemption of QUIDS. The QUIDS shall not be redeemable prior
to March 31, 2001. Thereafter, upon notice given by mailing the same, postage
prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption, any or all of the QUIDS may be redeemed by the Company, at its
option, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100%
of the principal amount of the QUIDS to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption.
SECTION 206. Form of QUIDS. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a form of the
definitive QUIDS.
ARTICLE THREE
ADDITIONAL EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND COVENANTS
SECTION 301. Inapplicability of Certain Events of Default. The Events of
Default set forth in Sections 601(4) and 601(8) of the Original Indenture shall
not apply to the QUIDS. The omission by the Company to pay interest on the QUIDS
during a Deferral Period as permitted by Section 204 shall not constitute an
Event of Default under Section 601(1) of the Original Indenture.
ARTICLE FOUR
SUBORDINATION OF QUIDS
SECTION 401. QUIDS Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness. The Company for
itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of
QUIDS issued, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment
thereof, by its acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that the
payment of principal of and interest on each and all of the QUIDS is hereby
expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter in this
Article set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
SECTION 402. Payments to Securityholders. (a) Upon (i) any acceleration of
the principal amount due on the QUIDS or (ii) any payment or distribution of
assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or total or partial
liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary
or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all principal,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall
first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money or money's worth
in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the
principal of or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the QUIDS, and upon
any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment
or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the QUIDS under the terms
of this Supplemental Indenture would be entitled, except for the provisions
hereof, shall (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make
other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred by the provisions
hereof upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the
QUIDS and the Holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under
applicable bankruptcy law), be paid by the Company or any receiver, trustee in
bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or
distribution, or by the Holders of the QUIDS if received by them, directly to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to each such holder on the basis of
the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holder) or their
representatives, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness
(including interest thereon) in full, in money or money's worth, in accordance
with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to
or for the holders of
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Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders
of the indebtedness evidenced by the QUIDS. The consolidation of the Company
with, or a merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the
terms and conditions provided in Section 901 of the Original Indenture shall not
be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the
purposes of this Section 402(a).
(b) In the event that any payment or distribution of assets of the Company
of any kind or character not permitted by Section 402(a), whether in cash,
property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of QUIDS
before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision made for such
payment, in accordance with its terms, upon written notice to the Trustee or, as
the case may be, such Holder, such payment or distribution shall be held in
trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the
Trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior
Indebtedness in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee
under or pursuant to Section 706 of the Original Indenture. In addition, nothing
in this Article shall prevent the Company from making or the Trustee from
receiving or applying any payment in connection with the redemption of the QUIDS
if the first publication of notice of such redemption (whether by mail or
otherwise in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture) has been made, and the
Trustee has received such payment from the Company, prior to the occurrence of
any of the contingencies specified in this Section 402.
(c) No payment on account of principal of or interest on the QUIDS shall be
made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if any,
sinking funds and interest on any Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly
provided for in money or money's worth in accordance with the terms of such
Senior Indebtedness. No payment on account of principal or interest on the QUIDS
shall be made if, at the time of such payment or immediately after giving effect
thereto, (i) there shall exist a default in the payment of principal, premium,
if any, sinking fund or interest with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, or
(ii) there shall have occurred an event of default (other than a default in the
payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest) with respect
to any Senior Indebtedness, as defined therein or in the instrument under which
the same is outstanding, permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the
maturity thereof and upon written notice thereof given to the Trustee, with a
copy to the Company (the delivery of which shall not affect the validity of the
notice to the Trustee), and such event of default shall not have been cured or
waived or shall not have ceased to exist, provided, however, that if the holders
of the Senior Indebtedness to which the default relates have not declared such
Senior Indebtedness to be immediately due and payable within 180 days after the
occurrence of such default (or have declared such Senior Indebtedness to be
immediately due and payable and within such period have rescinded such
declaration of acceleration), then the Company shall resume making any and all
required payments in respect of the QUIDS (including any missed payments). Only
one payment blockage period under the immediately preceding sentence may be
commenced within any consecutive 365-day period with respect to the QUIDS of any
series. No event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the
commencement of any 180-day payment blockage period with respect to the Senior
Indebtedness initiating such payment blockage period shall be, or be made, the
basis for the commencement of a second payment blockage period by a Holder or
representative of such Senior Indebtedness whether or not within a period of 365
consecutive days unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived
for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days (and, in the case of any such
waiver, no payment shall be made by the Company to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness in connection with such waiver other than amounts due pursuant to
the terms of the Senior Indebtedness as in effect at the time of such default).
SECTION 403. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness. From
and after the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the
QUIDS (together with the holders of any other indebtedness of the Company which
is subordinate in right of payment to the payment in full of all Senior
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Indebtedness, which is not subordinate in right of payment to the QUIDS and
which by its terms grants such right of subrogation to the holder thereof) shall
be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive
payments or distributions of assets or securities of the Company applicable to
the Senior Indebtedness until the QUIDS shall be paid in full, and, for the
purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness of assets or securities, which otherwise would have been
payable or distributable to Holders of the QUIDS, shall, as between the Company,
its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of
the QUIDS, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the
Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of this Article are
and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the
Holders of the QUIDS, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness, on the other hand, and nothing contained herein is intended to or
shall impair as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of
Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the QUIDS, the obligation of the
Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the QUIDS
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the QUIDS as and
when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to
affect the relative rights of the Holders of the QUIDS and creditors of the
Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything
herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of QUIDS from exercising all
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default hereunder with
respect to the QUIDS subject to the rights of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, under Section 402, to receive cash, property or securities of the
Company otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or the Holders of the
QUIDS or to a representative of such Holders, on their behalf.
Upon any distribution or payment in connection with any proceedings or sale
referred to in Section 402(a), the Trustee and each Holder of the QUIDS then
Outstanding, shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating
trustee or agent or other Person making any distribution or payment to the
Trustee or such Holder for the purpose of ascertaining the holders of Senior
Indebtedness entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the amount
of such Senior Indebtedness or the amount payable thereon, the amount or amounts
paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this
Article.
SECTION 404. No Impairment of Subordination. Nothing contained in this
Article or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture or the QUIDS shall prevent
at any time the Company from making payments at any time of principal of or
interest on the QUIDS, except under the conditions described in Section 402 or
during the pendency of any proceedings or sale therein referred to.
SECTION 405. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder of a
Subordinated Security by his acceptance thereof, whether upon original issue or
upon transfer or assignment, authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to
take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination provisions in this Article and appoints the Trustee his
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
No rights of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Trustee
or any Holder of the QUIDS then Outstanding, or by any act or failure to act, in
good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by any such holder, with
the terms, provisions and covenants of this Supplemental Indenture, regardless
of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged
with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without
the consent of or notice to the Holders of the QUIDS, without incurring
responsibility to the Holders of the QUIDS and without impairing or releasing
the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations of the Holders of
the QUIDS to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the
following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renew or
alter, Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
Senior Indebtedness of any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under
which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing
6
<PAGE> 8
Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the
collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights against the Company and any other Person.
SECTION 406. Notice to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee in the form of an Officers' Certificate of any fact known
to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of money to or by
the Trustee in respect of the QUIDS pursuant to the provisions of this Article.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provisions of this
Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by
the Trustee in respect of the QUIDS pursuant to the provisions of this Article,
unless and until the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office
written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior
Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor at least two Business Days prior to
such payment date; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the
Trustee, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist.
The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written
notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness
(or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such
holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further
evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate
in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of
such Person under the Article, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
SECTION 407. Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Upon any payment
or distribution referred to in this Article, the Trustee, and the Holders of the
QUIDS shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of
competent jurisdiction in which a dissolution, winding up or total or partial
liquidation or reorganization of the Company is pending, or a certificate of the
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for
the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the QUIDS, for the
purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 408. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The
Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good
faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of the QUIDS of any series or
to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any
holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or
otherwise.
SECTION 409. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness. The
Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth
in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be
held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and
nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its
rights as such holder.
SECTION 410. Article Applicable to Paying Agent. In case at any time any
Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and
be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article shall in
such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending
to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents
and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to
or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section shall not apply
to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as
Paying Agent.
7
<PAGE> 9
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
The Trustee makes no undertaking or representations in respect of, and
shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for and in respect of, the
validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or the proper
authorization or the due execution hereof by the Company or for or in respect of
the recitals and statements contained herein, all of which recitals and
statements are made solely by the Company.
Except as expressly amended hereby, the Original Indenture shall continue
in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof and the
Original Indenture is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Fifth
Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the
Original Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.
This Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
This Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but
all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
8
<PAGE> 10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ATTEST:
By:
-----------------------------------
Elaine M. Godfrey
Assistant Corporate Secretary
[Corporate Seal]
STATE OF MICHIGAN )
) :
COUNTY OF WAYNE )
On the day of February 1996, before me personally came , to
me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
of THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and he signed his name thereto by like authority.
--------------------------------------
, Notary Public
My Commission Expires
[Notarial Seal]
9
<PAGE> 11
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By:
-----------------------------------
Name: Scott Thiel
Title: Assistant Vice President
ATTEST:
By:
----------------------------------------
Shafiq Jadavji
Assistant Treasurer
[Corporate Seal]
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) :
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On the 8th day of February 1996, before me personally came Scott Thiel, to
me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is Assistant
Vice President of BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, one of the corporations described in
and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said
corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal;
that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and she signed her name thereto by like authority.
--------------------------------------
Carol Allen
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 24-4920187
Qualified in Kings County
Commission Expires 2-16-96
[Notarial Seal]
10
<PAGE> 12
EXHIBIT A
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A
DEPOSITORY. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN
CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF DTC OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.
UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO THE
ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE
TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL, INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE
& CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ("OID") FOR U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR
PURPOSES OF APPLYING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX OID RULES TO THIS NOTE:
NO. R-1 $185,000,000
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
7 5/8% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
DUE 2026
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ISSUE PRICE ISSUE DATE CUSIP NO.
- ----------- ----------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
$ 25.00 February 13, 1996 250847712
</TABLE>
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY, a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Michigan (herein referred to as the "Company", which
term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred
to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered
assigns, the principal sum of One hundred eighty-five million Dollars
($185,000,000) on March 31, 2026 and to pay interest at the rate of 7 5/8% per
annum on said principal sum from the date of issuance until the principal of
this Debenture ("Note") hereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue
principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per
annum during such overdue period. Interest on this Note will be payable
quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each such date, an "Interest
Payment Date"), commencing March 31, 1996.
The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the
basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year and, for any period shorter
than a full quarterly interest period, will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed in such period. In the event that any date on
which interest is payable on this Note is not a Business Day, then payment of
the amount payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is
a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day
without reduction in the amount due to such early payment (and in which case the
relevant Record Date shall be on the Business Day immediately preceding such
11
<PAGE> 13
Interest Payment Date), in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date, subject to certain rights of deferral described below. A "Business
Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is
not a day on which banking institutions located in the State of Michigan or in
the state in which the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee is
located are authorized or obligated by or pursuant to law or executive order to
close. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date (other than interest payable on redemption or
maturity) will, as provided in the Indenture (as defined herein), be paid to the
person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes, as defined in
said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the relevant record
date for such interest installment, which shall be one Business Day prior to the
relevant Interest Payment Date or, in the case of a Deferral Period (as defined
in the Indenture), one Business Day prior to Interest Payment Date for such
Deferral Period (each a "Record Date"). Interest payable on redemption or
maturity shall be payable to the person to whom the principal is paid. Any such
interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith
cease to be payable to the registered holders on such Record Date, and may be
paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on a special record date to be fixed by the
Trustee for the payment of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be
given to the registered holders of this series of Notes not less than 10 days
prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by
such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of and
the interest on this Note shall be payable at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, in any coin or currency of the United States of America which at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the registered holder at the close of business on the Record
Date at such address as shall appear in the Security Register.
Payment of the principal of and interest on this Note is, to the extent
provided in the Indenture, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness, as defined
in the Indenture, of the Company and this Note is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each registered holder of this
Note, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take
such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee as his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each registered holder hereof,
by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of
the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each
holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred,
and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.
Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee or a duly appointed Authentication Agent referred to herein, this Note
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Notes of the Company
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Notes"), specified in the Indenture, all
issued or to be issued in one or more series under and pursuant to a Collateral
Trust Indenture dated as of June 30, 1993 (the "Original Indenture") duly
executed and delivered between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, a national
banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States,
as Trustee (herein referred to as the "Trustee"), as supplemented by the First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 1993, a Second Supplemental
Indenture dated as of September 15, 1993, a Third Supplemental Indenture dated
as of August 15, 1994, as amended, a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of
August 15, 1995 and a Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 1, 1996
(together with the Original Indenture, the "Indenture") between the Company and
the Trustee, to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
12
<PAGE> 14
Trustee, the Company and the registered holders of the Notes and of the terms
upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. By the
terms of the Indenture, the Notes are issuable in series which may vary as to
amount, date of maturity, rate of interest and in other respects as in the
Indenture provided. This series of Notes is limited in aggregate principal
amount as specified in said Fifth Supplemental Indenture.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Original Indenture, this Note shall
be without benefit of any security and shall be subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) as and to the extent provided in
Article Four of said Fifth Supplemental Indenture. This Note shall not have the
benefit of the provisions of Article Four of the Original Indenture and shall
not have the benefit of, or be subject to, the other related provisions of the
Original Indenture relating to the grant of security, including (for avoidance
of doubt and not for purposes of limitation) the Granting Clause, the
definitions of "Deliverable Mortgage Bonds," "Deliverable Securities,"
"Designated Mortgage Bonds," "Grant," "Mortgage," "Mortgage Bonds," "Mortgage
Trustee," "Previously Delivered Mortgage Bonds," and "Trust Estate," Section
301(20), Section 301(a)(v), (ix), (x) and (xi), Sections 301(b)(ii) and (iii),
and Section 301(d). In addition, the Events of Default set forth in Sections
601(4) and 601(8) of the Original Indenture shall not apply to this Note. The
omission by the Company to pay interest on this Note during a Deferral Period as
permitted by Section 204 of said Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall not
constitute an Event of Default under Section 601(1) of the Original Indenture.
The Company shall have the right to redeem this Note at the option of the
Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after March 31, 2001 and prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to 100%
of the principal amount redeemed plus the accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
the date fixed for redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph will be
made upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice. If the Notes are only
partially redeemed by the Company, the Notes will be redeemed pro rata or by lot
or by any other method utilized by the Trustee; provided that if at the time of
redemption, the Notes are registered as a Global Note, the Depositary shall
determine by lot the principal amount of such Notes held by each Note holder to
be redeemed.
In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes
of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of
the registered holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Notes may be declared,
and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the
effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire
indebtedness of this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions
set forth therein.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the registered holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of each series affected at
the time, as defined in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures for
the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating
any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of
modifying in any manner the rights of the registered holders of the Notes;
provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the
fixed maturity of any Notes of any series, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, or reduce the rate of or extend the time of payment of interest
thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, without the
consent of the registered holder of each Note so affected or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Notes, the registered holders of which are required to
consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the
registered holders of each Note then outstanding and affected thereby. The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting (i) the registered holders of at
least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of all series at the
time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of the registered holders of the
Notes of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions
of the Indenture and (ii) the registered holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes of all series at the time outstanding affected
thereby, on
13
<PAGE> 15
behalf of the registered holders of the Notes of such series, to waive certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or
waiver by the registered holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the
Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such registered holder and upon
all future registered holders and owners of this Note and of any Note issued in
exchange hereof or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at
the time and place and at the rate and in the coin or currency herein
prescribed.
The Company shall have the right at any time, on one or more occasions, so
long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is not continuing under the
Indenture with respect to the Notes, to extend any interest payment period on
this Note to a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment
periods and, as a consequence, the quarterly interest payment on the Notes would
be deferred (but would continue to accrue with interest thereon compounded
quarterly at the rate of interest on the Notes, except as provided by law)
during any such Deferral Period (as defined in the Indenture). At the end of
each Deferral Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid
(compounded quarterly, at the rate of interest on the Notes, except to the
extent provided by law) to the persons in whose name the QUIDS are registered on
the Record Date for such Deferral Period. In the event the Company exercises
this right, the Company shall not declare or pay any dividends on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
Capital Stock (as defined in the Indenture) or make any guarantee payments with
respect to the foregoing during such Deferral Period, other than redemptions of
any series of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to the terms of any sinking
fund provisions with respect thereto. In addition, during any Deferral Period,
the Company may not (i) make any distributions, loans or guarantees for the
benefit of, (ii) purchase, defease, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value any securities of or (iii) make any other investment in any person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with the Company, for the purpose of, or to enable the payment
of, directly or indirectly, dividends on any equity security of DTE Energy
Company and its successors or assigns. During any Deferral Period, the Company
may continue to extend the interest payment period by extending the Deferral
Period; provided that the aggregate Deferral Period, as extended, must end on an
Interest Payment Date and in no event shall the aggregate Deferral Period exceed
20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods or extend beyond the maturity
of the Notes or any date on which any of the Notes are fixed for redemption. No
interest shall be due and payable on the Notes during a Deferral Period except
at the end thereof. The Company shall give the registered holders of Notes
notice of its election to defer interest payments or to extend the Deferral
Period ten Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the next scheduled
quarterly payment date or (ii) the date the Company is required to give notice
of the record date of such related interest payment to the New York Stock
Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to the holders of
the Notes, but in any event not less than two Business Days prior to such record
date.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register of the
Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office
or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any interest on
this Note are payable or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may
designate, duly endorsed by or accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security
Registrar or any transfer agent duly executed by the registered holder hereof or
his or her attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new
Notes of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the
same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees. No service charge will be made for any such transfer, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in relation thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the
Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Note Registrar may deem and treat
the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this
Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing
hereon made by anyone other than the Note Registrar) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the
14
<PAGE> 16
principal hereof and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither
the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Note Registrar shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary.
The Notes of this series are issuable only in fully registered form without
coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof. This Global
Note is exchangeable for Notes in definitive form only under certain limited
circumstances set forth in the Indenture. Notes of this series so issued are
issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any
integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, Notes of this series are exchangeable for a like
aggregate principal amount of Notes of this series of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the registered holder surrendering the same.
As set forth in, and subject to the provisions of, the Indenture, no
registered owner of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
registered owner shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes of this series, (ii) the
registered owners of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes of this series shall have made written request, and offered reasonable
indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, (iii) the
Trustee shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days and (iv)
the Trustee shall not have received from the registered owners of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes of this series a direction
inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period; provided, however,
that such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the registered owner
hereof for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any interest on
this Note on or after the respective due dates expressed herein, subject to
deferral as set forth herein.
All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
15
<PAGE> 17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Instrument to be executed.
THE DETROIT EDISON COMPANY
By C.C. ARVANI
--------------------------------------
Assistant Treasurer
Attest:
By
- ----------------------------------------------------
Susan M. Beale
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
[Corporate Seal]
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Notes of the series of Notes described in the
withinmentioned Indenture.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
--------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
Date: February 8, 1996
16
<PAGE> 18
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(please print or type name and address, including zip code of assignee)
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing such person attorneys to transfer the within Note on the books of the
Issuer, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
- -----------------------------------------------
NOTICE: The signature of this assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within Note in every particular, without alteration
or enlargement or any change whatever and NOTICE: Signature(s) must be
guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP"), the Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion
Signature Program ("MSP"). When assignment is made by a guardian, trustee,
executor or administrator, an officer of a corporation, or anyone in a
representative capacity, proof of his or her authority to act must accompany
this Note.
17
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 8.1
February 13, 1996
The Detroit Edison Company
2000 Second Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States tax counsel to The Detroit
Edison Company (the "Company") in connection with the preparation and filing of
the prospectus supplement dated February 8, 1996 (the "Prospectus Supplement")
to the prospectus dated April 22, 1994, in respect of an offering of
$185,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7-5/8% Quarterly Income Debt
Securities ("QUIDS") to be offered by the Company. In that connection, we have
given the opinion contained in the section entitled "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus Supplement.
We hereby confirm that the statements referenced in this letter under
the caption entitled "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences" in
the Prospectus Supplement, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of
matters of United States federal tax law and regulations or legal conclusions
with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described
therein in all material respects.
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we do not
express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the federal law of the
United States.
Very truly yours,
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
