SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM U-1
APPLICATION OR DECLARATION
under
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
GULF POWER COMPANY
500 Bayfront Parkway
Pensacola, Florida 32501
(Name of company or companies filing this statement
and addresses of principal executive offices)
THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
(Name of top registered holding company parent of each applicant or declarant)
Warren E. Tate
Secretary and Treasurer
Gulf Power Company
500 Bayfront Parkway
Pensacola, Florida 32501
(Names and addresses of agents for service)
The Commission is requested to mail signed copies of all orders, notices and
communications to the above agents for service and to:
W. L. Westbrook John D. McLanahan, Esq.
Financial Vice President Troutman Sanders LLP
The Southern Company 600 Peachtree Street, N.E.
270 Peachtree Street, N.W. Suite 5200
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2216
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INFORMATION REQUIRED
Item 1. Description of Proposed Transactions.
1.1 Gulf Power Company ("Gulf") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Southern Company ("Southern"), a registered holding company under the Public
Utility Holding Act of 1935, as amended (the "Act").
Gulf proposes to incur, from time to time or at any time on or
before December 31, 2003, obligations in connection with the issuance and sale
by public instrumentalities of one or more series of pollution control revenue
bonds in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200,000,000.
Gulf further proposes to issue and sell, from time to time or at
any time on or before December 31, 2003, one or more series of its first
mortgage bonds and one or more series of its preferred stock in an aggregate
amount of up to $400,000,000 in any combination of issuance.
1.2 Each issue of the proposed pollution control revenue bonds
will be issued for the financing or refinancing of the costs of certain air and
water pollution control facilities and sewage and solid waste disposal
facilities at one or more of Gulf's electric generating plants or other
facilities located in various counties. It is proposed that each such county or
the otherwise appropriate public body or instrumentality (the "County") will
issue its revenue bonds (the "Revenue Bonds") to finance or refinance the costs
of the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of said facilities
at the plant or other facility located in its jurisdiction (the "Project"). Each
County is authorized by relevant state law to issue its Revenue Bonds for such
purposes.
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While the actual amount of Revenue Bonds to be issued by each
County has not yet been determined, such amount will be based upon the cost of
refunding outstanding bonds or the cost of the Project located in its
jurisdiction.
Gulf proposes to enter into a Loan or Installment Sale Agreement
with the County, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, relating to
each issue of the Revenue Bonds (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, the
County will loan to Gulf the proceeds of the sale of the County's Revenue Bonds,
and Gulf may issue a non-negotiable promissory note therefor (the "Note"), or
the County will undertake to purchase and sell the related Project to Gulf. The
installment sale structure may be used because it is required by applicable
state law or to the extent it affords transactional advantages to Gulf. Such
proceeds will be deposited with a Trustee (the "Trustee") under an indenture to
be entered into between the County and such Trustee (the "Trust Indenture"),
pursuant to which such Revenue Bonds are to be issued and secured, and will be
applied by Gulf to payment of the Cost of Construction (as defined in the
Agreement) of the Project or to refund outstanding pollution control revenue
obligations.
The Note or the Agreement will provide for payments to be made by
Gulf at times and in amounts which shall correspond to the payments with respect
to the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the related Revenue Bonds
whenever and in whatever manner the same shall become due, whether at stated
maturity, upon redemption or declaration or otherwise.
The Agreement will provide for the assignment to the Trustee of
the County's interest in, and of the moneys receivable by the County under, the
Agreement and the Note.
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The Agreement will also obligate Gulf to pay the fees and charges
of the Trustee and may provide that Gulf may at any time, so long as it is not
in default thereunder, prepay the amount due under the Agreement or the Note,
including interest thereon, in whole or in part, such payment to be sufficient
to redeem or purchase outstanding Revenue Bonds in the manner and to the extent
provided in the Trust Indenture.
The Trust Indenture will provide that the Revenue Bonds issued
thereunder will be redeemable (i) at any time on or after a specified date from
the date of issuance, in whole or in part, at the option of Gulf, and may
require the payment of a premium at a specified percentage of the principal
amount which may decline annually thereafter, and (ii) in whole, at the option
of Gulf, in certain other cases of undue burdens or excessive liabilities
imposed with respect to the related Project, its destruction or damage beyond
practicable or desirable repairability or condemnation or taking by eminent
domain, or if operation of the related facility is enjoined and Gulf determines
to discontinue operation thereof, such redemption of all such outstanding
Revenue Bonds to be at the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, but
without premium. It is proposed that the Revenue Bonds will mature not more than
40 years from the first day of the month in which they are initially issued and
may, if it is deemed advisable for purposes of the marketability of the Revenue
Bonds, be entitled to the benefit of a mandatory redemption sinking fund
calculated to retire a portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Revenue
Bonds prior to maturity.
The Trust Indenture and the Agreement may give the holders of the
Revenue Bonds the right, during such time as the Revenue Bonds bear interest at
a fluctuating rate or otherwise, to require Gulf to purchase the Revenue Bonds
from time to time, and arrangements may be made for the remarketing of any such
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Revenue Bonds through a remarketing agent. Gulf also may be required to purchase
the Revenue Bonds, or the Revenue Bonds may be subject to mandatory redemption,
at any time if the interest thereon is determined to be subject to federal
income tax. Also in the event of taxability, interest on the Revenue Bonds may
be effectively converted to a higher variable or fixed rate, and Gulf also may
be required to indemnify the bondholders against any other additions to
interest, penalties, and additions to tax; such terms are not considered to
constitute the issuance of a separate security under Sections 6(a) and 7 of the
Act, but rather possible additional terms of the Revenue Bonds and Gulf's
obligations with respect thereto.
In order to obtain the benefit of ratings for the Revenue Bonds
equivalent to the rating of Gulf's first mortgage bonds outstanding under the
indenture dated as of September 1, 1941 between Gulf and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as trustee, as supplemented and amended (the "Mortgage"), which ratings
Gulf has been advised may be thus attained, Gulf may determine to secure its
obligations under the Note and the related Agreement by delivering to the
Trustee, to be held as collateral, a series of its first mortgage bonds (the
"Collateral Bonds") in principal amount either (i) equal to the principal amount
of the Revenue Bonds or (ii) equal to the sum of such principal amount of the
Revenue Bonds plus interest payments thereon for a specified period. Such series
of Collateral Bonds will be issued under an indenture supplemental to the
Mortgage (the "Supplemental Indenture"), will mature on the maturity date of
such Revenue Bonds and will be non-transferable by the Trustee. The Collateral
Bonds, in the case of clause (i) above, would bear interest at a rate or rates
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equal to the interest rate or rates to be borne by the related Revenue Bonds
and, in the case of clause (ii) above, would be non-interest bearing.
The Supplemental Indenture will provide, however, that the
obligation of Gulf to make payments with respect to the Collateral Bonds will be
satisfied to the extent that payments are made under the Note or the Agreement
sufficient to meet payments when due in respect of the related Revenue Bonds.
The Supplemental Indenture will provide that, upon acceleration by the Trustee
of the principal amount of all related outstanding Revenue Bonds under the Trust
Indenture, the Trustee may demand the mandatory redemption of the related
Collateral Bonds then held by it as collateral at a redemption price equal to
the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed
for redemption. The Supplemental Indenture may also provide that, upon the
optional redemption of the Revenue Bonds, in whole or in part, a related
principal amount of the Collateral Bonds will be redeemed at the redemption
price of the Revenue Bonds.
In the case of interest bearing Collateral Bonds, because
interest accrues in respect of such Collateral Bonds until satisfied by payments
under the Note or the Agreement, "annual interest charges" in respect of such
Collateral Bonds will be included in computing the "interest earnings
requirement" of the Mortgage which restricts the amount of first mortgage bonds
which may be issued and sold to the public in relation to Gulf's net earnings.
In the case of non-interest bearing Collateral Bonds, since no interest would
accrue in respect of such Collateral Bonds, the "interest earnings requirement"
would be unaffected.
The Trust Indenture will provide that, upon deposit with the
Trustee of funds sufficient to pay or redeem all or any part of the related
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Revenue Bonds, or upon direction to the Trustee by Gulf to so apply funds
available therefor, or upon delivery of such outstanding Revenue Bonds to the
Trustee by or for the account of Gulf, the Trustee will be obligated to deliver
to Gulf the Collateral Bonds then held as collateral in an aggregate principal
amount as they relate to the aggregate principal amount of such Revenue Bonds
for the payment or redemption of which such funds have been deposited or applied
or which shall have been so delivered.
As an alternative to or in conjunction with Gulf's securing its
obligations through the issuance of the Collateral Bonds as above described,
Gulf may cause an irrevocable Letter of Credit or other credit facility (the
"Letter of Credit") of a bank or other financial institution (the "Bank") to be
delivered to the Trustee. The Letter of Credit would be an irrevocable
obligation of the Bank to pay to the Trustee, upon request, up to an amount
necessary in order to pay principal of and accrued interest on the Revenue Bonds
when due. Pursuant to a separate agreement with the Bank, Gulf would agree to
pay to the Bank, on demand or pursuant to a borrowing under such agreement, all
amounts that are drawn under the Letter of Credit, as well as certain fees and
expenses. Such delivery of the Letter of Credit to the Trustee would obtain for
the Revenue Bonds the benefit of a rating equivalent to the credit rating of the
Bank. In the event that the Letter of Credit is delivered to the Trustee as an
alternative to the issuance of the Collateral Bonds, Gulf may also convey to the
County a subordinated security interest in the Project or other property of Gulf
as further security for Gulf's obligations under the Agreement and the Note.
Such subordinated security interest would be assigned by the County to the
Trustee.
As a further alternative to, or in conjunction with, securing its
obligations under the Agreement and Note as above described, and in order to
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obtain a "AAA" rating for the Revenue Bonds by one or more nationally recognized
securities rating services, Gulf may cause an insurance company to issue a
policy of insurance guaranteeing the payment when due of the principal of and
interest on such series of the Revenue Bonds. Such insurance policy would extend
for the term of the related Revenue Bonds and would be non-cancelable by the
insurance company for any reason. Gulf's payment of the premium with respect to
said insurance policy could be in various forms, including a non-refundable,
one-time insurance premium paid at the time the policies are issued, and/or an
additional interest percentage to be paid to said insurer in correlation with
regular interest payments. In addition, Gulf may be obligated to make payments
of certain specified amounts into separate escrow funds and to increase the
amounts on deposit in such funds under certain circumstances. The amount in each
escrow fund would be payable to the insurance company as indemnity for any
amounts paid pursuant to the related insurance policy in respect of principal of
or interest on the related Revenue Bonds. In the event that an insurance policy
is issued as an alternative to the issuance of the Collateral Bonds, Gulf may
also convey to the County a subordinated security interest in the Project or
other property of Gulf as further security for Gulf's obligations under the
Agreement and the Note. Such subordinated security interest would be assigned by
the County to the Trustee.
If, due to insufficiency of coverages or for other reasons, Gulf
is unable or determines not to issue the Collateral Bonds or to deliver the
Letter of Credit to the Trustee as above described or to cause an insurance
policy to be issued, the Revenue Bonds would be issued without the benefit of
such security. In that event Gulf may convey to the County a subordinated
security interest in the Project or other property of Gulf as security for its
obligations under the Agreement and the Note. Such subordinated security
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interest would be assigned by the County to the Trustee. Gulf also may guarantee
the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Revenue
Bonds.
It is contemplated that the Revenue Bonds will be sold by the
County pursuant to arrangements with one or more purchasers, placement agents or
underwriters. In accordance with applicable state laws, the interest rate to be
borne by the Revenue Bonds will be approved by the County and will be either a
fixed rate, which fixed rate may be convertible to a rate which will fluctuate
in accordance with a specified prime or base rate or rates or may be determined
pursuant to certain remarketing or auction procedures, or a fluctuating rate,
which fluctuating rate may be convertible to a fixed rate. While Gulf may not be
party to the purchase, placement or underwriting arrangements for the Revenue
Bonds, such arrangements will provide that the terms of the Revenue Bonds and
their sale by the County shall be satisfactory to Gulf. Bond Counsel will issue
an opinion that, based upon existing law, interest on the Revenue Bonds will
generally be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Gulf
has been advised that the interest rates on obligations, the interest on which
is tax exempt, recently have been and can be expected at the time of issue of
the Revenue Bonds to be approximately one to three percentage points lower than
the rates on obligations of like tenor and comparable quality, interest on which
is fully subject to federal income taxation.
Gulf also proposes that it may enter into arrangements providing
for the delayed or future delivery of Revenue Bonds to one or more purchasers or
underwriters. The obligations of the purchasers or underwriters to purchase
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Revenue Bonds under any such arrangements may be secured by U.S. Treasury
securities, letters of credit or other collateral.
The effective cost to Gulf of any series of the Revenue Bonds
will not exceed the yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity
comparable to that of such series of Revenue Bonds. Such effective cost will
reflect the applicable interest rate or rates and any underwriters' discount or
commission.
The premium (if any) payable upon the redemption of any Revenue
Bonds at the option of Gulf will not exceed the greater of (i) 5% of the
principal amount of the Revenue Bonds so to be redeemed, or (ii) a percentage of
such principal amount equal to the rate of interest per annum borne by such
Revenue Bonds.
The purchase price payable by or on behalf of Gulf in respect of
Revenue Bonds tendered for purchase at the option of the holders thereof will
not exceed 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the
purchase date.
Any Letter of Credit issued as security for the payment of
Revenue Bonds will be issued pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement between Gulf
and the financial institution issuing such Letter of Credit. Pursuant to the
Reimbursement Agreement, Gulf will agree to pay or cause to be paid to the
financial institution, on each date that any amount is drawn under such
institution's Letter of Credit, an amount equal to the amount of such drawing,
whether by cash or by means of a borrowing from such institution pursuant to the
Reimbursement Agreement. Any such borrowing may have a term of up to 10 years
and will bear interest at the lending institution's prevailing rate offered to
corporate borrowers of similar quality which will not exceed (i) the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus up to 2%, (ii) the lending institution's certificate
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of deposit rate plus up to 1-3/4%, or (iii) a rate not to exceed the prime rate
plus 1%, to be established by agreement with the lending institution prior to
the borrowing.
1.3 If any part of said $400,000,000 is used to issue Gulf's
first mortgage bonds (the "new Bonds"), it is proposed that each series of new
Bonds will have a term of not more than 40 years and will be sold for the best
price obtainable but for a price to Gulf of not less than 98% nor more than
101-3/4% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest (if any).
The new Bonds will be issued under the Mortgage as heretofore
supplemented by various indentures supplemental thereto, and as to be further
supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture providing for each series of the new
Bonds to be issued.
Gulf may provide that none of the new Bonds of any series will be
redeemed for a five-year or other period commencing on or about the first day of
the month of issuance at a regular redemption price if such redemption is for
the purpose or in anticipation of refunding such new Bonds through the use,
directly or indirectly, of funds borrowed by Gulf at an effective interest cost
to Gulf (computed in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of
less than the effective interest cost to Gulf of the new Bonds of such series.
Such limitation will not apply to redemptions at a special redemption price by
operation of the improvement fund or the replacement provisions of the Mortgage
or by the use of proceeds of released property.
Gulf may covenant that it will not redeem the new Bonds of any
series, in any year prior to the fifth or other specified year after the
issuance of such series, through the operation of the improvement fund
provisions of the Mortgage in a principal amount which would exceed 1% of the
initial aggregate principal amount of such series.
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Gulf also may covenant that it will not, in any calendar year,
redeem the new Bonds of any series through the operation of the replacement
provisions of the Mortgage in a principal amount which would exceed 1% of the
initial aggregate principal amount of such series.
In addition, Gulf may make provision for a mandatory cash sinking
fund for the benefit of any series of the new Bonds. In connection therewith,
Gulf may have the non-cumulative option in any year of making an optional
sinking fund payment in an amount not exceeding such mandatory sinking fund
payment.
In order to enhance the marketability of the new Bonds, it may be
desirable to cause an insurance company to issue a policy of insurance for the
payment when due of the new Bonds of a particular series. It also may be
desirable that the terms of the new Bonds, or any series thereof, provide for an
adjustable interest rate thereon to be determined on a periodic basis, rather
than a fixed interest rate. In such event, it is proposed that the rate of
interest on such new Bonds for an initial period would be a fixed rate per
annum. Periodically thereafter, the interest rate would be adjusted by periodic
auction or remarketing procedures, or in accordance with a formula or formulae
based upon certain reference rates, or by other predetermined methods.
In connection with any such adjustable rate issue, it is proposed
that such series of the new Bonds may not be redeemable at the option of Gulf
during certain short-term interest periods. It is further proposed that the
non-refunding limitation described above, as well as the restriction on
redemptions through operation of the improvement fund provisions, may apply with
respect to each long-term interest period commencing with the first day of the
month in which any such interest period begins. To the extent the foregoing
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redemption provisions may constitute a deviation from the Commission's Statement
of Policy Regarding First Mortgage Bonds, Gulf hereby requests approval of such
deviation.
Gulf desires the flexibility, in connection with the issuance of
the new Bonds of any series, to deviate from the provisions of the Statement of
Policy Regarding First Mortgage Bonds with respect to (i) redemption and
refunding provisions by, for example, providing refunding limitations for
periods of more than five years or prohibiting redemptions for specified periods
of time (including as long as the life of any series of the new Bonds), and (ii)
limitations on payment of common stock dividends by, for example, including a
less restrictive provision or no such provision in the supplemental indenture
relating to a particular series, all as determined in light of market conditions
and other relevant considerations at the time of issuance.
1.4 If any part of said $400,000,000 is used in connection with
the issuance of Gulf's preferred stock, par or stated value of up to $100 per
share (the "new Preferred Stock"), it is proposed that such securities will be
sold for the best price obtainable (after giving effect to the purchasers'
compensation) but for a price to Gulf (before giving effect to such purchasers'
compensation) of not less than 100% of the par or stated value per share.
The authorized number of shares of preferred stock of Gulf may be
increased by amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Gulf and the new
Preferred Stock of each series will be created, and its terms established, by
resolution of the board of directors of Gulf which when filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Maine will constitute an amendment to the charter of
Gulf. Gulf may make provision for a cumulative sinking fund for the benefit of a
particular series of the new Preferred Stock which would retire a certain number
of shares of such series annually, commencing at a specified date after the
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sale. In connection therewith, Gulf may have the non-cumulative option of
redeeming up to an additional like number of shares of such series annually.
Gulf may provide that no share of a particular series of the new
Preferred Stock will be redeemed for a five-year or other period commencing on
or about the first day of the month of issuance, if such redemption is for the
purpose or in anticipation of refunding such share directly or indirectly
through the incurring of debt, or through the issuance of stock ranking equally
with or prior to the new Preferred Stock as to dividends or assets, if such debt
has an effective interest cost to Gulf (computed in accordance with generally
accepted financial practice) or such stock has an effective dividend cost to
Gulf (so computed) of less than the effective dividend cost to Gulf of the
respective series of the new Preferred Stock.
Gulf may determine that, in light of the current market
conditions at the time any series of the new Preferred Stock is offered, it is
in the best interest of Gulf and its investors and consumers that the terms of
such new Preferred Stock provide for an adjustable dividend rate thereon to be
determined on a periodic basis, rather than a fixed rate dividend. In such
event, it is proposed that the rate of dividends on such new Preferred Stock for
an initial period would be a fixed amount or rate per annum. Periodically
thereafter, the rate would be adjusted by periodic auction or remarketing
procedures, or in accordance with a formula or formulae based upon certain
reference rates, or by other predetermined methods.
In connection with any such adjustable rate issue, it is proposed
that such series of the new Preferred Stock may be redeemable at the option of
Gulf only on dividend payment dates. To the extent that such provision would
constitute a deviation from the Commission's Statement of Policy Regarding
Preferred Stock, Gulf hereby requests approval for such deviation.
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Gulf also proposes that, in connection with any issuance of new
Preferred Stock, it may deviate from the provisions of the Statement of Policy
Regarding Preferred Stock with respect to redemptions and refunding provisions
by, for example, providing refunding limitations for periods of more than five
years or prohibiting redemptions for specified periods of time, as to be
determined in light of market conditions and other relevant considerations at
the time of issuance.
1.5 Gulf may determine to use the proceeds from the sale of the
Revenue Bonds, the new Bonds and the new Preferred Stock to redeem or otherwise
retire its outstanding first mortgage bonds, pollution control bonds and/or
preferred stock if such use is considered advisable. Such outstanding first
mortgage bonds, pollution control bonds and/or preferred stock retired or
redeemed by Gulf may be purchased on the open market or by tender offer as
authorized by HCAR No. 35-25751, dated February 26, 1993, or pursuant to
subsequent authorization. To the extent that the redemption or other retirement
of outstanding preferred stock using the proceeds from security sales as
proposed herein may require authorization under Section 12(c) of the Act, Gulf
hereby requests such authorization. Gulf also proposes that it may use the
proceeds from the sale of the new Bonds and new Preferred Stock, along with
other funds, to pay a portion of its cash requirements to carry on its electric
utility business.
Gulf will not use the proceeds from securities sales proposed
herein to refund outstanding securities unless the estimated present value
savings derived from the net difference between interest or dividend payments on
any securities to be issued for refunding purposes and the specific securities
to be refunded is, on an after-tax basis, greater than the present value of all
redemption and issuing costs, assuming an appropriate discount rate. Such
discount rate is based on the estimated after-tax interest or dividend rate on
the securities issued for refunding purposes.
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1.6 Pursuant to orders of the Commission, Gulf has authority to
issue and sell $265,500,000 of first mortgage bonds and/or preferred stock (of
which, $30,000,000 of first mortgage bonds and $35,000,000 of preferred stock
have been sold) and $200,000,000 of pollution control revenue bonds (of which,
the record was completed and a supplemental order has been issued relating to
$83,153,000) as set forth in Commission File No. 70-8229 (HCAR No. 35-25894,
dated September 27, 1993, HCAR No. 35-25945, dated December 15, 1993, HCAR No.
35-26132, dated September 26, 1994 and HCAR No. 35-26478, dated February 23,
1996). Gulf hereby requests that the authority described in the above-mentioned
orders remain in effect until December 31, 1996 or until such time as the order
with respect to the matters requested herein is issued.
Item 2. Fees, Commissions and Expenses.
The fees and expenses to be paid or incurred by Gulf, directly or
indirectly, in connection with each issuance of Collateral Bonds (as
distinguished from and excluding fees, commissions and expenses incurred or
to be incurred in connection with the sale of Revenue Bonds by a County and in
connection with the determination of the tax status of the Revenue Bonds) are as
follows:
Fee of counsel for Gulf.............................. $ 40,000
Fee of accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP.............. 25,000
Fee of trustee, including counsel.................... 25,000
Services of Southern Company
Services, Inc................................. 25,000
Miscellaneous, including telephone charges and
traveling expenses............................ 5,000
TOTAL .............................................. $120,000
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Fees and expenses incurred or to be incurred by Gulf in
connection with the issuance and sale of the new Bonds and the new Preferred
Stock are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
New
New Bonds Preferred Stock
Each Each
Initial Additional Initial Additional
Sale Sale Sale Sale
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Florida Documentary Stamp Tax.................. $ 893,000 $ -- $ -- $ --
Florida intangible personal property tax....... 40,000 -- -- --
Filing fees - Securities and Exchange Commission -
Registration statement....................... 79,688 -- -- --
Charges of Trustee (including counsel)......... 30,000 30,000 -- --
Charges of Transfer Agent and Registrar........ -- -- 5,000 5,000
Cost of definitive bond and stock certificates. 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
Printing and preparation of registration
statement, prospectus, etc................... 30,000 18,000 20,000 15,000
Rating fees --
Moody's Investors Service, Inc............... 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000
Standard & Poor's Corporation................ 21,000 12,000 12,000 12,000
Services of Southern Company Services, Inc..... 30,000 15,000 30,000 15,000
Fees of counsel --
Beggs & Lane................................... 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Troutman Sanders LLP........................... 30,000 20,000 30,000 20,000
Fee of accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP........ 28,000 22,000 28,000 22,000
Miscellaneous, including telephone
charges and traveling expenses................. 5,812 5,500 4,000 3,000
Total........................... $1,217,500 $152,500 $159,000 $122,000
========== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Item 3. Applicable Statutory Provisions.
Gulf considers that the issuance of the Notes and Collateral
Bonds is subject to Sections 6(a), 7 and 12(c) of the Act and Rule 42
thereunder.
Gulf further considers that the sale or granting of subordinated
security interests in the Projects or other property of Gulf, as set forth under
Item 1.2 above, may be subject to Section 12(d) of the Act, and that the
exception afforded by subparagraph (b)(3) of Rule 44 thereunder may be
applicable.
Gulf considers that any guarantee of payment of the Revenue Bonds
may be subject to Sections 6(a) and 7 of the Act.
Gulf considers that Sections 9(a) and 10 of the Act may be
applicable to any purchase of Revenue Bonds by Gulf as described herein and to
the extent that the transactions contemplated herein in connection with the
Revenue Bonds involve an Installment Sale Agreement or Agreements pursuant to
which the County undertakes to sell the related Project to Gulf.
Gulf considers that the issuance and sale of new Bonds and new
Preferred Stock are subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and 7 of the Act.
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Gulf considers that the acquisition, retirement or redemption of
new Bonds and new Preferred Stock in connection with any sinking fund provisions
with respect thereto (including any optional redemptions included as part of
such sinking fund provisions) may be subject to Section 12(c) of the Act and
Rule 42 thereunder, except to the extent excepted from the requirements of Rule
42(a) by subsections (b)(2) and (b)(4) of such Rule.
Gulf proposes that it may deviate from the Statements of Policy
Regarding First Mortgage Bonds and Preferred Stock as described in Items 1.3 and
1.4 hereof.
The proposed transactions will be carried out in accordance with
the procedure specified in Rule 23 and pursuant to an order or orders of the
Commission in respect thereto.
Rule 54 Analysis. The proposed transactions are also subject to
Rule 54, which provides that, in determining whether to approve an application
which does not relate to any "exempt wholesale generator" ("EWG") or "foreign
utility company" ("FUCO"), the Commission shall not consider the effect of the
capitalization or earnings of any such EWG or FUCO which is a subsidiary of a
registered holding company if the requirements of Rule 53(a), (b) and (c) are
satisfied.
Southern currently meets all of the conditions of Rule 53(a). At
September 30, 1996, Southern's "aggregate investment," as defined in Rule
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53(a)(1), in EWGs and FUCOs was approximately $889.5 million, or about 25% of
Southern's "consolidated retained earnings," also as defined in Rule 53(a)(1),
for the four quarters ended June 30, 1996 ($3.523 billion). In addition,
Southern has complied and will continue to comply with the record-keeping
requirements of Rule 53(a)(2), the limitation under Rule 53(a)(3) on the use of
Operating Company personnel to render services to EWGs and FUCOs, and the
requirements of Rule 53(a)(4) concerning the submission of copies of certain
filings under the Act to retail rate regulatory commissions. Accordingly, since
the requirements of Rule 53(a) are currently met and none of the circumstances
described in Rule 53(b) has occurred, the provisions of Rule 53(c) are currently
inapplicable.
Moreover, even if the effect of the capitalization and earnings
of EWGs and FUCOs in which Southern has an ownership interest upon the Southern
holding company system were considered, there is no basis for the Commission to
withhold or deny approval for the proposal made in this Application-Declaration.
The action requested in the instant filing (viz. approval for certain financing
transactions by Gulf) would not, by itself, or even considered in conjunction
with the effect of the capitalization and earnings of Southern's EWGs and FUCOs,
have a material adverse effect on the financial integrity of the Southern
system, or an adverse impact on Southern's public-utility subsidiaries, their
customers, or the ability of State commissions to protect such public-utility
customers.
Item 4. Regulatory Approval.
Gulf's obligations with respect to the Collateral Bonds, the
borrowings under the Agreements, the issuance of the Notes in respect thereof
18
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and the issuance and sale of the new Bonds and the new Preferred Stock will have
been expressly authorized by the Florida Public Service Commission, which has
jurisdiction over the issuance of stocks, bonds and certain evidence of
indebtedness by public utility companies operating in Florida.
The transactions by Gulf proposed herein are not subject to the
jurisdiction of any federal commission other than the Commission.
Item 5. Procedure.
Gulf requests that the Commission's order herein be issued as
soon as the rules allow and that there be no 30-day waiting period between the
issuance of the Commission's order and the date on which it is to become
effective. Gulf hereby waives a recommended decision by a hearing officer or
other responsible officer of the Commission and hereby consents that the
Division of Investment Management may assist in the preparation of the
Commission's decision and/or order in this matter unless such Division opposes
the matters covered hereby.
Item 6. Exhibits and Financial Statements.
(a) Exhibits.
A-1(a) - Indenture dated as of September 1, 1941, between
Gulf and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, and
indentures supplemental thereto through February 1,
1996. (Designated in Registration Nos. 2-4833 as
Exhibit B-3, 2-62319 as Exhibit 2(a)-3, 2-63765 as
Exhibit 2(a)-3, 2-66260 as Exhibit 2(a)-3, 33-2809 as
Exhibit 4(a)-2, 33-43739 as Exhibit 4(a)-2, in GULF's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, File
No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4(b), in Form 8-K dated August
18, 1992, File No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4(a)-3, in
Registration No. 33-50165 as Exhibit 4(a)-2, in Form
8-K dated July 12, 1993, File No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4,
in Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-8229, as
Exhibit A, in Certificate of Notification, File No.
70-8229, as Exhibits E and F, in Form 8-K dated January
17, 1996, File No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4 and in
Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-8229, as
Exhibit A.)
19
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A-1(b) - Draft of Supplemental Indenture with respect to the
new Bonds, between Gulf and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Trustee. (To be filed by amendment.)
A-2(a) - Restated Articles of Incorporation of GULF and
amendments thereto through November 8, 1993.
(Designated in Registration No. 33-43739 as Exhibit
4(b)-1, in Form 8-K dated January 15, 1992, File No.
0-2429, as Exhibit 1(b), in Form 8-K dated August 18,
1992, File No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4(b)-2, in Form 8-K
dated September 22, 1993, File No. 0-2429, as Exhibit 4
and in Form 8-K dated November 3, 1993, File No.
0-2429, as Exhibit 4.)
A-2(b) - Draft of proposed certificate of resolution of the
Board of Directors of Gulf establishing and designating
the new Preferred Stock. (To be filed by amendment.)
A-2(c) - By-laws of Gulf as amended effective July 26, 1996,
and as presently in effect.
B-1 - Form of Loan or Installment Sale Agreement between
Gulf and the County relating to the Revenue Bonds. (To
be filed by amendment.)
B-2 - Form of Trust Indenture between the County and the
Trustee relating to the Revenue Bonds. (To be filed by
amendment.)
C - Registration statement filed under the Securities Act
of 1933 with respect to the new Bonds and new Preferred
Stock. (Filed electronically September 3, 1993, File
No. 33-50165.)
D-1 - Petition of Gulf to the Florida Public Service
Commission. (To be filed by amendment.)
D-2 - Copy of order of Florida Public Service Commission.
E - None.
F - Opinion of Beggs & Lane, counsel for Gulf. (To be
filed by amendment.)
20
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G - Form of Notice.
Exhibits heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and designated as set forth above are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof with the same effect as if filed herewith.
(b) Financial Statements.
Balance sheet of Gulf at June 30, 1996. (Designated in
Gulf's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, File
No. 0-2429.)
Statements of income and cash flows of Gulf for the six
months ended June 30, 1996. (Designated in Gulf's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, File No.
0-2429.)
Since June 30, 1996, there have been no material adverse changes,
not in the ordinary course of business, in the financial condition of Gulf from
that set forth in or contemplated by the foregoing financial statements.
Item 7. Information as to Environmental Effects.
(a) The proposed transactions are strictly financial in nature in
the ordinary course of Gulf's business. Accordingly, the Commission's action in
these matters will not constitute any major federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the
National Environmental Policy Act.
(b) No other federal agency has prepared or is preparing an
environmental impact statement with regard to the proposed transactions.
21
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, the undersigned company has duly caused this statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 1, 1996 GULF POWER COMPANY
By: /s/Wayne Boston
Wayne Boston
Assistant Secretary
22
Exhibit A-2(c)
GULF POWER COMPANY
BY-LAWS
Section 1. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
corporation for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other
corporate business as may properly come before such meeting shall be held at the
corporation's office at Augusta, in the State of Maine, or at such other place
within or without the State of Maine as the Board of Directors may determine, on
the last Tuesday in June in each year; provided, however, that the Board of
Directors may fix an earlier day for such annual meeting of stockholders in any
particular year; and provided further that, if the day fixed for such annual
meeting of stockholders is a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held on the
first day there-after which is not a legal holiday.
Section 2. Special meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation may be held at such time and at such place within or without the
State of Maine as may be determined by the President or the Board of Directors
or Executive Committee, or stockholders holding one-fourth of the then
outstanding capital stock entitled to vote.
Section 3. Notice of the time, place and purpose of every
meeting of stockholders shall be mailed by the Secretary or the officer
performing his duties at least ten days before the meeting to each stockholder
of record entitled to vote, at his post office address as shown by the records
of the corporation, but meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders
entitled to vote are present or if notice is waived before or after the meeting
by those not present. No stockholder shall be entitled to notice of any meeting
of stockholders with respect to any shares registered in his name after the date
upon which notice of such meeting is required by law or by these by-laws to have
been mailed or otherwise given to stockholders.
Section 4. Subject to the provisions of the articles of
incorporation, as amended, the holders of a majority of the stock of the
corporation entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum, but less than a quorum shall have power to adjourn.
At all meetings of stockholders, each stockholder entitled to
vote may vote and otherwise act either in person or by proxy.
Section 5. The stock of the corporation shall be transferable
or assignable on the books of the corporation by the holders in person or by
attorney on the surrender of the certificates therefor duly endorsed. The
certificates of stock of the corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered
shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the corporation and
registered as they are issued. They shall
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exhibit the name of the registered holder and shall certify the number of shares
owned by him and shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the
President or a Vice-President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and shall be sealed with the corporate
seal of the corporation. Where such certificate is signed by a Transfer Agent or
by a Transfer Clerk acting on behalf of the corporation and by a Registrar, the
signature of any such President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer,
Secretary or Assistant Secretary and the seal of the corporation may be
facsimile. In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose
facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on, any such certificate
or certificates, shall cease to be such officer or officers of the corporation,
whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or
certificates shall have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate or
certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the corporation and be issued and
delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or
certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used
thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the corporation and the
issuance and delivery of any such certificate or certificates shall be
conclusive evidence of such adoption.
The stock transfer books of the corporation may be closed by
order of the Board of Directors for such period, not to exceed sixty days
previous to any meeting of the stockholders or previous to the payment of any
dividend upon the stock of the corporation, as the Board may determine, during
which time no transfer of stock upon the books of the Corporation shall be made,
and said books shall be re-opened the day following the date fixed for such
meeting or for the payment of such dividend. If the stock transfer books of the
corporation are ordered closed by the Board of Directors, every stockholder who
appears of record at the time of closing said books shall be entitled to vote at
the meeting or to receive the dividend on account of which the said books were
ordered closed. In lieu of providing for the closing of the stock transfer books
of the corporation, the Board of Directors may fix a date not exceeding sixty
days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or any dividend payment
date, as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at such meeting, or entitled to receive such dividend, as
the case may be. If the stock transfer books of the corporation are not ordered
closed by the Board of Directors of if the Board of Directors does not fix a
date of record in lieu thereof, every stockholder who appears of record on the
date of a stockholders' meeting shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and
every stockholder who appears of record on the
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date specified by the Board of Directors in their declaration of a dividend
shall be entitled to such dividend.
Section 6. Upon receipt by this corporation of evidence,
satisfactory to the Board of Directors, of the loss, destruction or mutilation
of any certificate of stock of this corporation and, if required by the Board of
Directors, upon receipt of indemnity satisfactory to the Board of Directors and
upon surrender and cancellation of such certificate, if mutilated, the Board of
Directors may, if it so determines, direct the officers of this corporation to
execute and deliver a new certificate of like tenor and for the same number of
shares of the same class of stock to be issued in lieu of such lost, destroyed
or mutilated certificate.
Section 7. The affairs of this corporation shall be managed by a
Board consisting of not less than six directors, nor more than fifteen
directors, their number to be fixed at the annual or any special meeting of the
stockholders, who shall be elected annually by the stockholders entitled to
vote, to hold office until their successors are elected and qualify. Directors
need not be stockholders. A majority of the members of the Board then in office
shall constitute a quorum. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by
the Board at any meeting, except that vacancies arising from the election of
fewer directors than the total number fixed shall be filled at a meeting of the
stockholders called for the purpose of filling such vacancies, or by the Board
of Directors under special authorization from the stockholders. Any and all of
the directors may at any time be removed without cause assigned by the vote of
the holders of a majority in number of all of the outstanding stock entitled to
vote given at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such action. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 7 relating to the election of directors and
to the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be subject to the
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
A person being a full-time executive employee of the corporation
or its parent company or any affiliated company when first elected a director of
the corporation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an "employee-director")
shall not be eligible for election as a director when he ceases to be an
executive employee, whether by reason of resignation, retirement or other cause.
Any employee-director shall resign as a director effective on the date he ceases
to be an executive employee.
<PAGE>
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A person not an employee-director shall not be eligible to serve
as a director of the corporation (1) after his 70th birthday, (2) one year after
permanent separation from the business or professional organization with which
he was primarily associated when first elected a director, (3) one year after
any other material change in his primary occupation or executive position from
that which he pursued or held when first elected a director, or (4) one year
after moving his principal residence outside the service area in which he was a
resident when first elected a director, whichever event first occurs. The
application to an individual of any provision of this paragraph may be waived by
the Board of Directors. Any such waiver shall only be effective on a
year-to-year basis. The provisions of this paragraph, with the exception of item
(1) above, shall apply only to those individuals elected as a member of the
Board of Directors after the annual meeting of this Board held July 26, 1996.
Any employee-director who is not eligible for election as a
director by reason of the foregoing provisions shall be eligible for election
and re-election by the Board of Directors as an advisory director, upon the
recommen-dation of the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, for a term
ending at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual
meeting of stockholders next following such election. Any person eligible for
election as an advisory director must be one whose services as such will be, in
the opinion of the Board of Directors, of value to the corporation. An advisory
director shall be entitled to notice of and to attend and advise but not to vote
at, meetings of the Board of Directors, and of any committees thereof to which
he shall be appointed, nor shall he be counted in determining the existence of a
quorum, and for his services may be paid, in the discretion of the Board of
Directors, compensation and reimbursement of expenses on the same basis as if he
were a director.
Section 8. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be
held as soon as practicable after the annual meeting of the stockholders. Other
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the times fixed by
resolution of the Board or upon call of the Chairman of the Board, the President
or a Vice-President or any person upon whom powers have devolved pursuant to
Section 12 hereof. The Secretary or officer performing his duties shall give at
least two days' notice of all meetings of Directors, provided that a meeting may
be held without notice immediately after the annual election of Directors, and
notice need not be given of regular meetings held at times fixed by resolution
of the Board. Meetings may be held at any time without notice if all the
Directors are present or if those not present waive notice either before or
after the meeting. Notice by mail or telegraph to the
<PAGE>
-5-
usual business or residence address of the director shall be sufficient. The
purpose of special meetings of the Board of Directors need not be stated in such
notice unless required by law and unless otherwise indicated in the notice any
and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board of
Directors.
Section 9. The Board of Directors, as soon as may be convenient
after the election of directors in each year, may appoint one of their number
Chairman of the Board and shall appoint one of their number President of the
corporation, and shall also appoint one or more Vice-presidents, a Secretary, a
Clerk and a Treasurer, none of whom need be members of the Board, and shall,
from time to time, appoint such other officers as they may deem proper. The same
person may be appointed to more than one office. The term of office of all
officers shall be for one year and until their respective successors are chosen
and qualified, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the
Board of Directors without cause assigned. Vacancies in the offices shall be
filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 10. The Board of Directors, as soon as may be after the
election in each year, may appoint an executive committee to consist of the
President and such number of directors as the Board may from time to time
determine. Such committee shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the
Board during the intervals between its meetings which may be lawfully delegated,
subject to such limitations as may be provided by a resolution of the Board. The
Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of such
committee and to fill vacancies in it. The executive committee may make rules
for the conduct of its business and may appoint such committees and assistants
as it may deem necessary. The Board may, from time to time, determine by
resolution the number of members of such committee required to constitute a
quorum. The Board shall designate the Chairman of the executive committee and
the proceedings of the executive committee shall from time to time be reported
to the Board of Directors.
Section 11. Unless otherwise designated as separate offices by
the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of
the corporation; he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and
directors; he shall have general supervision of the business of the corporation;
shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect,
subject, however, to the rights of the directors to delegate any specific
powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the President,
to any other officer of the corporation. He shall, unless otherwise ordered,
execute bonds, deeds, mortgages, and other contracts, and when required shall
cause the seal of the
<PAGE>
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corporation to be affixed thereto and shall sign certifi-cates of stock. He
shall be ex officio a member of all standing committees, and shall submit to the
stockholders at their annual meeting a report of the year's business. Should the
offices of President and Chief Executive Officer be held by different persons,
the above duties shall be as delegated to each office by the Board of Directors.
Section 12. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 9 hereof, in the event of the absence or inability of the President to
act, the powers and duties of the President shall, subject to the control of the
Board of Directors, devolve successively upon such other persons as shall have
been designated in a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, and in
accordance with the order of succession set forth therein.
Section 13. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board
and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for
that purpose; and shall perform like duties for standing committees when
required. He shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors, and of standing committees when
required, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board
of Directors or the President under whose supervision he shall act. He shall
keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation, and when authorized, affix the
same to any instrument requiring a seal, and attest the signatures thereof, when
directed or required to do so.
Section 14. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the
corporate funds and securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation, and shall
deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of
the corporation, in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by
the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to
the President, and to the directors at the regular meetings of the Board or
whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer
and of the financial condition of the corporation. He shall give the corporation
a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the
restoration to the corporation in case of his death, resignation, retirement or
removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of
whatever kind, in his possession or under his control belonging to the
corporation.
<PAGE>
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Section 15. It shall be the duty of the Controller to supervise
and be responsible for accounting transactions of the corporation; to have
charge of the installation and supervision of all accounting and statistical
records, the preparation of all financial and statistical statements and
reports, and the accounting methods, systems and forms in use by all
departments; he shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from
time to time by the President.
Section 16. One or more Assistant Secretaries or Assistant
Treasurers or Assistant Controllers may be elected by the Board or appointed by
the President to hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of
Directors and until their successors are elected or appointed, but may be
removed at any time. They shall perform any or all of the duties of the
Secretary or Treasurer, or Controller as the case may be, and such other duties
as may be assigned to them from time to time.
Section 17. The Clerk of the corporation shall be a resident of
Maine, and shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. He need not
be a stockholder. He shall keep a full and accurate record of all stock-holders'
meetings, shall keep an office in said Augusta as required by law, and shall
have the custody of all books and papers belonging to the corporation which are
located in said office. He shall receive as compensation for his services in
acting as proxy at annual meetings, keeping an office in Maine, preparing
records of annual meetings and furnishing the Secretary with duplicate copies of
same and of necessary blanks and forms at proper times the sum of fifty dollars
annually, payable in advance. He shall receive a reasonable compensation for all
additional services. In the absence of the Clerk, a Clerk pro tempore may be
chosen, who shall be a resident of Maine, and shall be duly sworn.
Section 18. In the case of the absence of any officer of the
corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the
Board may delegate the powers or duties of such officers to any other officer or
to any director, for the time being.
Section 19. If the office of any director becomes vacant by
reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office,
or otherwise, the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum, by a majority vote may choose a successor or successors, who shall hold
office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred; but
vacancies in the Board of Directors arising from the election of fewer directors
than the total number fixed shall be filled in the manner prescribed by Section
7 thereof.
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Section 20. The Board of Directors shall have power to authorize
the payment of compensation to the directors for services to the corporation,
including fees for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors, of the
executive committee and all other committees and to determine the amount of such
compensation and fees.
Section 21.
A. Indemnity
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall
indemnify each person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any
threatened, pending, or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil or criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether by or in the
right of the Company or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person, or
such person's testator or intestate, is or was a director, officer or was an
employee of the Company holding one or more management positions through and
inclusive of managers (but not positions below the level of managers) (such
positions being hereinafter referred to as "Management Positions") or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee,
agent or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise, in any capacity at the request of
the Company, against all loss and expense actually or reasonably incurred by
him including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, judgments,
fines, penalties, liabilities, sanctions, and amounts paid in settlement and
attorneys fees and disbursements actually and necessarily incurred by him in
defense of such action or proceeding, or any appeal therefrom. The
indemnification provided by this Section shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
In any case in which a director, officer of the Company or
employee of the Company holding one or more Management Positions requests
indemnification with respect to the defense of any such claim, action, suit or
proceedings, the Company may advance expenses (including attorney's fees)
incurred by such person prior to the final disposition of such claim, action,
suit or proceeding, as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific
case, upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person
was not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Section or
otherwise; provided, however, that the advancement of such expenses shall not
be deemed to be indemnification unless and until it shall ultimately be
determined that such person is entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Such
a person claiming indemnification shall be entitled to indemnification upon a
determination that no judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such
person has established that such person's
<PAGE>
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acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or such
person personally obtained an economic benefit including a financial profit or
other advantage to which such person was not legally entitled. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing provision, no former, present or
future director or officer of the Company or employee of the Company holding
one or more management positions, or his heirs, executors or administrators,
shall be liable for any undertaking entered into by the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates as required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission now or hereafter in effect or orders issued pursuant to the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, or any undertaking
entered into by the Company due to environmental requirements including all
legally enforceable environmental compliance obligations imposed by federal,
state or local statute, regulation, permit, judicial or administrative decree,
order and judgment or other similar means, or any undertaking entered into by
the Company pursuant to any approved Company compliance plan or any federal or
state or municipal ordinance which directly or indirectly regulates the
Company, or its parent by reason of their being holding or investment
companies, public utility companies, public utility holding companies or
subsidiaries of public utility holding companies.
The foregoing rights shall not be exclusive of any other rights
to which any such director, officer or employee may otherwise be entitled and
shall be available whether or not the director, officer or employee continues
to be a director, officer or employee at the time of incurring any such
expenses and liabilities.
If any word, clause or provision of the By-laws or any
indemnification made under this Section 21 shall for any reason be determined
to be invalid, the remaining provisions of the By-Laws shall not otherwise be
affected thereby but shall remain in full force and effect. The masculine
pronoun, as used in the By-Laws, means the masculine and feminine wherever
applicable.
B. Insurance
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person described in Section 21 against any liability or expense (including
attorney fees) which may be asserted against such person whether or not the
Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability or
expense under this Section 21 or
otherwise.
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Section 22. The Board of Directors are authorized to select such
depositaries as they shall deem proper for the funds of the corporation. All
checks and drafts against such deposited funds shall be signed by such officers
or such other persons as may be specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 23. The corporate seal shall be circular in form, and
shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, followed by the word
"Maine" and shall have the word "Seal" inscribed in the center thereof.
Section 24. A director of this corporation shall not be
disqualified by his office from dealing or contrac-ting with the corporation,
either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any transaction or contract
of this corporation be void or voidable by reason of the fact that any director
or any firm of which any director is a member or any corporation of which any
director is a shareholder or director is in any way interested in such
transaction or shall be authorized, ratified or approved either (a) by vote of a
majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors or the executive committee,
without counting in such majority or quorum any directors so interested or being
a member of a firm so interested or a shareholder or director of a corpo-ration
so interested, or (b) by vote at a stockholders' meeting of the holders of a
majority of all the outstanding shares of the stock of the corporation entitled
to vote or by a writing or writings signed by a majority of such holders; nor
shall any director be liable to account to the corporation for any profit
realized by him from or through any transaction or contract of this corporation
authorized, ratified or approved as aforesaid, by reason of the fact that he or
any firm of which he is a member or any corpo-ration of which he is a
shareholder or director was inte-rested in such transaction or contract. Nothing
herein contained shall create any liability in the events above described or
prevent the authorization, ratification or approval of such contracts or
transactions in any other manner provided by law.
Section 25. These by-laws may be altered or amended (a) by a
majority vote of the outstanding stock entitled to vote at any annual meeting or
upon notice at any special meeting of stockholders, or (b) at any meeting of the
Board of Directors by a majority vote of the entire Board then in office.
Exhibit D-2
BEFORE THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
In Re: Application for ) DOCKET NO. 960127-EI
authority to receive common ) ORDER NO. PSC-96-0414-FOF-EI
equity contributions and to ) ISSUED: March 25, 1996
issue and sell securities during )
the 12 months ending 3/31/97 by )
Gulf Power Company )
)
The following Commissioners participated in the disposition of this
matter:
SUSAN F. CLARK, Chairman
J. TERRY DEASON
JOE GARCIA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
DIANE K. KIESLING
ORDER AUTHORIZING GULF POWER COMPANY
TO ISSUE AND SELL SECURITIES
BY THE COMMISSION:
On February 5, 1996, Gulf Power Company (Gulf or the Company), pursuant
to Section 366.04, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 25-8, Florida Administrative
Code, filed a petition with this Commission seeking authority to receive common
equity funds from Southern Company (Gulf's parent company) and to issue and sell
long-term debt and equity securities in an aggregate amount not to total more
than $320 million during the twelve months ending March 31, 1997. The company
also seeks authorization to issue short-term notes whose maximum principal
amount at any one time will total not more than $150 million.
The Company advised that the issuance and sale of equity securities and
long-term debt may be through either negotiated underwritten public offering,
public offering at competitive bidding, or private sale. Further, Gulf stated
that the equity funds from Southern Company are common equity contribution; that
the equity securities may take the form of preferred stock or preference stock,
with such par values, terms and conditions, and relative rights and preferences
as may be permitted by the Company's Articles of Incorporation; and that the
long-term debt securities may take the form of first mortgage bonds, debentures,
notes, or other long-term obligations, pollution control bonds, installment
contracts or other obligations securing pollution control bonds, with maturities
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ORDER NO. PSC-96-0414-FOF-EI
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ranging from one to forty years and issued in both domestic and international
markets.
According to Gulf, it has established lines of credit with a group of
banks under which borrowing may be made by the issuance of unsecured promissory
notes. The interest rate on the proposed borrowings will be the interest rate
available to the preferred corporate customers of the bank in effect at the time
of issuance and may be subject to change, either up or down, at the time the
preferred customer rate changes. None of the promissory notes are to be resold
by the banks to the public. The Company will reserve the right under the lines
of credit to prepay all or any portion of the loans without penalty and to
reborrow the amount of any notes so prepaid.
Gulf also proposes to issue short-term notes to be sold in the
commercial paper market. The notes will not be extendable or renewable nor will
they contain any other provision for automatic "roll over," either at the option
of the holder or at the option of the Company. The notes will be sold at a
discount, plus a commission to the commercial paper dealer, with the aggregate
interest cost to the Company equalling or approximating the prime rate in effect
at the time of sale.
Having reviewed this petition, we find that the issuance of the
above-discussed securities within the limits prescribed, will not impair Gulf's
ability to perform its services as a public utility, are for lawful purpose
within its corporate power, and that the petition shall be granted, subject to
the conditions hereinafter stated.
Based on the foregoing, it is
ORDERED by the Florida Public Service Commission that the application
of the Gulf Power Company for authorization to receive equity funds from
Southern Company, to issue and sell up to $320 million in long-term debt and
equity security, and to issue and sell a maximum of $150 million of short-term
debt securities during the twelve months ending March 31, 1997, is hereby
granted. It is further
ORDERED that Gulf Power Company shall file a Consummation Report with
the Commission in compliance with Rule 25-8.008, Florida Administrative Code,
within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year in which it issues securities
pursuant to the authorization conferred by this Order. It is further
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ORDER NO. PSC-96-0414-FOF-EI
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ORDERED that the foregoing authorization is without prejudice to the
authority of this Commission with respect to rates, service, accounts,
evaluation, estimates of determinations of costs, or any other matter
whatsoever, not pending or which may come before this Commission, as provided in
Section 366.04, Florida Statutes.
By ORDER of the Florida Public Service Commission, this 25th day of
March, 1996.
Blanca S. Bayo, Director
Division of Records and Reporting
(S E A L )
SLE
NOTICE OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OR JUDICIAL REVIEW
The Florida Public Service Commission is required by Section 120.59(4),
Florida Statutes, to notify parties of any administrative hearing or judicial
review of Commission orders that is available under Section 120.57 or 120.68,
Florida Statutes, as well as the procedures and time limits that apply. This
notice should not be construed to mean all requests for an administrative
hearing or judicial review will be granted or result in the relief sought.
Any party adversely affected by the Commission's final action in this
matter may request: 1) reconsideration of the decision by filing a motion for
reconsideration with the Director, Division of Records and Reporting, 2540
Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, within fifteen (15) days
of the issuance of this order in the form prescribed by Rule 25-22.060, Florida
Administrative Code; or 2) judicial review by the Florida Supreme Court in the
case of an electric, gas or telephone utility or the First District Court of
Appeal in the case of a water and/or wastewater utility by filing a notice of
appeal with the Director, Division of Records and Reporting and filing a copy of
the notice of appeal and the filing fee with the appropriate court. This filing
must be completed within thirty (30) days after the issuance of this order,
pursuant to Rule 9.110, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The notice of
appeal must be in the form specified in Rule 9.900 (a), Florida Rules of
Appellate Procedure.
EXHIBIT G
Gulf Power Company 70-
Gulf Power Company ("Gulf"), 500 Bayfront Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32501, a
wholly owned electric public-utility subsidiary company of The Southern Company,
a registered holding company, has filed an application-declaration under
Sections 6(a), 7, 9(a), 10, 12(c) and 12(d) of the Act and Rules 42 and 44
thereunder.
Gulf proposes to issue obligations, from time to time or at any time on or
before December 31, 2003, in connection with the issuance and sale by public
instrumentalities of one or more series of pollution control revenue bonds
("Revenue Bonds") in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million.
The Revenue Bonds will be issued for the financing or refinancing of the costs
of certain air and water pollution control facilities and sewage and solid waste
disposal facilities at one or more of Gulf's electric generating plants or other
facilities located in various counties. It is proposed that each such county or
appropriate public body or instrumentality ("County") will issue its Revenue
Bonds to finance or refinance the costs of the acquisition, construction,
installation and equipping of said facilities at the plant or other facility
located in its jurisdiction ("Project").
It is proposed that the Revenue Bonds will mature from one to 40 years from the
first day of the month in which they are initially issued and may, if it is
deemed advisable for purposes of the marketability of the Revenue Bonds, be
entitled to the benefit of a mandatory redemption sinking fund calculated to
retire a portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Revenue Bonds prior to
maturity.
Gulf proposes to enter into a Loan or Installment Sale Agreement with the County
("Agreement") pursuant to each issue of the Revenue Bonds, and Gulf may issue a
Note therefor, or the County will undertake to purchase and sell the related
Project to Gulf. The proceeds from the sale of the Revenue Bonds will be
deposited with a trustee ("Trustee") under an indenture to be entered into
between the County and such Trustee ("Trust Indenture"), pursuant to which such
Revenue Bonds are to be issued and secured, and will be applied by Gulf to
payment of the Cost of Construction (as defined in the Agreement) of the Project
or to refund outstanding pollution control revenue obligations.
The Trust Indenture and the Agreement may give the holders of the Revenue Bonds
the right, during such time as the Revenue Bonds bear interest at a fluctuating
rate, to require Gulf to purchase the Revenue Bonds from time-to-time, and
arrangements may be made for the remarketing of any such Revenue Bonds through a
remarketing agent. Gulf also may be required to purchase the Revenue Bonds, or
the Revenue Bonds may be subject to mandatory redemption, at any time if the
interest thereon is determined to be subject to federal income tax. Also in the
event of taxability, interest on the Revenue Bonds may be effectively converted
to a higher variable or fixed rate, and Gulf also may be required to indemnify
the bondholders against any other additions to interest, penalties and additions
to tax.
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In order to obtain the benefit of ratings for the Revenue Bonds equivalent to
the rating of Gulf's first mortgage bonds outstanding under the indenture dated
as of September 1, 1941 between Gulf and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee,
as supplemented and amended ("Mortgage"), Gulf may determine to secure its
obligations under the Note and/or Agreement by delivering to the Trustee, to be
held as collateral, a series of its first mortgage bonds ("Collateral Bonds").
The aggregate principal amount of the Collateral Bonds would be equal to either:
(1) the principal amount of the Revenue Bonds; or (2) the sum of such principal
amount of the Revenue Bonds plus interest payments thereon for a specified
period.
As a further alternative to, or in conjunction with, securing its obligations
through the issuance of the Collateral Bonds, Gulf may: (1) cause an irrevocable
letter of credit ("Letter of Credit") to be delivered to the Trustee; and/or (2)
cause an insurance company to issue a policy ("Policy") guaranteeing the payment
of the Revenue Bonds. In the event that either a Letter of Credit is delivered
to the Trustee or a Policy is issued, Gulf may also convey to the County a
subordinated security interest in the Project or other property of Gulf as
further security for Gulf's obligations under the Agreement and/or the Note.
However, in the event that Gulf is unable or determines not to issue the
Collateral Bonds, deliver the Letter of Credit to the Trustee or cause the
Policy to be issued, it proposes that it may guarantee the payment of the
principal or, premium, if any, and interest on the Revenue Bonds.
Gulf also proposes to issue and sell, at any time on or before December 31,
2003: (1) one or more series of its (a) first mortgage bonds ("Bonds"), having a
maturity of more than 40 years and (b) one or more series of preferred stock
("Preferred") in an aggregate of up to $400 million in any combination of
issuance. The Bonds will be issued pursuant to the Mortgage, as to be further
supplemented, and sold for the best price obtainable, but for a price to Gulf of
not less than 98% nor more than 101 3/4% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued interest (if any), which may be an adjustable interest rate determined
on a periodic basis, or a fixed interest rate. The Bonds and/or the Preferred
may be subject to a mandatory or optional cash sinking fund. Gulf may enhance
the marketability of the Bonds by purchasing an insurance policy to guarantee
the payment when due of the Bonds.
Gulf seeks authority to deviate from the provisions of the Commission's
Statement of Policy Regarding First Mortgage Bonds and Preferred Stock (HCAR
Nos. 13105 and 13106, February 16, 1956, as amended by HCAR Nos. 16369 and
16758, May 8, 1969 and June 22, 1970, respectively) with respect to the issuance
of the Bonds and Preferred.
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Gulf may use the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds and the Preferred to redeem
or otherwise retire its outstanding first mortgage bonds, pollution control
bonds and/or preferred stock, or along with other funds, to pay a portion of its
cash requirements to carry on its electric utility business.
For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to
delegated authority.
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