MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS CO /MI/
S-3, 1998-06-09
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>   1
 
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 1998
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
 
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
 
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                      MICHIGAN                                             38-0478040
           (State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                              500 GRISWOLD STREET
                            DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226
                                 (313) 965-2430
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
                               ------------------
 
                           RONALD E. CHRISTIAN, ESQ.
                 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                              500 GRISWOLD STREET
                            DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226
                                 (313) 965-2430
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                               ------------------
 
                                   Copies To:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                JOHN W. OSBORN, ESQ.                                  WILLIAM S. LAMB, ESQ.
      SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP               LEBOEUF, LAMB, GREENE & MACRAE, L.L.P.
                  919 THIRD AVENUE                                    125 WEST 55TH STREET
            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-3897                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-5389
                   (212) 735-3000                                        (212) 424-8000
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================================
                                               AMOUNT              PROPOSED                PROPOSED             AMOUNT OF
   TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES            TO BE          MAXIMUM OFFERING       MAXIMUM AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
            TO BE REGISTERED                REGISTERED(2)      PRICE PER UNIT(1)        OFFERING PRICE            FEE(2)
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                   <C>                      <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Debt Securities..................    $185,000,000             100%*               $185,000,000            $54,575
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Does not include certain debt securities of Michigan Consolidated Gas
    Company covered by Registration Statement No. 333-16285 which are being
    carried over to this Registration Statement. Also does not include the
    Registration Fee of $78,788 which was previously paid with respect to such
    debt securities.
    Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the
Prospectus contained herein constitutes a combined Prospectus relating also to
$215,000,000 of unsold debt securities registered pursuant to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-16285) which are being carried
forward in connection with this Registration Statement. In the event that any of
such previously registered debt securities are offered prior to the effective
date of this Registration Statement, the amount of such debt securities will not
be included in any Prospectus hereunder. The amount of Senior Debt Securities
being registered hereunder, together with the remaining debt securities
previously registered under Registration Statement No. 333-16285, represents the
maximum amount of the registrant's debt securities which are expected to be
offered for sale.
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
 
                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JUNE 9, 1998
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $400,000,000
 
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
 
                            ------------------------
 
     Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon" or the "Company") from time to
time may offer, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400,000,000, in
one or more series, its senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities").
Prior to the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Debt Securities will be
secured by the delivery to the Senior Trustee (as defined below) in trust for
the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt Securities first mortgage bonds (the
"First Mortgage Bonds") issued under the Company's Mortgage Indenture (as
defined below). The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under the indenture
(the "Senior Indenture") to be entered into between MichCon and Citibank, N.A.,
as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"). The Senior Debt Securities may be offered in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. Certain
terms of the Senior Debt Securities including, where applicable, the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, interest rate, interest payment dates,
maturity, public offering price, any redemption terms or other specific terms of
each series of the Senior Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement or
Supplements (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     MichCon may sell the Senior Debt Securities to or through underwriters,
through dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents. See "Plan of
Distribution". The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names of such
underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any applicable commissions or discounts
and the proceeds to MichCon from such sale.
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of the Senior Debt
Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement applicable to the
Senior Debt Securities being sold.
 
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1998.
<PAGE>   3
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     MichCon is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and in accordance therewith
files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at
the SEC's Public Reference Room; Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the following Regional Offices of the SEC: 7
World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and Northwestern
Atrium Center, 5000 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a Web Site on the
Internet that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that
file electronically with the Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") filed by MichCon with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), with respect to the Senior Debt Securities. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in such
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the SEC. Reference is made to such Registration
Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further information with
respect to MichCon and the Senior Debt Securities. Any statements contained
herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC or incorporated by
reference herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of such document so filed for a more complete description of
the matter involved. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference.
                           -------------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and made a
part hereof the following documents heretofore filed with the SEC pursuant to
the 1934 Act:
 
          1. MichCon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
     31, 1997 ("Form 10-K").
 
          2. MichCon's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
     31, 1998.
 
          3. MichCon's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 1998.
 
     All documents filed by MichCon pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the 1934 Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus or
any Prospectus Supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this
Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or any
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     MichCon hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom
a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which
have been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than
exhibits to such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed to:
Investor Relations, MCN Energy Group Inc., 500 Griswold Street, Detroit,
Michigan 48226; telephone 1-800-548-4655.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     Statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus
which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future
results to differ materially from those contemplated, projected, estimated or
budgeted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i)
the effects of weather and other natural phenomena; (ii) increased competition
from other energy suppliers as well as alternative forms of energy; (iii) the
capital intensive nature of the Company's business; (iv) the economic climate
and growth in the geographic areas in which the Company does business; (v) the
uncertainty of gas reserve estimates; (vi) the timing and extent of changes in
prices for natural gas, electricity and crude oil; (vii) conditions of capital
markets and equity markets; and (viii) the effects of changes in governmental
policies and regulatory actions, including income taxes, environmental
compliance and authorized rates. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference" above.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     MichCon is a Michigan corporation that was organized in 1898 and, with its
predecessors, has been in business for nearly 150 years. The Company is a public
utility engaged in the distribution and transmission of natural gas in the State
of Michigan. The Company serves 1.2 million residential, commercial and
industrial customers in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City and
Muskegon metropolitan areas and in various other communities throughout the
state of Michigan. MichCon's gas sales and transportation markets were
approximately 937 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the twelve months ended December
31, 1997. MichCon is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCN Energy Group Inc., a
Michigan corporation.
 
     At December 31, 1997, MichCon and its subsidiaries employed 2,867 persons.
 
     The mailing address of MichCon's principal executive office is 500 Griswold
Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226, and its telephone number is (313) 965-2430.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Except as otherwise stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, net
proceeds from the sale of the Senior Debt Securities offered hereby will be used
for the acquisition of property; the construction, completion, extension or
improvement of facilities; working capital requirements; the improvement or
maintenance of service; the discharge or lawful retirement of short or long-term
debt and borrowings made or expected to be made; and for other corporate
purposes. Specific allocations of proceeds for such purposes have not been made
at this time. Funds may be borrowed in anticipation of future requirements.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth MichCon's ratio of earnings to fixed charges
for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     TWELVE MONTHS
                                                         ENDED              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       MARCH 31,      ------------------------------------
                                                         1998         1997    1996    1995    1994    1993
                                                     -------------    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)(2).........        3.17         3.17    3.27    3.47    3.26    3.58
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(1) The Company is a guarantor of certain other debt. Fixed charges related to
    such debt, deemed to be immaterial, have been excluded in computing the
    above ratios.
 
(2) For the purpose of computing these ratios, earnings consists of net income
    plus income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of total
    interest, amortization of debt discount, premium and expense and the
    estimated portion of interest implicit in rentals.
 
                                   SECURITIES
 
     The Senior Debt Securities may be issued, from time to time, in one or more
series (i) secured by the Company's First Mortgage Bonds issued under the
Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 1989 providing for the
restatement of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of March 1,
1944 between the Company and Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Mortgage
Trustee") and Robert T. Kirchner (the "Individual Trustee" and, together with
Citibank, the "Secured Trustees") which became effective on April 1, 1994, as
supplemented and amended by the supplemental indentures thereto (collectively,
the "Mortgage Indenture") or (ii) following the Release Date (as defined below),
as either unsecured senior notes or as senior notes secured by first mortgage
bonds issued under a mortgage indenture other than the Mortgage Indenture. On
the Release Date, any outstanding Senior Debt Securities secured by the
Company's First Mortgage Bonds when issued will cease to be secured by First
Mortgage Bonds issued under the Company's Mortgage Indenture and, at the
Company's option, either (a) will become unsecured general obligations of the
Company or (b) will be secured by first mortgage bonds issued under a mortgage
indenture other than the Mortgage Indenture.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     Senior Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior Indenture, the form
of which is an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and are described below
under the caption "Description of the Senior Debt Securities." Prior to the
Release Date, First Mortgage Bonds securing the Senior Debt Securities (the
"Pledged Bonds") will be issued under the Mortgage Indenture.
 
     There is no requirement, under either the Senior Indenture or the Mortgage
Indenture (collectively, the "Indentures"), that future issues of debt
securities of the Company be issued under the Indentures, and, subject to
certain restrictions following the Release Date which are described in
"Description of the Senior Debt Securities--Restrictions," the Company will be
free to employ other indentures or documentation, containing provisions
different from those included in the Indentures or applicable to one or more
issues of Senior Debt Securities, in connection with future issues of such other
debt securities. Certain capitalized terms herein are defined in the Indentures.
 
                   DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     Until the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Debt Securities will
be secured by one or more series of Pledged Bonds issued under the Mortgage
Indenture and delivered by the Company to the Senior Trustee. See "-- Security;
Release Date." ON THE RELEASE DATE (AS DEFINED BELOW), THE SENIOR DEBT
SECURITIES WILL CEASE TO BE SECURED BY THE PLEDGED BONDS AND, AT THE COMPANY'S
OPTION, EITHER (I) WILL BECOME UNSECURED GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY OR
(II) WILL BE SECURED BY FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS (THE "SUBSTITUTED PLEDGED BONDS")
ISSUED UNDER A MORTGAGE INDENTURE OTHER THAN THE MORTGAGE INDENTURE. The Senior
Indenture provides that, in addition to the Senior Debt Securities offered
hereby, additional Senior Debt Securities may be issued thereunder, without
limitation as to aggregate principal amount, from time to time, in one or more
series, provided that, prior to the Release Date, the amount of Senior Debt
Securities that may be issued cannot exceed the aggregate principal amount of
First Mortgage Bonds that the Company is able to issue under its Mortgage
Indenture.
 
     The Senior Indenture does not contain any debt covenants or provisions
which would afford holders of Senior Debt Securities protection in the event of
a highly leveraged transaction.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Senior Debt
Securities being offered (the "Offered Senior Debt Securities") for, among other
things, the following terms thereof: (1) the title of the Offered Senior Debt
Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered
Senior Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the Offered Senior Debt
Securities will mature; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable)
per annum at which the Offered Senior Debt Securities will bear interest or the
method by which such rate or rates shall be determined and the date from which
such interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be
determined; (5) the dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular
Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates; (6) the dates, if any, on which,
and the price or prices at which, the Offered Senior Debt Securities may,
pursuant to any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, be redeemed by
the Company and other detailed terms and provisions of such sinking funds; (7)
the date, if any, after which, and the price or prices at which, the Offered
Senior Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, be
redeemed at the option of the Company or of the Holder thereof and other
detailed terms and provisions of such optional redemption; and (8) any other
terms of the Offered Senior Debt Securities (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the Senior Indenture). For a description of the terms of the
Offered Senior Debt Securities, reference must be made to both the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto and to the description of Senior Debt Securities set
forth herein.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
the principal of, and any premium or interest on, the Offered Senior Debt
Securities will be payable, and the Offered Senior Debt Securities will be
exchangeable and transfers thereof will be registrable, at the Place of Payment,
provided that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed or wire transferred to the address of the person entitled thereto
as it appears in the Security Register.
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
the Offered Senior Debt Securities will be issued in United States dollars in
fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any
integral multiple thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or
exchange of the Offered Senior Debt Securities, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in connection therewith.
 
     For purposes of the descriptions of the Senior Debt Securities, certain
defined terms have the following meanings:
 
     "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal
of and premium (if any) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money
borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or
liable; (ii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iii) all
obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of
property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the
reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or
similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of
credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through
(iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to
the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent
drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day
following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment
on the letter of credit); (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses
(i) through (iv) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the
payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable as
obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred
to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any
property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by
such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the
value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.
 
     "Significant Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company
possessing assets (including the assets of its own Subsidiaries but without
regard to the Company or any other Subsidiary) having a book value, in the
aggregate, equal to not less than 10% of the book value of the aggregate assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis.
 
     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation under a lease that is
required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the
capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with such
principles.
 
     "Project Finance Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Subsidiary secured
by a Lien on any property, acquired, constructed or improved by such Subsidiary
after the date of the Indenture which Lien is created or assumed
contemporaneously with, or within 120 days after, such acquisition or completion
of such construction or improvement, or within six months thereafter pursuant to
a firm commitment for financing arranged with a lender or investor within such
120-day period, to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the
purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction or improvement,
or on any property existing at the time of acquisition thereof; provided that
such a Lien shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by any such
Subsidiary other than, in the case of any such construction or improvement, any
theretofore unimproved real property on which the property so constructed or the
improvement is located; and provided further that such Indebtedness, by its
terms, shall limit the recourse of any holder of such Indebtedness (or trustee
on such holder's behalf) in the event of any default in such Indebtedness to the
assets subject to such Liens and the capital stock of the Subsidiary issuing
such Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Project Finance Indebtedness
shall include all Indebtedness that would constitute Project Finance
Indebtedness but for the fact that such Indebtedness was issued prior to the
date of the Indenture and taking into account the fact that the property subject
to the Lien may have been acquired prior to the date of the Indenture.
 
     The Senior Debt Securities may be issued under the Senior Indenture as
Original Issue Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial
discount below their principal amount. Special federal income tax, accounting
and other considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount
Securities will be
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
described in any Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue
Discount Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the
principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity thereof as a result of the occurrence of an Event
of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
SECURITY; RELEASE DATE
 
     Until the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Debt Securities will
be secured by one or more series of the Pledged Bonds delivered by the Company
to the Senior Trustee. See "Description of the First Mortgage Bonds." Upon the
issuance of Senior Debt Securities prior to the Release Date, the Company will
simultaneously issue and deliver Pledged Bonds to the Senior Trustee, as
security for such Senior Debt Securities. Such Pledged Bonds will have the same
stated rate or rates of interest (or interest calculated in the same manner),
interest payment dates, stated maturity date and redemption provisions, and will
be in the same aggregate principal amount as the Senior Debt Securities being
issued. The Company's obligations to make payments with respect to the principal
of, premium or interest on the Pledged Bonds will be fully or partially, as the
case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that, at the time that any
such payment shall be due, the then due principal of, premium or interest on the
related issue of Senior Debt Securities shall have been fully or partially paid
or there shall have been deposited with the Senior Trustee pursuant to the
Senior Indenture sufficient available funds to fully or partially pay the then
due principal of, premium or interest on such Senior Debt Securities.
 
     THE "RELEASE DATE" WILL BE THE DATE THAT ALL FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS OF THE
COMPANY ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING UNDER THE MORTGAGE INDENTURE, OTHER THAN THE
PLEDGED BONDS, HAVE BEEN RETIRED (AT, BEFORE OR AFTER THE MATURITY THEREOF)
THROUGH PAYMENT, REDEMPTION OR OTHERWISE (INCLUDING FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS DEEMED
TO BE PAID WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE MORTGAGE INDENTURE). ON THE RELEASE DATE,
THE SENIOR TRUSTEE WILL DELIVER TO THE COMPANY FOR CANCELLATION ALL PLEDGED
BONDS, AND THE COMPANY WILL CAUSE THE SENIOR TRUSTEE TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL
HOLDERS OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE RELEASE DATE. AS A
RESULT, ON THE RELEASE DATE, THE PLEDGED BONDS WILL CEASE TO SECURE THE SENIOR
DEBT SECURITIES, AND, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES,
EITHER (I) WILL BECOME UNSECURED GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY OR (II) WILL
BE SECURED BY SUBSTITUTED PLEDGED BONDS. Each issue of Pledged Bonds will be
secured by a lien on certain property owned by the Company. In certain
circumstances prior to the Release Date, the Company is permitted to reduce the
aggregate principal amount of an issue of Pledged Bonds held by the Senior
Trustee, but in no event to an amount lower than the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities initially issued
contemporaneously with such Pledged Bonds. Following the Release Date, the
Company will cause the Mortgage Indenture to be closed, and the Company will not
issue any additional bonds under such Mortgage Indenture.
 
RESTRICTIONS
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with,
merge with or into any other corporation (whether or not the Company shall be
the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer or lease all or
substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially
as an entirety to any Person or group of affiliated Persons, in one transaction
or a series of related transactions, unless: (1) either the Company shall be the
continuing Person or the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such
consolidation or with which or into which the Company is merged or the Person
(or group of affiliated Persons) to which all or substantially all the
properties and assets of the Company are sold, assigned, transferred or leased
is a corporation (or constitute corporations) organized under the laws of the
United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly
assumes, by an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture, all the
obligations of the Company under the Senior Debt Securities and the Senior
Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee in form satisfactory to the
Trustee; (2) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or
series of transactions, no Event of Default, and no Default, with respect to the
Senior Debt Securities shall have occurred and be continuing; and (3) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and
such supplemental indentures comply with the Senior Indenture.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     The Senior Indenture also provides that, except as described below and
unless Substituted Pledged Bonds are issued to secure the Senior Debt Securities
from and after the Release Date, the Company will not, nor will it permit any
Significant Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness that is
secured by any Lien in, of or on the property of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, without effectively securing all Senior Debt Securities (other
than such Senior Debt Securities, if any, which by their terms, are expressly
excluded from this provision), equally and ratably with such Indebtedness;
except that this restriction shall not apply to: (i) Liens for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or levies on its property if the same shall
not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted principles of accounting
shall have been set aside on its books; (ii) Liens imposed by law, such as
carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' liens and other similar liens arising
in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more
than 60 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been set aside on its
books; (iii) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under worker's
compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social
security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation; (iv) utility easements,
building restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real
property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a
similar character and which do not in any material way affect the marketability
of the same or interfere with the use thereof in the business of the Company or
its Subsidiaries; (v) Liens on the capital stock, partnership interest, or other
evidence of ownership of any Subsidiary or such Subsidiary's assets that secure
project financing for such Subsidiary; (vi) purchase money liens upon or in
property now owned or hereafter acquired in the ordinary course of business
(consistent with the Company's business practices) to secure (A) the purchase
price of such property or (B) Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of
financing the acquisition, construction, or improvement of any such property to
be subject to such liens, or Liens existing on any such property at the time of
acquisition, or extensions, renewals, or replacements of any of the foregoing
for the same or a lesser amount, provided that no such lien shall extend to or
cover any property other than the property being acquired, constructed, or
improved and replacements, modifications, and proceeds of such property, and no
such extension, renewal, or replacement shall extend to or cover any property
not theretofore subject to the Lien being extended, renewed, or replaced; (vii)
Liens existing on the date the Senior Debt Securities are first issued; and
(viii) Liens for no more than 90 days arising from a transaction involving
accounts receivable of the Company (including the sale of such accounts
receivable), where such accounts receivable arose in the ordinary course of the
Company's business.
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that, from and after the Release Date, the
Company will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any
arrangement with any lender or investor (other than the Company or a
Subsidiary), or to which such lender or investor (other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) is a party, providing for the leasing by the Company or such
Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any
real property located within the United States which has been owned by the
Company or such Subsidiary for more than six months and which has been or is to
be sold or transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary to such lender or
investor or to any person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such
lender or investor on the security of such real property unless either (a) the
Company or such Subsidiary could create Indebtedness secured by a lien
consistent with the restrictions set forth in the foregoing paragraph on the
real property to be leased in an amount equal to the Value of such transaction
without equally and ratably securing the Senior Debt Securities or (b) the
Company, within six months after the sale or transfer shall have been made,
applies an amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of
the real property leased pursuant to such arrangement or (ii) the fair market
value of the real property so leased to the retirement of the Senior Debt
Securities and other obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the
Senior Debt Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND NOTICE THEREOF
 
     The following are Events of Default under the Senior Indenture with respect
to the Senior Debt Securities of any series; (1) failure to pay interest on any
Senior Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (2) failure
to pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Senior Debt Security of
that series when due and payable at Maturity, upon redemption or otherwise; (3)
failure to observe or perform
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
any other covenant, warranty or agreement contained in the Senior Debt
Securities of that series or in the Senior Indenture (other than a covenant,
agreement or warranty included in the Senior Indenture solely for the benefit of
Senior Debt Securities other than that series), continued for a period to 60
days after notice has been given to the Company by the Trustee or Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities of that series; (4) failure to pay at final maturity, or acceleration
of, Indebtedness of the Company having an aggregate principal amount of more
than 1% of the Company's consolidated total assets (determined as of its most
recent fiscal year-end), unless cured within 10 days after notice has been given
to the Company by the Trustee or Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series; (5) prior to
the Release Date, the occurrence of a default under the Mortgage Indenture, of
which default the Mortgage Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities have given written
notice to the Mortgage Trustee; (6) if any Substituted Pledged Bonds are
outstanding, the occurrence of a default under the Substituted Mortgage, of
which default the trustee under such Substituted Mortgage or the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities
have given written notice to the Senior Trustee; (7) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company; and (8) any
other Event of Default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series
specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto or Supplemental
Indenture under which such series of Senior Debt Securities is issued.
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, within 30 days after
the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt
Securities of any series, give the Holders of Senior Debt Securities of that
series notice of all uncured Defaults or Events of Default known to it (the term
"Default" includes any event which after notice or passage of time or both would
be an Event of Default); provided, however, that, except in the case of an Event
of Default or a Default in payment on any Senior Debt Securities of any series,
the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the
board of directors, the executive committee or directors or responsible officers
of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in
the interest of the Holders of Senior Debt Securities of that series.
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series
(other than due to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series, by
notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of that
series), may declare the unpaid principal of and accrued interest to the date of
acceleration on all the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series to be
due and payable immediately and, upon any such declaration, the Senior Debt
Securities of that series shall become immediately due and payable.
 
     If an Event of Default occurs due to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Outstanding
Senior Debt Securities of any series will become immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of
any Senior Debt Security of that series. Upon any acceleration of the Senior
Debt Securities prior to the Release Date, the Senior Trustee is empowered to
cause the mandatory redemption of the Pledged Bonds or Substituted Pledged
Bonds, as the case may be.
 
     Any such declaration with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series
may be annulled and past Events of Default and Defaults (except, unless
theretofore cured, an Event of Default or a Default in payment of principal of
or interest on the Senior Debt Securities of that series) may be waived by the
Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities, upon the conditions provided in the Senior Indenture. For purposes
of the provisions described herein, the Company may cure an Event of Default or
Default in payment of principal or interest on the Senior Debt Securities at any
time after an acceleration of the Senior Debt Securities has been declared, but
before a judgment or decree for the immediate payment of the principal amount of
the Senior Debt Securities has been obtained, and, prior to the Release Date, so
long as all first mortgage bonds have not been accelerated, if the Company pays
or deposits with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of
interest, the principal and any premium which has become due otherwise than by
acceleration and any other amounts due the Trustee, and all defaults
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
shall have been cured or waived, then such payment or deposit will cause an
automatic rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Senior Debt
Securities.
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that the Company shall periodically file
statements with the Trustee regarding compliance by the Company with certain of
the respective covenants thereof and shall specify any Event of Default or
Defaults with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series, in performing
such covenants, of which the signers may have knowledge.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE SENIOR INDENTURE; WAIVER
 
     The Senior Indenture may be modified by the Company and the Trustee without
the consent of any Holders with respect to certain matters, including (i) to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to correct or supplement any
provision which may be inconsistent with any other provision of the Senior
Indenture and (ii) to make any change that does not materially adversely affect
the interests of any Holder of Senior Debt Securities of any series. In
addition, under the Senior Indenture, certain rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of Holders of the Senior Debt Securities may be modified
by the Company and the Trustee with the written consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities of each series affected thereby; but no extension of the maturity of
any Senior Debt Securities of any series, reduction in the interest rate or
extension of the time for payment of interest, change in the optional redemption
or repurchase provisions in a manner adverse to any Holder of Senior Debt
Securities of any series, modification that would adversely impair the interest
of the Senior Trustee in the Pledged Bonds held by it or, prior to the Release
Date, reduce the principal amount of any issue of Pledged Bonds securing the
Senior Debt Securities to an amount less than the principal amount of the
related issue of Senior Debt Securities or alter the payment provisions of such
Pledged Bonds in a manner adverse to the holders of the Senior Debt Securities,
other modification in the terms of payment of the principal of, or interest on,
any Senior Debt Securities of any series, or reduction of the percentage
required for modification, will be effective against any Holder of any
Outstanding Senior Debt Security of any series affected thereby without the
Holder's consent. The Senior Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of
Senior Debt Securities of the Company which may be issued thereunder.
 
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Senior Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all Senior
Debt Securities of that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned,
compliance by the Company with certain restrictive covenants of the Senior
Indenture. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the
Holders of all Senior Debt Securities of that series waive any past Event of
Default or Default under the Senior Indenture with respect to that series,
except an Event of Default or a Default in the payment of the principal of, or
premium, if any, or any interest on any Senior Debt Security of that series or
in respect of a provision which under the Senior Indenture cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior Debt
Security of that series affected.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may terminate its substantive obligations in respect of the
Senior Debt Securities of any series (except for its obligations to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) and the interest on the Senior Debt
Securities of that series) by (i) depositing with the Trustee, under the terms
of an irrevocable trust agreement, money or U.S. Government Obligations
sufficient to pay all remaining indebtedness on the Senior Debt Securities of
that series, (ii) delivering to the Trustee either an Opinion of Counsel or a
ruling directed to the Trustee from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect
that the Holders of the Senior Debt Securities of that series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and termination of obligations, and (iii) complying with certain other
requirements set forth in the Senior Indenture.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
VOTING OF PLEDGED BONDS HELD BY SENIOR TRUSTEE
 
     The Senior Trustee, as a holder of Pledged Bonds, will attend any meeting
of holders of First Mortgage Bonds under the Mortgage Indenture, as to which it
receives due notice, or, at its option, will deliver its proxy in connection
therewith. Either at such meeting, or otherwise where the consent of holders of
First Mortgage Bonds is sought without a meeting, the Senior Trustee will vote
all of the Pledged Bonds held by it, or will consent with respect thereto, as
directed by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Senior Debt Securities; provided, however, that the Senior Trustee
shall not be required to vote the Pledged Bonds of any particular issue in favor
of, or give consent to, any action except upon notification by the Senior
Trustee to the holders of the related issue of Senior Debt Securities of such
proposal and consent thereto of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of such issue.
 
CONCERNING THE SENIOR TRUSTEE
 
     Citibank is the Senior Trustee under the Senior Indenture. Citibank is also
Trustee under the Mortgage Indenture and a depositary of funds of the Company.
See "Description of the First Mortgage Bonds -- Concerning the Secured
Trustees."
 
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Senior Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form
of one or more Global Securities (as such term is defined below) that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary ("Depositary") or its nominee
identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such a case, one or more
Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denomination
equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such Global Security or
Global Securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for
Senior Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may not be
registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The term "Global Security", when used with respect to any
series of Senior Debt Securities, means a Security that is executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or
pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, which shall be registered in the name
of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be
denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the
Outstanding Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case
having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue
date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of
determining interest.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of Senior Debt Securities to be represented by a Global
Security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company
expects that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Senior
Debt Securities which are to be represented by a Global Security to be deposited
with or on behalf of a Depositary will be represented by a Global Security
registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of
such Global Security, and the deposit of such Global Security with or on behalf
of the Depositary for such Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the Senior Debt Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts
of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary or its nominee
("participants"). The accounts to be credited will be designated by the
underwriters or agents of such Senior Debt Securities or, if such Senior Debt
Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company, by the Company.
Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be limited to
participants or Persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership
of beneficial interests by participants in such Global Security will be shown
on, and the transfer of that ownership interest
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its
nominee for such Global Security. Ownership of beneficial interests in such
Global Security by Persons that hold through participants will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership interest within such participant will be effected
only through, records maintained by such participant. The laws of some
jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and
such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Global
Securities.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, so long
as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the registered owner
of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Senior Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Senior Indenture.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, owners of
beneficial interests in such Global Security will not be entitled to have Senior
Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
Senior Debt Securities of such series in certificated form and will not be
considered the Holders thereof for any purposes under the Senior Indenture.
Accordingly, each Person owning a beneficial interest in such Global Security
must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such Person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such Person owns
its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Senior Indenture. The
Company understands that under existing industry practices, if the Company
requests any action of Holders or an owner of a beneficial interest in such
Global Security desires to give any notice or take any action a Holder is
entitled to give or take under the Senior Indenture, the Depositary would
authorize the participants to give such notice or take such action, and
participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants
to give such notice or take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
     Principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security will be
payable in the manner described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
 
     The following summaries of certain provisions of the First Mortgage Bonds
and the Mortgage Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and
are qualified in their entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of
the Mortgage Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
Certain capitalized terms herein are defined in the Mortgage Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     Prior to the Release Date, any series of First Mortgage Bonds issued as
Pledged Bonds will be issued to the Senior Trustee. Each issue of such Pledged
Bonds to the Senior Trustee will be in a principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the Senior Debt Securities issued contemporaneously with such Pledged
Bonds. The Company's obligations to make payments with respect to the principal
of, premium or interest on the Pledged Bonds will be fully or partially, as the
case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that, at the time that any
such payment shall be due, the then due principal of, premium or interest on the
related issue of Senior Debt Securities shall have been fully or partially paid
or there shall have been deposited with the Senior Trustee pursuant to the
Senior Indenture sufficient available funds to fully or partially pay the then
due principal of, premium or interest on such Senior Debt Securities. The
Pledged Bonds will be exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of
Pledged Bonds of the same series of other authorized denominations at the office
of the Secured Trustees in New York, New York.
 
SECURITY AND PRIORITY
 
     The Mortgage Indenture constitutes a first mortgage lien (subject to
exceptions and reservations set forth therein, to "permissible encumbrances,"
and to various matters specified under "Business; Franchises" and "Properties"
in MichCon's Form 10-K) upon substantially all of the fixed property and
franchises of MichCon, consisting principally of gas distribution and
transmission lines and systems, underground storage
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
fields and buildings, including property of the character initially mortgaged
which has been or may be acquired by MichCon subsequent to the execution and
delivery of the Mortgage Indenture. It prohibits creation of prior liens upon
the mortgaged property, other than "permissible encumbrances," but, within
specified limitations in certain cases, property may be acquired subject to
preexisting liens or purchase money and other liens created at the time or in
connection with the acquisition of such property. The property excepted from the
lien of the Mortgage Indenture consists principally of cash (unless deposited
with the Mortgage Trustee under the Mortgage Indenture), accounts receivable,
gas stored in reservoirs except to the extent specially pledged, materials and
supplies, securities, vehicles and leases.
 
     The Mortgage Indenture does not contain any debt covenants or provisions
which would afford holders of First Mortgage Bonds protection in the event of a
highly leveraged transaction.
 
     The First Mortgage Bonds will rank equally and ratably (except as to
sinking fund and other analogous funds established for the exclusive benefit of
a particular series) with all First Mortgage Bonds, regardless of series, from
time to time issued and outstanding under the Indenture.
 
RELEASE OF PROPERTY
 
     Unless an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Company is entitled to possess, use and enjoy all the property and
appurtenances, franchise and rights conveyed by the Mortgage Indenture. Subject
to various limitations and requirements, the Company may obtain a release of any
part of the mortgaged property, except prior lien bonds, upon receipt by
Citibank of cash, as adjusted, equal to the consideration, if any, received or
to be received from the sale, surrender or other disposition of the property to
be released or the then fair value thereof (whichever shall be greater).
 
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
 
     Additional First Mortgage Bonds may be issued under the Mortgage Indenture
in principal amounts (unlimited except as provided by law) equal to:
 
          (1) 70% of the cost or fair value to the Company, whichever is less,
     of unbonded net property additions made after December 31, 1943 (subject to
     deductions in certain cases, if such net property additions secure prior
     lien bonds);
 
          (2) the sum of the principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds previously
     issued under the Indenture, and of prior lien bonds theretofore deducted
     under the Indenture, which have been retired or are then being retired and
     have not theretofore been bonded; and
 
          (3) the amount of cash deposited with Citibank for such purpose.
 
     First Mortgage Bonds may be issued on the basis of net property additions
which include substantially all utility property subject to the Mortgage
Indenture or deposit of cash only if net earnings available for interest and
depreciation (before deduction for income taxes) for any specified 12
consecutive calendar months within the preceding 15 months equal 2 1/2 times
annual interest charges on the First Mortgage Bonds and any prior lien bonds.
Such earnings requirement need not be met where First Mortgage Bonds are to be
issued against First Mortgage Bonds or prior lien bonds which have been or are
being retired as described in (2) above if the First Mortgage Bonds to be issued
bear interest at a lower rate than the First Mortgage Bonds or prior lien bonds
which have been or are to be retired, or if the proceeds from the First Mortgage
Bonds to be issued are used to refund First Mortgage Bonds or prior lien bonds
which have been retired within two years prior to such issuance unless
additional First Mortgage Bonds requiring an earnings certificate have been
issued in the period between the retirement of the retired First Mortgage Bonds
and the issuance of the First Mortgage Bonds.
 
     As of March 31, 1998, MichCon had approximately $1.235 billion of unbonded
net property additions, which would entitle it to issue approximately $864
million principal amount of additional First Mortgage Bonds on the basis of
unbonded net property additions as discussed under (1) in the second preceding
paragraph.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
WITHDRAWAL OF CERTAIN CASH
 
     Cash deposited with the Mortgage Trustee as a basis for the issuance of
additional First Mortgage Bonds may be withdrawn by MichCon in amounts described
in (1) and (2) under "Issuance of Additional Bonds".
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may require the discharge of the Mortgage Indenture or treat a
series of First Mortgage Bonds as no longer outstanding thereunder if: (1) the
Company deposits with Citibank monies or certain obligations of the United
States of America or certain securities which are guaranteed by, or backed by
obligations of, the United States of America, in an amount sufficient to pay,
when due, the principal, premium if any, and any interest due and to become due;
and (2) the Company delivers an opinion of counsel to the effect that
registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, applicable laws are not violated, and such discharge will not result in
a taxable event with respect to the First Mortgage Bonds the payment of which is
being provided for. In such event, the obligation of the Company duly and
punctually to pay and cause to be paid the principal, premium, if any, and
interest in respect of such First Mortgage Bonds shall be completely discharged.
Thereafter, the holders of such First Mortgage Bonds shall be entitled to
payment only out of funds on deposit with Citibank as aforesaid for their
payment.
 
MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE INDENTURE
 
     In general, modifications or alterations of the Mortgage Indenture and of
the rights or obligations of the Company and of the holders of First Mortgage
Bonds, as well as waivers of compliance with the Mortgage Indenture, may be made
with the consent of holders of 60% of the First Mortgage Bonds, or, if less than
all series of the First Mortgage Bonds are adversely affected, the consent of
the holders of 60% of the First Mortgage Bonds adversely affected. No such
modification, alteration or waiver may be made which will (1) permit the
extension of the time or times of payment of the principal of, or the interest
or the premium (if any) on, any First Mortgage Bond, or a reduction in the rate
of interest thereon, or otherwise affect the terms of payment of the principal
of, or the interest or the premium (if any) on, any First Mortgage Bond, or
affect the right of any holder of First Mortgage Bonds to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after the due date thereof, (2) otherwise
than as permitted by the Mortgage Indenture, permit the creation of any lien
ranking prior or equal to the lien of the Mortgage Indenture with respect to any
of the mortgaged properties or (3) permit the reduction of the percentage of
First Mortgage Bonds required for the making of any such modification,
alteration or waiver.
 
CONCERNING THE SECURED TRUSTEES
 
     Citibank is the Mortgage Trustee under the Mortgage Indenture. Citibank has
acted as paying agent on the outstanding First Mortgage Bonds and will act in
the same capacity with respect to any additional First Mortgage Bonds issued
under the Mortgage Indenture. It is also a depositary of funds of the Company.
Robert T. Kirchner, Individual Trustee under the Mortgage Indenture, is an
Officer of Citibank. Citibank also serves as trustee for the Senior Debt
Securities.
 
DEFAULT AND NOTICE THEREOF TO HOLDERS OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
 
     The Mortgage Indenture provides that, in case of an event of default as
defined therein, Citibank or the holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the First Mortgage Bonds may declare the principal and all accrued and
unpaid interest of all First Mortgage Bonds, if not already due, to be
immediately due and payable. Citibank, upon request of the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding First Mortgage Bonds, shall waive such
default and rescind any such declaration if such default is cured. The holders
of a majority in principal amount of the First Mortgage Bonds shall have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Secured Trustees and of exercising any power or trust
conferred upon the Secured Trustees, but under certain circumstances, the
Secured Trustees may decline to follow such directions or to exercise certain of
their powers.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     Holders of First Mortgage Bonds have no right to enforce any remedy under
the Mortgage Indenture unless the Secured Trustees have first had a reasonable
opportunity to do so following notice of default to Citibank and request by the
holders of 25% in principal amount of the First Mortgage Bonds for action by the
Secured Trustees with offer of indemnity satisfactory to the Secured Trustees
against cost, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred thereby, but this
provision does not impair the absolute right of any holder of First Mortgage
Bonds to enforce payment of the principal of and interest on his First Mortgage
Bond when due.
 
     The Mortgage Indenture provides that the following shall constitute events
of default: failure to pay any installment of interest on any First Mortgage
Bond when due and payable, and continuance of such failure for 60 days; failure
to pay the principal of any First Mortgage Bond when due and payable, whether at
maturity, in connection with any sinking fund payment, or otherwise; failure to
pay any installment of interest on any prior lien bonds, and continuance of such
failure for the period of grace, if any, specified in the prior lien securing
such bonds; failure to pay any installment applied to the purchase or redemption
of any First Mortgage Bond, and continuance of such failure for 60 days; failure
to pay the principal of any prior lien bond when due and payable, whether at
maturity or otherwise; failure on the part of the Company to perform or observe
any other covenant, agreement or condition contained in the Mortgage Indenture
or in the First Mortgage Bonds or any prior lien bonds, continuance of such
failure for 90 days after written notice to the Company by Citibank or by the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the First Mortgage Bonds;
and insolvency or bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings initiated by
the Company, or initiated against the Company and not dismissed or stayed within
45 days; and failure to renew or extend its corporate charter upon or prior to
the expiration of such under the provision of its Articles of Incorporation or
of law.
 
     The Mortgage Indenture provides that the Secured Trustees shall give to the
holders of First Mortgage Bonds notice of the happening of a default known to
them within 90 days after the occurrence thereof (disregarding any period of
grace in the defaults referred to above) unless such default shall have been
cured, but except in case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest on the First Mortgage Bonds or in the payment of any sinking
fund installment, the Secured Trustees may withhold such notice if and so long
as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors or responsible officers of Citibank in good faith determine that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of First Mortgage
Bonds.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell any series of the Senior Debt Securities (i) to or
through underwriters; (ii) to or through dealers; (iii) directly to purchasers;
or (iv) through agents. A Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the
offering of the Senior Debt Securities; including the name or names of any
underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such Senior Debt
Securities and the proceeds to the Company from such sale, any underwriting
discounts and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation,
any initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchange on which such Senior
Debt Securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price and any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed
from time to time. Only firms named in the Prospectus Supplement or a related
pricing supplement, if applicable, will be deemed to be underwriters, dealers or
agents in connection with the Senior Debt Securities offered thereby, and if any
of the firms expressly referred to below is not named in such Prospectus
Supplement or a related pricing supplement, then such firm will not be a party
to the underwriting or distribution agreement in respect of such Senior Debt
Securities, will not be purchasing any such Senior Debt Securities from the
Company and will have no direct or indirect participation in the underwriting or
other distribution of such Senior Debt Securities, although it may participate
in the distribution of such Senior Debt Securities under circumstances entitling
it to a dealer's commission.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the Senior Debt Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The Senior
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
Debt Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting
syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one
or more underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a
particular underwritten offering of Senior Debt Securities will be named in the
Prospectus relating to such offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used,
the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such
Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement,
the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Senior Debt Securities
offered thereby will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such Senior Debt Securities if
any are purchased.
 
     The Senior Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through
agents designated by the Company, from time to time. The Prospectus Supplement
will set forth the name of any agent involved in the offer or sale of the Senior
Debt Securities in respect of which the Prospectus Supplement is delivered and
any commissions payable by the Company to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts
basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     The Senior Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company to investors
or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the 1933
Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of
institutions to purchase the Senior Debt Securities from the Company at the
public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the
future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company, to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribution with
respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required
to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in
transactions with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     The Senior Debt Securities may or may not be listed on a national
securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for
the Senior Debt Securities.
 
                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
     The validity of the Senior Debt Securities offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Ronald E. Christian, Esq., Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of MichCon and for any agents or underwriters by LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., a limited liability partnership including
professional corporations, 125 West 55th Street, New York, New York. LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. from time to time renders legal services to
MichCon and its affiliates. Certain legal matters with respect to the Senior
Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from MichCon's Form 10-K
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in
their report, which is incorporated herein by reference and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
======================================================
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH AN OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLE MENT
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON,
UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
Forward-Looking Statements............     3
The Company...........................     4
Use of Proceeds.......................     4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....     4
Securities............................     4
Description of the Senior Debt
  Securities..........................     5
Description of the First Mortgage
  Bonds...............................    12
Plan of Distribution..................    15
Validity of Securities................    16
Experts...............................    16
</TABLE>
 
======================================================
======================================================
                             MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED
                                  GAS COMPANY
 
                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                          ---------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ---------------------------
 
======================================================
<PAGE>   19
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation are:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................    $ 54,575
Printing and Engraving......................................      40,000*
Trustee Fees................................................      10,000*
Legal Fees..................................................     300,000*
Accounting Fees.............................................      25,000*
Rating Agency Fees..........................................     125,000*
Miscellaneous...............................................      20,425*
                                                                --------
     Total..................................................    $575,000*
                                                                ========
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* Estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The By-Laws of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon" or the
"Company") and the Michigan Business Corporation Act ("MBCA") permit the
Company's officers and directors to be indemnified under certain circumstances
for expenses and, in some instances, for judgments, fines or amounts paid in
settlement of civil, criminal, administrative and investigative suits or
proceedings, including those involving alleged violations of the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). There is directors' and officers' liability insurance
presently outstanding which insures the directors and officers of the Company
against claims arising out of the performance of their duties. Any agreement
relating to the issuance and sale of the Senior Debt Securities may provide for
indemnification by the underwriters, dealers or agents of the directors and
officers of the Company against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the 1933 Act.
 
     MichCon has entered into indemnification contracts with each officer and
director of MichCon that contain provisions similar to the provisions of the
MBCA referred to above.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   20
 
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION
- -------                            -----------
<S>        <C>
1-1        Form of Distribution Agreement (to be filed on a subsequent
           Form 8-K).
4-1        Form of Indenture between MichCon and Citibank, N.A. related
           to Senior Debt Securities.**
4-2        Indentures defining the rights of the holders of the
           Company's First Mortgage Bonds: MichCon's Indenture of
           Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated March 1, 1944 (Exhibit 7-D
           to Registration Statement No. 2-5252); Twenty-ninth
           Supplemental Indenture, dated July 15, 1989 (Exhibit 4-1 to
           July 27, 1989 Form 8-K); Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture,
           dated September 1, 1991 (Exhibit 4-1 to September 27, 1991
           Form 8-K); Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture, dated
           December 15, 1991 (Exhibit 4-1 to February 28, 1992 Form
           8-K); Thirty-second Supplemental Indenture, dated January 1,
           1993 (Exhibit 4-1 to 1992 Form 10-K); Thirty-third
           Supplemental Indenture, dated May 5, 1995 (Exhibit 4-2 to
           Registration Statement No. 33-59093); and Thirty-fourth
           Supplemental Indenture, dated November 1, 1996 (Exhibit 4-2
           to Registration Statement No. 333-16285); Note -- MichCon
           hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC, upon request, a copy of
           any instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term
           debt issued by MichCon.
4-3        Form of Supplemental Indenture related to Senior Debt
           Securities.**
4-4        Form of Supplemental Indenture related to Pledged Bonds.**
5-1        Opinion of Ronald E. Christian, Esq., Vice President,
           General Counsel and Secretary for MichCon.*
8-1        Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
           regarding certain tax matters.**
12-1       Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
23-1       Independent Auditors' Consent -- Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
23-2       Consent of Ronald E. Christian, Esq., Vice President,
           General Counsel and Secretary for MichCon.* (included in
           Exhibit 5-1).
23-3       Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
           (included in Exhibit 8-1).
24-1       Powers of Attorney.*
24-2       Board Resolution authorizing issuance of the Senior Debt
           Securities.*
25-1       Statement of Eligibility of Citibank, N.A.*
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
 * Indicates documents filed herein.
 
** To be filed by amendment.
 
References are to MichCon (File No. 1-7310) for documents incorporated by
reference.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes:
 
          (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made
     of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
     Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        1933 Act;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the Form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   21
 
        offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table
        in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in this Registration
        Statement;
 
          provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if
     the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
     those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Company
     pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934 (the "1934 Act") that are incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement;
 
          (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933
     Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
     registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof;
 
          (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering;
 
          (d) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the 1933
     Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
     or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
     offering thereof; and
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions of the Company's By-Laws, the Michigan
Business Corporation Act or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful
defense of any action suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer,
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the 1933 Act and will be covered by the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   22
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, on June 9, 1998.
 
                                          MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
 
                                          By:     /s/ HOWARD L. DOW III
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     HOWARD L. DOW III
                                                   Senior Vice President
                                                and Chief Financial Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      TITLE                     DATE
                                                                      -----                     ----
<C>                                                    <C>                                  <S>
                                                               Director, Chairman
- ------------------------------------------------
              Alfred R. Glancy III
 
                       *                                     Director, President and        June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------             Chief Executive Officer
                Stephen E. Ewing
 
             /s/ HOWARD L. DOW III                     Director, Senior Vice President and  June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------             Chief Financial Officer
               Howard L. Dow III
 
                       *                                Director, Senior Vice President,    June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------              Business Development
                Carl J. Croskey
 
                       *                                           Controller               June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------
                 Robert Kaslik
 
                       *                                            Director                June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------
              William K. McCrackin
 
                       *                                            Director                June 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------
               Daniel L. Schiffer
 
           *By: /s/ HOWARD L. DOW III
   ------------------------------------------
               Howard L. Dow III
                Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   23
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION
- -------                            -----------
<C>        <S>
  1-1      Form of Distribution Agreement (to be filed on a subsequent
           Form 8-K).
  4-1      Form of Indenture between MichCon and Citibank, N.A. related
           to Senior Debt Securities.**
  4-2      Indentures defining the rights of the holders of the
           Company's First Mortgage Bonds: MichCon's Indenture of
           Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated March 1, 1944 (Exhibit 7-D
           to Registration Statement No. 2-5252); Twenty-ninth
           Supplemental Indenture, dated July 15, 1989 (Exhibit 4-1 to
           July 27, 1989 Form 8-K); Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture,
           dated September 1, 1991 (Exhibit 4-1 to September 27, 1991
           Form 8-K); Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture, dated
           December 15, 1991 (Exhibit 4-1 to February 28, 1992 Form
           8-K); Thirty-second Supplemental Indenture, dated January 1,
           1993 (Exhibit 4-1 to 1992 Form 10-K); Thirty-third
           Supplemental Indenture, dated May 5, 1995 (Exhibit 4-2 to
           Registration Statement No. 33-59093); and Thirty-fourth
           Supplemental Indenture, dated November 1, 1996 (Exhibit 4-2
           to Registration Statement No. 333-16285); Note -- MichCon
           hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC, upon request, a copy of
           any instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term
           debt issued by MichCon.
  4-3      Form of Supplemental Indenture related to Senior Debt
           Securities.**
  4-4      Form of Supplemental Indenture related to Pledged Bonds.**
  5-1      Opinion of Ronald E. Christian, Esq., Vice President,
           General Counsel and Secretary for MichCon.*
  8-1      Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
           regarding certain tax matters.**
 12-1      Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
 23-1      Independent Auditors' Consent -- Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
 23-2      Consent of Ronald E. Christian, Esq., Vice President,
           General Counsel and Secretary for MichCon.* (included in
           Exhibit 5-1).
 23-3      Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
           (included in Exhibit 8-1).
 24-1      Powers of Attorney.*
 24-2      Board Resolution authorizing issuance of the Senior Debt
           Securities.*
 25-1      Statement of Eligibility of Citibank, N.A.*
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
 * Indicates documents filed herein.
 
** To be filed by amendment.
 
References are to MichCon (File No. 1-7310) for documents incorporated by
reference.
 
                                      II-5

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 5-1

MichCon

Ronald E. Christian
Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
500 Griswold Street, Detroit, Michigan  48226

313-256-5204
313-256-5251 FAX


June 8, 1998


Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
500 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        I am acting as counsel for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
("MichCon") in connection with the registration of up to $185,000,000 of senior
debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") to be offered on a continuous or
delayed basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  Pursuant to the provisions of Rule
429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained in the Registration
Statement also relates to $215,000,000 of unsold First Mortgage Bonds
registered pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of MichCon
(Registration No. 333-16285), which unsold First Mortgage Bonds, together with
the Senior Debt Securities are collectively referred to herein as the "New
Bonds".  The Senior Debt Securities are being registered under the Securities
Act, by a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June 8, 1998 (the "Registration Statement").  In
preparation for rendering my opinion hereafter expressed, I have examined the
originals or copies, certified to my satisfaction, of such corporate records
and other documents and certificates as I have deemed necessary.

        Based on the above, I am of the opinion that:

                1.      MichCon is a corporation duly organized and validly
                        existing under and pursuant to the laws of the State of
                        Michigan. 

                2.      The New Bonds when sold, will be legally issued by
                        MichCon, duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.

        I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5-1 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of my name under the caption "Validity of
Securities" in the Registration Statement.


Very truly yours,


/s/ Ronald E. Christian
- ---------------------------------
Ronald E. Christian
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12-1


               MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Twelve Months Ended                       Year Ended December 31,
                                             -------------------     -----------------------------------------------------------   
                                                March 31, 1998         1997         1996         1995        1994         1993
                                                --------------       --------     --------     --------    --------     --------   
<S>                                                <C>               <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
EARNINGS AS DEFINED (1)
Net Income .................................       $129,786          $125,630     $122,239     $112,727    $ 89,707     $ 93,315   
Fixed charges ..............................         59,788            57,905       53,831       45,637      39,663       36,231   
                                                   --------          --------     --------     --------    --------     --------   
  Earnings as defined ......................       $189,574          $183,535     $176,070     $158,364    $129,370     $129,546   
                                                   --------          --------     --------     --------    --------     --------   
                                                                                                                                   
FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED (1)                                                                                                       
Interest on long-term debt .................       $ 48,442          $ 47,024     $ 43,163     $ 35,820    $ 27,948     $ 25,594   
Interest on other borrowed funds ...........          9,030             8,664        8,012        7,053       9,093        7,961   
Amortization of debt discounts, premium                                                                                            
  and expense ..............................          1,006             1,032        1,081          996         950        1,057   
Interest implicit in rentals (2) ...........          1,310             1,185        1,575        1,768       1,672        1,619   
                                                   --------          --------     --------     --------    --------     --------   
                                                                                                                                   
  Fixed charges as defined .................       $ 59,788          $ 57,905     $ 53,831     $ 45,637    $ 39,663     $ 36,231   
                                                   --------          --------     --------     --------    --------     --------   
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges .........           3.17              3.17         3.27         3.47        3.26         3.58   
                                                       ----              ----         ----         ----        ----         ----
</TABLE>

- --------------

Notes:
(1)  Earnings and fixed charges are defined and computed in accordance with
     Item 3 of Form S-3.
(2)  This amount is estimated to be a reasonable approximation of the
     interest portion of rentals.

MichCon is a guarantor of certain other debt.  Fixed charges related to such
debt are deemed to be immaterial and therefore have
been excluded from the above ratios.



<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23-1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, of our report dated February
12, 1998 (which expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory
paragraph relating to Michigan Consolidated Gas Company's adoption of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation"), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Michigan
Consolidated Gas Company for the year ended December 31, 1997, and to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of
this Registration Statement.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
June 8, 1998
Detroit, Michigan

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
 
     That the undersigned Controller of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Alfred R. Glancy III,
Stephen E. Ewing and Howard L. Dow III, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and
without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings
in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt securities;
granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.
 
                                                   /s/ ROBERT KASLIK
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                      Robert Kaslik
<PAGE>   2


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III and Howard L. Dow III, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and
without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings
in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt securities;
granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.



                                                            /s/ Stephen E. Ewing
                                                            --------------------
                                                                Stephen E. Ewing

<PAGE>   3


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III and Stephen E. Ewing, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and
without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings
in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt securities;
granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.



                                                           /s/ Howard L. Dow III
                                                           ---------------------
                                                               Howard L. Dow III

<PAGE>   4


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and Howard L. Dow III, and each of them, his true
and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or
other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt
securities; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power
of substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be
done by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.



                                                        /s/ William K. McCrackin
                                                        ------------------------
                                                            William K. McCrackin

<PAGE>   5


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and Howard L. Dow III, and each of them, his true
and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or
other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt
securities; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power
of substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be
done by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.



                                                             /s/ Carl J. Croskey
                                                             -------------------
                                                                 Carl J. Croskey

<PAGE>   6


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and Howard L. Dow III, and each of them, his true
and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or
other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $400,000,000 of senior debt
securities; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power
of substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be
done by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 5th day of
June, 1998.



                                                          /s/ Daniel L. Schiffer
                                                          ----------------------
                                                              Daniel L. Schiffer


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 24-2

                        MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY

                             SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE



         The undersigned, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (the "Company"), a Michigan corporation,
hereby certifies that the following is a true and correct copy of resolutions
duly adopted by the unanimous written consent of the Company's Board of
Directors on June 1, 1998, and such resolutions have not been modified, amended
or rescinded and remain in full force and effect on the date hereof.

         RESOLVED, that it is in the best interests of the Corporation to issue,
from time to time, debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness (the
"Debt Securities") as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board. The
Debt Securities may be denominated or payable in or issued for an equivalent
amount of foreign currencies or foreign currency units, may be convertible into
or obligate the Corporation or any subsidiary to issue or deliver securities of
the Corporation or any other entity or may be issued at original issue discount,
the aggregate amount of Securities hereby authorized being that amount as may
result in the initial offering prices to the public for all Debt Securities
aggregating up to $400,000,000 (determined in the case of foreign currencies or
foreign currency units based upon the equivalent in U.S. Dollars, or in the case
of other Securities or property, based on the fair market value thereof,
determined in good faith and consistent with any applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")), of which
$215,000,000 is carried over from a previous approval by this Board on November
1, 1996;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation and Sebastian
Coppola, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MCN Energy Group Inc. are hereby
designated "Authorized Officers" to act and execute documents as provided herein
in connection with the registration of the Debt Securities and the other
transactions contemplated hereby;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Corporation shall prepare and file, or
caused to be prepared and filed, with the SEC one or more Registration
Statements on form S-3 with respect to the Debt Securities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, including a prospectus (the "Prospectus"), and any
amendments or supplements thereto, together with all documents required as
exhibits to said Registration Statement or Statements, including supplements to
the Prospectus, and all certificates, consents, letters, instruments,
applications and other documents which may be required to be filed with the SEC
with respect to the registration and offering of the Debt Securities described
therein, and that the signature of any director or officer of the Corporation
required to be affixed to the Registration Statement or to any amendments
thereto may be affixed by such director or officer personally or by an attorney
in fact duly constituted in writing by such director or officer, and that the
Corporation take any and all other actions that any such Authorized Officer
shall deem necessary or advisable in connection therewith;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ronald E. Christian, Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation, is hereby designated as its agent for
service of process to be named in 

<PAGE>   2


such Registration Statement and authorized to receive notices and communications
from the SEC in connection with the Registration Statement;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Authorized Officers and each of them
individually, are hereby authorized to sign, personally or by an attorney in
fact duly constituted in writing by such officer, the Registration Statement and
all amendments thereto;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that any one Authorized Officer, and each of them
hereby is, authorized and empowered to negotiate the terms of and to execute and
deliver, on behalf of the Corporation, an indenture or indentures, including one
or more supplements to any indenture, with any trustee or trustees appointed as
provided below, under the corporate seal (if requested), to be thereto affixed
and attested by the Secretary, and that any Authorized Officer is hereby
authorized to select one or more institutions (each of which shall be a
qualified bank or trust corporation under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended) to serve as trustee or trustees (each a "Trustee") with respect to any
issue of Debt Securities, such indenture or indentures, or supplement or
supplements, to be in such form, have such provisions and bear such date as may
be approved by the Authorized Officer executing the same, such approval to be
conclusively evidenced by the execution of said indenture or indentures, or
supplement or supplements;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that the office or agency of the Corporation in the
Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for the purpose set forth in
any indenture, shall be the office at which the corporate trust business of the
Trustee under such indenture shall be principally administered in said Borough;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that subject to applicable law, the Authorized
Officers are, and any one of them individually is, authorized and directed to
take any and all action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to
effect the registration or qualification of part or all of the Debt Securities
for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any of the states
and other jurisdictions of the United States of America, and in connection
therewith to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file and publish all such
papers and instruments as may be required under such laws;

         FURTHER RESOLVED, that any one Authorized Officer be, and each of them
hereby is, authorized, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to make
application to such securities exchange as the officer so acting shall deem
necessary or appropriate for the listing thereon of any issues of Securities by
the Corporation and, in connection therewith, to register the Debt Securities
under an appropriate registration statement to be filed with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if necessary, and each of the
Authorized Officers is hereby authorized in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation to execute any documents required for that purpose and to cause the
same to be properly filed; and



<PAGE>   3


         FURTHER RESOLVED, that all prior actions taken by officers or agents of
the Corporation in order to effectuate the purpose and intent of the foregoing
resolutions are hereby ratified and confirmed.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of June,
1998.


                                          /s/ Ronald E. Christian
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Ronald E. Christian
                                          Vice President, General Counsel and
                                                 Secretary

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 25.1


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                           ---------------------------

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

          Check if an application to determine eligibility of a Trustee
                       pursuant to Section 305 (b)(2) ____,

                            ------------------------

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                                    13-5266470
                                                    (I.R.S. employer
                                                    identification no.)

399 Park Avenue, New York, New York                 10043
(Address of principal executive office)             (Zip Code)

                             -----------------------

                        MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Michigan                                            38-0478040
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                      identification no.)


500 Griswold Street                                 48226
Detroit, Michigan                                   (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)            

                            -------------------------

                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


<PAGE>   2


Item 1.  General Information.

                  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

         (a)      Name and address of each examining or supervising authority 
                  to which it is subject.

                  Name                                         Address
                  ----                                         -------
                  Comptroller of the Currency                  Washington, D.C.

                  Federal Reserve Bank of New York             New York, NY
                  33 Liberty Street
                  New York, NY

                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.

         (b)      Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                  Yes.

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor.

                  If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
                  such affiliation.

                           None.

Item 16.          List of Exhibits.

                  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of
                  Eligibility.

                  Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the
                  Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits
                  hereto.

                  Exhibit 1 - Copy of Articles of Association of the Trustee, 
                  as now in effect.  (Exhibit 1 to T-1 to Registration 
                  Statement No. 2-79983)

                  Exhibit 2 - Copy of certificate of authority of the Trustee 
                  to commence business.  (Exhibit 2 to T-1 to Registration 
                  Statement No. 2-29577).

                  Exhibit 3 - Copy of authorization of the Trustee to exercise 
                  corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 3 to T-1 to Registration 
                  Statement No. 2-55519)

<PAGE>   3

                  Exhibit 4 - Copy of existing By-Laws of the Trustee.  
                  (Exhibit 4 to T-1 to Registration Statement No. 33-34988)

                  Exhibit 5 - Not applicable.


                  Exhibit 6 - The consent of the Trustee required by Section
                  321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. (Exhibit 6 to T-1
                  to Registration Statement No. 33-19227.)

                  Exhibit 7 - Copy of the latest Report of Condition of 
                  Citibank, N.A. (as of March 31, 1998 - attached)

                  Exhibit 8 - Not applicable.

                  Exhibit 9 - Not applicable.

                               ------------------


                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Trustee, Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement
of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in The City of New York and State of New York, on the 8th day of
June, 1998.



                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

                                 By       /s/Wafaa Orfy
                                          --------------------------
                                          Wafaa Orfy
                                          Senior Trust Officer






               
<PAGE>   4
                                Charter No. 1461
                          Comptroller of the Currency
                             Northeastern District
                               REPORT OF CONDITION
                                 CONSOLIDATING
                              DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
                                SUBSIDIARIES OF
                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

of New York in the State of New York, at the close of business on March 31,
1998, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
Title 12, United States Code, Section 161. Charter Number 1461 Comptroller of
the Currency Northeastern District. 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                          <C>
                                            ASSETS
Cash and balances due from de-
 pository institutions:
 Noninterest-bearing balances
 and currency and coin                                                       $   6,890,000 
Interest-bearing balances                                                       14,848,000
Held-to-maturity securities                                                              0
Available-for-sale securities                                                   31,464,000
         Federal funds sold and                                               
    securities purchased under                                                
         agreements to resell                                                   19,345,000
Loans and lease financing receivables:                                        
         Loans and Leases, net of un-                                         
         earned income                                                       $ 159,106,000
         LESS: Allowance for loan                                             
         and lease losses                                                        4,259,000
Loans and leases, net of un-                                                  
         earned income, allowance,                                            
         and reserve                                                           154,847,000
Trading assets                                                                  36,633,000
Premises and fixed assets (includ-                                            
         ing capitalized leases)                                                 3,376,000
Other real estate owned                                                            485,000
Investments in unconsolidated                                                 
         subsidiaries and associated com-                                     
         panies                                                                  1,386,000
CustomersO liability to this bank                                             
         on acceptances outstanding                                              1,824,000
Intangible assets                                                                  160,000
Other assets                                                                     9,670,000
                                                                             -------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                 $ 280,928,000
                                                                             =============  
                                  LIABILITIES                                 
Deposits:                                                                     
         In domestic offices                                                 $  37,884,000
         Noninterest-                                                         
         bearing                                                             $  12,822,000
         Interest-                                                            
         bearing                                                                25,062,000
       In foreign offices, Edge and                                           
         Agreement subsidiaries, and                                          
         IBFs                                                                  155,776,000
         Noninterest-                                                         
         bearing                                                                 9,878,000
         Interest-                                                            
         bearing                                                               145,898,000
Federal funds purchased and                                                   
         securities sold under agree-                                         
         ments to repurchase                                                     7,429,000 
Trading liabilities                                                             29,266,000
Other borrowed money (includes                                                
mortgage indebtedness and                                                     
obligations under capitalized                                                 
leases):                                                                      
         With a remaining maturity of one                                     
         year or less                                                            9,518,000
         With a remaining maturity of more                                    
         than one year through three years                                       2,340,000
         With a remaining maturity of more                                    
         than three years                                                          898,000
Bank's liability on acceptances ex-                                           
         ecuted and outstanding                                                  1,992,000
Subordinated notes and                                                        
debentures                                                                       5,600,000
Other liabilities                                                               12,507,000
                                                                             -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                            $ 263,210,000
                                                                             =============
                                EQUITY CAPITAL                                
Perpetual preferred stock                                                     
         and related surplus                                                             0
Common stock                                                                 $     751,000
Surplus                                                                          7,604,000
Undivided profits and capital re-                                             
         serves                                                                  9,617,000
Net unrealized holding gains (losses)                                         
         on available-for-sale securities                                          443,000
Cumulative foreign currency                                                   
         translation adjustments                                                  (697,000)
                                                                             -------------
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL                                                         $  17,718,000
                                                                             -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-                                                   
         LIFE PREFERRED STOCK, AND                                            
         EQUITY CAPITAL                                                      $ 280,928,000
                                                                             =============
</TABLE>

I, Roger W. Trupin, Controller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this
Report of Condition is true and correct to the
best of my knowledge and belief.
                         ROGER W. TRUPIN
                         CONTROLLER

We, the undersigned directors, attest to
the correctness of this Report of Condition.
We declare that it has been examined by us,
and to the best of our knowledge and belief
has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions and is true and correct.
                         PAUL J. COLLINS
                         JOHN S. REED
                         WILLIAM R. RHODES
                         DIRECTORS



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