AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 7, 1998.
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW YORK 15-0265555
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification Number)
------------------
300 ERIE BOULEVARD WEST
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13202
(315) 474-1511
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
WILLIAM F. EDWARDS
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT &
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
300 ERIE BOULEVARD WEST
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13202
(315) 474-1511
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
------------------
Copies to:
Robert E. Buckholz, Jr., Esq. Daniel G. Kelly, Jr., Esq.
Sullivan & Cromwell Sidley & Austin
125 Broad Street 875 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10004 New York, New York 10022
------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE 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 of the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. |_|
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
|_|______________________
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
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. |_|
------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
====================================================================================================================================
AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT
TITLE OF EACH CLASS TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Senior Notes $2,000,000,000.00 100% $2,000,000,000.00 $590,000.00
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
</FN>
</TABLE>
------------------
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>
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus assumes
that the Conditions Determination Date (the date under the Master Restructuring
Agreement dated July 9, 1997 (the "MRA") by which all parties to the MRA shall
have either (i) satisfied or waived all conditions with respect to third party
arrangements and executed and placed in escrow all contracts relating to the
consummation of the MRA or (ii) withdrawn from the MRA) has occurred and no
party has withdrawn from the MRA. There can be no assurance that this will
occur, but the offering is subject to and conditioned upon the consummation of
the MRA.
<PAGE>
RED HERRING
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.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED ________, 1998 [LOGO]
$2,000,000,000
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
__% SENIOR NOTES DUE ___________
---------------------------
The Series [to be supplied] Senior Notes (the "Notes") are being offered
(the "Offering") by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (the "Company"). Interest
on the Series [to be supplied] Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
______ and _____ of each year, commencing on ____________, 1998. Interest on the
Series [to be supplied] Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on ____
and ____ of each year, commencing on ___________, 1998. The Series [to be
supplied] Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to
maturity. The Series [to be supplied] Notes will be redeemable at the option of
the Company, in whole or in part, at any time, at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon plus the
Make-Whole Premium (as defined). The Series [to be supplied] Notes will be
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after ________, at the redemption prices set forth herein. In addition, upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined), the holders of
the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Notes,
in whole or in part, at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the date of
repurchase. There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient
funds to repurchase the Notes following a Change of Control Triggering Event.
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank
pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of
the Company ("Senior Indebtedness"). Upon completion of the Offering, the
Company will have outstanding approximately $6.7 billion of Senior Indebtedness,
consisting primarily of $2.8 billion of First Mortgage Bonds (as defined), which
are secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company's utility property,
$_____million of borrowings under the Credit Facility (as defined), which are
unsecured, $20.0 million of Medium Term Notes (as defined) and the Notes. In
addition, the Company will have available up to $____ billion under the Credit
Facility. Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will not have any
outstanding indebtedness that ranks junior in right of payment to the Notes
("Subordinated Indebtedness"). Under the terms of the Indenture (as defined),
the Company may in the future issue additional First Mortgage Bonds and
additional series of Notes, as well as Subordinated Indebtedness, subject to
certain exceptions. See "Description of Notes" and "Description of Other
Indebtedness."
The Company does not intend to list the Notes on any national securities
exchange. Although the Underwriters have indicated that they currently intend to
make a market in the Notes, there can be no assurance that any market for the
Notes will develop or, if any such market develops, that it would continue to
exist. Such market-making activities may be discontinued at any time.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS PRIOR TO ANY INVESTMENT IN
THE NOTES.
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS
TO THE DISCOUNTS AND TO THE
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note........................ % % %
Total........................... $ $ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at
$__________________.
The securities are offered by the Underwriters, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, and subject
to various prior conditions. It is expected that delivery of the Notes will
be made in New York, New York on or about ________ 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
MERRILL LYNCH & CO. WASSERSTEIN PERELLA SECURITIES, INC.
J.P. MORGAN & CO. SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
CITICORP SECURITIES, INC. TD SECURITIES
<PAGE>
[Map showing the Company's service territory]
THE UNDERWRITERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY
ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR
OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES IN THE OPEN
MARKET. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE
ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
2
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, the more detailed information and the financial statements,
including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere (or incorporated by reference)
in this Prospectus. Each prospective investor is encouraged to read this
Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
See "Glossary of Certain Electricity and Natural Gas Terms" appearing as
Appendix A for definitions of certain terms used in this Prospectus.
THE COMPANY
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (the "Company") is engaged in the
generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and the
purchase, distribution, sale and transportation of natural gas in New York
State. The Company provides electric service to its customers in areas of
central, northern and western New York having a total population of
approximately 3.5 million, including the cities of Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany,
Utica, Schenectady, Niagara Falls, Watertown and Troy. The Company sells,
distributes and transports natural gas in areas of central, northern and eastern
New York contained within the Company's electric service territory having a
total population of approximately 1.7 million. The Company owns or has a
significant ownership interest in seven principal fossil and nuclear electric
generating facilities and a total capacity of approximately 5,299 megawatts
("MW") of electricity.
In 1997, the Company entered into two related agreements that it believes
will significantly improve its financial outlook, namely the PowerChoice
Settlement Agreement dated October 10, 1997 (as modified by the PSC Order (as
defined), the "PowerChoice Agreement") and the Master Restructuring Agreement
dated July 9, 1997 (the "MRA"). Pursuant to the PowerChoice Agreement, the
Company and the New York State Public Service Commission (the "PSC"), which
regulates utilities in the State of New York, have agreed to a five-year rate
plan and the Company has agreed to divest its fossil and hydro generating
facilities (the "Genco Divestiture"), representing 4,217 MW of capacity and
approximately $1.1 billion of net book value. The PSC issued a written order
approving the PowerChoice Agreement and the MRA on March 20, 1998 (the "PSC
Order"). The Company currently intends to use the proceeds from any Genco
Divestiture to reduce indebtedness. Pursuant to the MRA, the Company and 15
independent power producers ("IPPs") have agreed to terminate, restate or amend
28 power purchase agreements ("PPAs") between the Company and such IPPs in
exchange for cash, shares of the Company's common stock (the "Common Stock"),
and certain financial contracts. The closing of this Offering is contingent upon
and expected to occur concurrently with the consummation of the MRA. The
proceeds from this Offering and borrowings under the Credit Facility
(collectively, the "MRA Financing"), together with cash on hand, will be used to
fund the Company's cash obligation under the MRA. See "Description of Other
Indebtedness," "Use of Proceeds" and "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
In 1997, the Company derived approximately 83.4% of its revenues from
the sale and transmission of electricity and 16.6% of its revenues from the
sale, distribution and transportation of natural gas. During 1997, the Company
had revenues, EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization and extraordinary items), interest charges and net income of
approximately $4.0 billion, $961.5 million, $273.9 million, and $59.8 million,
respectively. After giving pro forma effect to the consummation of the MRA and
the MRA Financing, and the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement
excluding the Genco Divestiture, the Company would have had 1997 revenues,
EBITDA, interest charges and net loss of approximately $3.9 billion, $1.5
billion, $550.5 million, and $(65.3) million, respectively. See "The MRA and the
PowerChoice Agreement" and the Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements set
forth herein.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 300 Erie Boulevard
West, Syracuse, New York 13202, and its telephone number is (315) 474-1511.
BACKGROUND OF TRANSACTION
The Company entered into the PPAs that are subject to the MRA because it was
required to do so under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
("PURPA"), which was intended to provide incentives for businesses to create
alternative energy sources. Under PURPA, the Company was required to purchase
electricity generated by
3
<PAGE>
qualifying facilities of IPPs at prices that were not expected to exceed the
cost that otherwise would have been incurred by the Company in generating its
own electricity, or in purchasing it from other sources (known as "avoided
costs"). While PURPA was a federal initiative, each state retained certain
delegated authority over how PURPA would be implemented within its borders. In
its implementation of PURPA, the State of New York passed the "Six-Cent Law,"
establishing 6(cent) per kilowatt hour ("Kwh") as the floor on avoided costs for
projects less than 80 MW in size. The Six-Cent Law remained in place until it
was amended in 1992 to deny the benefit of the statute to any future PPAs. The
avoided cost determinations under PURPA were periodically increased by the PSC
during this period. PURPA and the Six-Cent Law, in combination with other
factors, attracted large numbers of IPPs to New York State, and, in particular,
to the Company's service territory, due to the area's existing energy
infrastructure and availability of cogeneration hosts. The pricing terms of
substantially all of the PPAs that the Company entered into in compliance with
PURPA and the Six-Cent Law or other New York laws were based, at the option of
the IPP, either on administratively determined avoided costs or minimum prices,
both of which have consistently been materially higher than the wholesale market
prices for electricity.
Since PURPA and the Six-Cent Law were passed, the Company has been required
to purchase electricity from IPPs in quantities in excess of its own demand and
at prices in excess of that available to the Company by internal generation or
for purchase in the wholesale market. In fact, by 1991 the Company was facing a
potential obligation to purchase power from IPPs substantially in excess of its
peak demand of 6,093 MW. As a result, the Company's competitive position and
financial performance have deteriorated and the price of electricity paid per
Kwh by its customers has risen significantly above the national average.
Accordingly, in 1991 the Company initiated a parallel strategy of negotiating
individual PPA buyouts, cancellations and renegotiations, and of pursuing
regulatory and legislative support and litigation to mitigate the Company's
obligation under the PPAs. By mid-1996, this strategy had resulted in reducing
the Company's obligations to purchase power under its PPA portfolio to
approximately 2,700 MW. Notwithstanding this reduction in capacity, over the
same time period, the payments made to the IPPs in respect of their PPAs rose
from approximately $200 million in 1990 to approximately $1.1 billion in 1997 as
independent power facilities from which the Company was obligated to purchase
electricity commenced operations. The Company estimates that absent the MRA,
payments made to the IPPs pursuant to PPAs would continue to escalate by
approximately $50 million per year until 2002.
Recognizing the competitive trends in the electric utility industry and the
impracticability of remedying the situation through a series of customer rate
increases, in mid-1996, the Company began comprehensive negotiations to
terminate, amend or restate a substantial portion of above-market PPAs in an
effort to mitigate the escalating cost of these PPAs as well as to prepare the
Company for a more competitive environment. These negotiations led to the MRA
and the PowerChoice Agreement. See "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
THE MRA
The MRA is an agreement among the Company and 15 IPPs (the "IPP Parties")
that sell electricity to the Company under 28 PPAs, representing approximately
80% of the Company's estimated above-market power purchase obligation. The
Company expects to consummate the MRA concurrently with and as a condition to
the Offering. Upon consummation of the MRA, the 28 PPAs will be terminated,
restated or amended in exchange for an aggregate payment to the IPP Parties of
approximately $3.6 billion in cash and approximately 42.9 million shares of
Common Stock (representing approximately 23% of the Company's outstanding shares
following such issuance). In addition, the Company will enter into financial
contracts with the IPP Parties. The closing of the MRA is subject to approval by
the Company's common shareholders for the issuance of Common Stock to the IPP
Parties. See "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
THE POWERCHOICE AGREEMENT
On March 20, 1998, the Company received written approval from the PSC
for the PowerChoice Agreement, which establishes a five-year rate plan and
incorporates the terms of the MRA. The key elements of the PowerChoice Agreement
include: (i) a revenue reduction (exclusive of reductions in the New York State
Gross Receipts Tax ("GRT")) of approximately $111.8 million for all customer
classes to be phased-in over three years beginning upon the consummation of the
MRA; (ii) a cap on prices to electric customers in years four and five of the
five-year term; (iii) an allowance for the Company to recover stranded costs
(including the recoverable costs associated with the MRA); (iv) the permission
to establish a regulatory asset, reflecting the recoverable costs of the MRA
which will be
4
<PAGE>
amortized over a maximum of ten years (the "MRA Regulatory Asset"); (v) an
agreement by the Company to divest its fossil and hydro electric generating
facilities (4,217 MW) within a defined time period and retain its nuclear
generating facilities (1,082 MW) with a commitment to explore their divestiture
at a later date; and (vi) an agreement by the Company to provide its retail
electric customers with the option to choose their supplier of electricity by no
later than December 1999. See "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
BUSINESS STRATEGY
In New York State, where the Company's principal assets are located, the PSC
has established guidelines and goals for the development of a competitive
electricity market through the Competitive Opportunities Proceeding. The PSC's
stated goals include (i) lowering customer rates; (ii) increasing customer
choice; (iii) maintaining reliability of service; (iv) continuing environmental
and public policy programs; (v) mitigating concerns about market power; and (vi)
continuing customer protections and the obligation to serve. In addition, the
PSC has stated that electric utilities may recover stranded costs from customers
through a non-bypassable "wires" charge, known as a Competitive Transition
Charge ("CTC"), to be collected by electric distribution companies. Stranded
costs are utility costs that cannot be fully recovered from customers in rates
established in a competitive market. However, the PSC also cautioned that a
careful balancing of customer and electric utility interests and expectations is
necessary, and that the level of stranded cost recovery will ultimately depend
on the particular circumstances of each electric utility. Six of the seven
investor-owned electric utilities in New York State have had major restructuring
proposals approved, including the Company's PowerChoice Agreement.
Management believes that the MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement provide the
Company with financial stability and create an improved platform from which to
build value. The primary objective of the MRA is to convert a large and growing
off-balance sheet payment obligation that threatens the financial viability of
the Company into a fixed and manageable capital obligation. Accordingly, the
Company believes that the lower contractual obligations resulting from the MRA
will significantly improve cash flow which can be dedicated to reduce
indebtedness incurred to fund the MRA. With the PowerChoice Agreement, the
Company has established lower prices for its industrial, commercial and
residential electric customers for a period of three years and reasonable
certainty of prices for the two years thereafter. The MRA also facilitates the
creation of a competitive electricity supply market in the Company's service
territory.
In the near term, the Company believes the greatest opportunity for
improving the cash flow and financial condition of the Company will come from
focusing on the regulated electric transmission, distribution, nuclear and gas
operations. The Company will continue to emphasize operational excellence and
seek to improve margins through cost reductions. In addition, the Company
intends to pursue low risk unregulated business opportunities. Pursuant to the
PowerChoice Agreement, the Company has an opportunity to form a holding company
which, if formed, would enhance the Company's ability to explore unregulated
business opportunities to foster longer-term strategic growth. The Company plans
to seek approval from its shareholders for the formation of a holding company at
its 1998 annual meeting. The implementation of a holding company structure, if
approved by the Company's shareholders, would only occur following various
regulatory approvals. Upon formation of a holding company, the Company's
obligations under the Notes would remain with the Company and would not be
transferred to the holding company.
5
<PAGE>
THE OFFERING
Securities Offered................$2,000,000,000 of Senior Notes, issuable in
series.
Maturity..........................The Series [to be supplied] Notes will mature
on _________ __,____, respectively.
Interest Payment Dates............Interest on the Series [to be supplied] Notes
will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
___ and ___ of each year, commencing on ____
1998. Interest on the Series [to be supplied]
Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears
on ___ and ___ of each year, commencing on
____ 1998.
Ranking...........................The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of
the Company and will rank pari passu in right
of payment to the Senior Indebtedness. Upon
completion of the Offering, the Company will
have outstanding approximately $6.7 billion of
Senior Indebtedness, consisting primarily of
$2.8 billion of First Mortgage Bonds, which
are secured by a lien on substantially all of
the Company's utility property, $_____ million
of borrowings under the Credit Facility, which
are unsecured, $20.0 million of unsecured
medium term notes (the "Medium Term Notes"),
and the Notes. See "Description of Other
Indebtedness."
Mandatory Redemption..............The Company is not required to make mandatory
redemption or sinking fund payments with
respect to the Notes prior to maturity. Under
certain circumstances, the Company is required
to make an offer to repurchase Notes. See
"Description of Notes--Proceeds of Certain
Asset Sales."
Optional Redemption...............The Series [to be supplied] Notes will not be
redeemable at the option of the Company prior
to maturity. The Series [to be supplied] Notes
will be redeemable at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time, at
a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued interest
thereon plus the Make-Whole Premium. The
Series [to be supplied] Notes will be
redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after
____________________, at the redemption prices
set forth herein. See "Description of
Notes--Optional Redemption."
Change of Control.................Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control
Triggering Event, the holders of the Notes
will have the right to require the Company to
repurchase their Notes, in whole or in part,
at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, through the date of
repurchase. There can be no assurance that the
Company will have sufficient funds to
repurchase the Notes following a Change of
Control Triggering Event. See "Description of
Notes--Change of Control."
6
<PAGE>
Covenants.........................The indenture under which the Notes will be
issued (the "Indenture") will contain certain
covenants that, among other things, limit the
ability of the Company to pay dividends, incur
additional indebtedness, secure certain
indebtedness without also securing the Notes,
enter into certain transactions with
affiliates or consummate certain mergers or
consolidations. See "Description of Notes."
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will use the net proceeds from the MRA Financing, together with
cash on hand, to make cash payments to the IPP Parties in connection with the
MRA. See "Use of Proceeds" and "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should consider carefully the risks discussed under
"Risk Factors" before deciding to invest in the Notes.
7
<PAGE>
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents certain historical and pro forma financial and
operating data of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The
historical financial data as of the end of and for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1997 are derived from the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company. The following data should be read in
conjunction with "Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements," "Selected
Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data," "Management's Discussion of Pro Forma
Condensed Financial Statements" and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. The pro forma financial data are not necessarily
indicative of the results that would be achieved in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
1995 1996 1997 1997 (1)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating revenues........................................ $3,917,338 $3,990,653 $3,966,404 $3,888,104
Operating income.......................................... 684,034 522,338 558,839 642,939
Interest charges ......................................... 279,674 278,033 273,906 550,531
Income before federal and foreign
income taxes....................................... 407,429 280,248 119,930 (72,595)
Net income................................................ 248,036 110,390 59,835 (65,290)
Balance available for common stock........................ 208,440 72,109 22,438 (102,687)
Average number of shares of common stock outstanding
(in thousands)..................................... 144,329 144,350 144,404 187,304
Basic and diluted earnings per average share of
common stock....................................... $ 1.44 $ 0.50 $ 0.16 $ (0.55)
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(2)................................................. $[ ] $[ ] $ 961,502 $1,465,302
Net cash interest (3)..................................... 260,548 244,501 226,890 487,015
Capital expenditures (4).................................. 345,804 352,049 290,757 290,757
Amortization of MRA Regulatory Asset ..................... -- -- -- 397,700
Depreciation and amortization............................. 317,831 329,827 339,641 339,641
Ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest (5).................. [ ] [ ] 4.2x 3.0x
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Net utility plant......................................... $7,007,853 $6,957,615 $6,868,044 $6,868,044
Regulatory assets (including MRA
Regulatory Asset).................................. 1,300,812 1,214,306 1,176,824 5,153,824
Total assets.............................................. 9,477,869 9,427,635 9,584,141 13,370,941
CAPITALIZATION (AT END OF PERIOD):
Long-term debt, excluding current portion................. $3,582,414 $3,477,879 $3,417,381 $ 6,647,381
Preferred stock, excluding current portion................ 536,850 526,730 516,610 516,610
Common shareholders' equity............................... 2,513,952 2,585,572 2,604,027 3,138,027
--------- --------- --------- ----------------
Total capitalization............................... $6,633,216 $6,590,181 $6,538,018 $10,302,018
========= ========= ========= ================
8
<PAGE>
- --------------------
<FN>
(1) Gives pro forma effect to the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing
and the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco
Divestiture, as if such transactions had occurred on January 1, 1997 for
purposes of the unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income and
December 31, 1997 for purposes of the unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance
Sheet. See the "Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements" including the
accompanying notes.
(2) EBITDA represents earnings before interest charges, interest income, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization, amortization of nuclear fuel,
allowance for funds used during construction, MRA Regulatory Asset
amortization, the PowerChoice charge, non-cash regulatory deferrals and
other amortizations, and extraordinary items. EBITDA is presented to
provide additional information about the Company's ability to meet its
future requirements for debt service and capital expenditures. EBITDA
should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indicator of
operating performance or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of
liquidity. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income contained herein
and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus.
(3) Net cash interest reflects interest charges plus allowance for funds used
during construction less the non-cash impact of the net amortization of
discount on long-term debt and interest accrued on the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act disposal liability less interest income.
(4) Capital expenditures consist of amounts for the Company's construction
program related to its transmission, distribution and generation operations
(including nuclear fuel, related allowance for funds used during
construction and capitalized overhead expenses), and the amounts incurred
to comply with the Clean Air Act and other environmental requirements.
(5) For purposes of determining the ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest,
EBITDA and net cash interest are calculated as described above in notes
(2) and (3). The ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest is presented to
provide additional information about the Company's ability to meet its
future requirements for debt service. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement
of Income contained herein and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
</FN>
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
This Prospectus contains or incorporates by reference statements that
constitute forward looking information within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding the Company's
future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans,
business strategy, projected costs and capital expenditures, operations under
the MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement and words such as "anticipate,"
"estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," and similar expressions are intended
to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements appear in this
Prospectus under the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors,"
"Management's Discussion of Pro Forma Financial Statements" and "The MRA and the
PowerChoice Agreement." Such statements are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. All of these forward-looking statements are based
on estimates and assumptions made by the Company's management which, although
believed by the Company's management to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain.
Investors are cautioned that such forward looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties and that
actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward looking
statements as a result of various factors, including the factors described
below.
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND LIMITED FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY
Following consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, the Company will
have substantial leverage and significant debt service obligations. As of
December 31, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the consummation
of the MRA and the MRA Financing, the Company would have had outstanding
approximately $6.7 billion of Senior Indebtedness, consisting primarily of $2.8
billion of First Mortgage Bonds which are secured by a lien on substantially all
of the Company's utility property, $_____million of borrowings under the Credit
Facility which are unsecured, $20.0 million of Medium Term Notes and the Notes.
The Company also will have available additional borrowings of $____ billion
under the Credit Facility and, under the financial covenants set forth in the
Indenture, will have the ability to incur up to an additional $______ billion of
indebtedness, $400.0 million of which may consist of additional First Mortgage
Bonds. See "Capitalization," "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data,"
"The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement," "Description of Notes -- Certain
Covenants -- Incurrence of Indebtedness" and "Description of Other
Indebtedness."
The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to holders of the Notes, including: (i) the Company's ability to
obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions or other corporate purposes will be limited in the future; (ii) a
substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations will be dedicated
to the payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness, thereby reducing
the funds available to the Company for other purposes; and (iii) the Company's
substantial leverage may place the Company at a competitive disadvantage, hinder
its ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions and make it more
vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or its
business. As a result, any reduction in revenues or significant increase in
costs or expenditures could materially adversely affect the Company's ability to
satisfy its obligations under the Notes. See "Management's Discussion of Pro
Forma Condensed Financial Statements -- Liquidity and Capital Resources,"
"Description of Other Indebtedness," and "Description of Notes."
EFFECT OF DECREASED SALES TO CUSTOMERS
Under the PowerChoice Agreement, the Company has established rates intended
to create sufficient cash flow to at least cover its operating expenses, satisfy
its fixed obligations, including the payment of principal and interest under the
Notes, and recover allowable stranded costs. The Company's rate design is based
on estimates of future electricity usage and the number of customers connected
to the Company's distribution system. The level of electric revenues can be
adversely affected by lower than projected sales to retail customers and by
customer bypass of the system. Economic conditions in the Company's service area
could result in lower sales due to the relocation of customers. Because of the
relatively high cost of the Company's electricity, customers could seek to
bypass the Company's distribution system through self-generation or the
replacement of the Company with a municipal or other utility. While the
PowerChoice Agreement requires the payment of an exit fee or access charge in
these circumstances (except with respect
10
<PAGE>
to customers who had made substantial investment in on-site generation as of
October 10, 1997), the affected customers and competitors may challenge the
Company's right to collect these fees, or the appropriate level of these fees.
There can be no assurance that the Company would prevail in any such proceeding.
If revenues are significantly lower than those anticipated in its rate design,
the Company's ability to service its obligations under the Notes could be
materially adversely affected.
REGULATORY MATTERS
Following implementation of the PowerChoice Agreement, the Company will
remain subject to extensive regulation by the PSC. While the most material
aspects of the Company's rate structure for the next five years are established
in the PowerChoice Agreement, under certain circumstances, the PSC could
initiate proceedings to reduce rates. Conversely, the PSC is likely to continue
to assess competitive consequences in considering future rate increases even in
the event that the Company experiences revenue shortfalls or increased expenses.
In addition, many aspects of the Company's operations, including its electric
transmission and distribution systems, the operation and maintenance of its
nuclear facilities, its gas distribution operations and the issuance of
securities, will continue to be subject to extensive regulation by both the
federal government and the PSC. Changes in these regulations or in their
application to the Company could adversely affect the Company's business and
financial condition. Further, uncertainty exists regarding the ultimate impact
on the Company as the electric industry is further deregulated and electricity
suppliers gain open access to the Company's retail customers.
PSC procedures governing the approval of the PowerChoice Agreement provide
various parties the right to appeal such approval by giving notice of their
intention to do so within 120 days of the date on which approval is received.
Such an appeal may be based on the failure of the record to show a reasonable
basis for the terms of the PowerChoice Agreement and may result in an amendment
of the record to correct such failure, in renegotiation of such terms or in
renegotiation of the PowerChoice Agreement as a whole. There can be no assurance
that, if appealed, the approval of the PowerChoice Agreement will be upheld or
that such appeal will not result in terms substantially less favorable to the
Company than those described herein. Suspension of the PowerChoice Agreement or
renegotiation of its material terms could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations and on the cash available to service the Notes.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX IMPLICATIONS OF MRA TO THE COMPANY
The Company has requested rulings from the Internal Revenue Service to the
effect that the amount of cash and Common Stock paid to the IPP Parties who are
terminating their PPAs upon closing of the MRA will be currently deductible and
generate a substantial net operating loss ("NOL"). No assurance can be given
that favorable rulings will be issued. If favorable rulings are not received,
and the Company's claimed current deductions are challenged on audit and not
ultimately sustained, the amount of tax refunds generated from the NOL
carryback, and thus the amount of cash available to repay the Notes following
consummation of the MRA, would be reduced. While any disallowed deductions would
ultimately be allowable in future years, and would likely create, or increase
the amount of NOLs available to offset tax liabilities in future years, cash
flow would be adversely affected in the near term.
The Company's ability to utilize the NOL generated as a result of the MRA
could be substantially limited under the rules of section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code (the "Code") if certain changes in the Company's stock ownership
were to occur following the consummation of the MRA. In general, the limitation
is triggered by a more than 50% change in stock ownership during a 3-year
testing period by shareholders who own, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of
the Common Stock. For purposes of making the change in ownership computation,
the IPP Parties who are issued Common Stock pursuant to the MRA will likely be
considered a separate 5% shareholder group, with the result that a stock
ownership change of 23% will be deemed to have occurred by reason of their
collective acquisition of such stock. Thus, if the IPP Parties and any other 5%
shareholders experience ownership increases totaling more than 27% during any
3-year testing period that includes the consummation date of the MRA, the 50%
statutory threshold would be breached and the NOL limitation would apply. The
rules for determining changes in stock ownership for purposes of section 382 are
extremely complicated and in many respects uncertain. A stock ownership change
could occur as a result of circumstances that are not within the control of the
Company. If a more
11
<PAGE>
than 50% change in ownership were to occur, the Company's remaining usable NOL
on a going forward basis would likely be significantly lower than the NOL amount
which otherwise would be usable absent the limitation. Consequently, the
Company's net cash position could be significantly lower as a result of tax
liabilities which would otherwise be eliminated or reduced through unrestricted
use of the NOL.
NUCLEAR FACILITY RISK
Risks of substantial liability arise from the ownership and operation of
nuclear facilities, including, among others, structural problems at a nuclear
facility, the storage, handling and disposal of radioactive materials,
limitations on the amounts and types of insurance coverages commercially
available and uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial
aspects of decommissioning nuclear facilities at the end of their useful lives.
The Company's Nine Mile Point Nuclear Unit No. 1 ("Unit 1") nuclear facility is
one of the oldest in operation, having commenced operations in 1969. In the
event of an extended outage of either Unit 1 or Unit 2 at Nine Mile Point, the
Company would be required to purchase power in the open market to replace the
power normally produced by these facilities. Such purchases would subject the
Company to the risk of increased energy prices and, depending on the length of
the outage and the level of market prices, could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's cash flow. Under the PowerChoice Agreement, the Company is not
entitled to pass along these increased costs to customers in the form of higher
electric rates. If either facility were to have problems with its physical
condition or require significant capital expenditure, the Company would evaluate
the economic justification of continuing to operate the facility. The prudence
of the Company's decision to close a facility is subject to review by the PSC to
determine whether the Company should be allowed to recover its incremental
costs, including replacement power costs, which would likely be an amount
significant to the Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The Company and its operations are subject to a wide range of environmental
laws and regulations relating to, among other matters, air emissions, wastewater
discharges, landfill operations and hazardous waste management. Compliance with
these laws and regulations is an increasingly important factor in the Company's
business. The Company is currently conducting a program to investigate and
restore, as necessary to meet current environmental standards, certain
properties associated with its former gas manufacturing process and other
properties which the Company has learned may be contaminated with industrial
waste, as well as investigating identified industrial waste sites as to which it
may be determined that the Company contributed. The Company has also been
advised that various federal, state or local agencies believe certain properties
require investigation and has prioritized the sites based on available
information in order to enhance the management of investigation and remediation,
if necessary. The Company is currently aware of 124 such sites with which it has
been or may be associated, including 76 which are Company-owned. With respect to
non-owned sites, the Company may be required to contribute some share of the
remedial costs. The Company has denied any responsibility in certain of these
sites and is contesting liability accordingly. Although in practice, remedial
costs are often allocated among parties, one party can, as a matter of law, be
held liable for all of the remedial costs at a site regardless of fault. The
Company has accrued a liability in the amount of $220 million for remedial costs
and the high end of the range of remedial costs is currently estimated by the
Company to be approximately $650 million, including approximately $285 million
in the unlikely event the Company is required to assume 100% responsibility at
non-owned sites. The Company believes that it is probable that environmental
compliance and remediation costs will continue to be recovered in its rates and
the Company has recorded a regulatory asset for recovery of these costs.
However, there can be no assurance that additional expenses associated with
remedial costs or compliance with proposed and future environmental laws and
regulations could not have a material adverse effect on the future operations
and financial condition of the Company.
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The Company continues to apply the accounting principles of SFAS No. 71 to
its electric transmission and distribution, nuclear and gas operations, based on
the terms of the PowerChoice Agreement. SFAS No. 71 permits a utility to defer
certain costs for future recovery which would otherwise be charged to expense
when authorized to do so by the relevant regulatory authorities. As of December
31, 1997, the
12
<PAGE>
Company had recorded $810.0 million of regulatory assets, net of regulatory
liabilities, associated with the electric business. The deferral of the costs of
the MRA by the PSC will cause the regulatory assets to increase by $3.977
billion. In the event that the Company determined, either as a result of lower
than expected revenues or higher than expected costs, that its net regulatory
assets were not in fact recoverable, it could no longer apply the principles of
SFAS No. 71 and would be required to record a non-cash charge against income in
the amount of the remaining unamortized net regulatory assets. Such a non-cash
charge would not reduce the Company's capacity to make the types of payments
that are restricted under the Indenture. See "Description of Notes -- Certain
Covenants -- Restricted Payments."
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
The Notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market, and the Company does not intend to list the Notes on any
national securities exchange. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters
that they currently intend, following completion of the Offering, to make a
market in the Notes; however, they are not obligated to do so, and any
market-making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that any active public or other market will develop for
the Notes or as to the liquidity of the Notes. See "Underwriting."
13
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The proceeds of the Offering (after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and other estimated expenses of the Offering payable by the Company)
are expected to be approximately $__________ billion. All such net proceeds,
together with $______ million of cash on hand and $__________ million to be
drawn from the $__________ billion credit facility to be entered into among the
Company and ________________ (the "Credit Facility"), will be applied by the
Company to make payments to the IPP Parties pursuant to the MRA. See "The MRA
and the PowerChoice Agreement."
14
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1997 on a historical basis and as adjusted to give pro forma effect
to the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, and the principal terms of
the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture. This table should be
read in conjunction with "Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements," "Summary
Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data," "Selected Historical and Pro Forma
Financial Data," "Management's Discussion of Pro Forma Condensed Financial
Statements" and the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes
thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
---------------------------------------
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Common Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, 185,000,000
shares authorized.(1) Issued and outstanding 144,419,351
and 187,319,351 shares, respectively................................ $ 144,419 $ 187,319
Capital stock premium and expense................................... 1,779,688 2,270,788
Retained earnings................................................... 679,920 679,920
--------- ----------
2,604,027 3,138,027
--------- ----------
Preferred Stock:
Preferred stock, cumulative, par value $100 per share, 3,400,000 shares
authorized:
Mandatorily redeemable. Issued and outstanding
222,000 shares................................................. 22,200 22,200
Non-redeemable. Issued and outstanding 2,100,000
shares........................................................ 210,000 210,000
Preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 19,600,000 shares
authorized:
Mandatorily redeemable. Issued and outstanding
2,581,204 shares............................................... 64,530 64,530
Non-redeemable. Issued and outstanding 9,200,000
shares......................................................... 230,000 230,000
--------- ----------
Total preferred stock.......................................... 526,730 526,730
Less-- Preferred stock due within one year..................... 10,120 10,120
--------- ----------
516,610 516,610
--------- ----------
Preference stock, par value $25 per share, 8,000,000 shares
authorized. None issued and outstanding............................. -- --
Long-term Debt:
First Mortgage Bonds................................................ 2,801,305 2,801,305
Promissory Notes.................................................... 413,760 413,760
Credit Facility..................................................... 105,000 1,335,000
Notes............................................................... -- 2,000,000
Other long-term debt................................................ 164,411 164,411
--------- ----------
Total long-term debt........................................... 3,484,476 6,714,476
Less-- Long-term debt due within one year...................... 67,095 67,095
--------- ----------
3,417,381 6,647,381
--------- ----------
Total capitalization..................................... $ 6,538,018 $ 10,302,018
========= ==========
- ---------------------------
<FN>
(1) The Company is seeking authorization from its shareholders at its 1998
annual meeting to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
If such approval is not received, the Company intends either to renegotiate
the terms of the MRA to increase cash and decrease the number of shares of
Common Stock, or to buy outstanding Common Stock to be used for the MRA.
</FN>
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
The following unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income and
unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet are based on the historical
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus, as adjusted to give effect to (i) the consummation of the MRA;
(ii) the consummation of the MRA Financing; (iii) the issuance of approximately
42.9 million shares of Common Stock to the IPP Parties; and (iv) the principal
terms of the PowerChoice Agreement, including the first year impact of a three
year rate reduction intended to reduce the Company's revenues (exclusive of
reductions in the GRT) by approximately $111.8 million by the time it is fully
phased in over three years, and the establishment of the MRA Regulatory Asset
which will be amortized by the Company over a maximum of ten years. The
unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements do not give effect to the
Genco Divestiture and certain elements of the PowerChoice Agreement that are not
material to the financial results of the Company. The Company is unable at this
time to predict either the timing of the Genco Divestiture or the amount of
proceeds that the Company will receive. In the event that unacceptable bids are
received for any or all of the generating facilities, the Company may spin off
such assets to its shareholders. The book value of the fossil and hydro
generating facilities at December 31, 1997 was approximately $1.1 billion. The
unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income has been prepared to reflect
the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, and the principal terms of
the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture as if they had
occurred on January 1, 1997. The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet has
been prepared to reflect the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, and
the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture
as if they had occurred on December 31, 1997.
The PSC has limited the amount of the MRA Regulatory Asset that can be
recovered from customers to approximately $3.977 billion. The MRA Regulatory
Asset represents the recoverable costs of the MRA, consisting of the cash
compensation paid to the IPP Parties, the issuance of approximately 42.9 million
shares of Common Stock, and other expenses related to the MRA. On March 26,
1998, the estimated value of the cash and Common Stock to be paid to the IPP
Parties under the MRA and related expenses was approximately $4.167 billion,
and, as a result, the Company recorded a charge against 1997 earnings of $190.0
million. Earnings in 1998 will be adjusted to reflect, among other things, the
change in the price of the Common Stock from March 26, 1998 to the date of
consummation of the MRA. See "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying
notes should be read in conjunction with the Company's historical Consolidated
Financial Statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements are presented
for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what the
Company's financial position or results of operations would actually have been
if the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, and the principal terms of
the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture, had occurred on the
dates set forth therein, or to project the Company's financial position or
results of operations at any future date or for any future period. However, the
unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements contain, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation.
16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues:
Electric........................................... $ 3,309,441 $(56,300) (1)
(22,000) (2) $ 3,231,141
Gas................................................ 656,963 656,963
------------ ------------ -----------
3,966,404 (78,300) 3,888,104
------------ ------------ -----------
Operating Expenses:
Fuel for electric generation....................... 179,455 179,455
Electricity purchased:
IPP........................................... 1,105,970 (857,300) (3)
203,700 (3)
93,500 (3) 545,870
Others........................................ 130,138 130,138
Gas purchased...................................... 345,610 345,610
Other operation and maintenance.................... 835,282 835,282
Amortization of MRA Regulatory Asset............... -- 397,700 (4) 397,700
Depreciation and amortization...................... 339,641 339,641
Other taxes........................................ 471,469 471,469
------------ ------------ -----------
3,407,565 (162,400) 3,245,165
------------ ------------ -----------
Operating income................................... 558,839 84,100 642,939
------------ ------------ -----------
Other income and (deductions):.........................
PowerChoice charge................................. (190,000) (190,000)
Other income....................................... 24,997 24,997
------------ -----------
(165,003) (165,003)
------------ -----------
Income before interest charges......................... 393,836 84,100 477,936
Interest charges....................................... 273,906 16,500 (5)
260,125 (6) 550,531
------------ ------------ -----------
Income before federal and foreign income taxes......... 119,930 (192,525) (72,595)
Federal and foreign income taxes....................... 60,095 (67,400) (7) (7,305)
------------ ------------ -----------
Net income............................................. 59,835 (125,125) (65,290)
Dividends on preferred stock........................... 37,397 37,397
------------ ------------ -----------
Balance available for common stock..................... $ 22,438 $(125,125) $ (102,687)
============ ============ ===========
Average number of shares of
common stock outstanding (in thousands).............. 144,404 42,900 (8) 187,304
Basic and diluted earnings per
average share of common stock....................... $ 0.16 $ (0.55)
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA (9)......................................... $ 961,502 $ 1,465,302
Net cash interest (10)............................. 226,890 487,015
Ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest (11).......... 3.0x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (12)............ 0.9x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
and preferred dividend requirements (12)........ 0.8x
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income
17
<PAGE>
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
The following notes set forth the explanations and assumptions used and
adjustments made in preparing the unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of
Income for the year ended December 31, 1997. The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Statement of Income should be read in conjunction with the historical
Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus.
The adjustments described below are based on the assumptions and preliminary
estimates described therein and are subject to change. These statements do not
purport to be indicative of the results of operations of the Company for such
period, nor are they indicative of future results. All of the following
adjustments for the year ended December 31, 1997 are pro forma to reflect the
consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing and the principal terms of the
PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture, as if they had occurred
on January 1, 1997.
The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income includes the following
pro forma adjustments based on the assumptions described below:
(1) To reflect the first year impact on total electric revenues of the rate
reduction requirements contained in the PowerChoice Agreement, which provides
for rate reductions to be phased in over three years. These rate reductions are
intended to result in a decrease in electric revenues (exclusive of reductions
in the GRT) of approximately $111.8 million by the time they are fully phased in
over the three years, of which the first year impact is estimated to be
approximately $56.3 million. The actual rate reductions in any year will be
affected by numerous factors such as the volume of electricity sold and the
timing of the rate reductions.
(2) To reflect a deferral of revenues required by the PSC Order. The amount
of the deferral is based on the difference between the assumed weighted average
interest rate of 8.5% used by the Company to prepare its PowerChoice proposal
and the estimated weighted average interest rate of 7.8125% assumed for the MRA
Financing. The amount of the first year deferral would be $22.0 million.
(3) To reflect (i) the elimination of $857.3 million of electricity
purchased expense reflecting the termination, restatement or amendment of the 28
PPAs pursuant to the MRA; (ii) the addition of approximately $203.7 million of
electricity purchased expense reflecting the Company's commitment to purchase
electricity under the new fixed price swap contracts entered into with certain
IPP Parties as part of the MRA; and (iii) the addition of approximately $93.5
million of electricity purchased expense reflecting the estimated cost of market
purchases of electricity to replace the capacity terminated as part of the MRA.
The cost of such replacement power is based on the administratively determined
"buy-back" rate from qualifying facility projects, as approved by the PSC. The
weighted average buy-back rate for 1997 was approximately 1.8(cent) per Kwh. A
1.0(cent) per Kwh change in the buy-back rate will impact the annual electricity
purchased expense by approximately $53.1 million. This adjustment decreases
electricity purchased by a net amount of $560.1 million.
(4) To reflect $397.7 million of annual amortization related to the $3.977
billion MRA Regulatory Asset established as a result of the MRA and the
PowerChoice Agreement. Pursuant to the PowerChoice Agreement, the Company will
amortize the MRA Regulatory Asset over a maximum period of ten years.
(5) To reflect $16.5 million of additional amortization expense reflecting
the first year amortization of the total debt issuance costs of approximately
$80.0 million incurred and capitalized in connection with the MRA Financing. The
debt issuance costs will be amortized over the life of the indebtedness
represented by the MRA Financing using the interest method.
18
<PAGE>
(6) To reflect $250.0 million of additional interest charges associated with
the indebtedness represented by the MRA Financing and $10.1 million of
additional interest charges on the $135.0 million borrowings that would have
been drawn under the Company's revolving credit agreement in order to fund the
Company's cash obligations under the MRA. Interest charges on Indebtedness
represented by the MRA Financing and the revolving credit agreement were
calculated assuming a weighted average interest rate of 7.8125% and 7.5%,
respectively. A 1/8% change in the assumed interest rate on the MRA Financing
would impact interest charges by $4.0 million per year.
(7) To reflect a reduction of $67.4 million in federal and foreign income
taxes as a result of the reduction in pro forma income before federal and
foreign income taxes, calculated at the statutory federal income tax rate of
35.0%. Pro forma income before federal and foreign income taxes is reduced by
$192.5 million as the net result of the pro forma adjustments described in notes
(1) through (6).
(8) To reflect the issuance of approximately 42.9 million shares of Common
Stock to the IPP Parties as part of the consideration paid to them under the
MRA.
(9) EBITDA represents earnings before interest charges, interest income,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization, amortization of nuclear fuel,
allowance for funds used during construction, MRA Regulatory Asset amortization,
the PowerChoice charge, non-cash regulatory defferals and other amortizations,
and extraordinary items. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information
about the Company's ability to meet its future requirements for debt service and
capital expenditures. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net
income as an indicator of operating performance or an alternative to cash flow
as a measure of liquidity. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income
contained herein and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus.
(10) Net cash interest reflects interest charges plus allowance for funds
used during construction less the non-cash impact of the net amortization of
discount on long-term debt and interest accrued on the Nuclear Waste Policy Act
disposal liability less interest income.
(11) For purposes of determining the ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest,
EBITDA and net cash interest are calculated as described above in notes (9) and
(10). The ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest is presented to provide
additional information about the Company's ability to meet its future
requirements for debt service. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income
contained herein and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus.
(12) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements, (i)
earnings consist of income before federal and foreign income taxes plus fixed
charges; (ii) fixed charges consist of interest charges on all indebtedness,
including the portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest
factor; and (iii) preferred dividend requirements include the dividends on all
classes of preferred stock adjusted to a pre-tax basis.
19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
-----------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net utility plant...................................... $ 6,868,044 $ 6,868,044
------------- -------------
Other property and investments......................... 371,709 371,709
------------- -------------
Current Assets:
Cash.......................................... 378,232 $ 3,120,000 (1)
(3,633,000)(2)
135,000 (3) 232
Other current assets.......................... 713,468 75,000 (4)
137,800 (5)
(105,000)(3) 821,268
------------- ------------ -------------
1,091,700 (270,200) 821,500
------------- ------------ -------------
MRA Regulatory Asset................................... -- 3,977,000 (6) 3,977,000
Other regulatory assets................................ 1,176,824 1,176,824
Other assets........................................... 75,864 80,000 (7) 155,864
------------- ------------ -------------
Total assets...................................... $ 9,584,141 $ 3,786,800 $ 13,370,941
============= ============ =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet
20
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capitalization: (Dollars in thousands)
Common shareholders' equity:
Common stock ................................ $ 144,419 $ 42,900 (8) $ 187,319
Capital stock premium and expense............ 1,779,688 491,100 (8) 2,270,788
Retained earnings............................ 679,920 679,920
--------------- -------------- -------------
2,604,027 534,000 3,138,027
Preferred stock................................. 516,610 516,610
Long-term debt.................................. 3,417,381 3,200,000 (1)
30,000 (3) 6,647,381
--------------- -------------- -------------
Total capitalization......................... 6,538,018 3,764,000 10,302,018
Current liabilities............................. 555,338 555,338
Regulatory liabilities.......................... 239,880 239,880
Other liabilities............................... 2,250,905 75,000 (4)
137,800 (5)
(190,000) (9) 2,273,705
--------------- -------------- -------------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity..................... $ 9,584,141 $ 3,786,800 $ 13,370,941
=============== ============== =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet
21
<PAGE>
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
The following notes set forth the explanations and assumptions used and
adjustments made in preparing the unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet at
December 31, 1997. The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet should be
read in conjunction with the historical Consolidated Financial Statements and
the notes thereto incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
The adjustments described below are based on the assumptions and preliminary
estimates described therein and are subject to change. These statements do not
purport to be indicative of the financial position of the Company as of such
date, nor are they indicative of future results. Furthermore, this unaudited Pro
Forma Condensed Balance Sheet does not reflect anticipated changes, other than
the consummation of the MRA and the MRA Financing, and the principal terms of
the PowerChoice Agreement excluding the Genco Divestiture, which may occur as
the result of operating activities before and after the effective date of the
MRA, the MRA Financing, the PowerChoice Agreement and other matters. All of the
following adjustments are based on the assumption that the consummation of the
MRA and the MRA Financing and the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement
excluding the Genco Divestiture had occurred on December 31, 1997.
The unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet includes the following pro forma
adjustments based on the assumptions described below:
(1) To reflect the net cash proceeds of $3.120 billion received by the
Company from the MRA Financing. The gross proceeds of $3.200 billion were
reduced for the payment of debt issuance costs estimated by the Company to be
approximately $80.0 million.
(2) To reflect the cash compensation of $3.616 billion paid to the IPP
Parties pursuant to the terms of the MRA and the payment of $17.0 million in
other expenses related to the MRA.
(3) The amount includes $105.0 million to reflect full usage of the
Receivables Financing and $30.0 million representing a drawdown under the
Company's revolving credit agreement, which are representative of the Company's
normal cash management practices in light of the liquidity requirements
presented in the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet.
(4) To record the reversal of $75.0 million of estimated federal income tax
payments which would not have been made as a result of the deduction of payments
made in connection with the MRA.
(5) To record a federal income tax receivable of $137.8 million, based on
the net operating loss which would have been generated and carried back two
years for income tax purposes. The net loss for income tax purposes results from
the current deduction for income tax purposes of the full amount of the
consideration, including cash and Common Stock, paid to the IPP Parties pursuant
to the MRA. See "Risk Factors -- Federal Income Tax Implications of MRA to the
Company."
(6) To reflect the establishment of a $3.977 billion MRA Regulatory Asset
representing the recoverable costs of the MRA consisting of (i) the cash
compensation of $3.616 billion paid to the IPP Parties; (ii) the issuance of
approximately 42.9 million shares of Common Stock valued at an aggregate of
$344.0 million or $8.00 per share, based on the limitation on the amount of the
MRA Regulatory Asset, as set forth in the PSC Order and (iii) other expenses of
$17.0 million related to the MRA. The MRA Regulatory Asset was established
pursuant to the PowerChoice Agreement and will be amortized over a maximum of
ten years. See "The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
(7) To reflect the capitalization of the estimated debt issuance costs of
approximately $80.0 million resulting from the MRA Financing.
22
<PAGE>
(8) To reflect the issuance of approximately 42.9 million shares of Common
Stock to the IPP Parties pursuant to the MRA. The new shares will be valued at
the price of the Common Stock on the date of the consummation of the MRA. For
purposes of developing the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet, the Company used
the price of the Common Stock at the close of business on March 26, 1998, or $12
7/16. This adjustment to common shareholders' equity will change based on the
price of the Common Stock on the date of the consummation of the MRA.
(9) To reflect the reversal of the portion of the liability associated with
the MRA recognized in 1997. The liability results from the PSC Order's
limitation of the amount of the MRA Regulatory Asset that can be recovered from
customers. The amount represents the product of the difference between $8.00 and
the closing price of the Common Stock on March 26, 1998 of $12 7/16 multiplied
by approximately 42.9 million shares.
23
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical financial data of the
Company for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1997. The
following selected historical financial data have been derived from audited
Consolidated Financial Statements, including those incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997.
The selected historical financial data presented below should be read in
conjunction with "Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements," "Management's
Discussion of Pro Forma Financial Statements" and the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Operating Revenues:
Electric...................... $ 3,332,464 $ 3,528,987 $ 3,335,548 $ 3,308,979 $ 3,309,441 $3,231,141
Gas........................... 600,967 623,191 581,790 681,674 656,963 656,963
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
3,933,431 4,152,178 3,917,338 3,990,653 3,966,404 3,888,104
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Operating Expenses:
Fuel for electric generation.. 231,064 219,849 165,929 181,486 179,455 179,455
Electricity purchased:
IPP........................ 745,335 966,724 1,011,518 1,052,298 1,105,970 545,870
Others..................... 118,178 140,409 126,419 130,594 130,138 130,138
Gas purchased................ 326,273 315,714 276,232 370,040 345,610 345,610
Other operation and maintenance 1,057,580 957,377 817,897 928,224 835,282 835,282
Employee reduction program... -- 196,625 -- -- -- --
Amortization of MRA
Regulatory Asset.......... -- -- -- -- -- 397,700
Depreciation and amortization 276,623 308,351 317,831 329,827 339,641 339,641
Other taxes.................. 491,363 496,922 517,478 475,846 471,469 471,469
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
3,246,416 3,601,971 3,233,304 3,468,315 3,407,565 3,245,165
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Operating income................ 687,015 550,207 684,034 522,338 558,839 642,939
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Other income and (deductions):
PowerChoice charge........... -- -- -- -- (190,000) (190,000)
Other income................. 14,154 17,204 3,069 35,943 24,997 24,997
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
14,154 17,204 3,069 35,943 (165,003) (165,003)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income before interest charges 701,169 567,411 687,103 558,281 393,836 477,936
Interest charges............. 282,263 278,958 279,674 278,033 273,906 550,531
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income before federal and
foreign income taxes....... 418,906 288,453 407,429 280,248 119,930 (72,595)
Federal and foreign income taxes 147,075 111,469 159,393 102,494 60,095 (7,305)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income before extraordinary item 271,831 176,984 248,036 177,754 59,835 (65,290)
Extraordinary item........... -- -- -- (67,364) -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Net income................... 271,831 176,984 248,036 110,390 59,835 (65,290)
Dividends on preferred stock. 31,857 33,673 39,596 38,281 37,397 37,397
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Balance available for common
stock...................... $ 239,974 $ 143,311 $ 208,440 $ 72,109 $ 22,438 $ (102,687)
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ===========
Average number of shares of
common stock outstanding (in
thousands).................. 140,417 143,261 144,329 144,350 144,404 187,304
Basic and diluted earnings per
average share of common stock
before extraordinary item..... $1.71 $1.00 $1.44 $0.97 $0.16 $(0.55)
Basic and diluted earnings per
average share of common stock $1.71 $1.00 $1.44 $0.50 $0.16 $(0.55)
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA (1)..................... $[ ] $[ ] $[ ] $[ ] $ 961,502 $1,465,302
Net cash interest (2).......... 271,116 261,655 260,548 244,501 226,890 487,015
Capital expenditures (3)....... 519,612 490,124 345,804 352,049 290,757 290,757
Ratio of EBITDA to net cash
interest (4)................. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 4.2x 3.0x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges (5).................. 2.3x 1.9x 2.3x 1.6x 1.4x 0.9x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
and preferred dividend
requirements (5)............ 2.0x 1.6x 1.9x 1.3x 1.1x 0.8x
BALANCE SHEET DATA (at end of period):
Net utility plant............. $6,877,292 $ 7,035,643 $ 7,007,853 $ 6,957,615 $ 6,868,044 $ 6,868,044
Total assets....................... 9,471,327 9,649,816 9,477,869 9,427,635 9,584,141 13,370,941
Total debt, including current portion 3,842,813 3,792,595 3,647,478 3,525,963 3,484,476 6,714,476
Preferred stock, including current
portion.......................... 440,400 556,950 546,000 535,600 526,730 526,730
Common shareholders' equity........ 2,456,465 2,462,398 2,513,952 2,585,572 2,604,027 3,138,027
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) EBITDA represents earnings before interest charges, interest income, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization, amortization of nuclear fuel,
allowance for funds used during construction, MRA Regulatory Asset
amortization, the PowerChoice charge, non-cash regulatory deferrals and
other amortizations, and extraordinary items. EBITDA is presented to
provide additional information about the Company's ability to meet its
future requirements for debt service and capital expenditures. EBITDA
should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indicator of
operating performance or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of
liquidity. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Income contained herein
and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus.
(2) Net cash interest reflects interest charges plus allowance for funds used
during construction less the non-cash impact of the net amortization of
discount on long-term debt and interest accrued on the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act disposal liability less interest income.
(3) Capital expenditures consist of amounts for the Company's construction
program related to its transmission, distribution and generation operations
(including nuclear fuel, related allowance for funds used during
construction and capitalized overhead expenses), and the amounts incurred
to comply with the Clean Air Act and other environmental requirements.
(4) For purposes of determining the ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest,
EBITDA and net cash interest are calculated as described above in notes (1)
and (2). The ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest is presented to provide
additional information about the Company's ability to meet its future
requirements for debt service. See the Pro Forma Condensed Statement of
Income contained herein and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
(5) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the
ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements, (i)
earnings consist of income before federal and foreign income taxes plus
fixed charges; (ii) fixed charges consist of interest charges on all
indebtedness, including the portion of rental expense that is
representative of the interest factor; and (iii) preferred dividend
requirements include the dividends on all classes of preferred stock
adjusted to a pre-tax basis.
</FN>
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF
PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, other information included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, including the unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Financial Statements and the notes thereto. Certain statements in the
following discussion are forward-looking statements or discussions of trends
which by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could
significantly affect expected results. Actual results and trends in the future
may differ materially from those described herein depending on a variety of
factors, including those detailed under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements give effect to (i)
the consummation of the MRA; (ii) the consummation of the MRA Financing; (iii)
the issuance of approximately 42.9 million shares of Common Stock to the IPP
Parties; and (iv) the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement, including
the first year impact of a three year rate reduction intended to reduce the
Company's revenues by $111.8 million (exclusive of reductions in the GRT) by the
time it is fully phased in over three years, and the establishment of the MRA
Regulatory Asset which will be amortized by the Company over a maximum of ten
years. The unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements do not give effect
to the Genco Divestiture or certain elements of the PowerChoice Agreement that
are not material to the financial results of the Company. The Company is unable
at this time to predict either the timing of the Genco Divestiture or the amount
of proceeds that the Company will receive. In the event that unacceptable bids
are received for any or all of the generating facilities, the Company may spin
off such assets to its shareholders. The book value of the fossil and hydro
generating facilities at December 31, 1997 was approximately $1.1 billion.
On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the consummation of the MRA and
MRA Financing, and the principal terms of the PowerChoice Agreement excluding
the Genco Divestiture, the Company's revenues for the year ended December 31,
1997 would have declined by approximately $78.3 million to $3.9 billion as
compared to $4.0 billion on a historical basis. This reduction in revenues
reflects the first year's phase-in of a three year rate reduction intended to
reduce the Company's electric revenues by $111.8 million (exclusive of
reductions in the GRT) by the time it is fully phased in over three years, as
well as a deferral of revenues required by the PSC Order representing the
difference between the assumed costs of the MRA Financing for purposes of
preparing the Company's PowerChoice proposal versus the current estimates of the
costs of the MRA Financing. The actual rate reductions and level of revenues in
1998 and other years will be dependent upon numerous factors such as the volume
of electricity sold and the timing of the rate reductions.
Pursuant to the MRA, 19 PPAs representing approximately 1,180 MW of electric
generating capacity are to be terminated. Such electric generating capacity will
be replaced with purchases in the spot market for electricity at prices that the
Company expects will be significantly less than the contracted prices under such
terminating PPAs. In addition, nine PPAs representing approximately 541 MW of
electric generating capacity will be restated or amended on economic terms and
conditions which the Company believes are more favorable to it than the terms of
the existing PPAs subject to the MRA. As a result, the Company's 1997
electricity purchased expense on a pro forma basis would have declined by
approximately $560.1 million to $545.9 million as compared to $1.1 billion on a
historical basis.
Pursuant to the PowerChoice Agreement, the compensation paid to the IPP
Parties in the form of cash and Common Stock will be capitalized and carried on
the Company's balance sheet as the MRA Regulatory Asset. The amount which
will be initially recorded and subsequently amortized over a ten year period has
been limited by the PSC to approximately $4.0 billion. In 1997, on a pro forma
basis, the amortization of the MRA Regulatory Asset would have amounted to
$397.7 million. No such amortization charge was recorded in the historical
income statement for 1997.
The Company's 1997 operating income on a pro forma basis would have
increased by $84.1 million to $642.9 million as compared to $555.8 million on a
historical basis. This increase reflects the net positive impact resulting from
the significant reduction in the Company's electricity purchased expense which
more than offsets the decline in revenues and amortization of the MRA Regulatory
Asset.
26
<PAGE>
The estimated additional interest charges and amortization of debt issuance
costs associated with the MRA Financing would have increased 1997 interest
charges on a pro forma basis by approximately $276.6 million to $550.5 million
as compared to $273.9 million on a historical basis.
The Company's 1997 net income on a pro forma basis would have declined by
$125.1 million to a loss of $(65.3) million as compared to net income of $59.8
million on a historical basis. This decline is caused by the above described
decline in revenues, the amortization of the MRA Regulatory Asset and an
increase in interest charges, which more than offset the decrease in electricity
purchased expense.
As a result of the MRA, the Company would have recognized and deducted in
the current year for income tax purposes, an amount representing the total
compensation paid to the IPP Parties, including the cash and market value of the
Common Stock issued to the IPP Parties. This deduction would have created a net
operating loss in 1997 which would have been carried back two years resulting in
a federal income tax refund and would have been carried forward to effectively
reduce federal income taxes paid in future years. The impact of such NOL would
have been to increase the amount of cash available to the Company until such NOL
is fully utilized.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements demonstrate significant
improvement in the Company's liquidity and capital resources by comparison to
the Company's historical financial statements. Under the MRA, the Company is
able to replace long-term escalating payment obligations to the IPP Parties with
the indebtedness represented by the MRA Financing and a portfolio of restated or
amended shorter-term PPAs with pricing and terms that are more favorable than
the existing PPAs that are subject to the MRA, as well as financial contracts.
On a pro forma basis, the Company's EBITDA would increase by $503.8 million to
$1.5 billion as compared to $961.5 million on a historical basis. This change
results primarily from a decrease in electricity purchased expense due to the
termination or amendment of PPAs pursuant to the MRA. In addition, the Company
would have available additional borrowings of $_____ billion under the Credit
Facility and, under the financial covenants set forth in the Indenture, would
have had the ability to incur up to an additional $_____ billion of
indebtedness.
The Company's principal short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are
expected to consist of the payment of interest on and retirement of the First
Mortgage Bonds and the indebtedness represented by the MRA Financing, the
payment of dividends on and the redemption of the Company's Preferred Stock and
capital expenditures to maintain the Company's transmission and distribution
systems. The Company anticipates that internally generated funds will be
sufficient to meet its capital expenditure requirements, provide for the payment
of interest charges and preferred dividends and the retirement of debt and
preferred stock at maturity, and enable the Company to meet other contingencies
that may occur, such as compliance with environmental regulation.
27
<PAGE>
THE MRA AND THE POWERCHOICE AGREEMENT
Overview
On March 20, 1998, the Company received written approval from the PSC for
the PowerChoice Agreement which establishes a five-year rate plan and
incorporates the terms of the MRA. The key terms of the PowerChoice Agreement
include: (i) a revenue reduction of $111.8 million (exclusive of reductions in
the GRT) for all customer classes to be phased-in over three years beginning
upon the consummation of the MRA; (ii) a mechanism to cap prices to electric
customers in years four and five of the five-year term; (iii) an allowance for
the Company to recover stranded costs (including the recoverable costs
associated with the MRA); (iv) the permission to establish the MRA Regulatory
Asset, reflecting the recoverable costs of the MRA which will be amortized over
a maximum of ten years; (v) an agreement by the Company to divest its fossil and
hydro electric generating facilities within a defined time period and retain its
nuclear generating facilities with a commitment to explore their divestiture at
a later date; and (vi) an agreement by the Company to provide its retail
electric customers with the option to choose their supplier of electricity by no
later than December 1999.
The MRA
The closing of the Offering is expected to occur concurrently with and is
contingent upon the closing of the MRA. Pursuant to the MRA, the Company has
reached an agreement with 15 IPPs to terminate, restate or amend 28 PPAs in
exchange for approximately $3.6 billion of cash, approximately 42.9 million
shares of Common Stock and a series of fixed price swap contracts. The Common
Stock to be received by the IPP Parties will represent approximately 23% of the
Company's outstanding shares following such issuance. The cash payment to the
IPP Parties will be funded from the proceeds of the MRA Financing together with
cash on hand. The principal effects of the MRA are to significantly reduce the
Company's existing payment obligations under the PPAs, which consisted of
approximately 2,700 MW of capacity at December 31, 1997.
The Company expects that the MRA will result in a significant improvement in
cash flow resulting from the reduction in the payment obligation (both in
nominal dollars and PPA duration) under the existing PPAs. The savings in annual
energy payments will yield significant free cash flow that can be dedicated to
the repayment of the Notes and Credit Facility.
Under the terms of the MRA, the Company's significant long-term and
escalating IPP payment obligations will be restructured into a more manageable
debt obligation and a portfolio of restated and amended PPAs with price and
duration terms that the Company believes are more favorable than the existing
PPAs. Under the MRA, 19 PPAs representing approximately 1,180 MW of electric
generating capacity will be terminated completely, thus allowing this capacity
to be replaced through the competitive market at market-based prices. The
Company has no continuing obligation to purchase energy from the terminating
IPPs. Also under the MRA, nine PPAs representing approximately 541 MW of
capacity will be restated or amended on economic terms and conditions which the
Company believes are more favorable to it than the terms of the existing PPAs
subject to the MRA. These amended and restated PPAs will have shorter terms (ten
years) and will be structured as financial swap contracts where the Company
receives or makes payments to the IPP Parties based upon the differential
between the contract price and a market reference price for electricity. The
contract prices are fixed for the first two years changing to an indexed pricing
formula thereafter. Contract quantities are fixed for the full ten year term of
the contracts. The indexed pricing structure ensures that the price paid for
energy and capacity will fluctuate relative to the underlying market cost of gas
and general indices of inflation. Until such time as a competitive energy market
structure becomes operational in the State of New York, the amended and restated
contracts provide the IPP Parties with a put option for the physical delivery of
energy. Additionally, one PPA representing 42 MW of capacity will be amended to
reflect a shorter term (17 years) and a lower stream of fixed unit prices.
Finally, the MRA requires the Company to provide the IPP Parties with a fixed
price swap contract with a term of seven years beginning in 2003. The fixed
price swap contract will be cash settled monthly based upon a stream of defined
quantities and prices.
28
<PAGE>
Although against the Company's forecast of market energy prices, the amended
and restated PPAs represent an expected above-market payment obligation, the
Company believes that its portfolio of amended and restated PPAs could provide
it and its customers with a hedge against significant upward movement in market
prices for electricity. The portfolio of amended and restated PPAs and market
purchases contain terms that are more responsive than the existing PPAs to
competitive market price changes.
Upon consummation of the MRA, the IPP Parties are expected to own
approximately 42.9 million shares of the Common Stock, representing 23% of the
Company's voting securities. Pursuant to the MRA, any IPP Party that receives 2%
or more of the outstanding Common Stock and any designee of IPP Parties that
receives more than 4.9% of the outstanding Common Stock upon the consummation of
the MRA will, together with certain but not all affiliates (collectively, "2%
Shareholders"), enter into certain shareholder agreements (the "Shareholders
Agreements"). Pursuant to each Shareholder Agreement, the 2% Shareholders agree
that for five years from the consummation of the MRA they will not acquire more
than an additional 5% of the outstanding Common Stock (resulting in ownership in
all cases of no more than 9.9%) or take any actions to attempt to acquire
control of the Company, other than certain permitted actions in response to
unsolicited actions by third parties. The 2% Shareholders generally vote their
shares on a "pass-through" basis, in the same proportion as all shares held by
other shareholders are voted, except that they may vote in their discretion (i)
for extraordinary transactions and (ii) for directors when there is a pending
proposal to acquire the Company.
The PowerChoice Agreement
The PowerChoice Agreement, which was approved by the PSC on March 20, 1998,
establishes a five-year rate plan that will reduce average residential and
commercial rates by an aggregate of 3.2% over the first three years. This
reduction will include certain savings that will result from partial reductions
of the GRT. Industrial customers will see average reductions of 25% relative to
1995 price levels; these decreases will include discounts currently offered to
some industrial customers through optional and flexible rate programs. The
cumulative rate reductions, net of GRT savings, are estimated to be $111.8
million, to be phased in on a generally ratable basis over the first three years
of the agreement. During the term of the PowerChoice Agreement, the Company will
be permitted to defer certain costs associated primarily with environmental
remediation, nuclear decommissioning and related costs, and changes in laws,
regulations, rules and orders. In years four and five of its rate plan, the
Company can request an annual increase in prices subject to a cap of 1% of the
all-in price, excluding commodity costs (e.g., transmission, distribution,
nuclear, and forecasted CTC). In addition to the price cap, the PowerChoice
Agreement provides for the recovery of deferrals established in years one
through four and cost variations in the MRA financial contracts resulting from
indexing provisions of these contracts. The aggregate of the price cap increase
and recovery of deferrals is subject to an overall limitation of inflation.
Under the terms of the PowerChoice Agreement, all of the Company's customers
will be able to choose their electricity supplier in a competitive market by
December 1999. The Company will continue to distribute electricity through its
transmission and distribution systems and would be obligated to be the so-called
provider of last resort for those customers who do not exercise their right to
choose a new electricity supplier.
The PowerChoice Agreement provides that the MRA and the contracts executed
pursuant thereto shall be found to be prudent. The PowerChoice Agreement further
provides that the Company shall have a reasonable opportunity to recover its
stranded costs, including those associated with the MRA and the contracts
executed thereto, through a CTC and, under certain circumstances, through exit
fees or in rates for back-up service.
The PSC has limited the amount of the MRA Regulatory Asset that can be
recovered from customers to approximately $3.977 billion. The MRA Regulatory
Asset represents the recoverable costs of the MRA, consisting of the cash
compensation paid to the IPP Parties, the issuance of approximately 42.9 million
shares of Common Stock, and other expenses related to the MRA. On March 26,
1998, the estimated value of the cash and Common Stock to be paid to the IPP
Parties under the MRA and related expenses was approximately $4.167 billion,
and, as a result, the Company has recorded a charge against 1997 earnings of
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$190.0 million. Earnings in 1998 will be adjusted to reflect, among other
things, the change in the price of the Common Stock from March 26, 1998 to the
date of consummation of the MRA.
The PowerChoice Agreement calls for the Company to divest all its fossil and
hydro generating facilities and prohibits the Company from owning non-nuclear
generating assets within the State of New York except as described below. The
Genco Divestiture is intended to be accomplished through an auction. Winning
bids would be selected within 11 months of PSC approval of the auction plan,
which was filed with the PSC separately from the PowerChoice Agreement. The
Company will receive a portion of the auction sale proceeds as an incentive to
obtain maximum value in the sale. This incentive would be recovered from sale
proceeds. The Company agreed that if it does not receive an acceptable bid for
an asset, the Company will form a subsidiary to hold any such asset and then
will legally separate this subsidiary from the Company through a spin-off to
shareholders or otherwise. If a bid of zero or below is received for an asset,
the Company may keep the asset as part of its regulated business. The auction
process will serve to quantify any stranded costs associated with the Company's
fossil and hydro generating facilities. The Company will have a reasonable
opportunity to recover these costs through the CTC and, under certain
circumstances, through exit fees or in rates for back-up service. The Company
intends to use any cash proceeds from such an auction to repay indebtedness.
The PowerChoice Agreement contemplates that the Company's nuclear plants
will remain part of the Company's regulated business. The Company has been
supportive of the creation of a statewide New York Nuclear Operating Company
that it expects would improve the efficiency of nuclear units throughout the
state. The PowerChoice Agreement stipulates that absent such a statewide
solution, the Company will file a detailed plan for analyzing other proposals
regarding its nuclear facilities, including the feasibility of an auction,
transfer and/or divestiture of such facilities, within 24 months of approval of
the PowerChoice Agreement.
The PowerChoice Agreement also allows the Company to form a holding company
at its election. The Company plans to seek approval from its shareholders for
the formation of a holding company at its 1998 annual meeting. The
implementation of a holding company structure, if approved by the Company's
shareholders, would only occur following various regulatory approvals.
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
GENERAL
The Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of ____________,
1998, between the Company and IBJ Schroeder Bank & Trust Company, as trustee
(the "Trustee"). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture
and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to all such
terms, and prospective purchasers of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the
Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The following summary of certain
provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of
certain terms used below. A copy of the proposed form of Indenture has been
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the Indenture and in
the following summary are set forth below under "--Definitions."
The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank
pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of
the Company. Upon completion of the offering hereunder, the Company will have
outstanding approximately $6.7 billion of Senior Indebtedness, consisting
primarily of $2.8 billion of First Mortgage Bonds, which are secured by a lien
on substantially all of the Company's utility property, $_____ million of
borrowings under the Credit Facility, which are unsecured, $20.0 million of
Medium Term Notes and the Notes. In addition, the Company will have available up
to an additional $_____ million under the Credit Facility. Upon completion of
the offering, the Company will not have any outstanding Subordinated
Indebtedness. Under the Indenture, the Company may in the future issue
additional First Mortgage Bonds and additional series of Notes, as well as
Subordinated Indebtedness, subject to certain exceptions described below.
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
The Indenture permits the Company to issue Notes in one or more series and
in an unlimited amount. Except for the Notes offered hereby, each series of
Notes will be created and established by a Supplemental Indenture which shall
specify the terms of such Notes.
Each series of Notes offered hereby will be limited in aggregate principal
amount, will mature on (i) _______________, in the case of Series [to be
supplied] Notes, and (ii) ____________, in the case of Series [to be supplied]
Notes, of the year, and bear interest at the rate set forth opposite such series
below:
SERIES PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INTEREST RATE MATURITY
[Details of all series - to be supplied]
Interest on the Series [to be supplied] Notes will be payable in cash
semi-annually in arrears on _________ and __________ of each year, commencing on
___________, 1998, to holders of record on the immediately preceding ___________
and _________. Interest on the Series [to be supplied] Notes will be payable in
cash semi-annually in arrears on _________ and __________ of each year,
commencing on ___________, 1998, to holders of record on the immediately
preceding ___________ and _________. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been
paid, from the date of original issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The Notes will be issued in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
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MANDATORY REDEMPTION
Except as provided under "--Change of Control," the Company is not required
to make mandatory repurchase, redemption or sinking fund payments with respect
to the Notes prior to maturity. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be
required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes. See "Certain
Covenants--Proceeds of Certain Asset Sales."
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Notes in Series [to be supplied] will not be redeemable by the Company
prior to maturity. The Notes in Series [to be supplied] will be redeemable at
the option of the Company at any time, in whole or in part, upon not less than
30 nor more than 60 days' notice, in cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through
the applicable redemption date plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Notes in Series
[to be supplied] will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to
__________, ____. Thereafter, the Company, at its option, may redeem, in whole
or in part, the Notes in Series [to be supplied], upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' notice, in cash at the respective redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon through the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the
twelve-month period beginning on __________ of the years indicated below.
SERIES YEAR PERCENTAGE
[Details for all series - to be supplied.]
SELECTION AND NOTICE
If less than all the Notes in any series are to be redeemed at any time,
selection of Notes of such series for redemption will be made by the Trustee, on
a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee
considers fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes in denominations of
$1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed
by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days prior to the
redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount
thereof to be redeemed. A Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original Note. On and after the redemption date, interest
will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
No earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days after the date upon which the
Company mails a written notice to the holders of the occurrence of a Change of
Control Triggering Event, each holder of Notes will have the right to require
the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof) of such holder's Notes pursuant to an offer by the Company
(the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon
through the date of purchase. The Company will mail or cause to be mailed notice
of the Change of Control Offer to each holder of the Notes within 30 days
following any Change of Control Triggering Event, which will (i) state that a
Change of Control Offer is being made and that all Notes tendered will be
accepted for payment and (ii) offer to repurchase the Notes during the time
period and for the purchase price referred to above pursuant to the procedures
required by the Indenture and described in such notice.
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The Company's ability to pay cash to the holders of the Notes upon a
repurchase may be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.
There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds to
repurchase the Notes following a Change of Control Triggering Event. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering Event, the
Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holder of the Notes to
require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a
takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring, including highly leveraged
transactions that could reduce the creditworthiness of the Company.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any other
securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and
regulations are applicable in connection with any repurchase or redemption of
the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
The Indenture will provide that, prior to the Investment Grade Date, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any cash
dividend or other distribution on account of the Company's or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests, including, without limitation, any
payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company
(other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any portion of a dividend or distribution
by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is payable to the Company or to
any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value from any Person other than the Company or
a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary any Equity Interests of the Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than the
conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of the Company for other Equity
Interests of the Company); (iii) make any principal payment on, or purchase,
redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated
Indebtedness, except at final maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above
being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of
and after giving effect to such Restricted Payments:
(A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(B) except in the case of a Restricted Investment, the Company would, at the
time of such Restricted Payment, and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if
such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter period, have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to
1 (calculated as described below under the caption "--Incurrence of
Indebtedness"); and
(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
the Initial Issuance Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses
(iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than
the sum of (i) $50,000,000, plus (ii) 25% of an amount equal to the Operating
Cash Flow of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from
the day after the Initial Issuance Date through the end of the Company's most
recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available at
the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Operating Cash Flow for such
period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus (iii) 100% of the
aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale
(other than pursuant to the IPP Buyout) after the Initial Issuance Date of
Equity Interests of the Company or of debt securities of the Company that have
been converted into Equity Interests of the Company, plus (iv) 100% of the
aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company from any payment in respect of
any previously made Restricted Investment (but only to the extent that such
amount is not reflected in Consolidated Net Income).
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The foregoing provisions will not prohibit (i) the payment of dividends,
whether paid in kind or in cash, or the satisfaction of mandatory redemption
obligations, in respect of any Preferred Stock outstanding on the Initial
Issuance Date in accordance with the terms thereof; (ii) the payment of any
dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date
of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the
Indenture; (iii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of
any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of
the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company) of, other Equity Interests of the Company; (iv) the defeasance,
redemption or repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds
of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company or from an incurrence of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness that consists of Subordinated Indebtedness,
provided, that the amount of any net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition described in clauses
(iii) and (iv) shall be excluded from clause (C) (iii) of the first paragraph of
this covenant; (v) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement
for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company held by any member of the Company's (or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries') management or for the purpose of providing Equity Interests for
issuance under dividend reinvestment or employee benefits plans of the
Company;(vi) any spin-off or other distribution to shareholders of the
Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant or any portion thereof or any direct or
indirect interest therein; and (vii) any dividend or other distribution of the
Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, that in the case of each
of clauses (i) and (ii) above, no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing immediately after such transaction.
Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment that relies on
clause (C) of the first paragraph of this covenant to be permitted, and so long
as the limitations contained in such clause apply, the Company shall deliver to
the Trustee an officer's certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is
permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by
such covenant were computed, which calculations may be based upon the Company's
latest available financial statements.
INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS
The Indenture will provide that, prior to the Investment Grade Date, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guaranty or otherwise
become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, "incur"), any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue any
Disqualified Stock; provided, however, that the Company and any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and
issue Disqualified Stock if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's
most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are
available immediately preceding the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred
or Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 3.25 to 1, determined
on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom), as if such Indebtedness had been incurred or such Disqualified Stock
had been issued at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The foregoing provisions will not apply to (i) Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness; (ii) the incurrence by the Company of any amount of Subordinated
Indebtedness and up to $400 million of Senior Indebtedness after the Initial
Issuance Date if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently
ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred would have
been at least 1.75 to 1 (determined as above); (iii) Permitted Hedging
Agreements; (iv) borrowings under the Credit Facility in an amount not to exceed
$____; and (v) intercompany Indebtedness between and among the Company and any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent
issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness
being held by a Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or
other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute
an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be.
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LIENS
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, secure with a
Lien on the property or assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
Other Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness without making, or causing such
Restricted Subsidiary to make, effective provision for securing the Notes (i) in
the case of a Lien securing Other Indebtedness, on an equal and ratable basis
with the Lien securing such Other Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of a Lien
securing Subordinated Indebtedness, on a basis such that the Lien securing the
Notes is senior in priority to the Lien securing such Subordinated Indebtedness,
in each case until such time as such Other Indebtedness or Subordinated
Indebtedness is no longer secured by a Lien. Under this covenant, the Company
will be permitted to incur up to $400 million of additional First Mortgage
Bonds, to refinance or replace the full amount of First Mortgage Bonds
outstanding on the Initial Issuance Date and the Receivables Facility, and to
enter into the Securitization Transaction, without securing the Notes.
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to (a)(i) pay
dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (A) on its Capital Stock or (B) with respect to any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits or (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) make
loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (c)
transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by
reason of (i) the First Mortgage Bonds, the Credit Facility, the Receivables
Financing, the Pollution Control Obligations, the Securitization Transaction,
the Indenture and the Notes; (ii) applicable law or regulation; (iii) any
instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such
acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection
with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction
is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person,
other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
(iv) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; (v) purchase
money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that
impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above in the property
so acquired; (vi) any contract for the sale of 100% of the Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary; or (vii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided
that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS
The Indenture will provide that so long as the Notes are outstanding the
Company may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into
(whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign,
transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its
assets in one or more related transactions, to another Person unless (i) the
corporation formed by such consolidation or surviving in such merger or the
Person that acquires by sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition, or that leases, such assets (in each such case, the "Successor
Entity"), is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the
Company's obligations under the Indenture and the Notes; (ii) immediately before
and after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the
Successor Entity (or the Company, in the case of a consolidation or merger in
which the Company is the surviving entity) (A) has Consolidated Net Worth
immediately after the transaction (but prior to any revaluation or recalculation
of Consolidated Net Worth as of the date of the transaction relating to a
carry-over basis (if any) of the assets acquired in the transaction (as
determined in accordance with GAAP)) equal to or greater than the Consolidated
Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to the transaction and (B) will, at
the time of such transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if
such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter
period, have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to 1
(calculated as described above under
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the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness);" provided, that the limitations set
forth in this clause (iii) shall not apply following the Investment Grade Date
or to any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into a Restricted
Subsidiary and provided further, that the limitations set forth above shall not
apply to the sale or disposition by the Company of its Generating Assets or the
Oswego Plant.
PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN ASSET SALES
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in a (A) Permitted Asset Swap
unless the Company or Restricted Subsidiary receives property or assets with a
Fair Value at least equal to the Fair Value of the property or assets swapped,
(B) Sale of Assets unless (i) the Company or Restricted Subsidiary receives
consideration at least equal to the Fair Value of the assets sold and (ii)
except in connection with a sale of the Nuclear Generating Assets or the Oswego
Plant, at least 75% of the consideration received is in the form of cash or
certain cash equivalents, provided, that if in the case of the sale of any
non-Nuclear Generating Asset pursuant to the PowerChoice Agreement, the Board of
Directors determines in good faith that the Company will receive the highest
price by accepting a bid with consideration consisting of less than 75% cash or
certain cash equivalents, and the PSC approves the Company's acceptance of such
bid, then the Company may accept such bid and provided, further, that in the
case of any Sale of Assets (except a Securitization Transaction) that is
consummated after the Investment Grade Date, the requirement of clause (ii)
shall not apply. Within 180 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from a
Securitization Transaction or a Sale of Assets consisting of Generating Assets,
or within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from any other Sale of
Assets that is consummated prior to the Investment Grade Date, the Company is
required (a) in the case of a Securitization Transaction, to apply the cash
portion of such Net Proceeds in accordance with the relevant statutory or
regulatory requirements that govern such transaction or, if there are no such
requirements, to reduce Senior Indebtedness, (b) in the case of a sale or other
disposition of Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant, to use not less than 85%
(or 100% if the accepted bid requires less than 75% of the purchase price to be
paid in cash) of the cash portion of such Net Proceeds to reduce Senior
Indebtedness and (c) in the case of any other Sale of Assets that is consummated
prior to the Investment Grade Date, to use 100% of the cash portion of such Net
Proceeds for one or more of the following: (x) to reduce Senior Indebtedness,
(y) to reinvest, or enter into an agreement with respect to the reinvestment of,
such Net Proceeds in Related Assets, or (z) make an offer to all holders to
purchase outstanding Notes at a price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. If such
an offer is not fully subscribed, the Company will be free to use the remaining
proceeds in any manner permitted by the Indenture.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any
property or assets from, or enter into or make any contract, agreement,
understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any
Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless (a) such
Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
the relevant Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable
transaction by the Company or Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (b) the
Company delivers to the Trustee (i) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction
involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million a resolution of the
Board of Directors set forth in an officer's certificate certifying that such
Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a) above and that such Affiliate
Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors; and (ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction involving
aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, an opinion as to the
fairness to the Company or such Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by a nationally recognized expert in evaluating
such transactions; provided that (v) any employment agreement entered into by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (w)
commercial transactions in the ordinary course of the utility business between
or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (x) transactions
permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption
"--Restricted Payments," (y) agreements or transactions entered into in
connection with a Securitization Transaction or the Receivables
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Financing and (z) following any holding company reorganization, transactions
between the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company's parent
that are on terms permitted by the PSC, in each case, shall not be deemed
Affiliate Transactions.
PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT
The Indenture will provide that neither the Company nor any of it its
Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of
the Notes of any series for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or
amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or such Notes
unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all
holders of the Notes of such series that consent, waive or agree to amend in the
time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.
REPORTS
The Indenture will provide that the Company shall file with the Trustee,
within 15 days of filing them with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), copies of the current, quarterly and annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the
Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act. If the Company is not subject to the requirements of
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall nevertheless file
with the Commission and the Trustee, on the date upon which it would have been
required to file with the Commission, current, quarterly and annual financial
statements, including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an
auditor's report by a firm of established national reputation, upon which the
Trustee may conclusively rely), and a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," both comparable to that which
the Company would have been required to include in such current, quarterly and
annual reports, information, documents or other reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and
10-K if the Company were subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act, provided that the Company shall not be required to register
under the Exchange Act by virtue of this provision, if not otherwise required to
do so.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
The Indenture will provide that the occurrence of any of the following
constitutes an Event of Default: (i) default for 60 days in the payment when due
of interest on any of the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due of the
principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to
comply with the provisions described under the captions "--Restricted Payments,"
"--Incurrence of Indebtedness" or "--Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets;"
(iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice by the Trustee or to the
Company and Trustee by the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount
of Notes, to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the
Notes; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there
may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of
the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is
Guaranteed by the Company or by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such
Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the
Indenture, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay the principal of such
Indebtedness at the stated maturity of such Indebtedness after applicable grace
periods (a "Payment Default") or (b) has resulted in the acceleration of such
Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity; and, in each case the principal
amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity
of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; (vi) failure
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay one or more final
judgments not otherwise covered by insurance aggregating in excess of $50.0
million not otherwise covered and payable by insurance, which judgments are not
paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; or (vii) certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of
any series affected by an Event of Default may
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declare all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all
outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as
provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, the holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of any
series affected by an Event of Default will have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustee. The Trustee may withhold from holders of the Notes
notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event
of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines
that withholding such notice is in their interest.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had
to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to the
optional redemption or Change of Control provisions of the Indenture, an
equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes. If an Event of
Default occurs by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not
taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the
prohibition on redemption of the Notes of Series [to be supplied], or with the
intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Notes of Series [to
be supplied] prior to ______, then the premium specified in the Indenture shall
also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the
acceleration of the Notes.
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding which would be materially adversely affected by such
waiver, by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the holders of all the Notes
so affected waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under the Indenture, except an Event of Default in the payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Notes.
The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default to deliver to the Trustee a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND SHAREHOLDERS
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or
shareholder of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability as part
of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective
to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the
Commission that such waiver is against public policy.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The Indenture will provide that the Company may, at its option and at any
time, elect to have its obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding
Notes of any series ("Legal Defeasance"). Such Legal Defeasance means that the
Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness
represented by, and the Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to, all
outstanding Notes of such series, except as to (i) rights of holders to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such
Notes when such payments are due from the trust funds; (ii) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes,
registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, and the
maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments
held in trust; (iii) the rights, powers, trust, duties, and immunities of the
Trustee, and the Company's obligations in connection therewith; and (iv) the
Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture. In addition, the Company may, at
its option and at any time, elect to have its obligations released with respect
to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture or covering the Notes
of any series ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any omission to comply with
such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default
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with respect to the Notes of the affected series. In the event Covenant
Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy,
receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under "Events of
Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Notes
of the affected series.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of
the holders of the Notes, U.S. legal tender, noncallable U.S. government
securities or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
the opinion of a firm of independent public accountants nationally recognized in
the United States, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
such Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the redemption date of
such principal or installment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
such Notes, and the holders of Notes must have a valid, perfected, exclusive
security interest in such trust; (ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or
there has been published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, a ruling
or (B) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and
based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of such
Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, and at the same
times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to
the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Trustee
confirming that the Holders of such Notes will not recognize income, gain or
loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant
Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Covenant Defeasance has not occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events
of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in
the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under the Indenture or any other material agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate stating that the deposit
was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the holders of such
Notes over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others;
and (vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers'
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the conditions
precedent provided for in, in the case of the officers' certificate, (i) through
(vi) and, in the case of the opinion of counsel, clauses (i) (with respect to
the validity and perfection of the security interest), (ii), (iii) and (v) of
this paragraph have been complied with.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented, and the Company and the Trustee may
enter into Supplemental Indentures, and any existing default or compliance with
any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived, with the consent of
the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer
or exchange offer for Notes); provided, however, that if there shall be Notes of
more than one series outstanding and if the proposed action to be taken will
materially adversely affect the rights of holders of Notes of one or more of
such series, then the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a
tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) only of the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of all series so affected,
considered as one class, shall be required.
Without the consent of each holder affected an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Note held by a non-consenting holder); (i) reduce the
principal amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement
or waiver; (ii) reduce the principal or change the maturity of any Note or alter
or waive the provisions with respect to redemption with respect to any Note
except as permitted by the Indenture; (iii) reduce the rate of or change the
time for payment of interest on any Note; (iv) after the
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obligation has arisen for the Company to make an offer to purchase following a
Change of Control or Sale of Assets, alter the obligation to purchase Notes in
accordance with such offer to purchase or waive any default in the performance
thereof; (v) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of
or interest on the Notes; (vi) make any Note payable in money other than that
stated in any Note; (vii) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture
relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of Notes to
receive payments of principal or interest on the Notes; (viii) waive a
redemption payment with respect to any Note; or (ix) make any change in the
foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Notes,
the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or any Notes
and enter into Supplemental Indentures: (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency; (b) to secure the Notes on an equal and ratable or senior basis
with Other Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness as required by the
Indenture;(c) to establish and create one or more additional series of Notes and
to specify the terms of such series, pursuant to the Indenture; (d) to provide
that the Company shall not issue any additional Notes or to add conditions,
limitations and restrictions on the Company with respect to any series of Notes;
(e) add additional covenants and agreements of the Company to the Indenture, to
add additional Events of Default under the Indenture or to surrender any right
or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company pursuant to the Indenture;
(f) to provide for alternative methods or forms for evidencing and recording the
ownership of Notes; (g) to evidence the succession to the Company by a Successor
Entity, or successive successions, and the assumption by such Successor Entity
of the covenants and obligations of the Company under the Indenture; (h) to make
any other change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the holders
of the Notes or that would not adversely affect the legal rights of such
holders; or (i) to comply with the requirements of the Commission to maintain
the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
Upon issuance, all Notes of the same series will be represented by one or
more global securities (a "Global Security"). Each Global Security will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository Trust Company (the "Depository")
and registered in the name of a nominee of the Depository. Except under
circumstances described below, book-entry Notes will not be exchangeable for
certificated Notes and will not otherwise be issuable in definitive form.
The Depository has advised the Company that it is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization"
within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions
of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
Depository holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with
the Depository. The Depository also facilitates the settlement among
Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities. Direct Participants ("Direct Participants") include securities
brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain
other organizations. The Depository is owned by a number of its Direct
Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers (the "NASD").
Access to the Depository's system is also available to others such as securities
brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly.
The rules applicable to the Depository and its Participants are on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository will credit on its
book-entry registration and transfer system its Participants accounts with their
respective principal amounts of the Notes represented by such Global Security.
Such accounts shall be designated by the Underwriters with respect to such
Notes. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
Participants or persons that hold interests through Participants. Ownership of
beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer
of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depository or its nominee (with respect to interest of Participants) and on the
records of Participants (with respect to interests
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of persons other than Participants). The laws of some states may require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability of a purchaser of
an interest in a book-entry Note to transfer such interest.
So long as the Depository or its nominee is the registered owner of such
Global Security, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by such Global
Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below or as
the Company may otherwise agree in its sole discretion, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Notes represented by
such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled
to receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on Notes registered in the
name of the Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Notes. None of the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent or
the registrar for such Notes will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
interests in such Global Security for such Notes or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
The Company expects that the Depository for the Notes or its nominee, upon
receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit
immediately Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to
their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global
Security for such Notes as shown on the records of the Depository or its
nominee. The Company also expects that payments by Participants to owners of
beneficial interest in such Global Security held through such Participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name" (i.e., the name of a securities broker or dealer), and will be
the responsibility of such Participants.
If the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90
days, the Company will issue Notes in definitive form in exchange for the entire
Global Security representing such Notes. In addition, the Company may at any
time and in its sole discretion determine not to have the Notes represented by
Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Notes in definitive form in
exchange for the Global Securities representing such Notes. In any such
instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be
entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Notes represented by such
Global Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to
have such Notes registered in its name. Notes so issued in definitive form will
be issued as registered Notes in denominations that are integral multiples of
$1,000, unless otherwise specified by the Company.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other
transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must
eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission
to continue or resign.
The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs (which is not
cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the
degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to
such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of Notes,
unless such holder will have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity
satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
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DEFINITIONS
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for the full definitions of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person
including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a
Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person; and (ii) Indebtedness secured by
a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
"Affiliate" of any specified person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a Person shall
be deemed to be control.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, with respect to any Person, at the time
any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect
of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized on a
balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participation, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests
(whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that
confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of,
or distribution of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Cash Equivalents" means (i) certain U.S. government securities having
maturities of not more than eighteen months from the date of acquisition; (ii)
certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of eighteen
months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with
maturities not exceeding eighteen months and overnight bank deposits, in each
case with any lender party to the Credit Facility or with any U.S. commercial
bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million; (iii) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of
the types described in clauses (i) and (ii) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (ii) above;
(iv) commercial paper having either the highest or second highest rating
obtainable from Moody's or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after
the date of acquisition; (v) other corporate debt or asset backed or mortgage
backed securities rated as investment grade by S&P or Moody's and which mature
within eighteen months; and (vi) money market mutual funds.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
taken as a whole; (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; (iii) the consummation of any transaction
(including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which
is that any "person" or "group" (as such terms are defined in Sections 13(d)(3)
and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as such term
is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of
outstanding Voting Securities of the Company; or (iv) the first day on which a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or of any
Successor Entity (as defined under the caption "Merger, Consolidation, or Sale
of Assets" above) are not Continuing Directors. For purposes of this definition,
the consummation of a transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common
Stock are exchanged for common stock of a Person that thereafter will be the
sole shareholder of the Company as part of a holding company reorganization will
not be deemed to be a Change of Control.
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"Change of Control Triggering Event" means the occurrence of a Change of
Control and a Rating Decline.
"Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, $1.00 par value.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person as of any date,
the sum of (i) the consolidated equity of the common shareholders (or equity
holders) of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of such
date; plus (ii) the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance sheet
as of such date with respect to any series of Preferred Stock that by its terms
is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be
declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such
declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such
Person upon issuance of such Preferred Stock, less (x) all write-ups (other than
write-ups resulting from foreign currency translations and write-ups of tangible
assets of a going concern business made within 12 months after the acquisition
of such business) subsequent to the Initial Issuance Date in the book value of
any asset owned by such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, (y)
all investments as of such date in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (z) all
unamortized debt discount and expense and unamortized deferred charges as of
such date, all the foregoing determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of
the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the Initial Issuance Date; or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.
"Credit Facility" [means the unsecured senior credit facility of the Company
- --to be completed], as such agreement is amended, modified, restated, extended,
renewed, replaced or refinanced from time to time.
"Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable
at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the
date that is one year after the final maturity of the outstanding series of
Notes with the longest maturity.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Fair Value" when applied to any property means its fair value to the
Company, which may be determined without physical inspection by use of
accounting and engineering records and other data maintained by, or available
to, the Company; provided, that the Company delivers a resolution of the Board
of Directors specifying the Fair Value of the assets being sold and, in the
event of a transaction in excess of $50.0 million, the Company also delivers an
opinion of a nationally recognized expert in the valuation of the assets being
sold as to the Fair Value of the assets being sold and that the transaction is
fair to the Company.
"First Mortgage Bonds" means the securities and other Indebtedness issued
from time to time pursuant to the Company's Mortgage Trust Indenture dated as of
October 1, 1937 and the supplemental indentures thereto.
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
means for any period, the ratio of (i) the sum (determined from the consolidated
income statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) of (A)
operating income or operating loss of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for such period plus (B) depreciation and
amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles and of
the MRA Regulatory Asset and other non-cash regulatory deferrals and
amortizations) and other non-recurring, non-cash charges of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries
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for such period to the extent that such deprecation and amortization and other
non-recurring, non-cash charges were deducted in computing operating income or
operating loss, in each case on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP, plus (C) provision for taxes based on income or profits of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent
deducted in determining operating income, to (ii) the sum of (A) the
consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations,
imputed interest with respect to any sale and leaseback transactions,
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter
of credit or bankers' acceptance financings (unless such commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges have been deducted in calculating operating income),
and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus (B) the
consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
that was capitalized during such period; plus (C) any interest expense on
Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the Company or one of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Company or one of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called
upon); plus (D) the quotient obtained by dividing all cash dividend or other
payments or distributions on or in respect of any series of Preferred Stock,
other than Preferred Stock issued for tax reasons by a trust wholly owned by the
Company which represents preferred, undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the trust that consist of debt instruments issued by the Company (i.e.
"TIPES"), of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by 1 minus the
maximum statutory income tax rate then applicable to the Company (expressed as a
decimal), in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP. In
the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs,
assumes, Guarantees or redeems any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit
borrowings) or issues Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the
period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior
to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio is made, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated
giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption
of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock, as if the
same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in use at the Initial
Issuance Date or, at the option of the Company, other generally accepted
accounting principles which are in use at the time of their determination; in
determining generally accepted accounting principles, the Company may, but shall
not be required to, conform to any accounting order, rule or regulation of any
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the electric generating,
transmission or distribution operations of the Company.
"Generating Assets" means the Company's nuclear, fossil and hydro generation
plants other than the Oswego Plant, and any related asset necessary for the
operation of any such plant and any associated license or permit.
"Gradation" means a gradation within a Rating Category or a change to
another Rating Category, which shall include "+" and "-", in the case of S&P's
current Rating Categories (e.g., a decline from BB+ to BB would constitute a
decrease of one gradation); "1", "2" and "3", in the case of Moody's current
Rating Categories (e.g. a decline from B1 to B2 would constitute a decrease of
one gradation); or the equivalent in respect of successor Rating Categories used
by Rating Agencies other than S&P or Moody's.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including without limitation, letters of credit,
reimbursement agreements and support, "keep-well" or similar agreements in
respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement,
interest rate, currency or commodity future agreement, interest rate cap or
collar agreement, interest rate, currency or commodity hedge agreement, and any
put, call other agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.
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"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by
bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances or
representing Capital Lease Obligations of such Person or the balance deferred
and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging
Obligations of such Person, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued
expense or trade payable, if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness
(other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a
liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP,
as well as all indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such
Person (whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and, to the
extent not otherwise included, any Guarantees by such Person of any indebtedness
of any other Person.
"Initial Issuance Date" means , 1998.
"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations),
advances (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to employees made in
the ordinary course of business) or capital contributions, purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that an
acquisition of assets, Equity Interests or other securities by the Company for
consideration consisting of assets or Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) shall not be deemed to be an Investment.
"Investment Grade" means a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or the equivalent
of such rating by any other Rating Agency.
"Investment Grade Date" means the date of delivery by the Company to the
Trustee of an officer's certificate to the effect that the Notes of the series
having the longest maturity then outstanding have been rated Investment Grade by
(i) S&P and Moody's or (ii) S&P or Moody's and at least one other Rating Agency
identified in such certificate.
"IPP Buyout" means the termination, restatement or amendment of certain
power purchase agreements in exchange for cash and securities pursuant to the
terms of the Master Restructuring Agreement.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
encumbrance, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in a charge
against real or personal property, or a security interest of any kind in respect
of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under
applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option, other agreement to sell
or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes)
of any jurisdiction).
"Make Whole Premium" with respect to any Note shall mean with respect to any
prepayment of such Note in circumstances requiring the payment of a Make Whole
Premium, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the aggregate present value as of
the date of such prepayment of the expected future cash flows of such Note (for
the avoidance of doubt, such amounts shall include all principal and interest
payable with respect to such Note) (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of
prepayment) that, but for such prepayment, would have been payable if such
prepayment had not been made, all determinated by discounting such amounts at a
rate which is equal to the Treasury Rate plus .50% over (b) the aggregate
principal amount of the Note then to be prepaid. For purposes of any
determination of the Make Whole Premium:
"Treasury Rate" shall mean at any time with respect to the Notes being
prepaid (a) the yield reported on page C4 of the Bloomberg Financial Markets
Service (or, if not available, any other nationally recognized trading
screen reporting on-line intraday trading in United States government
securities) at 11:00 A.M. (New York, New York time) for those actively
traded United States government securities having a maturity (rounded to the
nearest month) corresponding to the remaining Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of the Notes being prepaid or (b) in the event that no nationally
recognized trading screen reporting on-line
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intraday trading in United States government securities is available,
Treasury Rate shall mean the weekly average of the yield to maturity on the
United States Treasury obligations with a constant maturity (as compiled by
and published in the most recently published issue of the United States
Federal Reserve Statistical Release designated H.15(519) or its successor
publication) most nearly equal to (by rounding to the nearest month) the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes then being prepaid. If no
maturity exactly corresponding to such Weighted Average Life to maturity of
such Notes shall appear therein, the weekly average yield for the two most
closely corresponding published maturities shall be calculated pursuant to
the foregoing sentence and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated, as the case may be, from such yields on a straight-line basis
(rounding, in the case of relevant periods, to the nearest month).
"Master Restructuring Agreement" means the Master Restructuring Agreement
dated July 9, 1997 among the Company and the independent power producer parties
thereto, as amended from time to time.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investor Service, Inc., or any successor to its
securities ratings business.
"MRA Regulatory Asset" means the item designated as such on the Company's
balance sheet, which represents amounts that the Company is permitted to collect
from customers, pursuant to the regulations of the PSC, in respect of the IPP
Buyout and the other transactions contemplated by the Master Restructuring
Agreement.
"Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by a Person in
respect of any sale of assets, net of amounts paid to minority interests,
co-owners and lienholders, direct costs relating to such sale (including,
without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees and sales
commission), taxes paid or payable which are attributable to such sale (after
taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing
arrangements relating to such assets), and any cash reserve for adjustment in
respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with
GAAP.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provide credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; and (ii) no default with respect to
which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to
its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the lenders have been notified in
writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Nuclear Generating Assets" means the Company's interest in Units 1 and 2 of
the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Plant, and any related asset necessary
for the operation of such plants and any associated license or permit.
"Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the
net cash provided by operating activities of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP.
"Oswego Plant" means the interest of the Company in the fossil fuel electric
generation plant located near Lake Ontario in Oswego, New York.
"Other Indebtedness" shall mean (i) the Credit Facility and any Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto and (ii) any other Senior
Indebtedness incurred after the Initial Issuance Date, except (a) First Mortgage
Bonds issued pursuant to clause (ii) of the second paragraph of the covenant
described above under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness"; (b) Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to First Mortgage Bonds outstanding at the
closing on the Initial Issuance Date; and (c) Indebtedness
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under the Securitization Transaction and the Receivables Financing and any
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto.
"Permitted Asset Swap" means any swap of utility property or assets (or
assets related or ancillary thereto) of the Company for other property or assets
that will be used in or in connection with the Company's utility business.
"Permitted Hedging Agreement" of any Person shall mean any Hedging
Obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to the
MRA and not for speculation or trading purposes that is designed to protect such
Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates or
commodity prices with respect to Indebtedness incurred or proposed to be
incurred or assets used in the business in the ordinary course and which in the
case of agreements relating to interest rates shall have a notional amount no
greater than the payments due with respect to the Indebtedness being hedged
thereby.
"Permitted Investment" means (a) an Investment in the Company or in a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including Investments by the Company in
the First Mortgage Bonds or Senior Notes to the extent otherwise permitted by
this Indenture); (b) an Investment in Cash Equivalents; (c) an Investment by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such
Investment (i) such Person becomes a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or
into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is
liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (d) an
Investment in any Person owning or operating electric generation, transmission
or distribution facilities or gas distribution or transportation or related
systems in which the Company owns joint or undivided interests; (e) an
Investment in a Person formed as a special purpose entity in conjunction with a
Receivables Financing or Securitization Transaction; (f) an Investment received
in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers and suppliers
and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with,
customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; and (g) any
payment pursuant to those existing Investments of the Company, including the
nuclear decommissioning trust fund and the employee benefit plan trusts,
described in a Schedule attached to the Indenture.
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to renew, extend, refinance, replace (including the
replacement at any time following their stated maturity of First Mortgage Bonds
or Notes that are repaid at maturity, or the replacement at any time following
their stated maturity of the Credit Facility or the Receivables Financing),
defease or refund, in whole or in part, other Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) the principal amount
of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount
of the Indebtedness so renewed, extended, refinanced, replaced, defeased or
refunded (plus the amount of accrued interest and premiums (including premium
paid on open market purchases), if any, thereon and the reasonable expenses
incurred in connection therewith); (ii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness that
is incurred prior to the maturity of the Indebtedness that it is renewing,
extending, refinancing, replacing, defeasing or refunding must be on terms at
least as favorable to the holders of Notes as those contained in the
documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced,
replaced, defeased, or refunded and: (a) if such Indebtedness has a final
maturity date earlier than the final maturity date of the series of Notes with
the latest final maturity date, then such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
must have a final maturity date the same as or later than the final maturity
date of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, extended,
refinanced, replaced, defeased or refunded, and (b) if such Indebtedness has a
final maturity date later than the final maturity date of the series of Notes
with the latest final maturity date, then such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness must have a final maturity date the same as or later than the final
maturity date of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater
than the maturity of, the series of Notes with the latest final maturity date;
(iii) if the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, replaced,
defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the
final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on
terms at least as favorable to the holders of Notes as those contained in the
documentation governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, replaced, defeased or
refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the
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Restricted Subsidiary (or, in the case of the Receivables Financing, the special
purpose entity) that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, extended,
refinanced, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Pollution Control Obligations" means the Indebtedness or other obligations
(however designated) of the Company in respect of tax-exempt revenue bonds
issued by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
"PowerChoice Agreement" means the PowerChoice Settlement Agreement between
the Company and the PSC, which was approved by the PSC in an Order dated March
20, 1998, as such agreement may be amended or modified from time to time.
"Preferred Stock" means any Capital Stock of the Company which by its terms
has preference to common stock in right of dividends or other distributions or
upon liquidation or dissolution.
"PSC" means the New York State Public Service Commission, or any successor
agency or other governmental entity performing the same functions.
"Rating Agency" means any of S&P, Moody's, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating
Company and Fitch Investors Service, Inc., and their successors.
"Rating Categories" means (i) with respect to S&P, any of the following
categories (any of which may include a "+" or "-"): AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC,
CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); (ii) with respect to Moody's,
any of the following categories (any of which may include a "1", "2" or "3"):
Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories);
and (iii) the equivalent of any such categories of S&P or Moody's used by
another Rating Agency, if applicable.
"Rating Decline" means, at any time within 90 days (which period shall be
extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced
consideration for a possible downgrade by any Rating Agency) after the date of
public notice of a Change of Control, or the intention of the Company or any
Person to effect a Change of Control, (i) the Rating of the Notes is decreased
at least one Gradation by any Rating Agency or (ii) a withdrawal of the rating
of the Notes by any Rating Agency.
"Receivables Financing" means the obligations of the Company pursuant to
[describe], as such agreement is amended or modified from time to time.
"Related Asset" means real or tangible personal property integral to the
generation, transmission or distribution of electricity or the transportation or
distribution of natural gas, and ancillary or related activities, including
other energy-related businesses.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person that
is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"S&P" means Standard & Poors' Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
"Sale of Assets" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition
of any assets (including, without limitation by way of a sale and leaseback) by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than sales of inventory or other
current assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
Equity Interests of any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of either
clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single transaction or a series of
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related transactions (a) that have a Fair Value in excess of $25.0 million or
(b) for Net Proceeds in excess of $25.0 million; (iii) the sale or other
disposition (but not any spin-off or other distribution to the Company's
shareholders) of the Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant; or (iv) a
Securitization Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) a transfer of
assets by the Company to a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or by a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary; (iii) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the Indenture; (iv)
sales of property or equipment that have become worn out, obsolete or damaged or
otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (v) transactions involving the license,
lease or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of
business; (vi) the making of any Permitted Investment; (vii) the transfer, sale
or assignment of assets to a single purpose entity in connection with the
Receivables Financing; and (viii) a Permitted Asset Swap will not be deemed to
be a Sale of Assets.
"Securitization Transaction" means a transaction in which the Company,
pursuant to authorization of the PSC, or other appropriate governmental
authorizations, transfers rights or other property to a Person formed as a
special purpose entity in conjunction with a financing based on the Company's
right to collect a non-bypassable wires or similar charge.
"Senior Indebtedness" means any senior Indebtedness of the Company,
including the First Mortgage Bonds, the Credit Facility, the Notes and the
Medium-Term Notes.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such Regulation is in
effect on the date hereof.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or
Guaranteed by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) which is subordinate
to the Notes in right of payment or rights upon liquidation of the Company,
whether pursuant to the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such
Indebtedness or otherwise.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof); and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or a Subsidiary
of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
"Supplemental Indenture" means any indenture duly authorized and approved by
the Company's Board of Directors and entered into between the Company and the
Trustee in accordance with the Indenture.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) Opinac North America, Inc., Opinac
Energy Corporation, Plum Street Enterprises, Inc., Canadian Niagara Power
Company, Limited and any other Subsidiary that is designated by the Board of
Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board resolution; but only
to the extent that any such Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness other than
Non-Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of
any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable
to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained
at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a Person
with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity
Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to
cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and (d)
has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support
for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. Any
such designation by the Board of Directors will be evidenced to the Trustee by
filing with the Trustee
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a certified copy of the Board resolution giving effect to such designation and
an officers' certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing conditions and was permitted by the covenant described under the
caption "Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." If, at any time, any
Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be
incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such
Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date by the covenant
described under the caption "Certain Covenants-Incurrence of Indebtedness", the
Company shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors may at any
time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of
Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be
permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted by the covenant described under
the caption "Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness" and (ii) no Default
or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, with respect to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness.
"Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or ownership
interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time
be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
of such Person.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Upon the completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding, in
addition to the Notes, indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facility, its
First Mortgage Bonds and Medium Term Notes. The Company expects that, prior to
completion of the Offering, it will have entered into the Credit Facility, which
will provide for $_____ of indebtedness that will replace its current senior
debt facility (the "Old Credit Facility"). The following is a brief summary of
the principal terms and conditions of the foregoing, all of which will be
"Senior Indebtedness" under the terms of the Indenture.
OLD CREDIT FACILITY
The Company currently has a $804.4 million Old Credit Facility with a bank
group consisting of a $255.0 million term loan agreement (the "Term Loan
Agreement"), a $125.0 million revolving credit agreement, and $424.4 million for
letters of credit (the "Letter of Credit"). As of December 31, 1997, the amount
outstanding under the Old Credit Facility was $529.4 million, consisting of
$105.0 million under the Term Loan Agreement and $424.4 million under the Letter
of Credit, leaving the Company with $275.0 million of borrowing capability under
the Old Credit Facility. The interest rate applicable to the Old Credit Facility
is variable based on certain rate options available under the Old Credit
Facility and currently approximates 7.38% (but is capped at 15%). The Company is
currently negotiating with lenders to replace the Old Credit Facility with the
Credit Facility to finance part of the MRA.
FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
At December 31, 1997, the Company had $2.8 billion aggregate principal
amount of First Mortgage Bonds in 18 different series issued pursuant to
supplements to the Company's Mortgage Trust Indenture dated as of October 1,
1937, as amended. The First Mortgage Bonds bear interest at fixed rates ranging
from 5 7/8% to 9 3/4% for different series, with a weighted average interest
rate of 7.81% for all series during 1997.
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The First Mortgage Bonds are secured by substantially all gas and electric
properties owned by the Company and used or useful in the operation of the
Company's properties as an integrated system, together with all rights
pertaining thereto. Substantially all after-acquired property of such character
will also become subject to such lien. The First Mortgage Bonds mature between
1998 and 2029.
PROMISSORY NOTES
At December 31, 1997, the Company had outstanding approximately $413.8
million Adjustable Rate Promissory Notes (the "Pollution Control Bonds") issued
in six series with maturities ranging from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2027. The
Pollution Control Bonds were issued to NYSERDA to secure a like amount of
tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by NYSERDA. Such securities bear interest at a
daily adjustable interest rate (with a Company option to convert to other rates,
including a fixed interest rate which would require the Company to issue First
Mortgage Bonds to secure the NYSERDA debt) which averaged 3.63% for 1997 and
were supported by bank direct pay letters of credit under the Old Credit
Facility.
MEDIUM TERM NOTES
At December 31, 1997, the Company also had outstanding $20.0 million of
variable rate notes (the "Medium Term Notes") with maturities between 2000 and
2004 pursuant to an indenture between the Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust
Company, as trustee.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary description of certain United States federal
income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the
Notes, based on advice received from Bryan Cave LLP, special tax counsel to the
Company. The described consequences are based upon the provisions of the Code,
applicable Treasury regulations, rulings and other administrative
pronouncements, and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Such authorities
may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to
result in federal income tax consequences different from those indicated. No
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has been or will be sought with
respect to any of the described consequences and there can be no assurance that
the IRS would necessarily accept such consequences in the event of an audit.
This discussion applies only with respect to Notes that are held as "capital
assets" (within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code). It does not purport to
deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to
particular holders in light of their particular circumstances or tax status,
including holders who are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal
income tax laws - for example: certain financial institutions; insurance
companies; dealers in securities or foreign currency; tax-exempt organizations
or retirement plans; persons who enter into hedging transactions in connection
with the Notes, or who hold Notes as a hedge against currency risk or as part of
a straddle, a constructive sale transaction, or conversion transaction; or
persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Nor does the
discussion address the consequences or effect of any applicable state, local or
foreign tax laws, or any estate or gift tax laws.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. EACH INVESTOR IS
URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE TAX IMPACT OF THE
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES IN LIGHT OF SUCH INVESTOR'S
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING ANY CONSEQUENCES UNDER THE TAX LAWS OF ANY
STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER NON-FEDERAL JURISDICTION.
Holders; United States Persons
For purposes of this discussion, the term "holder" refers to any person who
is considered the owner of a Note for U.S. federal income tax purposes, whether
or not such person is the registered holder of the Note. Except as set forth
under the subheadings "Non-U.S. Holders" and "Backup Withholding and
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Information Reporting," the described tax consequences apply to holders of Notes
who are "United States persons," including: (i) an individual who is a citizen
or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (ii) a
corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any State or the District of Columbia; or (iii) an estate
described in section 7701(a)(30)(D) of the Code; and (iv) subject to certain
transition rules, a trust described in section 7701(a)(30)(E) of the Code.
Treatment of Notes as Indebtedness of the Company
The Company intends to characterize and treat the Notes as "indebtedness"
(as opposed to a "stock" or other "equity"-type interest in the Company) for all
federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to section 385(c) of the Code, such
characterization will generally be binding upon all holders of the Notes (but
not upon the IRS). Although the Company believes that no reasonable basis exists
for treating the Notes as "equity," if a particular holder desires to take that
position, then it must disclose such treatment on its U.S. federal income tax
return except as otherwise provided in regulations. (No such regulations are
presently outstanding or proposed.)
Interest Income
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, interest paid or accrued in respect of
the Notes will be includible in a holder's gross income, as ordinary interest
income, in accordance with its regular method of tax accounting. Although the
Notes may be issued at a price that is less than their stated principal amount,
the discount is not expected to exceed 0.25% of the stated redemption price at
maturity multiplied by the number of whole years to maturity. Accordingly, the
amount of any original issue discount on the Notes that is attributable to the
difference between their purchase price and their stated redemption price would
be considered de minimis and thus treated as zero.
Market Discount; Acquisition Premium
If a holder acquires a Note for an amount that is less than the sum of all
payments (other than payments with respect to stated interest) due with respect
to such Note at the time of acquisition, the amount of such difference will be
treated as "market discount" for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless such
difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount
rules, a holder will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain
on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary
income to the extent that such gain does not exceed the accrued market discount
on such Note. If a holder makes a gift of a Note, accrued market discount, if
any, will be recognized as if such holder had sold such Note for a price equal
to its fair market value. In addition, the holder may be required to defer,
until the maturity of the Note or the earlier disposition of the Note in a
taxable transaction, the deduction of a portion of the interest expense on any
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such Note.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue on a straight-line basis
during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Note,
unless the holder elects to accrue such market discount on a "constant yield to
maturity" basis. Such an election is irrevocable and is applicable only to the
Note with respect to which it is made. A holder of a Note may elect to include
market discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a straight- line or
constant yield to maturity basis), in which case the rules described above
regarding the deferral of interest deductions will not apply. An election to
include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market
discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the first taxable
year to which the election applies, and may not be revoked without IRS consent.
A holder who purchases a Note for an amount in excess of the sum of all
payments due with respect to such Note (other than payments with respect to
stated interest) will be considered to have purchased the Note at a "premium."
Under section 171 of the Code, a holder generally may elect to amortize the
premium over the remaining term of the Note on a constant yield to maturity
basis. The amount amortized in any year will be treated as a reduction of the
holder's interest income from the Note. A holder who elects to amortize such
premium must also reduce its tax basis in a Note by the amount of premium
amortized during its holding period. Bond premium on a Note held by a holder who
does not make such an election will decrease the gain
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or increase the loss otherwise recognized on disposition of the Note. Under
recently finalized Treasury regulations, premium on a Note that is not amortized
pursuant to an election under section 171 of the Code may be deductible only as
capital loss upon the maturity of the Note. In the case of a Note that is
callable by the Company prior to maturity, the holder is required to amortize
premium with reference to the amount payable on the earlier call date if that
would result in a smaller amount of amortizable premium for the period prior to
the call date. The election to amortize premium on a constant yield to maturity
basis, once made, applies to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired
by the electing holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to
which the election applies (other than debt instruments the interest on which is
excludable from gross income), and may not be revoked without the consent of the
IRS.
Disposition of Notes
Unless a nonrecognition provision of the Code applies, the sale, exchange,
retirement at maturity, redemption prior to maturity (including pursuant to an
offer, or exercise of a call option, by the Company), or other disposition of a
Note will be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash
plus the fair market value of any property received upon such disposition, and
(ii) the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A holder's adjusted tax basis
for a Note generally will be the holder's purchase price for the Note, increased
by amounts includible in income by the holder as market discount, and reduced by
any amortized premium. Except with respect to that portion of any gain equal to
the amount of accrued market discount (which will constitute ordinary income),
and that portion of the amount realized on disposition that represents accrued
and unpaid interest (which also will constitute ordinary income), such gain or
loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the Note was held by the holder for more than 12 months
at the time of such sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition. For
non-corporate holders, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses is taxed under current law at a maximum rate of 20
percent for capital assets held more than 18 months, and 28 percent for capital
assets held for more than 12 months but not more than 18 months at the time of
the disposition. Gain on the disposition of capital assets held for one year or
less is subject to U.S. federal income tax at ordinary income tax rates. Certain
limitations exist on the deductibility of capital losses by both corporations
and individual taxpayers.
Non-U.S. Holders
The following discussion applies to any holder of a Note who is not a United
States person, as defined above. Such holders are hereafter referred to as
"Non-U.S. Holders."
Subject to the discussion of "backup" withholding below, payments of
interest by the Company or its agent (in its capacity as such) to a Non-U.S.
Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that (i)
such holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote;
(ii) such holder is not a "controlled foreign corporation" for U.S. federal
income tax purposes (as defined in section 957 of the Code) that is related,
directly or indirectly, to the Company through stock ownership; (iii) such
interest payments are not "effectively connected" with the conduct by the
Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States; and (iv) the
certification requirements of section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, as
applicable, are satisfied. Under the certification rules, the beneficial owner
of a Note must certify to the Company or its agent, under penalties of perjury,
that it is a Non-U.S. Holder and provide a completed IRS Form W-8 ("Certificate
of Foreign Status") (or substitute Form W-8). Recently finalized Treasury
regulations modify the certification procedures in certain respects for payments
made after December 31, 1999. A Non-U.S. Holder who does not meet all of the
above described requirements will generally be subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax at a flat rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) on
payments of interest on the Notes, unless (i) such holder otherwise qualifies
for a withholding tax exemption or reduced withholding rate under an applicable
treaty, or (ii) the payments of interest by the Company or its agent (in its
capacity as such) to such holder are "effectively connected" with the conduct by
the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States.
If payments of interest on the Note are effectively connected with the
conduct by a Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States,
such holder, even though exempt from U.S. federal
53
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withholding tax, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest and
on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a
Note in the same manner as if it were a United States person. In addition,
pursuant to section 884(c), if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it
may be subject to a "branch profits tax" equal to 30% of its effectively
connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, unless it qualifies for a
lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty.
Subject to the discussion of "backup" withholding below, any gain realized
upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S.
Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding taxes unless
(i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such Non-U.S. Holder
of a trade or business within the United States (or, under an applicable tax
treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by such
Non-U.S. Holder); (ii) in the case of an individual, such holder is present in
the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the retirement or
other disposition and certain other conditions are met; or (iii) such Non-U.S.
Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of U.S. tax law applicable
to certain U.S. expatriates or nonresident aliens.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
The "backup" withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to
certain payments of principal and interest on a Note and to certain payments of
proceeds from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Note. The
Company, its agent, a broker or any paying agent, as the case may be, will be
required to withhold tax from any payment that is subject to backup withholding
at a rate of 31% of such payment if the holder fails to furnish its correct
taxpayer identification number (i.e., social security number or employer
identification number) in order to certify that such holder is not subject to
backup withholding, or otherwise fails to comply with applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. Certain holders (including, among others, all
corporations) are not subject to the backup withholding and reporting
requirements.
Under current Treasury regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments made by the Company or any agent thereof to
a holder of a Note who has provided the required certification under penalties
of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder, or has otherwise established an
exemption under applicable rules.
In general, payments of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of a
Note by a Non-U.S. Holder which are made to or through a foreign office of a
broker will not be subject to a U.S. information reporting or backup
withholding, provided that the broker is not a United States person, a
controlled foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes, or a foreign person 50% or
more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business over a specified period. In addition, for payments made to or through a
foreign office of a broker after December 31, 1999, recently finalized Treasury
regulations make subject to U.S. information reporting and possibly back-up
withholding, brokers that are a U.S. branch of (i) a foreign bank or insurance
company or (ii) a foreign partnership controlled by U.S. persons or engaged in a
U.S. trade or business. Payments to or through the U.S. office of a broker are
subject to U.S. information reporting and backup withholding, unless the holder
or beneficial owner certifies as to its Non-U.S. Holder status or otherwise
establishes an exemption under applicable rules.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be claimed as a
refund or credit against such holder's U.S. federal income tax liability,
provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
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UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriting Agreement") among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill"), Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc. ("Wasserstein"), Salomon
Brothers Inc ("Salomon"), J.P. Morgan Securities ("JP Morgan"), TD Securities
(USA) Inc. ("TD"), Citicorp Securities Inc. ("Citicorp", and together with DLJ,
Merrill, Wasserstein, Salomon, JP Morgan and TD, the "Underwriters"), the
Underwriters have agreed to purchase the Notes from the Company in the amounts
set forth opposite each such Underwriter's name in the table below at the
applicable public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus,
less underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the net proceeds from the
sale of the Notes to the Underwriters together with [$____________] will be used
by the Company to make payments to the IPP Parties pursuant to the MRA. See "The
MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement."
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF
UNDERWRITER NOTES
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation......... $
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated............
Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc.........................
Salomon Brothers Inc........................................
J.P. Morgan Securities......................................
TD Securities (USA) Inc.....................................
Citicorp Securities Inc.....................................
Total..................................... $2,000,000,000
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
thereunder are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel
and to certain other conditions precedent. The Underwriting Agreement also
provides that the Company will indemnify the Underwriters and certain persons
controlling the Underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
or will contribute to payments the Underwriters are required to make in respect
thereof. The nature of the Underwriters' obligations under the Underwriting
Agreement is such that the Underwriters are committed to purchase all of the
Notes if any of the Notes are purchased.
The Underwriters and DLJ have advised the Company that they initially
propose to offer the Notes in part directly to the public at the applicable
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and in part to
certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of [__%] of the
principal amount of the Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession to certain other dealers not in excess of [__%] of the
principal amount of the Notes. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price, concession and reallowance may be changed by the Underwriters or
by DLJ, as the case may be, at any time without notice.
There is currently no public market for the Notes and the Company has no
present plan to list any of the Notes on a national securities exchange. The
Underwriters have advised the Company that the Underwriters currently intend to
make a market in the Notes, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue
any such market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Notes.
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by the Company or
the Underwriters that would permit a public offering of the Notes in any
jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The Notes offered hereby
may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this Prospectus or
any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and
sale of the Notes be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under
circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and
regulations of such jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this Prospectus
comes are advised
55
<PAGE>
to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the
Offering and the distribution of this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
Notes offered hereby in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a
solicitation is unlawful.
In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters may engage in transactions
that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Notes.
Specifically, the Underwriters may over allot the Offering, creating a syndicate
short position. The Underwriters may bid for and purchase Notes in the open
market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the
Notes. These activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes
above independent market levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in
these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
DLJ and Merrill have performed various investment banking services for the
Company in the past, for which they have received customary remuneration, and
may provide such services in the future. DLJ has acted as financial advisor to
the Company with respect to the MRA and will deliver an opinion to the Company's
Board of Directors with respect to certain financial matters relating to the
MRA. A significant portion of DLJ's advisory fee is contingent upon the
successful restructuring of the Company's obligations under the PPAs pursuant to
the MRA. Wasserstein has performed various financial advisory services for the
IPP Parties in the past, for which they have received customary remuneration,
and may provide such services in the future.
VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company
by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York, counsel to the Company. Certain
legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Sidley & Austin, New
York, New York.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files
periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company with the Commission can be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's Regional Offices at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048
and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such materials may be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at the prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a
website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the Commission. The Common Stock of the Company is listed on the New York
Stock exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, where reports and
other information concerning the Company may be inspected.
Additional information regarding the Company and the securities offered
hereby is contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits
thereto (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Commission under the
Securities Act. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth
in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of
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<PAGE>
the Commission. For further information, reference is made to the Registration
Statement, which may be inspected without charge at, and copies of which may be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Commission at, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
2. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 11, 1998.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the Offering
will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and will be
part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in this Prospectus or in any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this Prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that also is
or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a
copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any
such person, a copy of any document described in this Prospectus (not including
exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are incorporated by reference
into the information incorporated into this Prospectus). Requests for copies
should be directed to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 300 Erie Boulevard West,
Syracuse, New York 13202. Attention: Leon T. Mazur, telephone number: (315)
474-1511.
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GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN ELECTRICITY, NATURAL GAS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
TERM DEFINITION
- ---- ----------
Avoided The costs an electric utility would otherwise incur to
Costs generate power if it did not purchase electricity from
another source.
Cogeneration The simultaneous production of electric energy and useful
thermal energy for industrial, commercial, heating or
cooling purposes.
CTC Competitive Transition Charge
Electric The delivery of electric energy to customers on a
Distribution distribution system. Electric energy is carried at high
voltages along transmission lines. For consumers needing
lower voltages, it is reduced in voltage at a substation
and delivered over primary distribution lines extending
throughout the area where the electricity is distributed.
For users needing lower voltage, the voltage is reduced
once again by a distribution transformer or a line
transformer. At this point it changes from primary to
secondary distribution voltage.
GRT Gross Receipts Tax
GwH Gigawatt-hours: one gigawatt hour equals one billion
watthours.
IPP Independent Power Producer: any person that owns or
operates, in whole or in part, one or more Independent
Power Facilities.
KW Kilowatt: one thousand watts
KWh Kilowatt-hour: a unit of electrical energy equal to one
kilowatt of power supplied or taken from an electric
circuit steadily for one hour.
MW Megawatt: one million watts
MWh Megawatt hour: one thousand kilowatt hours.
NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
PPA Power Purchase Agreements: long-term contracts under which
a utility is obligated to purchase electricity from an IPP
at specified rates.
PSC New York State Public Service Commission
PURPA Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as
amended. One of five bills signed into law on November 8,
1978, as the National Energy Act. It sets forth procedures
and requirements applicable to state utility commissions,
electric and natural gas utilities and certain federal
regulatory agencies. A major aspect of this law is the
mandatory purchase obligation from qualifying facilities.
SFAS No. 71 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71
"Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation"
Six-Cent Law Section 66-c of the New York State Public Service Law,
governing minimum prices to be paid under certain PPAs
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TERM DEFINITION
- ---- ----------
Transmission The act or process of transporting electric energy in bulk
from a source or sources of supply to other principal
parts of the system or to other utility systems. Also a
functional classification relating to that portion of
utility plant used for the purpose of transmitting
electric energy in bulk to other principal parts of the
system or to other utility systems, or to expenses
relating to the operation and maintenance of transmission
plant.
Unit 1 Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit No. 1, a 613 MW
nuclear generating facility 100% owned by Niagara Mohawk
and in operation since 1969.
Unit 2 Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit No. 2, a 1144 MW
nuclear generating facility 41% owned by Niagara Mohawk
and in operation since 1988.
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
================================================================ ===============================================================
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN
AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, $2,000,000,000
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY
THE COMPANY, THE UNDERWRITERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON. [__%] SENIOR NOTES DUE [____]
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER
THAN THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY, AN OFFER TO SELL OR A NIAGARA MOHAWK
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE NOTES BY ANYONE IN
ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION POWER
IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO CORPORATION
ANY PERSON IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE [TO BE SUPPLIED]
HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE
DATE HEREOF.
---------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------------------------------
Page
PROSPECTUS
Prospectus Summary.................................3
Risk Factors......................................10 -----------------------------------------
Use of Proceeds...................................14
Capitalization....................................15
Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements..........16
Selected Historical and Pro Forma
Financial Data.................................24 DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
Management's Discussion of Pro SECURITIES CORPORATION
Forma Condensed Financial Statements...........26
The MRA and the PowerChoice Agreement.............28
Description of Notes..............................31 MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Description of Other Indebtedness.................50 WASSERSTEIN PERELLA SECURITIES, INC.
Certain United States Federal Tax J.P. MORGAN & CO.
Considerations.................................51 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
Underwriting......................................55 CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
Validity of the Notes.............................56 TD SECURITIES
Experts...........................................56
Available Information.............................56
Incorporation of Certain Information by [ ], 1998
Reference......................................57
Glossary of Certain Electricity,
Natural Gas and Accounting Terms...............58
================================================================ ===============================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER PENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following is a statement of the estimated expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred in connection with the
distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement.
Except as indicated, all costs and expenses will be paid by the Company.
Amount
to be paid
-------------------
SEC registration fee............................... $
NASD fees and expenses.............................
Legal fees and expenses............................
Accounting fees and expenses.......................
Printing and engraving fees........................
Registrar and transfer agent's fees................
Trustee's fees.....................................
Miscellaneous......................................
-------------------
Total..................................... $
===================
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Sections 721 through 726 of the Business Corporation Law of the State
of New York (the "BCL") provide for indemnification of the Company's officers
and directors under certain conditions and subject to specific limitations. The
BCL permits New York corporations to supplement the statutory indemnification
with additional "non-statutory" indemnification for directors and officers
meeting a specified standard of conduct and to advance to officers and directors
litigation expenses under certain circumstances. As permitted by the BCL,
Article VI of the Company's By-Laws provides for indemnification of, and
advancement of litigation expenses incurred by, directors and officers of the
Company.
The Company has also obtained insurance providing for indemnification
of directors and officers against certain expenses and liabilities. In addition,
pursuant to a 1986 amendment to the BCL, the Company has entered into agreements
with certain of the officers and directors of the Company providing for
indemnification for the liability of officers and directors not covered by the
policy mentioned above. Such additional indemnification does not cover acts
committed in bad faith or acts which were the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling
the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed
that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is therefore unenforceable.
Furthermore, Article XIIA of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company limits, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director of
the Company to the Company or its shareholders for damages for any breach of
duty in such capacity to the fullest extent permitted by the BCL.
II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Index to Exhibits
1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
2(a) PowerChoice Settlement Agreement (incorporated by reference from
Form 8-K of the Company dated October 10, 1997).
2(b) Master Restructuring Agreement by and between Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation and Independent Power Producers (incorporated by
reference to Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated July 9,
1997).
2(c) PSC Order dated March 20, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Annual
Report for year ended December 31, 1997)
4(a) Credit facility dated _______ __, 1998.*
4(b)(1) Mortgage Trust Indenture dated as of October 1, 1937 between NMPC
(formerly CNYP) and Marine Midland Trust Company of New York), as
Trustee (incorporated by reference to CNYP Registration No. 2-5490).
4(b)(2) Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 1938, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(3) Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 15, 1939, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(4) Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1940, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(5) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1944, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to CNYP Registration
Statement No. 2-5490).
4(b)(6) Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1945, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(7) Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 17, 1948, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(8) Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 31, 1949, supplemental
to Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-8214).
II-2
<PAGE>
4(b)(9) Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 1950, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-8214).
4(b)(10) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1950, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-8634).
4(b)(11) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 19, 1950, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-8634).
4(b)(12) Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 20, 1953, supplemental
to Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-10501).
4(b)(13) Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 25, 1956, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-12443).
4(b)(14) Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 15, 1960, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-70860).
4(b)(15) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1966, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-25526).
4(b)16) Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 1967, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-26918).
4(b)(17) Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1967, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-26918).
4(b)(18) Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1968, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-29575).
4(b)(19) Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 15, 1977, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-59500).
4(b)(20) Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1977, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-70860).
II-3
<PAGE>
4(b)(21) Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 1978, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-70860).
4(b)(22) Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1980, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-70860).
4(b)(23) Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1985, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 2-90568).
4(b)(24) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1989, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-32475).
4(b)(25) Supplemental Indenture dated as of dated as of June 1, 1990,
supplemental to Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC
Registration Statement No. 33-38093).
4(b)(26) Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1990, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-38093).
4(b)(27) Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 1991, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-47241).
4(b)(28) Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1991, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-47241).
4(b)(29) Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 1, 1992, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-47241).
4(b)(30) Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1992, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-59594).
4(b)(31) Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1992, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-59594).
4(b)(32) Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1992, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to NMPC Registration
Statement No. 33-59594).
II-4
<PAGE>
4(b)(33) Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 1, 1993, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for quarter ended March 31, 1993).
4(b)(34) Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1993, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for quarter ended September 30, 1993).
4(b)(35) Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1993, supplemental
to Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for quarter ended September 30, 1993).
4(b)(36) Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 1994, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form
10-K for year ended December 31, 1993).
4(b)(37) Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1994, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form
10-K for year ended December 31, 1994).
4(b)(38) Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1995, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1) (incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1995).
4(b)(39) Supplemental Indenture dated March 20, 1996, supplemental to
Exhibit 4(b)(1).
4(b)(40) Agreement dated as of August 16, 1940, between CNYP, The Chase
National Bank of the City of New York, as Successor Trustee, and The
Marine Midland Trust Company of New York, as Trustee incorporated by
reference to CNYP Registration Statement No. 2-5490).
4(c) Form of Indenture relating to the Notes.
4(d) Form of Notes.*
5 Opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell.*
8 Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP.*
12 Statement regarding computation of ratios.
23(a) Consent of Independent Accountants, Price Waterhouse LLP.
23(b) Consent of Sullivan & Cromwell (Filed as part of Exhibit 5 hereto).*
23(c) Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included within Exhibit 8 hereto).*
24 Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page on page II-7 of
this Registration Statement on Form S-3).
25 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 of IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company.
- ------------
* To be filed by amendment.
II-5
<PAGE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under "Item 15, Indemnification
of Directors and Officers" above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest annual report, to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or
cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given,
the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under
the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as
of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
II-6
<PAGE>
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 Syracuse, State of New York, on the thirty-first day
of March, 1998.
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
By: /s/ STEVEN W. TASKER
----------------------------------------
Name: Steven W. Tasker
Title: Vice President-Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that such person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints William F. Edwards and Arthur W. Roos and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with power of substitution
and resubstitution to sign in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that
such attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of the Common Stock of the Registrant, including specifically,
but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to
sign his name in his respective capacity as a member of the Board of Directors
or officer of the Registrant, this Registration Statement and/or such other form
or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Commission as any of them
may deem appropriate in respect of the Common Stock of the Registrant to any and
all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, to any related Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and to
any documents filed as part of or in connection with this Registration Statement
and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments.
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 March 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/S/ WILLIAM F. ALLYN Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
William F. Allyn
/S/ ALBERT J. BUDNEY, JR. Director, President and Chief
- --------------------------- Operating Officer March 31, 1998
Albert J. Budney, Jr.
/S/ LAWRENCE BURKHARDT, III Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Lawrence Burkhardt, III
II-7
<PAGE>
/S/ DOUGLAS M. COSTLE Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Douglas M. Costle
Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive
/S/ WILLIAM E. DAVIS Office March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
William E. Davis
/S/ WILLIAM J. DONLON Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
William J. Donlon
/S/ ANTHONY H. GIOIA Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Anthony H. Gioia
/S/ BONNIE GUITON HILL Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Bonnie Guiton Hill
/S/ HENRY A. PANASCI, JR. Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Henry A. Panasci, Jr.
/S/ PATTI MCGILL PETERSON Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Patti McGill Peterson
/S/ DONALD B. RIEFLER Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Donald B. Riefler
/S/ STEPHEN B. SCHWARTZ Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Stephen B. Schwartz
/S/ WILLIAM F. EDWARDS Senior Vice President and
- --------------------------- Chief Financial Officer March 31, 1998
William F. Edwards
II-8
<PAGE>
/S/ STEVEN W. TASKER Vice President-Controller
- --------------------------- and Principal Accounting
Steven W. Tasker Officer March 31, 1998
/S/ EDMUND M. DAVIS, ESQ. Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------------
Edmund M. Davis, Esq.
</TABLE>
II-9
<PAGE>
EDGAR Exhibit Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EDGAR S-3 EDGAR
Exhibit Number Exhibit Number Description Page Number
- -------------- -------------- ----------------------------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
4.2 Exhibit 4(b)(39) Supplemental Indenture dated 75
March 20, 1996
4.3 Exhibit 4(c) Form of Indenture relating to the Notes 162
12 Exhibit 12 Statement regarding computation of
EBITDA to Net Cash Interest 236
23 Exhibit 23(a) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP 237
25 Exhibit 25 Form T-1, Statement of Eligibility 238
</TABLE>
II-10
EXHIBIT 4(b)(39)
================================================================================
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
to
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Indenture
Dated as of March 20, 1996
Providing for creation of $255,000,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds,
Floating Rate Series A due June 30, 1999, $125,000,000 principal amount of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series B due June 30, 1999, $163,000,000 principal
amount of First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series C due June 30, 1999,
$213,260,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series D
due June 30, 1999, $37,500,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds,
Floating Rate Series E due June 30, 1999 and $20,000,000 principal amount of
First Mortgage Bonds, 3% Series due June 30, 1999
================================================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS*<F1>
PARTIES
RECITALS
CONSIDERATION
PART I. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate
Series A Due June 30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the
Eighty-first Series]
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond
of the Eighty-first Series]
PART II. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate
Series B Due June 30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-second
Series]
[Form of Trustee's
Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-second
Series]
PART III. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate
Series C Due June 30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-third
Series
[Form of Trustee's
Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-third
Series]
- -----------------------
* This Table of Contents does not constitute part of the supplemental
indenture or have any bearing upon the interpretation of any of its terms
and provisions.
<PAGE>
PART IV. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate
Series D Due June 30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-fourth
Series]
[Form of Trustee's
Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-fourth
Series]
PART V. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate
Series E Due June 30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-fifth
Series]
[Form of Trustee's
Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-fifth
Series]
PART VI. Creation of a Series of First
Mortgage Bonds, 3% Series Due June
30, 1999
[Form of Face of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-sixth
Series]
[Form of Trustee's
Certificate]
[Form of Reverse of Definitive
Bond of the Eighty-sixth
Series]
PART VII. Information to Trustee
PART VIII. Future Amendments of Indenture and
Loan Agreements
PART IX. Amendment of Indenture
PART X. The Trustee
<PAGE>
PART XI. Miscellaneous Provisions
<PAGE>
TESTIMONIUM
SIGNATURES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of March 20, 1996, made by and
between NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, having its principal place of
business (residence) at No. 300 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, New York
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Company"), party of the first part,
and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY (successor to Marine Midland Bank, in turn, successor
to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association and, in turn,
successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine Midland Trust
Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New York and Marine
Midland Bank -- New York), a banking corporation and trust company duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, having its
principal corporate trust office at Four Albany Street, New York, New York
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Trustee"), as Trustee under the
Mortgage Trust Indenture hereinafter mentioned, party of the second part.
WHEREAS, the Company (formerly Central New York Power
Corporation) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee its Mortgage
Trust Indenture dated as of October 1, 1937 (hereinafter referred to as the
"Original Indenture") and indentures supplemental thereto dated as of December
1, 1938, as of April 15, 1939, as of July 1, 1940, as of January 1, 1942, as of
October 1, 1944, as of June 1, 1945, as of August 17, 1948, as of December 31,
1949, as of January 1, 1950, as of October 1, 1950, as of October 19, 1950, as
of December 1, 1951, as of February 1, 1953, as of February 20, 1953, as of
October 1, 1953, as of August 1, 1954, as of April 25, 1956, as of May 1, 1956,
as of September 1, 1957, as of June 1, 1958, as of March 15, 1960, as of April
1, 1960, as of November 1, 1961, as of December 1, 1964, as of October 1, 1966,
as of July 15, 1967, as of August 1, 1967, as of August 1, 1968, as of December
1, 1969, as of February 1, 1971, as of February 1, 1972, as of August 1, 1972,
as of December 1, 1973, as of October 1, 1974, as of March 1, 1975, as of August
1, 1975, as of March 15, 1977, as of August 1, 1977, as of December 1, 1977, as
of March 1, 1978, as of December 1, 1978, as of September 1, 1979, as of October
1, 1979, as of June 15, 1980, as of September 1, 1980, as of March 1, 1981, as
of August 1, 1981, as of March 11 1982, as of April 1, 1982, as of June 1, 1982,
as of August 1, 1982, as of November 1, 1982, as
<PAGE>
of March 1, 1983, as of May 1, 1983, as of June 1, 1983, as of March 1, 1984 as
of May 1, 1984, as of July 1, 1984, as of October 1, 1984, as of January 1,
1985, as of February 1, 1985, as of February 15, 1985, as of November 1, 1985,
as of June 1, 1986, as of August 1, 1986, as of October 1, 1986, as of November
1, 1986, as of July 1, 1987, as of May 1, 1988, as of February 1, 1989, as of
April 1, 1989, as of October 1, 1989, as of June 1, 1990, as of November 1,
1990, as of March 1, 1991, as of October 1, 1991, as of April 1, 1992, as of
June 1, 1992, as of July 1, 1992, as of August 1, 1992, as of April 1, 1993, as
of July 1, 1993, as of September 1, 1993, as of March 1, 1994, as of July 1,
1994 and as of May 1, 1995 (said Original Indenture, together with all
instruments stated to be supplemental thereto to which the Trustee has
heretofore been or shall hereafter be a party, including said enumerated
Supplemental Indentures and this Supplemental Indenture, being herein referred
to as the "Indenture"; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein are used as defined in the Indenture); and
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides in Section 1 of Article
Twelfth thereof that without any action or consent by, or notice to, the holders
of any of the Bonds, the Company and the Trustee, from time to time and at any
time, may enter into such indentures supplemental to the Original Indenture as
shall be by them deemed necessary or desirable for the purpose of establishing
the form, terms, provisions and conditions of a particular series of Bonds, and
of providing the terms and conditions of redemption of Bonds of such series, or
for a retirement fund or other fund for such series, or for any other purpose
not inconsistent with the terms of the Indenture and which shall not impair the
security of the same; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into this indenture
supplemental to the Original Indenture with the Trustee for the purpose of
establishing the form, terms, provisions and conditions of six new series of
Bonds under the Indenture and for the purpose of providing the terms and
conditions of redemption of the Bonds of such new series, all as determined by
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company in the exercise of the authority and
power reserved to it under and by virtue of the provisions of the Indenture and
pursuant to appropriate resolutions of its Board of Directors has duly resolved
and determined to make, execute and
<PAGE>
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form hereof and for the
purposes herein provided; and
WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements necessary to make
this Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal instrument in accordance
with its terms have been performed and fulfilled and the execution and delivery
hereof have been in all respects duly authorized;
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - - -
That for and in consideration of the premises and of the
purchase or acceptance of the Bonds by those who shall hold the same from time
to time and of the sum of One Dollar to the Company duly paid by the Trustee at
or before the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, the Company does hereby covenant and agree with the Trustee for
the benefit of the holders of the Bonds, or any of them, issued or to be issued
under the Indenture, as follows:
PART I.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
FLOATING RATE SERIES A DUE JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series A due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-first Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor
Agent") under the Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the
same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Master Creditor Agreement"), on behalf and for the ratable benefit of the
lenders (the "Term Lenders") named as Lenders in the Term Loan Agreement dated
as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Term Loan Agreement")
<PAGE>
among the Company, the Term Lenders and Citibank N.A., as agent.
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-first Series
for a principal amount exceeding $255,000,000, except that Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$255,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, and
thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $255,000,000 principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-first
Series and deliver the same upon the written order of the Company signed in its
name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 2. Each Bond of the Eighty-first Series shall be dated
as of the date of its authentication. The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series are
to be issued to the Master Creditor Agent (i) to evidence the obligation of the
Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of Advances (as
defined in the Term Loan Agreement), interest on such principal amount and
commitment fees on Unused Commitment (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) in
each case stated to be due under the Term Loan Agreement and (ii) to provide to
the Master Creditor Agent on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Term
Lenders, the benefits of the security provided for under the Indenture and by
the Bonds in respect of the obligations of the Company set forth in clause (i)
of this sentence.
The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series are to be issued in an
aggregate principal amount equal to $255,000,000, being the amount of the
aggregate original Commitments under (and as defined in) the Term Loan Agreement
and are to mature on June 30, 1999. The principal of the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series shall be payable on the same date or dates and in the same
<PAGE>
amounts as set forth in the Term Loan Agreement for the payment of principal on
Advances thereunder. "Interest" shall accrue and be payable on the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series from the date thereof until such Bonds are repaid in full,
payable at the same rates, in the same amounts and on the same payment dates as
provided in the Term Loan Agreement for the accrual and payment of interest in
respect of outstanding principal of Advances and for the accrual and payment of
commitment fees in respect of Unused Commitment. The rate of Interest payable on
the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months). Definitive Bonds
of said series shall be registered Bonds without coupons and shall be issued in
denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
The Interest payable on any Interest payment date shall be
paid to the persons in whose names the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series were
registered at the close of business on the record date for such payment of
Interest notwithstanding any cancellation of Bonds of the Eighty-first Series
upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof between such record date
and such Interest payment date; except that if the Company shall default in the
payment of any Interest due on such Interest payment date such defaulted
Interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Bonds of the Eighty-first
Series are registered either at the close of business on the date preceding the
date of payment of such defaulted Interest or on a subsequent record date fixed
for the payment of such defaulted Interest by notice given by mail by or on
behalf of the Company to the Trustee and holders of Bonds of the Eighty-first
Series not less than ten days preceding such subsequent record date. The term
"record date" as used herein shall mean, with respect to an Interest payment
date, the earlier of (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar
month next preceding such Interest payment date or, if such last day shall be a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law
to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a day on which such
institutions are so authorized to close and (ii) ten calendar days prior to such
Interest payment date or, if such day shall be a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law to close, the next
preceding day which shall not be a day on which such institutions are so
authorized to close or, in the case of defaulted Interest, the close
<PAGE>
of business on any subsequent record date established as provided above.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Both principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the
Advances under the Term Loan Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the
Bonds of the Eighty-First Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall
be accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement.
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part I or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, the obligation
of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and Interest on
the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall be fully or partially, as the case
may be, satisfied and discharged, to the extent of any such
<PAGE>
full or partial payment of the then due principal of Advances (as defined in the
Term Loan Agreement), interest due thereon and commitment fees due in respect of
Unused Commitment under the Term Loan Agreement. The Trustee may conclusively
presume that the obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the
principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall have
been duly satisfied and discharged unless and until the Trustee shall have
received notice of nonpayment thereof from the Master Creditor Agent. The Master
Creditor Agreement, in Section 2.06(a) thereof, provides that, at such time as
any portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Advances together with
all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all accrued and unpaid commitment
fees then due under the Term Loan Agreement shall have been fully and finally
paid, whether upon the prepayment or upon the maturity or acceleration thereof,
upon the request of the Company and following confirmation of such by the Term
Loan Agent (as defined in the Master Creditor Agreement), a principal amount of
Bonds of the Eighty-first Series equal to such principal amount of the Advances
so paid shall be surrendered by the Master Creditor Agent to the Trustee for
cancellation, and upon such surrender shall be deemed fully paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and Interest due on the Bonds of
the Eighty-first Series shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if
at any time any payment of principal or Interest (whether paid under the Bonds
of the Eighty-first Series or the Term Loan Agreement) is rescinded or must
otherwise be returned by the Master Creditor Agent or any Term Lender or any
other person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or
by operation of law, all as though payment had not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-first Series may at any time surrender the same at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee, or at any other office or agency of the Trustee or
the Company maintained for such purpose, and with instruments of transfer
satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said series of like tenor and of
other authorized denominations; and the Company will provide, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to make such exchange.
The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series are nontransferable except to effect
transfer to any
<PAGE>
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Term Lenders, any such
transfer of a Bond of the Eighty-first Series to be made at the principal
corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon surrender and cancellation of such
Bond, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a form approved by the
Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the registered holder of such Bond or
by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series, for a like principal amount and bearing Interest at the
same rates and having the same maturity date, will be issued to the successor to
the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Term Lenders, as the case may be, in
exchange therefor, as provided in the Indenture. The provisions of Section 12 of
Article Second of the Original Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, no
payment of a service charge shall be required for any exchange or registration
of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-first series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more Lenders, as described herein
and on the reverse hereof.
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws
of any state of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or
beneficial ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky
Laws and in accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse
hereof.
<PAGE>
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
FLOATING RATE SERIES A DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor Agreement
hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
__________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Advances (as defined in and) outstanding under the
Term Loan Agreement hereinafter described, on June 30, 1999, or such earlier
date or dates on which the principal amount of outstanding Advances is stated to
be due and payable (whether due to optional prepayment or acceleration) under
the Term Loan Agreement, and to pay Interest (as defined below) as provided
below and on the reverse hereof. The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall
not exceed 15% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
(12) 30-day months).
Both principal of and Interest on this Bond are payable at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of Manhattan, City and
State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said Borough as shall be
maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the
United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for
public and private debts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for all purposes have the same effect as
though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a
<PAGE>
facsimile of the signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-first Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-first Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and,
<PAGE>
irrespective of the time of issue, all equally secured by a Mortgage Trust
Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be supplemental thereto to
which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor as Trustee hereunder is
or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as of October 1, 1937, to
Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank, in turn, successor to
Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association and, in turn,
successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine Midland Trust
Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New York and Marine
Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as defined in the
Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an executed
counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby made for a
description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and for a
statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the holders of
the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions upon which
said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the foregoing
reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the Indenture,
shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities herein provided,
the principal of and Interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of the lenders (the "Lenders") named as Lenders
in the Term Loan Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Term Loan
Agreement") among the Company, the Lenders and Citibank N.A. as agent for the
Lenders, (i) to evidence the obligation of the Company to make payments in
respect of principal, interest on such principal and commitment fees on the
Unused Commitment (as defined in and) stated to be due under the Term Loan
Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for
the benefit of the Lenders, the benefits of the security provided for under the
Indenture and by this Bond in respect of the obligations of the Company set
forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
<PAGE>
"Interest" on this Bond accrues and is payable at the same
rates and on the same dates as provided in the Term Loan Agreement for the
accrual and payment of interest on the outstanding principal amount of Advances
and for the accrual and payment of commitment fees on the Unused Commitment. The
rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months).
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and Interest on Bonds of the Eighty-first Series shall be fully
or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that,
at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid
fully or partially the then due principal of, interest due thereon and
commitment fees in respect of Unused Commitment under the Term Loan Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and Interest due on this Bond shall
continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of
principal or Interest (whether paid under this Bond or the Term Loan Agreement)
is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master Creditor Agent or any
Lender or any other person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of
the Company or by operation of law, all as though payment had not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all
<PAGE>
outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or
(d) permit a reduction of the percentage required for any change or modification
of the Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued Interest thereon may be declared, or may become, due and
payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the manner and
with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Each Bond of the Eighty-first Series shall be dated as of the
date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-first Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the obligations
of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall be
cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-first Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the Advances
under the Term Loan Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall be
accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or Interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Lenders, any such
transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon
surrender and cancellation of this Bond,
<PAGE>
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a form approved by the
Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the registered holder of this Bond or
by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series, for a like principal amount and having the same interest
rate and maturity date, will be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor
Agent or to one or more Lenders, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as
provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or
registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
relation thereto. The Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the person in
whose name this Bond is registered as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose
of receiving payment and for all other purposes and the Company, the Trustee and
any paying agent or agency may disregard any notice to the contrary, whether
this Bond or Interest thereon shall be overdue or not. This Bond, alone or with
other Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, may in like manner be exchanged at such
office or agency for one or more new Bonds of the Eighty-first Series of the
same aggregate principal amount and having the same interest rate and maturity
date, all as provided in the Indenture.
PART II.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS, FLOATING RATE SERIES B DUE
JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series B due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-second Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as Master Creditor Agent on behalf of the lenders and
issuing banks (collectively, the "Revolving Lender Parties") named as Lenders
and Issuing Banks in the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996
(as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") among the Company, the Revolving Lender
Parties and Citibank N.A., as agent.
<PAGE>
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-second Series
for a principal amount exceeding $125,000,000, except that Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-second Series,
and thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $125,000,000 principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series and deliver the same upon the written order of the Company
signed in its name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents or its
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 2. Each Bond of the Eighty-second Series shall be
dated as of the date of its authentication. The Bonds of the Eighty-second
Series are to be issued to the Master Creditor Agent (i) to evidence the
obligation of the Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of
Advances (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement), interest on such
principal, commitment fees on the Unused Revolving Credit Commitment (as defined
in the Revolving Credit Agreement) and letter of credit fees on all outstanding
Letters of Credit (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) in each case
stated to be due under the Revolving Credit Agreement and (ii) to provide to the
Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Revolving
Lender Parties, the benefits of the security provided for under the Indenture
and by the Bonds in respect of the obligations of the Company set forth in
clause (i) of this sentence.
The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series are to be issued in an
aggregate principal amount equal to $125,000,000, being the amount of the
aggregate original Revolving Credit Commitments under (and as defined in) the
Revolving Credit Agreement and are to mature on June 30, 1999. The principal of
the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be payable on the same date or dates
and in the same amounts as set forth in
<PAGE>
the Revolving Credit Agreement for the payment of principal on Advances.
"Interest" shall accrue and be payable on the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series
from the date thereof until such Bonds are paid in full, payable at the same
rates and on the same payment dates as provided in the Revolving Credit
Agreement for the accrual and payment of interest in respect of the outstanding
principal of Advances and the accrual and payment of commitment fees in respect
of Unused Revolving Credit Commitment and letter of credit fees in respect of
outstanding Letters of Credit. The rate of Interest payable on the Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months). Definitive Bonds of said series
shall be registered Bonds without coupons and shall be issued in denominations
of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
The Interest payable on any Interest payment date shall be
paid to the persons in whose names the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series were
registered at the close of business on the record date for such payment of
Interest notwithstanding any cancellation of Bonds of the Eighty-second Series
upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof between such record date
and such Interest payment date; except that if the Company shall default in the
payment of any Interest due on such Interest payment date such defaulted
Interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Bonds of the Eighty-second
Series are registered either at the close of business on the date preceding the
date of payment of such defaulted Interest or on a subsequent record date fixed
for the payment of such defaulted Interest by notice given by mail by or on
behalf of the Company to the Trustee and holders of Bonds of the Eighty-second
Series not less than ten days preceding such subsequent record date. The term
"record date" as used herein shall mean, with respect to an Interest payment
date, the earlier of (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar
month next preceding such Interest payment date or, if such last day shall be a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law
to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a day on which such
institutions are so authorized to close and (ii) ten calendar days prior to such
Interest payment date or, if such day shall be a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law to close, the next
preceding day which shall not be a day on which such institutions are so
authorized to close or, in the case of defaulted Interest, the close
<PAGE>
of business on any subsequent record date established as provided above.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Both principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the
Advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement and, therefore, the principal of
the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof
shall be accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit
Agreement.
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner
and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part II or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series, the
obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and
Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be fully or partially,
as the case
<PAGE>
may be, satisfied and discharged, to the extent of any such full or partial
payment of the then due principal of Advances, interest due thereon, commitment
fees due in respect of Unused Revolving Credit Commitment and letter of credit
fees due in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit in each case under the
Revolving Credit Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not
reduce the principal amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series then
outstanding unless the Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been permanently
reduced by the amount of such principal amount so paid. The Trustee may
conclusively presume that the obligation of the Company to make payments with
respect to the principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-second
Series shall have been duly satisfied and discharged unless and until the
Trustee shall have received a notice of nonpayment thereof from the Master
Creditor Agent. The Master Creditor Agreement, in Section 2.06(b) thereof,
provides that, at such time as any portion of the outstanding principal amount
of any Advances together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all
accrued and unpaid commitment fees and letter of credit fees then due under the
Revolving Credit Agreement shall have been fully and finally paid, whether upon
the prepayment or upon the maturity or acceleration thereof, and the Revolving
Credit Commitment shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal to such
principal amount so paid, upon the request of the Company and following
confirmation of such by the Revolving Credit Agent (as defined in the Master
Creditor Agreement), a principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-second Series
equal to such principal amount so paid shall be surrendered by the Master
Creditor Agent to the Trustee for cancellation, and upon such surrender shall be
deemed fully paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and Interest due
on the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall continue or be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any payment of principal or Interest (whether paid
under the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series or the Revolving Credit Agreement)
is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master Creditor Agent or any
Revolving Lender Party or any other person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Company or by operation of law, all as though payment had
not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-second Series may at any time surrender the same at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee, or at any other office or agency of the Trustee or
the Company maintained for such purpose, and
<PAGE>
with instruments of transfer satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the
terms, conditions and limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled
to receive in exchange therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said
series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations; and the Company will
provide, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to
make such exchange. The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series are nontransferable
except to effect transfer to any successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to
one or more Revolving Lender Parties, any such transfer of a Bond of the
Eighty-second Series to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee, upon surrender and cancellation of such Bond, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly
executed by the registered holder of such Bond or by his duly authorized
attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-second Series, for a
like principal amount and bearing Interest at the same rates and having the same
maturity date, will be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or
to one or more Revolving Lender Parties, as the case may be, in exchange
therefor, as provided in the Indenture. The provisions of Section 12 of Article
Second of the Original Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, no payment of
a service charge shall be required for any exchange or registration of transfer,
but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-second Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-second series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more Lender Parties, as described
herein and on the reverse hereof.
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933,
<PAGE>
as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state
of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or beneficial
ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise
transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky Laws and in
accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse hereof.
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
FLOATING RATE SERIES B DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor Agreement
hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
sum of the aggregate principal amount of Advances (as defined in and)
outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement hereinafter described, on June
30, 1999 or such earlier date or dates on which the principal amount of
outstanding Advances is stated to be due and payable (whether due to optional
prepayment or acceleration) under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and to pay
Interest (as defined below) as provided below and on the reverse hereof. The
rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months).
Both principal of and Interest on this Bond are payable at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said
Borough as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for
<PAGE>
all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
<PAGE>
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-second Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-second Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and, irrespective of the time of issue, all equally
secured by a Mortgage Trust Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be
supplemental thereto to which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor
as Trustee hereunder is or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as
of October 1, 1937, to Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank,
in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association
and, in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine
Midland Trust Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New
York and Marine Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as
defined in the Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an
executed counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby
made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and
for a statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the
holders of the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions
upon which said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the
foregoing reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the
Indenture, shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities
herein provided, the principal of and Interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of the lenders and the issuing banks
(collectively, the "Lender Parties") named as Lenders
<PAGE>
and Issuing Banks in the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996
(as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") among the Company, the Lender Parties
and Citibank N.A., as agent, (i) to evidence the obligation of the Company to
make payments in respect of the principal amount of Advances (as defined in the
Revolving Credit Agreement), interest on such principal, commitment fees on the
Unused Revolving Credit Commitment (as defined in the Revolving Credit
Agreement) and letter of credit fees on all outstanding Letters of Credit (as
defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) in each case stated to be due under
the Revolving Credit Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master Creditor Agent,
on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Lender Parties, the benefits of
the security provided for under the Indenture and by the Bonds in respect of the
obligations of the Company set forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
"Interest" on this Bond accrues and is payable at the same
rates and on the same dates as provided in the Revolving Credit Agreement for
the accrual and payment of interest on the outstanding principal amount of
Advances and for the accrual and payment of commitment fees on Unused Revolving
Credit Commitment and letter of credit fees in respect of outstanding Letters of
Credit. The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15% per annum
(calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months).
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and Interest on Bonds of the Eighty-second Series shall be
fully or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent
that, at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have
paid fully or partially the then due principal of Advances (as defined in the
Revolving Credit Agreement), interest due thereon, commitment fees due in
respect of Unused Revolving Credit Commitment and letter of credit fees due in
respect of outstanding Letters of Credit, in each case under the Revolving
Credit Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce the
principal amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series then outstanding
unless the Revolving Credit Commitment (as defined in the Revolving Credit
Agreement) shall have been permanently reduced by the amount of such principal
amount so paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and Interest
(whether paid under the Bonds of the Eighty-second Series or the Revolving
Credit Agreement) due on this Bond shall continue or be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any payment of principal or Interest is rescinded or must
otherwise be returned by the Master Creditor Agent or any Lender Party or any
other person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or
by operation of law, all as though payment had not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all
outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or
(d) permit a reduction of the percentage required for any change or modification
of the Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued Interest thereon may be declared, or may become, due and
payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the manner and
with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Each Bond of the Eighty-second Series shall be dated as of the
date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-second Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the
<PAGE>
obligations of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall
be cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-second Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the Advances
under the Revolving Credit Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the Bonds
of the Eighty-Second Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall be
accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or Interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Lender Parties, any
such transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee,
upon surrender and cancellation of this Bond, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly
executed by the registered holder of this Bond or by his duly authorized
attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-second Series, for a
like principal amount and having the same interest rate and maturity date, will
be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Lender
Parties, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the Indenture.
No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer,
but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. The Company
and the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name this Bond is
registered as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and
for all other purposes and the Company, the Trustee and any paying agent or
agency may disregard any notice to the
<PAGE>
contrary, whether this Bond or Interest thereon shall be overdue or not. This
Bond, alone or with other Bonds of the Eighty-second Series, may in like manner
be exchanged at such office or agency for one or more new Bonds of the
Eighty-second Series of the same aggregate principal amount and having the same
interest rate and maturity date, all as provided in the Indenture.
PART III.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
FLOATING RATE SERIES C DUE JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series C due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-third Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as Master Creditor Agent on behalf of the lenders and
the issuing bank (the "Morgan LC Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the
Issuing Bank in the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit and Reimbursement
Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Morgan LC Agreement") among the
Company, the Morgan LC Credit Parties and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, as agent.
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-third Series
for a principal amount exceeding $163,000,000 except that Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$163,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-third Series, and
thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $163,000,000
<PAGE>
principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-third Series and deliver the same upon
the written order of the Company signed in its name by its President or one of
its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 2. Each Bond of the Eighty-third Series shall be dated
as of the date of its authentication. The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series are
to be issued to the Master Creditor Agent (i) to evidence the obligation of the
Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of Advances (as
defined in the Morgan LC Agreement), interest on the principal amount of such
Advances and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions in each case stated
to be due under the Morgan LC Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master
Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Morgan LC Credit
Parties, the benefit of the security provided for under the Indenture and by the
Bonds in respect of the obligations of the Company set forth in clause (i) of
this sentence.
The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series are to be issued in an
aggregate principal amount equal to $163,000,000, being the amount of the
aggregate original Available Amount (as defined in the Morgan LC Agreement) of
all the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Morgan LC Agreement) to be
outstanding under the Morgan LC Agreement minus the aggregate portion thereof
available for the payment of Interest Drafts (as defined in the Morgan LC
Agreement) and are to mature on June 30, 1999. The principal of the Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series shall be payable on the same date or dates and in the same
amounts as set forth in the Morgan LC Agreement for the payment of principal on
Advances thereunder. "Interest" shall accrue and be payable on the Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series from the date thereof until maturity, payable at the same
rates and on the same payment dates as provided in the Morgan LC Agreement for
the accrual and payment of interest in respect of outstanding Advances and the
accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of credit commissions. The rate
of Interest payable on the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall not exceed 15%
per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months). Definitive Bonds of said series shall be registered Bonds without
coupons and shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
<PAGE>
The Interest payable on any Interest payment date shall be
paid to the persons in whose names the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series were
registered at the close of business on the record date for such payment of
Interest notwithstanding any cancellation of Bonds of the Eighty-third Series
upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof between such record date
and such Interest payment date; except that if the Company shall default in the
payment of any Interest due on such Interest payment date such defaulted
Interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Bonds of the Eighty-third
Series are registered either at the close of business on the date preceding the
date of payment of such defaulted Interest or on a subsequent record date fixed
for the payment of such defaulted Interest by notice given by mail by or on
behalf of the Company to the Trustee and holders of Bonds of the Eighty-third
Series not less than ten days preceding such subsequent record date. The term
"record date" as used herein shall mean, with respect to an Interest payment
date, the earlier of (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar
month next preceding such Interest payment date or, if such last day shall be a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law
to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a day on which such
institutions are so authorized to close and (ii) ten calendar days prior to such
Interest payment date or, if such day shall be a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law to close, the next
preceding day which shall not be a day on which such institutions are so
authorized to close or, in the case of defaulted Interest, the close of business
on any subsequent record date established as provided above.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
<PAGE>
Both principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the
Advances under the Morgan LC Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the
Bonds of the Eighty-third Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall
be accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Morgan LC Agreement.
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part III or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series, the
obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and
Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall be fully or partially, as
the case may be, satisfied and discharged, to the extent that, at any time that
any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid fully or partially
the then due principal of Advances, interest then due on such amounts and
fronting fees and letter of credit commissions then due under the Morgan LC
Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce the principal
amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series then outstanding unless the
aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of Credit outstanding under the Morgan
LC Agreement shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal to such
principal so paid. The Trustee may conclusively presume that the obligation of
the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and Interest on
the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall have been duly satisfied and
discharged unless and until the Trustee shall have received a notice of
nonpayment thereof from the Master Creditor Agent. The Master Creditor
Agreement, in
<PAGE>
Section 2.06(c) thereof, provides that, at such time as any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of any Advances together with all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon and all accrued and unpaid fronting fees and letter of
credit commissions then due under the Morgan LC Agreement shall have been fully
and finally paid, whether upon the prepayment or upon the maturity or
acceleration thereof, and the aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of
Credit outstanding under the Morgan LC Agreement shall have been permanently
reduced by an amount equal to such principal amount so paid, upon the request of
the Company and following confirmation of such by the Morgan L/C Agent (as
defined in the Master Creditor Agreement), a principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-third Series equal to the principal amount so paid shall be surrendered
by the Master Creditor Agent to the Trustee for cancellation, and upon such
surrender shall be deemed fully paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
principal and Interest due on the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall
continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of
principal or Interest (whether under the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series or the
Morgan LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master
Creditor Agent or any Morgan LC Credit Parties or any other person upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation of law,
all as though payment had not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-third Series may at any time surrender the same at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee, or at any other office or agency of the Trustee or
the Company maintained for such purpose, and with instruments of transfer
satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said series of like tenor and of
other authorized denominations; and the Company will provide, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to make such exchange.
The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series are nontransferable except to effect
transfer to any successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Morgan
LC Credit Parties, any such transfer of a Bond of the Eighty-third Series to be
made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon surrender and
cancellation of such Bond, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a
form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the
<PAGE>
registered holder of such Bond or by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon
a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-third Series, for a like principal amount and
bearing Interest at the same rates and having the same maturity date, will be
issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Morgan LC
Credit Parties, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the
Indenture. The provisions of Section 12 of Article Second of the Original
Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, no payment of a service charge shall
be required for any exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-third Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-third series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more Morgan LC Credit Parties, as
described herein and on the reverse hereof.
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws
of any state of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or
beneficial ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky
Laws and in accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse
hereof.
<PAGE>
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
FLOATING RATE SERIES C DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor Agreement
hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Morgan LC Agreement,
as hereinafter defined), on June 30, 1999 or such earlier date or dates on which
the principal amount of outstanding Advances is stated to be due and payable
(whether due to optional prepayment or acceleration) under the Morgan LC
Agreement, and to pay Interest (as defined below) as provided below and on the
reverse hereof. The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15%
per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months).
Both principal of and Interest on this Bond are payable at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said
Borough as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for all purposes have the same effect as
though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
<PAGE>
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-third Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-third Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and, irrespective of the time of issue, all equally
secured by a Mortgage Trust Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be
supplemental thereto to which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor
as Trustee hereunder is or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as
of October 1, 1937, to Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank,
in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association
and, in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine
Midland Trust Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New
York and Marine Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as
defined in the Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an
executed counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby
made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and
for a statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the
holders of the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions
upon which said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the
foregoing reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the
Indenture, shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities
herein provided, the principal of and Interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of the lenders and issuing bank (the "Morgan LC
Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the Issuing Bank
<PAGE>
in the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement dated
as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Morgan LC Agreement") among the Company, the
Morgan LC Credit Parties and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as
agent, (i) to evidence the obligation of the Company to make payments in respect
of the principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Morgan LC Agreement),
interest on the principal amount of such Advances and fronting fees and letter
of credit commissions in each case stated to be due under the Morgan LC
Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for
the ratable benefit of the Morgan LC Credit Parties, the benefit of the security
provided for under the Indenture and by the Bonds in respect of the obligations
of the Company set forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
"Interest" on this Bond accrues and is payable at the same
rates and on the same dates as provided in the Morgan LC Agreement for the
accrual and payment of interest in respect of outstanding principal of Advances
and the accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of credit commissions.
The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15% per annum
(calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months).
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and Interest on Bonds of the Eighty-third Series shall be fully
or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that,
at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid
fully or partially the then due principal of Advances, interest due thereon and
fronting fees and letter of credit commissions due in respect of outstanding
Letters of Credit (as defined in the Morgan LC Agreement), in each case under
the Morgan LC Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce
the principal amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series then outstanding
unless the aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of Credit outstanding under
the Morgan LC Agreement shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal
to such principal amount so paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal
and Interest due on this Bond shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any payment of principal or Interest (whether paid under this
Bond or the Morgan LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by
the Master Creditor Agent
<PAGE>
or any Morgan LC Credit Party or any other Person upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation of law, all as
though payment had not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all
outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or
(d) permit a reduction of the percentage required for any change or modification
of the Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued interest thereon may be declared, or may become, due and
payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the manner and
with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Each Bond of the Eighty-third Series shall be dated as of the
date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-third Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the obligations
of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall be
cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-third Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part.
<PAGE>
The principal amount of the Advances under the Morgan LC Agreement and,
therefore, the principal of the Bonds of the Eighty-third Series may be prepaid,
and the due dates thereof shall be accelerated, in accordance with the terms of
the Morgan LC Agreement.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or Interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Morgan LC Credit
Parties, any such transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust office of
the Trustee, upon surrender and cancellation of this Bond, accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the
Trustee, duly executed by the registered holder of this Bond or by his duly
authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-third
Series, for a like principal amount and having the same interest rate and
maturity date, will be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or
to one or more Morgan LC Credit Parties, as the case may be, in exchange
therefor, as provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any
exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto. The Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the person
in whose name this Bond is registered as the absolute owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes and the Company, the
Trustee and any paying agent or agency may disregard any notice to the contrary,
whether this Bond or Interest thereon shall be overdue or not. This Bond, alone
or with other Bonds of the Eighty-third Series, may in like manner be exchanged
at such office or agency for one or more new Bonds of the Eighty-third Series of
the same aggregate principal amount and having the same interest
<PAGE>
rate and maturity date, all as provided in the Indenture.
PART IV.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
FLOATING RATE SERIES D DUE JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series D due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as Master Creditor Agent on behalf of the lenders and
the issuing bank (the "Toronto LC Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the
Issuing Bank in the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit and Reimbursement
Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Toronto LC Agreement") among the
Company, the Toronto LC Credit Parties and Toronto Dominion (Texas) Inc., as
agent.
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series
for a principal amount exceeding $213,260,000 except that Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$213,260,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series,
and thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $213,260,000 principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series and deliver the same upon the written order of the Company
signed in its name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents or its
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.
<PAGE>
SECTION 2. Each Bond of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be
dated as of the date of its authentication. The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth
Series are to be issued to the Master Creditor Agent (i) to evidence the
obligation of the Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of
Advances (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement), interest on the principal
amount of such Advances and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions in
each case stated to be due under the Toronto LC Agreement and (ii) to provide to
the Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the
Toronto LC Credit Parties, the benefit of the security provided for under the
Indenture and by the Bonds in respect of the obligations of the Company set
forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series are to be issued in an
aggregate principal amount equal to $213,260,000, being the amount of the
aggregate original Available Amount (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement) of
all the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement) to be
outstanding under the Toronto LC Agreement minus the aggregate portion thereof
available for the payment of Interest Drafts (as defined in the Toronto LC
Agreement) and are to mature on June 30, 1999. The principal of the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series shall be payable on the same date or dates and in the same
amounts as set forth in the Toronto LC Agreement for the payment of principal on
Advances thereunder. "Interest" shall accrue and be payable on the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series from the date thereof until maturity, payable at the same
rates and on the same payment dates as provided in the Toronto LC Agreement for
the accrual and payment of interest in respect of outstanding Advances and the
accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of credit commissions. The rate
of Interest payable on the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall not exceed
15% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months). Definitive Bonds of said series shall be registered Bonds without
coupons and shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
The Interest payable on any Interest payment date shall be
paid to the persons in whose names the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series were
registered at the close of business on the record date for such payment of
Interest notwithstanding any cancellation of Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series
upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof between such record
<PAGE>
date and such Interest payment date; except that if the Company shall default in
the payment of any Interest due on such Interest payment date such defaulted
Interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Bonds of the Eighty-fourth
Series are registered either at the close of business on the date preceding the
date of payment of such defaulted Interest or on a subsequent record date fixed
for the payment of such defaulted Interest by notice given by mail by or on
behalf of the Company to the Trustee and holders of Bonds of the Eighty-fourth
Series not less than ten days preceding such subsequent record date. The term
"record date" as used herein shall mean, with respect to an Interest payment
date, the earlier of (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar
month next preceding such Interest payment date or, if such last day shall be a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law
to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a day on which such
institutions are so authorized to close and (ii) ten calendar days prior to such
Interest payment date or, if such day shall be a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law to close, the next
preceding day which shall not be a day on which such institutions are so
authorized to close or, in the case of defaulted Interest, the close of business
on any subsequent record date established as provided above.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Both principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for
<PAGE>
such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the
time of payment shall be legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the
Advances under the Toronto LC Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the
Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof
shall be accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Toronto LC Agreement.
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner
and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part IV or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series, the
obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and
Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be fully or partially,
as the case may be, satisfied and discharged, to the extent that, at any time
that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid fully or
partially the then due principal of Advances, interest then due on such amounts
and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions then due under the Toronto LC
Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce the principal
amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series then outstanding unless the
aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of Credit outstanding under the
Toronto LC Agreement shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal to
such principal so paid. The Trustee may conclusively presume that the obligation
of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and Interest on
the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall have been duly satisfied and
discharged unless and until the Trustee shall have received a notice of
nonpayment thereof from the Master Creditor Agent. The Master Creditor
Agreement, in Section 2.06(d) thereof, provides that, at such time as any
portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Advances together with all
accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all accrued and unpaid fronting fees and
letter of credit commissions then due under the Toronto LC Agreement shall have
been fully and finally paid, whether upon the prepayment or upon the maturity or
<PAGE>
acceleration thereof, and the aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of
Credit outstanding under the Toronto LC Agreement shall have been permanently
reduced by an amount equal to such principal amount so paid, upon the request of
the Company and following confirmation of such by the TD L/C Agent (as defined
in the Master Creditor Agreement), a principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series equal to the principal amount so paid shall be surrendered
by the Master Creditor Agent to the Trustee for cancellation, and upon such
surrender shall be deemed fully paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
principal and Interest due on the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall
continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of
principal or Interest (whether under the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series or
the Toronto LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the
Master Creditor Agent or any Toronto LC Credit Parties or any other person upon
the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation of
law, all as though payment had not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-fourth Series may at any time surrender the same at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee, or at any other office or agency of the Trustee or
the Company maintained for such purpose, and with instruments of transfer
satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said series of like tenor and of
other authorized denominations; and the Company will provide, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to make such exchange. The
Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series are nontransferable except to effect transfer
to any successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Toronto LC
Credit Parties, any such transfer of a Bond of the Eighty-fourth Series to be
made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon surrender and
cancellation of such Bond, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a
form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the registered
holder of such Bond or by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond
or Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series, for a like principal amount and bearing
Interest at the same rates and having the same maturity date, will be issued to
the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Toronto LC Credit
Parties, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the Indenture.
The
<PAGE>
provisions of Section 12 of Article Second of the Original Indenture to the
contrary notwithstanding, no payment of a service charge shall be required for
any exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-fourth series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more Toronto LC Credit Parties, as
described herein and on the reverse hereof.
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws
of any state of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or
beneficial ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky
Laws and in accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse
hereof.
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
FLOATING RATE SERIES D DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor
<PAGE>
Agreement hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement,
as hereinafter defined), on June 30, 1999 or such earlier date or dates on which
the principal amount of outstanding Advances is stated to be due and payable
(whether due to optional prepayment or acceleration) under the Toronto LC
Agreement, and to pay Interest (as defined below) as provided below and on the
reverse hereof. The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15%
per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months).
Both principal of and Interest on this Bond are payable at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said
Borough as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for all purposes have the same effect as
though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
<PAGE>
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-fourth Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and, irrespective of the time of issue, all equally
secured by a Mortgage Trust Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be
supplemental thereto to which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor
as Trustee hereunder is or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as
of October 1, 1937, to Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank,
in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association
and, in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine
Midland Trust Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New
York
<PAGE>
and Marine Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as
defined in the Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an
executed counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby
made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and
for a statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the
holders of the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions
upon which said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the
foregoing reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the
Indenture, shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities
herein provided, the principal of and Interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of the lenders and issuing bank (the "Toronto LC
Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the Issuing Bank in the Amended and
Restated Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996
(as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Toronto LC Agreement") among the Company, the Toronto LC Credit
Parties and Toronto Dominion (Texas) Inc., as agent, (i) to evidence the
obligation of the Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of
Advances (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement), interest on the principal
amount of such Advances and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions in
each case stated to be due under the Toronto LC Agreement and (ii) to provide to
the Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the
Toronto LC Credit Parties, the benefit of the security provided for under the
Indenture and by the Bonds in respect of the obligations of the Company set
forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
"Interest" on this Bond accrues and is payable at the same
rates and on the same dates as provided in the Toronto LC Agreement for the
accrual and payment of interest in respect of outstanding principal of Advances
and the accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of credit commissions.
The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed
<PAGE>
15% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months).
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and Interest on Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be
fully or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent
that, at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have
paid fully or partially the then due principal of Advances, interest due thereon
and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions due in respect of outstanding
Letters of Credit (as defined in the Toronto LC Agreement), in each case under
the Toronto LC Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce
the principal amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series then outstanding
unless the aggregate Available Amount of the Letters of Credit outstanding under
the Toronto LC Agreement shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal
to such principal amount so paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal
and Interest due on this Bond shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any payment of principal or Interest (whether paid under this
Bond or the Toronto LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by
the Master Creditor Agent or any Toronto LC Credit Party or any other Person
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation
of law, all as though payment had not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the
<PAGE>
Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all outstanding Bonds, (c) affect
the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or (d) permit a reduction of the
percentage required for any change or modification of the Indenture, without the
consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued interest thereon may be declared, or may become, due and
payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the manner and
with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Each Bond of the Eighty-fourth Series shall be dated as of the
date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the obligations
of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall be
cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the Advances
under the Toronto LC Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the Bonds of the
Eighty-fourth Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall be
accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the Toronto LC Agreement.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or Interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Toronto LC Credit
Parties, any such transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust
<PAGE>
office of the Trustee, upon surrender and cancellation of this Bond, accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the
Trustee, duly executed by the registered holder of this Bond or by his duly
authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-fourth
Series, for a like principal amount and having the same interest rate and
maturity date, will be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or
to one or more Toronto LC Credit Parties, as the case may be, in exchange
therefor, as provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any
exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto. The Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the person
in whose name this Bond is registered as the absolute owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes and the Company, the
Trustee and any paying agent agency may disregard any notice to the contrary,
whether this Bond or Interest thereon shall be overdue or not. This Bond, alone
or with other Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series, may in like manner be exchanged
at such office or agency for one or more new Bonds of the Eighty-fourth Series
of the same aggregate principal amount and having the same interest rate and
maturity date, all as provided in the Indenture.
PART V.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
FLOATING RATE SERIES E DUE JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, Floating Rate Series E due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as Master Creditor Agent on behalf of the lenders and
the issuing bank (the "CIBC LC Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the Issuing
Bank in the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement
dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CIBC LC Agreement") among the
Company, the CIBC LC Credit
<PAGE>
Parties and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as agent.
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series
for a principal amount exceeding $37,500,000 except that Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$37,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series, and
thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $37,500,000 principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-fifth
Series and deliver the same upon the written order of the Company signed in its
name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 2. Each Bond of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be dated
as of the date of its authentication. The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series are
to be issued to the Master Creditor Agent (i) to evidence the obligation of the
Company to make payments in respect of the principal amount of Advances (as
defined in the CIBC LC Agreement), interest on the principal amount of such
Advances and fronting fees and letter of credit commissions in each case stated
to be due under the CIBC LC Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master Creditor
Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the CIBC LC Credit Parties,
the benefit of the security provided for under the Indenture and by the Bonds in
respect of the obligations of the Company set forth in clause (i) of this
sentence.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series are to be issued in an
aggregate principal amount equal to $37,500,000, being the original Available
Amount (as defined in the CIBC LC Agreement) of the Letter of Credit (as defined
in the CIBC LC Agreement) to be outstanding under the CIBC LC Agreement minus
the portion thereof available for the payment of Interest
<PAGE>
Drafts (as defined in the CIBC LC Agreement) and are to mature on June 30, 1999.
The principal of the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be payable on the
same date or dates and in the same amounts as set forth in the CIBC LC Agreement
for the payment of principal on Advances thereunder. "Interest" shall accrue and
be payable on the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series from the date thereof until
maturity, payable at the same rates and on the same payment dates as provided in
the CIBC LC Agreement for the accrual and payment of interest in respect of
outstanding Advances and the accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of
credit commissions. The rate of Interest payable on the Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months). Definitive Bonds of said series
shall be registered Bonds without coupons and shall be issued in denominations
of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
The Interest payable on any Interest payment date shall be
paid to the persons in whose names the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series were
registered at the close of business on the record date for such payment of
Interest notwithstanding any cancellation of Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series
upon any registration of transfer or exchange thereof between such record date
and such Interest payment date; except that if the Company shall default in the
payment of any Interest due on such Interest payment date such defaulted
Interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Bonds of the Eighty-fifth
Series are registered either at the close of business on the date preceding the
date of payment of such defaulted Interest or on a subsequent record date fixed
for the payment of such defaulted Interest by notice given by mail by or on
behalf of the Company to the Trustee and holders of Bonds of the Eighty-fifth
Series not less than ten days preceding such subsequent record date. The term
"record date" as used herein shall mean, with respect to an Interest payment
date, the earlier of (i) the close of business on the last day of the calendar
month next preceding such Interest payment date or, if such last day shall be a
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law
to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a day on which such
institutions are so authorized to close and (ii) ten calendar days prior to such
Interest payment date or, if such day shall be a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law to close, the next
preceding day which shall not be a day on which such institutions are so
authorized to
<PAGE>
close or, in the case of defaulted Interest, the close of business on any
subsequent record date established as provided above.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Both principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the
Advances under the CIBC LC Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the Bonds
of the Eighty-fifth Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall be
accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the CIBC LC Agreement.
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part V or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series, the obligation
of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and Interest on
the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be fully or partially, as the case
may be,
<PAGE>
satisfied and discharged, to the extent that, at any time that any such payment
shall be due, the Company shall have paid fully or partially the then due
principal of Advances, interest then due on such amounts and fronting fees and
letter of credit commissions then due under the CIBC LC Agreement provided,
however, that such payment shall not reduce the principal amount of the Bonds of
the Eighty-fifth Series then outstanding unless Available Amount of the Letter
of Credit outstanding under the CIBC LC Agreement shall have been permanently
reduced by an amount equal to such principal so paid. The Trustee may
conclusively presume that the obligation of the Company to make payments with
respect to the principal of and Interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series
shall have been duly satisfied and discharged unless and until the Trustee shall
have received a notice of nonpayment thereof from the Master Creditor Agent. The
Master Creditor Agreement, in Section 2.06(e) thereof, provides that, at such
time as any portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Advances together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all accrued and unpaid fronting
fees and letter of credit commissions then due under the CIBC LC Agreement shall
have been fully and finally paid, whether upon the prepayment or upon the
maturity or acceleration thereof, and the Available Amount of the Letter of
Credit outstanding under the CIBC LC Agreement shall have been permanently
reduced by an amount equal to such principal amount so paid, upon the request of
the Company and following confirmation of such by the CIBC L/C Agent (as defined
in the Master Creditor Agreement), a principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series equal to the principal amount so paid shall be surrendered
by the Master Creditor Agent to the Trustee for cancellation, and upon such
surrender shall be deemed fully paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
principal and Interest due on the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall
continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of
principal or Interest (whether under the Bonds of Eighty-fifth Series or the
CIBC LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master
Creditor Agent or any CIBC LC Credit Parties or any other person upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation of law,
all as though payment had not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-fifth Series may at any time surrender the same at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee, or at any other office or agency of the
<PAGE>
Trustee or the Company maintained for such purpose, and with instruments of
transfer satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the terms, conditions and
limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said series of like tenor and of
other authorized denominations; and the Company will provide, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to make such exchange. The
Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series are nontransferable except to effect transfer
to any successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more CIBC LC Credit
Parties, any such transfer of a Bond of the Eighty-fifth Series to be made at
the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon surrender and
cancellation of such Bond, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a
form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the registered
holder of such Bond or by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond
or Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series, for a like principal amount and bearing
Interest at the same rates and having the same maturity date, will be issued to
the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more CIBC LC Credit
Parties, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the Indenture.
The provisions of Section 12 of Article Second of the Original Indenture to the
contrary notwithstanding, no payment of a service charge shall be required for
any exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-fifth series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more CIBC LC Credit Parties, as
described herein and on the reverse hereof.
<PAGE>
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws
of any state of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or
beneficial ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky
Laws and in accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse
hereof.
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
FLOATING RATE SERIES E DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor Agreement
hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Advances (as defined in the CIBC LC Agreement, as
hereinafter defined), on June 30, 1999 or such earlier date or dates on which
the principal amount of outstanding Advances is stated to be due and payable
(whether due to optional prepayment or acceleration) under the CIBC LC
Agreement, and to pay Interest (as defined below) as provided below and on the
reverse hereof. The rate of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15%
per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day
months).
Both principal of and Interest on this Bond are payable at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said
Borough as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for
<PAGE>
all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
<PAGE>
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-fifth Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and, irrespective of the time of issue, all equally
secured by a Mortgage Trust Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be
supplemental thereto to which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor
as Trustee hereunder is or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as
of October 1, 1937, to Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank,
in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association
and, in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine
Midland Trust Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New
York and Marine Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as
defined in the Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an
executed counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby
made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and
for a statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the
holders of the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions
upon which said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the
foregoing reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the
Indenture, shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities
herein provided, the principal of and Interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of the lenders and issuing bank (the "CIBC LC
Credit Parties") named as Lenders and the Issuing Bank in the Amended and
Restated Letter of Credit and
<PAGE>
Reimbursement Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "CIBC LC Agreement")
among the Company, the CIBC LC Credit Parties and Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce, as agent, (i) to evidence the obligation of the Company to make
payments in respect of the principal amount of Advances (as defined in the CIBC
LC Agreement), interest on the principal amount of such Advances and fronting
fees and letter of credit commissions in each case stated to be due under the
CIBC LC Agreement and (ii) to provide to the Master Creditor Agent, on behalf of
and for the ratable benefit of the CIBC LC Credit Parties, the benefit of the
security provided for under the Indenture and by the Bonds in respect of the
obligations of the Company set forth in clause (i) of this sentence.
"Interest" on this Bond accrues and is payable at the same
rates and on the same dates as provided in the CIBC LC Agreement for the accrual
and payment of interest in respect of outstanding principal of Advances and the
accrual and payment of fronting fees and letter of credit commissions. The rate
of Interest payable on this Bond shall not exceed 15% per annum (calculated on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months).
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and Interest on Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be fully
or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that,
at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid
fully or partially the then due principal of Advances, interest due thereon and
fronting fees and letter of credit commissions due in respect of the outstanding
Letter of Credit (as defined in the CIBC LC Agreement), in each case under the
CIBC LC Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall not reduce the
principal amount of the Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series then outstanding unless
the Available Amount of the Letter of Credit outstanding under the CIBC LC
Agreement shall have been permanently reduced by an amount equal to such
principal amount so paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and
Interest due on this Bond shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may be,
if at any time any payment of principal or Interest (whether paid under this
Bond or the CIBC LC Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the
Master Creditor Agent or any CIBC LC Credit Party or any other Person upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or
<PAGE>
reorganization of the Company or by operation of law, all as though payment had
not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all
outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or
(d) permit a reduction of the percentage required for any change or modification
of the Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued interest thereon may be declared, or may become, due and
payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the manner and
with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Each Bond of the Eighty-fifth Series shall be dated as of the
date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the obligations
of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall be
cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part. The principal amount of the Advances
under the CIBC LC Agreement and, therefore, the principal of the Bonds of
<PAGE>
the Eighty-fifth Series may be prepaid, and the due dates thereof shall be
accelerated, in accordance with the terms of the CIBC LC Agreement.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or Interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more CIBC LC Credit Parties,
any such transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee, upon surrender and cancellation of this Bond, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly
executed by the registered holder of this Bond or by his duly authorized
attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series, for a
like principal amount and having the same interest rate and maturity date, will
be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more CIBC
LC Credit Parties, as the case may be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the
Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of
transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. The
Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name this Bond is
registered as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and
for all other purposes and the Company, the Trustee and any paying agent or
agency may disregard any notice to the contrary, whether this Bond or Interest
thereon shall be overdue or not. This Bond, alone or with other Bonds of the
Eighty-fifth Series, may in like manner be exchanged at such office or agency
for one or more new Bonds of the Eighty-fifth Series of the same aggregate
principal amount and having the same interest rate and maturity date, all as
provided in the Indenture.
<PAGE>
PART VI.
CREATION OF A SERIES OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
3% SERIES DUE JUNE 30, 1999
SECTION 1. The Company hereby creates and establishes a new
series of Bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture to be designated
"First Mortgage Bonds, 3% Series due June 30, 1999" (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series").
The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be registered in
the name of Citibank N.A., as Master Creditor Agent on behalf of itself and the
Lender Parties (as defined in the Master Creditor Agreement).
The permitted principal amount of the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series which may be executed by the Company and authenticated by
the Trustee is limited so that at no time shall there be authenticated,
delivered or outstanding under the Indenture Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series
for a principal amount exceeding $20,000,000 except that Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series may always be issued as provided in Section 2 of Article
Fourth of the Indenture.
Upon the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company
may execute and deliver to the Trustee from time to time not in excess of
$20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series, and
thereupon the Trustee, without awaiting the filing or recording of this
Supplemental Indenture but upon receipt of specified evidence of due compliance
by the Company with the applicable provisions of the Indenture, shall
authenticate the said $20,000,000 principal amount of Bonds of the Eighty-sixth
Series and deliver the same upon the written order of the Company signed in its
name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 2. The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series are to be
issued to the Master Creditor Agent to secure the payment of up to $20,000,000
of Senior Bank Expense Obligations (as defined in the Master Creditor Agreement)
payable to the Lender Parties and the Master Creditor Agent. The Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series shall mature according to their terms on June 30, 1999 and,
in the case of the initial authentication of the Bonds of the Eighty-sixth
Series, shall be dated March
<PAGE>
21, 1996 and shall bear interest at the rate of 3% per annum during any period
when Senior Bank Expense Obligations have not been paid as required by the
Senior Bank Financing Agreements (as defined in the Master Creditor Agreement)
or the Master Creditor Agreement, as the case may be. The Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series are to be issued in an aggregate principal amount of
$20,000,000. Definitive Bonds of said series shall be registered Bonds without
coupons and shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
Subsequent to the initial authentication of the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series, each Bond of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be dated as of
the date of its authentication.
All of the Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be executed
in the name and on behalf of the Company by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its President or a Vice President, and imprinted with its
corporate seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the
signature (or manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be lettered "RU" and
numbered consecutively from RU-1 upwards, or shall bear such other letters as
may be provided therefor by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Both principal of and interest on the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series shall be payable at the office of the Trustee, which in the
case of Bankers Trust Company, shall be its corporate trust office in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or at such other
office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New
York, as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
SECTION 3. The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series are not
subject to redemption, either as a whole or in part. The maturity of the Bonds
of the Eighty-sixth Series is subject to acceleration in the same manner and
under the same conditions that the Senior Bank Expense Obligations under the
Senior Bank Financing Agreements and the Master Creditor Agreement are subject
to acceleration.
<PAGE>
If an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall
occur, the outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series may be declared or may be due and payable, in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Part VI or any provisions of the Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series, the
obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and
interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be fully or partially, as
the case may be, satisfied and discharged, to the extent of any such full or
partial payment of Senior Bank Expense Obligations under the Senior Bank
Financing Agreements and the Master Creditor Agreement. The Trustee may
conclusively presume that the obligation of the Company to make payments with
respect to the principal of and interest on the Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series
shall have been duly satisfied and discharged unless and until the Trustee shall
have received notice of nonpayment thereof from the Master Creditor Agent. The
Master Creditor Agreement, in Section 2.06(f) thereof, provides that, whenever
the principal of any Senior Bank Expense Obligations together with all accrued
interest thereon shall have been fully and finally paid, whether upon the
prepayment or upon the maturity or acceleration thereof, upon the request of the
Company and following confirmation of such by each of the Term Loan Agent, the
Revolving Credit Agent, the Morgan L/C Agent, the TD L/C Agent, the CIBC L/C
Agent and the Master Creditor Agent, a principal amount of Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series equal to the principal amount of Senior Bank Expense
Obligations paid shall be surrendered by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee for cancellation, and upon such surrender shall be deemed fully paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal and interest due on the Bonds of
the Eighty-sixth Series shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, if
at any time any payment of principal or interest (whether paid under the Bonds
of the Eighty-sixth Series, the Senior Bank Financing Agreements or the Master
Creditor Agreement) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master
Creditor Agent or any Lender Party or any other person upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or by operation of law, all as
though payment had not been made.
SECTION 5. The registered owner (or assigns) of any Bond of
the Eighty-sixth Series may at any time
<PAGE>
surrender the same at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, or at any other
office or agency of the Trustee or the Company maintained for such purpose, and
with instruments of transfer satisfactory to the Trustee, and subject to the
terms, conditions and limitations specified in the Indenture, shall be entitled
to receive in exchange therefor an equal principal amount of Bonds of said
series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations; and the Company will
provide, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Bonds necessary to
make such exchange. The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series are nontransferable
except to effect transfer to any successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to
one or more Lender Parties, any such transfer of a Bond of the Eighty-sixth
Series to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, upon
surrender and cancellation of such Bond, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the
registered holder of such Bond or by his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon
a new Bond or Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series, for a like principal amount and
having the same interest rate and maturity date, will be issued to the successor
to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Lender Parties, as the case may
be, in exchange therefor, as provided in the Indenture. The provisions of
Section 12 of Article Second of the Original Indenture to the contrary
notwithstanding, no payment of a service charge shall be required for any
exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto.
SECTION 6. The definitive Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series,
and the Trustee's Certificate to be inscribed on all Bonds of said series, are
to be substantially in the forms following, respectively:
[Form of Face of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-sixth series]
This Bond may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Bond
registered, and no transfer of this Bond in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the Master Creditor
Agent, a successor thereto or one or more Lender Parties, as described
herein and on the reverse hereof.
<PAGE>
This Bond has not been and will not be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws
of any state of the United States ("Blue Sky Laws") and record or
beneficial ownership of this Bond may not be offered, sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, in accordance with all applicable Blue Sky
Laws and in accordance with the restrictions set forth on the reverse
hereof.
No. RU-__ $_______
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND
3% SERIES DUE JUNE 30, 1999
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, a New York corporation
(herein called the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CITIBANK N.A., as Master Creditor Agent under the Master Creditor Agreement
hereinafter described, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_________________ Dollars or, if less, such principal amount as is equal to the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Senior Bank Expense Obligations
(as hereinafter described) on June 30, 1999, or such earlier date or dates on
which the principal amount of outstanding Senior Bank Expense Obligations is
stated to be due and payable (whether due to prepayment or acceleration) under
the Senior Bank Financing Agreements (as defined in the Master Creditor
Agreement) or the Master Creditor Agreement, as the case may be, and to pay
interest thereon at the rate of 3% per annum during any period when Senior Bank
Expense Obligations have not been paid as required by the Senior Bank Financing
Agreements or the Master Creditor Agreement, as the case may be.
Both principal of and interest on this Bond are payable at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named, in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or at such other office or agency in said
Borough as shall be maintained by the Company for such purpose, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for public and private debts.
<PAGE>
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Bond set
forth on the reverse hereof, which for all purposes have the same effect as
though fully set forth at this place.
This Bond shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until authenticated by the execution by the Trustee of the certificate inscribed
hereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be
executed in its corporate name by a facsimile of the signature (or manual
signature) of its President or a Vice President and imprinted with its corporate
seal (or a facsimile thereof), attested by a facsimile of the signature (or
manual signature) of its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
Dated: NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
By
Attest:
Secretary
[Form of Trustee's Certificate]
This is one of the Bonds of the Series designated above
described in the within-mentioned Indenture
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee
By
Authorized Officer
<PAGE>
[Form of Reverse of Definitive Bond of the Eighty-sixth Series]
This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the
Company, of an unlimited (except as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned) permitted principal amount, all issued or to be issued in one or more
series (the Bonds of the series of which this Bond is a part being herein called
the "Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series"), all of the Bonds of all series being
issued or to be issued under and, irrespective of the time of issue, all equally
secured by a Mortgage Trust Indenture (herein, with all instruments stated to be
supplemental thereto to which the Trustee hereinafter named or its predecessor
as Trustee hereunder is or shall be a party, called the "Indenture"), dated as
of October 1, 1937, to Bankers Trust Company (successor to Marine Midland Bank,
in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, N.A., a national banking association
and, in turn, successor to Marine Midland Bank, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, formerly named the Marine
Midland Trust Company of New York, Marine Midland Grace Trust Company of New
York and Marine Midland Bank -- New York and hereinafter, with its successors as
defined in the Indenture, referred to as the "Trustee"), to which Indenture, an
executed counterpart of which is on file with the Trustee, reference is hereby
made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged to the Trustee, and
for a statement of the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the
holders of the Bonds with respect to such security, and the terms and conditions
upon which said Bonds are or are to be issued and secured; but neither the
foregoing reference to the Indenture, nor any provision of this Bond or of the
Indenture, shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, at the stated or accelerated maturities
herein provided, the principal of and interest on this Bond as herein provided.
The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series have been issued to
Citibank N.A., as master creditor agent (the "Master Creditor Agent") under the
Master Creditor Agreement dated as of March 20, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Master
Creditor Agreement"), on behalf of itself and the lender parties (the "Lender
Parties") named as Lender Parties in the Master Credit Agreement, to secure the
payment of the principal of
<PAGE>
and interest, if any, due on up to $20,000,000 principal amount of Senior Bank
Expense Obligations (as defined in the Master Creditor Agreement) payable to the
Lender Parties or the Master Creditor Agent, or order.
The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to
the principal of and interest on Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be fully
or partially, as the case may be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that,
at any time that any such payment shall be due, the Company shall have paid
fully or partially the then due principal of and interest, if any, on the Senior
Bank Expense Obligations. Notwith standing the foregoing, the principal and
interest due on this Bond shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may be,
if at any time any payment of principal or interest (whether paid under this
Bond, the Senior Bank Financing Agreements or the Master Creditor Agreement) is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Master Creditor Agent or any
Lender Party or any other person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Company or by operation of law, all as though payment had
not been made.
The Indenture and the rights and obligations of the Company
and of the holders of the Bonds thereunder may be changed or modified at any
time upon the consent and approval of the Company and of the holders of 66-2/3
per cent in principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding affected by such
change or modification, given as provided in the Indenture, and in the manner
and subject to the limitations therein set forth; provided, that no such change
or modification shall (a) alter or impair the obligation of the Company to pay
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on any Bond at the time and
place and at the rate and in the currency provided therein, without the consent
of the holder of such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any
mortgage, or lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu
with the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to the Bondholders the
character of the lien of the Indenture, except as in the Indenture otherwise
expressly provided, unless the creation of such mortgage or lien, or such
alteration of the lien of the Indenture, be consented to by the holders of all
outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or
(d) permit a reduction of the percentage required for any change or modification
of the Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
<PAGE>
The outstanding principal indebtedness evidenced by this Bond
together with accrued interest thereon, if any, may be declared, or may become,
due and payable before maturity in certain events, on the conditions, in the
manner and with the effect set forth in the Indenture.
Subsequent to the initial authentication of the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series, each Bond of the Eighty-sixth Series shall be dated as of
the date of its authentication.
Upon surrender for cancellation, at any time or from time to
time, of Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series by the Master Creditor Agent to the
Trustee, the Bonds so surrendered shall be deemed fully paid and the obligations
of the Company thereunder shall be terminated, and such Bonds shall be
cancelled.
The Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series are not subject to
redemption, either as a whole or in part. The maturity of the Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series is subject to acceleration in the same manner and under the
same conditions that the Senior Bank Expense Obligations under the Senior Bank
Financing Agreements or the Master Creditor Agreement, as the case may be, are
subject to acceleration.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of any part of
principal of, or interest on, this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or
thereon, or otherwise in any manner with respect hereto, or with respect to the
Indenture, to or against any incorporator or any past, present or future
stockholder, officer or director of the Company or of any successor corporation,
either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or other provision of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty, or otherwise, all such liability being
expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Bond and as part of the
consideration for the issue hereof, as provided in the Indenture.
This Bond is nontransferable except to effect transfer to any
successor to the Master Creditor Agent or to one or more Lender Parties, any
such transfer to be made at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee,
upon surrender and cancellation of this Bond, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in a form approved by the Company and the Trustee, duly
executed by the registered holder of this Bond or by
<PAGE>
his duly authorized attorney, and thereupon a new Bond or Bonds of the
Eighty-sixth Series, for a like principal amount and having the same interest
rate and maturity date, will be issued to the successor to the Master Creditor
Agent or to one or more Lender Parties, as the case may be, in exchange
therefor, as provided in the Indenture. No service charge shall be made for any
exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto. The Company and the Trustee may deem and treat the person
in whose name this Bond is registered as the absolute owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes and the Company, the
Trustee and any paying agent or agency may disregard any notice to the contrary,
whether this Bond or interest thereon shall be overdue or not. This Bond, alone
or with other Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series, may in like manner be exchanged
at such office or agency for one or more new Bonds of the Eighty-sixth Series of
the same aggregate principal amount and having the same interest rate and
maturity date, all as provided in the Indenture.
PART VII.
INFORMATION TO TRUSTEE
SECTION 1. The Company covenants that so long as of any of the
Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series,
Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth Series or Eighty-sixth Series shall be
outstanding, the Company (i) will request the Master Creditor Agent or its
successor to provide the Trustee with information concerning any of the Term
Loan Agreement, the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Morgan LC Agreement, the
Toronto LC Agreement or the CIBC LC Agreement (collectively, the "Loan
Agreements") or Senior Bank Expense Obligations thereunder (including, without
limitation, information on amounts outstanding thereunder and interest due
thereon) that the Trustee may from time to time reasonably request and (ii) will
not amend or agree to amend Section 5.02(b) of the Master Creditor Agreement.
The Trustee may presume the correctness of the information provided to it
pursuant to this Section 1 and may conclusively rely thereon for all purposes of
the Indenture and the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, Eighty-second Series,
Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth Series and Eighty-sixth
Series.
<PAGE>
SECTION 2. The Company shall lodge with the Trustee copies of
the Loan Agreements and covenants that so long as of any of the Bonds of the
Eighty-first Series, Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth
Series, Eighty-fifth Series or Eighty-sixth Series shall be outstanding, it
shall lodge with the Trustee any amendments to the Loan Agreements.
PART VIII.
FUTURE AMENDMENTS OF INDENTURE AND LOAN AGREEMENTS
SECTION 1. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Fourth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, as follows:
1. by deleting the provisions of subparagraph 1(b) of
Paragraph F of Section 6 of Article Fourth thereof, of subparagraph
1(b) of Paragraph E of Section 7 of Article Fourth thereof and of
subsection 1(b) of Section 8 of Article Fourth thereof;
2. by restating Paragraph A of Section 7 of Article Fourth of
the Indenture so that, as so restated, it shall be and read as follows:
"A. The Bonds, Underlying Mortgage Obligations and Constituent
Corporation Bonds, if any, for which Bonds are then to be issued under
this Section 7, shall not previously have been made the basis for the
issuance of Bonds or for the withdrawal of money under any provision of
this Indenture, or retired out of moneys paid out by the Trustee under
the provisions of Section 9 of this Article Fourth or Section 2 of
Article Seventh hereof, or retired with moneys deposited under an
Underlying Mortgage or Constituent Corporation Mortgage and
representing the proceeds of any insurance on the Mortgaged Property or
of any part of the Mortgaged Property which shall have been released
from the lien of this Indenture, or used as the basis for a credit
under Section 4 of Article Third of this Indenture."; and
<PAGE>
3. by restating subsection (a) of subparagraph 3 of Paragraph
E of Section 7 of Article Fourth of the Indenture so that, as so
restated, it shall be and read as follows:
"(a) That the Bonds, Underlying Mortgage Obligations and
Constituent Corporation Bonds, if any, for which Bonds are then to be
issued under this Section 7, had not been made the basis for the
issuance of Bonds or for the withdrawal of money under any provision of
this Indenture, and had not been retired out of moneys paid out by the
Trustee under the provisions of Section 9 of this Article Fourth or
Section 2 of Article Seventh hereof, or retired with moneys deposited
under an Underlying Mortgage or Constituent Corporation Mortgage and
representing the proceeds of any insurance on the Mortgaged Property or
of any part of the Mortgaged Property which shall have been released
from the lien of this Indenture, and had not been used as the basis for
a credit under Section 4 of Article Third of this Indenture."
SECTION 2. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Ninth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by adding the following
Section 19 at the end of said Article Ninth:
"SECTION 19. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each
holder of Bonds by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have
agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for
the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any
suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as
Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in
its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys,
fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the
merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party
litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any
suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted any holder, or
group of holders, of more than 10% in aggregate principal
<PAGE>
amount of the Bonds outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any
holder of Bonds for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of
(or premium, if any) or interest on any Bond on or after the maturity
date expressed in such Bond."
SECTION 3. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Eleventh of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by amending the first
paragraph of Section 2 thereof so that, as so amended, it shall be and read as
follows:
"SECTION 2. Anything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding, any moneys at any time deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to the provisions hereof for the payment of the principal,
premium or interest of or upon any Bond or interest coupon and
remaining unclaimed for three (3) years after the date upon which such
payment shall have become due shall, upon the request of the Company,
be repaid to it by the Trustee; provided, that, before being required
to make any such repayment, the Trustee may, at the expense of the
Company, cause to be published, once a week for four (4) successive
calendar weeks, in a daily newspaper, printed in the English language,
published and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, State of New York, and in a daily newspaper, printed
in the English language, published and of general circulation in each
of the other cities (if any) in which such principal, premium or
interest, as the case may be, was payable in accordance with the terms
of the Bond or interest coupon with respect to which such moneys were
deposited, notice that the said moneys have not been claimed, and that
after a date named in such notice, the balance of such moneys then
unclaimed will be repaid to the Company."
SECTION 4. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Twelfth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
<PAGE>
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by amending Paragraph A of
Section 2 of Article Twelfth of the Indenture by the addition of the following:
"The Trustee may, and, upon written request of the Company or
of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Bonds
outstanding, shall, fix a day, not less than ten (10) days prior to the
date of first publication of notice of such meeting, as a record date
for the determination of holders of Registered Bonds without coupons,
and of Coupon Bonds registered as to principal (otherwise than to
bearer), entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any
adjournment thereof, and only such registered holders who shall have
been such on the date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of and to
vote such Bonds at such meeting, and the Registered Bonds without
coupons, and the Coupon Bonds registered as to principal (otherwise
than to bearer), on such record date may be voted at such meeting and
any adjournment thereof only by the persons who shall have been
registered holders of such Bonds on such record date or their proxies,
notwithstanding any registration of transfer of any such Bonds on the
books of the Company after such date. If any Registered Bonds without
coupons shall be transferred or shall be exchanged for Coupon Bonds
after such record date, or if any Coupon Bonds registered as to
principal (otherwise than to bearer) on such record date shall
thereafter be registered to bearer, a suitable notation shall be made
upon such Bonds at the time of registration of transfer from such
registered holder's name or exchange, as the case may be, to record the
fact that the registered holder of such Bonds on said record date or
his proxies shall be the only persons entitled to vote such Bonds at
the meeting. If any Coupon Bond not registered as to principal upon
such record date is thereafter so registered (otherwise than to bearer)
or is thereafter exchanged for a Registered Bond, the first registered
holder in whose name such Bond shall be so registered shall be deemed
to have been the registered holder of such Bond on the record date for
the purposes of this section, and upon such registration or exchange a
notice of such meeting shall be delivered to such registered holder. In
any case where a record date is fixed as aforesaid, the list of
Bondholders referred to in Paragraph B of this Section 2 shall be based
upon the holdings of Bonds on such record date,
<PAGE>
but shall also include the holder of Coupon Bonds registered as to
principal (otherwise than to bearer) after such record date and prior
to such meeting and the holders of Registered Bonds received in
exchange for Coupon Bonds after such record date and prior to such
meeting."
SECTION 5. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Twelfth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by adding the following
Paragraph G to Section 2 thereof:
"G. Whenever the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an
instrument or instruments executed by holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds per cent (66-2/3%) in aggregate principal amount of the
Bonds affected and outstanding at the time of such delivery, consenting
to the substance of a proposed modification or amendment to the
provisions hereof, thereupon the Trustee shall execute a supplemental
indenture in substantially the form provided for by or in such
instrument or instruments, and no holder of any Bond shall have any
right or interest to object to the execution of said supplemental
indenture or to object to any of the terms or provisions therein
contained, or the operation thereof, or in any manner to question the
propriety of the execution thereof, or to enjoin or restrain the
Trustee or the Company from executing the same or from taking any
action pursuant to the provisions thereof, provided that, in lieu of an
instrument or instruments executed by holders of Bonds, the consent of
the holders of any series of Bonds to any such proposed modification or
amendment may be set forth in and evidenced by the supplemental
indenture establishing the terms and provisions of such series; and
provided further that no such change or modification shall (a) alter or
impair the obligation of the Company to pay the principal and interest
on any Bond outstanding at the time and place and at the rate and in
the currency prescribed therein, without the consent of the holder of
such Bond, (b) permit the creation by the Company of any mortgage, or
lien in the nature of a mortgage, ranking prior to or pari passu with
the lien of the Indenture, or alter adversely to
<PAGE>
the Bondholders the character of the lien of the Indenture, except as
in the Indenture otherwise expressly provided, unless the creation of
such mortgage or lien, or such alteration of the lien of the Indenture,
be consented to by the holders of all outstanding Bonds, (c) affect the
Trustee unless consented to by the Trustee or (d) permit a reduction of
the percentage required for any change or modification of the
Indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds.
It shall not be necessary for any consent of Bondholders under
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed
supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent
approves the substances of the matters to which such consent relates.
Any consent executed and delivered by any Bondholder shall be binding
upon all future holders of Bonds held by such Bondholder at the time of
execution of such consent, including without limitation any Bonds
issued in substitution or exchange therefor, whether upon transfer or
otherwise."
SECTION 6. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Thirteenth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by amending the first
paragraph of Section 1 thereof so that, as so amended, it shall be and read as
follows:
"SECTION 1. Any demand, consent, waiver, request, notice or
other instrument in writing required or provided by this Indenture to
be signed or executed by the holders of any Bonds may be in any number
of concurrent writings of similar tenor, and may be signed or executed
by such holders in person or by attorney appointed in writing.
The fact and date of the execution by any person of any such
instrument, or of the writing appointing any such attorney, and of the
ownership by any person of any Bonds, may be proved in any manner
deemed sufficient by the Trustee, and such proof shall be conclusive in
favor of the Trustee and the Company.
<PAGE>
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph:
A. The signature on a proxy, consent or other such instrument
or writing, if believed by the Trustee to be genuine, shall be
sufficient to establish the fact of the execution thereof.
B. The fact of the ownership of any Coupon Bond which shall
not at the time be registered as to principal or shall be registered to
bearer, and the denomination and serial number of such Bond and the
date of holding the same, may be proved by a certificate executed by
any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary (wherever
situated), showing that at the date therein mentioned the person named
in such certificate had on deposit with such depositary the Bond
described in such certificate. For all purposes of this Indenture and
of any proceedings pursuant hereto for the enforcement hereof or
otherwise, to the extent permitted by the provisions of Section 4 of
Article Tenth, such person shall be deemed to continue to be the owner
of such Bond until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing to
the contrary. The ownership of any Registered Bond or of any Coupon
Bond which shall at the time be registered as to principal (otherwise
than to bearer) shall be proved by the register of Bonds maintained for
such purpose."
SECTION 7. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Fourth of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by amending subparagraph (3)
of Paragraph E of Section 9 thereof so that, as so amended, it shall be and read
as follows:
"(3) A statement, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, signed
by the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer of the Company, and verified on information and belief by one
of such officers not more than sixty (60) days prior to the receipt
thereof by the Trustee, certifying (a) that the Bonds so delivered had
previously been actually negotiated by the Company for value; (b) that
the
<PAGE>
Company had bona fide purchased or contracted to purchase the said
Bonds, Underlying Mortgage Obligations and Constituent Corporation
Bonds at prices (inclusive of accrued interest) to be set forth in the
statement, and that such prices were not in excess of 115% of the
principal amount of said Bonds, Underlying Mortgage Obligations and
Constituent Corporation Bonds; (c) that the Company is not, so far as
known to the officers signing such statement, in default with respect
to the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained
in this Indenture; and (d) that it is not then necessary to retire the
Underlying Mortgage Obligations to be purchased to eliminate any excess
of the nature described in Paragraph D of Section 7 hereof."
SECTION 8. The Company reserves the right, without any consent
or other action by holders of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series,
Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth
Series, Eighty-sixth Series or of any subsequently created series, to amend at
any time Article Seventh of the Indenture, as it may heretofore, hereby and
hereafter be or have been supplemented and amended, by amending Paragraph E of
Section 2 thereof so that, as so amended, it shall be and read as follows:
"E. To the purchase of Bonds of any series
issued and outstanding hereunder or of Underlying
Mortgage Obligations or of Constituent Corporation
Bonds at not in excess of 115% of the principal
amount thereof, in accordance with the provisions
of Paragraph E of Section 9 of Article Fourth."
SECTION 9. The Company covenants that so long as of any of the
Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, Eighty-second Series, Eighty-third Series,
Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth Series or Eighty-sixth Series shall be
outstanding, it will not make any amendment to the Loan Agreements that will
amend or modify the contractual rights of the owners of Bonds of any series
other than the owners of the Bonds of the Eighty-first Series, Eighty-second
Series, Eighty-third Series, Eighty-fourth Series, Eighty-fifth Series or
Eighty-sixth Series.
<PAGE>
PART IX.
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
SECTION 1. Article Tenth of the Original Indenture as
heretofore modified and amended is further amended by adding thereto, following
Section 18 thereof, a new Section 19 which shall be and read as follows:
"Section 19. The Trustee may appoint an
authenticating agent with power to act on the Trustee's behalf
and subject to its direction in the authentication and
delivery of Bonds in connection with transfers and exchanges
of Bonds under the provisions of this Indenture as fully to
all intents and purposes as though such authenticating agent
had been expressly authorized by said provisions to
authenticate and deliver Bonds. For all purposes of this
Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Bonds by such
authenticating agent pursuant to this Section shall be deemed
to be authentication and delivery of such Bonds "by the
Trustee". Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a
bank or trust company organized and doing business under the
laws of the United States or of any State, with a combined
capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000 and authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject
to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority.
The Trustee hereby appoints Marine Midland Bank, a banking
corporation and trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, as an authenticating agent. Any corporation
into which any authenticating agent so appointed may be merged
or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or
conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party,
or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business
of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of an
authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation
is otherwise eligible under this Section, without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of the parties hereto or such authenticating agent or
such successor
<PAGE>
corporation. Any authenticating agent may at any time resign
by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to
the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency
of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of
termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company.
Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a
termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent
shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may
appoint a successor authenticating agent, in which case it
shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company
and shall mail notice of such appointment. Any amounts paid by
the Trustee to the authenticating agent from time to time as
reasonable compensation for its services, shall be included in
the Trustee's Charges. The provisions of Article Second,
Section 8, and Article Tenth, Section 5 shall be applicable to
any authenticating agent."
PART X.
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 1. The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts hereby
declared and provided, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Original Indenture and in the indentures
supplemental thereto including this Supplemental Indenture and upon the
following terms and conditions:
The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever
for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture,
or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are
made by the Company solely. To the extent permitted by the provisions of Section
4 of Article Tenth of the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be answerable or
accountable for anything whatsoever in connection with this Supplemental
Indenture except for its own wilful misconduct or negligence.
<PAGE>
PART XI.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. This Supplemental Indenture shall, pursuant to the
provisions of Section 4 of Article Twelfth of the Indenture, hereafter form a
part of the Indenture; and all the terms and conditions contained in this
Supplemental Indenture as to any provision authorized to be contained herein
shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of the Indenture
for any and all purposes. Except as expressly amended and supplemented by this
Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture is hereby ratified and confirmed in all
respects.
SECTION 2. This Supplemental Indenture may be simultaneously
executed in any number of counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall for
all purposes be deemed to be an original and shall remain in full force and
effect, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Supplemental Indenture to be executed in their respective corporate names by
their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, and their respective
corporate seals to be hereto attached and to be duly attested, all as of the day
and year first above written.
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER
CORPORATION
[CORPORATE SEAL]
By
Name: Arthur W. Roos
Title: Vice President-
Treasurer
Attest:
Title:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
[CORPORATE SEAL] By
Name: James C.
McDonough
Title: Assistant Vice
President
Attest:
Title:
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
: ss.:
COUNTY OF ONONDAGA )
On this ____ day of March, 1996, before me personally came
Arthur W. Roos, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose
and say that he resides at 4573 Stoneledge Lane, Manlius, New York 13104; that
he is the Vice President-Treasurer of NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, the
corporation described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows
the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of
said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like order.
Notary Public
STATE OF NEW YORK )
: ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this ____ day of March, 1996, before me personally came James C.
McDonough, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and
say that he resides at 150 Draper Lane, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522; that he is
an Assistant Vice President of BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, the corporation described
in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the seal of said
corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal;
that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation,
and that he signed his name thereto by like order.
Notary Public
EXHIBIT 4(c)
================================================================================
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
SENIOR NOTES
--------------------
INDENTURE
Dated as of ______________, 1998
--------------------
--------------------
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
--------------------
Trustee
================================================================================
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE- 1 -
Section 1.01. Definitions.............................................- 1 -
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.......................................- 16 -
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.......- 16 -
ARTICLE 2
THE SENIOR NOTES- 18 -
Section 2.01. Series And Terms of Senior Notes........................- 18 -
Section 2.02. Terms of Initial Series Senior Notes....................- 20 -
Section 2.03. Form and Dating.........................................- 23 -
Section 2.04. Execution and Authentication............................- 23 -
Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent..............................- 24 -
Section 2.06. Paying Agent and to Hold Money in Trust.................- 24 -
Section 2.07. Holder Lists............................................- 24 -
Section 2.08. Transfer and Exchange...................................- 25 -
Section 2.09. Replacement Senior Notes................................- 25 -
Section 2.10. Outstanding Senior Notes................................- 26 -
Section 2.11. Treasury Senior Notes...................................- 26 -
Section 2.13. Cancellation............................................- 27 -
Section 2.14. Record Date.............................................- 27 -
Section 2.15. Cusip Number............................................- 27 -
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE- 27 -
Section 3.01. Certain Senior Notes Redeemable; Notices to Trustee.....- 27 -
Section 3.02. Selection of Senior Notes to Be Redeemed................- 28 -
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption....................................- 28 -
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption..........................- 29 -
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.............................- 30 -
Section 3.06. Senior Notes Redeemed in Part...........................- 30 -
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption of Initial Series Senior Notes......- 30 -
Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption....................................- 31 -
Section 3.09. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.....- 31 -
- i -
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS- 33 -
Section 4.01. Payment of Senior Notes.................................- 33 -
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.........................- 34 -
Section 4.03. Reports.................................................- 34 -
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate..................................- 35 -
Section 4.05. Taxes...................................................- 35 -
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws..........................- 36 -
Section 4.07. Restricted Payments.....................................- 36 -
Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries............................................- 38 -
Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness..............................- 38 -
Section 4.10. Proceeds of Certain Asset Sales.........................- 39 -
Section 4.11. Transaction with Affiliates.............................- 40 -
Section 4.12. Liens...................................................- 41 -
Section 4.13. Corporate Existence.....................................- 41 -
Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering
Event...................................................- 41 -
Section 4.15. Payments for Consents...................................- 43 -
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS- 43 -
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets................- 43 -
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.......................- 44 -
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES- 44 -
Section 6.01. Events of Default.......................................- 44 -
Section 6.02. Acceleration............................................- 46 -
Section 6.03. Other Remedies..........................................- 47 -
Section 6.04. Waiver of past Defaults.................................- 47 -
Section 6.05. Control by Majority.....................................- 47 -
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.....................................- 48 -
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Senior Notes to Receive Payment....- 48 -
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee..............................- 48 -
- ii -
<PAGE>
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim........................- 49 -
Section 6.10. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim........................- 49 -
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs...................................- 50 -
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE- 50 -
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.......................................- 50 -
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.......................................- 51 -
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee............................- 51 -
Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer....................................- 52 -
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults......................................- 52 -
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Senior Notes.......- 52 -
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity..............................- 52 -
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee..................................- 53 -
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc........................- 54 -
Section 7.10. Eligibility, Disqualification...........................- 54 -
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.......- 55 -
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE- 55 -
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance- 55 -
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and discharge..........................- 55 -
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.....................................- 56 -
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance..............- 56 -
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Senior Notes to Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions................- 58 -
Section 8.06. Repayment of Company....................................- 58 -
Section 8.07. Reinstatement...........................................- 59 -
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER- 59 -
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Senior Notes..............- 59 -
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Senior Notes.................- 60 -
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.....................- 62 -
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.......................- 62 -
- iii -
<PAGE>
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Senior Notes.................- 63 -
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.........................- 63 -
Section 9.07. Effect Of Supplemental Indentures. ....................- 63 -
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS- 64 -
Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls............................- 64 -
Section 10.02. Notices.................................................- 64 -
Section 10.03. Communication by Holders of Senior Notes with Other
Holders of Senior Notes.................................- 65 -
Section 10.04. Certificate And Opinion as to Conditions Precedent......- 65 -
Section 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion...........- 65 -
Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.............................- 66 -
Section 10.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees
and Stockholders........................................- 66 -
Section 10.08. Governing Law...........................................- 66 -
Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements...........- 66 -
Section 10.10. Successors..............................................- 66 -
Section 10.11. Severability............................................- 67 -
Section 10.12. Counterpart Originals...................................- 67 -
Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc........................- 67 -
- iv -
<PAGE>
INDENTURE dated as of _____________, 1998 between Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Company") and IBJ Schroder Bank &
Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee").
The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each
other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes
issued hereunder.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such
specified Person including, without limitation, any Indebtedness incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into
or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person and (ii)
Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified
Person.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a Person shall
be deemed to be control.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors, if any, of the
Company or any authorized committee thereof.
"Board Resolution" means a resolution authorized by the Board of
Directors.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
- 1 -
<PAGE>
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof
is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet of such
Person in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, shares of
corporate stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and
all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership
interests (whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or
participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the
profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Cash Equivalents" means (i) Government Securities having maturities of
not more than eighteen months from the date of acquisition; (ii) certificates of
deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of eighteen months or less
from the date of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding
eighteen months and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any lender party
to the Credit Facility or with any U.S. commercial bank having capital and
surplus in excess of $500 million; (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of
not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (i) and (ii) above entered into with any financial institution meeting
the qualifications specified in clause (ii) above; (iv) commercial paper having
either the highest or second highest rating obtainable from Moody's or S&P and
in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; (v) other
corporate debt or asset backed or mortgage backed securities with an Investment
Grade rating from Moody's or S&P and which mature within eighteen months; and
(vi) money market mutual funds.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i)
the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger, amalgamation or consolidation), in one or a series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) the adoption of a plan relating
to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the consummation of any
transaction (including, without limitation, any merger, amalgamation or
consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" or "group" (as such
terms are defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total
voting power in the aggregate, on a fully diluted basis, of all classes of
Capital Stock of the Company then outstanding normally entitled to vote in the
election of directors; or (iv) the first day on which a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors; provided,
however, that the consummation of a transaction in which the outstanding shares
of Common Stock are exchanged for common stock of a Person that thereafter will
be the sole shareholder of the Company as part of a holding company
reorganization shall not be deemed a "Change of Control." For purposes of this
definition, any transfer of an equity interest of an entity that was formed for
the purpose of acquiring voting stock of
- 2 -
<PAGE>
the Company will be deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such voting stock
as corresponds to the portion of the equity of such entity that has been so
transferred.
"Change of Control Triggering Event" means the occurrence of a Change
of Control and a Rating Decline.
"Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, $1.00 par value.
"Company Order" means a written order, signed in the name of the
Company by an authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee, for the
authentication and delivery of Senior Notes of the relevant series pursuant to
this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the procedures
described herein or therein.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person as of any
date, the sum of (i) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders (or
equity holders) of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as
of such date, plus (ii) the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance
sheet as of such date with respect to any series of Preferred Stock that by its
terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be
declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such
declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such
Person upon issuance of such Preferred Stock, less (x) all write-ups (other than
write-ups resulting from foreign currency translations and write-ups of tangible
assets of a going concern business made within 12 months after the acquisition
of such business) subsequent to the Initial Issuance Date in the book value of
any asset owned by such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, (y)
all investments as of such date in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (z) all
unamortized debt discount and expense and unamortized deferred charges as of
such date, all of the foregoing determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any
member of the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such
Board of Directors on the Initial Issuance Date or (ii) was nominated for
election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority
of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.
"Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" shall be at the address of the
Trustee specified in Section 10.02 or such other address as the Trustee may give
notice to the Company.
"Credit Facility" [means the unsecured senior credit facility of the
Company - to be completed], as such agreement is amended, modified, restated,
extended, renewed, replaced or refinanced from time to time.
- 3 -
<PAGE>
"Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by
the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at
the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date
that is one year after the final maturity of the outstanding series of Senior
Notes with the longest maturity.
"Dollar" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin
or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the
payment of public and private debts in the United States.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Fair Value" when applied to any property means its fair value to the
Company, which may be determined without physical inspection by use of
accounting and engineering records and other data maintained by, or available
to, the Company; provided that the Company delivers a Board Resolution
specifying the Fair Value of the assets being sold and, in the event of a
transaction in excess of $50.0 million, the Company also delivers an opinion of
a nationally recognized expert in the valuation of the assets being sold as to
the Fair Value of the assets being sold and that the transaction is fair to the
Company.
"First Mortgage Bonds" means the securities and other Indebtedness
issued from time to time pursuant to the Company's Mortgage Trust Indenture
dated as of October 1, 1937 and the supplemental indentures thereto.
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries means for any period, the ratio of (i) the sum (determined from the
consolidated income statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) of
(A) operating income or operating loss of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for such period plus (B) depreciation and
amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles and of
the MRA Regulatory Asset and other non-cash regulatory deferrals and
amortizations) and other non-recurring, non-cash charges of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such deprecation and
amortization and other non-recurring, non-cash charges were deducted in
computing operating income or operating loss, in each case on a consolidated
basis and determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (C) provision for taxes based
on income or profits of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the extent deducted in determining operating income, to (ii) the sum
- 4 -
<PAGE>
of (A) the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without
limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, imputed interest with respect to any sale and leaseback
transactions, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in
respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings (unless such
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges have been deducted in
calculating operating income), and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging
Obligations; plus (B) the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus (C) any
interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the
Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of
the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee
or Lien is called upon); plus (D) the quotient obtained by dividing all cash
dividend or other payments or distributions on or in respect of any series of
Preferred Stock, other than Preferred Stock issued for tax reasons by a trust
wholly-owned by the Company which represent preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the trust that consist of debt instruments issued by
the Company (i.e., "TIPES"), of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries by 1 minus the maximum statutory income tax rate then applicable to
the Company (expressed as a decimal), in each case, on a consolidated basis and
in accordance with GAAP. In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees or redeems any Indebtedness (other than
revolving credit borrowings) or issues Preferred Stock subsequent to the
commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being
calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption,
Guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of
Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
reference period.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in use at the
Initial Issuance Date or, at the option of the Company, other generally accepted
accounting principles which are in use at the time of their determination; in
determining generally accepted accounting principles, the Company may, but shall
not be required to, conform to any accounting order, rule or regulation of any
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the electric generating,
transmission or distribution operations of the Company.
"Generating Assets" means the Company's nuclear, fossil and
hydroelectric generation plants other than the Oswego Plant, and any related
asset necessary for the operation of any such plant and any associated license
or permit.
"Government Securities" means securities which are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States of America which, in either case, are not
callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof or otherwise subject
to prepayment, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a New York
Clearing House bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such
- 5 -
<PAGE>
Government Securities or a specific payment or interest on or principal of any
such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder
of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such depository receipt or from any amount held by the custodian in
respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of interest on or
principal of the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
"Gradation" means a gradation within a Rating Category or a change to
another Rating Category, which shall include "+" and "-", in the case of S&P's
current Rating Categories (e.g., a decline from BB+ to BB would constitute a
decrease of one gradation); "1", "2" and "3", in the case of Moody's current
Rating Categories (e.g. a decline from B1 to B2 would constitute a decrease of
one gradation); or the equivalent in respect of successor Rating Categories used
by Rating Agencies other than S&P or Moody's.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit,
reimbursement agreements and support, "keep well" or similar agreements in
respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the
obligations of such Person under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap
agreement, interest rate, currency or commodity future agreement, interest rate
cap or collar agreement, interest rate, currency or commodity hedge agreement,
and any put, call or other agreement designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.
"Holder" means a person in whose name a Senior Note is registered.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of
such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of
credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances
or representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of
the purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging Obligations of
such Person, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or
trade payable, if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness (other
than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon
a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether or
not such indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and, to the extent not
otherwise included, any Guarantees by such Person of any indebtedness of any
other Person.
"Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time
to time.
- 6 -
<PAGE>
"Initial Issuance Date" means the date of closing of the public
offering of the Initial Series Senior Notes as set forth in a Company Order.
"Initial Series Senior Notes" means the Series [to be supplied] Senior
Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date.
"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations),
advances (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to employees made in
the ordinary course of business) or capital contributions, purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that an
acquisition of assets, Equity Interests or other securities by the Company for
consideration consisting of assets or Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) shall not be deemed to be an Investment.
"Investment Grade" means BBB- or above, in the case of S&P (or its
equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P), or the equivalent in
respect of the Rating Categories of any other Rating Agency.
"Investment Grade Date" means the date of delivery by the Company to
the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate to the effect that the Senior Notes of
the series having the longest maturity then outstanding have been rated
Investment Grade by (i) S&P and Moody's or (ii) S&P or Moody's and at least one
other Rating Agency identified in such certificate.
"IPP Buyout" means the termination, restatement or amendment of certain
power purchase agreements in exchange for cash and securities pursuant to the
terms of the Master Restructuring Agreement.
"Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by
law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a
Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue
for the intervening period.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
encumbrance, charge, or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in a charge
against real or personal property, or a security interest of any kind in respect
of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under
applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option, other agreement to sell
or give a security interest in and any
- 7 -
<PAGE>
filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).
"Make Whole Premium" with respect to any Senior Note shall mean with
respect to any prepayment of such Senior Note in circumstances requiring the
payment of a Make Whole Premium, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the
aggregate present value as of the date of such prepayment of the expected future
cash flows of such Senior Note (for the avoidance of doubt, such amounts shall
include all principal and interest payable with respect to such Senior Note)
(exclusive of interest accrued to the date of prepayment) that, but for such
prepayment, would have been payable if such prepayment had not been made, all
determinated by discounting such amounts at a rate which is equal to the
Treasury Rate plus .50% over (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Senior
Note then to be prepaid. For purposes of any determination of the Make Whole
Premium:
"Treasury Rate" shall mean at any time with respect to the
Senior Notes being prepaid (a) the yield reported on page C4
of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service (or, if not
available, any other nationally recognized trading screen
reporting on-line intraday trading in United States government
securities) at 11:00 A.M. (New York, New York time) for those
actively traded United States government securities having a
maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the
remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Senior
Notes being prepaid or (b) in the event that no nationally
recognized trading screen reporting on-line intraday trading
in United States government securities is available, Treasury
Rate shall mean the weekly average of the yield to maturity on
the United States Treasury obligations with a constant
maturity (as compiled by and published in the most recently
published issue of the United States Federal Reserve
Statistical Release designated H.15(519) or its successor
publication) most nearly equal to (by rounding to the nearest
month) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Senior
Notes then being prepaid. If no maturity exactly corresponding
to such Weighted Average Life to maturity of such Senior Notes
shall appear therein, the weekly average yield for the two
most closely corresponding published maturities shall be
calculated pursuant to the foregoing sentence and the Treasury
Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated, as the case may
be, from such yields on a straight-line basis (rounding, in
the case of relevant periods, to the nearest month).
"Master Restructuring Agreement" means the Master Restructuring
Agreement dated July 9, 1997 among the Company and the independent power
producer parties thereto, as amended from time to time.
"Medium-Term Notes" means [to be supplied].
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor to
its securities ratings business.
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"MRA Regulatory Asset" means the item designated as such on the
Company's balance sheet, which represents amounts that the Company is permitted
to collect from customers, pursuant to the regulations of the PSC, in respect of
the IPP Buyout and the other transactions contemplated by the Master
Restructuring Agreement.
"Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by a Person
in respect of any sale of assets, net of amounts paid to minority interests,
co-owners or lienholders, the direct costs relating to such sale (including,
without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales
commissions), taxes paid or payable which are attributable to such sale (after
taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing
arrangements relating to such assets) and any cash reserve for adjustment in
respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with
GAAP.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the
Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provide credit support of any
kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; and (ii) no default with respect to
which (including any rights that the Holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any Holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to
its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the lenders have been notified in
writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Nuclear Generating Assets" means the Company's interest in Units 1 and
2 of the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Plant, and any related asset
necessary for the operation of such plants and any associated license or permit.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Officers" means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the
Executive Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, Controller,
Secretary or any Vice President of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the
principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of
Section 10.05 hereof.
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"Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the net cash provided by operating activities of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section
1005 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
"Oswego Plant" means the interest of the Company in the fossil fuel
electric generation plant located near Lake Ontario in Oswego, New York.
"Other Indebtedness" shall mean (i) the Credit Facility and any
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto and (ii) any other
Senior Indebtedness incurred after the Initial Issuance Date, except (a) First
Mortgage Bonds issued pursuant to clause (ii) of the second paragraph of Section
4.09; (b) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to First Mortgage
Bonds in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of First Mortgage Bonds issued
and outstanding at the closing on the Initial Issuance Date; and (c)
Indebtedness under the Securitization Transaction and the Receivables Financing
and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto.
"Permitted Asset Swap" means any swap of utility property or assets (or
assets related or ancillary thereto) of the Company for other property or assets
that will be used in or in connection with the Company's utility business.
"Permitted Hedging Agreement" of any Person shall mean any Hedging
Obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to the
Master Restructuring Agreement and not for speculation or trading purposes that
is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates or commodity prices with respect to Indebtedness
incurred or proposed to be incurred or assets used in the business in the
ordinary course and which in the case of agreements relating to interest rates
shall have a notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to
the Indebtedness being hedged thereby.
"Permitted Investment" means (a) an Investment in the Company or in a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including Investments by the Company in
the First Mortgage Bonds or Senior Notes to the extent otherwise permitted by
this Indenture); (b) an Investment in Cash Equivalents; (c) an Investment by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such
Investment (i) such Person becomes a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or
into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is
liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (d) an
Investment in any Person owning or operating electric generation, transmission
or distribution facilities or gas distribution or transportation or related
systems in which the Company owns joint or undivided interests; (e) an
Investment in a Person formed as a special purpose entity in
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conjunction with a Receivables Financing or Securitization Transaction; (f) an
Investment received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of
customers and suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and
other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of
business; and (g) any payment pursuant to those existing Investments of the
Company, including the nuclear decommissioning trust fund and the employee
benefits plan trusts, described in Schedule 1 attached hereto.
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to renew, extend, refinance, replace (including the
replacement at any time following their stated maturity of First Mortgage Bonds
or Senior Notes that are repaid at maturity, or the replacement at any time
following its stated maturity of the Credit Facility or the Receivables
Financing), defease or refund, in whole or in part, other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) the
principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the
principal amount of the Indebtedness so renewed, extended, refinanced, replaced,
defeased or refunded (plus the amount of accrued interest and premiums
(including premium paid on open market purchases), if any, thereon and the
reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith); (ii) Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness that is incurred prior to the maturity of the
Indebtedness that it is renewing, extending, refinancing, replacing, defeasing
or refunding must be on terms at least as favorable to the holders of Notes as
those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed,
extended, refinanced, replaced, defeased, or refunded and: (a) if such
Indebtedness has a final maturity date earlier than the final maturity date of
the series of Notes with the latest final maturity date, then such Permitted
Refinaning Indebtedness must have a final maturity date the same as or later
than the final maturity date of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal
to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness
being renewed, extended, refinanced, replaced defeased or refunded, and (b) if
such Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date
of the series of Notes with the latest final maturity date, then such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness must have a final maturity date the same as or later
than the final maturity date of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal
to or greater than the maturity of, the series of Notes with the latest final
maturity date; (iii) if the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced,
replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Senior
Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later
than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the
Senior Notes on terms at least as favorable to the holders of Senior Notes as
those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being
refinanced, replaced, defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is
incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary (or, in the case
of the Receivables Financing, the special purpose entity) that is the obligor on
the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, replaced, defeased or
refunded.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Pollution Control Obligations" means the Indebtedness or other
obligations (however designated) of the Company in respect of tax-exempt revenue
bonds issued by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
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"PowerChoice Agreement" means the PowerChoice Settlement Agreement
between the Company and the PSC, as approved by the PSC in an Order dated March
20, 1998, as such agreement may be modified or amended from time to time.
"Preferred Stock" means any Capital Stock of the Company which by its
terms has preference to Common Stock in right of dividends or other
distributions upon liquidation or dissolution.
"PSC" means the New York State Public Service Commission, or any
successor agency or other governmental entity performing the same function.
"Rating Agency" means any of S&P, Moody's, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating
Company and Fitch Investors Service, Inc. and their successors.
"Rating Categories" means (i) with respect to S&P, any of the following
categories (any of which may include a "+" or "-"): AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC,
CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); (ii) with respect to Moody's,
any of the following categories (any of which may include a "1", "2" or "3"):
Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories);
and (iii) the equivalent of any such categories of S&P or Moody's used by
another Rating Agency, if applicable.
"Rating Decline" means, at any time within 90 days (which period shall
be extended so long as the rating of the Senior Notes is under publicly
announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any Rating Agency) after the
date of public notice of a Change of Control, or the intention of the Company or
any Person to effect a Change of Control, (i) the Rating of the Senior Notes is
decreased at least one Gradation by any Rating Agency or (ii) a withdrawal of
the rating of the Senior Notes by any Rating Agency.
"Receivables Financing" means the Obligation of the Company pursuant to
the [describe agreement], as such agreement is amended or modified from time to
time.
"Related Asset" means real or tangible personal property integral to
the generation, transmission or distribution of electricity or the
transportation or distribution of natural gas, and ancillary or related
activities, including other energy-related businesses.
"Repurchase Offer" means a Change of Control Offer.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any
successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer
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to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person
that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"S&P" means Standard & Poors' Rating Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
"Sale of Assets" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of any assets (including, without limitation by way of a sale and
leaseback) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than sales of
inventory or other current assets in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice (provided that the sale, lease conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Sections 4.14 and/or Section
5.01 and not Section 4.10 hereof); (ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of their Restricted
Subsidiaries, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions (a) that have a Fair Value in
excess of $25.0 million or (b) for Net Proceeds in excess of $25.0 million;
(iii) the sale or other disposition (but not any spin-off or other distribution
to the Company's shareholders) of the Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant; or
(iv) a Securitization Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) a transfer
of assets by the Company to a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or by a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary; (iii) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07; (iv)
sales of property or equipment that have become worn out, obsolete or damaged or
otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (v) transactions involving the license,
lease or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of
business; (vi) the making of any Permitted Investment; (vii) the transfer, sale
or assignment of assets to a single purpose entity in connection with the
Receivables Financing; and (viii) a Permitted Asset Swap will not be deemed to
be a Sale of Assets.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Securitization Transaction" means a transaction in which the Company,
pursuant to authorization of the PSC, or other appropriate governmental
authorizations, transfers rights or other
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property to a Person formed as a special purpose entity in conjunction with a
financing based on the Company's right to collect a non-by passable wires or
similar fee.
"Senior Indebtedness" means any senior Indebtedness of the Company,
including the First Mortgage Bonds, the Credit Facility, the Senior Notes and
the Medium-Term Notes.
"Senior Notes" means the Company's Series [to be supplied] Senior Notes
and any other series of Senior Notes issued under this Indenture or any
Supplemental Indenture.
["Series __ Senior Notes" means the Company's __% Series __ Senior
Notes due ____, which were issued pursuant to the Indenture on the Initial
Issuance Date.
[Add/delete series as necessary.]
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on
the date hereof.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or
Guaranteed by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) which is subordinate
to the Senior Notes in right of payment or rights upon liquidation of the
Company, whether pursuant to the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing
such Indebtedness or otherwise.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b)
the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
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"Supplemental Indenture" means any indenture hereafter duly authorized
and approved by the Board of Directors and entered into between the Company and
the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. ss.ss.
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified
under the TIA, except as provided in Section 9.03 hereof.
"Trustee" means the party named as such above until a successor
replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) Opinac North America, Inc., Opinac
Energy Corporation, Plum Street Enterprises, Inc., Canadian Niagara Power
Company, Limited and any other Subsidiary that is designated by the Board of
Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution; but only
to the extent that any such Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness other than
Non-Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of
any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable
to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained
at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a Person
with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity
Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to
cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and (d)
has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support
for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. Any
such designation by the Board of Directors will be evidenced to the Trustee by
filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect
to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such
designation complied with the foregoing conditions and was permitted by Section
4.07 of this Indenture. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail
to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall
thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date by Section 4.07, the Company shall be in default of
such provision). The Board of Directors may at any time designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such
designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted
Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness
is permitted by Section 4.07 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in
existence following such designation.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products obtained by multiplying (a)
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the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or
other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in
respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment,
by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
"Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or ownership
interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time
be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
of such Person.
SECTION 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONS.
Term Defined in Section
"Affiliate Transaction"......................... 4.11
"Asset Sale Offer".............................. 4.10
"Beneficial Owners" ............................ 2.02
"Case".......................................... 6.01
"Change of Control Offer"....................... 4.14
"Change of Control Payment"..................... 4.14
"Change of Control Payment Date"................ 4.14
"Covenant Defeasance"........................... 8.03
"Custodian"..................................... 6.01
"Event of Default".............................. 6.01
"Incur"......................................... 4.09
"Legal Defeasance".............................. 8.02
"Offer Amount".................................. 3.09
"Offer Period".................................. 3.09
"Participant" .................................. 2.02
"Paying Agent".................................. 2.05
"Payment Default"............................... 6.01
"Purchase Date"................................. 3.09
"Registrar"..................................... 2.05
"Restricted Payments"........................... 4.07
"Securities Depositary" ........................ 2.02
"Successor Entity" ............................. 5.01
SECTION 1.03. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
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The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following
meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Senior Notes;
"indenture security holder" means a Holder of a Senior Note;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee;
"obligor" on the Senior Notes means the Company, or any successor
obligor upon the Senior Notes.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.
SECTION 1.04. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States;
(3) references to "generally accepted accounting principles" shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United
States as of the time when and for the period as to which such
accounting principles are to be applied;
(4) "or" is not exclusive;
(5) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
include the singular;
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(7) the words "he," "his," and "him" refer to both the masculine
and feminine gender.
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ARTICLE 2
THE SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 2.01. SERIES AND TERMS OF SENIOR NOTES.
At the option of the Company, Senior Notes may be issued under this
Indenture in one or more series and in an unlimited amount. All Senior Notes
issued under this Indenture and any sums which may be secured by this Indenture
shall be secured equally, to the same extent and with the same priority, as the
amount initially advanced on the security of this Indenture.
Except for the Initial Series Senior Notes, which are created hereby,
each series of Senior Notes shall be created and established in a Supplemental
Indenture which shall designate the title of such series of Senior Notes, any
maximum aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of such series which may be
authenticated and delivered upon the original issuance or issuances of such
Senior Notes, and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in
which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Senior Notes
shall be payable if other than in Dollars.
The Supplemental Indenture which creates and establishes a series of
Senior Notes, or a Company Order pursuant to such Supplemental Indenture, shall
specify the form of Senior Notes of such series (and, if applicable, any
coupons) and any and all of the terms of such Senior Notes or the method of
determining such terms, which terms may include, but are not limited to:
(i) the principal amount of such Senior Notes to be authenticated
and delivered upon their original issuance at any particular time;
(ii) the date on which such Senior Notes are to be issued, and the
date from which interest, if any, will accrue on such Senior Notes;
(iii) the rate of interest, if any, which shall be borne by such
Senior Notes and, if such interest rate is not a fixed rate, the
formula for determining such interest rate from time to time;
(iv) the interest payment dates, if any, with respect to such
Senior Notes;
(v) the record dates for the payment of interest on any interest
payment dates with respect to such Senior Notes;
(vi) the date or dates on which principal of such Senior Notes is
payable;
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(vii) the place or places where (A) the principal of and interest,
if any, on such Senior Notes shall be payable upon presentation
thereof, (B) such Senior Notes may be surrendered for registration of
transfer, (C) such Senior Notes may be surrendered for exchange, and
(D) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such
Senior Notes and this Indenture may be served, if different than as
provided in Section 10.02;
(viii) the means, which may include mail, for the payment of
principal of and interest, if any, on such Senior Notes;
(ix) if such Senior Notes may be established in book entry or
certificate form;
(x) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
which and the terms and conditions upon which such Senior Notes may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(xi) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or
repurchase such Senior Notes pursuant to any sinking, improvement,
maintenance, replacement or analogous fund or at the option of a holder
thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
which and the terms and conditions upon which such Senior Notes shall
be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligation;
(xii) if the principal of or interest, if any, on such Senior
Notes, are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder of
such Senior Notes, in a coin or currency other than that in which such
Senior Notes are stated to be payable, the period or periods within
which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be
made;
(xiii) if the principal of or interest, if any, on such Senior Notes
are to be payable, or are to be payable at the election of the Company
or a Holder of such Senior Notes, in securities or other property, the
type and amount of such securities or other property, or the method by
which such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within
which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any election may be
made;
(xiv) if the amount of payments of principal of or interest, if
any, on such Senior Notes may be determined with reference to an index
or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture, the
manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(xv) if other than the principal amount of such Senior Notes, the
portion of such principal amount of such Senior Notes which shall be
payable upon a declaration that the principal of such Senior Notes is
due and payable immediately pursuant to Section 6.02;
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(xvi) the terms, if any, pursuant to which such Senior Notes may be
converted into or exchanged for shares of Capital Stock or other
securities of the Company or of any other Person;
(xvii) the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be
considered to be eligible obligations in respect of such Senior Notes
if they are denominated in a composite currency or in a currency other
than Dollars;
(xviii) if a service charge will be made for the registration of
transfer or exchange of such Senior Notes the amount or terms thereof;
and
(xix) any variation in the definition of Business Day with respect
to such Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes and coupons of any one or more series may be expressed
in one or more foreign languages, if also expressed in the English language, and
the English text shall govern the construction thereof and both or all texts
shall constitute only a single obligation. The English text of Senior Notes and
the authentication certificate of the Trustee shall be in the forms set forth in
the Supplemental Indenture creating and establishing such series of Senior Notes
or in a Company Order pursuant to such Supplemental Indenture.
With respect to Senior Notes of a series subject to a periodic
offering, the Supplemental Indenture which creates and establishes such series
or a Company Order pursuant to such Supplemental Indenture may provide general
terms or parameters for Senior Notes of such series and provide either that the
specific terms of particular Senior Notes of such series shall be specified in a
Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its
agents in accordance with specified procedures, acceptable to the Trustee, by
which such terms are to be established (which procedures may provide for
authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the
Company or any agent or agents thereof, which oral instructions are to be
promptly confirmed electronically or in writing).
SECTION 2.02. TERMS OF INITIAL SERIES SENIOR NOTES.
There are hereby created and established [to be supplied] series of
Senior Notes to be issued pursuant to this Indenture, having the respective
series designations, maturity dates and maximum aggregate principal amounts
(subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture) as follows:
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Maximum
Series Designation Maturity Date Principal Amount
[Details of all Series - to be supplied]
The Initial Series Senior Notes shall have the following terms:
(1) The Initial Series Senior Notes shall bear interest at the rate per
annum set forth in their respective titles, from the date of their initial
issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of
twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Initial Series Senior Notes will accrue
from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has
been paid, from the date of their initial issuance. The interest payment dates
for the Series __ Senior Notes and Series __ Senior Notes shall be ________ and
______ in each year, commencing ___________, 1998. The interest payment dates
for the Series __ Senior Notes and Series __ Senior Notes shall be _________ and
__________ in each year, commencing _________, 1998. The regular record dates
for the interest payable on any interest payment date for the Series __ Senior
Notes and Series __ Senior Notes shall be the ________ and ________ next
preceding such __________ or ___________, as the case may be. The regular record
dates for the interest payable on any interest payment date for the Series __
Senior Notes and Series __ Senior Notes shall be the __________ and _________
next preceding such _______ or _______, as the case may be.
(2) The Initial Series Senior Notes are subject to redemption and
repurchase by the Company in accordance with the terms of Article 3 hereof.
(3) The Initial Series Senior Notes are entitled to the protections of
the covenants contained in Articles 4 and 5 hereof and are subject to the
provisions pertaining to Events of Default contained in Article 6 hereof.
(4) The Initial Series Senior Notes shall be issuable in fully
registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Initial Series Senior Notes shall be
numbered [to be supplied] consecutively upwards, with the second capital letter
of such number corresponding to the applicable series of Senior Notes.
(5) The Initial Series Senior Notes shall be dated as described in
Section 2.03 of the Indenture, except that Initial Series Senior Notes first
issued shall be dated as of the Initial Issuance Date.
(6) Payment of principal of and interest on the Initial Series Senior
Notes will be made in Dollars. Payment of principal of the Initial Series Senior
Notes will be made upon
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surrender thereof at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the City and State of New York, and principal and interest may be
paid by check mailed to the address of the Holder as such address shall appear
in the records of the Registrar as of the applicable record date or upon written
request made prior to the applicable record date by a Holder of Initial Series
Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000, payments
in respect of such Senior Notes shall be made by wire transfer; provided,
further, that in the case of redemption or repurchase the Company may designate
such other offices or agencies at which Initial Series Senior Notes subject to
such redemption or repurchase may be surrendered for payment.
(7) The Trustee and the Company may from time to time enter into, and
discontinue, an agreement with a clearing agency (the "Securities Depository")
registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act, which is the registered owner
of all of the Senior Notes of a series, to establish procedures with respect to
the Senior Notes of such series not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Indenture; provided, however, that any such agreement may provide:
(i) that the Senior Notes of such series may be represented by one or
more global certificates;
(ii) that such Securities Depository is not required to present a
Senior Note of such series to the Trustee in order to receive a partial
payment of principal;
(iii) that a legend referring to such agreement shall appear on each
Senior Note of such series so long as the Senior Notes of such series are
subject to such agreement; and
(iv) that provisions for notice to such Securities Depository which are
different from notice provisions in the Indenture, may be set forth
therein.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or
obligation to any Securities Depository, to any direct or indirect participant
(a "Participant") in the book entry system of any Securities Depository, or to
the purchasers (the "Beneficial Owners") of an interest in the Senior Notes of
such series from a Participant with respect to (A) the accuracy of any records
maintained by the Securities Depository or by any Participant; (B) the payment
by the Securities Depository or by any Participant of any amount due to any
Beneficial Owner in respect of the principal amount or redemption price of, or
interest on, any Senior Notes of such series; (C) the delivery of any notice by
the Securities Depository or any Participant; (D) the selection of the
Beneficial Owners to receive payment in the event of any partial redemption of
the Senior Notes of such series; or (E) any other action taken by the Securities
Depository or any Participant.
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SECTION 2.03. FORM AND DATING.
The Senior Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be substantially in the form of Exhibits [to be supplied] through Exhibit [to be
supplied] hereto (which shall be a part of this Indenture) in respect of the
Initial Series Senior Notes, or as specifically provided in the Supplemental
Indenture that creates any other series of Senior Notes or in a Company Order
pursuant to such Supplemental Indenture. The Senior Notes may have notations,
legends or endorsements approved as to form by the Company and required by law,
stock exchange rules and agreements to which the Company is subject or usage.
Each Senior Note shall be dated the date of its authentication, unless otherwise
specifically provided herein or in the Supplemental Indenture that creates a
series of Senior Notes or in a Company Order pursuant to such Supplemental
Indenture. The Senior Notes shall be issuable only in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Senior Notes shall
constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the
Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture and
of any Supplemental Indenture creating any series of Senior Notes, expressly
agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
SECTION 2.04. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Senior Notes for the Company
by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer of the Company whose signature
is on a Senior Note no longer holds that office at the time a Senior Note is
authenticated, the Senior Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Senior Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual
signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the
Senior Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by two
Officers of the Company, authenticate Senior Notes for original issue up to the
aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 3 of the Initial Series Senior
Notes, or as specifically provided in the Supplemental Indenture that creates
any other series of Senior Notes or in a Company Order pursuant to such
Supplemental Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
outstanding at any time may not exceed such amount except as provided in Section
2.09 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Senior Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate
Senior Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company.
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SECTION 2.05. REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Senior Notes may
be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar") and an
office or agency where Senior Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying
Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Senior Notes and of their
transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one
or more additional paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar
and the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company
may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The
Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent
not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fail to appoint or maintain
another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The
Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and
Paying Agent and agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the
Senior Notes.
SECTION 2.06. PAYING AGENT AND TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee or
the Company itself to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust
for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for
the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Senior Notes, and will
notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.
While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay
all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a
Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to
the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no further
liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. If the Company acts as Paying
Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of
the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or
reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as
Paying Agent for the Senior Notes.
SECTION 2.07. HOLDER LISTS.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA ss. 312(a). If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of
Senior Notes, including the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes held by
each thereof.
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SECTION 2.08. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
When Senior Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to
register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of
Senior Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer
or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met;
provided, however, that any Senior Note presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar and the
Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney duly authorized
in writing. To permit registrations of transfer and exchanges, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate Senior Notes at the Registrar's
request, subject to such rules as the Trustee may reasonably require.
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (i) to issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Senior Notes during a period beginning at
the opening of business on a Business Day 15 days before the day of any
selection of Senior Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the
close of business on the day of selection, (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Senior Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, being
redeemed in part or (iii) to register the transfer or exchange of a Senior Note
between the record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
No service charge shall be made to any Holder of a Senior Note for any
registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted
herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith
(other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon
exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.12, 3.06, or 9.05 hereof, which shall be paid
by the Company).
Prior to due presentment to the Trustee for registration of the
transfer of any Senior Note, the Trustee, any Agent or the Company may deem and
treat the Person in whose name any Senior Note is registered as the absolute
owner of such Senior Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of,
or premium, if any, on such Senior Note and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Senior Note is overdue, and neither the Trustee, any Agent
or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 2.09. REPLACEMENT SENIOR NOTES.
If any mutilated Senior Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the
Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Senior Note, the Company shall issue and the
Trustee, upon the written order of the Company signed by two Officers of the
Company, shall authenticate a replacement Senior Note if the Trustee's
requirements for replacements of Senior Notes are met. If required by the
Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is
sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to
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protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from
any loss that any of them may suffer if a Senior Note is replaced. The Company
may charge for its expenses in replacing a Senior Note.
Every replacement Senior Note shall constitute a valid obligation of
the Company and shall evidence the same debt as the Senior Note for which it is
a replacement.
SECTION 2.10. OUTSTANDING SENIOR NOTES.
The Senior Notes outstanding at any time are all the Senior Notes
authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to
it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
Except as set forth in Section 2.11 hereof, a Senior Note does not cease to be
outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Senior
Note.
If a Senior Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 hereof, it ceases
to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Senior Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Senior Note is considered paid under
Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to
accrue.
SECTION 2.11. TREASURY SENIOR NOTES.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Senior Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Senior Notes
owned by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the
purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any
such direction, waiver or consent, only Senior Notes that a Trustee knows are so
owned shall be so considered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Senior Notes that
are to be acquired by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other
agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by the Company, a Subsidiary of the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company until legal title to such Senior Notes
passes to the Company, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate, as the case may be.
SECTION 2.12. TEMPORARY SENIOR NOTES.
Until definitive Senior Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may
prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Senior Notes upon a written
order of the Company signed by two Officers. Temporary Senior Notes shall be
substantially in the form of definitive Senior Notes but may have variations
that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Senior Notes and as shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company
shall prepare and
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the Trustee, upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers of the
Company, shall authenticate definitive Senior Notes in exchange for temporary
Senior Notes. Holders of temporary Senior Notes shall be entitled to all of the
benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.13. CANCELLATION.
The Company at any time may deliver Senior Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Senior Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Senior Notes surrendered
for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and
shall destroy canceled Senior Notes (subject to the record retention requirement
of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Senior
Notes shall be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Senior
Notes to replace Senior Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.14. RECORD DATE.
The record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of
the Senior Notes entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent
authorized or permitted under this Indenture shall be determined as provided for
in TIA ss. 316(c).
SECTION 2.15. CUSIP NUMBER.
The Company in issuing the Senior Notes may use a "CUSIP" number and,
if it does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption
or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state
that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP
number printed in the notice or on the Senior Notes and that reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Senior Notes. The
Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP number.
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE
SECTION 3.01. CERTAIN SENIOR NOTES REDEEMABLE; NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.
Any Outstanding Senior Notes which are, by their terms, redeemable
before maturity, at the option of the Company or pursuant to the requirements of
this Indenture (or any Supplemental Indenture which created a series of Senior
Notes), may be redeemed at such times, in such amounts and at such prices as may
be specified therein and in accordance with this Article 3.
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If the Company elects to redeem any Initial Series Senior Notes
pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall
furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a
redemption date, an Officers' Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this
Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption
date, (iii) the principal amount of Senior Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the
redemption price. The notice periods for redemption of other series of Senior
Notes, if different from the foregoing, shall be set forth in the Supplemental
Indenture which creates and establishes such series or a Company Order pursuant
to such Supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 3.02. SELECTION OF SENIOR NOTES TO BE REDEEMED.
If less than all of the Outstanding Senior Notes are to be redeemed at
any time, the Trustee shall select the Senior Notes to be redeemed among the
Holders of the Senior Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal
national securities exchange, if any, on which the Senior Notes are listed or,
if the Senior Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in
accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. In
the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Senior Notes to be
redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30
nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the
outstanding Senior Notes not previously called for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Senior
Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Senior Note selected for
partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Senior Notes
and portions of Senior Notes selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole
multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Senior Notes of a Holder are to
be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Senior Notes held by such Holder,
even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Senior Notes
called for redemption also apply to portions of Senior Notes called for
redemption.
In the event the Issuers are required to make an offer to redeem Senior
Notes pursuant to Sections 3.09 and 4.10 hereof and the amount of the Net
Proceeds from the Sale of Assets is not evenly divisible by $1,000, the Trustee
shall promptly refund to the Company at the address set forth in Section 10.02
hereof of any remaining Net Proceeds.
SECTION 3.03. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but
not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause
to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose
Senior Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Senior Notes to be redeemed and shall
state:
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i. the redemption date;
ii. the redemption price;
iii. if any Senior Note is being redeemed in part, the portion
of the principal amount of such Senior Note to be redeemed and that,
after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Senior Note, a new
Senior Note or Senior Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Senior Note;
iv. the name and address of the Paying Agent;
v. that Senior Notes called for redemption must be
surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
vi. that, unless the Company defaults in making such
redemption payment, interest on Senior Notes called for redemption
ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
vii. the paragraph of the Senior Notes and/or Section of this
Indenture and/or of the Supplemental Indenture which created the series
of Senior Notes pursuant to which the Senior Notes called for
redemption are being redeemed; and
viii. that no representation is made as to the correctness or
accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed
on the Senior Notes.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the
redemption date, an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such
notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided
in the preceding paragraph.
SECTION 3.04. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03
hereof, Senior Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on
the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be
conditional.
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SECTION 3.05. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.
One Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the
redemption price of and accrued interest on all Senior Notes to be redeemed on
that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company
any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in
excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued
interest on, all Senior Notes to be redeemed.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,
on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Senior
Notes or the portions of Senior Notes called for redemption, whether or not such
Senior Notes are presented for payment. If a Senior Note is redeemed on or after
an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date,
then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name
such Senior Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If
any Senior Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for
redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding
paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption
date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not
paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Senior
Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
SECTION 3.06. SENIOR NOTES REDEEMED IN PART.
Upon surrender of a Senior Note that is redeemed in part, the Company
shall issue and, upon the Company's written request, the Trustee shall
authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Senior Note
equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Senior Note
surrendered.
SECTION 3.07. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION OF INITIAL SERIES SENIOR NOTES.
(a) Except as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (c) below, the Initial
Series Senior Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to
maturity.
(b) The Series [to be supplied] Senior Notes are redeemable by the
Company at any time, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice, in cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date plus
the Make-Whole Premium.
(c) The Company shall not have the option to redeem the Series [to be
supplied] Senior Notes prior to __________, ____. Thereafter, the Company shall
have the option to redeem the Series [to be supplied] Senior Notes, in whole or
in part, upon not less than 30 nor
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more than 60 days' notice, in cash at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during
the twelve-month period beginning on ________ of the years indicated below:
YEAR PERCENTAGE
[Details for all series - to be supplied]
(d) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
SECTION 3.08. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.
Except as set forth under Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof, the Company
shall not be required to make mandatory repurchase, redemption or sinking fund
payments with respect to the Initial Series Senior Notes.
SECTION 3.09. OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS.
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company shall
be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures
specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days
following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer
period is required by applicable law (the "Offer Period"). No later than five
Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase Date"),
the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Senior Notes required to be
purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the "Offer Amount") or, if less than
the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Senior Notes tendered in response to the
Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Senior Notes so purchased shall be made in the
same manner as interest payments are made.
The Company shall comply with any tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable, including Rule 14e-1, in connection with any
offer required to be made by the Company to repurchase the Senior Notes as a
result of an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 3.09,
the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws or regulations and
shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations hereunder by virtue
thereof.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or
before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall
be paid to the Person in whose
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name a Senior Note is registered at the close of business on such record date,
and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Senior Notes
pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send,
by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a
copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials
necessary to enable such Holders to tender Senior Notes pursuant to the Asset
Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which
shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section
3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer
shall remain open;
(b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(c) that any Senior Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall
continue to accrue interest;
(d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any
Senior Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall
cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(e) that Holders electing to have a Senior Note purchased pursuant to
an Asset Sale Offer may elect only to have all of such Senior Note
purchased and may not elect to have only a portion of such Senior Note
purchased;
(f) that Holders electing to have a Senior Note purchased pursuant to
any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Senior Note, with
the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of
the Senior Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the
Company, a depositary (if appointed by the Company) or a Paying Agent at
the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase
Date;
(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the
Company, the depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receive,
not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex,
facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the
principal amount of the Senior Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a
statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Senior
Note purchased;
(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes surrendered
by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Senior
Notes to be
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purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed
appropriate by theCompany so that only Senior Notes in denominations of
US$1,000, or integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and
(i) that Holders whose Senior Notes were purchased only in part shall
be issued new Senior Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased
portion of the Senior Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry
transfer).
On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the
Offer Amount of Senior Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset
Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Senior Notes
tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that
such Senior Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company
in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the depositary
or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not
later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering
Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Senior Notes tendered by
such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall
promptly issue a new Senior Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the
Company shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Senior Note to such
Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Senior
Note surrendered. Any Senior Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or
delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly
announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase
pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. No repurchase of Senior Notes under this
Section 3.09 shall be deemed to be a redemption of Senior Notes.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. PAYMENT OF SENIOR NOTES.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Senior Notes on the dates and in the manner provided
in the Senior Notes. Principal, and premium, if any, shall be considered paid on
the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company, holds as of 10:00
a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately
available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, and
premium, if any, then due. Such Paying Agent shall return to the Company, no
later than five Business Days following the date of payment, any money
(including accrued interest) that exceeds such amount of principal of, premium,
if any, and interest required to be paid on the Senior Notes.
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The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any,
at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate
on the Senior Notes to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.
The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate
of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Senior Notes may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Senior Notes and this Indenture may be
served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Senior Notes may be presented or surrendered for
any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations;
provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner
relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain an office or agency in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission
and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.05.
SECTION 4.03. REPORTS.
The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days of filing them
with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and
other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may
by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with
the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Company is
not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the
Company shall nevertheless file with the SEC and the Trustee, on the date upon
which it would have been required to file with the SEC, financial statements,
including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an auditor's
report by a firm of established national reputation, upon which the Trustee may
conclusively rely), and a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," both comparable to that which the Company
would have been required to include in such annual reports, information,
documents or other reports if the Company were subject to the requirements of
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the Company
shall
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not be required to register under the Exchange Act by virtue of this provision,
if it were not otherwise required to do so.
SECTION 4.04. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of the
activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding
fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a
view to determining whether the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have
kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture
and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to
the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and
fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in
default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and
conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she
may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has
occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the
principal of the Senior Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a
description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.
(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the
American Institute of Chartered Accountants, the year-end financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a) above shall be accompanied by a written
statement of the Company's independent public accountants (who shall be a firm
of established national reputation) that in making the examination necessary for
certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to their attention
that would lead them to believe that the Company have violated any of the
financial provisions of Sections 4.01, 4.07, 4.09 and 4.12 or, if any such
violation has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof,
it being understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or
indirectly to any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such
violation.
(c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Senior Notes are
outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware
of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such
Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.05. TAXES.
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and
governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not
adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Senior Notes.
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SECTION 4.06. STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that
it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim
or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or
the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay
or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has
been enacted.
SECTION 4.07. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.
Prior to the Investment Grade Date, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any cash dividend or other distribution on
account of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity
Interests, including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company (other than dividends or
distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company or any portion of a dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company that is payable to the Company or to any Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire
for value from any Person other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary any Equity Interests of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any
direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than the conversion or exchange
of Equity Interests of the Company for other Equity Interests of the Company);
or (iii) make any principal payment on, or purchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness, except at
final maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and
other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively
referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and after giving
effect to such Restricted Payments:
(a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) except in the case of any Restricted Investment, the Company would,
at the time of such Restricted Payment, and after giving pro forma effect
thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period, have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less
than 1.75 to 1 (calculated pursuant to Section 4.09 below); and
(c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
the Initial Issuance Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses
(iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) of the next succeeding
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paragraph), is less than the sum of (i) $50,000,000, plus (ii) 25% of an amount
equal to the Operating Cash Flow of the Company for the period (taken as one
accounting period) from the day after the Initial Issuance Date through the end
of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial
statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such
Operating Cash Flow for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit),
plus (iii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company from
the issuance or sale (other than pursuant to the IPP Buyout) after the Initial
Issuance Date of Equity Interests of the Company or of debt securities of the
Company that have been converted into Equity Interests of the Company, plus (iv)
100% of the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company from any payment in
respect of any previously made Restricted Investment (but only to the extent
that such amount is not reflected in Consolidated Net Income).
The foregoing provisions shall not prohibit (i) the payment of
dividends, whether paid in kind or in cash, or the satisfaction of mandatory
redemption obligations, in respect of any Preferred Stock outstanding on the
Initial Issuance Date in accordance with the terms thereof; (ii) the payment of
any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said
date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this
Section 4.07, (iii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition
of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds
of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company) of, other Equity Interests of the Company; (iv) defeasance,
redemption or repurchase of Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds
of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company or from an incurrence of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness that consists of Subordinated Indebtedness,
provided that the amount of any net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition described in clauses
(iii) and (iv) shall be excluded from clause (c)(iii) of the first paragraph of
this Section 4.07; (v) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company held by any member of the Company's (or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries') management or for the purpose of providing Equity
Interests for issuance under dividend reinvestment or employee benefits plans of
the Company; (vi) any spin-off or other distribution to shareholders of the
Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant or any portion thereof or any direct or
indirect interest therein; and (vii) any dividend or other distribution of the
Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that in the case of each
of clauses (i) and (ii) above, no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing immediately after such transaction.
Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment that relies on
clause (c) of the first paragraph of this covenant to be permitted, and so long
as the limitations contained in such clause applies, the Company shall deliver
to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is
permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by
such covenant were computed, which calculations may be based upon the Company's
latest available financial statements.
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SECTION 4.08. DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
such Restricted Subsidiary to (a) (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (A) on its
Capital Stock or (B) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or
measured by, its profits or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) make loans or advances to the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets
to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for such
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) the First
Mortgage Bonds, the Credit Facility, the Receivables Financing, the Pollution
Control Obligations, the Securitization Transaction, the Indenture and the
Senior Notes; (ii) applicable law or regulation; (iii) any instrument governing
Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to
the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation
of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any
Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
property or assets of the Person, so acquired; (iv) by reason of customary
non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice; (v) purchase money obligations for
property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of
the nature described in clause (c) above in the property so acquired; (vi) any
contract for the sale of 100% of the Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary;
or (vii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions
contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
are no more restrictive that those contained in the agreements governing the
Indebtedness being refinanced.
SECTION 4.09. INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS.
Prior to the Investment Grade Date, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create,
incur, issue, assume, guaranty or otherwise become directly or indirectly
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "Incur"), any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue any Disqualified Stock;
provided, however, that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may
incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue Disqualified Stock if the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full
fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available immediately
preceding the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred or Disqualified Stock
is issued would have been at least 3.25 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis
(including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if such
Indebtedness had been incurred or such Disqualified Stock had been issued at the
beginning of such four-quarter period.
The foregoing provisions will not apply to (i) Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness; (ii) the incurrence by the Company of any amount of Subordinated
Indebtedness and up to $400 million
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of Senior Indebtedness after the Initial Issuance Date if the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal quarters
for which financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on
which such Indebtedness is incurred would have been at least 1.75 to 1
(determined as in the immediately preceding paragraph); (iii) Permitted Hedging
Agreements; (iv) borrowings under the Credit Facility in an amount not to exceed
$_______; and (v) intercompany Indebtedness between and among the Company and
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent
issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness
being held by a Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or
other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute
an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be.
SECTION 4.10. PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN ASSET SALES.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, engage in a (A) Permitted Asset Swap unless the Company or
Restricted Subsidiary receives property or assets with a Fair Value at least
equal to the Fair Value of the property or assets swapped or (B) Sale of Assets
unless (i) the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be) receives consideration at the time of such Sale of Assets at least equal to
the Fair Value (evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) except in connection
with a sale of the Nuclear Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant, at least 75%
of the consideration received therefor by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that if in the
case of the sale of any non-Nuclear Generating Asset pursuant to the PowerChoice
Agreement, the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the Company will
receive the highest price by accepting a bid with consideration consisting of
less than 75% cash or Cash Equivalents, and the PSC approves the Company's
acceptance of such bid, then the Company may accept such bid, and provided
further, that in the case of any Sale of Assets (except a Securitization
Transaction) that is consummated after the Investment Grade Date, the
requirement of clause (ii) shall not apply. For purposes of determining the
Company's compliance with the requirements of the immediately preceding
sentence, the amount of (x) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such
Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet), of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that
are by their terms subordinated to the Senior Notes) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement or that
otherwise releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further
liability and (y) any notes or other obligations received by the Company or any
such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are immediately converted
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash shall be deemed to be
cash for purposes of this provision (to the extent of the cash received).
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Within 180 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from a
Securitization Transaction or a Sale of Assets consisting of Generating Assets,
or within 360 days after the receipt of any NetProceeds from any other Sale of
Assets that is consummated prior to the Investment Grade Date, the Company shall
(a) in the case of a Securitization Transaction, apply the cash portion of such
Net Proceeds in accordance with the relevant statutory or regulatory
requirements that govern such transaction or, if there are no such requirements,
to reduce Senior Indebtedness, (b) in the case of a sale or other disposition of
Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant, use not less than 85% (or 100% if the
accepted bid requires less than 75% of the purchase price to be paid in cash or
Cash Equivalents) of the cash portion of such Net Proceeds to reduce Senior
Indebtedness, and (c) in the case of any other Sale of Assets that is
consummated prior to the Investment Grade Date, use 100% of such Net Proceeds
for one or more of the following: (i) to reduce Senior Indebtedness, (ii) to
reinvest, or enter into an agreement with respect to the reinvestment of, such
Net Proceeds in Related Assets, or (iii) make an offer to all Holders of Senior
Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum principal amount of Senior
Notes that may be purchased out of such Net Proceeds, at an offer price in cash
in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount
of Senior Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount
of such Net Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Net Proceeds for general
corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of such Net Proceeds, the
Trustee shall select the Senior Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon
completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Net Proceeds shall be reset
at zero. Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may
otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this
Indenture.
SECTION 4.11. TRANSACTION WITH AFFILIATES.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of
their properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter
into or make or amend any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or
guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an
"Affiliate Transaction"), unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that
are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary than those that
would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee
(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, a
resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above and
that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors and (b) with respect to any
Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving
aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, an opinion as to the
fairness to the Company or such Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by a nationally recognized expert in evaluating
such transactions;
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provided that (v) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (w) commercial transactions in
the ordinary course of the utility business between or among the Company and/or
its Restricted Subsidiaries, (x) Restricted Payments that are permitted by
Section 4.07, (y) agreements or transactions entered into in connection with a
Securitization Transaction or the Receivables Financing and (z) following any
holding company reorganization, transactions between the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company's parent that are on terms permitted by
the PSC, shall not be deemed Affiliate Transactions.
SECTION 4.12. LIENS.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, secure with a Lien on the property or
assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, Other Indebtedness or
Subordinated Indebtedness without making, or causing such Restricted Subsidiary
to make, effective provision for securing the Senior Notes (i) in the case of a
Lien securing Other Indebtedness, on an equal and ratable basis with the Lien
securing such Other Indebtedness and (ii) in the case of a Lien securing
Subordinated Indebtedness, on a basis such that the Lien securing the Senior
Notes is senior in priority to the Lien securing such Subordinated Indebtedness,
in each case until such time as such Other Indebtedness or Subordinated
Indebtedness is no longer secured by a Lien.
SECTION 4.13. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its
corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational
documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any
such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses
and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right,
license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss
thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Senior
Notes.
SECTION 4.14. OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL TRIGGERING EVENT.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each
Holder of Senior Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase
all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such
Holder's Senior Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of
Control Offer") at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
purchase (the "Change of
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Control Payment"). Within thirty days following any Change of Control Triggering
Event, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction
or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and
offering to repurchase Senior Notes pursuant to the procedures described in this
Section and described in such notice. The notice will state: (1) that the Change
of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Senior
Notes tendered will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the
purchase date, which shall be at least 30 but not more than 60 days from the
date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"); (3) that any
Senior Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the
Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Senior
Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease
to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders
electing to have any Senior Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control
Offer will be required to surrender the Senior Notes, with the form entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Senior Notes
completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to
the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control
Payment Date; (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if
the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second
Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex,
facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the
principal amount of Senior Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that
such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Senior Notes purchased; and
(7) that Holders whose Senior Notes are being purchased only in part will be
issued new Senior Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
the Senior Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000
in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof. The Company shall comply
with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and
regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Senior Notes
as a result of a Change of Control.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the
extent lawful, (1) accept for payment all Senior Notes or portions thereof
properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the
Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all
Senior Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Trustee the Senior Notes so accepted together with an Officers'
Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes or portions
thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to
each Holder of Senior Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such
Senior Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to
be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Senior Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes surrendered, if
any; provided that each such new Senior Note will be in a principal amount of
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the
results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the
Change of Control Payment Date.
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(c) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of
Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements set forth in Sections 4.14(a) and 4.14(b) hereof and purchases all
Senior Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control
Offer.
SECTION 4.15. PAYMENTS FOR CONSENTS.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries may, directly or
indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of
interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder of any Senior Note of any series for
or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or
provisions of this Indenture or such Senior Notes unless such consideration is
offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders of the Senior Notes of
that series that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in
the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
SECTION 5.01. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS.
So long as the Senior Notes are outstanding, the Company may not,
directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the
Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets in one or more
related transactions, to another Person unless (i) the corporation formed by
such consolidation or surviving in such merger or the Person that acquires by
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, or that leases,
such assets (in each such case, the "Successor Entity"), is a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or
the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the Company's obligations under
the Indenture and the Notes; (ii) immediately before and after such transaction
no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the Successor Entity (or the
Company, in the case of a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
surviving entity) (A) has Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the
transaction (but prior to any revaluation or recalculation of Consolidated Net
Worth as of the date of the transaction relating to a carry-over basis (if any)
of the assets acquired in the transaction (as determined in accordance with
GAAP)) equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company
immediately prior to the transaction and (B) will, at the time of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have a Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to 1 (calculated pursuant to Section
4.09 above); provided that the limitations set forth in this clause (iii) shall
not apply following the Investment Grade Date or to any merger or consolidation
of the Company with
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or into a Restricted Subsidiary and provided further, that the limitations set
forth above shall not apply to the sale or disposition by the Company of the
Generating Assets or the Oswego Plant.
SECTION 5.02. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.
Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01
hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or amalgamation
or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the
provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to
the successor corporation), and may exercise every right and power of the
Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor
Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, and
premium, if any, on the Senior Notes except in the case of a transaction that
meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
Each of the following constitutes an "Event of Default":
(i) default by the Company for 60 days in the payment when due of
interest on the Senior Notes;
(ii) default by the Company in the payment when due of the
principal of, or premium, if any, on the Senior Notes;
(iii) failure by the Company to comply with Sections 4.07, 4.09 or
5.01 hereof;
(iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after written notice to
the Company by the Trustee, or written notice to the Company and the
Trustee by the Holders of 25% or more in an aggregate principal amount
of the Senior Notes, to comply with any of its agreements in the
Indenture or the Senior Notes;
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(v) default by the Company under any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be
secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such
Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date
hereof, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay the principal
of such Indebtedness at the stated maturity of such Indebtedness after
the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a
"Payment Default") or (b) results in the acceleration of such
Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity and, in each case, the
principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal
amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a
Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated,
aggregates $50.0 million or more;
(vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to pay a final judgment or final judgments not otherwise covered by
insurance for the payment of money entered by a court or courts of
competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
and such judgment or judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a
period of 60 days, provided that the aggregate of all such undischarged
judgments exceeds $50.0 million;
(vii) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant
to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary Case,
(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it
in an involuntary Case,
(c) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for
all or substantially all of its property,
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or
(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or
(viii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree
under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary Case;
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(b) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the
property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or
(c) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case, the order or decree
remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
The term "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator
or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law. The term "Case" means an
application, petition, action, case or other proceeding (including the filing of
a notice of intention to file a proposal) before any court, tribunal or other
governmental authority under any applicable Bankruptcy Law (foreign or
domestic).
In the case of any Event of Default pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 6.01 occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or
not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment
of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had
elected to redeem the Senior Notes pursuant to Sections 3.07 or 4.14 hereof, an
equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Senior Notes, anything in
this Indenture or in the Senior Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an
Event of Default occurs by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or
not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the
prohibition on redemption of the Series [to be supplied] Senior Notes, or with
the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Series [to be
supplied] Senior Notes prior to [to be supplied], pursuant to Section 3.07
hereof, then the premium set forth below will become immediately due and payable
to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Senior Notes. The
premium payable for purposes of this paragraph for each of the years beginning
on [to be supplied] of the years set forth below shall be as set forth in the
following table expressed as a percentage of the amount that would otherwise be
due but for the provisions of this sentence, plus accrued interest, if any, to
the date of payment:
Year Percentage
[To be supplied.]
SECTION 6.02. ACCELERATION.
If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
clause (vii) or (viii) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding
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Senior Notes of any series affected by an Event of Default may declare all the
Senior Notes of such Series to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such
declaration, the Senior Notes shall become due and payable immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (vii)
or (viii) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with respect to the Company or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries, all outstanding Senior Notes shall be due and
payable immediately without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes of any series
affected by an Event of Default by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf
of all of the Holders of such series rescind an acceleration and its
consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree
and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest
or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been
cured or waived. Except as provided in Section 6.01 hereof, in the event of any
such acceleration of Senior Notes, the Company will become obligated to pay the
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes immediately.
SECTION 6.03. OTHER REMEDIES.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, and premium, if any,
on the Senior Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Senior
Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Senior Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay
or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Senior Note in exercising any
right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or
remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All
remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 6.04. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding Senior Notes that would be materially adversely affected by
such waiver by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the
Senior Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
interest on, or the principal of, or premium of, if any, the Senior Notes. Upon
any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this
Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or
impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 6.05. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Senior Notes of any series affected by an Event of Default may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any
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proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any
trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines
may be unduly prejudicial to tile rights of other Holders of Senior Notes or
that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
SECTION 6.06. LIMITATION ON SUITS.
A Holder of a Senior Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this
Indenture or the Senior Notes only if:
(a) the Holder of a Senior Note gives to the Trustee written notice of
a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Senior Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue
the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Senior Note or Holders of Senior Notes offer and,
if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of
indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes do not give the Trustee a
direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Senior Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Holder of a Senior Note or to obtain a preference or priority over
another Holder of a Senior Note.
SECTION 6.07. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Senior Note to receive payment of principal and premium, if any, on
the Senior Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Senior
Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not
be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) hereof
occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express
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trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, and premium, if
any, remaining unpaid on the Senior Notes and interest on overdue principal and,
to the extent lawful, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the
costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
SECTION 6.09. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Holders of the Senior Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the
Company (or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes), its creditors or its
property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute
any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any
custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to
make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall
consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the
Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the
payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied
for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be
paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other
properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding
whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or
otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Senior
Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 6.10. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under
Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and
liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and
expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Senior Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the
Senior Notes for principal, and premium, if any, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Senior
Notes for principal, and premium, if any, respectively; and
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Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent
jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Holders of Senior Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party,
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a
Senior Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than
10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are
specifically set forth in this Indenture and any Supplemental
Indenture; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
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(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs
(a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01 and the requirements of the TIA.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or
power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
SECTION 7.02. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee may rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith and without
negligence in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through its agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any
demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if
signed by an Officer of the Company.
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SECTION 7.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Senior Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for
permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
SECTION 7.04. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Senior Notes, it shall not be accountable for the
Company's use of the proceeds from the Senior Notes or any money paid to the
Company or upon the Company's direction under any provision of this it shall not
be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying
Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement
of the Company in this Indenture or any statement in the Senior Notes or any
other document in connection with the sale of the Senior Notes or pursuant to
this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Senior Notes a notice
of the Default or Event of Default within 45 days after it occurs. Except in the
case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest on any Senior Note the Trustee may withhold the notice if and
so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that
withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Senior Notes.
SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS OF THE SENIOR NOTES.
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following
the date hereof, and for so long as Senior Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee
shall mail to the Holders of the Senior Notes a brief report dated as of such
reporting date that complies with TIA ss. 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply
with TIA ss. 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as
required by TIA ss. 313(c).
Commencing at the time this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, a
copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Senior Notes
shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on
which the Senior Notes are listed in accordance with TIA ss. 313(d). The Company
shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Senior Notes are listed on any stock
exchange.
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SECTION 7.07. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The
Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it.
Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel, except such compensation,
disbursements and expenses as may be attributable to its negligence or bad
faith.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability or
expense incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the
next paragraphs. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for
which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee
shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company
need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any
loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the
Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Senior Notes on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and
interest on particular Senior Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(vii) or (viii) hereof occurs, the expenses and
the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.08. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign and be discharged from the trust hereby created
by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding Senior Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the
Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
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(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for
relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes may
appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior
Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Senior Note
who has been a Holder of a Senior Note for at least six months, fails to comply
with Section 7. 10, such Holder of a Senior Note may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Holders of the Senior Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly
transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to
the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the
Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company's obligations under Section
7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all
or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation,
the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor
Trustee.
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SECTION 7.10. ELIGIBILITY, DISQUALIFICATION.
The final paragraph of this Section shall not be operative as a part of
this Indenture until this Indenture is qualified under the TIA and until such
qualification this Indenture shall be construed as if said paragraph were not
contained herein.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA ss. 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA
ss. 310(b).
SECTION 7.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.
The Trustee is subject to TIA ss. 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA ss. 311 (b). A Trustee that has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA ss. 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01. OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a
resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, at any time, elect to have
either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Senior Notes of
any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article
Eight.
SECTION 8.02. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been
discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Senior Notes of
any series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied
(hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance"). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that
the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness
represented by the outstanding Senior Notes of such series, which shall
thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding" only for the purposes of Section 8.05
hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b)
below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Senior Notes
and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of
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and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive
until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of
outstanding Senior Notes of such series to receive solely from the trust fund
described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section,
payments in respect of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on
such Senior Notes when such payments are due from the funds held by the Trustee
in the trust, (b) the Company's obligations with respect to such Senior Notes of
such series under Sections 2.06, 2.08, 2.09, 2.12 and 4.02 hereof, (c) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under this
Indenture and the Company's obligations in connection therewith and (d) the
obligations of the Company under this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with
this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
SECTION 8.03. COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its
obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10,
4.11, 4.12, 4.14 and Article 5 hereof with respect to the outstanding Senior
Notes of any series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and such Senior Notes shall
thereafter be deemed not "outstanding" for the purposes of any direction,
waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any
thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed
"outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such
Senior Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this
purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Senior
Notes of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such
covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere
herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant
to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to
comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01
hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such
Senior Notes of such series shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the
Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this
Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(iii) through 6.01(vii) hereof shall not
constitute Events of Default.
SECTION 8.04. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either
Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Senior Notes:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
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<PAGE>
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
for the benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes, cash in Dollars,
Government Securities or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on the outstanding Senior Notes on the stated maturity for payment thereof
or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company
must specify whether the Senior Notes are being defeased to maturity or to
a particular redemption date;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling
or (B) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable
federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the
outstanding Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance
had not occurred;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding
Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not
occurred;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of
the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Senior Notes pursuant to
this Article Eight concurrently with such incurrence) or insofar as
Sections 6.01(vii) and (viii) hereof are concerned, at any time in the
period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material
agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries are parties or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries are bound;
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit, the
trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally;
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<PAGE>
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the
intent of preferring the Holders of Senior Notes over any other creditors
of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for, in the case of the Officers' Certificate, clauses
(a) through (g), and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (b),
(c), (e) and (f), have been complied with.
SECTION 8.05. DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SENIOR NOTES TO BE HELD IN TRUST;
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government
Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other
qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Senior
Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the
provisions of such Senior Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying
Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Senior Notes of all
sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and
interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities
deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received
in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is
for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Senior Notes.
Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request
of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as
provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under
Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be
required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.
SECTION 8.06. REPAYMENT OF COMPANY.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest on any Senior Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has
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become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then
held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such
Senior Note shall thereafter, as a secured creditor, look only to the Company
for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The
Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed
and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days
from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such
money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 8.07. REINSTATEMENT.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any Dollars or
Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the
case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then
the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Senior Notes shall be
revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section
8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted
to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the
case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company make any payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Senior Note following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Holders of such Senior Notes to receive such payment from the money held
by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Senior Notes, and enter
into Supplemental Indentures hereto which shall thereafter form a part hereof,
without the consent of any Holder of a Senior Note, for any one or more of the
following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to secure the Senior Notes on an equal and ratable or senior basis
with Other Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness as required by Section 4.12
hereof;
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(c) to establish and create one or more series of Senior Notes (in
addition to the Initial Series Senior Notes) and to specify certain terms of
such series of Senior Notes, which terms may include, but are not limited to,
those set forth in Section 2.01, all in a manner not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Indenture;
(d) to provide that the Company shall not issue any additional Senior
Notes or to add conditions, limitations and restrictions on the Company with
respect to any series of Senior Notes under this Indenture;
(e) to add additional covenants and agreements of the Company to this
Indenture, or to add to the Events of Default specified in Section 6.01
additional Events of Default, or to surrender any right or power herein reserved
to or conferred upon the Company pursuant to this Indenture.
(f) to provide for alternative methods or forms for evidencing and
recording the ownership of Senior Notes;
(g) to provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to the
Holders of the Senior Notes in the case of a merger, amalgamation, consolidation
or sale of all or substantially all of the assets pursuant to Article Five
hereof;
(h) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the Holders of the Senior Notes or that does not adversely affect
the legal rights hereunder of any Holder of the Senior Notes;
(i) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or Supplemental
Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any
amended or Supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this
Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that
may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into
such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, and the Senior Notes, and enter
into Supplemental Indentures
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<PAGE>
hereto which shall thereafter form a part hereof, with the consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes then
outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with
a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Senior Notes), and,
subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of
Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of, or interest on, the Senior Notes, except a payment default
resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any
provision of this Indenture or the Senior Notes may be waived with the consent
of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior
Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange
offer for the Senior Notes); provided, however, that if there shall be Senior
Notes of more than one series outstanding and if the proposed action to be taken
will materially adversely affect the rights of holders of Senior Notes of one or
more of such series, then the consent (including consents obtained in connection
with a tender offer or exchange offer for Senior Notes) only of holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes of all series
so affected, considered as one class, shall be required.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or Supplemental
Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Senior Notes as aforesaid, and upon
receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the
Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or
Supplemental Indenture unless such amended or Supplemental Indenture affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in
which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to,
enter into such amended or Supplemental Indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Senior
Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed
amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes
effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Senior Notes affected
thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any
failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or
Supplemental Indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes then
outstanding may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with
any provision of this Indenture, the Senior Notes or any Supplemental Indenture.
However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, waiver or
Supplemental Indenture may not (with respect to any Senior Notes held by a
non-consenting Holder):
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<PAGE>
(a) reduce the principal amount of Senior Notes whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Senior
Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption
of the Senior Notes except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09,
4.10 and 4.14 hereof;
(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on
any Senior Note;
(d) after the obligation has arisen for the Company to make an offer to
purchase following the occurrence of a Change of Control or Sale of Assets,
alter the obligation to purchase the Senior Notes in accordance with such
offer to purchase or waive any default in the performance thereof;
(e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of,
or interest on, the Senior Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of
the Senior Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes and a waiver of the
payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(f) make any Senior Note payable in money other than that stated in the
Senior Notes;
(g) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to
waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Senior Notes to
receive payments of principal of, or interest on, the Senior Notes;
(h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Senior Note (other
than a payment required by Sections 4.10 or 4.14 hereof); or
(i) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
SECTION 9.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Senior Notes
shall be set forth in an amended or Supplemental Indenture that complies with
the TIA as then in effect.
SECTION 9.04. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent
to it by a Holder of a Senior Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a
Senior Note and every subsequent
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<PAGE>
Holder of a Senior Note or portion of a Senior Note that evidences the same debt
as the consenting Holder's Senior Note, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Senior Note. However, any such Holder of a Senior Note or subsequent
Holder of a Senior Note may revoke the consent as to its Senior Note if the
Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver,
Supplemental Indenture or amendment becomes effective. An amendment,
Supplemental Indenture or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms
and thereafter binds every Holder.
The Company may fix a record date for determining which Holders of
Senior Notes must consent to such Supplemental Indenture, amendment or waiver.
If the Company fixes a record date, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the
later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of
the most recent list of Holders of Senior Notes furnished to the Trustee prior
to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.07, or (ii) such other date as the
Company shall designate.
SECTION 9.05. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SENIOR NOTES.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment,
Supplemental Indenture or waiver on any Senior Note thereafter authenticated.
The Company in exchange for all Senior Notes may issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate new Senior Notes that reflect the amendment, Supplemental Indenture
or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Senior Note
shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, Supplemental
Indenture or waiver.
SECTION 9.06. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.
The Trustee shall sign any amended or Supplemental Indenture authorized
pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely
affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company
may not sign an amendment or Supplemental Indenture until its Board of Directors
approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
stating that the execution of such amended or Supplemental Indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent have
been complied with.
SECTION 9.07. EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
Upon the execution of any Supplemental Indenture under this Article 9,
this Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in
accordance therewith and such Supplemental Indenture shall be and shall be
deemed to be a part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for all
purposes; and every Holder of Senior Notes theretofore or thereafter
authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby, except to the
extent that the terms of such
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<PAGE>
Supplemental Indenture relate solely to one or more particular series of Senior
Notes identified therein. In the event of any inconsistency between the
Indenture and the terms of any Supplemental Indenture, the terms of such
Supplemental Indenture shall control.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.01. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by TIA ss.318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 10.02. NOTICES.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other
is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class
mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or
overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others' address:
If to the Company:
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, New York 13202
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
If to the Trustee:
IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
One State Street
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Corporate Trust
The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall
be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally
delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage
prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt
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<PAGE>
acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to
the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class
mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept
by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any
Person described in TIA ss. 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure
to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, they shall
mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
SECTION 10.03. COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF
SENIOR NOTES.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA ss. 312(b) with other Holders
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Senior Notes. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of
TIA ss. 312(c).
SECTION 10.04. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth
in Section 10.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section
10.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
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<PAGE>
SECTION 10.05. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to TIA ss. 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA ss.
314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has
read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been satisfied; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person,
such condition or covenant has been satisfied, provided, however, that with
respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely upon an
Officer's Certificate or a certificate of a public official.
SECTION 10.06. RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.
SECTION 10.07. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
STOCKHOLDERS.
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or
stockholder of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Senior Notes or this Indenture or for any
claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their
creation. Each Holder by accepting a Senior Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of
the Senior Notes.
SECTION 10.08. GOVERNING LAW.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE SENIOR NOTES.
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<PAGE>
SECTION 10.09. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan
or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any
such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this
Indenture.
SECTION 10.10. SUCCESSORS.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Senior Notes
shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall
bind its successors.
SECTION 10.11. SEVERABILITY.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Senior Notes shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 10.12. COUNTERPART ORIGINALS.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each
signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.
SECTION 10.13. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in
no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
- ------------------------------
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Trustee
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
- -------------------------------
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<PAGE>
Exhibit 12
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATIONS OF RATIO OF EBITDA (a)
TO NET CASH INTEREST
---------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
------------------------------
PRO
FORMA
1997 1997
----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
A. Income before interest charges per Statements of Income $ 393,836 $ 477,936
B. Interest income (26,200) (26,200)
------------ -------------
C. Income before interest charges, less interest income 367,636 451,736
D. Non-cash deferrals and amortizations (b) 593,866 1,013,566
------------ -------------
E. EBITDA (a) $ 961,502 $1,465,302
============ =============
F. Interest charges per Statements of Income $ 273,906 $ 550,531
G. Allowance for debt funds used during construction 4,396 4,396
H. Non-cash interest charges (c) (25,212) (41,712)
I. Interest income (26,200) (26,200)
------------ -------------
J. Net cash interest $ 226,890 $ 487,015
============ =============
K. Ratio of EBITDA to Net Cash Interest (E/J) 4.2x 3.0x
==== ====
- ---------------------
<FN>
(a) Earnings before interest charges, interest income, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization, amortization of nuclear fuel, allowance for
funds used during construction, MRA regulatory asset amortization, the
PowerChoice charge and non-cash regulatory deferrals and other
amortizations.
(b) Includes depreciation and amortization, amortization of nuclear fuel,
allowance for other funds used during construction, the PowerChoice
charge, MRA Regulatory Asset amortization and non-cash regulatory
deferrals and other amortizations.
(c) Includes net amortization of discount on long-term debt and interest
accrued on the Nuclear Waste Policy Act disposal liability.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Exhibit 23(a)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
March 26, 1998 appearing on page 53 of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. We also consent to the
incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule,
which appears on page 109 in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to
the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Syracuse, New York
April 6, 1998
-----------------------
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(bB)(2)
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
---------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
New York 13-6022258
- ---------------------------------------- -------------------
(Jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
or organization if not identification No.)
a U.S. national bank)
One State Street, New York, New York 10004
- ---------------------------------------- -------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
LUIS PEREZ, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
One State Street
New York, New York 10004
(212) 858-2000
---------------------------------------------------------
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------------
(Exact names of obligor as specified in its charter)
State of New York 15-0265555
- ---------------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification No.)
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, New York 13202
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Senior Notes
Issuable in series
-------------------------------
(Title of indenture securities)
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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.
New York State Banking
Department
Two Rector Street
New York, New York
Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation
Washington, D.C.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Second District,
33 Liberty Street
New York, New York
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes
Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.
The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
Item 13. Defaults by the Obligor.
(a) State whether there is or has been a default with respect to the
securities under this indenture. Explain the nature of any such
default.
None
2
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(b) If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture under which
any other securities, or certificates of interest or
participation in any other securities, of the obligors are
outstanding, or is trustee for more than one outstanding series
of securities under the indenture, state whether there has been a
default under any such indenture or series, identify the
indenture or series affected, and explain the nature of any such
default.
None
Item 16. List of exhibits.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this statement of
eligibility.
*1. A copy of the Charter of IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company as
amended to date. (See Exhibit 1A to Form T-1, Securities and
Exchange Commission File No. 22-18460).
*2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the trustee to
Commence Business (Included in Exhibit 1 above).
*3. A copy of the Authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate
trust powers, as amended to date (See Exhibit 4 to Form T-1,
Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 22-19146).
*4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the trustee, as amended to
date (See Exhibit 4 to Form T-1, Securities and Exchange
Commission File No. 22-19146).
5. Not Applicable
6. The consent of United States institutional trustee required by
Section 321(b) of the Act.
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
examining authority.
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* The Exhibits thus designated are incorporated herein by reference as
exhibits hereto. Following the description of such Exhibits is a reference
to the copy of the Exhibit heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, to which there have been no amendments or changes.
3
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NOTE
----
In answering any item in this Statement of Eligibility which relates to matters
peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor and its directors or officers,
the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the obligor.
Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the trustee of
all facts on which to base responsive answers to Item 2, the answer to said Item
is based on incomplete information.
Item 2, may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an amendment to
this Form T-1.
Pursuant to General Instruction B, the trustee has responded to Items 1, 2 and
16 of this form since to the best knowledge of the trustee as indicated in Item
13, the obligor is not in default under any indenture under which the applicant
is trustee.
4
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility & qualification 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 3rd day of April, 1998.
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/Luis Perez
------------------------------
Luis Perez
Assistant Vice President
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EXHIBIT 7
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY
OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK
AND FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES
REPORT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
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DOLLAR AMOUNTS
IN THOUSANDS
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ASSETS
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1. Cash and balance due from depository institutions:
a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .....................................................$ 45,276
b. Interest-bearing balances.................................................................................$ 121,534
2. Securities:
a. Held-to-maturity securities...............................................................................$ 184,821
b. Available-for-sale securities.............................................................................$ 74,043
3. Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
agreements to resell in domestic offices of the bank
and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries and in IBFs:
Federal Funds sold and Securities purchased under agreements to resell........................................$ 202,104
4. Loans and lease financing receivables:
a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income................................................$ 1,797,414
b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses...............................................$ 61,962
c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve...................................................$ -0-
d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve..........................................$ 1,735,452
5. Trading assets held in trading accounts.......................................................................$ 479
6. Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)......................................................$ 2,952
7. Other real estate owned.......................................................................................$ -0-
8. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies...........................................$ -0-
9. Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding..................................................$ 1,447
10. Intangible assets.............................................................................................$ -0-
11. Other assets..................................................................................................$ 67,256
12. TOTAL ASSETS..................................................................................................$ 2,435,364
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LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
a. In domestic offices.......................................................................................$ 791,520
(1) Noninterest-bearing.....................................................................$ 247,397
(2) Interest-bearing........................................................................$ 544,123
b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.............................................$ 1,229,810
(1) Noninterest-bearing.....................................................................$ 14,607
(2) Interest-bearing........................................................................$ 1,215,203
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and
of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
Federal Funds purchased and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase....................................$ 10,000
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury..................................................................$ 5,000
b. Trading Liabilities.......................................................................................$ 108
16. Other borrowed money:
a. With a remaining maturity of one year or less.............................................................$ 83,453
b. With a remaining maturity of more than one year...........................................................$ 1,763
c. With a remaining maturity of more than three years........................................................$ 2,242
17. Not applicable.
18. Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding......................................................$ 1,447
19. Subordinated notes and debentures.............................................................................$ -0-
20. Other liabilities.............................................................................................$ 70,284
21. TOTAL LIABILITIES.............................................................................................$ 2,195,627
22. Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus..............................................................$ -0-
EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.................................................................$ -0-
24. Common stock..................................................................................................$ 29,649
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)......................................................$ 217,008
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves....................................................................$ (7,130)
b. Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities............................................$ 210
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments...........................................................$ -0-
28. TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL..........................................................................................$ 239,737
29. TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY CAPITAL..........................................................................$ 2,435,364
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