SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 14, 1999
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Commission File Number 1-5324
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NORTHEAST UTILITIES
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MASSACHUSETTS 1-5324 04-2147929
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(State or other jurisdiction of Commission (I.R.S.
Employer
incorporation or organization) File No.) Identification
No.)
174 BRUSH HILL AVENUE, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01090-0010
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip
Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code): (413) 785-5871
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report): Not
Applicable
Item 5. Other events
(a) On June 15, 1999, Northeast Utilities (NU) and Yankee Energy
System, Inc. (Yankee) announced that they have agreed to a merger in which
Yankee will become a subsidiary of NU. The transaction is valued at $679
million, including the assumption of outstanding Yankee debt of approximately
$201 million. The purchase is subject to approval of Yankee shareholders and
several regulatory agencies and is expected to close in the first quarter of
2000.
Shareholders of Yankee will receive $45.00 a share, 45% payable in NU
shares and 55% payable in cash. If closing of the transaction does not occur
within six months after Yankee shareholder approval is received, the per
share consideration will increase by $0.005 per share per day. Shareholders
will be able to specify the percentage of the consideration they wish to
receive in stock and in cash, subject to proration. Yankee shareholders who
elect to receive stock will receive the number of shares of NU based on the
average price of NUs stock during the 20 trading day period prior to
closing. The transaction is expected to be tax free to Yankee shareholders
to the extent they receive common stock of NU. The combination will be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
After the merger, Yankee will retain its corporate name and become a
subsidiary of Northeast Utilities. Executive management at Yankee will be
offered positions at either Yankee or other NU companies. A transition team
jointly chaired by the NU and Yankee CEOs will be formed shortly with the aim
of adopting the best practices of both companies.
Yankee Energy System, Inc. is the parent of Yankee Gas Services Company,
the largest natural gas distribution company in Connecticut serving
approximately 183,000 customers in 68 cities and towns. Yankees unregulated
businesses are comprised of Yankee Energy Services Company (YESCo), which
provides HVAC and other energy services; R. M. Services, which is engaged in
credit collections and receivables management; and Yankee Financial, which
provides customer financing to Yankees customers.
Northeast Utilities is New England's largest electric utility system
serving more than 1.7 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire.
(b) On June 14, 1999, Northeast Utilities (NU), its subsidiary,
Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) and the State of New
Hampshire signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intended to settle a
number of pending regulatory and court proceedings related to PSNH. Parties
to the agreement include the Governor of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire
Attorney General, the Staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
(NHPUC), PSNH and NU. A copy of the MOU is attached hereto as an exhibit
and is incorporated herein by reference.
The MOU calls for PSNH and the state of New Hampshire to jointly submit
a request to suspend all pending litigation, and, on the effective date of
the agreement, for PSNH to withdraw a Federal lawsuit which had enjoined the
state from implementing its restructuring legislation. The effective date
will occur after all regulatory and other approvals have been secured and
beginning on the first day of the month following the issuance of rate
reduction bonds (securitization), as described below.
The principal features of the MOU include:
PSNH's rates will be reduced about 18 percent from current levels after
all regulatory and other approvals have been secured and beginning the
first day of the month following the issuance of rate reduction bonds.
PSNH's rates will be stable and predictable for three years after the
effective date. PSNH's customers will be able to choose their supplier
of energy effective the same day.
PSNH expects to recover approximately $1.5 billion of stranded costs
currently on PSNH's books as well as about $1.3 billion of nominal over
market future purchases from independent power producers (IPPs) that
can continue to be recovered in rates. PSNH will write off about $367
million (pretax) of its stranded costs (about $225 million after tax).
This write-off amounts to more than 30 percent of the equity currently
invested in PSNH by NU shareholders. A portion of this recovery is at
risk, as it is dependent upon retail load growth and various other
factors.
The issuance of $725 million of rate reduction bonds is a condition of
the agreement. However, use of rate reduction bonds requires the
initial approval of the NHPUC and final approval from the New Hampshire
Legislature via enactment of appropriate legislation.
PSNH is required to sell its power plants and certain power contracts,
including the sale of PSNH's current purchased power contract with North
Atlantic Energy Corporation (NAEC) for the output from Seabrook
Station. The net proceeds from all sales will be used to pay off a
portion of PSNH's stranded costs. The sales will be accomplished
through an auction process subject to approval by the NHPUC. An
affiliate of NU is expressly allowed to participate in the auction of
the fossil/hydro generating assets.
The MOU and a request to stay a dozen identified administrative
proceedings will be filed with the NHPUC within a week of the MOU's signing.
A detailed agreement is expected to be jointly filed with the NHPUC by the
parties in early August. The New Hampshire Legislature must review and
approve the use of securitization via enactment of appropriate legislation,
and other approvals are required from various federal and state regulatory
agencies and financial lenders. NU anticipates that the plan will become
effective in early 2000.
For more information on this matter, see NU's, PSNH's and NAEC's Form
10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31,
1999.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
1. Agreement and Plan of Merger between Yankee Energy System, Inc. and
Northeast Utilities, dated as of June 15, 1999.
2. Memorandum of Understanding
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NORTHEAST UTILITIES
(registrant)
By: /S/ David R. McHale
David R. McHale
Vice President and Treasurer
Date: June 16, 1999
EXHIBIT 1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
YANKEE ENERGY SYSTEM, INC.
AND
NORTHEAST UTILITIES
dated as of June 14, 1999
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of June 14, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between Yankee Energy System, Inc., a Connecticut corporation
(the "Company") and Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts business trust
("Parent").
WHEREAS, the Company and Parent have determined to engage in a business
combination transaction on the terms stated herein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company and the Board of Trustees
of Parent have approved and deemed it advisable and in the best interests of
their respective shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein under which the businesses of the Company and Parent would be combined
by means of the merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub, a Connecticut
corporation to be formed by Parent prior to Closing (as defined below) as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub"); and
WHEREAS, it is intended that the Merger (as defined below) shall
constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement:
At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.03), the Company shall be
merged with and into Merger Sub (the "Merger") in accordance with the laws of
the State of Connecticut. Merger Sub shall be the surviving corporation in
the Merger and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the
State of Connecticut. The effects and the consequences of the Merger shall
be as set forth in Section 1.02. Throughout this Agreement, the term "Merger
Sub" shall refer to Merger Sub prior to the Merger and the term "Surviving
Corporation" shall refer to Merger Sub in its capacity as the surviving
corporation in the Merger.
Section 1.02 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. At the Effective Time, (i) the
certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be the certificate of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law and such
certificate of incorporation, except that the name of the Surviving
Corporation shall be "Yankee Energy System, Inc.," and (ii) the by-laws of
Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be
the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided
by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and
such by-laws. Subject to the foregoing, the additional effects of the Merger
shall be as provided in Section 33-820 of the Connecticut Business
Corporation Act (the "CBCA").
Section 1.03 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER. On the Closing Date (as
defined in Section 3.01), with respect to the Merger, a certificate of merger
complying with Section 33-819 of the CBCA (the "Certificate of Merger") shall
be delivered to the Secretary of the State of Connecticut for filing. The
Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger,
or at such later date and time as may be set forth in the Certificate of
Merger (the "Effective Time").
Section 1.04 DIRECTORS. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior
to the Effective Time and those persons listed in Section 1.04(a) of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule (as defined in Section 7.06(i)) shall be the
directors of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the
Effective Time until their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed and qualified in the manner provided in the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, or as otherwise
provided by the CBCA. In addition, in accordance with the Declaration of
Trust of Parent (the "Declaration of Trust"), the Board of Trustees of Parent
shall take such action as may be necessary to cause, at the next regularly
scheduled annual meeting of the shareholders of Parent, an increase of at
least two in the number of trustees authorized to serve as trustees on the
Board of Trustees of Parent and shall, as soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, elect as trustees, two directors of the Company designated by
the Parent and reasonably acceptable to the Company.
Section 1.05 OFFICERS. The officers of the Company immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of, and shall hold the
same positions with, the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the
Effective Time until their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed and qualified in the manner provided in the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, or as otherwise
provided by the CBCA.
Section 1.06 MERGER SUB. Parent shall cause Merger Sub to be formed
prior to the Closing Date as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and to
fulfill the obligations of Merger Sub provided herein.
ARTICLE II
TREATMENT OF SHARES
Section 2.01 EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any
holder of any capital stock of the Company or Merger Sub:
(a) Shares of Merger Sub Stock. Each share of common stock, no par
value, of Merger Sub (the "Merger Sub Common Stock") that is issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding
unchanged by reason of the Merger as one fully paid and nonassessable share
of common stock, no par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Certain Company Common Stock. Each share of
common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of the Company (the "Company Common
Stock") that is owned by the Company as treasury stock and all shares of
Company Common Stock that are owned by Parent shall be canceled and shall
cease to exist, and no stock of Parent or other consideration shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to the provisions
of this Section 2.01, each share of Company Common Stock, other than
Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 2.01(n)) and shares canceled
pursuant to Section 2.01(b), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than shares held as treasury shares by the Company)
shall by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive (i) $45.00 in cash (as
such amount may be adjusted in accordance with Section 2.01(o) hereof, the
"Cash Consideration") or (ii) a number of validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as
defined below) (the "Stock Consideration") or (iii) the right to receive a
combination of cash and shares of Parent Common Stock determined in
accordance with this Section (the "Mixed Consideration"). The "Exchange
Ratio" shall be equal to the Cash Consideration divided by the Parent Share
Price (as defined below). The "Parent Share Price" shall be equal to the
average of the closing prices of the shares of Parent Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Composite Transactions Reporting System, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the 20 trading days immediately
preceding the second trading day prior to the Effective Time.
(d) Cash Election. Subject to the immediately following sentence,
each record holder of shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be entitled to elect to receive cash for all or any part
of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock (a "Cash Election").
Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to Section 2.01(l), the aggregate
number of shares of Company Common Stock that may be converted into the right
to receive cash in the Merger (the "Cash Election Number") will be 55% of the
total number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
the close of business on the third trading day prior to the Effective Time.
Cash Elections shall be made on a form designed for that purpose (a "Form of
Election"). A holder of record of shares of Company Common Stock who holds
such shares as nominee, trustee or in another representative capacity (a
"Representative") may submit multiple Forms of Election, provided that such
Representative certifies that each such Form of Election covers all the
shares of Company Common Stock held by such Representative for a particular
beneficial owner.
(e) Cash Election Shares. If the aggregate number of shares of
Company Common Stock covered by Cash Elections (the "Cash Election Shares")
exceeds the Cash Election Number, each Cash Election Share shall be converted
into (i) the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to
the product of (a) the Cash Consideration and (b) a fraction (the "Cash
Fraction"), the numerator of which shall be the Cash Election Number and the
denominator of which shall be the total number of Cash Election Shares, and
(ii) a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (a)
the Exchange Ratio and (b) a fraction equal to one minus the Cash Fraction.
(f) Stock Election. Subject to the immediately following sentence,
each record holder of shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be entitled to elect to receive shares of Parent Common
Stock for all or any part of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock (a
"Stock Election"). Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to Section
2.01(l), the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that may be
converted into the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock in the
Merger (the "Stock Election Number") shall be 45% of the total number of
shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the close of
business on the third trading day prior to the Effective Time. Stock
Elections shall be made on a Form of Election. A Representative may submit
multiple Forms of Election, provided that such Representative certifies that
each such Form of Election covers all the shares of Company Common Stock held
by such Representative for a particular beneficial owner.
(g) Stock Election Shares. If the aggregate number of shares of
Company Common Stock covered by Stock Elections (the "Stock Election Shares")
exceeds the Stock Election Number, each Stock Election Share shall be
converted into (i) the right to receive a number of shares of Parent Common
Stock, equal to the product of (a) the Exchange Ratio and (b) a fraction (the
"Stock Fraction"), the numerator of which shall be the Stock Election Number
and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Stock Election
Shares, and (ii) an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of
(a) the Cash Consideration and (b) a fraction equal to one minus the Stock
Fraction.
(h) Mixed Election. Subject to the immediately following sentence,
each record holder of shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be entitled to elect to receive shares of Parent Common
Stock for part of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock and cash for
the remaining part of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock (the
"Mixed Election" and, collectively with Stock Election and Cash Election, the
"Election"). Mixed Elections shall be made on a Form of Election. A
Representative may submit multiple Forms of Election, provided that such
Representative certifies that each such Form of Election covers all the
shares of Company Common Stock held by such Representative for a particular
beneficial owner. With respect to each holder of Company Common Stock who
makes a Mixed Election, the shares of Company Common Stock such holder elects
to be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration shall be treated
as Cash Election Shares for purposes of the provisions contained in Sections
2.01(d), (e) and (l), and the shares such holder elects to be converted into
the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock shall be treated as Stock
Election Shares for purposes of the provisions contained in Sections 2.01(f),
(g) and (l).
(i) Form of Election. To be effective, a Form of Election must be
properly completed, signed and submitted to Parent's transfer agent and
registrar, as paying agent (the "Paying Agent"), and accompanied by the
certificates representing the shares of Company Common Stock ("Company
Certificates") as to which the election is being made (or by an appropriate
guarantee of delivery of such Company Certificate signed by a firm that is a
member of any registered national securities exchange or a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a bank, broker, dealer,
credit union, savings association or other entity that is a member in good
standing of the Securities Transfer Agent's Medallion Program, the New York
Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange
Medallion Program). Parent shall have the discretion, which it may delegate
in whole or in part to the Paying Agent, to determine whether Forms of
Election have been properly completed, signed and submitted or revoked and to
disregard immaterial defects in Forms of Election. The decision of Parent
(or the Paying Agent) in such matters shall be conclusive and binding.
Neither Parent nor the Paying Agent shall be under any obligation to notify
any person of any defect in a Form of Election submitted to the Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall also make all computations contemplated by this
Section 2.01, and all such computations shall be conclusive and binding on
the holders of shares of Company Common Stock.
(j) Deemed Non-Election. For the purposes hereof, a holder of
shares of Company Common Stock who does not submit a Form of Election that is
received by the Paying Agent prior to the Election Deadline (as defined in
Section 2.01(k)) (the "No Election Shares") shall be deemed not to have made
a Cash Election, Stock Election or Mixed Election. If Parent or the Paying
Agent shall determine that any purported Election was not properly made, the
shares subject to such improperly made Election shall be treated as No
Election Shares. No Election Shares may be treated by the Company, in its
sole discretion, as Cash Election Shares or Stock Election Shares.
(k) Election Deadline. Parent and the Company shall each use its
best efforts to cause copies of the Form of Election to be mailed to the
record holders of Company Common Stock not less than thirty days prior to the
Effective Time and to make the Form of Election available to all persons who
become record holders of Company Common Stock subsequent to the date of such
mailing and no later than the close of business on the seventh business day
prior to the Effective Time. A Form of Election must be received by the
Paying Agent by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second day after the
Effective Time, unless extended by the Company (the "Election Deadline") in
order to be effective. All elections may be revoked until the Election
Deadline in writing by the record holders submitting Forms of Election.
(l) Adjustment Per Tax Opinion. Notwithstanding anything in this
Article II to the contrary (other than the last sentence of Section 2.01(m)),
the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be converted into the right
to receive the Stock Consideration in the Merger shall be not less than that
number which would cause the ratio of (i) the closing price per share of
Parent Common Stock on the Closing Date times the aggregate number of shares
of Parent Common Stock to be issued as Stock Consideration pursuant to
Section 2.01(c), to (ii) the sum of (v) the amount set forth in the preceding
clause (i) plus (w) the aggregate Cash Consideration to be issued pursuant to
Section 2.01(c) plus (x) the number of Dissenting Shares times the per share
fair value of such shares determined pursuant to Section 2.01(n) of this
Agreement or, if such fair value has not been determined as of the date the
calculation required by this Section 2.01(l) is required to be made, then
times the per share Cash Consideration, plus (y) any other amounts paid by
the Company (or any affiliate thereof) to, or on behalf of, any Company
shareholder in connection with the sale, redemption or other disposition of
any Company stock in connection with the Merger for purposes of Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e) and 1.368-1T(e) plus (z) any extraordinary
dividend distributed by the Company prior to and in connection with the
Merger for purposes of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.368-1(e) and 1.368-
1T(e), to be 45%. To the extent the application of this Section 2.01(l)
results in the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be converted into
the right to receive the Stock Consideration in the Merger being increased,
the number of such shares to be converted into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration will be decreased.
(m) Anti-Dilution Provisions. In the event Parent (i) changes (or
establishes a record date for changing) the number of shares of Parent Common
Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a
stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization,
reclassification, reorganization or similar transaction with respect to the
outstanding Parent Common Stock or (ii) pays or makes an extraordinary
dividend or distribution in respect of Parent Common Stock (other than a
distribution referred to in clause (i) of this sentence) and, in either case,
the record date therefor shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Merger
Consideration (as defined in Section 2.02(b)) shall be proportionately
adjusted. Regular quarterly cash dividends and increases thereon shall not be
considered extraordinary for purposes of the preceding sentence. If, between
the date hereof and the Effective Time, Parent shall merge or consolidate
with or into any other corporation (a "Business Combination") and the terms
thereof shall provide that Parent Common Stock shall be converted into or
exchanged for the shares of any other corporation or entity, then provision
shall be made so that shareholders of the Company who would be entitled to
receive shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall be
entitled to receive, in lieu of each share of Parent Common Stock issuable to
such shareholders as provided herein, the same kind and amount of securities
or assets as shall be distributable upon such Business Combination with
respect to one share of Parent Common Stock and (subject to the satisfaction
of the condition set forth in Section 8.03(f)) the parties hereto shall agree
on an appropriate restructuring of the transactions contemplated herein.
(n) Dissenting Shares. Each outstanding share of Company Common
Stock the holder of which has perfected his right to dissent under applicable
law and has not effectively withdrawn or lost such right as of the Effective
Time (the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted into or represent a
right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined below), and the holder
thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by applicable
law; provided, however, that any Dissenting Share held by a person at the
Effective Time who shall, after the Effective Time, withdraw the demand for
payment for shares or lose the right to payment for shares, in either case
pursuant to the Business Corporation Law of the State of Connecticut, shall
be deemed to be converted into, as of the Effective Time, the right to
receive cash pursuant to Section 2.01(c) in the same manner as if such shares
were Cash Election Shares. The Company shall give Parent prompt notice upon
receipt by the Company of any such written demands for payment of the fair
value of such shares of Company Common Stock and of withdrawals of such
notice and any other instruments provided pursuant to applicable law. Any
payments made in respect of Dissenting Shares shall be made by the Surviving
Corporation.
(o) Adjustment in Amount of Cash Consideration. In the event that
the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or prior to the date that is the
six (6) month anniversary of the date on which the Company Shareholders'
Approval (as defined in Section 4.13) is obtained (the "Adjustment Date"),
the Cash Consideration shall be increased, for each day after the Adjustment
Date up to and including the day which is one day prior to the earlier of the
Closing Date or the Extended Termination Date (as defined in Section
9.01(b)), by an amount equal to $0.005.
Section 2.02 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
(a) Deposit with Exchange Agent. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall deposit with a bank or trust
company mutually agreeable to Parent and the Company (the "Exchange Agent"),
pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to
Parent and the Company an amount of cash and certificates representing shares
of Parent Common Stock required to effect the conversion of Company Common
Stock into Parent Common Stock and cash in accordance with Section 2.01(c).
(b) Exchange and Payment Procedures. As soon as practicable after
the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each
holder of record as of the Effective Time of a certificate or certificates
representing shares of Company Common Stock (the "Certificates") that have
been converted pursuant to Section 2.01: (i) a letter of transmittal (which
shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to
the Certificates shall pass, only upon actual delivery of the Certificates to
the Paying Agent) and (ii) instructions for effecting the surrender of the
Certificates and receiving the Merger Consideration to which such holder
shall be entitled therefor pursuant to Section 2.01. Upon surrender of a
Certificate to the Paying Agent for cancellation, together with a duly
executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as the Paying Agent
may require, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor (i) a certificate representing that number of shares of
Parent Common Stock (the "Parent Shares") into which the shares of Company
Common Stock previously represented by such Certificate are converted in
accordance with Section 2.01(c), (ii) the cash to which such holder is
entitled in accordance with Section 2.01(c), and (iii) the cash in lieu of
fractional Parent Shares to which such holder has the right to receive
pursuant to Section 2.02(d) (the shares of Parent Common Stock and cash
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above being referred to collectively
as the "Merger Consideration"). In the event the Merger Consideration is to
be delivered to any person who is not the person in whose name the
Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered in the transfer
records of the Company, the Merger Consideration may be delivered to a
transferee if the Certificate is presented to the Paying Agent, accompanied
by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and by
evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent that any applicable stock transfer
taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.02,
each Certificate (other than a certificate representing shares of Company
Common Stock to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.01(b)) shall be
deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to
receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration contemplated by this
Section 2.02. No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable to
holders of Certificates pursuant to provisions of this Article II.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No
dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time
with respect to Parent Shares with a record date after the Effective Time
shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to
the Parent Shares represented thereby and no cash payment in lieu of
fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section
2.02(d) until the holder of record of such Certificate shall surrender such
Certificate. Subject to the effect of unclaimed property, escheat and other
applicable laws, following surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be
paid to the record holder of the certificates representing whole Parent
Shares issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such
surrender, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of
Parent Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
2.02(d) and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole Parent
Shares and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with respect to
such whole Parent Shares.
(d) No Fractional Securities. In lieu of any such fractional
securities, each holder of Company Common Stock who would otherwise have been
entitled to a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock upon surrender of
Certificates for exchange pursuant to this Article II will be paid an amount
in cash (without interest) equal to such holder's proportionate interest in
the net proceeds from the sale or sales in the open market by the Exchange
Agent, on behalf of all such holders, of the aggregate fractional shares of
Parent Common Stock issued pursuant to this Article II. As soon as
practicable following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall determine
the excess of (i) the number of full shares of Parent Common Stock delivered
to the Exchange Agent by Parent over (ii) the aggregate number of full shares
of Parent Common Stock to be distributed to holders of Company Common Stock
(such excess being herein called the "Excess Parent Common Shares"). The
Exchange Agent, as agent for the former holders of Company Common Stock,
shall sell the Excess Parent Common Shares at the prevailing prices on the
New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"); provided, however, that neither Parent
nor any person related to Parent within the meaning of Treasury Regulations
Section 1.368-1(c)(2) shall be permitted to acquire, directly or indirectly,
any such Excess Parent Common Shares. The sales of the Excess Parent Common
Shares by the Exchange Agent shall be executed on the NYSE through one or
more member firms of the NYSE and shall be executed in round lots to the
extent practicable. Parent shall pay all commissions, transfer taxes and
other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including the expenses and
compensation of the Exchange Agent, incurred in connection with such sale of
Excess Parent Common Shares. Until the net proceeds of such sale have been
distributed to the former holders of Company Common Stock, the Exchange Agent
will hold such proceeds in trust for such former holders. As soon as
practicable after the determination of the amount of cash to be paid to
former holders of Company Common Stock in lieu of any fractional interests,
the Exchange Agent shall make available in accordance with this Agreement
such amounts to such former holders.
(e) Closing of Transfer Books. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be
canceled and exchanged for certificates representing the appropriate number
of Parent Shares and the appropriate amount of cash as provided in Section
2.01 and in this Section 2.02.
(f) Termination of Exchange Agent. Any certificates representing
Parent Shares deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 2.02(a)
and not exchanged within six months after the Effective Time pursuant to this
Section 2.02 shall be returned by the Exchange Agent to Parent, which shall
thereafter act as Exchange Agent. All funds held by the Exchange Agent for
payment to the holders of unsurrendered Certificates and unclaimed at the end
of one year from the Effective Time shall be returned to the Surviving
Corporation, after which time any holder of unsurrendered Certificates shall
look as a general creditor only to Parent for payment of such funds to which
such holder may be due, subject to applicable law.
(g) Escheat. The Company shall not be liable to any person for
such shares or funds delivered to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
(h) Withholding Rights. Each of the Surviving Corporation and
Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration
otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Company Common
Stock such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local
or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the
Surviving Corporation or the Parent, as the case may be, such withheld
amounts shall be treated for all purposes of the Agreement as having been
paid to the holder of the shares of Company Common Stock in respect of which
such deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or
Parent, as the case may be.
ARTICLE III
THE CLOSING
Section 3.01 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall
take place at the offices of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, Stamford,
Connecticut, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day
immediately following the date on which the last of the conditions set forth
in Article VIII hereof is fulfilled or waived (other than conditions that by
their nature are required to be performed on the Closing Date, but subject to
satisfaction of such conditions), or at such other time and date and place as
the Company and Parent shall mutually agree (the "Closing Date").
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent as follows:
Section 4.01 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Except as set forth in
Section 4.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (as defined in Section
7.06(ii)), the Company and each of its subsidiaries (as defined below) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, has all requisite
corporate power and authority, and has been duly authorized by all necessary
approvals and orders, to own, lease and operate its assets and properties to
the extent owned, leased and operated and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted and is duly qualified and in good standing to do business
in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or
leasing of its assets and properties makes such qualification necessary,
other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in
good standing would not, when taken together with all other such failures,
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
properties, financial condition or results of operations or prospects of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the consummation of this
Agreement (any such material adverse effect being hereafter referred to as a
"Company Material Adverse Effect"). As used in this Agreement, the term
"subsidiary" of a person shall mean any corporation or other entity
(including partnerships and other business associations) of which a majority
of the outstanding capital stock or other voting securities having voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors or similar members of
the governing body of such corporation or entity shall at the time be held,
directly or indirectly, by such person.
Section 4.02 SUBSIDIARIES. Section 4.02 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a description as of the date hereof, of all material
subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Company, including the name of each
such entity, the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization,
the Company's interest therein and a brief description of the principal line
or lines of business conducted by each such entity. As of the date hereof,
the Company is an exempt holding company under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended (the "1935 Act"). Except as set forth in
Section 4.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock owned by the Company of each Company
subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights, and are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free
and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests, equities,
charges and options of any nature whatsoever, and there are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, voting trusts, proxies, rights or
warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding
security, instrument or other agreement, obligating any such subsidiary to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
shares of its capital stock or obligating it to grant, extend or enter into
any such agreement or commitment, except for any of the foregoing that could
not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As
used in this Agreement, the term "joint venture" of a person shall mean any
corporation or other entity (including partnerships and other business
associations) that is not a subsidiary of such person, in which such person
or one or more of its subsidiaries owns an equity interest, other than equity
interests held for passive investment purposes which are less than 10% of any
class of the outstanding voting securities or equity of any such entity.
Section 4.03 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 20,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock. As of the
close of business on June 11, 1999 there were issued and outstanding
10,625,886 shares of Company Common Stock. All of the issued and outstanding
shares of the capital stock of the Company are validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in Section
4.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, there are no
outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, voting trusts, proxies,
rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under any
outstanding security, instrument or other agreement, obligating the Company
or any of the subsidiaries of the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause
to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of the capital stock of
the Company, or obligating the Company to grant, extend or enter into any
such agreement or commitment.
Section 4.04 AUTHORITY; NON-CONTRAVENTION; STATUTORY APPROVALS;
COMPLIANCE.
(a) Authority. The Company has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Company
Shareholders' Approval (as defined in Section 4.13) and the Company Required
Statutory Approvals (as defined in Section 4.04(c)), to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Company subject to obtaining the Company
Shareholders' Approval. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery by the other signatories hereto, constitutes the valid and
binding obligations of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with
their terms.
(b) Non-Contravention. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(b) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not, violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any
provision of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of
time or both) under, or result in a right of termination, cancellation, or
acceleration of any obligation under, or result in the creation of any lien,
security interest, charge or encumbrance ("Liens") upon any of the properties
or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (any such violation,
conflict, breach, default, right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration, loss or creation, a "Violation" with respect to the Company
(such term when used in Article V having a correlative meaning with respect
to Parent)) pursuant to any provisions of (i) the articles of organization,
by-laws or similar governing documents of the Company, any of its
subsidiaries or any of its joint ventures, (ii) subject to obtaining the
Company Required Statutory Approvals and the receipt of the Company
Shareholders' Approval, any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation,
judgment, decree, order, injunction, writ, permit or license of any
Governmental Authority (as defined in Section 4.04(c)) applicable to the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of its joint ventures, or any of
their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to obtaining the
third-party consents or other approvals set forth in Section 4.04(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule (the "Company Required Consents") any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, franchise, permit, concession,
contract, lease or other instrument, obligation or agreement of any kind to
which the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of its joint ventures is a
party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be bound or
affected, excluding from the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) such
Violations as would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Statutory Approvals. Except as described in Section 4.04(c)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration
with, or notice to or authorization, consent or approval of, any court,
federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory body (including a
stock exchange or other self-regulatory body) or authority (each, a
"Governmental Authority") is necessary for the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby, the failure to obtain, make or give which
would reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Company Material
Adverse Effect (the "Company Required Statutory Approvals"), it being
understood that references in this Agreement to "obtaining" such Company
Required Statutory Approvals shall mean making such declarations, filings or
registrations, giving such notices, obtaining such authorizations, consents
or approvals and having such waiting periods expire, if any, as are necessary
to avoid a violation of law.
(d) Compliance. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(d) or Section
4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or as disclosed in the Company SEC
Reports (as defined in Section 4.05) filed prior to the date hereof, neither
the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries nor (to the best of its knowledge)
any of its joint ventures is in violation of or has been given notice of any
purported violation of, any law, statute, order, rule, regulation or judgment
(including, without limitation, any applicable Environmental Law, as defined
in Section 4.11(f)(ii)) of any Governmental Authority except for violations
that, in the aggregate, are not reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or in Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or
as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, the Company and its subsidiaries
have all permits, licenses, franchises and other governmental authorizations,
consents and approvals necessary to conduct their respective businesses as
currently conducted in all respects, except those which the failure to obtain
would, in the aggregate, not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(d) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, the
Company and each of its subsidiaries are not in breach or violation of or in
default in the performance or observance of any term or provision of, and no
event has occurred which, with lapse of time or action by a third party,
could result in a default under, (i) its certificate of incorporation or by-
laws or (ii) any contract, commitment, agreement, indenture, mortgage, loan
agreement, note, lease, bond, license, approval or other instrument to which
it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its property is
subject, except for breaches, violations or defaults that, in the aggregate,
are not reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.04(e) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there is no "non-competition" or other similar
consensual contract or agreement that restricts the ability of the Company or
any of its affiliates to conduct business in any geographic area or that
would reasonably be likely to restrict the Surviving Corporation or any of
its affiliates to conduct business in any geographic area.
Section 4.05 REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The filings required
to be made by the Company and its subsidiaries since September 30, 1996 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the 1935 Act, the
Federal Power Act, as amended (the "Power Act") and applicable state public
utility laws and regulations have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the "FERC")
or the appropriate state public utilities commission, as the case may be,
including all forms, statements, reports, exhibits and amendments
appertaining thereto, and complied, as of their respective dates, in all
material respects with all applicable requirements of the appropriate statute
and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company has made available to
Parent a true and complete copy of each report, schedule, registration
statement and definitive proxy statement filed by the Company with the SEC
since September 30, 1996 (as such documents have since the time of their
filing been amended, the "Company SEC Reports"). As of their respective
dates, the Company SEC Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The audited consolidated
financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements of the
Company included in the Company SEC Reports (collectively, the "Company
Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis ("GAAP") (except
as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except with respect
to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly
present the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended. True and complete copies of the articles of organization
and by-laws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof, have been made
available to Parent.
Section 4.06 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as
disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or as set
forth in Section 4.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since September 30,
1998, the Company and each of its subsidiaries have conducted their business
only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and
there has not been, and no fact or condition exists which has or could
reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.07 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC
Reports filed prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Section 4.07,
Section 4.09 or Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) there
are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings, pending or threatened, nor are
there any investigations or reviews pending or threatened against, relating
to or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and (ii) there are no
judgments, decrees, injunctions, rules or orders of any court, governmental
department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority or any
arbitrator applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for
any of the foregoing under clauses (i) and (ii) that individually or in the
aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.08 REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of the Company for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the registration statement on
Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC in connection with the issuance of shares
of Parent Common Stock in the Merger (the "Registration Statement") will, at
the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities
Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading and (ii) the proxy statement, in definitive
form (the "Proxy Statement"), relating to the Company Special Meeting (as
defined below) shall, at the dates mailed to shareholders and at the time of
the Company Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is
made by the Company with respect to statements made or incorporated by
reference in the Proxy Statement based on information supplied by Parent or
Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein. The
Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, insofar as they relate to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, shall comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 4.09 TAX MATTERS. "Taxes," as used in this Agreement, means
any federal, state, county, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, levies or
other assessments, including, without limitation, all net income, gross
income, sales and use, ad valorem, transfer, gains, profits, excise,
franchise, real and personal property, gross receipts, capital stock,
production, business and occupation, disability, employment, payroll,
license, estimated, stamp, custom duties, severance or withholding taxes or
charges imposed by any governmental entity, and includes any interest and
penalties (civil or criminal) on or additions to any such taxes. "Tax
Return," as used in this Agreement, means a report, return or other written
information required to be supplied to a governmental entity with respect to
Taxes including, where permitted or required, combined or consolidated
returns for any group of entities that includes the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, or Parent or any of its subsidiaries, on the
other hand.
Except as disclosed in Section 4.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(a) Filing of Timely Tax Returns. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries have duly filed (or there has been filed on its behalf) within
the time prescribed by law all material Tax Returns required to be filed by
each of them under applicable law. All such Tax Returns were and are in all
material respects true, complete and correct.
(b) Payment of Taxes. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
have, within the time and in the manner prescribed by law, paid all material
Taxes that are currently due and payable except for those contested in good
faith and for which adequate reserves have been taken.
(c) Tax Reserves. The Company and its subsidiaries have
established on their books and records adequate reserves for all Taxes and
for any liability for deferred income taxes in accordance with GAAP.
(d) Extensions of Time for Filing Tax Returns. Neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries have requested any extension of time
within which to file any material Tax Return, which Tax Return has not since
been filed.
(e) Waivers of Statute of Limitations. Neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries has in effect any extension, outstanding waivers or
comparable consents regarding the application of the statute of limitations
with respect to any material Taxes or material Tax Returns.
(f) Expiration of Statute of Limitations. The federal and state
income Tax Returns of the Company and each of its subsidiaries either have
been examined and settled with the appropriate Tax authority or closed by
virtue of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for all
years through and including 1994, and no deficiency for any Taxes has been
proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or any of its subsidiaries
that has not been resolved and paid in full except for those contested in
good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established.
(g) Audit, Administrative and Court Proceedings. No material
audits or other administrative proceedings are presently pending or
threatened with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries and no currently pending issue has been raised in writing by
any Tax authority in connection with any Tax or Tax Return (other than those
being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been
established).
(h) Tax Rulings. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
has received a Tax Ruling (as defined below) or entered into a Closing
Agreement (as defined below) with any taxing authority that would have a
continuing adverse effect after the Closing Date. "Tax Ruling," as used in
this Agreement, shall mean a written ruling of a taxing authority relating to
Taxes. "Closing Agreement," as used in this Agreement, shall mean a written
and legally binding agreement with a taxing authority relating to Taxes.
(i) Availability of Tax Returns. The Company has provided or made
available to Parent complete and accurate copies of (i) all Tax Returns, and
any amendments thereto, filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
covering all years ending on or after December 31, 1993, (ii) all audit
reports received from any taxing authority relating to any Tax Return filed
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries covering all years ending on or
after December 31, 1993, (iii) any Closing Agreements entered into by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries with any taxing authority since December
31, 1993 and (iv) any Tax Ruling received by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries from any taxing authority since December 31, 1993.
(j) Tax Sharing Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to any agreement relating to allocating or sharing of
Taxes.
(k) Liability for Others. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has any liability for any material Taxes of any person other
than the Company and its subsidiaries (i) under Treasury Regulation Section
1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), (ii) as a
transferee or successor, (iii) by contract or (iv) otherwise.
(l) Code Section 481 Adjustments. Neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries is required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to
Code Section 481(a) by reason of a voluntary change in accounting method
initiated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any tax year, and, to
the knowledge of the Company, the IRS has not proposed any such adjustment or
change in accounting method for any tax year for which the statute of
limitations remains open.
(m) Indebtedness. No indebtedness of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is "corporate acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of
Code Section 279(b).
(n) Intercompany Transactions. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has engaged in any intercompany transactions within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13 for which any income or gain will
remain unrecognized as of the close of the last taxable year prior to the
Closing Date.
(o) Code Section 897. To the best knowledge of the Company, no
foreign person owns or has owned beneficially more than five percent of the
total fair market value of Company Common Stock during the applicable period
specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(p) Code Section 355. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has constituted a "distributing corporation" in a distribution
of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in
the past 24 month period or in a distribution which could otherwise
constitute part of a "plan" or a series of "related transactions" (within the
meaning of Code Section 355(e)).
Section 4.10 EMPLOYEE MATTERS; ERISA. Each "employee benefit plan"
(as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA")), bonus, severance, change in control, deferred
compensation, share option or other written agreement, plan, commitment or
arrangement relating to employment or fringe benefits for employees, former
employees, officers, trustees or directors of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries effective as of the date hereof or providing benefits as of the
date hereof to current employees, former employees, officers, trustees or
directors of the Company or pursuant to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has or could reasonably be expected to have any liability
(collectively, the "Company Employee Benefit Plans") is listed in Schedule
4.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, is in material compliance with
applicable law, and has been administered and operated in all material
respects in accordance with its terms. Each Company Employee Benefit Plan
which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the
Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS as to such
qualification and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred and
no condition exists which could reasonably be expected to result in the
revocation of, or have any adverse effect on, any such determination.
(b) Complete and correct copies of the following documents have
been made available to Parent as of the date of this Agreement: (i) all
Company Employee Benefit Plans and any related trust agreements or insurance
contracts or funding agreement, (ii) the most current summary descriptions
and summary of material modifications of each Company Employee Benefit Plan
subject to ERISA, (iii) the three most recent Form 5500s and Schedules
thereto for each Company Employee Benefit Plan subject to such reporting,
(iv) the most recent determination of the IRS with respect to the qualified
status of each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Code, (v) the most recent accountings with
respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan funded through a trust and (vi)
the most recent actuarial report of the qualified actuary of each Company
Employee Benefit Plan with respect to which actuarial valuations are
conducted.
(c) Each Company Employee Benefit Plan subject to the requirements
of Section 601 of ERISA has been operated in material compliance therewith.
The Company has not contributed to a nonconforming group health plan (as
defined in Code Section 5000(c)) and no person under common control with the
Company within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code ("ERISA Affiliate") has
incurred a tax liability under Code Section 5000(a) that is or could
reasonably be expected to be a liability of the Company.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, each Company Employee Benefit Plan covers only employees
who are employed by the Company or a subsidiary (or former employees or
beneficiaries with respect to service with the Company or a subsidiary).
(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(e) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company, any subsidiary, any ERISA Affiliate
nor any other corporation or organization controlled by or under common
control with any of the foregoing within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA
has at any time contributed to any "multiemployer plan," as that term is
defined in Section 4001 of ERISA.
(f) No event has occurred, and there exists no condition or set of
circumstances in connection with any Company Employee Benefit Plan, under
which the Company or any subsidiary, directly or indirectly (through any
indemnification agreement or otherwise), could be subject to any liability
under Section 409 of ERISA, Section 502(i) of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code except for instances of non-compliance which,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any
liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") under
Section 302(c)(ii), 4062, 4063, 4064 or 4069 of ERISA, or otherwise that has
not been satisfied in full and no event or condition exists or has existed
which could reasonably be expected to result in any such material liability.
As of the date of this Agreement, no "reportable event" within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA has occurred with respect to any Company Employee
Benefit Plan that is a defined benefit plan under Section 3(35) of ERISA.
(h) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(h) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no employer securities, employer real property or other
employer property is included in the assets of any Company Employee Benefit
Plan.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, full payment has been made of all material amounts which
the Company or any affiliate thereof was required under the terms of Company
Employee Benefit Plans to have paid as contributions to such plans on or
prior to the Effective Time (excluding any amounts not yet due) and no
Company Employee Benefit Plan which is subject to Part III of Subtitle B of
Title I of ERISA has incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" within the
meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, whether or not
waived.
(j) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(j) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no material amounts payable under any Company Employee
Benefit Plan or other agreement, contract, or arrangement will fail to be
deductible for federal income tax purposes by virtue of Section 280G or
Section 162(m) of the Code. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(j), the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in accelerated
vesting or accelerated payment of benefits under any Company Employee Benefit
Plan.
(k) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(k) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a
party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement with
any union or labor organization. No labor organization or group of employees
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has made a pending demand for
recognition or certification, and there are no representation or
certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding
presently pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to be
brought or filed, with the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor
relations tribunal or authority. The Company has delivered or otherwise made
available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of the collective
bargaining agreements listed in Section 4.10(k) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, together with all amendments, modifications or supplements thereto.
Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(k) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
there are no organizing activities, strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns,
lockouts, arbitrations or grievances, or other labor practice charges or
disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries which could reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and
its subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable laws and collective
bargaining agreements respecting employment and employment practices, terms
and conditions of employment, wages and hours and occupational safety and
health, except for non-compliances which in the aggregate could not
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.11 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. Except as set forth in Section
4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in the Company SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof:
(a) Compliance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section
4.11(f)(ii)) except where the failure to be in such compliance would not, in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any
written communication from any person or Governmental Authority that alleges
that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not in compliance with
applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) Environmental Permits. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries has obtained or has applied for all permits, consents, licenses,
variances, certificates, exemptions, orders, franchises, authorizations and
approvals necessary under any Environmental Laws (collectively, the
"Environmental Permits") for the construction of its facilities or the
conduct of its operations, and all such Environmental Permits are in good
standing or, where applicable, a renewal application has been timely filed
and is pending agency approval, and the Company and its subsidiaries are in
compliance with all terms and conditions of the Environmental Permits, except
where the failure to obtain or to be in such compliance would not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Environmental Claims. There is no Environmental Claim (as
defined in Section 4.11(f)(i)) pending (i) against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or (ii) against any real or personal property or operations
that the Company or any of its subsidiaries owns, leases or manages, in whole
or in part that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to
have, in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Releases. Except for Releases of Hazardous Materials the
liability for which would not reasonably be expected to have, in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, there have been no Releases (as
defined in Section 4.11(f)(iv)) of any Hazardous Material (as defined in
Section 4.11(f)(iii)) that would be reasonably likely to form the basis of
any Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(e) Predecessors. The Company has no knowledge of any
Environmental Claim pending or threatened, or of any Release of Hazardous
Materials that would be reasonably likely to form the basis of any
Environmental Claim, in each case against any person or entity (including,
without limitation, any predecessor of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries) whose liability the Company or any of its subsidiaries has or
may have retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law,
except for Releases of Hazardous Materials the liability for which would not
reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(f) As used in this Agreement:
(i) "Environmental Claim" means any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives,
claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of noncompliance or
violation by any person or entity (including any Governmental Authority)
alleging potential liability (including, without limitation, potential
responsibility for or liability for enforcement costs, investigatory costs,
cleanup costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs,
natural-resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, fines or
penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from (A) the presence, or
Release or threatened Release into the environment, of any Hazardous
Materials at any location, whether or not owned, operated, leased or managed
by the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries or joint ventures; or
(B) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation,
of any Environmental Law; or (C) any and all claims by any third party
seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation
or injunctive relief resulting from the presence or Release of any Hazardous
Materials.
(ii) "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, local
laws, rules, ordinances and regulations relating to pollution, the
environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or protection of human health
as it relates to the environment including, without limitation, laws and
regulations relating to Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous
Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
Hazardous Materials.
(iii) "Hazardous Materials" means (A) any petroleum or
petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or
could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, coal tar residue,
and transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing
polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") in regulated concentrations; and (B) any
chemicals, materials or substances which are now defined as or included in
the definition of "hazardous substances", "hazardous wastes," "hazardous
materials," "extremely hazardous wastes," "restricted hazardous wastes,"
"toxic substances," "toxic pollutants," "hazardous constituents" or words of
similar import, under any Environmental Law; and (C) any other chemical,
material, substance or waste, exposure to which is now prohibited, limited or
regulated under any Environmental Law in a jurisdiction in which the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or joint ventures operates or has stored, treated
or disposed of Hazardous Materials.
(iv) "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration
into the atmosphere, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
Section 4.12 REGULATION AS A UTILITY. Except as set forth in Section
4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor (in the case
of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv)) any "associate company," "subsidiary
company" or "affiliate" (as such terms are defined in the 1935 Act) of the
Company is (i) registered, or required to be registered, under the 1935 Act,
(ii) subject to regulation as a "public utility" under the Federal Power Act,
(iii) subject to regulation as a "natural-gas company" under the Natural Gas
Act, or (iv) subject to regulation as a public utility or public service
company (or similar designation) by any state in the United States other than
Connecticut or by any foreign country.
Section 4.13 VOTE REQUIRED. The approval of the Merger by two-thirds
of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of Company Common Stock (the
"Company Shareholders' Approval") is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of the capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries required to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.14 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has received
the opinion of SG Barr Devlin to the effect that, as of June 14, 1999, the
Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of
Company Common Stock.
Section 4.15 OWNERSHIP OF PARENT COMMON STOCK. Except as set forth in
Section 4.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not
"beneficially own" (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of
the Exchange Act) any shares of Parent Capital Stock.
Section 4.16 TAKEOVER PROVISIONS; RIGHTS PLANS.
(a) The Company has taken (and will take) all action required to
be taken by it in order to exempt this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby from, and this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are exempt fromoading)
DR 96-424 (Hannaford)
DR 97-014 (FPPAC)
DR 97-059 (Base Rate Case)
DE 97-167 (OCA - Millstone Review)
DF 97-185 (Management Audit)
DR 98-006 (LCIRP)
DR 98-014 (FPPAC)
DSF 98-066 (Bulk Power Supply)
DR 98-071 (LCIRP)
23. Conditions for Competition Day
In order for Competition Day to occur, all of the following must be met:
The PUC must approve the settlement without condition or modification,
unless
agreed to by the parties, through a final order.
PSNH must have obtained the consent of the New Hampshire Attorney
General,
and all regulatory approvals necessary, to make any necessary revisions or
to cancel the 1989 Rate Agreement, the Sharing Agreement, the Capacity
Transfer Agreements between PSNH and the initial NU system and the Seabrook
Power Contract between PSNH and NAEC.
PSNH must receive approval from appropriate lenders pursuant to existing
credit agreements.
There must be an arrangement in place with one or more suppliers for the
provision of Transition Service and Default Service.
PSNH must close on the issuance of Rate Reduction Bonds.
PSNH must have agreements to sell power from any remaining entitlements
or
there must be an arrangement in place for PSNH to bid the remaining power to
the ISO and receive market prices for such power.
There must be approval by the FERC, SEC, NRC and other state agencies as
required for any jurisdictional matters.
24. Date for Customer Choice
PSNH will restructure its tariff and the rates set forth therein, and
revise its billing, customer accounting, electric load reporting and related
systems and processes to provide for retail customer choice of generation
services. Customer choice will begin on the first day of the month following
the month in which the conditions set forth in Section 23 are met
(Competition Day). On Competition Day all of PSNH's retail customers will
have the opportunity to choose an energy supplier.
Signed this 14th day of June, 1999
/s/Jeanne Shaheen
Governor of the State of New Hampshire
State House
Concord, NH 03301
/s/Philip T. McLaughlin
Attorney General of the State of New Hampshire
33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
/s/Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director and Secretary
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
8 Old Suncook Road
Concord, NH 03301
/s/Deborah J. Schachter
Director
Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services
57 Regional Drive
Concord, NH 03301
/s/Michael G. Morris
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Utilities
107 Selden Street
Berlin, CT 06037
/s/William T. Frain, Jr.
President and Chief Operating Officer
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 330
Manchester, NH 03105
