FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(5)
(FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NOS.
333-15379 and 333-27551)
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 13, 1998
$100,000,000
Arizona Public Service Company
6 1/4% Notes Due 2005
Interest payable January 15 and July 15 Due January 15, 2005
-----------
The Notes will mature on January 15, 2005. Interest on the Notes is payable
semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 1998.
The Notes are redeemable prior to Maturity at a redemption price equal to
the sum of (i) the principal of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued
interest thereon to the redemption date plus (ii) the Make-Whole
Amount. For other terms of the Notes, see "Certain Terms of the
Notes" herein and "Description of Debt Securities" in the
accompanying Prospectus. The Notes will be represented by
one or more Global Securities (as defined herein)
registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company.
The Underwriters have agreed to purchase the above Notes from the Company at a
price of 99.375% per Note (representing $99,375,000 aggregate proceeds to the
Company before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at
$265,000), plus accrued interest, if any, from January 16, 1998,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement. See"Underwriting" in this
Prospectus Supplement.
The Underwriters propose to offer the Notes from time to time for sale in
negotiated transactions or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. For further information with respect to the plan of
distribution and any discounts, commissions or profits on resale that
may be deemed underwriting discounts or commissions, see
"Underwriting" in this Prospectus Supplement.
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 SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters when, as and if issued by
the Company, delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters and subject to their
right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that the delivery of
the Notes in book-entry form will be made through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company on or about January 16, 1998, against payment therefor
in immediately available funds.
Credit Suisse First Boston
PaineWebber Incorporated
Prospectus Supplement dated January 13, 1998.
<PAGE>
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED
HEREBY, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, SYNDICATE SHORT
COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES,
SEE "UNDERWRITING."
------------
REGULATORY MATTERS
As previously reported, in December 1996, the Arizona Corporation
Commission (the "ACC") adopted rules (the "Rules") that provide a framework for
the introduction of retail electric competition in Arizona. The Rules indicate
that the ACC will allow recovery of unmitigated stranded costs and define
stranded costs as the costs of generating plants, other assets, and contract
commitments that were prudently incurred to serve power customers that could go
unrecovered if these customers are allowed to use open access to move to another
supplier. For additional information regarding the other major provisions of the
Rules, see Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1
of the September 10-Q Report.
Pursuant to a December 1, 1997 ACC procedural order, on February 9, 1998,
the ACC will hold an evidentiary hearing on "generic issues related to stranded
costs." In response to the procedural order, on January 9, 1998, the Company
filed testimony with the ACC that describes, in general terms, how stranded
costs should be calculated and recovered. In its testimony, the Company proposed
to submit its stranded cost calculations for 1999 no later that thirty days
after receiving a final ACC order in the generic stranded costs proceeding.
Until it has been further determined how competition will be implemented in
Arizona, including the manner in which stranded costs will be addressed, the
Company cannot accurately predict the impact of full retail competition on its
financial position or results of operations. As competition in the electric
industry continues to evolve, the Company will continue to evaluate strategies
and alternatives that will position the Company to compete in the new regulatory
environment and react to various proposals for implementation of competition in
Arizona.
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to
(i) the sinking fund redemption on March 1, 1998 of $10 million of the Company's
$10.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series U, and (ii) the payment at maturity on
March 15, 1998 of $100 million of the Company's First Mortgage Bonds, 7.625%
Series due 1998. Any proceeds not immediately so applied will be invested
temporarily, pending such application, in United States government or agency
obligations, commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit, or repurchase
agreements collateralized by United States government or agency obligations, or
will be deposited with banks.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES
The following description of specific terms of the Notes supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the description of the general terms and
provisions of the Debt Securities set forth in the accompanying Prospectus under
the caption "Description of Debt Securities." The following summary does not
purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description in the
accompanying Prospectus and the Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1998, between
the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, as supplemented by a First
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1998 (the Indenture, as so
supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the "Indenture").
General
The Notes offered hereby will be issued under the Indenture, limited to an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000. The Notes will
constitute a series of unsecured senior Debt Securities
S-2
<PAGE>
of the Company. Therefore, the Notes will not have the benefit of the collateral
that secures the First Mortgage Bonds and the Senior Notes of the Company. These
different classes of Securities are described in the accompanying Prospectus
under "Description of Debt Securities", "Description of New Bonds" and
"Description of Senior Notes".
The Notes will initially be represented by a Global Security that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary"). See "Description of Debt Securities -- Global Securities" in the
accompanying Prospectus. The Notes will be issuable in denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof.
The Notes will mature on January 15, 2005 (the "Maturity").
The Notes will bear interest from and including January 16, 1998 or from
and including the most recent Interest Payment Date with respect to which
interest on such Notes (or any predecessor Notes) has been paid or duly provided
for to, but excluding, the relevant Interest Payment Date at 6 1/4% per annum
until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. The Interest
Payment Dates will be January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15,
1998. Interest will be payable to the person (which, in the case of the Global
Security, shall be the Depositary) in whose name a Note is registered at the
close of business on January 1 or July 1 (each, a "Regular Record Date") next
preceding such Interest Payment Date. The amount of interest payable for any
period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Redemption
The Notes may be redeemed at any time at the option of the Company, in
whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of
(i) the principal amount of the Notes (or portion thereof) being redeemed plus
accrued interest thereon to the redemption date and (ii) the Make-Whole Amount
(as defined below), if any, with respect to the Notes (or portion thereof) being
redeemed (the "Redemption Price").
If notice has been given as provided in the Indenture and funds for the
redemption of any Notes (or any portion thereof) called for redemption shall
have been made available on the redemption date referred to in such notice, such
Notes (or any portion thereof) will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for
such redemption specified in such notice and the only right of the Holders of
such Notes will be to receive payment of the Redemption Price.
Notice of any optional redemption of any Notes (or any portion thereof)
will be given to Holders at their addresses, as shown in the security register
for such Notes, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed
for redemption. The notice of redemption will specify, among other items, the
Redemption Price or, if not then known, the manner of calculation thereof, and
the principal amount of the Notes held by such Holder to be redeemed. If less
than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at the option of the Company, the
Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem fair and appropriate, such
Notes to be redeemed in whole or in part.
As used herein:
"Make-Whole Amount" means, in connection with any optional redemption of
any Notes, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum, as determined by a Quotation
Agent (as defined herein), of the present values of the principal amount of
such Notes, together with scheduled payments of interest (exclusive of
interest to the date of redemption) from the redemption date to the Maturity
of the Notes, in each case discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual
basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the
Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined herein) over (ii) 100% of the principal
amount of the Notes to be redeemed.
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the
rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable
Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to
the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date, calculated on the
third Business Day preceding the redemption date, plus in each case 0.15% (15
basis points).
S-3
<PAGE>
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the
remaining term from the redemption date to the Maturity of the Notes that
would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary
financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of
comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.
"Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the
Trustee after consultation with the Company. "Reference Treasury Dealer"
means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer selected by the Company.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date,
(i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for
U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor
release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such Business
Day, the average of three (or such lesser number as is obtained by the
Trustee) Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined
by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.
The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Defeasance
The provisions described in the accompanying Prospectus under the caption
"Description of Debt Securities -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" are
applicable to the Notes.
S-4
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated January 13, 1998, the Underwriters named below have severally
agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell, the following respective
principal amount of Notes:
Principal
Underwriter Amount
----------- ------
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ...... $ 50,000,000
PaineWebber Incorporated ..................... 50,000,000
------------
Total .................................... $100,000,000
============
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose to offer the
Notes for sale from time to time in one or more transactions (which may include
block transactions), in negotiated transactions or otherwise, or a combination
of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The
Underwriters may effect such transactions by selling the Notes to or through
dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of underwriting
discounts, concessions or commissions from the Underwriters and/or the
purchasers of the Notes for whom they may act as agents. In connection with the
sale of the Notes, the Underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation
from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts, and the Underwriters may
also receive commissions from the purchasers of the Notes for whom they may act
as agents. The Underwriters and any dealers that participate with the
Underwriters in the distribution of the Notes may be deemed to be underwriters,
and any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit on the resale
of the Notes by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commisions.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the
Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the
Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Notes if any are
purchased.
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they intend to make a
market in the Notes, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market
making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of the trading market for the Notes.
The Underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions,
syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation
M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Over-allotment
involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a
syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the
underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the Notes in the
open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover
syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the Underwriters to reclaim a
selling concession from a syndicate member when the Notes originally sold by
such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover
syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering
transactions, and penalty bids may cause the price of the Notes to be higher
than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions.
Each of the Underwriters has provided various investment banking services,
including serving as commercial paper dealers under the Company's commercial
paper program, to the Company and its affiliates from time to time, for which
they have received customary compensation. In addition, each of the Underwriters
has provided various investment banking services to Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation, the Company's parent, from time to time, for which they have
received customary compensation.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or contribute to payments which the Underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof.
S-5
<PAGE>
Arizona Public Service Company
First Mortgage Bonds
Senior Notes
Debt Securities
---------------
Arizona Public Service Company (the "Company") intends from time to time to
issue up to $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds
(the "New Bonds"), senior notes (the "Senior Notes"), or unsecured debt
securities ("Debt Securities") (collectively, the "Securities"), in one or more
series at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale.
Until the Release Date (see "Description of Senior Notes--Release Date"),
the Senior Notes will be secured by one or more series of New Bonds. As a
result, when the Company issues Senior Notes, the Company will issue a like
amount of New Bonds to the Senior Note Trustee (as defined herein) to secure the
newly-issued Senior Notes. See "Description of Senior Notes--Security". The
Company may also issue New Bonds directly to purchasers or through agents
designated from time to time by the Company (see "Description of New Bonds"). As
of September 30, 1997 (i) the Senior Note Trustee held $150 million of first
mortgage bonds as collateral for $150 million of outstanding Senior Notes and
(ii) approximately $1.4 billion of additional first mortgage bonds (i.e., first
mortgage bonds that do not secure Senior Notes) were outstanding. Until the
Release Date, the Company's senior notes (including the Senior Notes issued
pursuant to this Prospectus) will effectively rank pari passu with the Company's
outstanding first mortgage bonds.
For each issue of Securities for which this Prospectus is being delivered
(the "Offered Bonds," the "Offered Senior Notes," or the "Offered Debt
Securities" and, collectively, the "Offered Securities"), there will be an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") that sets
forth, without limitation and to the extent applicable, the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, denomination, maturity, premium, if
any, rate of interest (which may be fixed or variable) or method of calculation
thereof, time of payment of interest, any terms for redemption, any sinking fund
provisions, any subordination provisions, the initial public offering price, the
names of any underwriters or agents, the principal amounts, if any, to be
purchased by the underwriters, the compensation of such underwriters or agents,
and any other special terms of the Offered Securities. The Prospectus Supplement
relating to any series of Offered Securities will also contain information
concerning certain United States federal income tax considerations, if
applicable to the Offered Securities.
The Company may sell Securities directly to purchasers or through agents
designated from time to time by the Company or to or through underwriters or a
group of underwriters which may be managed by one or more underwriters. If any
agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of
such agents or underwriters and any applicable commission or discount will be
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the
Company from the sale of Securities will be the public offering price of such
Securities less such discount, in the case of an offering through an
underwriter, or the purchase price of such Securities less such commission, in
the case of an offering through an agent, and less, in each case, other
expenses of the Company associated with the issuance and distribution of such
Securities.
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------
The date of this Prospectus is January 13, 1998.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Arizona Public Service Company (the "Company") is subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements,
and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements, and other information can be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
or may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at certain of its regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048. In addition, such material may be accessed electronically
by means of the Commission's Web Site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
Certain securities of the Company are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Reports, proxy materials, and other information concerning the Company can be
inspected at the office of this exchange at 20 Broad Street, 7th Floor, New
York, New York 10005.
------------
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed with the Commission by the Company
(File No. 1-4473) are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
1. The Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996 (the "1996 10-K Report");
2. The Company's Form 10-Q Reports for the fiscal quarters ended March 31,
June 30 and September 30, 1997 (the "September 10-Q Report"); and
3. The Company's Form 8-K Report, dated April 7, 1997.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14,
or 15(d) of the 1934 Act after the filing date of the September 10-Q Report and
prior to the termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which is also incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the oral
or written request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents
referred to above which have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Request for such copies should
be directed to Arizona Public Service Company, Office of the Secretary, Station
9068, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999, (602) 250-3252.
2
<PAGE>
SELECTED INFORMATION
The following material is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information and financial statements incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus.
The Offering
Securities Offered ...........Up to $150,000,000 of any combination of First
Mortgage Bonds, Senior Notes, and Debt Securities.
Application of Proceeds .....Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus
Supple- ment, the net proceeds of the Offered
Securities will be ap- plied primarily to the
redemption, repurchase, repayment, or retirement
of outstanding indebtedness and preferred stock,
and temporary investment pending such application.
The Company
Business ....................Electric utility servicing approximately 738,000
customers in an area that includes the entire
state of Arizona with the exception of Tucson and
about one-half of the Phoenix area.
Generating Fuel Mix
(estimated for the
eleven months ended
November 30, 1997)..........Coal - 36.4%; Nuclear - 27.8%; Purchases - 32.8%;
Gas and Other - 3.0%.
Financial Data (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
September 30, --------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996 1995 1994
------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Electric Operating Revenues ...... $1,850,047 $1,718,272 $1,614,952 $1,626,168
========== ========== ========== ==========
Net Income ........................ $ 226,778 $ 243,471 $ 239,570 $ 243,486
========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.82 2.84 2.77 2.96
</TABLE>
Capitalization Data (thousands of dollars):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of
September 30, 1997(1)(2) Percentage
------------------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Total Debt (including current maturities) ................ $2,191,933 52.4%
Preferred Stock ........................................... 172,037 4.1
Common Stock Equity ..................................... 1,820,985 43.5
---------- -----
Total Capitalization .................................. $4,184,955 100.0%
========== =====
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Financial information as of and for the twelve months ended September 30,
1997 is unaudited but, in the judgment of the Company's management, contains
all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of the financial position
of the Company on such date and the results of operations for such period.
(2) It is assumed that the net proceeds from the issuance of the Offered
Securities will be used for the refinancing of a similar amount of
outstanding long-term debt.
3
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
The Company was incorporated in 1920 under the laws of Arizona and is
principally engaged in providing electricity in the State of Arizona. The
principal executive offices of the Company are located at 400 North Fifth
Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 and its telephone number is (602) 250-1000.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The following table shows each person who at the close of business on June
30, 1997 was known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of any class
of the capital stock of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent
Title of Name and Address of Amount and Nature of of
Class Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership(1) Class
----- ---------------- ----------------------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Pinnacle West Capital Corporation 71,264,947 100.00%
400 East Van Buren, Suite 700 (Direct)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Preferred, J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. 57,583 16.32%
Series Q 60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10260
Preferred, The Colonial Group, Inc. 180,000 10.63%
Series W One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111
Preferred, Wellington Management Company 150,000 8.86%
Series W 75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 37,583 shares
and shared dispositive power with respect to 57,583 shares. The Colonial
Group, Inc. has shared voting power and shared dispositive power with
respect to 180,000 shares. Wellington Management Company has shared
dispositive power with respect to 150,000 shares. The information contained
in this footnote was obtained from Securities and Exchange Commission
filings made, and information provided, by J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., The
Colonial Group, Inc., and Wellington Management Company. The Company makes
no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information
reported.
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds of the Offered Securities will be applied primarily to the redemption,
repurchase, repayment, or retirement of outstanding indebtedness and preferred
stock. Any proceeds not immediately so applied when received may be invested
temporarily, pending such application, in United States government or agency
obligations, commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit, or repurchase
agreements collateralized by United States government or agency obligations, or
will be deposited with banks.
EARNINGS RATIOS
The following table sets forth the Company's historical ratio of earnings
to fixed charges for each of the indicated periods:
Twelve months ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
September 30, -----------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- ------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
2.82 2.84 2.77 2.96 2.99 2.73
4
<PAGE>
For the purposes of these computations, "earnings" are defined as the sum
of pre-tax income plus fixed charges of the Company and its subsidiaries; "fixed
charges" consist of interest on debt, amortization of debt discount, premium,
and expense and an estimated interest factor in rentals.
SECURITIES
The Securities may be issued in one or more series as (i) first mortgage
bonds ("New Bonds"), (ii) notes secured until the Release Date by New Bonds and,
thereafter (see "Description of Senior Notes -- Release Date") being unsecured
notes ("Senior Notes"), or (iii) unsecured debt securities ("Debt Securities").
From and after the "Release Date" (as defined below), any outstanding Senior
Notes secured by New Bonds when issued will cease to be secured and will become
unsecured obligations of the Company. The New Bonds are described below under
the caption "Description of New Bonds," the Senior Notes are described below
under the caption "Description of Senior Notes," and the Debt Securities are
described below under the caption "Description of Debt Securities."
DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDS
General
The New Bonds may be issued in one or more new series under the Mortgage
and Deed of Trust dated as of July 1, 1946 between the Company and The Bank of
New York, as successor Trustee ("Bond Trustee"), which as heretofore amended and
supplemented is herein referred to as the "Mortgage," and which is to be further
amended and supplemented by appropriate Supplemental Indentures ("Bond
Supplemental Indentures"). The following summary does not purport to be complete
and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Mortgage, the New Bonds, and the Bond Supplemental
Indentures, the forms of which are filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Whenever
particular provisions or defined terms in such documents are referred to herein
or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Bonds for the following terms: (1) the aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Bonds; (2) the date on which such Offered Bonds mature;
(3) the rate per annum at which such Offered Bonds will bear interest; (4) the
times at which such interest will be payable; (5) the date, if any, after which
such Offered Bonds may be redeemed at the option of the Company and the
redemption price; (6) whether any of such Offered Bonds will be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the
Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends to be
borne by any such Global Security, and any circumstances under which any such
Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Offered Bonds,
registered in the names of persons other than the Depositary for such Global
Security or its nominee; and (7) any other special terms. Interest will be paid
to the person in whose name the Offered Bonds are registered at the close of
business on the record date, as established in the Bond Supplemental Indenture
relating thereto, preceding the interest payment date in respect thereof. The
New Bonds will be issued as fully registered bonds, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof. The New Bonds will be
transferable at any time without any service or other charge, except transfer
taxes and other governmental charges, if any.
Except as otherwise described under the heading "Description of New Bonds
- -- Issuance of Additional Bonds" or in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Mortgage and the New Bonds would not afford holders of the New
Bonds protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the
Company.
Redemption
The Offered Bonds are redeemable as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto and, subject to any qualifications or variations set forth in
any such Prospectus Supplement, are also subject to redemption, in each case at
the principal amount of the Offered Bonds to be redeemed together with
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accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption, (i) in whole or in part with
the proceeds from mortgaged property of the Company taken under eminent domain
by, or otherwise sold to, a governmental body or agency; (ii) in whole or in
part with the Proceeds of Released Property, including proceeds from the sale or
other disposition (including a sale and leaseback) of property released from the
lien of the Mortgage as specified in section (b) of the second to the last
paragraph under the heading "Description of New Bonds -- Security" below; and
(iii) in whole, together with all other first mortgage bonds of the Company then
outstanding, within twelve months of certain mergers or other transactions
involving the transfer of substantially all of the property subject to the lien
of the Mortgage, as then amended. In addition, after the date and at the price
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, Offered Bonds may be redeemed in whole
or in part with cash deposited in the replacement fund discussed below.
Security
The New Bonds will rank pari passu, except as to any sinking fund or
similar fund provided for a particular series, with all bonds at any time
outstanding under the Mortgage. The Mortgage constitutes a first mortgage lien
on substantially all the fixed property owned by the Company (which does not
include a combined cycle plant or certain interests in Unit 2 of the Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station being leased), other than property specifically
excepted by the Mortgage. Such lien and the Company's title to certain of its
properties are subject to Excepted Encumbrances, to minor leases, defects,
irregularities, and deficiencies, and to the considerations discussed below with
respect to the Four Corners and Navajo Plant locations. The lien of the Mortgage
will also extend to all after-acquired property (other than the excepted
classes) located in the jurisdictions in which the necessary recordations or
filings have been accomplished, subject to Excepted Encumbrances and to liens
existing or placed on such property at the time of its acquisition by the
Company.
Both the Four Corners and the Navajo Plants are located on property held by
the plant participants under leases from the Navajo Tribe and easements from the
Secretary of the Interior. The leases extend from their respective effective
dates in 1966 and 1969 for terms of 50 years with rights of renewal for up to 25
additional years. The easements are for 50-year terms from the same effective
dates. While the Company owns the rights conferred upon it by the leases from
the Navajo Tribe, the Company does not make any representation with respect to
the Tribe's interest in the lands leased (but is not aware of any assertion of a
contesting claim to such lands) or with respect to the enforceability of the
leases against the Tribe.
The Mortgage requires the Company to keep the property encumbered thereby
as an operating system or systems in good repair and working order, but permits
the permanent discontinuance or reduction in capacity of any such properties
which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, is desirable in
the conduct of its business or which is ordered by a regulatory authority or
which properties are to be sold or disposed of by the Company.
When not in default under the Mortgage, the Company may obtain the release
from the lien thereof of (a) property that has become unserviceable, obsolete,
or unnecessary for use in the Company's operations, provided that it replaces
such property with, or substitutes for the same, an equal value of other
property, and (b) other property that has been sold or otherwise disposed of,
provided that the Company deposits with the Bond Trustee cash in an amount,
waives the right to issue additional bonds on the basis of retired bonds
previously issued in an amount, or utilizes as a credit net Property Additions
acquired by the Company within the preceding five years and having a fair value
(not more than Cost), equal to the fair value of the property to be released.
The Bond Trustee may, and upon request of the Company shall, cancel and
discharge the lien of the Mortgage and all indentures supplemental thereto
whenever all indebtedness secured by the Mortgage has been paid.
Issuance of Additional Bonds
Additional bonds may be issued under the Mortgage in a principal amount
equal to (a) 60% of net Property Additions, (b) the principal amount of certain
redeemed or retired bonds previously issued,
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and/or (c) deposited cash, provided that the Company's Adjusted Net Earnings
over a twelve-month period are at least two times the annual interest on all
bonds to be outstanding under the Mortgage after the issuance and on
indebtedness secured by prior liens. Exceptions to this earnings coverage
requirement apply to bonds issued on the basis of redeemed or retired bonds
where the redeemed or retired bonds bore a higher rate of interest and where
certain other conditions are satisfied. In addition, the Company's articles of
incorporation allow the Company to issue additional preferred stock when certain
earnings coverage requirements are met. Exceptions to this earnings coverage
requirement apply to preferred stock issued for the purpose of redeeming or
retiring other preferred stock.
As of September 30, 1997, the Company estimates that the Mortgage and the
articles of incorporation would have allowed the Company to issue up to
approximately $1.9 billion and $1.1 billion of additional first mortgage bonds
and preferred stock, respectively.
In addition to the Mortgage restrictions on the Company's issuance of
additional bonds, the Company must obtain ACC approval before issuing equity
securities or incurring long-term debt. Existing ACC orders allow the Company to
have approximately $501 million in aggregate par value of preferred stock and
approximately $2.6 billion in principal amount of long-term debt outstanding at
any one time. The Company does not expect these provisions or authorizations to
limit the Company's ability to meet its capital requirements.
Property Additions, and in many instances redeemed or retired bonds, as
well as deposited cash, may be used for certain alternative purposes under the
Mortgage, including the release of property from the lien thereof or the
satisfaction of sinking or replacement fund requirements. The Mortgage contains
restrictions on the issuance of bonds, withdrawal of cash, or release of
property on the basis of property subject to prior liens. Property located on
leaseholds or easements (as, for example, the Four Corners and Navajo Plants)
will constitute fundable Property Additions if the leasehold or easement has an
unexpired term of, or the term is extendable at the Company's option for, at
least 30 years after the time of funding, or if the property may be removed by
the Company without compensation.
Replacement Fund
So long as any of the New Bonds are outstanding, the Company is required
for each calendar year to deposit with the Bond Trustee cash in a formularized
amount related to net additions to the Company's mortgaged utility plant;
however, the Company may satisfy all or any part of the requirement by utilizing
redeemed or retired bonds, net Property Additions, or property retirements. For
1996, such requirement amounted to approximately $129 million. Any cash that may
be deposited by the Company pursuant to the requirement may, upon request by the
Company, be applied to the redemption or purchase of bonds and, if not withdrawn
against Property Additions or retired bonds within five years, must be so
applied, subject in each case to any restrictions on any such redemption or
purchase as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the issue of
bonds to be redeemed or purchased.
Events of Default
The following are defaults under the Mortgage: (a) failure to pay the
principal of any bond outstanding under the Mortgage when due and payable; (b)
failure to pay interest on any bond outstanding under the Mortgage within 60
days after the same is due and payable; (c) failure to pay any installment of
any fund required to be applied to the purchase or redemption of bonds
outstanding under the Mortgage within 60 days after the same is due and payable;
(d) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization; and (e) failure
to perform any other covenant of the Mortgage continuing for 90 days after
notice by the Bond Trustee or holders of 15% in principal amount of Eligible
bonds. The Mortgage allows the Bond Trustee to withhold notice of certain
defaults, not including any default in the payment of principal of, or interest
on, any bond outstanding, or in the payment of any sinking, improvement,
replacement, or purchase fund installment, if it in good faith determines that
the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the bondholders.
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Eligible
bonds may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Bond Trustee under the
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Mortgage; provided, however, that the Trustee may decline to follow any such
direction under certain circumstances, including a determination made in good
faith by the Bond Trustee that it will not be sufficiently indemnified for any
expenditures, including its own charges, in any action or proceeding so
directed. The Company is required to file with the Bond Trustee, on or before
July 1 of each year, a certificate to the effect that, except as otherwise
stated therein, the Company has complied with all of the provisions of the
Mortgage and is not then in default thereunder.
Modification of the Mortgage
The Mortgage and the rights of bondholders may be modified with the consent
of the Company, and of the Bond Trustee if deemed affected, and the vote or
assent of the holders of not less than 70% in principal amount of the Eligible
bonds, and of not less than 70% in principal amount of the Eligible bonds of any
one or more series (less than all) affected by any such modification; except
that the bondholders, without the consent of the holder of each bond affected,
have no power to (a) reduce the principal thereof, or the premium, if any, or
rate of interest thereon or otherwise modify the terms of payment of principal,
premium, or interest, or extend the maturity of any bonds, (b) permit the
creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of the
Mortgage with respect to any of the mortgaged property, (c) deprive any
nonassenting bondholder of a lien upon the mortgaged property for the security
of his or her bonds, or (d) reduce the percentage of bondholders authorized to
effect any such modification.
Global Securities
Some or all of the New Bonds of any series may be represented, in whole or
in part, by one or more "Global Securities" which will have an aggregate
principal amount equal to that of the New Bonds represented thereby. Each Global
Security will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee thereof
identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such
depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding
the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to
below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the
applicable Bond Supplemental Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Mortgage or any New Bond described
herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for New Bonds
registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be
registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such Global
Security or any nominee of such depositary unless (i) the depositary has
notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary
for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as
required by the Mortgage, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a
default with respect to the New Bonds represented by such Global Security, or
(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those described above as may be described in the applicable Bond Supplemental
Indenture and Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a
Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
depositary may direct.
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a
Global Security, the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and holder of such Global Security and the New Bonds
represented thereby for all purposes under the New Bonds and the Mortgage.
Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security
or any New Bonds represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated New Bonds in
exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of such
Global Security or any New Bonds represented thereby for any purpose under the
New Bonds or the Mortgage. All payments of principal of and any premium and
interest on a Global Security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the holder thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests
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through participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security,
the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system,
the respective principal amounts of New Bonds represented by the Global Security
to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership
interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary
(with respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments,
transfers, exchanges, and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Bond Trustee or any agent
of the Company or the Bond Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
Other
The Mortgage restricts the payment of dividends on common stock of the
Company under certain conditions which have not existed in the past and do not
currently exist.
The Bond Trustee, security registrar, and paying agent under the Mortgage
is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking arrangements with
The Bank of New York, which include (i) a commitment in the aggregate principal
amount of approximately $15.7 million by The Bank of New York pursuant to a
reimbursement agreement related to a letter of credit issued on behalf of the
Company in connection with an issuance of pollution control bonds, the proceeds
of which were made available to the Company, and (ii) a $25 million commitment
by The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit agreement, none of which
was outstanding at September 30, 1997. The Bank of New York also serves as (i)
trustee for the holders of several issues of pollution control bonds issued on
behalf of the Company, (ii) trustee under the Indenture relating to the
subordinated Debt Securities (see "Description of Debt Securities" below), (iii)
trustee under the Senior Note Indenture (as defined below), (iv) investment
manager for the Company's nonunion post-retirement medical fund, and (v)
custodian of international fixed-income assets for the Company's pension plan.
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
General
The Senior Notes may be issued in one or more new series under an Indenture
(the "Senior Note Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, or
any other trustee to be named, as Trustee (the "Senior Note Trustee"). The
following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects
to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Senior Note Indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes are to be issued and to
the Senior Notes, the forms of which are filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to
the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Whenever
particular provisions or defined terms in the Senior Note Indenture are referred
to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or terms are
incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
Until the Release Date (as defined below), the Senior Notes will be secured
by one or more series of New Bonds ("Senior Note Mortgage Bonds") issued and
delivered by the Company to the Senior Note Trustee. See "Description of Senior
Notes -- Security" and "Description of Senior Notes --Release Date." On the
Release Date, the Senior Notes will cease to be secured by Senior Note Mortgage
Bonds, will become unsecured obligations of the Company, and will rank on a
parity with other unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company, including senior
Debt Securities. The Senior Note Indenture provides that, in addition to the
Senior Notes offered hereby, additional senior notes may be issued thereunder,
without limitation as to aggregate principal amount, provided that, prior to the
Release Date, the amount of senior notes that may be issued cannot exceed the
amount of first mortgage bonds that the Company is able to issue under its
Mortgage. See "Description of New Bonds -- Issuance of Additional Bonds."
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Senior Notes for the following terms: (1) the title of such
Senior Notes; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal
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amount of such Senior Notes or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date
or dates on which the principal of any of such Senior Notes will be payable; (4)
the rate or rates at which any of such Senior Notes will bear interest, if any,
the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place or places
where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of such Senior Notes
will be payable, if other than as described under "Description of Senior Notes
- -- Payment and Paying Agents"; (6) the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Senior
Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (7)
the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of such Senior
Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of
the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices
at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Senior Notes will be
redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation; (8)
the denominations in which any of such Senior Notes will be issuable, if other
than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; (9) if the
amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior Notes
may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the
manner in which such amounts will be determined; (10) if other than the currency
of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, or currency units in
which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior Notes
will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the
currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes
of determining the principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time; (11)
if the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Senior Notes is to
be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more
currencies, or currency units other than those in which such Senior Notes are
stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which
payment of any such amount as to which such election is made will be payable,
the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election
is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount is
to be determined); (12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the
portion of the principal amount of any of such Senior Notes which will be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof; (13) if the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of such Senior Notes will
not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity,
the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date
for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and
payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed
to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which
such deemed principal amount is to be determined); (14) if applicable, that such
Senior Notes, in whole or any specified part, are defeasible pursuant to the
provisions of the Senior Note Indenture described under "Description of Senior
Notes -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance"; (15) whether any of such Senior
Notes will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global
Securities and, if so, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities,
the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in
addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to under "Description of Senior
Notes -- Global Securities" and, if different from those described under such
caption, any circumstances under which any such Global Security may be exchanged
in whole or in part for Senior Notes registered, and any transfer of such Global
Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the names of Persons other
than the Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee; (16) if any of such
Senior Notes are to be issued prior to the Release Date, the designation of the
series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds to be delivered to the Senior Note Trustee
as security for such Senior Notes; (17) any addition to or change in the Events
of Default applicable to any of such Senior Notes and any change in the right of
the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any of such Senior
Notes due and payable; (18) any addition to or change in the covenants in the
Senior Note Indenture; and (19) any other terms of such Senior Notes not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 301).
Senior Notes, including Original Issue Discount Notes, may be sold at a
substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United States
federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Senior Notes sold at an
original issue discount may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In addition, certain special United States federal income tax or
other considerations (if any)
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applicable to any Senior Notes which are denominated in a currency or currency
unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Senior Note Indenture would not afford holders of Senior Notes
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
The Senior Notes of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form without coupons and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Senior Note
Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Senior Notes of
any series will be exchangeable for other Senior Notes of the same series, of
any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
(Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and the limitations
applicable to Global Securities, Senior Notes may be presented for exchange as
provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form
of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Note Registrar
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Senior Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Note Registrar or
such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person making the request. The Company has appointed
the Senior Note Trustee as Note Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to
the Note Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Senior Notes
will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305). The
Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the
designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through
which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Senior Notes of each
series. (Section 1102).
If the Senior Notes of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed, the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Senior Note of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such
Senior Note that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Senior Note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any such Senior Note being redeemed in part.
(Section 305).
Global Notes
Some or all of the Senior Notes of any series may be represented, in whole
or in part, by one or more Global Notes which will have an aggregate principal
amount equal to that of the Senior Notes represented thereby. Each Global Note
will be registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee thereof identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary
or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below
and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Senior Note
Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Senior Note Indenture or any Senior
Note described herein, no Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Senior Notes registered, and no transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such
Global Note or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary has
notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary
for such Global Note or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by
the Senior Note Indenture, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an
Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes represented by such Global
Note, or
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(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of
those described above as may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion
thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct.
(Sections 204 and 305).
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Note and the Senior Notes
represented thereby for all purposes under the Senior Notes and the Senior Note
Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have such Global
Note or any Senior Notes represented thereby registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Senior Notes
in exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of
such Global Note or any Senior Notes represented thereby for any purpose under
the Senior Notes or the Senior Note Indenture. All payments of principal of and
any premium and interest on a Global Note will be made to the Depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder thereof. The laws of some
jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Note, the Depositary
will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of Senior Notes represented by the Global Note to the accounts
of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be
shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected
only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to
participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of
persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers,
exchanges, and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Note
may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from
time to time. None of the Company, the Senior Note Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Senior Note Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Note, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Senior Note on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes)
is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Senior Notes of a particular
series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Note
Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the corporate trust office of the Senior Note Trustee in The City of New York
will be designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect
to Senior Notes of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by
the Company for the Senior Notes of a particular series will be named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Senior Notes of a particular series. (Section 1102).
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Senior Notes which remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such
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principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the
Company, and the Holder of such Senior Notes thereafter may look only to the
Company for payment thereof. (Section 1103).
Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets
The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets "substantially as an
entirety" to any Person, and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or
merge into the Company or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (a) the successor Person (if
any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly
existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and (i) assumes the
Company's obligations on the Senior Notes and under the Senior Note Indenture,
and (ii) if such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, or lease occurs
prior to the Release Date, assumes the Company's obligations under the Senior
Note Mortgage Bonds and under the Mortgage; (b) immediately after giving effect
to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met. The term
"substantially as an entirety" means 50% or more of the total assets of the
Company as shown on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of the end of
the calendar year immediately preceding the day of the year in which such
determination is made. (Section 901).
Security
Until the Release Date (see "Release Date" below), the Senior Notes will be
secured by one or more series of New Bonds ("Senior Note Mortgage Bonds") issued
and delivered by the Company to the Senior Note Trustee (see "Description of New
Bonds"). Upon the issuance of a series of Senior Notes prior to the Release
Date, the Company will simultaneously issue and deliver to the Senior Note
Trustee, as security for such series of Senior Notes, a series of Senior Note
Mortgage Bonds that will have the same stated rate or rates of interest (or
interest calculated in the same manner), Interest Payment Dates, Stated Maturity
and redemption provisions, and will be in the same aggregate principal amount as
the series of the Senior Notes being issued. (Sections 401-403). Payments by the
Company to the Senior Note Trustee of principal of, premium and interest on, a
series of Senior Notes will satisfy the Company's obligations with respect to
principal of, premium and interest on, the related series of Senior Note
Mortgage Bonds.
Each series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds will be a series of New Bonds,
all of which are secured by a lien on certain property owned by the Company. See
"Description of New Bonds -- Security." In certain circumstances prior to the
Release Date, the Company is permitted to reduce the aggregate principal amount
of a series of Senior Note Mortgage Bonds held by the Senior Note Trustee, but
in no event to an amount lower than the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the series of Senior Notes initially issued contemporaneously with such
Senior Note Mortgage Bonds. (Section 409). Following the Release Date, the
Company will cause the Mortgage to be closed and the Company will not issue any
additional first mortgage bonds under the Mortgage. (Section 403).
Release Date
ON THE RELEASE DATE, THE SENIOR NOTE MORTGAGE BONDS WILL NO LONGER SECURE
THE SENIOR NOTES, AND THE SENIOR NOTES WILL BECOME UNSECURED GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
OF THE COMPANY. (Section 407). The "Release Date" means the date that the
Company has repaid all of its first mortgage bonds, other than the first
mortgage bonds securing the senior notes.The Senior Note Trustee will give the
Senior Note Holders notice of the occurrence of the Release Date. See
"Description of Senior Notes -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance --Defeasance
and Discharge" for a discussion of another situation in which outstanding Senior
Notes would not be secured by Senior Note Mortgage Bonds.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, from
and after the Release Date and so long as Senior Notes of a particular series
are outstanding, the Company may not issue,
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assume or guarantee any debt evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other
securities for money borrowed that is secured by any mortgage, security
interest, pledge or lien of or upon any operating property of the Company, and
will not permit to exist any such debt secured by any such lien created on or
prior to the Release Date, without effectively securing such Senior Notes
equally and ratably therewith, subject to certain exceptions as described below.
See "Limitations on Liens and Sale and Lease-back Transactions." The intention
of these provisions is that before the Release Date the Senior Notes will have
the benefit of being secured by Senior Note Mortgage Bonds, and after the
Release Date the Senior Notes will have the benefit of the same security as
other secured debt of the Company, if any, subject to specified exceptions.
Limitations on Liens and Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
Limitations on Liens. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, from and after the Release Date and so long as Senior
Notes of a particular series are outstanding, the Company may not issue, assume,
or guarantee any debt evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities
for money borrowed ("Debt") that is secured by any mortgage, security interest,
pledge, or lien ("lien") of or upon any Operating Property of the Company, and
will not permit to exist any such Debt secured by any such mortgage created on
or prior to the Release Date, without effectively securing such Senior Notes
equally and ratably with such Debt. This restriction does not apply to (1) liens
on any property existing at the time of its acquisition; (2) liens on property
of a corporation existing at the time the corporation is merged into or
consolidated with, or disposes of substantially all of its properties (or those
of a division) to, the Company; (3) subject to certain conditions, liens
securing Debt incurred to acquire, construct, develop, or substantially repair,
alter, or improve property or to reimburse the Company for funds spent for any
such purpose; (4) liens in favor of the United States of America or any State
thereof, or for the benefit of holders of securities issued by any such entity,
or any department, agency, or instrumentality or political subdivision of the
United States of America or any State thereof, to secure any Debt incurred for
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of
constructing, developing or substantially repairing, altering, or improving the
property subject to such liens; or (5) any extension, renewal, or replacement,
in whole or in part, of any lien referred to in clauses (1) through (4).
However, the foregoing restriction does not apply to the issuance, assumption,
or guarantee by the Company of Debt secured by a lien which would otherwise be
subject to the foregoing restrictions up to an aggregate amount which, together
with all other secured Debt of the Company (not including secured Debt permitted
under the foregoing exceptions) and the Value (as defined below) of all Sale and
Lease-Back Transactions (as defined below) existing at such time (other than
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction proceeds which have been applied to the
retirement or certain indebtedness, Sale and Lease-Back Transactions in which
the property involved would have been permitted to be mortgaged under the
foregoing exceptions and Sale and Lease-Back Transactions that are permitted by
the first sentence of "-- Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions"
below), does not exceed the greater of 10% of Net Tangible Assets (as defined
below) or 10% of Capitalization (as defined below).
Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, after the Release Date, so long as any
Senior Notes are outstanding, the Company may not enter into any Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Operating Property and will not
permit to remain in effect any Sale and Lease-Back transaction with respect to
any Operating Property entered into on or prior to the Release Date (except in
each case, for transactions involving leases for a term, including any renewal
thereof, of not more than 48 months), if the purchaser's commitment is or was
obtained more than 18 months after the later of the completion of the
acquisition, construction or development or the placing in operation of such
Operating Property or of such Operating Property as constructed, being developed
or substantially repaired, altered or improved. This restriction will not apply
if (a) the Company would be entitled pursuant to the provisions described in the
second sentence under "-- Limitations on Liens" above to issue, assume or
guarantee Debt secured by a lien on such Operating Property without equally and
ratably securing such Senior Notes, (b) after giving effect to such Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction, the Company could incur pursuant to the provisions
described in the third sentence under "-- Limitation on Liens," additional debt
secured by liens, or (c) the Company applies within 180 days an amount equal to,
in the case of a sale or transfer for cash, the net
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proceeds (not exceeding the net book value), and, otherwise, an amount equal to
the fair value (as determined by its Board of Directors) of the Operating
Property so leased to the retirement of Senior Notes or other Debt of the
Company ranking senior to, or equally with, the Senior Notes, subject to
reduction as set forth in the Supplemental Indenture in respect of Senior Notes
and such Debt retired during such 180-day period otherwise than pursuant to
mandatory sinking fund or prepayment provisions and payments at Stated Maturity.
Definitions. The term "Capitalization" shall mean the total of all the
following items appearing on, or included in, the balance sheet of the Company:
(i) liabilities for indebtedness maturing more than 12 months from the date of
determination; and (ii) common stock, preferred stock, premium on capital stock,
capital surplus, capital in excess of par value, and retained earnings, less, to
the extent not otherwise deducted, the cost of shares of capital stock of the
Company held in its treasury.
The term "Net Tangible Assets" shall mean the amount shown as total assets
on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company, less the following: (i)
intangible assets including, but without limitation, such items as goodwill,
trademarks, tradenames, patents and unamortized debt discount and expense and
other regulatory assets carried as an asset on said balance sheet; and (ii)
appropriate adjustments, if any, on account of minority interests.
The term "Operating Property" shall mean (i) any interest in real property
owned by the Company and (ii) any asset owned by the Company that is depreciable
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The term "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" shall mean any arrangement with
any person providing for the leasing to the Company of any Operating Property
(except for leases for a term, including any renewal thereof, of not more than
48 months), which Operating Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by
the Company to such person.
The term "Value" shall mean, with respect to a Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction, as of any particular time, the amount equal to the greater of (i)
the net proceeds to the Company from the sale or transfer of the property leased
pursuant to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction or (ii) the net book value of
such property, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles by the Company at the time of entering into such Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction, in each case multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be equal to the number of full years of the term of the lease that is part of
such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction remaining at the time of determination and
the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of full years of such
term, without regard, in any case, to any renewal or extension options contained
in such lease.
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the Senior
Note Indenture with respect to Senior Notes of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Senior Note of that series when due,
continued for five days; (b) failure to pay any interest on any Senior Notes of
that series when due, continued for sixty days; (c) failure to deposit any
sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Senior Note of that series;
(d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the Senior Note
Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Senior Note Indenture solely
for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 90 days after
written notice has been given by the Senior Note Trustee, or the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of that series, as
provided in the Senior Note Indenture; (e) prior to the Release Date, the
occurrence of a Default under the Mortgage (see "Description of the Bonds --
Events of Default"), of which the Trustee under the Mortgage, the Company or the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior
notes have given written notice thereof to the Senior Note Trustee; and (f)
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
(Section 601).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(f) above) with respect to the Senior Notes of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Senior Note Trustee or the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of
that series by notice as provided in the Senior Note Indenture may declare the
principal amount of the Senior
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Notes of that series (or, in the case of any Senior Note that is an Original
Issue Discount Note or the principal amount of which is not then determinable,
such portion of the principal amount of such Senior Note, or such other amount
in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in the terms of such
Senior Note) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described
in clause (f) above with respect to the Senior Notes of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur, the principal amount of all the Senior Notes of that
series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Note or other Senior
Note, such specified amount) will automatically, and without any action by the
Senior Note Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. After any
such acceleration, but before (i) a judgment or decree based on acceleration or
(ii) the Senior Note Trustee's receipt from the Trustee under the Mortgage of a
notice of acceleration of Senior Note First Mortgage Bonds, such acceleration
will be automatically waived and rescinded if all Events of Default, other than
the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been
cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Section 602). For information as
to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Senior Note Indenture relating to the
duties of the Senior Note Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Senior Note Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any
of its rights or powers under the Senior Note Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Senior Note Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 703). Subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Senior Note Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Note Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Senior Note Trustee, with respect to the Senior Notes of
that series. (Section 612).
No Holder of a Senior Note of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Senior Note Indenture, or for the appointment
of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Senior Note Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes of that series,
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Senior Notes of that series have made written request, and such
Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Senior Note Trustee
to institute such proceeding as trustee, and (iii) the Senior Note Trustee has
failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of that
series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such
notice, request and offer. (Section 607). However, such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Senior Note for the enforcement of payment
of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Senior Note on or after
the applicable due date specified in such Senior Note. (Section 608).
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1104).
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Senior Note Indenture may be made by
the Company and the Senior Note Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Senior Note,
(b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Senior
Note, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Note or
any other Senior Note payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d)
change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or
interest on, any Senior Note, (e) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Senior Note, (f) prior to
the Release Date, (i) impair the interest of the Senior Note Trustee in the
Senior Note Mortgage Bonds, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any series of
Senior Note Mortgage Bonds to an amount less than the principal amount of the
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related Series of Notes, or (iii) alter the payment provisions of the Senior
Note Mortgage Bonds in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, or (g)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes of any
series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment
of the Senior Note Indenture, reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Senior Notes of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Senior Note Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults or modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver.
(Section 1002).
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Notes of any series may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive
provisions of the Senior Note Indenture. (Section 1108). The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes of any series may
waive any past default under the Senior Note Indenture, except a default in the
payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and provisions
of the Senior Note Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Senior Note of such series affected.
(Section 613).
The Senior Note Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders
of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Senior
Note Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Note that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the
principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Senior Note is not
determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal
amount of such Senior Note deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an
amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Senior Note and (iii) the
principal amount of a Senior Note denominated in one or more foreign currencies
or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar
equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Senior
Note, of the principal amount of such Senior Note (or, in the case of a Senior
Note described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described in such
clause). Certain Senior Notes, including those for whose payment or redemption
money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and those that
have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1402, will not be deemed to be
Outstanding. (Section 101).
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to
set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Senior Notes of any series entitled to give or take any direction,
notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Senior Note Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Senior Note Indenture. In
certain limited circumstances, the Senior Note Trustee will be entitled to set a
record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be
taken by Holders of a particular series, such action may be taken only by
persons who are Holders of Outstanding Senior Notes of that series on the record
date. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of such Senior Notes within a specified period following the
record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or
such other shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Senior Note
Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not
beyond 180 days) from time to time.
(Section 104).
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1402, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1403,
relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the Senior Note
Indenture, applied to the Senior Notes of any series, or to any specified part
of a series. (Section 1401).
Defeasance and Discharge. The Senior Note Indenture provides that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1402 applied to any
Senior Notes, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with
respect to such Senior Notes (except for certain obligations to exchange or
register the transfer of Senior Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
Senior Notes, to
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maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the
deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes of money or
U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal
and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide
money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on such Senior Notes on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance
with the terms of the Senior Note Indenture and such Senior Notes. Upon such
defeasance and discharge, the Senior Note Trustee will deliver to the Company
for cancellation all Senior Note Mortgage Bonds securing such Senior Notes,
after which time such Senior Notes will no longer be secured by Senior Note
Mortgage Bonds. Such defeasance and discharge may occur only if, among other
things, the Company has delivered to the Senior Note Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has
been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such
Senior Notes will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of such deposit, defeasance, and discharge and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not
to occur. (Sections 1402 and 1404).
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Senior Note Indenture provides that,
upon the Com-pany's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1403 applied
to any Senior Notes, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Description of Senior Notes
- -- Events of Default" and any that may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, will be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default will cease
to be effective, in each case with respect to such Senior Notes. The Company, in
order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, money or U.S. Government
Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Senior
Notes on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the
Senior Note Indenture and such Senior Notes. The Company will also be required,
among other things, to deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that Holders of such Senior Notes will not recognize gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of
certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event the Company
exercised this option with respect to any Senior Notes and such Senior Notes
were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default,
the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust would
be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Senior Notes at the time of their
respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Senior Notes upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In
such case, the Company would remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1403 and
1404).
Notices
Notices to Holders of Senior Notes will be given by mail to the addresses
of such Holders as they may appear in the Note Register. (Sections 101 and 106).
Title
The Company, the Senior Note Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the
Senior Note Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Senior Note is
registered as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Senior Note may be
overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
(Section 308).
Governing Law
The Senior Note Indenture and the Senior Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
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Regarding the Senior Note Trustee
The Senior Note Trustee is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains
normal banking arrangements with The Bank of New York, which include (i) a
commitment in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $15.7 million by
The Bank of New York pursuant to a reimbursement agreement related to a letter
of credit issued on behalf of the Company in connection with an issuance of
pollution control bonds, the proceeds of which were made available to the
Company, and (ii) a $25 million commitment by The Bank of New York pursuant to a
revolving credit agreement, none of which was outstanding at September 30, 1997.
The Bank of New York also serves as (i) trustee under the Mortgage, (ii) trustee
for the holders of several issues of pollution control bonds issued on behalf of
the Company, (iii) trustee under the Company's Indenture relating to
subordinated Debt Securities (see below), (iv) investment manager for the
Company's nonunion post-retirement medical fund, and (v) custodian of
international fixed-income assets for the Company's pension plan.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more new series under an
Indenture between the Company and (i) The Bank of New York, in the case of
subordinated Debt Securities, and (ii) The Chase Manhattan Bank, in the case of
senior Debt Securities, or any other trustees to be named, as Trustee (each, a
"Trustee"). The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject
in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Indentures pursuant to which the subordinated and senior Debt
Securities are to be issued and to the Debt Securities, the forms of which are
filed, or will be filed, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in such
documents are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions
or terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
The term "Debt Securities" does not include Senior Notes, which are issued under
the Senior Note Indenture. See "Description of Senior Notes."
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. Separate
Indentures will be used for senior Debt Securities and subordinated Debt
Securities, respectively, although the description of the Indenture herein,
except as specifically stated otherwise, applies to both Indentures.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Debt Securities for the following terms: (1) the title of such
Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Debt
Securities or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date or dates on
which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (4) the rate
or rates at which any of such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the
date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place or places
where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of such Debt
Securities will be payable, if other than as described under "Description of
Debt Securities -- Payment and Paying Agents"; (6) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of
such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of
such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at
the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Debt
Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any
such obligation; (8) the denominations in which any of such Debt Securities will
be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof; (9) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to
a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (10) if other
than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, or
currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of
such Debt Securities will be payable and the manner of determining the
equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any
purpose, including for purposes of determining the principal amount deemed to be
Outstanding at any time; (11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on
any of such
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Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder
thereof, in one or more currencies, or currency units other than those in which
such Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or
currency units in which payment of any such amount as to which such election is
made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in
which such amount is to be determined); (12) if other than the entire principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Debt
Securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof; (13) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of
any of such Debt Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such
principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal
amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the
Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date
(or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be
determined); (14) if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in whole or any
specified part, are defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture
described under "Description of Debt Securities -- Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance -- Defeasance and Discharge" or "Description of Debt Securities
- --Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance -- Covenant Defeasance," or under both such
captions; (15) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole or
in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the respective
Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends to be
borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the legend
referred to under "Description of Debt Securities -- Global Securities" and, if
different from those described under such caption, any circumstances under which
any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt
Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the names of Persons other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or its nominee; (16) any addition to or change in the
Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and any change in
the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any
of such Debt Securities due and payable; (17) any addition to or change in the
covenants in the Indenture; and (18) any other terms of such Debt Securities not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301).
Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold
at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United
States federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Debt Securities
sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In addition, certain special United States federal income tax or
other considerations (if any) applicable to any Debt Securities which are
denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Indenture would not afford holders of Debt Securities
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.
Subordination
The Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt Securities provides that,
unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution, the
Debt Securities will be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding as of the
date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred. (Section 1401). The balance of the
information under this "Subordination" heading assumes that the relevant
supplemental indenture or Board Resolution results in the corresponding series
of Debt Securities being subordinated obligations of the Company.
No payment of principal of (including redemption and sinking fund
payments), premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated Debt Securities may
be made if any Senior Debt is not paid when due, any applicable grace period
with respect to such default has ended and such default has not been cured or
waived, or if the maturity of any Senior Debt has been accelerated because of a
default. (Section 1402). Upon any distribution of assets of the Company to
creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization,
whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
other
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proceedings, all principal of, and premium, if any, and interest due or to
become due on, all Senior Debt must be paid in full before the holders of the
subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive or retain any payment.
(Section 1403). The rights of the holders of the subordinated Debt Securities
will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive
payments or distributions applicable to Senior Debt until all amounts owing on
the Debt Securities are paid in full. (Section 1404).
The term "Senior Debt" shall mean the principal of, premium, if any,
interest on and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether
outstanding at the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter incurred,
created or assumed:
(a) all indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures,
bonds, or other securities sold by the Company for money, including all first
mortgage bonds of the Company outstanding from time to time;
(b) all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding
clause (a) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Company; and
(c) all renewals, extensions, or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds
described in any of the preceding clauses (a) and (b);
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or
refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal,
extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu
with the Debt Securities. (Section 101).
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Debt that the
Company may issue. As of September 30, 1997, outstanding Senior Debt and
subordinated debt of the Company aggregated approximately $1.55 billion and $75
million, respectively. Any Senior Notes issued by the Company would constitute
Senior Debt, whether before or after the Release Date. See "Description of
Senior Notes -- Release Date."
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully
registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indenture and the
limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of any series will
be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. (Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided
above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company
has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition
to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Debt
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305).
The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the
designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through
which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of
each series. (Section 1002).
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed, the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of, or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening
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of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any
such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close
of business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or
exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part.
(Section 305).
Global Securities
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in
whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities which will have an aggregate
principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented thereby. Each
Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee
thereof identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited
with such Depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend
regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof
referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to
the Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Indenture or any Debt Security
described herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary
has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such
as required by the Indenture, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing
an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in
addition to or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global
Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
Depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305).
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and
the Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to
be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities
represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indenture.
All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder
thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global
Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global
Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests
in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership
interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary
(with respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments,
transfers, exchanges, and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of
the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
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Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular
series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security
Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the corporate trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York will be
designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt
Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the
Company for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002).
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such
Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1003).
Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the
Company or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to the Company, unless (i) the successor Person (if any) is a
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing
under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes the Company's
obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indenture, (ii) immediately
after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have occurred and be continuing and (iii) certain other conditions are met.
(Section 801). Upon any such merger, consolidation or transfer or lease of
properties, the successor person will be substituted for the Company under the
Indenture and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor person
will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the
Debt Securities (Section 802).
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due; (b)
failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due,
continued for 30 days; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when
due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform any
other covenant of the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included
in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series),
continued for 90 days after written notice has been given by the Trustee, or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of that series, as provided in the Indenture; and (e) certain events in
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. (Section 501).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(e) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal
amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt
Security that is an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of
which is not then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such
Debt Security, or
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such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in the
terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of
Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal amount of all the Debt
Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount
Security or other Debt Security, such specified amount) will automatically, and
without any action by the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and
payable. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the
non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been
cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Section 502). For information as
to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603). Subject
to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that
series. (Section 512).
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the Holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee and (iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has
not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such
request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507).
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium
or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified
in such Debt Security. (Section 508).
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1004).
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of
the principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Debt
Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any
Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity
thereof, (d) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any
premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (e) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security,
(f) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or
amendment of the Indenture, reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance
with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults or
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver.
(Section 902).
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The Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Section 1008). The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in
the payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513).
The Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the
Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount
Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the
principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not
determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal
amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an
amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security and (iii) the
principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign
currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the
U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for
such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the
case of a Debt Security described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount
described in such clause). Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose
payment or redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the
Holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302, will
not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101).
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to
set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any
direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain
limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for
action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders
of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders
of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date. To be
effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record
date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other
shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the
record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from
time to time. (Section 104).
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1302, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303,
relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the Indenture,
applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a
series. (Section 1301).
Defeasance and Discharge. The Indenture provides that, upon the Company's
exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any Debt
Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with respect
to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to exchange or register
the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt
Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities
of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such
defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal
Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case
to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or
loss for federal
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income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance, and discharge and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and
discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304).
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Indenture provides that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any
Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Events of Default" and any
that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deemed
not to be or result in an Event of Default and the provisions of Article
Fourteen relating to subordination (included in the Indenture relating to
subordinated Debt Securities) will cease to be effective, in each case with
respect to such Debt Securities. The Company, in order to exercise such option,
will be required to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such
Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through
the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of
and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated
Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt
Securities. The Company will also be required, among other things, to deliver to
the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject
to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to
occur. In the event the Company exercised this option with respect to any Debt
Securities and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the
occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government
Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such
Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration
resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, the Company would remain
liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304).
Notices
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.
(Sections 101 and 106).
Title
The Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose
of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
Regarding the Trustees
The Trustee under the Indenture relating to the subordinated Debt
Securities is The Bank of New York. The Company maintains normal banking
arrangements with The Bank of New York, which include (i) a commitment in the
aggregate principal amount of approximately $15.7 million by The Bank of New
York pursuant to a reimbursement agreement related to a letter of credit issued
on behalf of the Company in connection with an issuance of pollution control
bonds, the proceeds of which were made available to the Company, and (ii) a $25
million commitment by The Bank of New York pursuant to a revolving credit
agreement, none of which was outstanding at September 30, 1997. The Bank of New
York also serves as (i) trustee under the Mortgage (see "Description of New
Bonds"), (ii) trustee for the holders of several issues of pollution control
bonds issued on behalf of the Company, (iii) trustee under the Senior Note
Indenture (see "Description of Senior Notes"), (iv) investment manager for the
Company's nonunion
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post-retirement medical fund and (v) custodian of international fixed-income
assets for the Company's pension plan. The Trustee under the Indenture relating
to the senior Debt Securities is The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Company maintains
normal banking arrangements with The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Chase Manhattan
Bank also (i) serves as trustee for the holders of several series of bonds
secured by, among other things, the Company's payments under its Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station leases (these bonds were issued by a party
unaffiliated with the Company), (ii) serves as an issuing and paying agent with
respect to the Company's commercial paper program, and (iii) has a commitment to
lend the Company up to $55 million under a revolving credit agreement, none of
which was outstanding as of September 30, 1997. In addition, an affiliate of The
Chase Manhattan Bank is the lessor with respect to a lease with the Company
relating to the sale and leaseback of a portion of Unit 2 of the Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company intends to sell up to $150 million in aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and may
also sell the Offered Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents,
as described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to an issue of Offered
Securities.
The distribution of the Offered Securities may be effected from time to
time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of the Offered Securities, underwriters may
receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Offered Securities
for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions, or
commissions. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate
in the distribution of Offered Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and
any discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on
the resale of Offered Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Any
such person who may be deemed to be an underwriter will be identified, and any
such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the Prospectus
Supplement.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters,
dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of the Offered
Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from
the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., One Arizona Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85004,
and, it is currently anticipated, for any underwriters of Securities by Sullivan
& Cromwell, 444 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. In giving
their opinions, Sullivan & Cromwell and Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. may rely as to
matters of New Mexico law upon the opinion of Keleher & McLeod, P.A., 1200
Public Service Building, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, Sullivan & Cromwell may
rely as to all matters of Arizona law upon the opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.,
and Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. may rely as to all matters of New York law upon the
opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell.
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No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus
Supplement or the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or
representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company
or by any Underwriter. This Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this
Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder and
thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that the
information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since such date.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Page
----
Regulatory Matters ........................... S-2
Application of Proceeds ...................... S-2
Certain Terms of the Notes ................... S-2
Underwriting ................................. S-5
Prospectus
Available Information ........................ 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference .................................... 2
Selected Information ......................... 3
The Company .................................. 4
Principal Holders of Voting Securities ....... 4
Application of Proceeds ...................... 4
Earnings Ratios .............................. 4
Securities ................................... 5
Description of New Bonds ..................... 5
Description of Senior Notes .................. 9
Description of Debt Securities ............... 19
Plan of Distribution ......................... 27
Experts ...................................... 27
Legal Opinions ............................... 27
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Arizona Public Service
Company
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
$100,000,000
6 1/4% Notes Due 2005
P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T
Credit Suisse First Boston
PaineWebber Incorporated
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