<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE , 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 4924 44-0382470
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
5444 WESTHEIMER ROAD
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77056-5306
713-989-7000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
---------------------
ALAN M. WRIGHT
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
313-436-9200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
With copies to:
MICHAEL D. VAN HEMERT, ESQ.
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 1100
330 Town Center Drive
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
(313) 436-9200
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box: [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering: [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: [ ]
---------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT BEING OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED UNIT(1) PRICE(1) FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
8.25% Senior Notes Due 2010, Series
B.................................... $100,000,000 100% $100,000,000 $26,400.00
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(f) solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
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<PAGE> 2
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(b) OF REGULATION S-K
SHOWING THE LOCATION IN THE PROSPECTUS OF THE
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PART I OF FORM S-4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN THE PROSPECTUS
----------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
A. INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
1. Forepart of Registration Statement
and Outside Front Cover Page of the
Prospectus.......................... Front Cover Page of the Registration
Statement; Outside Front Cover Page
of the Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of the Prospectus............. Inside Front Cover page of the
Prospectus; Outside Back Cover Page
of the Prospectus
3. Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges and Other
Information......................... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
Historical and Pro Forma Selected
Financial Information; Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges; Where to
Find More Information
4. Terms of the Transaction............ Prospectus Summary; Use of Proceeds;
The Exchange Offer; Description of
Exchange Notes; Certain United
States Federal Income Tax
Consequences; Plan of Distribution
5. Pro Forma Financial Information..... Historical and Pro Forma Selected
Financial Information
6. Material Contracts with the Company
Being Acquired...................... *
7. Additional Information Required for
Reoffering by Persons and Parties
Deemed to be Underwriters........... *
8. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel............................. Legal Matters; Experts
9. Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities......................... *
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN THE PROSPECTUS
----------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
B. INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT
10. Information with Respect to S-3
Registrants......................... Where to Find More Information;
Prospectus Summary; The Company;
Historical and Pro Forma Selected
Financial Information; Use of
Proceeds; Ratio of Earning to Fixed
Charges
11. Incorporation of Certain Information
by Reference........................ Where to Find More Information
12. Information with Respect to S-2 or
S-3 Registrants..................... *
13. Incorporation of Certain Information
by Reference........................ *
14. Information with Respect to
Registrants Other Than S-3 or S-2
Registrants......................... *
C. INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED
15. Information with Respect to S-3
Companies........................... *
16. Information with Respect to S-2 or
S-3 Companies....................... *
17. Information with Respect to
Companies Other than S-3 or S-2
Companies........................... *
D. VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
18. Information if Proxies, Consents or
Authorizations are to be
Solicited........................... *
19. Information if Proxies, Consents or
Authorization are not be Solicited,
or in an Exchange Offer............. Directors and Executive Officers;
Executive Compensation; The Exchange
Offer
</TABLE>
---------------
* Item is omitted because response is negative or item is inapplicable.
<PAGE> 4
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PROSPECTUS
JULY , 2000
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY
EXCHANGE OFFER
8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES A
FOR
8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES B
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PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY:
- We and our affiliate companies operate one of the largest natural gas pipeline
networks in the United States, providing customers in the Southwest and
Midwest with a comprehensive array of transportation and storage services.
- Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company
5444 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77056-5306
(713) 989-7700
THE OFFERING:
- We will exchange the Series A notes for the Series B Exchange Notes until the
close of business on , 2000.
- We will receive no proceeds for the exchange.
THE SERIES B EXCHANGE NOTES:
- Will be substantially identical to the Series A notes and will be registered
under the Securities Act of 1933.
- Maturity: April 1, 2010.
- Interest Payments: Semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1,
commencing October 1, 2000.
- Redemption: We can redeem some or all of the Series B Exchange Notes at our
option on at least 30 days' notice.
- Ranking of Exchange Notes: The Exchange Notes rank equally in right of payment
with our other existing and future senior unsecured debt.
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THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 July , 2000.
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<PAGE> 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Forward-Looking Statements.................................. i
Where to Find More Information.............................. i
Prospectus Summary.......................................... 1
Risk Factors................................................ 10
Use of Proceeds............................................. 11
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......................... 11
The Company................................................. 12
Description of the Exchange Notes........................... 15
The Exchange Offer.......................................... 31
Directors and Executive Officers............................ 40
Executive Compensation...................................... 40
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences....... 41
Plan of Distribution........................................ 43
Legal Matters............................................... 44
Experts..................................................... 44
</TABLE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking
statements. The factors identified under "Risk Factors" are important factors
(but not necessarily all important factors) that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by,
or on behalf of, us.
Where any such forward-looking statements include a statement of the
assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement, we believe that
the assumed results are reasonable, however, there is no assurance that they
will approximate actual results. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we
express an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or
belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a reasonable basis,
but there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation or belief will
result or be achieved or accomplished. The words "BELIEVE," "EXPECT,"
"ESTIMATE," "PROJECT" and "ANTICIPATE" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements.
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company ("PANHANDLE" or the "COMPANY") is
subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"). Accordingly, we file annual, quarterly
and current reports as well as other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC" or the "COMMISSION"). The public may read and copy
any reports or other information that we file at the SEC's public reference room
at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public
may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available
i
<PAGE> 6
to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site
maintained by the SEC at "http://www.sec.gov."
We have securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange. You can inspect
and copy reports and other information about us at the New York Stock Exchange's
offices at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York.
We are "incorporating by reference" information into this Prospectus. This
means that we are disclosing important information by referring to another
document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by
reference is deemed to be part of this Prospectus, except for any information
superseded by information in this Prospectus. This Prospectus incorporates by
reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the
SEC. These documents contain important information about us and our finances.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILINGS (FILE NO. 1-2921) PERIOD/DATE
----------------------------- -----------
<S> <C>
-- Annual Report on Form 10-K Year ended December 31, 1999.
-- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Quarterly period ended March 31, 2000.
-- Current Report on Form 8-K Filed March 16, 2000
</TABLE>
The documents we have filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15 of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and before the
termination of this Offering are also incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus.
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company
5444 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77056-5306
(713) 989-7700
Attention: Controller
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different from this information.
ii
<PAGE> 7
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to
you. You should read the entire Prospectus, including the financial data and
related notes and the information incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus, before making an investment decision. The terms "OUR," "WE" and "US"
as used in this Prospectus Summary refer to the Panhandle Companies. The term
"YOU" as used in this Prospectus as the context requires refers to a holder of
the Notes or Exchange Notes.
THE COMPANY
We and our affiliate companies (collectively the "PANHANDLE COMPANIES") are
primarily engaged in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce.
We operate one of the nation's largest natural gas pipeline networks, providing
customers in the Southwest and Midwest with a comprehensive array of
transportation and storage services. This interconnected 10,400 mile system
accesses virtually all major natural gas supply regions in the United States.
Our Panhandle transmission system consists of a system of four
large-diameter parallel pipelines, extending approximately 1,300 miles from
producing areas in the Anadarko Basin of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas through
Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio into Michigan.
Our Trunkline Gas Company ("TRUNKLINE") transmission system consists of a
system of three large-diameter parallel pipelines, extending approximately 1,400
miles from the Gulf Coast areas of Texas and Louisiana through Arkansas,
Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana to a point on the
Indiana-Michigan border. We also own and operate two offshore Louisiana natural
gas supply systems consisting of 742 miles of pipeline extending approximately
81 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.
We own and operate five underground gas storage fields located in Illinois,
Michigan, Kansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana with a combined maximum working storage
capacity of 70 billion cubic feet.
We own a liquified natural gas ("LNG") regasification plant and related LNG
tanker port, unloading facilities and LNG and gas storage facilities located at
Lake Charles, Louisiana. The LNG plant has the capacity to deliver 700 million
cubic feet per day but has been operated on a limited basis for a number of
years.
Our Panhandle transmission system's major customers include approximately
20 utilities located in the Midwest market area that encompasses large portions
of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Our Trunkline transmission
system's major customers include eight utilities located in portions of
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Our rates and operations are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission. For more information on this regulation, please see our
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, which is
incorporated by reference with this Prospectus.
We are a Delaware corporation organized in 1929. Our principal offices are
located at 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77056-5306, and our telephone
number is 713-989-7700.
1
<PAGE> 8
The above information about us is not comprehensive. For additional
information about our business and affairs, including our consolidated financial
statements and related notes, management's discussion and analysis, pending
environmental, legal and regulatory proceedings and descriptions of certain laws
and regulations to which we are subject, you should refer to the documents which
are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. See "Where to Find More
Information."
ACQUISITION BY CMS ENERGY CORPORATION
On March 29, 1999, CMS Energy Corporation ("CMS ENERGY") acquired all of
our outstanding common stock from Duke Energy Corporation ("DUKE ENERGY"). CMS
Energy paid $1.9 billion in cash to Duke Energy and assumed $300 million of our
existing debt.
CMS Energy is a leading diversified energy company operating in the United
States and around the world. CMS Energy's two principal subsidiaries are
Consumers Energy Company ("CONSUMERS") and CMS Enterprises Company
("ENTERPRISES"). Consumers is a public utility that provides natural gas and
electricity to almost six million of the nine and one-half million residents in
Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Enterprises, through subsidiaries, is engaged in
several domestic and international energy businesses including:
- Natural gas transmission, storage and processing;
- Independent power production;
- Oil and gas exploration and production;
- International energy distribution; and
- Energy marketing, services and trading.
Pursuant to the stock purchase agreement between subsidiaries of Duke
Energy and CMS Energy, Duke Energy has agreed to investigate and remedy
environmental damage to some of our properties. Duke Energy has agreed to
continue its clean-up effort at these properties post acquisition and to defend
and indemnify us against certain future environmental litigation and claims.
ACQUISITION OF THE SEA ROBIN PIPELINE COMPANY
On March 15, 2000, Trunkline acquired the Sea Robin Pipeline Company ("SEA
ROBIN") from El Paso Energy Corporation ("EL PASO") for approximately $74
million. Sea Robin owns a 1 billion cubic feet per day capacity natural gas and
condensate pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast and west of
Trunkline's existing Terrebonne system. The Sea Robin system consists of five
offshore valving platforms and one compressor platform, 405 miles of offshore
pipeline, 40 miles of onshore pipeline and one compressor station. The system
connects to a producer-owned processing plant and liquids separation facility
and accesses the Henry Hub, which is the clearing point for New York Mercantile
Exchange gas futures trading. Sea Robin is indirectly connected to Trunkline by
way of the Henry Hub.
2
<PAGE> 9
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PIPELINE JOINT VENTURE
On March 9, 2000, CMS Energy, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC and TEPPCO
Partners, L.P. announced that they had agreed to form a limited liability
company to own and operate an interstate refined products pipeline extending
from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Illinois. Each of the companies will own a one-third
interest in the LLC.
In exchange for our one-third interest in this new LLC, we will contribute
an underutilized portion of our Trunkline natural gas pipeline system
representing a 26-inch diameter natural gas pipeline extending 720 miles from
Longville, Louisiana to Bourbon, Illinois. The joint venture will build a
75-mile, 24-inch diameter pipeline which connects to this pipeline.
Our strategy with respect to participating in this joint venture is to
maximize the utilization and financial performance of our pipeline assets by
converting an underutilized portion of our Trunkline natural gas pipeline into a
liquid products pipeline. Our Trunkline system consists of three large diameter
pipelines extending approximately 1,400 miles. The announced transaction
converts a portion of one of the three pipelines for use in transporting refined
products. We have made a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
("FERC") to take this portion of our Trunkline pipeline out of natural gas
service. The conversion of this pipeline to liquid products is expected to be
completed by the end of 2001.
3
<PAGE> 10
THE NOTE OFFERING
The Notes.................... On March 27, 2000 we sold $100 million principal
amount of our 8.25% Senior Notes due 2010 (the
"NOTES"). The Notes were offered to qualified
institutional buyers under Rule 144A.
Registration Rights
Agreement.................... We executed a Registration Rights Agreement
which provides that we would grant certain
registration and exchange rights to Note
holders. As a result, we have filed a
registration statement with the SEC which will
permit you to exchange the Notes for new notes
which are registered under the Securities Act of
1933. The transfer restrictions will be removed
from the new notes. We are conducting the
exchange offer to satisfy our obligations with
respect to certain exchange and registration
rights. Except for a few limited circumstances,
these rights will terminate when the exchange
offer ends.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Securities Offered........... $100 million principal amount of 8.25% Senior
Notes Due 2010, Series B (the "EXCHANGE NOTES").
Exchange Offer............... The Exchange Notes will be offered for all of
the outstanding Notes. Currently there are $100
million aggregate principal amount of Notes
outstanding. The Notes may be tendered only in
integral amounts of $1,000.
Resale of Exchange Notes..... Based on SEC no action letters, we believe that
after the exchange offer you may offer and sell
the Exchange Notes without registration under
the Securities Act of 1933 so long as:
- You acquire the Exchange Notes in the ordinary
course of business.
- When the exchange offer begins you do not have
an arrangement with another person to
participate in a distribution of the Exchange
Notes.
- You are not distributing and do not intend to
distribute the Exchange Notes.
When you tender the Notes we will ask you to
represent to us that:
- You are not our affiliate.
4
<PAGE> 11
- You will acquire the Exchange Notes in the
ordinary course of business.
- When the exchange offer begins you are not
distributing and you do not plan to distribute
with anyone else the Exchange Notes.
If you are unable to make these representations,
you will be required to comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery
requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 in
connection with any secondary resale
transaction.
If you are a broker-dealer and receive Exchange
Notes for your own account, you must acknowledge
that you will deliver a prospectus if you resell
the Exchange Notes. By acknowledging your intent
and delivering a prospectus you will not be
deemed to admit that you are an "underwriter"
under the Securities Act of 1933. You may use
this Prospectus as it is amended from time to
time when you resell Exchange Notes which were
acquired from market-making or trading
activities. For a year after the Expiration Date
we will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer in connection with such a resale.
See "Plan of Distribution."
If necessary, we will cooperate with you to
register and qualify the Exchange Notes for
offer or sale without any restrictions or
limitations under state "blue sky" laws.
Consequences of Failure to
Exchange Notes............... If you do not exchange your Notes during the
exchange offer you will no longer be entitled to
registration rights. You will not be able to
offer or sell the Notes unless they are later
registered, sold pursuant to an exemption from
registration or sold in a transaction not
subject to the Securities Act of 1933 or state
securities laws. See "The Exchange
Offer--Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
Expiration Date.............. 5:00 p.m., EST on , 2000 (the
"EXCHANGE DATE"). We may extend the Exchange
Offer.
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer........................ No minimum principal amount of Notes must be
tendered to complete the exchange offer.
However, the exchange offer is subject to
certain customary conditions which we may waive.
See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions." Other than
United States federal and state securities laws
we do not need to satisfy any regulatory
requirements or obtain any regulatory approval
to conduct the exchange offer.
5
<PAGE> 12
Procedures for Tendering
Notes........................ If you wish to participate in the exchange offer
you must complete, sign and date the letter of
transmittal or a facsimile copy and mail it or
deliver it to the exchange agent along with any
necessary documentation. Instructions and the
address of the exchange agent will be on the
letter of transmittal and can be found in this
Prospectus. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering" and; "--Exchange Agent." You must
also effect a tender of Notes pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer as described
in this Prospectus. See "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures................... If you cannot tender the Notes, complete the
letter of transmittal or provide the necessary
documentation prior to the termination of the
exchange offer, you may tender your Notes
according to the guaranteed delivery procedures
set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures."
Withdrawal Rights............ You may withdraw tendered Notes at any time
prior to the 5:00 p.m. EST on the Expiration
Date. You must send a written or facsimile
withdrawal notice to the Exchange Agent prior to
5:00 p.m. EST on the Expiration Date.
Acceptance of Notes and
Delivery of Exchange Notes... All Notes properly tendered to the Exchange
Agent by 5:00 p.m. EST on the Expiration Date
will be accepted for exchange. The Exchange
Notes will be delivered promptly after the
Expiration Date. See "The Exchange Offer--
Acceptance of Notes for Exchange; Delivery of
Exchange Notes"
Certain United States Tax
Consequences................. Exchanging Notes for the Exchange Notes will not
be a taxable exchange for United States federal
income tax purposes. See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Exchange Agent............... Bank One Trust Company, National Association is
the exchange agent (the "EXCHANGE AGENT") for
the exchange offer.
Fees and Expenses............ We will pay all fees and expenses associated
with the exchange offer and compliance with the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Use of Proceeds.............. We will receive no cash proceeds in connection
with the exchange offer. We used the net
proceeds of approximately $99.3 million from the
sale of the Notes to fund our acquisition of Sea
Robin as well as for general corporate purposes.
6
<PAGE> 13
THE EXCHANGE NOTES
Issuer....................... Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company.
Securities Offered........... $100 million principal amount of 8.25% Senior
Notes due 2010, Series B (the "EXCHANGE NOTES").
Maturity..................... April 1, 2010.
Interest Payment Dates....... Interest will be paid semi-annually in cash in
arrears on April 1, and October 1, commencing
October 1, 2000.
Optional Redemption.......... The Exchange Notes may be redeemed in whole or
in part, at any time or from time to time, on
not less than 30 days' notice, at the Make-Whole
Price as defined under "Description of the
Exchange Notes--Redemption."
Ranking...................... The Exchange Notes will be senior unsecured
obligations and will rank equally in right of
payment with our other existing and future
senior unsecured debt.
Form and Denomination........ The Exchange Notes will be fully registered
under the Securities Act of 1933. The Exchange
Notes will be issued in the form of one or more
global notes and will be held by a custodian and
registered in the name of a designee of the
depositary. Beneficial interests in the global
notes as well as any sales of interests in the
global notes will be shown on records maintained
by the depositary.
Certain Covenants............ The Indenture will contain covenants that will,
among other things, limit our ability to pay
dividends, repurchase our common stock or make
other payments, incur additional liens, and
engage in sale-leaseback transactions.
Exchange Offer; Registration
Rights....................... To remove the transferability restrictions on
the Notes, we agreed to file a registration
statement with the SEC to permit you to exchange
the Notes for new notes which are registered
under the Securities Act. We agreed to file the
registration statement within 90 days after the
sale of the Notes, which we have done; to use
our best efforts to have it declared effective
within 180 days; and to complete the exchange
offer within 30 days after the registration
statement is effective. If we do not comply with
these requirements, you will receive higher
interest payments until we are in compliance.
7
<PAGE> 14
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following summary historical financial information has been derived
from our historical consolidated financial statements. The financial information
set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements, related notes and other financial information incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. See "Where to Find More Information." The periods
following the acquisition by CMS Energy on March 29, 1999 reflect a new basis of
accounting, and pre-acquisition and post-acquisition period financial results
(separated by a heavy black line) are presented below but are not comparable.
The unaudited pro forma selected financial information illustrates the
effects of:
- various restructuring, realignment, and elimination of activities between
the Panhandle Companies and Duke Energy prior to the acquisition of the
Panhandle Companies by CMS Energy;
- the adjustments resulting from the acquisition of the Panhandle Companies
by CMS Energy as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 1999;
- the adjustments resulting from the acquisition of Sea Robin based upon
financial information provided by subsidiaries of El Paso Energy as if
the acquisition occurred on January 1, 1999; and
- the application of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
PERIOD PERIOD PERIOD THREE THREE
YEAR YEAR FROM FROM PRO FORMA FROM MONTHS MONTHS
ENDED ENDED 01/01- 03/29- YEAR ENDED 01/01- PERIOD FROM ENDED ENDED
12/31 12/31 03/28 12/31 12/31 03/28 03/29/1999- 03/31 03/31
1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 03/31/99 2000 2000
----- ----- ------ ------ ---------- ------ ----------- ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Operating revenues............... $ 534 $ 496 $128 $ 343 $ 486 $128 $ 5 $136 $140
Operating expenses............... 339 295 61 217 295 61 3 66 68
----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Operating income................. 195 201 67 126 191 67 2 70 72
Other income and expenses........ 6 24 4 2 7 4 1 1 2
----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Earnings before interest and
taxes........................... 201 225 71 128 198 71 3 71 74
Interest expense................. 73 77 18 60 86 18 1 19 22
----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income before income taxes....... 128 148 53 68 112 53 2 52 52
Income taxes..................... 48 57 20 27 44 20 1 20 20
----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net Income....................... $ 80 $ 91 $ 33 $ 41 $ 68 $ 33 $ 1 $ 32 $ 32
===== ===== ==== ===== ===== ==== ==== ==== ====
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (1)....................... $ 260 $ 281 $ 85 $ 172 $ 260 $ 85 $ 3 $ 87 $ 90
Cash Flow
From operating activities....... $ 106 $ 174 $ 21 $ 179 $ 197 $ 21 $ (1) $ 32 $ 32
From investing activities....... $(106) $(174) $(21) $ (54)(4) $ (77)(2) $(21) $ --(4) $ (3)(5) $ (3)(5)
From financing activities....... $ -- $ -- $ -- $(125)(4) $(119)(2) $ -- $ 1(4) $(29)(5) $(29)(5)
Ratio of EBITDA to interest
expense......................... 3.6x 3.6x 4.7x 2.9x 3.0x 4.7x 3.0x 4.6x 4.1x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges (3)..................... 2.6 2.7 3.6 2.1 2.2 3.6 3.0 3.5 3.3
</TABLE>
-------------------------
(1) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow for the period,
nor is it presented as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of
operating performance, and should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States and is not
indicative of operating income or cash flow from operations as determined
under GAAP.
8
<PAGE> 15
(2) Does not include the $1.9 billion and $74 million cash flow effects
associated with the acquisition of Panhandle by CMS Energy, and the
acquisition of Sea Robin by Panhandle, respectively.
(3) For the purpose of computing the ratio, earnings represent net income before
income tax, net interest charges and the estimated interest portions of
lease rentals.
(4) Does not include the $1.9 billion associated with the acquisition of
Panhandle by CMS Energy.
(5) Does not include the $74 million cash flow effect associated with the
acquisition of Sea Robin by Panhandle.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED
----------------------------- ------------------
12/31 12/31 12/31 03/31 03/31
1997 1998 1999 1999 2000
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Current Assets.............................................. $ 192 $ 180 $ 272 $ 182 $ 259
Investments and other assets................................ 751 814 788 722 783
Net property, plant and equipment........................... 958 979 1,500 1,488 1,573
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Assets................................................ 1,901 1,973 2,560 2,392 2,615
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Current liabilities......................................... 920 914 204 124 138
Long-term debt.............................................. 299 299 1,094 1,088 1,193
Other liabilities........................................... 181 202 134 52 154
Common stockholder's equity................................. 501 558 1,128 1,128 1,130
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity.................. $1,901 $1,973 $2,560 $2,392 $2,615
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE> 16
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the information set forth in this Prospectus, you should
carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment in the
Exchange Notes. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us.
Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial
may also impair our business operations.
DOMESTIC COMPETITION AND REGULATORY RESTRUCTURING
Federal and state regulation of natural gas interstate pipelines has
changed dramatically in the last two decades and could continue to change over
the next several years. In general, such regulatory changes have resulted and
will continue to result in increased competition in our business. In order to
meet competitive challenges, we will need to adapt our marketing strategies, the
type of transportation and storage services we offer to our customers and our
pricing and rate responses to competitive forces in order to maintain and grow
our business. We will also need to respond to changes in state regulation in our
market area that allow direct sales to all retail end-user customers or, at
least, broader customer classes than now allowed. We are not able to predict the
financial consequences of these changes at this time, but they could have a
material adverse effect on our financial results.
FERC policy allows the issuance of certificates authorizing the
construction of new interstate pipelines which are competitive with existing
pipelines. A number of new pipeline and pipeline expansion projects have been
approved or are pending approval by the FERC in order to transport large
additional volumes of natural gas to the Midwest from Canada. These pipelines
will be able to compete with us. Increased competition could reduce the volumes
of gas transported by us to our existing markets or cause us to lower rates in
order to meet competition. This could have a material adverse effect on our
financial results.
In 1996, Trunkline filed with FERC and placed into effect a general rate
increase; however, a subsequent January 2000 FERC order could, if approved
without modification upon rehearing, reduce Trunkline's tariff rates and future
revenue levels by approximately 3% of Panhandle's consolidated revenues.
Trunkline has requested rehearing of certain matters in this order.
NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE EXCHANGE NOTES
There is no active trading market for the Exchange Notes and this market
may never develop. If any of the Exchange Notes are traded after their initial
issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price.
Factors that could cause the Exchange Notes to trade at a discount are:
- an increase in prevailing interest rates;
- a decline in our credit worthiness;
- a weakness in the market for similar securities; and
- declining general economic conditions.
RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
From time to time, we may make statements regarding our assumptions,
projections, expectations, intentions or beliefs about future events. These
statements are intended as "forward-looking statements" under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
10
<PAGE> 17
We caution that these statements may and often do vary from actual results and
the differences between these statements and actual results can be material.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the
factors that could cause actual achievements and events to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are:
- entry of competing pipelines into our markets and competitive strategies
of competing pipelines, including rate and other pricing practices;
- state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost
and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures, and affect
the speed and degree to which competition enters the natural gas
industry;
- the weather and other natural phenomena;
- the timing and extent of changes in prices of commodities (primarily
natural gas and competing fuels) and interest rates;
- changes in environmental and other laws and regulations to which we and
our subsidiaries are subject or other external factors over which we have
no control;
- the results of financing efforts;
- expansion and other growth opportunities; and
- the effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accounting
standard-setting bodies.
Certain of these factors are discussed more completely in our filings with
the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1999, and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2000, which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS
There will be no net proceeds payable to us from the issuance of the
Exchange Notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, were used to fund
our acquisition of Sea Robin as well as for general corporate purposes.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years
ended December 31, 1995 through 1999 and the three months ended March 31, 2000
is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
PERIOD PERIOD PRO FORMA THREE THREE
FROM FROM YEAR MONTHS MONTHS
YEAR ENDED 12/31 01/01- 03/29- ENDED ENDED ENDED
------------------------- 03/28, 12/31, 12/31, 03/31, 03/31,
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 2000 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ------- ------ --------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges......................... 4.8 2.9 2.6 2.7 3.6 2.1 2.2 3.5 3.3
</TABLE>
For the purpose of computing the ratio, earnings represent net income
before income taxes, net interest charges and the estimated interest portions of
lease rentals.
11
<PAGE> 18
THE COMPANY
We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CMS Energy. We and our
subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the interstate transportation and storage
of natural gas. Our interstate natural gas transmission and storage operations
are subject to the rules and regulations of the FERC. We were incorporated in
Delaware in 1929.
On March 29, 1999, CMS Energy acquired all of our outstanding common stock
and the outstanding common stock of our principal consolidated subsidiaries,
Trunkline and Pan Gas Storage, as well as our affiliates, Panhandle Storage and
Trunkline LNG from subsidiaries of Duke Energy Corporation. Panhandle Storage
and Trunkline LNG became our direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries. CMS Energy paid
$1.9 billion in cash to Duke Energy Corporation and assumed $300 million of
existing Panhandle debt.
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION
We own approximately 10,400 miles of interstate pipeline systems.
Panhandle's natural gas transmission system, which consists of four
large-diameter parallel pipelines and 13 mainline compressor stations, extends a
distance of approximately 1,300 miles from producing areas in the Anadarko Basin
of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas through the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana
and Ohio into Michigan. Trunkline's transmission system extends approximately
1,400 miles from the Gulf Coast areas of Texas and Louisiana through the state
of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana to a point
on the Indiana-Michigan border. The system consists principally of three large-
diameter parallel pipelines, 18 mainline compressor stations and one offshore
compressor platform.
Trunkline also owns and operates two offshore Louisiana gas supply systems
consisting of 742 miles of pipeline extending approximately 81 miles into the
Gulf of Mexico.
Our throughput volumes for the years 1995 to 1999 were 1,182 TBtu, 1,319
TBtu, 1,279 TBtu, 1,141 TBtu and 1,139 TBtu, respectively. A substantial
majority of delivered volumes of our interstate pipelines represents gas
transported under long-term service agreements with local distribution company
(LDC) customers in the pipelines' market areas. Firm transportation services are
also provided under contract to gas marketers, producers, other pipelines,
electric power generators and a variety of end-users. In addition, the pipelines
offer both firm and interruptible transportation to customers on a short-term or
seasonal basis. Demand for gas transmission on our pipeline systems is seasonal,
with the highest throughput occurring during the colder periods in the first and
fourth quarters.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION
Throughput Volumes - TBtu(a)
Panhandle..................................... 663 687 659 560 565
Trunkline..................................... 519 632 620 581 574
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total.................................... 1,182 1,319 1,279 1,141 1,139
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
-------------------------
(a) Trillion British thermal units
Panhandle's major customers include 20 utilities located in the Midwest
market area that encompasses large portions of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
and Missouri.
12
<PAGE> 19
Trunkline's major customers include eight utilities located in portions of
Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
NATURAL GAS STORAGE AND LNG FACILITY
Our Pan Gas Storage subsidiary also owns and operates three underground
storage fields located in Illinois, Michigan and Oklahoma with working gas
capacity of 31 Bcf. Pan Gas Storage is also the owner and operator of a 26 Bcf
storage field in Kansas. Trunkline owns and operates one 13 Bcf storage field in
Louisiana. Since the implementation of Order 636, Panhandle, Trunkline and Pan
Gas Storage each provide firm and interruptible storage on an open-access basis.
See "Regulation" below. In addition to owning and operating storage fields,
Panhandle also leases storage capacity. Panhandle and Trunkline have retained
the right to use up to 15 Bcf and 10 Bcf, respectively, of their storage
capacity for system needs.
Our subsidiary, Trunkline LNG, owns a LNG regasification plant and related
LNG tanker port, unloading facilities and LNG and gas storage facilities located
at Lake Charles, Louisiana. The LNG plant has the capacity to deliver 700
million cubic feet per day but has been operated on a limited basis for a number
of years.
REGULATION
The FERC has authority to regulate rates and charges for natural gas
transported in or stored for interstate commerce or sold by a natural gas
company in interstate commerce for resale. The FERC also has authority over the
construction and operation of pipeline and related facilities utilized in the
transportation and sale of natural gas in interstate commerce, including the
extension, enlargement or abandonment of such facilities. Panhandle, Trunkline
and Pan Gas Storage hold certificates of public convenience and necessity issued
by the FERC, authorizing them to construct and operate the pipelines, facilities
and properties now in operation for which such certificates are required, and to
transport and store natural gas in interstate commerce.
Our pipelines operate as open-access transporters of natural gas. In 1992,
the FERC issued Order 636, which requires open-access pipelines to provide firm
and interruptible transportation services on an equal basis for all gas
supplies, whether purchased from the pipeline or from another gas supplier. To
implement this requirement, Order 636 provided, among other things, for
mandatory unbundling of services that historically had been provided by
pipelines into separate open-access transportation, sales and storage services.
Order 636 allows pipelines to recover eligible costs, known as "transition
costs," resulting from the implementation of Order 636.
Regulation of the importation and exportation of natural gas is vested in
the Secretary of Energy, who has delegated various aspects of this jurisdiction
to the Office of Fossil Fuels of the Department of Energy.
We are also subject to the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, which
regulates gas pipeline safety requirements, and to the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline
Safety Act of 1979, which regulates oil and petroleum pipelines.
13
<PAGE> 20
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On March 15, 2000, Trunkline acquired Sea Robin for approximately $74
million from El Paso. Sea Robin owns a 1 billion cubic feet per day capacity
natural gas and condensate pipeline which is strategically located west of
Trunkline's Terrebonne system in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. The
Sea Robin system consist of five offshore valving platforms and one compressor
platform, 405 miles of offshore pipeline, 40 miles of onshore pipeline and one
compressor station. A producer-owned processing plant and liquids separation
facility connects to Sea Robin. Sea Robin accesses the Henry Hub and is
indirectly connected to Trunkline by way of the Henry Hub.
On March 9, 2000, CMS Energy, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC and TEPPCO
Partners, L.P. announced that they had agreed to form a limited liability
company to own and operate an interstate products pipeline extending from the
U.S. Gulf Coast to Illinois. Each of the companies will own a one-third interest
in the LLC.
In exchange for our one-third interest in the new LLC, we will contribute
an underutilized portion of our Trunkline natural gas pipeline system
representing a 26 inch diameter natural gas pipeline extending 720 miles from
Longville, Louisiana to Bourbon, Illinois. We have made a filing with the FERC
to take this portion of our Trunkline pipeline out of natural gas service. The
joint venture will build a 75-mile, 24-inch diameter pipeline which connects to
this pipeline. The conversion of this pipeline to natural liquid products is
expected to be completed by the end of 2001.
14
<PAGE> 21
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
The Exchange Notes will be issued as one series of debt securities under
the Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999 as previously supplemented (the "BASE
INDENTURE") and as further supplemented by a Second Supplemental Indenture,
dated as of March 27, 2000, establishing the Exchange Notes (the "SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE") among us and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as
Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"). The Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the "INDENTURE." The following summaries
of certain provisions of the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Registration
Rights Agreement (as defined herein) do not purport to be complete and are
subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions
of the respective documents, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
Certain capitalized terms used in this "Description of the Exchange Notes" shall
have the meanings respectively set forth in the Indenture or the Registration
Rights Agreement, as applicable. Wherever particular defined terms of the
Indenture are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated herein by
reference as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its
entirety by such reference. Section references below are references to sections
of the Indenture. Copies of the Indenture are available from the Trustee upon
request.
The Exchange Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount of $100
million. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt
securities that may be issued thereunder and provides that debt securities may
be issued thereunder, from time to time, in one or more series. The Exchange
Notes and all other debt securities hereafter issued under the Indenture are
collectively referred to herein as the "SECURITIES."
GENERAL
As of March 31, 2000, we had outstanding approximately $1.2 billion
aggregate principal amount of indebtedness, none of which was secured. None of
such indebtedness would be senior to the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Notes
will not be senior to such indebtedness. The Exchange Notes will rank equally in
right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of
Panhandle. The Exchange Notes will rank senior to all of our subordinated debt.
We currently have no subordinated debt outstanding.
The Exchange Notes will be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes,
in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof as described under "--Book-Entry; Delivery; Form and Transfer."
The Global Exchange Notes will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.
Each Global Exchange Note (and any Exchange Note issued in exchange therefor)
will be subject to certain restrictions on transfer set forth therein as
described under "--Book-Entry; Delivery; Form and Transfer--Transfers of
Interests in Global Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes." Except as
set forth herein under "--Book-Entry; Delivery; Form and Transfer--Transfers of
Interests in Global Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes," owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Exchange Note will not be entitled to have
Exchange Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Exchange Note and will not be considered
the registered holder thereof under the Indenture.
15
<PAGE> 22
PAYMENT AND MATURITY
The Exchange Notes will mature on April 1, 2010, unless redeemed earlier by
us as described below, and will bear interest at the rate of 8.25% per annum. At
the maturity date, Panhandle will pay the aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Exchange Notes.
Each Exchange Note will bear interest from the original date of issue
payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1, commencing October 1,
2000, and at maturity. So long as Exchange Notes are held in the form of one or
more Global Exchange Notes, payments of principal, premium, interest and
Liquidated Damages (as defined herein), if any, will be payable through the
facilities of DTC.
Payment of any interest due on the Exchange Notes will be made to the
Persons in whose names the Exchange Notes are registered at the close of
business on the Record Date for such interest payments. The record dates for the
Exchange Notes shall be March 15 or September 15 preceding the applicable
payment date. In any case where any interest payment date, repurchase date or
maturity of any Exchange Note will not be a Business Day (as hereinafter
defined) at any place of payment, then payment of interest or principal (and
premium, if any) need not be made on that date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day at such place of payment with the same force and effect
as if made on the interest payment date, repurchase date or at maturity; and no
interest will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such
interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity, as the case
may be, to such Business Day.
REDEMPTION
The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option at any time and from
time to time, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 45 days
notice to each holder of such Exchange Notes, at a redemption price equal to the
Make-Whole Price of such Exchange Notes. "MAKE-WHOLE PRICE" means an amount
equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Exchange Notes
to be redeemed and (2) as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the
sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis
(assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted
Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the
date of redemption. Unless there is a default in the payment of the redemption
price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on
Exchange Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
"ADJUSTED TREASURY RATE" means, with respect to any date of redemption, the
rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury
Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price at such date of redemption, plus 25 basis points
(0.25%).
"COMPARABLE TREASURY ISSUE" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity
comparable to the remaining term of the Exchange Notes to be redeemed, 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 such Exchange
Notes.
16
<PAGE> 23
"COMPARABLE TREASURY PRICE" means, with respect to any date of redemption,
(1) 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 date of redemption, 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 (2) if such release (or any
successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such
Business Day, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations
for such date of redemption, after excluding the highest and lowest such
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer
than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of both
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.
"INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT BANKER" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with Panhandle.
"REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER" means, for the Exchange Notes, Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and its respective successors;
provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall not be a primary U.S.
Government securities dealer in New York City (a "PRIMARY TREASURY
DEALER"), we shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER QUOTATIONS" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any date of redemption, 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. on the third Business Day preceding such date of redemption.
We may purchase the Exchange Notes in the open market, by tender or
otherwise. Exchange Notes so purchased may be held, resold or surrendered to the
Trustee for cancellation. If applicable, we will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and other securities laws and regulations in
connection with any such purchase.
No sinking fund is provided for the Exchange Notes.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"ADJUSTED CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net income of
Panhandle and its consolidated Subsidiaries, plus (1) depreciation and
amortization expense of Panhandle and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (2)
income taxes and deferred taxes of Panhandle and its consolidated
Subsidiaries and (3) other non-cash charges, in each case, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (1) any net income of any Person if such
Person is not a Subsidiary, except that (A) Panhandle's equity in the net
income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually
distributed by such Person during such period to Panhandle or a
consolidated Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution and (B)
Panhandle's equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall
be included in determining such Adjusted Consolidated Net Income; and (2)
any net
17
<PAGE> 24
income of any Person acquired by Panhandle or a Subsidiary in a
pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such
acquisition.
"BUSINESS DAY" means a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of
Manhattan, New York, New York are not authorized or required by law or
regulation to close.
"CAPITAL STOCK" means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase,
warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in
(however designated) corporate stock, including any Preferred Stock or
letter stock; provided that Hybrid Preferred Securities are not considered
Capital Stock for purposes of this definition.
"CONSOLIDATED DEBT" means the total Debt of Panhandle and its consolidated
Subsidiaries, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Panhandle
and its consolidated Subsidiaries for Panhandle's most recently completed
fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
"CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period, the total interest
expense in respect of Consolidated Debt of Panhandle and its consolidated
Subsidiaries, including, without duplication, (1) interest expense
attributable to capital leases; (2) amortization of debt discount; (3)
capitalized interest; (4) cash and noncash interest payments; (5)
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to
letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing; (6) net costs under
Interest Rate Protection Agreements (including amortization of discount);
and (7) interest expense in respect of obligations of other Persons that
constitutes Debt of Panhandle or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries,
provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense shall exclude any
costs otherwise included in interest expense recognized on early retirement
of debt.
"CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS" means, at any date of determination, the
total amount of assets after deducting therefrom (1) all current
liabilities (excluding (A) any current liabilities that by their terms are
extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more
than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being
computed, and (B) current maturities of long-term debt), and (2) the value
(net of any applicable reserves) of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,
patents and other like intangible assets, all as set forth on the
consolidated balance sheet of Panhandle and its consolidated Subsidiaries
for Panhandle's most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. "Intangible
assets" does not include any value write-up of tangible assets (other than
in connection with the acquisition of the Panhandle Companies by CMS
Energy) in connection with acquisition transactions accounted for on a
purchase method.
"DEBT" means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the
repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or
assumed by such Person.
"EXCHANGEABLE STOCK" means any Capital Stock of a corporation that is
exchangeable or convertible into another security (other than Capital Stock
of such corporation that is neither Exchangeable Stock nor Redeemable
Stock).
"FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means the ratio of Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income plus Consolidated Interest Expense to Consolidated Interest Expense,
for the
18
<PAGE> 25
four fiscal quarters of Panhandle ending immediately prior to the date of
determination (or, in respect of any such determination occurring prior to
March 31, 2000, the number of full fiscal quarters that shall have elapsed
from March 29, 1999, which is the date of CMS Energy's acquisition of the
Panhandle Companies).
"FUNDED DEBT" means all Debt maturing one year or more from the date of the
creation thereof, all Debt directly or indirectly renewable or extendible,
at the option of the debtor, by its terms or by the terms of any instrument
or agreement relating thereto, to a date one year or more from the date of
the creation thereof, and all Debt under a revolving credit or similar
agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a period
of one year or more.
"HYBRID PREFERRED SECURITIES" means preferred securities issued by a Hybrid
Preferred Securities Subsidiary, where such preferred securities have the
following characteristics: (i) such Hybrid Preferred Securities Subsidiary
lends substantially all of the proceeds for the issuance of such preferred
securities to Panhandle in exchange for subordinated debt issued by the
Panhandle, respectively; (ii) such preferred securities contain terms
providing for the deferral of distributions corresponding to provisions
providing for the deferral of interest payments on such subordinated debt;
and (iii) the Panhandle makes periodic interest payments on such
subordinated debt, which interest payments are in turn used by the Hybrid
Preferred Securities Subsidiary to make corresponding payments to the
holder of the Hybrid Preferred Securities.
"LEVERAGE RATIO" means 100% multiplied by the ratio of Consolidated Debt to
Total Capital at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the
date of determination.
"LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge, lien or other
encumbrance of any kind, whether or not filed, recorded or perfected under
applicable law.
"LOAN" means any direct or indirect advance (other than advances to
customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as
receivables on the balance sheet of the Person making such advances), loan
or other extension of credit (including by way of guarantee or similar
arrangement) to another Person or any purchase of Debt issued by another
Person, where such advance, loan, extension of credit or Debt is
subordinated in right of payment to the senior creditors of the borrower.
"MOODY'S" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto
which is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or if
such entity shall cease to rate the Exchange Notes or shall cease to exist
and there shall be no such successor thereto, any other nationally
recognized statistical rating organization selected by Panhandle which is
acceptable to the Trustee.
"NON-CONVERTIBLE CAPITAL STOCK" means, with respect to any corporation, any
non-convertible Capital Stock of such corporation and any Capital Stock of
such corporation convertible solely into non-convertible Capital Stock
other than Preferred Stock of such corporation; provided, however, that
Non-Convertible Capital Stock shall not include any Redeemable Stock or
Exchangeable Stock.
"PERMITTED LIENS" means: (1) Liens upon rights-of-way for pipeline
purposes; (2) any governmental Lien, mechanics', materialmen's, carriers'
or similar Lien
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incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not yet due or which
is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and any
undetermined Lien which is incidental to construction; (3) the right
reserved to, or vested in, any municipality or public authority by the
terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license, permit or by any
provision of law, to purchase or recapture or to designate a purchaser of,
any property; (4) Liens for taxes and assessments which are (A) for the
then current year, (B) not at the time delinquent, or (C) delinquent but
the validity of which is being contested at the time by Panhandle or any
Subsidiary in good faith; (5) Liens of, or to secure performance of,
leases; (6) any Lien upon, or deposits of, any assets in favor of any
surety company or clerk of court for the purpose of obtaining indemnity or
stay of judicial proceedings; (7) any Lien upon property or assets acquired
or sold by Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary resulting from the
exercise of any rights arising out of defaults on receivables; (8) any Lien
incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen's
compensation, unemployment insurance, temporary disability, social
security, retiree health or similar laws or regulations or to secure
obligations imposed by statute or governmental regulations; (9) any Lien
upon any property or assets in accordance with customary banking practice
to secure any Debt incurred by Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with the exporting of goods to, or between, or the marketing of
goods in, or the importing of goods from, foreign countries; or (10) any
Lien in favor of the United States of America or any state thereof, or any
other country, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, to
secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any
contract or statute, or any Lien securing industrial development, pollution
control or similar revenue bonds.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, other
entity, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"PRINCIPAL PROPERTY" means any natural gas pipeline system, natural gas
gathering system or natural gas storage facility located in the United
States, except any such property that in the opinion of the Board of
Directors is not of material importance to the business conducted by
Panhandle and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"REDEEMABLE STOCK" means any Capital Stock that by its terms or otherwise
is required to be redeemed prior to the 90th day before the stated maturity
of any of the outstanding Exchange Notes or is redeemable at the option of
the holder thereof at any time prior to the 90th day before the stated
maturity of any of the outstanding Exchange Notes.
"RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of Panhandle owning or leasing
any Principal Property.
"SALE-LEASEBACK TRANSACTION" means, with respect to Panhandle or any
Restricted Subsidiary, the sale or transfer by Panhandle or such Restricted
Subsidiary of any Principal Property to a Person (other than Panhandle or a
Subsidiary) and the taking back by Panhandle or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be, of a lease of such Principal Property. With respect to
Panhandle, "Sale-Leaseback Transaction" means the sale or transfer by
Panhandle of any assets or property to another Person and the taking back
by Panhandle of a lease of such assets or property.
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"STANDARD & POOR'S" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of
McGraw Hill Inc., and any successor thereto which is a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization, or if such entity shall cease
to rate the Exchange Notes or shall cease to exist and there shall be no
such successor thereto, any other nationally recognized statistical rating
organization selected by Panhandle which is acceptable to the Trustee.
"SUBSIDIARY" means with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least
a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its
Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a
majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the
time be owned by such person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by
such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited
partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general
partner.
"TOTAL CAPITAL" means the sum of (1) Consolidated Debt and (2) Capital
Stock, Hybrid Preferred Securities, premium on Capital Stock, capital
surplus, capital in excess of par value and retained earnings (however the
foregoing may be designated), less, to the extent not otherwise deducted,
the cost of shares of Capital Stock of Panhandle held in treasury, all as
set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Panhandle and its
consolidated Subsidiaries for Panhandle's most recently completed fiscal
quarter, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
The Indenture provides that, so long as any of the Exchange Notes are
outstanding and until either:
(1) such Exchange Notes are rated Baa1 (or an equivalent rating) or higher
by Moody's and BBB+ (or an equivalent rating) or higher by Standard &
Poor's; or
(2) so long as we are a Subsidiary of CMS Energy, the long-term senior
unsecured debt rating of CMS Energy is rated Baa3 (or an equivalent rating) or
higher by Moody's and BBB--(or an equivalent rating) or higher by Standard &
Poor's;
in each case at which time we will be permanently released from the provisions
described in this "Limitation on Restricted Payments," we will not, and will not
permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Capital
Stock of Panhandle to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock
(except dividends or distributions payable solely in its Non-Convertible
Capital Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such
Non-Convertible Capital Stock and except dividends or distributions payable
to Panhandle or a Subsidiary);
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital
Stock of Panhandle; or
(3) make any Loan to CMS Energy or any of its affiliates that is not a
Subsidiary of Panhandle;
(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, other acquisition or
retirement described in (1) through (3) above being hereinafter referred to as a
"RESTRICTED
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PAYMENT"), unless at the time Panhandle or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such
Restricted Payment and after giving effect thereto:
(1) no Event of Default, and no event that with the lapse of time or the
giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);
(2) Our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 2.2; and
(3) Our Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 55%.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Panhandle or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries may declare, make or pay any Restricted Payment, if at the time
Panhandle or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment and after
giving effect thereto:
(1) no Event of Default, and no event that with the lapse of time or the
giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom); and
(2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other
Restricted Payments made since the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes
would not exceed the sum of:
(a) $50 million;
(b) 75% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income accumulated since the date
of issuance of the Exchange Notes to the end of the most recent fiscal
quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such Restricted
Payment; and
(c) the aggregate net cash proceeds received by Panhandle after the date
of issuance of the Exchange Notes from capital contributions or the
issuance of Capital Stock of Panhandle to a person who is not a
Subsidiary of Panhandle, or from the issuance to such a person of
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock of
Panhandle.
None of the foregoing provisions will prohibit:
(1) dividends or other distributions paid in respect of any class of
Capital Stock issued by Panhandle in connection with the acquisition of any
business or assets by Panhandle or a Restricted Subsidiary where the
dividends or other distributions with respect to such Capital Stock are
payable solely from the net earnings of such business or assets;
(2) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of Panhandle made by
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
of, Non-Convertible Capital Stock of Panhandle; or
(3) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if
at such date of declaration such dividends would have complied with this
covenant.
LIMITATION ON LIENS
The Indenture provides that Panhandle will not, nor will it permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any Principal Property, whether owned or leased on the date of the Indenture or
thereafter acquired, to
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secure any Debt of Panhandle or any other Person (other than the Exchange
Notes), without in any such case making effective provision whereby all of the
Exchange Notes outstanding shall be secured equally and ratably with, or prior
to, such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured. There is excluded from
this restriction:
(1) any Lien upon any property or assets of Panhandle or any Restricted
Subsidiary in existence on the date of the Indenture or created pursuant to
an "after-acquired property" clause or similar term in existence on the
date of the Indenture or any mortgage, pledge agreement, security agreement
or other similar instrument in existence on the date of the Indenture;
(2) any Lien upon any property or assets created at the time of acquisition
of such property or assets by Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary or
within 18 months after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase
price for such property or assets or Debt incurred to finance such purchase
price, whether such Debt was incurred prior to, at the time of or within 18
months of such acquisition;
(3) any Lien upon any property or assets existing thereon at the time of
the acquisition thereof by Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether
or not the obligations secured thereby are assumed by Panhandle or any
Restricted Subsidiary);
(4) any Lien upon any property or assets of a Person existing thereon at
the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary by acquisition, merger
or otherwise (whether or not such Lien was created in anticipation of such
acquisition);
(5) any Lien securing obligations assumed by Panhandle or any Restricted
Subsidiary existing at the time of the acquisition by Panhandle or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the property or assets subject to such Lien or at
the time of the acquisition of the Person which owns such property or
assets;
(6) any Lien on property to secure all or part of the cost of construction
or improvements thereon or to secure Debt incurred prior to, at the time
of, or within 18 months after completion of such construction or making of
such improvements, to provide funds for any such purpose;
(7) any Lien in favor of Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(8) any Lien created or assumed by Panhandle or any Restricted Subsidiary
in connection with the issuance of Debt the interest on which is excludable
from gross income of the holder of such Debt pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, for the purpose
of financing, in whole or in part, the acquisition or construction of
property or assets to be used by Panhandle or any Subsidiary;
(9) any Lien upon property or assets of any foreign Restricted Subsidiary
to secure Debt of that foreign Restricted Subsidiary;
(10) Permitted Liens;
(11) any Lien created by any program providing for the financing, sale or
other disposition of trade or other receivables classified as current
assets in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles entered into by Panhandle or by a Subsidiary of Panhandle,
provided that such program is on terms customary for similar transactions,
or any document executed by any Subsidiary in connection
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therewith, provided that such Lien is limited to the trade or other
receivables in respect of which such program is created or exists, and the
proceeds thereof;
(12) any Lien upon any additions, improvements, replacements, repairs,
fixtures, appurtenances or component parts thereof attaching to or required
to be attached to property or assets pursuant to the terms of any mortgage,
pledge agreement, security agreement or other similar instrument, creating
a Lien upon such property or assets permitted by clauses (1) through (11),
inclusive, above; or
(13) any extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement (or
successive extensions, renewals, refinancing, refundings or replacements)
of any Lien, in whole or in part, that is referred to in clauses (1)
through (6), inclusive, above (and liens related thereto referred to in
clause (12)), or of any Debt secured thereby; provided, however, that the
principal amount of Debt secured thereby shall not exceed the greater of
the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension,
renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement and the original principal
amount of Debt so secured (plus in each case the aggregate amount of
premiums, other payments, costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection
with such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement);
provided further, however, that such extension, renewal, refinancing,
refunding or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property
(including improvements, alterations and repairs on such property) subject
to the encumbrance so extended, renewed, refinanced, refunded or replaced
(plus improvements, alterations and repairs on such property).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the Indenture, Panhandle may, and may
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist
any Lien upon any Principal Property to secure Debt of Panhandle or any Person
(other than the Exchange Notes) that is not otherwise excepted by clauses (1)
through (8), inclusive, above without securing the Exchange Notes issued under
the Indenture, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Debt then
outstanding secured by such Lien and all similar Liens, together with all net
sale proceeds from Sale-Leaseback Transactions (excluding Sale-Leaseback
Transactions permitted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the first
paragraph of the restriction on sale-leasebacks covenant described below) does
not exceed the greater of 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or 15% of
Total Capital.
RESTRICTION ON SALE-LEASEBACKS
The Indenture provides that Panhandle will not, nor will it permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in a Sale-Leaseback Transaction, unless:
(1) such Sale-Leaseback Transaction occurs within 18 months from the date
of acquisition of the Principal Property subject thereto or the date of the
completion of construction or commencement of full operations on such
Principal Property, whichever is later;
(2) the Sale-Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a period, including
renewals, of not more than four years;
(3) Panhandle or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Debt
secured by a Lien on the Principal Property subject thereto in a principal
amount equal to or exceeding the net sale proceeds from such Sale-Leaseback
Transaction without securing the Exchange Notes; or
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(4) Panhandle or such Restricted Subsidiary, within an 18-month period
after such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, applies or causes to be applied an
amount not less than the net sale proceeds from such Sale-Leaseback
Transaction to (A) the repayment, redemption or retirement of Funded Debt
of Panhandle or any Subsidiary, or (B) investment in another Principal
Property or in a Subsidiary of Panhandle which owns another Principal
Property.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the Indenture, Panhandle may, and may
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, effect any Sale-Leaseback Transaction that
is not otherwise excepted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the above
paragraph, provided that the net sale proceeds from such Sale-Leaseback
Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt
(other than the Exchange Notes) secured by Liens upon Principal Properties not
excepted by clauses (1) through (13), inclusive, of the first paragraph of the
limitation on liens covenant described above, do not exceed the greater of 15%
of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or 15% of Total Capital.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Any one of the following events constitutes an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to the Exchange Notes:
(1) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any
Exchange Note at its maturity;
(2) default in the payment of any interest or Liquidated Damages on any
Exchange Note when it becomes due and payable and continuance of such
default for a period of 60 days;
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any term, covenant or
warranty contained in the Indenture with respect to the Exchange Notes for
a period of 90 days upon giving written notice as provided in the
Indenture; or
(4) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Exchange Notes occurs and is
continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 33% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes by notice as provided in the
Indenture may declare the principal amount of all the Exchange Notes to be due
and payable immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with
respect to the Exchange Notes has been made, but before a judgment or decree for
payment of money has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes, under certain
circumstances, may rescind and annul such acceleration.
The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care, 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. Subject to
such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes
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 Exchange Notes;
provided, however, that
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the Trustee shall not be obligated to take any action unduly prejudicial to
holders not joining in such direction or involving the Trustee in personal
liability.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Exchange Notes may, on behalf of all holders of Exchange Notes, waive any past
default under the Indenture with respect to any Exchange Notes, except a
default:
(1) in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or any interest on
any Exchange Note; or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture which cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Exchange Note affected.
Panhandle is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to
the performance by it of its obligations under the Indenture and as to any
default in such performance.
LEGAL AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The Indenture provides that Panhandle will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of the outstanding Exchange Notes (excluding, however,
certain obligations, such as the obligation to register the transfer or exchange
of such outstanding Exchange Notes, to replace stolen, lost, mutilated or
destroyed certificates, and to maintain paying agencies) on the 123rd day
following the deposit referred to in the following clause (1), subject to the
following conditions: (1) the irrevocable deposit, in trust, of cash or U.S.
Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of
interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide cash
in an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest and premium, if any,
on the outstanding Exchange Notes and any mandatory sinking fund payments, in
each case, on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture and the outstanding Exchange Notes or on any redemption date
established pursuant to clause (3) below; (2) receipt by Panhandle of an Opinion
of Counsel based on the fact that (A) Panhandle has received from, or there has
been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date
of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax
law, in either case, to the effect that, and confirming that, the holders of the
Exchange Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same
times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not
occurred; (3) if any Exchange Notes are to be redeemed prior to stated maturity
(other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice
of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to the Indenture or
provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made; (4) no
Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
become an Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing on the date of
such deposit; and (5) Panhandle's delivery to the Trustee of an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions
precedent under the Indenture have been complied with.
Under the Indenture, Panhandle also may discharge their obligations
referred to above under "Limitation on Restricted Payments," "--Limitation on
Liens," "--Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks," and below under "--Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets," as well
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as certain of their obligations relating to reporting obligations under the
Indenture, in respect of the Exchange Notes on the 123rd day following the
deposit referred to in clause (1) in the immediately preceding paragraph,
subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in clauses (1), (3), (4) and
(5) in the immediately preceding paragraph with respect to the Exchange Notes
and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the holders of the
Exchange Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject
to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same
times, as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had
not occurred.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by Panhandle and
the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes, provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without consent of the holder of each outstanding
Exchange Note affected thereby:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or the time of payment
of any installment of principal of or interest on, any Exchange Note;
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or interest on, any Exchange
Note;
(3) change the coin or currency in which any Exchange Note or any premium
or interest thereon is payable;
(4) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Exchange
Notes, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or
amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or
(5) modify any of the above provisions.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Exchange Notes may, on behalf of the holders of all Exchange Notes, waive,
insofar as the Exchange Notes are concerned, compliance by Panhandle with
certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
Panhandle, without the consent of the holders of any of the outstanding
Exchange Notes, may consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease
its assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person which is a corporation,
partnership or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of any
domestic jurisdiction, provided that any successor Person assumes Panhandle's
obligations on the Exchange Notes and under the Indenture, that after giving
effect to the transaction no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice
or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing, and that certain other conditions are met.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Exchange Notes will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
Panhandle and certain of its affiliates from time to time borrow money
from, and maintain deposit accounts and conduct certain banking transactions
with, the Trustee or its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY; FORM AND TRANSFER
The Exchange Notes which are exchanged for Notes which were sold to
qualified institutional buyers ("QIB'S") will be issued initially in the form of
one or more registered global Exchange Notes without interest coupons
(collectively the "GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTES"). Upon issuance, the Global Exchange
Notes will be deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, and registered
in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to the accounts of
DTC's Direct and Indirect Participants (as defined below).
The Global Exchange Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part,
only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee in
certain limited circumstances. Beneficial interests in the Global Exchange Notes
may be exchanged for Exchange Notes in certificated form in certain limited
circumstances. See "--Transfer of Interests in Global Exchange Notes for
Certificated Exchange Notes."
DEPOSITARY PROCEDURES
DTC has advised Panhandle that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "DIRECT PARTICIPANTS") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between Direct Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of Participants. The Direct Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to
DTC's system is also available to other entities that clear through or maintain
a direct or indirect, custodial relationship with a Direct Participant
(collectively, the "INDIRECT PARTICIPANTS"). DTC may hold securities
beneficially owned by other persons only through the Direct Participants or
Indirect Participants, and such other persons' ownership interest and transfer
of ownership interest will be recorded only on the records of the appropriate
Direct Participant and/or Indirect Participant, and not on the records
maintained by DTC.
DTC has also advised Panhandle that, pursuant to DTC's procedures, (1) upon
deposit of the Global Exchange Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of the Direct
Participants designated by the Initial Purchaser with portions of the principal
amount of the Global Exchange Notes allocated by the Initial Purchaser to such
Direct Participants, and (2) DTC will maintain records of the ownership
interests of such Direct Participants in the Global Exchange Notes and the
transfer of ownership interests by and between Direct Participants. DTC will not
maintain records of the ownership interests of, or the transfer of ownership
interests by and between, Indirect Participants or other owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Exchange Notes. Direct Participants and Indirect
Participants must maintain their own records of the ownership interests of, and
the transfer of ownership interests by and between, Indirect Participants and
other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Exchange Notes. Investors in
the Global Exchange Notes may hold their interests therein directly through DTC
if they are Direct Participants in DTC or indirectly through organizations that
are Direct Participants in DTC. All ownership interests in any Global Exchange
Notes may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.
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The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive, certificated form, of securities that they own. This may limit or
curtail the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Exchange Note
to such persons. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Direct Participants,
which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and others, the ability of
a person having a beneficial interest in a Global Exchange Note to pledge such
interest to persons or entities that are not Direct Participants in DTC, or to
otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack
of physical certificates evidencing such interests. For certain other
restrictions on the transferability of the Exchange Notes see "--Transfers of
Interests in Global Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes."
EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN "--TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTES
FOR CERTIFICATED EXCHANGE NOTES," OWNERS OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL
EXCHANGE NOTES WILL NOT HAVE EXCHANGE NOTES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES, WILL NOT
RECEIVE PHYSICAL DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM AND WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED THE REGISTERED OWNERS OR HOLDERS THEREOF UNDER THE INDENTURE FOR ANY
PURPOSE.
Under the terms of the Indenture, Panhandle and the Trustee will treat the
persons in whose names the Exchange Notes are registered (including Exchange
Notes represented by Global Exchange Notes) as the owners thereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever.
Payments in respect of the principal, premium, Liquidated Damages, if any, and
interest on Global Exchange Notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee
will be payable by the Trustee to DTC or its nominee as the registered holder
under the Indenture. Consequently, neither Panhandle, the Trustee nor any agent
of Panhandle or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for
(1) any aspect of DTC's records or any Direct Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Exchange Notes or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any of DTC's records or any Direct Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in any
Global Exchange Note or (2) any other matter relating to the actions and
practices of DTC or any of its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants.
DTC has advised Panhandle that its current payment practice (for payments
of principal, interest and the like) with respect to securities such as the
Exchange Notes is to credit the accounts of the relevant Direct Participants
with such payment on the payment date in amounts proportionate to such Direct
Participant's respective ownership interests in the Global Exchange Notes as
shown on DTC's records. Payments by Direct Participants and Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of the Exchange Notes will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices between them and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or Panhandle. Neither Panhandle nor the
Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or its Direct Participants or
Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Exchange
Notes, and Panhandle and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be
protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered
owner of the Exchange Notes for all purposes.
The Global Exchange Notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement
System and, therefore, transfers between Direct Participants in DTC will be
effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in immediately
available funds. Transfers between Indirect Participants who hold an interest
through a Direct Participant will be effected in accordance with the procedures
of such Direct Participant but generally will settle in immediately available
funds.
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DTC has advised Panhandle that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Exchange Notes only at the direction of one or more Direct
Participants to whose account interests in the Global Exchange Notes are
credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount
of the Exchange Notes as to which such Direct Participant or Direct Participants
has or have given direction. However, if there is an Event of Default with
respect to the Exchange Notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange Global
Exchange Notes (without the direction of one or more of its Direct Participants)
for legended Exchange Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such
certificated forms of Exchange Notes to its Direct Participants. See
"--Transfers of Interests in Global Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange
Notes."
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers
of interests in the Global Exchange Notes among Direct Participants, they are
under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and
such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither Panhandle nor the
Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, or its
respective Direct and Indirect Participants of their respective obligations
under the rules and procedures governing any of their operations.
The information in this section concerning DTC, and its book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that Panhandle believes to be reliable, but
Panhandle takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTES FOR CERTIFICATED EXCHANGE
NOTES
Global Exchange Notes may be exchanged for Certificated Exchange Notes if
(1)(a) DTC notifies Panhandle that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for the Global Exchange Notes or Panhandle determines that DTC is
unable to act as such Depositary and Panhandle thereupon fails to appoint a
successor depositary within 90 days or (b) DTC has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, (2) Panhandle, at its option, notifies
the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Certificated
Exchange Notes or (3) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or
an Event of Default with respect to the Exchange Notes. In any such case,
Panhandle will notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender by the Direct
and Indirect Participants of their interest in such Global Exchange Note,
Certificated Exchange Notes will be issued to each person that such Direct and
Indirect Participants and the DTC identify as being the beneficial owner of the
related Exchange Notes.
Beneficial interests in Global Exchange Notes held by any Direct or
Indirect Participant may be exchanged for Certificated Exchange Notes upon
request to DTC, by such Direct Participant (for itself or on behalf of an
Indirect Participant), to the Trustee in accordance with customary DTC
procedures. Certificated Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for any beneficial
interest in any Global Exchange Note will be registered in the names, and issued
in any approved denominations, requested by DTC on behalf of such Direct or
Indirect Participants (in accordance with DTC's customary procedures).
Neither Panhandle nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the
holder of the Global Exchange Notes or DTC in identifying the beneficial owners
of Exchange Notes, and Panhandle and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and
will be protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of the Global
Exchange Note or DTC for all purposes.
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CERTIFICATED EXCHANGE NOTES
Certificated Exchange Notes may be exchangeable for other Certificated
Exchange Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor. Certificated Exchange Notes may be presented for exchange, and
may be presented for registration of transfer (duly endorsed, or accompanied by
a duly executed written instrument of transfer), at the designated office of the
Trustee in Detroit, Michigan (the "SECURITY REGISTRAR"). The Security Registrar
will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Exchange Notes; however, Panhandle may require payment by a holder of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith, as described in the Indenture. Such transfer or exchange
will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such other transfer agent, as
the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the
person making the request. Panhandle may at any time designate additional
transfer agents with respect to the Exchange Notes.
Panhandle shall not be required to (a) issue, exchange or register the
transfer of any Certificated Exchange Note for a period of 15 days next
preceding the mailing of notice of redemption of such Exchange Note or (b)
exchange or register the transfer of any Certificated Exchange Note or portion
thereof selected, called or being called for redemption, except in the case of
any Certificated Exchange Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not
so to be redeemed.
If a Certificated Exchange Note is mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, it
may be replaced at the office of the Security Registrar upon payment by the
holder of such expenses as may be incurred by Panhandle and the Security
Registrar in connection therewith and the furnishing of such evidence and
indemnity as Panhandle and the Security Registrar may require. Mutilated
Exchange Notes must be surrendered before new Exchange Notes will be issued.
SAME DAY SETTLEMENT
Payments in respect of the Exchange Notes represented by the Global
Exchange Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made
by wire transfer of immediately available same day funds to the accounts
specified by the holder of interests in such Global Exchange Note. Principal,
premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all
Certificated Exchange Notes in registered form will be payable at the office or
agency of the Trustee in The City of New York, except that, at the option of
Panhandle payment of any interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made
(1) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the security register or (2) by wire transfer to an
account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the security
register.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
REGISTRATION RIGHTS; LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
We sold the Notes on March 27, 2000, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
dated March 22, 2000(the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") by and among us and Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (the "INITIAL PURCHASER") and were
subsequently offered by
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the Initial Purchaser to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A
that are accredited investors in a manner exempt from registration under the
Securities Act.
The summary herein of certain provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and reference is made to the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement which has been filed as an
exhibit to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and a copy of which is
available as set forth in "Where to Find More Information."
We and the Initial Purchaser entered into the Registration Rights Agreement
pursuant to which we agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement (the
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT") on the appropriate form under the
Securities Act with respect to the offer to exchange the Notes for the Exchange
Notes to be registered under the Securities Act with terms substantially
identical to those of the Notes (the "EXCHANGE OFFER") (except that the Exchange
Notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions). Upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, we will offer
Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Transfer
Restricted Securities (as defined herein) to the holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities who are able to make certain representations. If (1) we are not
required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or permitted to
consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law or SEC policy or (2) any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
notifies us that (A) it is prohibited by law or SEC policy from participating in
the Exchange Offer or (B) it may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in
the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the
prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales or (C) it is a broker-dealer and owns
Notes acquired directly from us or an affiliate of ours, we will file with the
SEC a shelf registration statement (the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT") to cover
resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the holders thereof who satisfy
certain conditions relating to the provision of information in connection with
the Shelf Registration Statement. We will use our best efforts to cause the
applicable registration statement to be declared effective as promptly as
possible by the SEC. For purposes of the foregoing, "TRANSFER RESTRICTED
SECURITIES" means each Note until (1) the date on which such Note has been
exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for an Exchange Note in the
Exchange Offer, (2) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Exchange
Offer of a Note for an Exchange Note, the date on which such an Exchange Note is
sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date
of such sale a copy of the this Prospectus, (3) the date on which such Note has
been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in
accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement, or (4) the date on which such
Note is eligible to be distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
The Registration Rights Agreement provides that (1) Panhandle will file an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement with the SEC on or prior to 90 days after
the Closing, (2) Panhandle will use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC on or prior to 180 days
after the Closing Date, (3) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by
applicable law or SEC policy, Panhandle will commence the Exchange Offer and use
its best efforts to issue on or prior to 30 business days after the date on
which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared effective by the
SEC, Exchange Notes in exchange for all Notes tendered prior thereto in the
Exchange Offer and (4) if obligated to file the Shelf Registration Statement,
Panhandle will file the Shelf Registration Statement with the SEC on or prior
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to 60 days after such filing obligation arises and to use its best efforts to
cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective by the SEC on or prior to
120 days after the date on which Panhandle becomes obligated to file such Shelf
Registration Statement. Except as provided in the next paragraph, if (a)
Panhandle fails to file any of the Registration Statements required by the
Registration Rights Agreement on or before the date specified for such filing,
(b) any of such Registration Statements are not declared effective by the SEC on
or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness (the "EFFECTIVENESS TARGET
DATE"), (c) Panhandle fails to consummate the Exchange Offer within 30 business
days after the Registration Statement is first declared effective with respect
to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (d) the Shelf Registration
Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective but
thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of
Transfer Restricted Securities during the periods specified in the Registration
Rights Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above
being a "Registration Default"), then Panhandle will pay liquidated damages to
each holder of Notes, with respect to the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of the first Registration Default in an amount equal to
$0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes held by such holder. The
amount of the Liquidated Damages will increase by an additional $0.05 per week
per $1,000 principal amount of Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day
period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount
of Liquidated Damages of $0.25 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.
All accrued Liquidated Damages will be paid by Panhandle on each interest
payment date to the Depositary by wire transfer of immediately available funds
or by federal funds check and to holders of certificated securities by mailing
checks to their registered addresses. Following the cure of all Registration
Defaults the accrual of Liquidated Damages will cease.
Holders of Notes will be required to make certain representations to
Panhandle (as described in the Registration Rights Agreement) in order to
participate in the Exchange Offer and will be required to deliver information to
be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and to provide
comments on the Shelf Registration Statement within the time periods set forth
in the Registration Rights Agreement in order to have their Notes included in
the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the provisions regarding
Liquidated Damages set forth above.
Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, together with all Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange
Offer, will be treated as a single series of securities under the Indenture.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION
The term "EXPIRATION DATE" shall mean , 2000 unless Panhandle,
in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is
extended.
To extend the Expiration Date, Panhandle will notify the Exchange Agent of
any extension by oral or written notice and will notify the holders of the
Exchange Notes by means of a press release or other public announcement prior to
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled Expiration Date. Such announcement may state that Panhandle is
extending the Exchange Offer for a specified period of time.
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Panhandle reserves the right (i) to delay acceptance of any Notes, to
extend the Exchange Offer or to terminate the Exchange Offer and not permit
acceptance of Notes not previously accepted if any of the conditions set forth
herein under "--Conditions" shall have occurred and shall not have been waived
by Panhandle, by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or
termination to the Exchange Agent, or (ii) to amend the terms of the Exchange
Offer in any manner deemed by it to be advantageous to the holders of the Notes.
Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be
followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by
Panhandle to constitute a material change, Panhandle will promptly disclose such
amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of the Notes
of such amendment.
Without limiting the manner in which Panhandle may choose to make public
announcement of any delay, extension, amendment or termination of the Exchange
Offer, Panhandle shall have no obligations to publish, advertise, or otherwise
communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a timely release
to an appropriate news agency.
INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES
The Exchange Notes will accrue interest at a rate of 8.25% per annum.
Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the last date on which interest
was paid on the Notes, or, if no interest has been paid on such Notes, from
March 27, 2000, the date of issuance of the Notes for which the Exchange Offer
is being made. Interest on the Exchange Notes is payable semiannually on April 1
and October 1, commencing on October 1, 2000.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
To tender in the Exchange Offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures thereon
medallion guaranteed if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and mail or
otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together with
any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) a timely confirmation
of a book-entry transfer (a "BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION") of such Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at The Depositary (the "BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY")
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date or (ii) the holder
must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. THE METHOD
OF DELIVERY OF LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS
BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO PANHANDLE.
Delivery of all documents must be made to the Exchange Agent at its address set
forth below. Holders may also request their respective brokers, dealers,
commercial banks, trust companies or nominees to effect such tender for such
holders.
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The tender by a holder of Notes will constitute an agreement between such
holder and Panhandle in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal. Any beneficial owner whose
Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact such registered
holder promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on his behalf.
Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be medallion guaranteed by any member firm of a registered
national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor" institution within
the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (each an "ELIGIBLE
INSTITUTION") unless the Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered for the
account of an Eligible Institution.
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians,attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations, or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate
when signing, and unless waived by Panhandle, evidence satisfactory to Panhandle
of their authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and withdrawal of the tendered Notes will be determined by Panhandle,
in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. Panhandle
reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Notes not properly tendered or
any Notes which, if accepted, would, in the opinion of counsel for Panhandle, be
unlawful. Panhandle also reserves the absolute right to waive any irregularities
or conditions of tender as to particular Notes. Panhandle's interpretation of
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in
the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless
waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Notes must
be cured within such time as Panhandle shall determine. Neither Panhandle, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification
of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes, nor shall any of
them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Notes
will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured
or waived. Any Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly
tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or
waived will be returned without cost to such holder by the Exchange Agent,
unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable
following the Expiration Date.
In addition, Panhandle reserves the right, in its sole discretion, subject
to the provisions of the Indenture, to purchase or make offers for any Notes
that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set forth under
"--Conditions," to terminate the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms of
the Registration Rights Agreement, and to the extent permitted by applicable
law, purchase Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the terms
of the Exchange Offer.
ACCEPTANCE OF NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE NOTES
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
all Notes properly tendered will be accepted promptly after the Expiration Date,
and the Exchange
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Notes will be issued promptly after acceptance of the Notes. See "--Conditions."
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, Notes shall be deemed to have been accepted
as validly tendered for exchange when, as and if Panhandle has given oral or
written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
In all cases, issuance of Exchange Notes for Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of a Book-Entry Confirmation of such Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents. If any tendered Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, such unaccepted or such
nonexchanged Notes will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-
Entry Transfer Facility as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Notes at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of the Exchange
Offer within two business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems
may make book-entry delivery of Notes by causing the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility to transfer such Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's procedures for transfer. However, the Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile) thereof with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange
Agent at one of the addresses set forth under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to
the Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must
be complied with.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
If the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, a tender may be effected if (i) the tender is made through an Eligible
Institution, (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from
such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form provided by Panhandle (by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the holder of Notes and
the amount of Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") trading
days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, a Book-
Entry Confirmation and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal
will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii)
a Book-Entry Confirmation and all other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal are received by the Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days
after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.
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For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date at one of the addresses set forth under "--Exchange Agent." Any
such notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility from which the Notes were tendered, identify the
principal amount of the Notes to be withdrawn, and specify the name and number
of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the
withdrawn Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility
(including time of receipt) of such notice will be determined by Panhandle,
whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Notes which have been tendered for exchange
but which are not exchanged for any reason will be credited to an account
maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the Notes as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange
Offer. Properly withdrawn Notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described under "--Procedures for Tendering" and "--Book-Entry
Transfer" at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
CONDITIONS
Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, Notes will not be
required to be accepted for exchange, nor will Exchange Notes be issued in
exchange for any Notes, and Panhandle may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer
as provided herein before the acceptance of such Notes, if, because of any
change in law, or applicable interpretations thereof by the SEC, Panhandle
determines that it is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer. Panhandle has
no obligation to, and will not knowingly, permit acceptance of tenders of Notes
from affiliates of Panhandle or from any other holder or holders who are not
eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer under applicable law or
interpretations thereof by the Staff of the SEC, or if the Exchange Notes to be
received by such holder or holders of Notes in the Exchange Offer, upon receipt,
will not be tradable by such holder without restriction under the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act and without material restrictions under the "blue sky" or
securities laws of substantially all of the states of the United States.
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EXCHANGE AGENT
Bank One Trust Company, National Association has been appointed as Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance and requests
for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should
be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
By Mail (Certified, Registered, Overnight or First Class) or Hand Delivery:
Bank One Trust Company, National Association
c/o First Chicago Trust Company of New York
14 Wall Street
8th Floor, Window 2
New York, New York 10005
By Facsimile
(For Eligible Institutions Only)
(212) 240-8938
Telephone Number
(212) 240-8801
FEES AND EXPENSES
The expenses of soliciting tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
borne by Panhandle. The principal solicitation for tenders pursuant to the
Exchange Offer is being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be
made by telegraph, telephone, telecopy or in person by officers and regular
employees of Panhandle.
Panhandle will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or other persons
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. Panhandle, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
the Exchange Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith.
The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
paid by Panhandle, including fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent and the
Trustee, and accounting, legal, printing and related fees and expenses.
Panhandle will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, Exchange Notes or Notes
for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be registered
or issued in the name of any person other than the registered holder of the
Notes tendered, or if tendered Notes are registered in the name of any person
other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.
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RESALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES
Based on an interpretation by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action
letters issued to third parties, Panhandle believes that Exchange Notes issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Notes may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by any owner of such Exchange Notes (other than
any such owner which is an "affiliate" of Panhandle within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such owner's business and
such owner does not intend to participate, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of such
Exchange Notes. Any owner of Notes who tenders in the Exchange Offer with the
intention to participate, or for the purpose of participating, in a distribution
of the Exchange Notes may not rely on the position of the staff of the SEC
enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988, as
interpreted in the SEC's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993),
Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated(available June 5, 1991), Warnaco, Inc.
(available June 5, 1991), and Epic Properties, Inc. (available October 21, 1991)
or similar no-action letters (collectively the "NO-ACTION LETTERS") but rather
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. In addition, any such
resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling security holders information required by Item 507 of
Regulation S-K of the Securities Act. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange
Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired
by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, may be a statutory underwriter and must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.
By tendering in the Exchange Offer, each Holder (or DTC participant, in the
case of tenders of interests in the Global Notes held by DTC) will represent to
Panhandle (which representation may be contained the Letter of Transmittal) to
the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of Panhandle, (B) it is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be
issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its
ordinary course of business. Each Holder will acknowledge and agree that any
broker-dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a
distribution of the Exchange Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not
under SEC policy as in effect on the date of the Registration Rights Agreement
rely on the position of the SEC enunciated in the No-Action Letters, and (2)
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a
secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration
statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item
507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange
Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Notes acquired by such Holder
directly from Panhandle or an affiliate thereof.
To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, it may be
necessary to qualify for sale or to register the Exchange Notes prior to
offering or selling such Exchange Notes. Panhandle has agreed, pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and subject to certain specified limitations
therein, to cooperate with selling Holders or underwriters in connection with
the registration and qualification of the Exchange Notes
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for offer or sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions
as may be necessary to permit the holders of Exchange Notes to trade the
Exchange Notes without any restrictions or limitations under the securities laws
of the several states of the United States.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
Holders of Notes who do not exchange their Notes for Exchange Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of such Notes as set forth in the legend thereon as a consequence of
the issuance of the Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in transactions not
subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws. In general, the Notes may not be registered under the
Securities Act, except pursuant a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. Panhandle does not currently anticipate
that it will register the Notes under the Securities Act. To the extent that
Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market for
untendered and tendered but unaccepted Notes could be adversely affected.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The information required by this item appears (i) under "Nominees for
Election as Directors" on pages 1 through 4 of CMS Energy's definitive Proxy
Statement, dated April 24, 2000, relating to it 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the "2000 Proxy Statement"); (ii) under "Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance" on page 5 of the 2000 Proxy Statement; and (iii)
under "Directors and Executive Officers of CMS Energy and Consumers" on pages
CO-1 of CMS Energy and Consumers and Panhandle's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, all of which information is
incorporated by reference.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item appears under (i) "Executive
Compensation" on pages 9 through 11 of the 2000 Proxy Statement; (ii)
"Organization and Compensation Committee Report" on pages 12 through 13 of the
2000 Proxy Statement; and (iii) "Comparison of Five-year Cumulative Total Return
Among CMS Energy Corporation, S&P 500 Index & Dow Jones Utility Index" on page
14 of the 2000 Proxy Statement all of which information is incorporated by
reference.
40
<PAGE> 47
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OF NOTES
FOR EXCHANGE NOTES
The following summary describes the principal United States federal income
tax consequences to holders who exchange Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer. This summary is intended to address the beneficial owners of
Notes that are citizens or residents of the United States, corporations,
partnerships or other entities created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any State or the District of Columbia, or estates or trusts
that are not foreign estates or trusts for United States federal income tax
purposes, in each case, that hold the Notes as capital assets.
The exchange of Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will not constitute a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax
purposes. As a result, a holder of a Note whose Note is accepted in the Exchange
Offer will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange. A tendering holder's tax
basis in the Exchange Notes received pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be the
same as such holder's tax basis in the Notes surrendered therefor. A tendering
holder's holding period for the Exchange Notes received pursuant to the Exchange
Offer-will include its holding period for the Notes surrendered therefor.
ALL HOLDERS OF NOTES ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
REGARDING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
EXCHANGE OF NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES, AND OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF
EXCHANGE NOTES RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE
EXCHANGE NOTES
The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Notes or the
Exchange Notes by a United States Holder (as defined below). This summary deals
only with the United States Holders that will hold the Notes or the Exchange
Notes as capital assets. The discussion does not cover-all aspects of federal
taxation that may be relevant to, or the actual tax effect that any of the
matters described herein will have on, the acquisition, ownership or disposition
of the Notes or the Exchange Notes by particular investors, and does not address
state, local, foreign or other tax laws. In particular, this summary does not
discuss all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to certain types of
investors subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws (such
as banks, insurance companies, investors liable for the alternative minimum tax,
individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, tax-exempt
organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, investors that will hold the
Notes or the Exchange Notes as part of straddles, hedging transactions or
conversion transactions for federal tax purposes or investors whose functional
currency is not United States Dollars). Furthermore, the discussion below is
based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
regulations, rulings, and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof,
and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified so as to result in
U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
41
<PAGE> 48
PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, OR DISPOSITION OF EXCHANGE
NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME
TAX CONSEQUENCES IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY
CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL TAXING
JURISDICTION.
As used herein, the term "UNITED STATES HOLDER" means a beneficial owner of
the Notes or the Exchange Notes that is (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States for United States federal income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation created
or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, (iii) a
person or entity that is otherwise subject to United States federal income tax
on a net income basis in respect of income derived from the Notes or the
Exchange Notes, or (iv) a partnership to the extent the interest therein is
owned by a person who is described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this
paragraph.
INTEREST
Interest paid on a Note or an Exchange Note will be taxable to a United
States Holder as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued,
depending on the holder's method of accounting for tax purposes.
PURCHASE, SALE, EXCHANGE, RETIREMENT AND REDEMPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
In general (with certain exceptions described below) a United States
Holder's tax basis in an Exchange Note will equal the price paid for the Notes
for which such Exchange Note was exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer. A
United States Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale,
exchange, retirement, redemption or other disposition of a Note or an Exchange
Note (or portion thereof) equal to the difference between the amount realized on
such disposition and the United States Holder's tax basis in the Note or the
Exchange Note (or portion thereof). Except to the extent attributable to accrued
but unpaid interest, gain or loss recognized on such disposition of a Note or an
Exchange Note will be capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will
generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the United States Holder held
such Common Stock for more than one year immediately prior to such disposition.
Long-term capital gains of individuals are eligible for reduced rates of
taxation depending upon the holding period of such capital assets. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
BOND PREMIUM
If a United States Holder acquires an Exchange Note or has acquired a Note,
in each case, for an amount more than its redemption price, the Holder may elect
to amortize such bond premium on a yield to maturity basis. Once made, such an
election applies to all bonds (other than bonds the interest on which is
excludable from gross income) held by the United States Holder at the beginning
of the first taxable year to which the election applies or thereafter acquired
by the United States Holder, unless the IRS consents to a revocation of the
election. The basis of an Exchange Note will be reduced by any amortizable bond
premium taken as a deduction.
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<PAGE> 49
MARKET DISCOUNT
The purchase of an Exchange Note or the purchase of a Note other than at
original issue may be affected by the market discount provisions of the Code.
These rules generally provide that, if a United States Holder purchases an
Exchange Note (or purchased a Note) at a "market discount," as defined below,
and thereafter recognizes gain upon a disposition of the Exchange Note
(including dispositions by gift or redemption), the lesser of such gain (or
appreciation, in the case of a gift) or the portion of the market discount that
has accrued ("ACCRUED MARKET DISCOUNT") while the Exchange Note (and its
predecessor Note, if any) was held by such United States Holder will be treated
as ordinary interest income at the time of disposition rather than as capital
gain. For an Exchange Note or a Note, "MARKET DISCOUNT" is the excess of the
stated redemption price at maturity over the tax basis immediately after its
acquisition by a United States Holder. Market discount generally will accrue
ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of
the Exchange Note, unless the United States Holder elects to accrue such
discount on the basis of the constant yield method. Such an election applies
only to the Exchange Note with respect to which it is made and is irrevocable.
In lieu of including the accrued market discount income at the time of
disposition, a United States Holder of an Exchange Note acquired at a market
discount (or acquired in exchange for a Note acquired at a market discount) may
elect to include the accrued market discount in income currently either ratably
or using the constant yield method. Once made, such an election applies to all
other obligations that the United States Holder purchases at a market discount
during the taxable year for which the election is made and in all subsequent
taxable years of the United States Holder, unless the Internal Revenue Service
consents to a revocation of the election. If an election is made to include
accrued market discount in income currently, the basis of an Exchange Note (or,
where applicable, a predecessor Note) in the hands of the United States Holder
will be increased by the accrued market discount thereon as it is includible in
income. A United States Holder of a market discount Exchange Note who does not
elect to include market discount in income currently generally will be required
to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to such Exchange Note,
if any, in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such Exchange
Note until the maturity or disposition of such Exchange Note.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Payments of interest and principal on, and the proceeds of sale or other
disposition of the Notes or the Exchange Notes payable to a United States
Holder, may be subject to information reporting requirements and backup
withholding at a rate of 31% will apply to such payments if the United States
Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or to report
all interest and dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax
returns. Certain United States Holders (including, among others, corporations)
are not subject to backup withholding. United States Holders should consult
their tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from backup
withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
pursuant the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
in connection with any
43
<PAGE> 50
resale of such Exchange Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connections
with resales of the Exchange Notes received in exchange for the Notes where such
Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities. Panhandle has agreed that, starting on the Expiration Date and
ending on the close of business on the first anniversary of the Expiration Date,
it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
Panhandle will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the Exchange Notes
by broker-dealers. The Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or
more transactions in the over-the counter market, in negotiated transaction,
through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes. Any
broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an
"UNDERWRITER" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit of any
such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any
such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "UNDERWRITER" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of one year after the Expiration Date, Panhandle will promptly
send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to
this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter
of Transmittal. Panhandle has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
Exchange Offer and will indemnify the holders of the Exchange Notes against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
Opinions as to the legality of the Exchange Notes will be rendered for
Panhandle by Michael D. Van Hemert, Assistant General Counsel for CMS Energy. As
of March 31, 2000, Mr. Van Hemert beneficially owned approximately 3,500 shares
of CMS Energy Common Stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheet of Panhandle as of December 31, 1999 and the
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and common stockholder's equity
for the period from January 1, 1999 through March 28, 1999 and for the period
from March 29, 1999 through December 31, 1999 incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus, have been audited by Arthur Andersen, LLP, independent auditors, as
indicated in their report incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
With respect to the unaudited interim consolidated financial information
for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, Arthur Andersen LLP has applied limited
procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of that
information. However their
44
<PAGE> 51
separate report thereon states that they did not audit and they do not express
an opinion on that interim consolidated financial information. Accordingly, the
degree of reliance on their report on that information should be restricted in
light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. In addition, the
accountants are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the
Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited interim consolidated
financial information because that report is not a "report" or "part" of the
registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within the
meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
The financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1997 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Panhandle's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Future consolidated financial statements of Panhandle and the reports
thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP also will be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts in giving
those reports to the extent that said firm has audited those consolidated
financial statements and consented to the use of their reports thereon.
45
<PAGE> 52
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY PANHANDLE,
THE INITIAL PURCHASERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY THE EXCHANGE NOTES BY
ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Forward-Looking Statements............ i
Where to Find More Information........ i
Prospectus Summary.................... 1
Risk Factors.......................... 10
Use of Proceeds....................... 11
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.... 11
The Company........................... 12
Description of the Exchange Notes..... 15
The Exchange Offer.................... 31
Directors and Executive Officers...... 40
Executive Compensation................ 40
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences.................... 41
Plan of Distribution.................. 43
Legal Matters......................... 44
Experts............................... 44
</TABLE>
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES B
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED
FOR ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES A
PANHANDLE EASTERN
PIPE LINE COMPANY
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 53
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of Panhandle
Eastern Pipe Line Company on March 29, 1999:
RESOLVED: That effective upon adoption of this resolution, the Company
shall indemnify to the full extent permitted by law every person (including the
estate, heirs and legal representatives of such person in the event of the
decease, incompetency, insolvency or bankruptcy of such person) who is or was a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the Company, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, against all liability, costs, expenses, including
attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement,
incurred by or imposed upon the person in connection with or resulting from any
claim or any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or of whatever nature, arising
from the person's service or capacity as, or by reason of the fact that the
person is or was, a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. Such right of
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the
person may be entitled under statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or
otherwise.
PANHANDLE'S BYLAWS PROVIDE:
The Company may purchase and maintain liability insurance, to the full
extent permitted by law, on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of
the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity.
Article SEVENTH of the Articles of Incorporation reads:
A director shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director except to the
extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted
under the Delaware General Corporation Law as presently in effect or as the same
may hereafter be amended.
No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article SEVENTH shall
adversely affect any right or protection that exists at the time of such
amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Delaware Law") empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who
are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or
completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such
corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director
of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The
indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in
II-1
<PAGE> 54
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the corporation's best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware
corporation may indemnify officers and directors against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) in connection with the defense or settlement of an action by or
in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no
indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or
director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or
director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action
referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the
expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.
Officers and directors are covered within the specified monetary limits by
insurance against certain losses arising from claims made by reason of their
being directors or officers of Panhandle or of Panhandle's subsidiaries and
Panhandle's officers and directors are indemnified against such losses by reason
of their being or having been directors of officers or another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at Panhandle's request.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
*3(a) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of Panhandle. (Designated
in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 3.01.)
*3(b) -- By-Laws of Panhandle. (Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999 File No. 1-2921, as
Exhibit (3)(f).)
*4(a) -- Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993 between Panhandle and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form S-4 dated February 19, 1993, File No.
33-58552, as Exhibit 4.)
*4(b) -- Letter, dated February 24, 1994, from Nations Bank of Texas,
National Association accepting its appointment as successor
Trustee with respect to all securities issued or to be
issued under the Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 4.01.)
*4(c) -- Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999, among CMS Panhandle
Holding Company, Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, NA,
successor to NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit (4)(a).)
*4(d) -- First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999,
among CMS Panhandle Holding Company, Panhandle and Bank One
Trust Company, NA, successor to NBD Bank, as Trustee,
including a form of Guarantee by Panhandle of the
obligations of CMS Panhandle Holding Company. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit (4)(b).)
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
4(e) -- Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2000,
between Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, National
Association, as Trustee.
4(f) -- Form of Exchange Note.
4(g) -- Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 2000
between Panhandle and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation.
5 -- Opinion of Michael D. Van Hemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy.
8 -- Opinion of Jay M. Silverman, Tax Counsel for CMS Energy,
regarding tax matters.
*10(a) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company and Trunkline Gas Company, dated
November 1, 1989, and Amendment, dated November 1, 1989.
(Designated in PanEnergy Corp's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, File No. 1-8157, as Exhibit 10.41.)
*10(b) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company and Trunkline Gas Company, dated
November 1, 1991. (Designated in PanEnergy Corp's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989, File No. 1-8157, as
Exhibit 10.47.)
*10(c) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company, dated September 1, 1993.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 10.3.)
*10(d) Stock Purchase Agreement between PanEnergy Corp, Texas
Eastern Corporation and CMS Energy Corporation, dated
October 31, 1998. (Designated in Duke Energy Corporation's
Form 8-K, filed November 5, 1998, File No. 1-4928, as
Exhibit 10.3.)
*10(e) -- Purchase Agreement between the Underwriter named therein and
CMS Panhandle Holding Company dated March 23, 1999.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit
10(a).)
10(f) -- Purchase Agreement between Panhandle and Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation dated March 22, 2000.
12 -- Statement re: computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
Charges.
15 -- Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
23(a) -- Consent of Michael D. Van Hemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy (included in Exhibit 5 above).
23(b) -- Consent of Jay M. Silverman, Tax Counsel for CMS Energy
(included in Exhibit 8 above)
23(c) -- Consent of Arthur Andersen, LLP.
23(d) -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
25 -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Bank One Trust
Company, National Association (Trustee under the Second
Supplemental Indenture).
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 56
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
99(a) -- Form of Letter of Transmittal for the 8.25% Senior Notes due
2010, Series A.
99(b) -- Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9.
99(c) -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>
-------------------------
* Previously filed
Exhibits listed above which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference with the same effect as
if filed with this Registration Statement.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20 above, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that as
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(3) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by
reference in to the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this
form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the
incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This
includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective
date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the
request.
(4) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that
was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became
effective.
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<PAGE> 57
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dearborn, and State of
Michigan, on June 21, 2000.
PANHANDLE EASTERN PIPE LINE COMPANY
By: /s/ ALAN M. WRIGHT
-----------------------------------
Alan M. Wright
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated and on June 21, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME TITLE
---- -----
<C> <S>
(I) PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
/s/ WILLIAM J. HAENER Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
------------------------------------------------ Director
William J. Haener
(II) PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER:
/s/ A. M. WRIGHT Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
------------------------------------------------ Officer, Treasurer and Director
Alan M. Wright
(III) CONTROLLER OR PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:
/s/ GARY W. LEFELAR Controller
------------------------------------------------
Gary W. Lefelar
/s/ WILLIAM T. MCCORMICK, JR. Director
------------------------------------------------
William T. McCormick, Jr.
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 58
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
*3(a) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of Panhandle. (Designated
in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 3.01.)
*3(b) -- By-Laws of Panhandle. (Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as
Exhibit (3)(f).)
*4(a) -- Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993 between Panhandle and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form S-4 dated February 19, 1993, File No.
33-58552, as Exhibit 4.)
*4(b) -- Letter, dated February 24, 1994, from Nations Bank of Texas,
National Association accepting its appointment as successor
Trustee with respect to all securities issued or to be
issued under the Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 4.01.)
*4(c) -- Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999, among CMS Panhandle
Holding Company, Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, NA,
successor to NBD Bank, as Trustee. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit (4)(a).)
*4(d) -- First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 29, 1999,
among CMS Panhandle Holding Company, Panhandle and Bank One
Trust Company, NA, successor to NBD Bank, as Trustee,
including a form of Guarantee by Panhandle of the
obligations of CMS Panhandle Holding Company. (Designated in
Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit (4)(b).)
4(e) -- Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2000,
between Panhandle and Bank One Trust Company, National
Association, as Trustee.
4(f) -- Form of Exchange Note.
4(g) -- Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 2000
between Panhandle and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation.
5 -- Opinion of Michael D. Van Hemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy.
8 -- Opinion of Jay M. Silverman, Tax Counsel for CMS Energy,
regarding tax matters.
*10(a) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company and Trunkline Gas Company, dated
November 1, 1989, and Amendment, dated November 1, 1989.
(Designated in Pan--Energy Corp's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1989, File No. 1-8157, as Exhibit 10.41.)
*10(b) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company and Trunkline Gas Company, dated
November 1, 1991. (Designated in PanEnergy Corp's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989, File No. 1-8157, as
Exhibit 10.47.)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 59
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
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<C> <C> <S>
*10(c) -- Contract for Firm Transportation of Natural Gas between
Consumers Power Company, dated September 1, 1993.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 10.3.)
*10(d) -- Stock Purchase Agreement between PanEnergy Corp, Texas
Eastern Corporation and CMS Energy Corporation, dated
October 31, 1998. (Designated in Duke Energy Corporation's
Form 8-K, filed November 5, 1998, File No. 1-4928, as
Exhibit 10.3.)
*10(e) -- Purchase Agreement between the Underwriter named therein and
CMS Panhandle Holding Company dated March 23, 1999.
(Designated in Panhandle's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1999, File No. 1-2921, as Exhibit 10
(a).)
10(f) -- Purchase Agreement between Panhandle and Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation dated March 22, 2000.
12 -- Statement re: computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
Charges.
15 -- Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
23(a) -- Consent of Michael D. Van Hemert, Assistant General Counsel
for CMS Energy (included in Exhibit 5 above).
23(b) -- Consent of Jay M. Silverman, Tax Counsel for CMS Energy
(included in Exhibit 8 above).
23(c) -- Consent of Arthur Andersen, LLP.
23(d) -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
25 -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Bank One Trust
Company, National Association (Trustee under the Second
Supplemental Indenture).
99(a) -- Form of Letter of Transmittal for the 8.25% Senior Notes due
2010, Series A.
99(b) -- Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9.
99(c) -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>
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* Previously filed
