As submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2021
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
FORM 10
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) |
87-1210716 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
c/o Exelon Corporation 10 South Dearborn Street P.O. Box 805379 Chicago, Illinois (Address of Principal Executive Office) |
60680-5379 (Zip Code) |
(800) 483-3220
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class to be so registered | Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered | |
Common Stock, without par value | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | x | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Emerging growth company | ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10
Item 1. | Business. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Overview of the U.S. Power Markets,” “Our Business” and “Where You Can Find More Information” of the information statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10 (the “information statement”). Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary—Summary of Risk Factors,” “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 2. | Financial Information. |
The information required by this item is contained under the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 3. | Properties. |
The information required by this item is contained under the section “Our Business—Properties and Facilities” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 4. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. |
The information required by this item is contained under the section “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5. | Directors and Executive Officers. |
The information required by this item is contained under the section “Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 6. | Executive Compensation. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Management – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. | Legal Proceedings. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Our Business—Legal Proceedings”, Note 3 – Regulatory Matters, Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 19 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9. | Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “The Separation – Results of the Separation,” “Trading Market”, “Dividend Policy”, and “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. |
Not applicable.
Item 11. | Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered. |
The information required by this item is contained under the section “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation—Separation Agreement” and “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Financial Statement Presentation,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” (inclusive of the report of independent registered public accounting firm, financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements described in that index) of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 14. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
None.
Item 15. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(a) List separately all financial statements filed as part of the registration statement.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” beginning on page F-1 of the information statement and the report of independent registered public accounting firm, financial statements and notes to consolidated referenced therein. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Furnish the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K (§229.601 of this chapter).
The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:
* | Previously filed. |
** | Incorporated by reference. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 15, 2021 | Constellation Energy Corporation | |
By: | /s/ Carter C. Culver | |
Name: | Carter C. Culver | |
Title: | Assistant Secretary |
Exhibit 10.8
$3,500,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of
[______], 2022
among
[CONSTELLATION GENERATION]
The Lenders Party Hereto
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
., | ||
., |
,and
, |
as Co-Documentation Agents
., | ||
., |
,and
, |
,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
Article 1 Definitions | 1 | |||
Section 1.01. | Defined Terms | 1 | ||
Section 1.02. | Classification of Loans and Borrowings | 30 | ||
Section 1.03. | Terms Generally | 30 | ||
Section 1.04. | Accounting Terms; GAAP | 30 | ||
Section 1.05. | Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification | 31 | ||
Section 1.06. | Letter of Credit Amounts | 31 | ||
Section 1.07. | Divisions | 31 | ||
Article 2 The Credits | 32 | |||
Section 2.01. | Commitments | 32 | ||
Section 2.02. | Loans and Borrowings | 32 | ||
Section 2.03. | Requests for Revolving Borrowings | 32 | ||
Section 2.04. | Optional Increases in Commitments | 33 | ||
Section 2.05. | [Reserved] | 34 | ||
Section 2.06. | Letters of Credit | 34 | ||
Section 2.07. | Funding of Borrowings | 39 | ||
Section 2.08. | Interest Elections | 39 | ||
Section 2.09. | Termination and Reduction of Commitments | 40 | ||
Section 2.10. | Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Indebtedness | 41 | ||
Section 2.11. | Prepayment of Loans | 41 | ||
Section 2.12. | Fees | 42 | ||
Section 2.13. | Interest | 43 | ||
Section 2.14. | Alternate Rate of Interest | 43 | ||
Section 2.15. | Increased Costs | 46 | ||
Section 2.16. | Break Funding Payments | 47 | ||
Section 2.17. | Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up | 48 | ||
Section 2.18. | Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs | 51 | ||
Section 2.19. | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 53 | ||
Section 2.20. | Defaulting Lenders | 53 | ||
Section 2.21. | Extension of Maturity Date | 56 | ||
Article 3 Representations and Warranties | 57 | |||
Section 3.01. | Organization; Powers | 57 | ||
Section 3.02. | Authorization; Enforceability | 57 | ||
Section 3.03. | Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts | 58 | ||
Section 3.04. | Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect | 58 | ||
Section 3.05. | Reserved | 58 | ||
Section 3.06. | Litigation and Environmental Matters | 58 | ||
Section 3.07. | Compliance with Laws and Agreements | 58 | ||
Section 3.08. | Investment Company Status | 58 | ||
Section 3.09. | Taxes | 59 | ||
Section 3.10. | ERISA | 59 | ||
Section 3.11. | Beneficial Ownership | 59 | ||
Section 3.12. | Regulation U | 59 | ||
Section 3.13. | Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions | 59 | ||
Section 3.14. | Affected Financial Institutions | 59 |
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Section 3.15. | Reserved | 59 | ||
Section 3.16. | Margin Regulations | 59 | ||
Section 3.17. | Reserved | 59 | ||
Section 3.18. | Exchange Act | 60 | ||
Article 4 Conditions | 60 | |||
Section 4.01. | Effective Date | 60 | ||
Section 4.02. | Each Credit Event | 61 | ||
Article 5 Affirmative Covenants | 61 | |||
Section 5.01. | Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information | 61 | ||
Section 5.02. | Notices of Material Events | 63 | ||
Section 5.03. | Existence; Conduct of Business | 64 | ||
Section 5.04. | Payment of Obligations | 64 | ||
Section 5.05. | Maintenance of Properties; Insurance | 64 | ||
Section 5.06. | Books and Records; Inspection Rights | 64 | ||
Section 5.07. | Compliance with Laws | 64 | ||
Section 5.08. | Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit | 65 | ||
Section 5.09. | Accuracy of Information | 65 | ||
Article 6 Negative Covenants | 65 | |||
Section 6.01. | Liens | 65 | ||
Section 6.02. | Fundamental Changes; Mergers and Consolidations; Disposition of Assets | 67 | ||
Section 6.03. | Continuation of Businesses | 68 | ||
Section 6.04. | Restrictive Agreements | 68 | ||
Section 6.05. | Consolidated Leverage Ratio | 68 | ||
Article 7 Events of Default | 68 | |||
Section 7.01. | Events of Default | 68 | ||
Section 7.02. | Remedies Upon an Event of Default | 70 | ||
Section 7.03. | Application of Payments | 71 | ||
Article 8 The Administrative Agent | 72 | |||
Section 8.01. | Authorization and Action | 72 | ||
Section 8.02. | Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc | 74 | ||
Section 8.03. | Posting of Communications | 75 | ||
Section 8.04. | The Administrative Agent Individually | 77 | ||
Section 8.05. | Successor Administrative Agent | 77 | ||
Section 8.06. | Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Banks | 78 | ||
Section 8.07. | [Reserved] | 79 | ||
Section 8.08. | [Reserved] | 79 | ||
Section 8.09. | Certain ERISA Matters | 80 | ||
Article 9 Miscellaneous | 81 | |||
Section 9.01. | Notices | 81 | ||
Section 9.02. | Waivers; Amendments | 82 | ||
Section 9.03. | Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity, Etc | 83 | ||
Section 9.04. | Successors and Assigns | 85 | ||
Section 9.05. | Survival | 88 | ||
Section 9.06. | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution | 89 | ||
Section 9.07. | Severability | 90 |
ii
Section 9.08. | Right of Setoff | 90 | ||
Section 9.09. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process | 90 | ||
Section 9.10. | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 91 | ||
Section 9.11. | Headings | 91 | ||
Section 9.12. | Confidentiality | 91 | ||
Section 9.13. | Material Non-Public Information | 92 | ||
Section 9.14. | Interest Rate Limitation | 93 | ||
Section 9.15. | No Fiduciary Duty, etc | 93 | ||
Section 9.16. | USA PATRIOT Act | 94 | ||
Section 9.17. | Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 94 | ||
Section 9.18. | Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 94 | ||
Section 9.19. | Judgment Currency | 95 |
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 2.01A – Commitments
Schedule 2.01C – Letter of Credit Commitments
Schedule 3.06 – Disclosed Matters
Schedule 6.01 – Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04 – Existing Restrictions
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A – Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B – Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit C – Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit D – Form of Opinion of Borrower’s Counsel
Exhibit E – Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit F-1 – U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-2 – U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-3 – U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-4 – U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit G – Incremental Request
iii
CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of [____], 2022 (this “Agreement”), among [Constellation Generation], the LENDERS party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
Article
1
Definitions
Section 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Additional Lender” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.04.
“Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple SOFR, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Agent-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(d).
“Agreement” has the meaning specified in introductory paragraph hereof.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.14(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement.
1
“Ancillary Document” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.06(b).
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.
“Applicable Party” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(c).
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that, in the case of Section 2.20 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or Term Benchmark Revolving Loan, RFR Revolving Loan or with respect to the facility fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Applicable Rate for Term Benchmark Revolving Loans and LC Fee Rate”, “Applicable Rate for ABR Loans” or “Facility Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, respectively, applicable on such date to the Pricing Level:
Pricing Level |
Index Debt Rating S&P/Moody’s/Fitch
|
Applicable Rate for Term Benchmark Revolving Loans, RFR Revolving Loans and LC Fee Rate |
Applicable Rate for ABR Loans |
Facility Fee Rate |
I | ≥ A3/A-/A- | 1.000% | 0.000% | 0.125% |
II | Baa1/BBB+/BBB+ | 1.075% | 0.075% | 0.175% |
III | Baa2/BBB/BBB | 1.275% | 0.275% | 0.225% |
IV | Baa3/BBB-/BBB- | 1.475% | 0.475% | 0.275% |
V | Ba1/BB+/BB+ | 1.650% | 0.650% | 0.350% |
VI | < Ba1/BB+/BB+ | 2.000% | 1.000% | 0.500% |
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“Debt Rating” means, as of any date of determination, the Fitch Rating, the Moody’s Rating or the S&P Rating.
For purposes of the foregoing, (x) at any time that Debt Ratings are available from each of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and there is a split among such Debt Ratings, then (i) if any two of such Debt Ratings are in the same level, such level shall apply or (ii) if each of such Debt Ratings is in a different level, the level that is the middle level shall apply and (y) at any time that Debt Ratings are available only from any two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and there is a split in such Debt Ratings, then the higher* of such Debt Ratings shall apply, unless there is a split in Debt Ratings of more than one level, in which case the level that is one level lower than the higher Debt Rating shall apply. The Debt Ratings shall be determined from the most recent public announcement of any changes in the Debt Ratings. If the rating system of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch shall change, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall negotiate in good faith to amend the definition of “Debt Rating” to reflect such changed rating system and, pending the effectiveness of such amendment (which shall require the approval of the Required Lenders), the Debt Rating shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change. If the Borrower has no Fitch Rating, no Moody’s Rating and no S&P Rating, Pricing Level VI shall apply it being understood that if the Borrower does not have such an indicative ratings, appropriate fallbacks will be determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower.
“Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(a).
“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.04(b).
“Arrangers” means each of , and _______________________________, in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to clause (e) of Section 2.14.
* It being understood and agreed, by way of example, that a Debt Rating of A- is one level higher than a Debt Rating of BBB+.
3
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.
“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment or has had any order for relief in such proceeding entered in respect thereof; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
“Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (i) RFR Loan, the Daily Simple SOFR or (ii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Daily Simple SOFR or Term SOFR Rate, as applicable, or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.14.
“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(1) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR;
(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
4
If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Revolving Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
5
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14.
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“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an ‘affiliate’ (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Borrower” means [Constellation Generation], a Pennsylvania limited liability company.
“Borrowing” means Revolving Borrowing.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Business Day” means, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City or Chicago; provided that, in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings of such RFR Loan, any such day that is only an U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases or financing leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of one of the following: (a) that any person, entity or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), excluding Spinco, shall beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the Equity Interests of the Borrower having ordinary voting power; or (b) at any time after the Borrower has a Board of Directors or similar governing body (a “Board”), Continuing Directors shall fail to constitute a majority of the Board of the Borrower; provided that, for purposes of this definition, the Spin Transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control. For purposes of the foregoing, “Continuing Director” means an individual who (x) is elected or appointed to be a member of the Board of the Borrower by Spinco or an affiliate of Spinco at a time when Spinco owns (directly or indirectly) a majority of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or (y) is nominated to be a member of such Board by a majority of the Continuing Directors then in office.
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“Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“Charges” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.14.
“Class” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans.
“CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).
“Co-Documentation Agent” means _________________, _______________, _________________, ____________, ______________________, __________________, __________________, _____________________, _________________, _________________, and ______________ in its capacity as a co-documentation agent hereunder.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 opposite such Lender’s name, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation or record (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(70) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code) as provided in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C), pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable, and giving effect to (a) any reduction in such amount from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09 and (b) any reduction or increase in such amount from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04; provided, that at no time shall the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender exceed its Commitment. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Commitments is $3,500,000,000.
“Commodity Trading Obligations” means the obligations of the Borrower under (i) any commodity swap agreement, commodity future agreement, commodity option agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity floor agreement, commodity collar agreement, commodity hedge agreement, commodity forward contract or derivative transaction and any put, call or other agreement, arrangement or transaction, including natural gas, power, electric energy, emissions forward contracts, renewable energy credits, or any combination of any such arrangements, agreements and/or transactions, employed in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business, including the Borrower’s energy marketing, trading and asset optimization business, or (ii) any commodity swap agreement, commodity future agreement, commodity option agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity floor agreement, commodity collar agreement, commodity hedge agreement, commodity forward contract or derivative transaction and any put, call or other agreement or arrangement, or combination thereof (including an agreement or arrangement to hedge foreign exchange risks) in respect of commodities entered into by the Borrower pursuant to asset optimization and risk management policies and procedures adopted pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or Spinco. The term “commodities” shall include electric energy and/or capacity, transmission rights, coal, petroleum, natural gas liquids, natural gas, fuel transportation rights, emissions allowances, weather derivatives and related products and by-products and ancillary services.
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“Communications” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(c).
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees or costs, capitalized expenditures, customer acquisition costs and incentive payments, conversion costs and contract acquisition costs, the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par and amortization of favorable or unfavorable lease assets or liabilities, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the sum (without duplication) of:
(a) Consolidated Net Income for such period; plus
(b) Consolidated Interest Expense; plus
(c) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state franchise, excise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(d) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(e) certain operating adjustments, including mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, costs associated with early plant retirements, costs incurred to achieve cost management program savings, merger, integration, and separation costs, and other non-recurring items not directly related to the ongoing operations of the business, consistent with the Borrower’s external financial reporting; plus
(f) other non-cash charges, asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities, expenses, losses, or non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, consistent with the Borrower’s external financial reporting.
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“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the sum (without duplication) of:
(a) consolidated interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount or premium resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments, (d) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate obligations under any Swap Agreements with respect to Indebtedness); plus
(b) consolidated capitalized interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less
(c) interest income for such period.
For purposes of this definition, interest in respect of any Capital Lease Obligations shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of the last day of the applicable Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA as of the last day for such Test Period.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, an amount equal to the net income (or loss) of the Borrower on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP, for such period, but excluding (without duplication):
(a) any net gain (or loss) from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations and any net gain (or loss) on disposal of disposed, discontinued or abandoned operations;
(b) gain, loss, charge or expense with respect to any extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual item; and
(c) gains or charges attributable to the application of any accounting changes, including as a result of the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification No. 715 (or any subsequently adopted standards relating to pension and postretirement benefits) after the date of this Agreement.
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include Nonrecourse Indebtedness.
“Constellation Nuclear” shall mean Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company.
“Constellation Nuclear Entity” shall mean Constellation Nuclear, LLC, CE Nuclear, LLC and Constellation Nuclear and its Subsidiaries.
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“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Controlled Group” means each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that, together with the Borrower, would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18.
“Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or any other Lender.
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal SOFR for the day (such day “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Day prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations as of the date of certification) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (A) a Bankruptcy Event or (B) a Bail-In Action.
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“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise) of any property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of such Person), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
“Dollars”, “dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
“Eligible Successor” means a Person that (i) is a corporation, limited liability company or business trust duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of one of the states of the United States or the District of Columbia, (ii) as a result of a contemplated acquisition, consolidation or merger, will succeed to all or substantially all of the consolidated business and assets of the Borrower, (iii) upon giving effect to such contemplated acquisition, consolidation or merger, will have all or substantially all of its consolidated business and assets conducted and located in the United States and (iv) in the case of the Borrower, is acceptable to the Required Lenders as a credit matter.
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“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (i) the environment, (ii) preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (iii) the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or (iv) health and safety matters.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001(14) of ERISA or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
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“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean (a) an Excluded Project Subsidiary, (b) NewEnergy Receivables LLC, (c) any captive insurance Subsidiary, (d) any not-for-profit Subsidiary or (e) any special purpose vehicle, including any Securitization Vehicle.
“Excluded Project Subsidiary” shall mean, at any time, any Subsidiary that is an obligor (or, in the case of a Subsidiary of an Excluded Project Subsidiary that is such an obligor and is in a business that is related to the business of such Excluded Project Subsidiary that is such an obligor, is otherwise bound, or its property is subject to one or more covenants and other terms of any Non-Recourse Indebtedness outstanding at such time, regardless of whether such Subsidiary is a party to the agreement evidencing the Non-Recourse Indebtedness) with respect to any Non-Recourse Indebtedness outstanding at such time.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“Existing Letter of Credit” means each letter of credit issued by an Issuing Bank and specified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on the Effective Date.
“Existing Maturity Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).
“Extending Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(b)(ii).
“Extension Request” means a written request from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent requesting an extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.21.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.
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“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc.
"Fitch Rating" means, at any time, the rating issued by Fitch and then in effect with respect to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term public debt securities without third-party credit enhancement it being understood that if the Borrower does not have such an indicative rating, an appropriate fallback will be determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower.
“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be 0%.
“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
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“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Hedging Obligations” mean, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate or currency swap agreement, interest rate or currency future agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate or currency hedge agreement, and any put, call or other agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed and (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a) hereof, Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(c).
“Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.
“Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.04(b).
“Information” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.12.
“Information Memorandum” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated November 12, 2021 relating to the Borrower and the Transactions.
“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
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“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any RFR Loan, (1) each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Borrowing of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month) and (2) the Maturity Date and (c) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period” means with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment), as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (iii) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.14(e) shall be available for specification in such Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.
“Issuing Bank” means each of ____________________________________________________________________________ and any other Lender that, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, agrees to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, in each case in its capacity as the issuer of the applicable Letters of Credit.
“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the LC Exposure at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Article 29(a) of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or similar terms of the Letter of Credit itself, or if compliant documents have been presented but not yet honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” and “undrawn” in the amount so remaining available to be paid, and the obligations of the Borrower and each Lender shall remain in full force and effect until the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit.
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“Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
“Lender-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(b).
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01A and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Issuing Banks.
“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement and shall include each Existing Letter of Credit.
“Letter of Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06(b).
“Letter of Credit Commitment” means, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Issuing Bank’s Letter of Credit Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01C, or if an Issuing Bank has entered into an Assignment and Assumption or has otherwise assumed a Letter of Credit Commitment after the Effective Date, the amount set forth for such Issuing Bank as its Letter of Credit Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent. The Letter of Credit Commitment of an Issuing Bank may be modified from time to time by agreement between such Issuing Bank and the Borrower, and notified to the Administrative Agent.
“Liabilities” means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“LLC” means any Person that is a limited liability company under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, including schedules and exhibits hereto, and any agreements entered into in connection herewith by the Borrower or any Loan Party with or in favor of the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto or waivers thereof, legal opinions issued in connection with the other Loan Documents, flood determinations, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower and an Issuing Bank regarding the issuance by such Issuing Bank of Letters of Credit hereunder and/or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and such Issuing Bank in connection thereunder and any other documents prepared in connection with the other Loan Documents, if any.
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“Loan Parties” means the Borrower.
“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
“Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X, as applicable.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of its Obligations or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
“Maturity Date” means, with respect to any Lender, the later of (a) [ ], 2027 and (b) if the maturity date is extended for such Lender pursuant to Section 2.21, such extended maturity date as determined pursuant to such Section; provided, however, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.14.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
"Moody's Rating" means, at any time, the rating issued by Moody’s and then in effect with respect to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term public debt securities without third-party credit enhancement, it being understood that if the Borrower does not have such an indicative rating, an appropriate fallback will be determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower.
“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Nonrecourse Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness that finances the acquisition, development, ownership or operation of an asset in respect of which the Person to which such Indebtedness is owed has no recourse whatsoever to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates other than:
(i) recourse to the named obligor with respect to such Indebtedness (the “Debtor”) for amounts limited to the cash flow or net cash flow (other than historic cash flow) from the asset;
(ii) recourse to the Debtor for the purpose only of enabling amounts to be claimed in respect of such Indebtedness in an enforcement of any security interest or lien given by the Debtor over the asset or the income, cash flow or other proceeds deriving from the asset (or given by any shareholder or the like in the Debtor over its shares or like interest in the capital of the Debtor) to secure the Indebtedness, but only if the extent of the recourse to the Debtor is limited solely to the amount of any recoveries made on any such enforcement; and
(iii) recourse to the Debtor generally or indirectly to any Affiliate of the Debtor, under any form of assurance, undertaking or support, which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specified way) for a breach of an obligation (other than a payment obligation or an obligation to comply or to procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other tests of financial condition) by the Person against which such recourse is available.
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“Non-extending Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).
“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any debtor relief laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed or allowable claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations include (a) the obligation to pay principal, interest, Letter of Credit commissions, charges, expenses, fees, indemnities and other amounts payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in each case in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of the Borrower.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
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“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
“Patriot Act” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.16.
“Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).
“Payment Notice” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(f);
(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(g) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(h) Liens in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or in the ordinary course of business under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institution’s general terms and conditions;
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(i) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (other than fixed or capital assets) and proceeds thereof of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business so long as such Liens only cover the related goods; and
(k) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
“Permitted Obligations” mean (1) Hedging Obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable Person’s established risk management policies that are designed to protect such Person against, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates and which in the case of agreements relating to interest rates shall have a notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to the applicable obligations being hedged and (2) Commodity Trading Obligations.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
“Principal Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary, other than, except as provided in the proviso below, any Constellation Nuclear Entity, (i) the consolidated assets of which, as of the date of any determination thereof, constitute at least 10% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower or (ii) the consolidated earnings before taxes of which constitute at least 10% of the consolidated earnings before taxes of the Borrower for the most recently completed fiscal year; provided, that, regardless of whether Constellation Nuclear or any of its Subsidiaries is a consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower, (A) the Constellation Nuclear Entities shall be subject to being tested as Principal Subsidiaries under clauses (i) and (ii) above only at any time that the Borrower shall own, directly or indirectly through one or more other Subsidiaries, 51% or more of the outstanding capital stock (or other comparable interest) of Constellation Nuclear having ordinary voting power (irrespective of whether or not at the time capital stock, or comparable interests, of any other class or classes of such corporation or entity shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), and (B) the assets and earnings of Constellation Nuclear and its Subsidiaries shall be included in the computation of the 10% tests set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above, as applicable, only to the extent of the Borrower’s proportional Equity Interest in Constellation Nuclear.
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“Proceeding” means any claim, litigation, investigation, action, suit, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding in any jurisdiction.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Public-Sider” means a Lender whose representatives may trade in securities of the Borrower or its Controlling person or any of its Subsidiaries while in possession of the financial statements provided by the Borrower under the terms of this Agreement.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
“QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18.
“Rating Agency” means each of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch.
“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.
“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if the RFR for such Benchmark is Daily Simple SOFR, then four Business Days prior to such setting or (3) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
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“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Relevant Governmental Body” means, the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, as applicable, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.
“Relevant Rate” means (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or (ii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing, the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable.
“Replacement Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(c).
“Reportable Event” means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations issued under such Section with respect to a Single Employer Plan, excluding such events as to which the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that the PBGC be notified within 30 days after the occurrence of such event is waived under PBGC Regulation Section 4043, provided that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any such waivers in accordance with either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or Section 412(c) of the Code.
“Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20, (a) at any time prior to the earlier of the Loans becoming due and payable pursuant to Section 7.01 or the Commitments terminating or expiring, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 50% of the sum of the Total Revolving Credit Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time, provided that, solely for purposes of declaring the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Section 7.01, the Unfunded Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed to be zero; and (b) for all purposes after the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 7.01 or the Commitments expire or terminate, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures representing at least 50% of the Total Revolving Credit Exposure at such time; provided that, for the purpose of determining the Required Lenders needed for any waiver, amendment, modification or consent of or under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Lender that is the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower shall be disregarded
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Response Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).
“Responsible Officer” means the president, Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower.
“Reuters” means, as applicable, Thomson Reuters Corp., Refinitiv, or any successor thereto.
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“Revolving Borrowing” means Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its LC Exposure at such time.
“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.03.
“RFR Borrowing” means, as to any Borrowing, the RFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.
“RFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.
“S&P Rating” means, at any time, the rating issued by S&P and then in effect with respect to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term public debt securities without third-party credit enhancement, it being understood that if the Borrower does not have such an indicative rating, an appropriate fallback will be determined by Administrative Agent in consultation with Borrower.
“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).
“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority], (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), or (d) any Person otherwise the subject of any Sanctions.
“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United State of America.
“Securitization” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, sells, conveys, assigns, grants an interest in or otherwise transfers, from time to time, to one or more Securitization Vehicles the Securitization Assets (and/or grants a security interest in such Securitization Assets transferred or purported to be transferred to such Securitization Vehicle), and which Securitization Vehicle finances the acquisition of such Securitization Assets (i) with proceeds from the issuance of Third Party Securities, (ii) with the issuance to the Borrower or such Subsidiary of Sellers’ Retained Interests or an increase in such Sellers’ Retained Interests, or (iii) with proceeds from the sale or collection of Securitization Assets.
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“Securitization Assets” shall mean any accounts receivable originated or expected to be originated by (and owed to) the Borrower or any Subsidiary (in each case whether now existing or arising or acquired in the future) and any ancillary assets (including contract rights) which are of the type customarily conveyed with, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with, such accounts receivable in a securitization transaction and which are sold, transferred or otherwise conveyed by the Borrower or a Subsidiary to a Securitization Vehicle.
“Securitization Vehicle” shall mean a Person that is a direct wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary (a) formed for the purpose of effecting a Securitization, (b) to which the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary transfers Securitization Assets and (c) which, in connection therewith, issues Third Party Securities; provided that (i) such Securitization Vehicle shall engage in no business other than the purchase of Securitization Assets pursuant to the Securitization, the issuance of Third Party Securities or other funding of such Securitization and any activities reasonably related thereto.
“Sellers’ Retained Interests” means the debt and/or Equity Interests (including any intercompany notes) held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in a Securitization Vehicle to which Securitization Assets have been transferred in a Securitization, including any such debt or equity received as consideration for, or as a portion of, the purchase price for the Securitization Assets transferred, and any other instrument through which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has rights to or receives distributions in respect of any residual or excess interest in the Securitization Assets.
“Single Employer Plan” means a Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan maintained by the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group for employees of the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group.
“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“SOFR Determination Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“Spin Transaction” means (i) the transfer of the membership interests of the Borrower by Exelon Corporation (“Exelon”) to SpinCo and (ii) the pro rata distribution of the capital stock of SpinCo to the holders of Exelon’s common stock, at which point SpinCo will become a separate, independent publicly traded company.
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“SpinCo” means the new company established by Exelon in connection with the Spin Transaction and that as of the effective date of the Spin Transaction, will own, directly, 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Borrower.
“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled by the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term Benchmark” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate.
“Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
“Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
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“Test Period” means, for any date of determination under this Agreement, the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended as of such date of determination for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b).
“Third Party Securities” shall mean, with respect to any Securitization, notes, bonds or other debt instruments, beneficial interests in a trust, undivided ownership interests in receivables or other securities issued for cash consideration by the relevant Securitization Vehicle to banks, financing conduits, investors or other financing sources (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except in respect of the Sellers’ Retained Interest) the proceeds of which are used to finance, in whole or in part, the purchase by such Securitization Vehicle of Securitization Assets in a Securitization. The amount of any Third Party Securities shall be deemed to equal the aggregate principal, stated or invested amount of such Third Party Securities which are outstanding at such time.
“Total Revolving Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans at such time and (b) the total LC Exposure at such time.
“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Alternate Base Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.
“UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“Unfunded Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the Commitment of such Lender less its Revolving Credit Exposure.
“Unfunded Liabilities” means, (i) in the case of any Single Employer Plan, the amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested nonforfeitable benefits under such Plan exceeds the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent evaluation date for such Plan, and (ii) in the case of any Multiemployer Plan, the withdrawal liability that would be incurred by the Controlled Group if all members of the Controlled Group completely withdrew from such Multiemployer Plan.
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“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
Section 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Loan” or an “RFR Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Loan” or an “RFR Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Borrowing” or an “RFR Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing” or an “RFR Revolving Borrowing”).
Section 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law, rule or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
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Section 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to (i) any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) any treatment of Indebtedness under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 or 2015-03 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.04(a) or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“FAS 842”), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, such lease shall not be considered a capital lease, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.
Section 1.05. Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.14(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
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Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit available to be drawn at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Letter of Credit Agreement related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the available amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum amount is available to be drawn at such time.
Section 1.07. Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.
Article
2
The Credits
Section 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result (after giving effect to any application of proceeds of such Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.10) in such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.
Section 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans, as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing and/or RFR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e). Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of ten Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowings or RFR Borrowings outstanding.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
Section 2.03. Requests for Revolving Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by submitting a Borrowing Request (a)(i) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of an RFR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, five Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each such Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing, a Term Benchmark Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.
If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
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Section 2.04. Optional Increases in Commitments. The Borrower may, from time to time, by means of a letter delivered to the Administrative Agent substantially in the form of Exhibit G, request that the Commitments be increased by an aggregate amount (for all such increases) not exceeding $650,000,000 by (a) increasing the Commitments of one or more Lenders that have agreed to such increase (in their sole discretion) and/or (b) adding one or more commercial banks or other Persons as a party hereto (each an “Additional Lender”) with a Commitments in an amount agreed to by any such Additional Lender; provided that (i) any increase in the Commitments shall be in an aggregate amount of $25,000,000 or a higher integral multiple of $1,000,000; (ii) no Additional Lender shall be added as a party hereto without the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld) or if a Default or Event of Default exists; (iii) subject to Section 9.04(b), no such increase shall be effective without the written consent of the Issuing Banks (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and (iv) the Borrower may not request an increase in the Commitments unless the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent (with a copy for each Lender) a certificate (A) stating that any applicable governmental authority has approved such increase, (B) attaching evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of each such approval and (C) stating that the representations and warranties contained in Article III are correct on and as of the date of such certificate as though made on and as of such date and that no Default or Event of Default exists on such date. Any increase in the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall be effective three Business Days after the date on which the Administrative Agent has received and accepted the applicable increase letter in the form of Annex 1 to Exhibit G (in the case of an increase in the Commitments of an existing Lender) or assumption letter in the form of Annex 2 to Exhibit G (in the case of the addition of a commercial bank or other Person as a new Lender). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any increase in the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.04 and of the Commitments and Pro rata Commitment of each Lender after giving effect thereto. The Borrower shall prepay any Loans outstanding on the effective date of such increase (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 9.03) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Loans ratable among the Lenders in accordance with any revised Pro rata Commitments arising from any non-ratable increase in the Commitments under this Section 2.04; provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each increasing Lender and Additional Lender, as applicable, may make arrangements satisfactory to such parties to cause an increasing Lender or an Additional Lender to temporarily hold risk participations in the outstanding Loans of the other Lenders (rather than fund its Pro rata Commitment of all outstanding Loans concurrently with the applicable increase) with a view toward minimizing breakage costs and transfers of funds in connection with any increase in the Commitments To the extent that any increase pursuant to this Section 2.04 is not expressly authorized pursuant to resolutions or consents delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c), the Borrower shall, prior to the effectiveness of such increase, deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Borrower certifying and attaching the resolutions or consents that have been adopted to approve or consent to such increase.
Section 2.05. [Reserved].
Section 2.06. Letters of Credit.
(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period.
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(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the respective Issuing Bank) to an Issuing Bank selected by it and to the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension, but in any event no less than three Business Days) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition, as a condition to any such Letter of Credit issuance, the Borrower shall have entered into a continuing agreement (or other letter of credit agreement) for the issuance of letters of credit and/or shall submit a letter of credit application, in each case, as required by the respective Issuing Bank and using such Issuing Bank’s standard form (each, a “Letter of Credit Agreement”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension (i) (x) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank at such time plus (y) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements made by such Issuing Bank that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time shall not exceed its Letter of Credit Commitment, (ii) the LC Exposure shall not exceed the total Letter of Credit Commitments and (iii) no Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure shall exceed its Commitment. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank with the consent of such Issuing Bank; provided that the Borrower shall not reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank if, after giving effect of such reduction, the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above shall not be satisfied.
An Issuing Bank shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or require that such Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense that was not applicable on the Effective Date and that such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or
(ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally.
(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination by notice from the applicable Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration date thereof, one year after such extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
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(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason, including after the Maturity Date. Each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments.
(e) Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing, as applicable. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the respective Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the respective Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the respective Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their respective Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the respective Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse an Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
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(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by applicable law or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or electronic mail) of such demand for payment if such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the reimbursement is due and payable at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans and such interest shall be due and payable on the date when such reimbursement is payable; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
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(i) Replacement and Resignation of an Issuing Bank. (i) An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (y) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or extend or otherwise amend any existing Letter of Credit.
(ii) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such resigning Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i)(i) above.
(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account or accounts with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders (the “Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 105% of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in Section 7.01(h) and (i). Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing or paragraph (c) of this Section, if any LC Exposure remain outstanding after the expiration date specified in said paragraph (c), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to 105% of such LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed, together with related fees, costs and customary processing charges, and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, be applied to satisfy other Obligations. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
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(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Account of Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder supports any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the applicable Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of the Borrower and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
Section 2.07. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. Except in respect of the provisions of this Agreement covering the reimbursement of Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
Section 2.08. Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
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(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
(c) Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be deemed to have an Interest Period that is one month. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Revolving Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, (A) each Term Benchmark Borrowing and (B) each RFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
Section 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $10,000,000 and not less than $50,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, any Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed its Commitment.
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(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
Section 2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Indebtedness. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form.
Section 2.11. Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.
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(b) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or electronic mail) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of (1) a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (2) an RFR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, five Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and any break funding payments required by Section 2.16.
Section 2.12. Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the Commitment of such Lender (whether used or unused) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates; provided that, if such Lender continues to have any Revolving Credit Exposure after its Commitment terminates, then such facility fee shall continue to accrue on the daily amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure from and including the date on which its Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Revolving Credit Exposure. Facility fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable in arrears on the fifteenth day following such last day and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof; provided that any facility fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day and the last day of each period but excluding the date on which the Commitments terminate).
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in each outstanding Letter of Credit, which shall accrue on the daily maximum stated amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Revolving Loans, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the Borrower and such Issuing Bank on the daily maximum stated amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of such Issuing bank relating the Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the fifteenth day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
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(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in dollars in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of facility fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
Section 2.13. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.
(b) The Loans comprising each Term Benchmark Borrowing shall bear interest in the case of a Term Benchmark Revolving Loan, at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
(c) Each RFR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Rate.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
(e) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Term Benchmark Revolving Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(f) Interest computed by reference to the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days. Interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year). In each case interest shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All interest hereunder on any Loan shall be computed on a daily basis based upon the outstanding principal amount of such Loan as of the applicable date of determination. The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
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Section 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest. (a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.14, if:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Term SOFR Rate (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR; or
(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Request that requests a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above and (2) any Borrowing Request that requests an RFR Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.14(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above, on such day, and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each affected Class.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (f) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.14, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.14.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
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(f) Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.14, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan.
Section 2.15. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate) or Issuing Bank;
(ii) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the applicable offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or
(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
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(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 2.16. Break Funding Payments. (a) With respect to Loans that are not RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (iv) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(b) With respect to RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the failure to borrow or prepay any RFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (iii) the assignment of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
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Section 2.17. Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
(c) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(d) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to setoff and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
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(f) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
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(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
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Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g) [Reserved].
(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
(j) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.
Section 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment or prepayment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) in Dollars prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due or the date fixed for any prepayment hereunder, in immediately available funds, without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, except payments to be made directly to Issuing Banks as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
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(b) At any time that payments are not required to be applied in the manner required by Section 7.03, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received, prior to any date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks pursuant to the terms hereof or any other Loan Document (including any date that is fixed for prepayment by notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(b)), notice from the Borrower that the Borrower will not make such payment or prepayment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the NYFRB Rate.
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Section 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Banks), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that (A) an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and (B) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to an be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender; provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.
Section 2.20. Defaulting Lenders.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
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(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12;
(b) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 7.03 or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank hereunder; third, to cash collateralize LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Banks against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(c) the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided that this clause (c) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected thereby;
(d) if any LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
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(i) all or any part of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure to exceed its Commitment;
(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent prepay, cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Banks only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 7.02(c) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;
(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;
(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and
(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all facility fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Banks until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and
(e) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to a Lender Parent shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.
In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and each Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
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Section 2.21. Extension of Maturity Date. (a) The Borrower may, by delivering an Extension Request to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), not less than 60 days in advance of the Maturity Date in effect at such time (the “Existing Maturity Date”), request that the Lenders extend the Existing Maturity Date to the first anniversary of such Existing Maturity Date. Each Lender, acting in its sole discretion, shall, by written notice to the Administrative Agent given not later than the date that is the 20th day after the date of the Extension Request, or if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately following Business Day (the “Response Date”), advise the Administrative Agent in writing whether or not such Lender agrees to the requested extension. Each Lender that advises the Administrative Agent that it will not extend the Existing Maturity Date is referred to herein as a “Non-extending Lender”; provided, that any Lender that does not advise the Administrative Agent of its consent to such requested extension by the Response Date and any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender on the Response Date shall be deemed to be a Non-extending Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower, in writing, of the Lenders’ elections promptly following the Response Date. The election of any Lender to agree to such an extension shall not obligate any other Lender to so agree. The Maturity Date may be extended no more than two times pursuant to this Section 2.21.
(b) (i) If, by the Response Date, Lenders holding Commitments that aggregate 50% or more of the total Commitments shall constitute Non-extending Lenders, then the Existing Maturity Date shall not be extended and the outstanding principal balance of all Loans and other amounts payable hereunder shall be payable, and the Commitments shall terminate, on the Existing Maturity Date in effect prior to such extension.
(ii) If (and only if), by the Response Date, Lenders holding Commitments that aggregate more than 50% of the total Commitments shall have agreed to extend the Existing Maturity Date (each such consenting Lender, an “Extending Lender”), then effective as of the Existing Maturity Date, the Maturity Date for such Extending Lenders shall be extended to the first anniversary of the Existing Maturity Date (subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.21(d)). In the event of such extension, the Commitment of each Non-extending Lender shall terminate on the Existing Maturity Date in effect for such Non-extending Lender prior to such extension and the outstanding principal balance of all Loans and other amounts payable hereunder to such Non-extending Lender shall become due and payable on such Existing Maturity Date and, subject to Section 2.21(c) below, the total Commitments hereunder shall be reduced by the Commitments of the Non-extending Lenders so terminated on such Existing Maturity Date.
(c) In the event of any extension of the Existing Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.21(b)(ii), the Borrower shall have the right on or before the Existing Maturity Date, at its own expense, to require any Non-extending Lender to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04) all its interests, rights (other than its rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15, Section 2.16, Section 2.17 or Section 9.03 arising prior to the effectiveness of such assignment) and obligations under this Agreement to one or more banks or other financial institutions identified to the Non-extending Lender by the Borrower, which may include any existing Lender (each a “Replacement Lender”); provided that (i) such Replacement Lender, if not already a Lender hereunder, shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank (such approvals to not be unreasonably withheld) to the extent the consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks would be required to effect an assignment under Section 9.04(b), (ii) such assignment shall become effective as of a date specified by the Borrower (which shall not be later than the Existing Maturity Date in effect for such Non-extending Lender prior to the effective date of the requested extension) and (iii) the Replacement Lender shall pay to such Non-extending Lender in immediately available funds on the effective date of such assignment the principal of and interest accrued to the date of payment on the outstanding principal amount Loans made by it hereunder and all other amounts accrued and unpaid for its account or otherwise owed to it hereunder on such date.
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(d) As a condition precedent to each such extension of the Existing Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.21(b)(ii), the Borrower shall (i) deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Borrower dated as of the Existing Maturity Date signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, as of such date, both before and immediately after giving effect to such extension, (A) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct and (B) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) first make such prepayments of the outstanding Loans and second provide such cash collateral (or make such other arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) with respect to the outstanding Letters of Credit as shall be required such that, after giving effect to the termination of the Commitments of the Non-extending Lenders pursuant to Section 2.21(b) and any assignment pursuant to Section 2.21(c), the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure less the face amount of any Letter of Credit supported by any such cash collateral (or other satisfactory arrangements) so provided does not exceed the aggregate amount of Commitments being extended.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt, (i) no consent of any Lender (other than the existing Lenders participating in the extension of the Existing Maturity Date) shall be required for any extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to this Section 2.21 and (ii) the operation of this Section 2.21 in accordance with its terms is not an amendment subject to Section 9.02.
Article
3
Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
Section 3.01. Organization; Powers. The Borrower is a limited liability company (or after a transaction contemplated by Section 6.02(iii), a corporation) duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Section 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or the requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of the Borrower.
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Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect. (i) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 202[1] and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, certified by Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates and the consolidated results of the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the periods ended on such dates in accordance with GAAP; and (ii) since December 31, 202[1], there has been no Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.05. Reserved.
Section 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) Except as disclosed in the Borrower’s annual, quarterly or current Reports, each as delivered in connection with Section 5.01 and/or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivered to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date, there is no pending or threatened action, investigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that may reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending or threatened action or proceeding against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that purports to affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of this Agreement.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower (i) has not failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has not become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has not received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) has no knowledge of any basis for any Environmental Liability.
(c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The Borrower is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 3.08. Investment Company Status. The Borrower is not required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Section 3.09. Taxes. The Borrower has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.11. Beneficial Ownership. As of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.
Section 3.12. Regulation U. The Borrower is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Not more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is represented by Margin Stock.
Section 3.13. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and to the knowledge of the Borrower its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any of their respective directors or officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.
Section 3.14. Affected Financial Institutions. The Borrower is not an Affected Financial Institution.
Section 3.15. Reserved.
Section 3.16. Margin Regulations. The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit extension hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) will be Margin Stock.
Section 3.17. Reserved.
Section 3.18. Exchange Act. No proceeds of any Loan have been or will be used directly or indirectly in connection with the acquisition of in excess of 5% of any class of equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or any transaction subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act.
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Article 4
Conditions
Section 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party (which, subject to Section 9.06(b), may include any Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page).
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Ballard Spahr LLP, counsel for the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit D, and covering such other matters relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out of pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received the audited financial statements and the unaudited quarterly financial statements of the Borrower referred to in Section 5.01.
(g) (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrower requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the Effective Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).
(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request.
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(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of consummation of the Spin Transaction in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
(j) Administrative Agent shall have received evidence, that outstanding indebtedness under the (x) Credit Agreements among Administrative Agent, certain other parties thereto and (i) Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, (ii) Commonwealth Edison Company, (iii) Exelon Corporation, (iv) Exelon Generation Company and (v) PECO Energy Company, in each case dated as of March 23, 2011 and (y) Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2011, among Potomac Electric Power Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association shall be paid in full and the credit facilities extended in connection therewith shall be terminated.
Section 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement (excluding the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.04(a)(ii) and the first sentence of Section 3.06(a)) shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
Article
5
Affirmative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been irrevocably paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower and, in the case of Sections 5.03, 5.04, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07 and 5.08 the Principal Subsidiaries, covenant(s) and agree(s) with the Lenders that:
Section 5.01. Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, including their Public-Siders:
(a) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the Borrower’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such quarter (or, if the Borrower is not required to file a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, copies of an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statement of operations of the Borrower for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year ending on the last day of such quarter, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnotes and to year-end adjustments), together with a certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower stating that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any such Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
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(b) as soon as available and in any event within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such fiscal year (or, if the Borrower is not required to file an Annual Report on Form 10-K, the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of the last day of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity (if applicable) and cash flows of the Borrower for such fiscal year, certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other certified public accountants of recognized national standing), together with a certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower stating that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any such Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
(c) concurrently with the delivery of the quarterly and annual reports referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a compliance certificate in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit E, duly completed and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower;
(d) except as otherwise provided in clause (a) or (b) above, promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports that the Borrower sends to its security holders generally, and copies of all Reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K, and registration statements and prospectuses that the Borrower or any Subsidiary files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange (except to the extent that any such registration statement or prospectus relates solely to the issuance of securities pursuant to employee purchase, benefit or dividend reinvestment plans of the Borrower or a Subsidiary);
(e) promptly upon becoming aware of the institution of any steps by the Borrower or any other Person to terminate any Plan, or the failure to make a required contribution to any Plan if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a lien under section 430(k) of the Code, or the taking of any action with respect to a Plan which could result in the requirement that the Borrower furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such Plan, or the occurrence of any event with respect to any Plan which could result in the incurrence by the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group of any material liability, fine or penalty, notice thereof and a statement as to the action the Borrower or such member of the Controlled Group proposes to take with respect thereto;
(f) promptly after any Rating Agency shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change;
(g) promptly following any request therefor, (x) such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation; and
(h) such other information respecting the condition, operations or business, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, may from time to time reasonably request (including any information that any Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under any “know your customer” or anti-money laundering laws or regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation).
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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which such materials are publicly available as posted on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether made available by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (A) upon written request by the Administrative Agent (or any Lender through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or such Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (B) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such document to it and maintaining its copies of such documents.
Section 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:
(a) as soon as possible, and in any event within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Borrower continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of an authorized officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Default or Event of Default and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
(b) any change in the credit ratings from a credit rating agency, or the placement by a credit rating agency of the Borrower or its parent on a “CreditWatch” or “WatchList” or any similar list, in each case with negative implications, or the cessation by a credit rating agency of, or its intent to cease, rating the Borrower’s debt; and
(c) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification.
Each notice delivered under this Section (i) shall be in writing, (ii) shall contain a heading or a reference line that reads “Notice under Section 5.02 of Constellation Credit Agreement dated [ ], 2022” and (iii) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
Section 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.02.
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Section 5.04. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Principal Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
Section 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, at any reasonable time and from time to time, pursuant to prior notice delivered to the Borrower, permit any Lender, or any agent or representative of any thereof, to examine and, at such Lender’s expense, make copies of, and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, the Borrower and any Principal Subsidiary and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any Principal Subsidiary with any of their respective officers; provided that any non-public information (which has been identified as such by the Borrower or the applicable Principal Subsidiary) obtained by any Lender or any of its agents or representatives pursuant to this Section 5.06 shall be treated confidentially by such Person; provided, further, that such Person may disclose such information to (a) any other party to this Agreement, its examiners, Affiliates, outside auditors, counsel or other professional advisors in connection with this Agreement, (b) to any direct, indirect, actual or prospective counterparty (and its advisor) to any swap, derivative or securitization transaction related to the obligations under this Agreement, (c) to any credit insurance provider or (d) if otherwise required to do so by law or regulatory process (it being understood that, unless prevented from doing so by any applicable law or governmental authority, such Person shall use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any demand or request for any such information promptly upon receipt thereof so that the Borrower may seek a protective order or take other appropriate action).
Section 5.07. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only for general limited liability company or corporate purposes (including the making of acquisitions), but in no event for any purpose that would be contrary to Section 3.12, 3.13 or 3.18 4.01(h). No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulations T, U and X. The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
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Section 5.09. Accuracy of Information. The Borrower will ensure that any information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section.
Article
6
Negative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
Section 6.01. Liens. The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
(a) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlords’ repairmen’s, materialmen’s and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Liens on the capital stock of or any other Equity Interest in any Subsidiary to secure Nonrecourse Indebtedness;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges, levies, or fines (including such amounts arising under environmental law) on property of the Borrower if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without a material penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(d) Liens upon or in any property acquired in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such property or to secure any obligation incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such property;
(e) Liens existing on property at the time of the acquisition thereof (other than any such Lien created in contemplation of such acquisition unless permitted by the preceding clause (d));
(f) Liens granted in connection with any financing arrangement for the purchase of nuclear fuel or the financing of pollution control facilities, limited to the fuel or facilities so purchased or acquired;
(g) Liens arising in connection with sales or transfers of, or financing secured by, accounts receivable or related contracts, provided that any such sale, transfer or financing shall be on arms’ length terms;
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(h) Liens securing Permitted Obligations and reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued to support Permitted Obligations (for the avoidance of doubt, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) program and any other similar agreement or arrangement, including with any Independent System Operator or Regional Transmission Organization, are permitted under this clause (i));
(i) Permitted Encumbrances;
(j) Liens arising in connection with sale and leaseback transactions entered into by the Borrower, but only to the extent that the aggregate purchase price of all assets sold by the Borrower during the term of this Agreement pursuant to such sale and leaseback transactions does not exceed $1,000,000,000;
(k) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, compensation arrangements, supplemental retirement plans arising out of pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, compensation arrangements, supplemental retirement plans or other social security or similar legislation;
(l) Liens constituting attachment, judgment and other similar Liens arising in connection with court proceedings to the extent not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(f);
(m) Liens created in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers and Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof (whether accrued or not), rights or claims against an insurer or other similar asset securing insurance premium financings;
(n) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Liens in the nature of rights of setoff, bankers’ liens, revocation, refund, chargeback, counterclaim, netting of cash amounts or similar rights as to deposit accounts, commodity accounts or securities accounts or other funds maintained with a credit or depository institution;
(p) Liens consisting of pledges of industrial development, pollution control or similar revenue bonds in connection with the remarketing of such bonds;
(q) Liens created under Section 2.20 and similar cash collateralization obligations relating to defaulting lenders and remedies upon default;
(r) Liens resulting from any restriction on any Equity Interest (or project interest, interests in any energy facility (including undivided interests)) of a Person providing for a breach, termination or default under any owners, participation, shared facility, joint venture, stockholder, membership, limited liability company or partnership agreement between such Person and one or more other holders of Equity Interest (or project interest, interests in any energy facility (including undivided interests)) of such Person, to the extent a security interest or other Lien is created on any such interest as a result thereof;;
(s) Liens granted on cash or cash equivalents to defease or repay Indebtedness of the Borrower no later than 60 days after the creation of such Lien;
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(t) Liens created in connection with sales, transfers, leases, assignment or other conveyances or Dispositions of assets, including (A) Liens on assets or securities granted or deemed to arise in connection with and as a result of the execution, delivery or performance of contracts to purchase or sell such assets or securities, and (B) rights of first refusal, options or other contractual rights or obligations to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any interest therein; and
(u) Liens, other than those described above in this Section 6.01, provided that the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by this clause (v) shall not exceed in the aggregate at any one time outstanding $100,000,000.
Section 6.02. Fundamental Changes; Mergers and Consolidations; Disposition of Assets. Merge with or into or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any Person or permit any Principal Subsidiary to do so, except that (i) any Principal Subsidiary may merge with or into or consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Principal Subsidiary, (ii) any Principal Subsidiary may merge with or into or consolidate with or transfer assets to the Borrower, (iii) the Borrower may merge or consolidate with or into a Subsidiary thereof formed for the purpose of converting the Borrower into a corporation and (iv) the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary may merge with or into or consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Person; provided that, in each case, (A) immediately before and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (except in the case where any Principal Subsidiary may merge with or into or consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Principal Subsidiary), (B) in the case of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets to which the Borrower is a party, either (x) the Borrower shall be the surviving entity or (y) the surviving entity shall be an Eligible Successor and shall have assumed all of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the Letters of Credit pursuant to a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to it as to the enforceability of such obligations assumed, and (C) subject to clause (B) above, in the case of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets to which any Principal Subsidiary is a party, a Principal Subsidiary shall be the surviving entity or transferee (as applicable).
Section 6.03. Continuation of Businesses. Engage, or permit any Subsidiary to engage, in any line of business which is material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than businesses engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and reasonable extensions thereof.
Section 6.04. Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.04 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition) and (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder.
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Section 6.05. Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Test Period to exceed 3.50:1.00.
Article
7
Events of Default
Section 7.01. Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
(a) The Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable, (ii) any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement within one Business Day after the same becomes due and payable or (iii) any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder within three Business Days after the same becomes due and payable;
(b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower herein or by the Borrower (or any of its officers) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made;
(c) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect to Borrower’s existence) or 5.08 or (ii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on its part to be performed or observed if the failure to perform or observe such other term, covenant or agreement shall remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be given by the Administrative Agent at the written request of any Lender);
(d) The Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in a principal amount in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Indebtedness hereunder and Nonrecourse Indebtedness) when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof, other than any acceleration of any Indebtedness secured by equipment leases or fuel leases of the Borrower or a Principal Subsidiary as a result of the occurrence of any event requiring a prepayment (whether or not characterized as such) thereunder, which prepayment will not result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) The Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary shall take any corporate or limited liability company action to authorize or to consent to any of the actions set forth above in this Section 7.01(e);
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(f) One or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $100,000,000 (excluding any such judgments or orders to the extent covered by insurance, subject to any customary deductible, and under which the applicable insurance carrier has not denied coverage) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;
(g) (i) Any Reportable Event that the Required Lenders determine in good faith is reasonably likely to result in the termination of any Single Employer Plan or in the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer a Single Employer Plan shall have occurred and be continuing 60 days after written notice to such effect shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent; (ii) any Single Employer Plan shall be terminated; (iii) a Trustee shall be appointed by an appropriate United States District Court to administer any Single Employer Plan; (iv) the PBGC shall institute proceedings to terminate any Single Employer Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Single Employer Plan; or (v) the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan; provided that on the date of any event described in clauses (i) through (v) above, the Unfunded Liabilities of the applicable Plan exceed $100,000,000;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(j) Spinco shall fail to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens, 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower;
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(k) any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Borrower or any other Person contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or the Borrower denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports in writing to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or
(l) a Change in Control shall have occurred.
Section 7.02. Remedies Upon an Event of Default. If an Event of Default occurs (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:
(a) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately;
(b) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower;
(c) require that the Borrower provide cash collateral as required in Section 2.06(j); and
(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks under the Loan Documents and Applicable Law.
If an Event of Default described in Sections 7.01(h) or (i) occurs with respect to the Borrower, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document including any break funding payment or prepayment premium, shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to cash collateralize the LC Exposure as provided in clause (c) above shall automatically become effective, in each case, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
Section 7.03. Application of Payments. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, and notice thereof to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or the Required Lenders:
(a) all payments received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to Section 2.20, be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows:
(i) first, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts payable to the Administrative Agent (including fees and disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Administrative Agent payable under Section 9.03 and amounts pursuant to Section 2.12(c) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such);
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(ii) second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, expenses, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, reimbursement obligations in respect of LC Disbursements, interest and Letter of Credit fees) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including fees and disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks payable under Section 9.03) arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (ii) payable to them;
(iii) third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit fees and charges and interest on the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (iii) payable to them;
(iv) fourth, (A) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements and (B) to cash collateralize that portion of LC Exposure comprising the undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise cash collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.06 or 2.20, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (iv) payable to them; provided that (x) any such amounts applied pursuant to subclause (B) above shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the applicable Issuing Banks to cash collateralize Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, (y) subject to Section 2.06 or 2.20, amounts used to cash collateralize the aggregate amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to this clause (iv) shall be used to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur and (z) upon the expiration of any Letter of Credit (without any pending drawings), the pro rata Commitment of cash collateral shall be distributed to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth in this Section 7.03;
(v) fifth, to the payment in full of all other Obligations, in each case ratably among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks based upon the respective aggregate amounts of all such Obligations owing to them in accordance with the respective amounts thereof then due and payable; and
(vi) finally, the balance, if any, after all Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law; and
(b) if any amount remains on deposit as cash collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired (without any pending drawings), such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
Article
8
The Administrative Agent
Section 8.01. Authorization and Action. (a) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and each Issuing Bank authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.
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(b) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and each Issuing Bank; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Banks with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(c) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby;
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(ii) [Reserved];
(iii) [Reserved]; and
(iv) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account;
(d) The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.
(e) None of any Co-Documentation Agents or Arranger shall have obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.
(f) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.
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(g) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrower’s rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, none of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions.
Section 8.02. Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc. (a) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (i) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 5.02 unless and until written notice thereof stating that it is a “notice under Section 5.02” in respect of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, or (ii) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of Default” or a “notice of an Event of Default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. Further, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (D) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (E) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article 4 or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any Liabilities, costs or expenses suffered by the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Lender or any Issuing Bank as a result of, any determination of the Revolving Credit Exposure, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or Issuing Bank.
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(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).
Section 8.03. Posting of Communications. (a) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks by posting the Communications on IntraLinks™, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”).
(b) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.
(c) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON- INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, ANY CO-DOCUMENTATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.
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“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.
(d) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.
(e) Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.
(f) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
Section 8.04. The Administrative Agent Individually. With respect to its Commitment, Loans, Letter of Credit Commitments and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The terms “Issuing Banks”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks.
Section 8.05. Successor Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. Such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.
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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and each Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
Section 8.06. Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Banks. (a) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or Issuing Bank, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument (and each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Co-Documentation Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Co-Documentation Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
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(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.
(c) (i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 8.06(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(ii) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.
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(iii) The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party.
(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.06(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.
Section 8.07. [Reserved].
Section 8.08. [Reserved].
Section 8.09. Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
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(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, or any Arranger, any Co-Documentation Agent or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto).
(c) The Administrative Agent, each Arranger and each Co-Documentation Agent hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
Article
9
Miscellaneous
Section 9.01. Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, to it at 10 S. Dearborn, 54th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, facsimile: 312-394-5443;
(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to _______________________________;
(iii) if to an Issuing Bank, to it at (A) in the case of ____________________, [ ], Attention of [ ] (Telecopy No. [ ]) and (B) in the case of [_________], [ ], Attention of [ ] (Telecopy No. [ ]); and
(iv) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
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Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Approved Electronic Platforms, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
(b) Notices and other communications to the Borrower, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Approved Electronic Platforms pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
(d) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
Section 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
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(b) Subject to Section 2.14(b) and (c) and Section 9.02(c) below, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.09(c) or 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change the payment waterfall provisions of Section 2.20(b) or 7.03 without the written consent of each Lender, or (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be; and provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.06 without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks.
(c) If the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
Section 9.03. Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity, Etc.
(a) Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) Limitation of Liability. To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Co-Documentation Agent, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), and (ii) no party hereto shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this Section 9.03(b) shall relieve the Borrower of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 9.03(c), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.
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(c) Indemnity. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Co-Documentation Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iv) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (v) any actual or prospective Proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such Proceeding is brought by the Borrower or its equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such Liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. This Section 9.03(c) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
(d) Lender Reimbursement. Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by the Borrower under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.03 to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Agent-Related Person”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentage in effect on the date on which such payment is sought under this Section (or, if such payment is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date), and agrees to indemnify and hold each Agent-Related Person harmless from and against any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent-Related Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or Liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in its capacity as such; provided further that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such Liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Agent-Related Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
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(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 9.03 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
Section 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A) the Borrower; provided that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment of all or a portion of the Revolving Loans and Commitments unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;
(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) with a Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment; and
(C) each Issuing Bank.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
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(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its related parties or its securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (d) the Borrower or any of its Affiliates; provided that, with respect to clause (c), such company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided, further, that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Person (other than a Lender) shall be an Ineligible Institution if after giving effect to any proposed assignment to such Person, such Person would hold more than 25% of the then outstanding Total Revolving Credit Exposure or Commitments, as the case may be.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
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(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Error! Reference source not found. 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(d), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Sections 2.17(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
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(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
Section 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article 8 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
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Section 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. (a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the reductions of the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 9.01), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrower, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.
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Section 9.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to setoff and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held, and other obligations at any time owing, by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Bank or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so setoff shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
Section 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
(b) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Lender relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
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(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Federal (to the extent permitted by law) or New York State court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(d) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(e) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 9.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
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Section 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of identification numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (ii) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (iii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Section 9.13. Material Non-Public Information. (a) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN Section 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
(b) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR ITS SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
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Section 9.14. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
Section 9.15. No Fiduciary Duty, etc. (a) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrower or any other person. The Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. The Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated herein or in the other Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrower with respect thereto.
(b) The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Borrower and other companies with which the Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.
(c) In addition, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. The Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to the Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.
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Section 9.16. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.
Section 9.17. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
Section 9.18. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
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Section 9.19. Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
[CONSTELLATION GENERATION], | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[OTHER BANKS], | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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SCHEDULE 2.01A
Commitments
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SCHEDULE 2.01C
Letter of Credit Commitments
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SCHEDULE 3.06
Disclosed Matters
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SCHEDULE 6.01
Existing Liens
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SCHEDULE 6.04
Existing Restrictions
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Exhibit 99.1
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED DECEMBER 15, 2021
CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORPORATION
Information Statement
Distribution of Common Stock of
Constellation Energy Corporation
by
EXELON CORPORATION
to
EXELON CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS
This information statement is being sent to you in connection with the separation of Constellation Energy Corporation (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”) from Exelon Corporation (“Exelon”). As a result of the separation, Exelon’s competitive power generation and customer-facing energy businesses conducted through Exelon Generation Company, LLC (“Generation”) and its subsidiaries will be owned by the Company, which will be an independent, publicly-traded company. Exelon will complete the separation by distributing all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (“Company common stock” or “our common stock”), on a pro rata basis to the holders (“Exelon shareholders”) of Exelon’s common stock. We refer to this pro rata distribution as the “distribution,” and we refer to the separation as the “separation”.
Each Exelon shareholder will receive one share of our common stock for every three shares of Exelon common stock held by such shareholder on , 2022, the record date. Exelon will not distribute any fractional shares of Company common stock. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the separation. The distribution of shares will be made in book-entry form only. The distribution will be effective as of 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, on , 2022. Immediately after the distribution becomes effective, the Company will be an independent, publicly-traded company.
We expect that the distribution will be tax-free to Exelon shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional shares. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.
No vote or other action of Exelon shareholders is required in connection with the separation. We are not asking you for a proxy, and Exelon requests that you do not send Exelon a proxy. Exelon shareholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the shares of Company common stock they receive in the distribution, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange their shares of Exelon common stock or to take any other action in connection with the separation.
All outstanding shares of the Company common stock are currently owned by Exelon. Accordingly, there is no current trading market for the Company common stock. We anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop shortly before the record date, and that “regular-way” trading in shares of the Company common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell the Company common stock up to and including the distribution date, in which case your transaction will settle within two trading days after regular-way trading commences following the distribution. We intend to list the Company common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “CEG.” As discussed below under “Trading Market,” if you sell your Exelon common stock in the “regular-way” market before the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of the Company common stock in connection with the distribution. However, if you sell your Exelon common stock in the “ex-distribution” market before the distribution date, you will still receive shares of the Company common stock in the distribution.
In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this information statement.
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This information statement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.
The date of this information statement is , 2022.
A Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials containing instructions describing how to access this information statement was first mailed to Exelon shareholders on or about , 2022.
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Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” refer to Constellation Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references herein to “Exelon” refer to Exelon Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the completion of the separation.
Each of the Company’s and Exelon’s affiliated operations is owned and operated by a separate subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. References herein to the consolidated “Company,” “Exelon,” “Parent” or “its” or “our” assets and activities are not meant to imply, nor should they be construed as meaning, that the Company or Exelon has any direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the subsidiaries are operated by the Company or Exelon.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all information in this information statement gives effect to the effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, the forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
This information statement includes certain historical consolidated financial and other data for Generation and its subsidiaries. Constellation Energy Corporation will become the parent of Generation immediately prior to the separation. Constellation Energy Corporation is the registrant under the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part and will be the financial reporting entity following the consummation of the separation. Generation is presently, and will continue to be, a financial reporting entity following the separation.
This information statement also includes an unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2021 and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, which present our consolidated financial position and results of operations after giving effect to the separation and distribution, and the other transactions described under “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.” The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the relevant transactions had been consummated on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of future operating results.
You should read the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and the financial and other information, including in the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Capitalization” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in each case included elsewhere in this information statement.
Constellation Energy Corporation was formed on June 15, 2021 in connection with the separation transaction and has engaged in no activity other than incidental to the separation. As of June 15, 2021, it had no assets or liabilities. In connection with the separation transaction, Constellation Energy Corporation. will become the parent of Generation and its subsidiaries, which will constitute all of its assets and business operations.
This information statement contains estimates and projections regarding market and industry data that were obtained from internal Company estimates as well as third-party sources, such as market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information and industry publications and surveys. We believe the information provided or made available by these third-party sources is generally reliable. However, market data is subject to change and cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data-gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey, interpretation or presentation of market data and management’s estimates and projections. In addition, projections are often wrong. As a result, you should be aware that market data set forth herein, and estimates, projections and beliefs based on that data presented herein, may not be reliable. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein, and we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Unless identified as a third-party source, market data is based on internal company estimates and data. Similarly, internal company estimates, which we believe to be reliable, are based upon management’s knowledge of the industry as of the date of those estimates and have not been verified by any independent sources. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information and you should not place undue reliance on that information when making your investment decision.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This information statement and other materials Exelon and we have filed or will file with the SEC (and oral communications that Exelon and we may make) contain or incorporate by reference statements that relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute forward-looking statements under the securities laws. Forward-looking statements include those statements containing words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words with similar meaning. All statements that reflect Exelon’s or our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements and guidance regarding future financial results or operating performance; and statements about Exelon’s or our strategies, outlook, business and financial prospects. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although each of Exelon and we believe that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements it makes are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include the following:
· | deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally; |
· | unfavorable changes in the markets served by Exelon and us; |
· | competition from disruptive technologies, industry consolidation or other developments; |
· | the loss of key customers or significant changes in the business or financial condition of customers; |
· | political, economic, and regulatory risks relating to Exelon’s and our operations; |
· | acts of war, terrorism or civil unrest; |
· | pandemics or other public health crises, and adverse changes in economic and market conditions related to such pandemics or other health crises; |
· | a material disruption of our operations, particularly at one or more of our nuclear generating facilities; |
· | the inability to achieve the level of revenue growth, cash generation, cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated or targeted; |
· | the impact of potential cyber-attacks and information technology or data security breaches; |
· | the inability to develop innovative new products or implement technology initiatives successfully; |
· | adverse changes in discount rates or investment returns on pension assets; |
· | Exelon’s and our inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from acquisitions, divestitures, facility closures, curtailments, expansions or joint ventures; |
· | a significant downturn in the business or financial condition of a significant supplier; |
· | the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental compliance and remediation, which can expose Exelon and us to substantial costs and liabilities; |
· | the expected benefits and timing of the separation, and uncertainties regarding the planned separation, including the risk that conditions to the separation will not be satisfied and that it will not be completed pursuant to the targeted timing, asset perimeters, and other anticipated terms, if at all; |
· | the impact of the separation on Exelon’s businesses; |
· | a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions; |
· | the possibility that any consents or approvals required in connection with the separation will not be received or obtained within the expected time frame, on the expected terms or at all; |
· | the risk that dis-synergy costs, costs of restructuring transactions and other costs incurred in connection with the separation will exceed our estimates; and |
· | the impact of the separation on our businesses and the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on Exelon’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, and disruption of our ongoing business, and impact our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties. |
There can be no assurance that the distribution and separation will in fact be consummated in the manner described or at all. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under “Risk Factors” in this information statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and each of Exelon and we assume no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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This summary highlights information contained in this information statement and provides an overview of the Company, our separation from Exelon and the distribution of our common stock by Exelon to its shareholders. For a more complete understanding of our business and the separation, you should read this entire information statement carefully, particularly the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this information statement.
Our Business
Our Company is America’s leading clean energy company, based on the production of carbon-free electricity. We are the largest supplier of clean energy and sustainable solutions to homes, businesses, public sector, community aggregations and a range of wholesale customers (such as municipalities, cooperatives and other strategics) across the continental U.S., backed by approximately 33,000 megawatts of generating capacity consisting of nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas and hydro assets. In 2020, the Company produced nearly 12% of the nation’s carbon-free energy (based solely on generation output of electricity) according to published reports on energy delivery by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, making it an important partner to businesses and state and local governments that are setting ambitious carbon-reduction goals and seeking long-term solutions to the climate crisis.
The Company is comprised of two primary business units: Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. and Exelon Generation Company, LLC. The combined Company operates in 48 states, Canada and the U.K. and employs approximately 12,500 people.
We believe shareholder value is built on a foundation of operational excellence and the pairing of our customer facing platform with our clean energy fleet. We are focused on optimizing cash returns through a disciplined approach to cost management and efficient operations, underpinned by stable and durable margins from our customer-facing business coupled with generation payments associated with our clean energy attributes. We are committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings, to returning value to our shareholders (subject to approval by our Board of Directors) and to investing in clean energy solutions.
Our Operations
Customer-Facing Business: Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
Constellation is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative energy suppliers, serving diverse customers of all sizes across the U.S. through operations focused around power supply, gas supply and energy solutions. Constellation is active in all domestic wholesale power and gas markets spanning most of the lower 48 states and has complementary retail activity across many of those states.
Constellation Retail Has a Diverse Geographic Footprint
Power Supply. Constellation is a leader in power supply, supplying 215 TWhs annually to a customer base including utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, commercial and industrial entities, residences, and public sector entities. Its customer base includes three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. It is the largest retail commercial and industrial power provider and the third largest residential power provider in the U.S., supplying approximately 145 TWh to business and public sector customers and approximately 10 TWh to residential customers.
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Constellation’s wholesale channel-to-market serves approximately 60 TWh of power load across competitive utility load procurements and bilateral sales to municipalities, coops, banks, and other wholesale entities. Complementary to its national portfolio, Constellation has several decades of relationships with wholesale counterparties across all domestic power markets as a means of both monetizing its own generation, as well as sourcing contracted generation to meet customer and portfolio needs. With the increased trend toward customer demand for sustainability, this ability to source contracted generation has provided a capital-light way for the Company to provide customers with the renewable products they are demanding to support a cleaner energy ecosystem.
Gas Supply. Constellation is also leader in gas supply, serving 1,600 Bcf of gas annually to a wide range of customers across many sectors, including manufacturing, services, public sector, transportation, and utilities. We have strong capabilities across the entire natural gas value chain, which allows us to optimize our portfolio to provide both low cost and customized solutions to our customers. Similarly, the scope of our natural gas business provides us wide geographic coverage across all domestic natural gas markets.
Customer Acquisition and Retention: Constellation primarily serves commercial and industrial (“C&I”) customers across the U.S. These strong, proven customer relationships are a key part of our customer-facing business strategy. High customer satisfaction levels, market expertise, stability and scale drive growth and result in historically-proven business consistency and margins. Customer retention rates have been strong over the last five years across C&I power customer groups, with power C&I renewal rates of 74-79% and an average contract term of 25 months and customer duration of more than six years and with gas C&I retention rates of 90-92%. Constellation is also successful at acquiring new customers by offering a variety of innovative services and products, meeting customers where they are in the buying cycle. While providing customers with the best possible price is a key focus, Constellation leverages its broad suite of electric and gas product structures, oftentimes customized, to provide its customers with the commodity solution that best fits their needs. Future growth will be primarily driven from new and growing digital channels with a focus on innovative products aimed at clean energy solutions.
Constellation is Defined by Consistent Load, Enabling Strong Cash Flows(a)
a) | Reflects retail load and wholesale load auction volumes as of December 31, 2020. |
Energy Solutions. Constellation benefits from significant economies of scale that allow it to structure highly tailored solutions targeted to a customer’s unique power needs and clean energy goals. Constellation is a leader in enabling a clean energy future for its customers through a suite of products and services, beyond power and natural gas, that can be integrated into existing commodity purchasing strategies. Our customer solutions include specialty power and gas products matching customers’ risk tolerance and risk management needs, energy efficiency, carbon free products, energy usage and management solutions, among others. Constellation partners with its customers to provide options along the sustainability continuum, with a focus on renewable, efficiency and technology applications to meet their carbon free energy goals.
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Generation
Generation operates the largest zero-carbon fleet in the nation and one of the largest generating fleets in the country.
Generation’s nuclear fleet has current generating capacity of approximately 19 gigawatts and produced 150 TWh (net ownership) of zero-emissions electricity last year – enough to power 13.6 million homes and avoid more than 78 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Generation consistently operates at best in class levels. In 2020, Generation recorded a capacity factor of 95.4%, second only to 2019 performance in fleet history, and an average refueling outage duration of 22 days, 11 days better than the industry average. Generation has ownership interests in thirteen nuclear generating stations currently in service, consisting of 23 units. Generation will continue to be a leading advocate for clean energy policies aimed at preserving and growing clean energy to combat the climate crisis.
Generation also operates more than 12 gigawatts of natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, wind, and solar generation assets, which provide a mix of baseload, intermediate, and peak power generation. Our fossil and renewable fleet has similarly demonstrated a track record of strong performance with a 98.4% power dispatch match1 and 93.4% renewables energy capture. 2
Collectively, the combined fleet is nearly 90% carbon-free (based on generation output of electricity) and represents the fourth largest generation portfolio in the U.S. in terms of total generation with meaningful geographic diversity.
The charts below illustrate our supply source as of December 31, 2020:
Supply Source(a)(b)
Generation Output | ||||||||
GWh | % | |||||||
Nuclear | 175,085 | 62.2 | % | |||||
Fossil (primarily natural gas and oil) | 19,501 | 6.9 | % | |||||
Renewable | 7,052 | 2.5 | % | |||||
Purchased Power | 79,972 | 28.4 | % | |||||
Total | 281,610 | 100 | % |
a) | Nuclear includes the proportionate share of output where Generation has an undivided ownership interest in jointly owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated. | |
b) | Renewable includes wind, hydroelectric, solar, and biomass generating assets. |
Constellation employs an integrated, ratable hedging strategy to manage commodity price volatility in energy gross margins over time. The generation portfolio has operated under a risk-mitigated ratable hedging strategy for more than a decade in which the prompt three years are hedged on an approximate rolling 90% / 60% / 30% basis – enabling cash flow stability while allowing commercial opportunities to generate value for the enterprise.
1 Dispatch match is used to measure the responsiveness of a unit to the market and is expressed as the actual energy revenue net fuel relative to the revenue net fuel when the unit is dispatched by the RTO or Constellation. Unit dispatch match is calculated as follows: (Actual Generation * (Locational Marginal Price – Generation Cost) / (Desired Generation * (Locational Marginal Price - Generation Cost). Locational marginal price represents the hourly market price per MW of energy at the bus closest to the unit. Desired generation equals the MWs the units is asked to run by either Constellation or the RTO. Generation costs represent the full load operating costs, including fuel and variable O&M.
2 Energy capture is an indicator of how efficiently the installed assets capture the natural energy available from the wind and the sun. Energy capture represents an energy-based fraction, the numerator of which is the energy produced by the sum of the wind turbines/ solar panels in the year, and the denominator of which is the total expected energy to be produced during the year. Energy capture for the combined wind and solar fleet is weighted by the relative site projected pre-tax variable revenue, with deductions made for certain events that are non-controllable, such as force majeure events and transmission curtailments.
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Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we are well-positioned to execute our business strategy and create superior value for stakeholders based on the following competitive strengths:
· | We are positioned to help address the climate crisis and lead to a clean energy future |
As a Company, we are committed to a clean energy future, and we believe our generation fleet is essential to helping meet clean energy policy and targets, at the state and national level. Approximately 90% of our generation fleet is emissions free (based on generation output). We do not own coal-fired generation. According to the July 2021 Benchmarking Air Emission report, our Company produces approximately 65% more clean energy than the next leading provider. Our fleet has the lowest emissions intensity – nearly five times less intensive than the next lowest generator.
Our Company is the Largest Producer of Clean Electricity in the U.S.(a)
a) | Source: Benchmarking Air Emissions, July 2021, published by M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC. Reflects 2019 regulated and non-regulated generation. Number in parentheses is the company’s generation ranking in that year. |
Our generation fleet is essential to meeting federal and state clean energy goals. Generation produced 12% of the zero-carbon energy nationwide and even more in several states in which we operate – 95% in Maryland, 82% in Illinois, 38% in Pennsylvania and 33% in New York. Each of these states has set decarbonization and clean energy targets. Losing any of our clean assets in these states would be a significant step backward for achieving clean energy or climate goals while also creating higher costs for customers and significant economic hardship for our plant communities.
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Generation Plays a Central Role in Enabling States’ Respective Clean Energy Goals(a)(b)
a) | Source: 2020 U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Assumes whole unit output of CENG generation in 2020. Does not adjust for announced retirement by another operator of the Indian Point 3 nuclear unit in New York. Renewables include hydroelectric, solar, and wind generation and exclude biomass. Reflects clean energy goals as outlined in the state’s existing law or goal established by the state Governor. | |
b) | Generation owns an 82% undivided ownership interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2. | |
· | Industry-leading customer-facing business providing sustainability solutions for our customers |
Geographic scale, diversity, customer-tailored product offerings and services, and high customer satisfaction underpin our robust customer-facing platform and enable us to partner with customers to solve their emerging needs on their clean energy goals in a differentiated way.
Constellation is the largest customer facing platform in the U.S., which we view as a source of considerable competitive advantage. Our industry-leading national platform not only allows us to capture operational efficiencies for more effective integration of new customers and acquisitions, but also allows for a scalable go-to-market approach. This enables rapid deployment of new energy services and products and innovative energy technology applications that are responsive to marketplace trends and demands, improving our position for growth.
Constellation’s heavy customer concentration in the C&I retail space, coupled with high customer satisfaction, further differentiates the business within the competitive landscape in its ability to provide repeatable, derisked value to the shareholder. Customer concentration in C&I enables more predictable load and stable unit margins, lower customer acquisition costs, and insulation from weather driven volatility. Cash flows are further maximized by high customer satisfaction levels resulting in business consistency, stable unit economics, and high customer win and renewal rates.
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Constellation Benefits from Strong Customer Relationships, with Leading C&I Renewal Rates
· | Best-in-class nuclear operations |
Our world class operations result in industry-leading operating performance at our generation facilities. Our generation fleet has achieved an industry-leading nuclear capacity factor of approximately 94% or higher since 2013 -- four percentage points better than the 2020 industry average of approximately 90%. Our 2020 average refueling outage duration was 22 days -- 11 days better than the industry average.
· | Disciplined financial management focused on strong balance sheet and optimizing cash returns |
Our commitment to investment grade credit ratings remains paramount as we prioritize capital allocation to support a strong balance sheet, invest in both clean energy solutions and our customer-facing businesses, enable customer growth and return value to shareholders.
We view a strong balance sheet as a competitive strength in managing through periods of commodity price volatility with heightened agility. We are focused on allocating available cash flow to manage leverage to meet investment grade targets with incremental cash flows allocated to investing in both clean energy solutions and our customer-facing business and returning capital to shareholders. We believe a strong balance sheet and robust cash flow generation, combined with our current presence and scale in diverse markets, will position us favorably in pursuit of value-enhancing growth opportunities.
With high customer satisfaction, strong customer renewal and retention and best-in-class operating expertise, we are well-positioned to deliver strong cash flows. To further support cash flow, we will continue to focus on operational efficiencies and cost management while ensuring the safety and reliability of our operations. In addition, our integrated and ratable hedging activities serve to manage commodity price volatility in energy gross margins over time.
· | Committed to supporting all stakeholders through a strong commitment to environmental, social and governance practices |
We are committed to the highest standards of corporate governance to help us achieve our performance goals and to maintain the trust and confidence of our shareholders, employees, customers, regulators and other stakeholders. Environmental, Social and Governance principles have been at the core of our business since its original founding and will continue to be core to the Company.
We will continue to support our diverse employees, customers, communities and business partners, ensuring all are able to fully and equitably participate in social, environmental and economic progress. We will maintain the highest standards of corporate governance, operating responsibly and transparently with a continued focus on board refreshment and diversity.
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Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to maximize value for all of our stakeholders through a particular emphasis on:
Focus on cash returns, business optimization, repeatable customer revenues, and capital allocation.
We run our business with a focus on producing strong, robust cash flows in order to sustain our operations, maintain our investment grade credit targets, and fund shareholder return and growth opportunities. We remain focused on operating efficiency and cost management, while ensuring safety and operational excellence, to support stability in free cash flow generation.
We aim to achieve growth in cash flows from our customer facing business by increasing volumes and driving margin improvement across all channels to market. Increasing volumes are expected to come from organic and acquisitive customer growth, both in commodity offerings as well as reaching previously inaccessible customers through non-commodity energy services and solutions. Increasing margins are expected to come from value-add products, services, and analytics coupled with existing offerings. We can leverage our existing platform to achieve economies of scale benefits on incremental volumes, leading to higher overall margins per customer and improved free cash flow conversion.
We also aim to achieve growth in cash flows from our generation business through a rigorous focus on operating performance and cost optimization. We will continue to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of all operating and capital allocation decisions to optimize value for our stakeholders, without sacrificing our commitment to safety. Further, our ratable hedging strategies, coupled with stable revenues generated through capacity markets and contracts for zero emissions attributes, will enable the business to continue to mitigate cash flow volatility, while preserving long-term optionality to realize any potential upside from market price improvements and/or state and federal clean energy programs. In addition, we will continue advocating for clean energy policies and seek fair compensation for the zero-carbon attributes of our nuclear plants while maintaining the discipline to retire uneconomic assets.
We will employ a disciplined approach to acquisitions that grows future cash flow and supports strategic initiatives. We will continue to evaluate asset and business divestitures to rationalize the portfolio and optimize cash proceeds.
Capital allocation decisions are made on a cash return basis, as we believe this discipline is necessary to drive consistent long-term value creation for our shareholders. In the years ahead, we expect to deliver substantial free cash flow supported by our stable customer facing business, disciplined hedging strategy and effective cost management, with more than $1.1 billion of cost reductions realized since 2015.
Financial discipline and balance sheet commitment.
We are committed to maintaining sufficient financial liquidity and an appropriate capital structure to support safe, secure and reliable operations, even in volatile market conditions. We believe our investment grade credit rating is a source of competitive advantage, and we intend to continue to maintain our credit position and best-in-class balance sheet. In line with that commitment, available cash flow will first be used to manage leverage to comfortably meet investment grade credit targets, with incremental capital allocated towards shareholder return and disciplined growth.
Excellence in operations.
Value is built on a foundation of operational excellence. We recognize operational efficiency, a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined investment, and robust safety practices as critical drivers.
We have robust safety programs. We have a demonstrated commitment evidenced by our exceptional safety track record, underpinned by a strong compliance and risk management culture. At Constellation, we have strong, durable relationships with our customers resulting in stable financial margins, underpinned by strong operational performance in our customer-facing business.
Taking the lead on driving toward a clean energy future.
We are committed to enabling a clean energy future through our generation operations and our customer-facing business. Through our two businesses, we aim to serve as an indispensable partner to businesses and the state and local governments that are setting ambitious carbon-reduction goals and seeking long-term solutions to the climate crisis. We advocate for policies that address the climate crisis and preserve and grow clean energy.
We are differentiated by the cleanest generation fleet in the country. As environmental sustainability continues to build momentum and grows for businesses across the country, the demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions increases. Constellation offers clean products to help customers meet their sustainability goals. We expect our product offerings to evolve with our customers’ needs.
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For nearly two decades, we have been a strong advocate for policies that would address the climate crisis. We will continue to be a leading advocate at the federal level and in the states in which we operate for policies reducing greenhouse emissions, and preserving and growing clean energy.
Our Key Markets
We operate across various markets in the U.S., as well as Canada and the U.K. Our generation resources allow us to generate, procure, and sell electricity to retail and wholesale customers, highlighting the integrated nature of our business. We also have the ability to contract for generation in the markets in which we operate, further facilitating our ability to match generation output to customer demand (gen-to-load) and customer-to-supply as an integrated business. We have five reportable segments covering the following geographical areas:
· | Mid-Atlantic: Eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina |
· | Midwest: Western half of PJM and the U.S. footprint of MISO, excluding MISO’s Southern Region |
· | New York: NYISO |
· | Texas: ERCOT |
· | Other Power Regions: New England, South, West and Canada |
Generation Markets
PJM. 65% of our generation fleet, as measured by net generating capacity, operates within the PJM market. By MW, our generation fleet in PJM consists of approximately 78% nuclear, 9% renewables, 8% gas and 5% oil. PJM is the largest power market in the U.S. It comprises all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM is one of the most advanced power markets in the U.S., with nodal day-ahead and real-time energy markets, ancillary service products, and a forward capacity market.
ERCOT. 12% of our generation fleet, as measured by net generating capacity, operates within the ERCOT market. By MW, our generation fleet in ERCOT consists of approximately 97% gas and 3% renewables. As an energy-only market, ERCOT’s market design is different from other competitive electricity markets in the U.S., as its resource adequacy is predominately dependent on free market processes and energy market price signals.
NYISO. 6% of our generation fleet, as measured by net generating capacity, operates within the NYISO market. By MW, our generation fleet in NYISO consists of almost 100% nuclear. NYISO features liquid day-ahead and real-time energy markets, ancillary service markets, and a spot capacity market, called the ICAP market, which clears capacity up to 6 months in advance of the delivery period. As a result, our power assets within NYISO can earn revenues from liquid ancillary, energy, and capacity markets.
Other power markets. The remaining 17% of our generation fleet operates in other markets, including CAISO, ISO-NE, MISO and SPP in the U.S., and AESO in Canada. Our generation in these markets, by MW, consists of approximately 20% nuclear, 46% gas, 13% oil and 20% renewables.
The CAISO market serves customers primarily in California. CAISO features day-ahead and real-time energy markets and ancillary service markets. While CAISO does not operate a formal capacity market, it does have a mandatory resource adequacy requirement.
The ISO-NE market covers the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. It offers day-ahead and real time energy markets, ancillary service products and a forward capacity market.
MISO is an RTO that covers all or parts of 15 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba. MISO operates day-ahead and real time energy markets and ancillary service markets. Capacity requirements are addressed through bilateral transactions or a voluntary annual auction that MISO administers.
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SPP has members in 14 states: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. It also provides contract reliability coordination services in Arizona, Colorado and Utah. SPP operates day-ahead and real-time energy markets and transmission service markets.
AESO provides the function of Independent System Operator in Alberta, Canada, where we own one generation asset. It is currently an energy-only model and does not operate a capacity market. AESO also operates a separate ancillary services market where resources provide specific services that help maintain grid reliability.
Customer Markets
Our integrated business also consists of the physical delivery and marketing of power and natural gas across multiple geographical regions through Constellation, our customer-facing business. Constellation serves power and natural gas across all competitive markets, reaching approximately 2 million customers, including three-fourths of the Fortune 100, approximately 216,500 business and public sector customers, and about 1.6 million unique residential customers. Constellation also has a vibrant non-commodity element of its customer facing business, providing sustainability, efficiency and technology solutions to provide a comprehensive suite of energy solutions to meet customers’ growing and evolving needs.
Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in the Company’s common stock is subject to a number of risks, including market, financial, regulatory and operational risks related to our business, our separation from Exelon, and our common stock. Set forth below are some, but not all, of these risks.
· | Risks related to market and financial factors primarily include: |
· | the price of fuels, in particular the price of natural gas, which affects power prices, |
· | the generation resources in the markets in which we operate, |
· | our ability to operate our generating assets, our ability to access capital markets, and the impacts on our results of operations due to the global outbreak (pandemic) of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), |
· | the impacts of on-going competition, and |
· | emerging technologies and business models, including those related to climate change mitigation and transition to a low carbon economy. |
· | Risks related to regulatory, legislative and legal factors primarily include changes to, and compliance with, the laws and regulations that govern: |
· | the design of power markets, |
· | the renewal of permits and operating licenses, |
· | environmental and climate policy, including zero emission credit programs, and |
· | tax policy. |
· | Risks related to operational factors primarily include: |
· | changes in the global climate could produce extreme weather events, which could put our facilities at risk, and such changes could also affect the levels and patterns of demand for energy and related services, |
· | the safe, secure and effective operation of our nuclear facilities and the ability to manage effectively the associated decommissioning obligations, |
· | the ability of energy transmission and distribution companies to maintain the reliability, resiliency and safety of their energy delivery systems, which could affect our ability to deliver energy to our customers and affect our operating costs, and |
· | physical and cyber security risks for us as an owner-operator of generation facilities and as a participant in commodities trading. |
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· | Risks related to our separation from Exelon primarily include: |
· | challenges to achieving the benefits of separation, including limited business diversification, loss of economies of scale in sourcing goods and services, and the need to replicate several services provided by Exelon (such as treasury, finance, human resources, investor relations and legal), which will require additional resources and expense, | |
· | little control over the terms and timing of the separation (including regulatory approvals), which are determined by Exelon (and with respect to regulatory approvals, the applicable regulator), and Exelon’s ability to change the terms at any time or elect not to proceed, |
· | performance by Exelon and us under the transaction agreements, including indemnification responsibilities tied to the allocation of businesses and liabilities, and |
· | restrictions on future capital-raising or strategic transactions during the two-year period following the distribution arising from the need to protect the tax-free treatment of the distribution. |
· | Risks related to our common stock primarily include: |
· | following the separation, there can be no assurance that the combined trading prices of Exelon common stock and our common stock will be equal to or greater than the trading price of Exelon shares prior to the separation, |
· | the absence of a currently existing trading market for our stock and possible volatility in the market for our stock as holders of Exelon stock seek to reorganize their holdings based on stock index or industry strategies, investment policies or other factors, in addition to the general factors affecting the market price of common stock, |
· | our status as a holding company dependent on cash flows from our subsidiaries to meet financial obligations, and |
· | certain anti-takeover provisions in our charter and bylaws that could have the effect of delaying or discouraging an acquisition of our company or a change in its management. |
These and other risks relating to our business, our industry, the distribution and separation and our common stock are discussed in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 21 of this information statement. You should read and consider all of these risks carefully.
Company Information
Constellation Energy Corporation was incorporated in Pennsylvania on June 15, 2021. Our principal executive offices are at 1310 Point Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, and our telephone number is . Our website is . The information and other content contained in, or accessible through, our website are not part of, and are not incorporated into, this information statement, and investors should not rely on any such information in deciding whether to invest in our common stock.
The Separation
The following provides a summary of the terms of the separation. For a more detailed description of the matters described below, see “The Separation” beginning on page 38 of this information statement.
Overview
On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s board of directors unanimously authorized management to pursue a plan to separate its competitive generation and customer-facing businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company, which we refer to as the separation in this information statement. The separation will occur through a distribution to Exelon’s shareholders of all of the shares of common stock of the Company, which will own Exelon Generation Company, LLC, including its competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses. Following the distribution, Exelon shareholders will own 100% of the shares of our common stock.
Before our separation from Exelon, we will enter into a separation agreement and several other agreements with Exelon to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with Exelon after the separation. These agreements will govern the relationships between us and Exelon subsequent to the completion of the separation and address responsibility for liabilities and obligations (including employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) relating to the separated businesses attributable to periods prior to, at and after our separation from Exelon. For more information on the separation agreement and related agreements, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in this information statement.
As more fully described in “The Separation—Reasons for the Separation”, the Exelon board of directors believes that the separation will increase both the value of Exelon’s competitive generation, customer-facing and related businesses as well as the value of Exelon’s regulated utility businesses, in both the short and long terms.
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The separation is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals from the NRC, FERC and NYPSC. Requests for NRC, FERC and NYPSC approvals were submitted on February 25, 2021. In addition, until the distribution has occurred, Exelon’s board of directors has the right to not proceed with the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. See “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution” in this information statement for the status of these approvals.
Reasons for the Separation
Exelon is comprised of six regulated utility operating companies that together serve more than 10 million customers, and Generation, an electricity producer and a competitive energy retailer. The utility operating companies provide electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution services within relatively defined geographic areas under service terms, conditions and rates that are regulated by public utility commissions based on each utility’s investment in plant, property and equipment, referred to as rate base, and their operating costs. Generation generates electricity primarily from nuclear generating plants and sells electricity and natural gas to wholesale and retail customers within a broad geographic area under service terms, conditions and prices determined by competitive market forces.
The Exelon board of directors believes that the separation of the competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses from the regulated utility businesses is in the best interest of Exelon and its shareholders for a number of reasons, including:
· | Direct investment identity -- Exelon’s board of directors believes that Exelon’s regulated utility businesses and our competitive businesses appeal to different types of investors with different industry focuses, investment goals and risk profiles. |
· | More specialized strategic focus -- The separation will allow each company to more effectively pursue its own distinct operating priorities and strategies, without taking into account potentially conflicting or competing needs and objectives of two disparate businesses operating in a single company. As a standalone company, the Company may be able to pursue investments or acquisitions in the competitive energy infrastructure space that Exelon’s current shareholders would not find attractive as it would increase Exelon’s exposure to non-regulated businesses. |
· | More efficient allocation of capital—The separation will permit each company to concentrate its financial resources solely on its own operations, providing greater flexibility to invest capital in its business in a time and manner appropriate for its distinct strategy and business needs. |
· | Allows each business to maintain risk profiles more appropriate for its shareholders —The competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses of Exelon are exposed to certain market risks, including, in the near term, the volatility in the price of power, natural gas and other commodities. The Company will be committed to disciplined risk-mitigation policies, including a ratable hedging strategy, and Exelon’s board of directors believes that separating the Company from the regulated utilities of Exelon will give our management further flexibility to manage our risk. |
· | Aligns management incentives—The separation will permit the creation of equity-based incentive compensation programs for each of the companies that is expected to reflect more closely the efforts and performance of each company’s management and will allow each company to better recruit, retain and motivate employees pursuant to compensation policies that are appropriate for their respective lines of business. |
For information about risks related to the separation, see “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Separation from Exelon” below in this information statement. Neither Exelon nor we can assure you that, following the separation, any of the benefits described above or otherwise will be realized to the extent anticipated or at all.
Questions and Answers About the Separation
The following is a summary of the terms of the separation in a question and answer format. As a summary, it may not cover all of the information that may be important to you. You should read the section entitled “The Separation” beginning on page 38 of this information statement for a more detailed description of the matters described below.
Q: | What is the separation? |
A: The separation is the spin-off distribution of our businesses from Exelon. Once the separation is complete, we will be an independent, publicly traded company focused on our competitive power generation and customer-facing energy businesses. Exelon will continue as an independent, publicly traded company focused on its regulated utility businesses.
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Q: | Why is Exelon separating the Company from Exelon? |
A: Exelon’s board of directors and management believe that the separation will provide, for each of Exelon and the Company following the separation, a more direct investment identity, enhanced strategic and management focus, more efficient allocation of capital, and will align management incentives more effectively.
The separation will create the nation’s largest pure transmission and distribution utility and the largest carbon-free power producer and retail energy solutions provider, each with the financial strength to drive long-term stability and innovation, with the expectation that both companies will have compelling growth prospects as stand-alone companies and that the financial markets will ascribe valuations that more appropriately recognize the inherent strengths of each company. These benefits are more fully described under the caption “The Separation—Reasons for the Separation” below in this information statement.
Q: | Why is the separation of the two companies structured as a distribution? |
A: Exelon believes that a distribution of our shares is the most efficient way to separate the Company in a manner that is intended to enhance long-term value for Exelon shareholders.
Q: | What is the distribution? |
A: The distribution is the method by which Exelon will effectuate the separation. In the distribution, Exelon will distribute to its shareholders all of the shares of our common stock that it owns. Exelon will not retain any ownership interest in us. The number of shares of Exelon common stock you own will not change as a result of the distribution.
Q: | What will I receive in the distribution? |
A: As a holder of Exelon common stock, you will receive a dividend of one share of our common stock for every three shares of Exelon common stock you hold on the record date (see next question). Your proportionate interest in Exelon will not change as a result of the distribution. For a more detailed description, see “The Separation” below in this information statement.
Q: | What is the record date for the distribution, and when will the distribution occur? |
A: The record date is p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2022. We expect that EQ Shareowner Services (the “Distribution Agent”) will act as distribution agent and will distribute to Exelon shareholders the shares of our common stock on , 2022, which we refer to as the distribution date.
Q: | What will be distributed in the distribution? |
A: Approximately shares of our common stock will be distributed in the distribution, based on the number of shares of Exelon common stock outstanding as of , 2022. The actual number of shares of our common stock to be distributed will be calculated on the record date. The shares of our common stock to be distributed by Exelon will constitute all of the shares of our common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the distribution.
Q: | What are the conditions to the distribution? |
A: The distribution is subject to a number of conditions, including, among others
· | receipt of regulatory approvals from the NRC, the NYPSC and FERC |
· | the SEC declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part |
· | the receipt by Exelon of a private letter ruling from the IRS (the “IRS Ruling”) and an opinion of its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC; and |
· | final approval of the distribution by Exelon’s board of directors. |
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For a more detailed description, see “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution” below in this information statement.
Q: | Can Exelon decide to cancel the distribution even if all of the conditions have been satisfied? |
A: Yes. Exelon’s board of directors may, in its sole discretion and at any time prior to the distribution date, terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions to the distribution have been satisfied.
Q: | What do I have to do to participate in the distribution? |
A: No action is required on your part, but we urge you to read this document carefully. Shareholders who hold Exelon common stock as of the record date will not be required to pay any cash or deliver any other consideration, including any shares of Exelon common stock, to receive the shares of our common stock distributable to them in the distribution. In addition, no shareholder approval of the distribution is required or is being sought. We are not asking you for a vote and are not requesting that you send a proxy card.
Q: | How will Exelon distribute shares of Company common stock? |
A: If you are a registered shareholder (meaning you own your stock directly through an account with Exelon’s transfer agent), EQ Shareowner Services will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects the number of shares of our common stock you own. We will not issue physical certificates, even if requested. For a more detailed description, see “The Separation—Manner of Effecting the Separation—Distribution of Shares of Our Common Stock” below in this information statement.
Q: | What if I hold my shares through a broker, bank or other nominee? |
A: If you own your Exelon shares beneficially through a bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will credit your account with the shares of our common stock you receive in the distribution.
Q: | If I sell my shares of Exelon common stock on or before the distribution date, will I still be entitled to receive shares of Company common stock in the distribution? |
A: If you sell your shares of Exelon common stock on or prior to the distribution date, you may also be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock. For a more detailed description, see “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement. You are encouraged to consult with your financial advisor regarding the specific implications of selling your Exelon common stock prior to or on the distribution date.
Q: | How will fractional shares be treated in the distribution? |
A: No fractional shares of our common stock will be distributed in connection with the distribution. Instead, the Distribution Agent will aggregate all fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices. The Distribution Agent will then distribute the aggregate cash proceeds of the sales, net of brokerage fees and other costs, pro rata to each Exelon shareholder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares generally will be taxable to the recipient shareholders as described in “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation” beginning on page 40 of this information statement. For a more detailed description of the treatment of fractional shares, see “The Separation—Treatment of Fractional Shares” below in this information statement.
Q: | Who will serve on the Company’s board of directors? |
A: The individuals which we expect to serve on our board of directors at the time of the separation are identified in “Management” beginning on page 132 of this information statement.
Q: | Who will manage the Company following the separation? |
A: The members of our management team are identified and discussed in “Management” beginning on page 132 of this information statement.
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Q: | What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution to U.S. shareholders? |
A: It is a condition to the completion of the distribution that Exelon receive the IRS Ruling and an opinion from its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC. Exelon has received the IRS Ruling. The IRS Ruling relies, and the opinion will rely, on certain facts and assumptions, and certain representations from us and Exelon regarding the past and future conduct of our respective businesses and other matters. Assuming such qualification, no gain or loss will be recognized by, or includible in the income of, Exelon shareholders upon the receipt of shares of our common stock pursuant to the distribution. However, Exelon shareholders will recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash received in lieu of any fractional shares. See “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation” beginning on page 40 of this information statement and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Separation from Exelon” beginning on page 31 of this information statement for more information regarding the potential tax consequences to you of the distribution.
Q: | How will the Distribution affect my tax basis in Exelon common stock? |
A: Assuming that the distribution is tax-free to Exelon shareholders (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares), your tax basis in Exelon common stock held by you immediately prior to the distribution will be allocated between that Exelon common stock and our common stock received in the distribution in proportion to the relative fair market values of each immediately following the distribution. See “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation” beginning on page 40 of this information statement for a more detailed description of the effects of the distribution on your tax basis in Exelon common stock and our common stock.
Q: | What if I want to sell my shares of Exelon common stock or my shares of Company common stock? |
A: Neither Exelon nor the Company can make any recommendations on the purchase, retention or sale of shares. You should consult with your financial advisors, such as your stockbroker, bank or tax advisor.
If you decide to sell any shares of Exelon common stock after the record date, but before the distribution date, you should make sure your broker, bank or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your Exelon common stock, our common stock you will be entitled to receive in the distribution, or both. If you sell your Exelon common stock prior to the record date or sell your entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution on or prior to the distribution date, you will not receive any shares of our common stock in the distribution. For a more detailed description, see “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement.
Q: | Are there risks associated with owning shares of Company common stock? |
A: Yes. Our business is subject to both general and specific business risks relating to its operations. Our business is also subject to risks relating to the separation, and, following the distribution, we will be subject to risks relating to being an independent, publicly traded company. Accordingly, you should read carefully the information set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this information statement.
Q: | Will the number of Exelon shares I own change as a result of the distribution? |
A: No, the number of shares of Exelon common stock you own will not change as a result of the distribution.
Q: | What will happen to the listing of Exelon common stock? |
A: After the distribution, it is anticipated that Exelon will continue to be traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “EXC.”
Q: | What will the Company’s dividend policy be after the separation? |
A: We do not have a written policy regarding dividends; however, we expect that we will pay dividends on our common stock commencing following the first full fiscal quarter after the separation. The timing, declaration, amount of and payment of any dividends will be within the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors. See “Dividend Policy” beginning on page 46 of this information statement.
Q: | Will Company common stock trade on a stock market? |
A: Currently, there is no public market for our common stock. Subject to the consummation of the distribution, we have applied to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “CEG.” We cannot predict the trading prices for our common stock when that trading begins. We anticipate that trading in shares of our common stock will begin on a when-issued basis on or shortly before the record date and will continue up to and including the distribution date. The term “when-issued” means that shares can be traded prior to the time shares are actually available or issued. On the distribution date, any when-issued trading in respect of our common stock will end and regular way trading in shares of our common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. “Regular way” trading refers to trading after a security has been issued and typically involves a transaction that settles on the second full business day after the date of trade.
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If trading begins on a when-issued basis, you may purchase or sell our common stock up to and including the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. For more information regarding regular way trading and when-issued trading, see “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement.
Q: | What will happen to Exelon restricted stock units and performance share awards in connection with the separation? |
A: Employees who currently hold restricted stock units and performance share awards, including options, will have such units and awards converted to rights in the Company, subject to the distribution ratio. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation—Employee Matters Agreement—Treatment of Exelon Equity-Based Awards” for more information.
Q: | Will Exelon transfer to the Company any material assets or liabilities prior to the separation? |
A: We do not expect any material asset or liability transfers to us from Exelon to occur other than the contribution of Exelon’s equity interest in Generation (including its subsidiaries) that will occur prior to the separation, an expected cash contribution from Exelon to the Company of $1.75 billion, and pension contributions discussed below in this information statement.
Q: | What will be the relationship between Exelon and the Company following the distribution? |
A: After the distribution, Exelon will not own any shares of our common stock, and each of the Company and Exelon will be independent, publicly traded companies with their own management and boards of directors. However, in connection with the separation, we will enter into a number of agreements with Exelon that will govern the distribution and allocate responsibilities for obligations arising before and after the separation, including, among others, obligations relating to employees and taxes. Exelon and the Company will enter into a transition services agreement, which will provide for the provision of certain transitional services by Exelon to the Company, and vice versa, generally for up to 24 months, subject to certain exceptions for services that are expected to be provided for up to 36 months. Additionally, there are operating and maintenance, power supply, and other agreements between Exelon’s utilities and Generation that will not be terminated in connection with the separation. For a more detailed description, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation” below in this information statement.
Q: | Will the distribution of Company common stock affect the market price of Exelon common stock? |
A: As a result of the separation, we expect the trading price of shares of Exelon common stock immediately following the separation to be different from the trading price of Exelon common shares immediately prior to the separation because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of our businesses. Furthermore, until the market has fully analyzed the value of Exelon without our business, the price of shares of Exelon common stock may fluctuate. There can be no assurance that, following the distribution, the combined value of Exelon common stock and Company common stock will equal or exceed what the value of Exelon common stock would have been in the absence of the distribution.
Q: | Will I have appraisal rights in connection with the distribution? |
A: No. Holders of Exelon common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.
Q: | Whom can I contact for more information regarding the Company and the distribution? |
A: If you have questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution, you should contact the Distribution Agent at:
EQ Shareowner Services
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Phone: (866) 388-8558
Before the distribution, if you have other questions relating to the distribution, you should contact Exelon at:
Investor Relations
Exelon Corporation
10 S. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60680
Phone: 312-394-2345
Email: InvestorRelations@exeloncorp.com
After the distribution, if you have any questions relating to the Company, you should contact us at:
Investor Relations
Constellation Energy Corporation
1310 Point Street,
Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
Phone:
Email:
After the distribution, the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be:
EQ Shareowner Services
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Phone: (866) 388-8558
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Summary / Terms of the Separation
The following is a summary of the material terms of the separation and other related transactions. Please see “The Separation” beginning on page 38 for a more detailed description of the matters below.
Distributing Company | Exelon Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation. After the distribution, Exelon will not own any shares of our common stock. |
Distributed Company | Constellation Energy Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon that immediately before the distribution will own Generation, including its subsidiaries. After the distribution, the Company will be a separate, publicly traded company. |
Distributed Securities | Exelon will distribute all shares held by it of our common stock, which will be 100% of our common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the distribution. Based on the approximately shares of Exelon common stock outstanding on , 2022, and applying the distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every three shares of Exelon common stock, approximately shares of our common stock will be distributed to Exelon shareholders who hold Exelon common stock as of the record date. |
Record Date | , 2022 |
Distribution Date | , 2022 |
Distribution Ratio | Each holder of Exelon common stock will receive one share of our common stock for every three shares of Exelon common stock held on the record date. Please note that if you sell your shares of Exelon common stock on or before the distribution date, the buyer of those shares may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to receive the shares of our common stock distributed on the distribution date. See “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement for more information. |
Fractional Shares | The Distribution Agent will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to Exelon shareholders. Instead, the Distribution Agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate cash proceeds, net of brokerage fees and other costs, from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payments made in lieu of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares generally will be taxable to the recipient shareholders as described in “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation” beginning on page 40 of this information statement. |
Distribution Procedures | On the distribution date, the Distribution Agent will distribute the shares of our common stock by crediting those shares to book-entry accounts established by the transfer agent for persons who were shareholders of Exelon as of the record date. Shares of our common stock will be issued only in book-entry form. No paper stock certificates will be issued. You will not be required to make any payment or surrender or exchange your shares of Exelon common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our common stock. However, as discussed below, if you sell shares of Exelon common stock in the regular way market between the record date and the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive the associated shares of our common stock in the distribution. Registered shareholders will receive additional information from the transfer agent shortly after the distribution date. Beneficial shareholders will receive additional information from their brokers, banks or other nominees. |
Distribution Agent | EQ Shareowner Services |
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Trading Prior to or on the Distribution Date | It is anticipated that, beginning shortly before the record date, and continuing until the distribution date, shares of Exelon common stock will trade in two markets on NASDAQ -- a regular way market and an ex-distribution market. Investors will be able to purchase shares of Exelon common stock without the right to receive shares of our common stock in the ex-distribution market for Exelon common stock. Any holder of Exelon common stock who sells Exelon common stock in the regular way market on or before the distribution date will also be selling the right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. You are encouraged to consult with your financial advisor regarding the specific implications of selling shares of Exelon common stock prior to or on the distribution date. For a more detailed description, see “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement. |
Trading Market and Symbol | Subject to consummation of the distribution, we intend to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “CEG.” We cannot predict the trading prices for our common stock when such trading begins. We anticipate that trading in shares of our common stock will begin on a when-issued basis on or shortly before the record date and will continue up to and including the distribution date. On the first trading day following the distribution date, any when-issued trading in respect of our common stock will end and regular way trading in shares of our common stock will begin. If trading begins on a when-issued basis, you may purchase or sell our common stock up to and including the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. For more information regarding regular way trading and when-issued trading, see the section entitled “Trading Market—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” below in this information statement. |
Relationship with Exelon after the Distribution | After the distribution, Exelon will not own any shares of our common stock, and each of the Company and Exelon will be separate, publicly traded companies with their own management and boards of directors. However, in connection with the separation, we will enter into a number of agreements with Exelon that will govern the distribution and allocate responsibilities for obligations arising before and after the separation, including, among others, obligations relating to employees and taxes. In addition, we will enter into a transition services agreement pursuant to which Exelon and we will provide certain transition services to each other on an interim basis. Additionally, there are operating and maintenance, power supply, and other agreements between Generation and Exelon’s utilities that will not be terminated in connection with the separation. For a more detailed description, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation” below in this information statement. |
Conditions to the Distribution | We expect that the distribution will be effective on , 2022, provided that the conditions set forth under the caption “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution” have been satisfied or waived in Exelon’s sole and absolute discretion. However, even if all of the conditions have been satisfied, Exelon may terminate and abandon the distribution and the related transactions at any time prior to the distribution date. |
Risk Factors | Our business is subject to both general and specific business risks related to financial and market factors; regulatory, legislative and legal factors; and operating factors. Our business is also subject to risks relating to the separation, and, following the separation, we will be subject to risks relating to being a publicly traded company. Accordingly, you should read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this information statement. |
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences | It is a condition to the completion of the separation that Exelon receive the IRS Ruling and an opinion from its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC. Assuming such qualification, no gain or loss will be recognized by, or includible in the income of, Exelon shareholders upon the receipt of shares of our common stock pursuant to the distribution. However, Exelon shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax generally will recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash received in lieu of any fractional shares. Exelon has received the IRS Ruling, which is generally binding, unless the relevant facts or circumstances change prior to the closing of the separation. See “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation” beginning on page 40 of this information statement and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Separation from Exelon” on page 31 of this information statement for more information regarding the potential tax consequences to you of the distribution.
Each shareholder is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the separation transaction to such shareholder, including the effect of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws and of changes in applicable tax laws. |
Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data
On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s board of directors authorized management to pursue a plan to separate its competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company. The separation will occur through a distribution to Exelon’s shareholders of all of the shares of common stock of the Company, which will own Generation, including its competitive generation, customer-facing power and gas supply, and related businesses. Following the distribution, Exelon shareholders will own 100% of the shares of our common stock.
The following table presents the summary historical consolidated financial information and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the periods and as of the dates indicated.
The summary historical consolidated financial information presented as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 has been derived from the historical unaudited consolidated financial statements of Generation, included elsewhere in this information statement. The summary historical consolidated financial information presented for the year ended December 31, 2020 has been derived from the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Generation, included elsewhere in this information statement.
The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2021 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 is derived from our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 gives effect to the separation and related transactions, including the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG, as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020, the beginning of the most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2021 gives effect to the separation and related transactions, as if they had occurred on September 30, 2021.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared for illustrative and informational purposes only and are not intended to represent what our results of operations or financial position would have been had the separation and the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements also should not be considered indicative of our future results of operations or financial position as an independent, publicly traded company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not reflect the realization of any expected cost savings or other synergies as a result of the separation and related transactions, including the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG.
On November 20, 2019, Generation received notice that, pursuant to an April 1, 2014 Put Option Agreement, EDF intended to exercise its put option to sell to Generation its 49.99% equity interest in CENG. Following the required sixty-day notice period, the put option was automatically exercised on January 19, 2020. On August 6, 2021, Generation and EDF entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which Generation, through a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased EDF’s equity interest in CENG for a net purchase price of $885 million, which includes, among other things, a credit for EDF’s share of the balance of a preferred distribution payable by CENG to Generation. The difference between the net purchase price and EDF’s noncontrolling interest as of the closing date was recorded to Membership interest on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
On November 24, 2021, Exelon and Generation announced that, following successful settlement negotiations, they have entered into a joint proposal with the Staff of the New York State Department of Public Service, the New York State Office of the Attorney General and the Alliance for a Green Economy regarding the petition filed by Exelon and Generation with the NYPSC requesting approval for Exelon’s previously announced plan to separate its utilities business and Generation, including Generation’s three nuclear power plants in New York. The New York joint proposal agreement will impact the Company’s existing asset retirement obligations. As a result, on a pro forma basis, the Company revised its asset retirement obligation upward. The New York joint proposal agreement remains subject to approval by the NYPSC, and if approved, would be effective upon the closing of the separation.
The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information gives pro forma effect to the following:
Separation transaction accounting adjustments
· | the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock based on the distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every three shares of Exelon common stock outstanding on the record date. |
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· | the impact of the separation agreement, employee matters agreement, tax matters agreement, New York joint proposal agreement, and the provisions therein. |
CENG put transaction adjustments
· | reflects the elimination of CENG’s non-controlling interest and interest expense related to the issuance of approximately $880 million under a 364-day term loan credit agreement to fund the purchase of 49.99% noncontrolling interest in CENG from EDF in accordance with the Put Option Agreement. |
· | the adjustment of the provision (benefit) for income taxes related to the taxation of income previously attributable to noncontrolling interest holders. |
The following summary historical consolidated financial information and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with:
· | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which is included elsewhere within this information statement. |
· | the historical unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Generation as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which are included elsewhere within this information statement. |
· | the historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Generation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included elsewhere within this information statement. |
· | the accompanying notes to the pro forma financial information. |
Generation has been an individual registrant since the registration of their public debt securities under the Securities Act in 2002. As an individual registrant, Generation has historically filed consolidated financial statements to reflect their financial position and operating results as a stand-alone, wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon. To operate as an independent, publicly traded company, we expect our recurring costs to replace certain services to approximate those costs historically allocated to Generation from Exelon. The significant assumptions involved in determining our estimates of the recurring costs of being an independent, publicly traded company include, but are not limited to, costs to perform financial reporting, tax, corporate governance, treasury, legal, internal audit and investor relations activities; compensation expense, including equity-based awards, and benefits; incremental third-party costs with respect to insurance, audit services, tax services, employee benefits and legal services. The operating and maintenance expenses reported in our historical consolidated statements of operations reflect all expenses incurred as a stand-alone company and include allocations of certain Exelon costs. These costs include allocation of Exelon corporate costs that benefit us, including corporate governance, executive management, finance, legal, information technology, human resources, and other general and administrative costs. We estimate the costs to operate as an independent, publicly traded company approximate the amount of allocated costs that have been presented in our historical consolidated statements of operations and as such an autonomous entity pro forma adjustment has not been made to the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Certain factors could impact these stand-alone public company costs, including the finalization of our staffing and infrastructure needs.
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Historical | Pro Forma | |||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | Nine
Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||
Statement of Operations Information: | ||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 14,117 | $ | 13,272 | $ | 14,117 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
Purchased power and fuel | 8,103 | 6,967 | 8,103 | |||||||||
Purchased power and fuel from affiliates | — | (6 | ) | — | ||||||||
Operating and maintenance | 2,955 | 3,779 | 3,386 | |||||||||
Operating and maintenance from affiliates | 458 | 409 | — | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,735 | 1,161 | 2,776 | |||||||||
Taxes other than income taxes | 354 | 364 | 354 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 14,605 | 12,674 | 14,619 | |||||||||
Gain on sales of assets and businesses | 144 | 12 | 144 |