EXHIBIT 4.5
EXECUTION COPY
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JANUARY 28, 2004
BY AND AMONG
NRG ENERGY, INC.,
AS ISSUER,
THE ENTITIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HEREOF
AS GUARANTORS,
AND
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC
AND
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.,
AS INITIAL PURCHASERS
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made
and entered into as of January 28, 2004, by and among NRG Energy, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), the entities listed on Schedule A hereto
(the "GUARANTORS"), and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
(each an "INITIAL PURCHASER" and, together, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of
whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 8% Second Priority Senior Secured
Notes due 2013 in an aggregate principal amount of $475,000,000 (the "SERIES A
NOTES") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
dated January 21, 2004 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers
to purchase the Series A Notes, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial
Purchasers set forth in Section 7(q) of the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized
terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to
them in the Indenture, dated December 23, 2003, among the Company, the
Guarantors and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, relating to
the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes (as defined below) (the "INDENTURE").
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms
shall have the following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the
Exchange Act.
Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment
are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
Certificated Securities: Definitive Notes, as defined in the
Indenture.
Closing Date: The date hereof.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated"
for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer; (b) the
maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective
and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof; and (c) the delivery by the Company to
the
Registrar under the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal
amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders
thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
December 2003 Notes: The Company's previously issued
$1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8% Second Priority Senior
Secured Notes due 2013 under the Indenture.
Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a)
hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a
principal amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount
of Series A Notes that are tendered by Holders in connection with such exchange
and issuance.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration
Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial
Purchasers propose to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified
institutional buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and
in compliance with Regulation S under the Act.
Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
Guarantors: The entities listed on Schedule A hereto and any
other subsidiary of the Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in
accordance with the Indenture.
Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration
Statement at the time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments
thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by
reference into such Prospectus.
Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the
Company and the Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes and
related Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the
registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, in each case (i) that is filed pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included therein,
all amendments
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and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits
and material incorporated by reference therein.
Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
Series B Notes: The Company's 8% Series B Second Priority
Senior Secured Notes due 2013 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the
Exchange Offer or (ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(e) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: (i) Each Series A Note and the
related Subsidiary Guarantees, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on
which such Series A Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for a Series B Note
which is entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without
complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act; (b) the date on
which such Series A Note has been disposed of in accordance with a Shelf
Registration Statement; or (c) the date on which such Series A Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act; and (ii) each
Series B Note and the related Subsidiary Guarantees acquired by a Broker-Dealer
in exchange for a Series A Note acquired for its own account as a result of
market making activities or other trading activities until the date on which
such Series B Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities (each, a "HOLDER") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted
Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by
applicable federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below
have been complied with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as
practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 150 days after
December 23, 2003 (such 150th day being the "FILING DEADLINE"); (ii) use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in no event
later than 210 days after December 23, 2003 (such 210th day being the
"EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE"); (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all
pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be
necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a
post-
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effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Series B Notes to be
made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit
Consummation of the Exchange Offer; and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange
Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting (i)
registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for the Series A
Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales of Series B Notes
by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such
Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by Section
3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange Offer open
for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable
federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided,
however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days. The
Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all
applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the
Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
except for the exchange notes (and the guarantees thereof) to be issued pursuant
to the Indenture in exchange for the December 2003 Notes. The Company and the
Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange
Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
Business Days thereafter (such 30th Business Day being the "CONSUMMATION
DEADLINE").
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution"
section in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
and indicate therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted
Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A
Notes acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may
exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other information
with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may
require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of
Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the
extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or
regulations after the date of this Agreement.
Because any such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in connection with its initial
sale of any Series B Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer,
the Company and the Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy
such prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available
for sales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors
agree, in the event any of them receives notice from a
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Broker-Dealer within 30 days of the Consummation of the Exchange Offer that such
Broker-Dealer holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for the
account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making or similar
activities, to use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and
current as required by and subject to the provisions of Section 6(a) and (c)
hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and
the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to
time, for a period of 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer is
Consummated or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold
pursuant thereto. The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest
version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in
no event later than two Business Days after such request, at any time during
such period.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not
permitted by applicable law (after the Company and the Guarantors have complied
with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company in writing within 20
business days following the Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such
Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the
Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by
it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a
Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any
of its Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(x) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to
be filed, on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the
Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement cannot be
filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Company
receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above (such earlier date, the
"FILING DEADLINE"), a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under
the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT")), relating to all Transfer Restricted
Securities; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4(a)(x) shall
require the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement prior to the Filing
Deadline for the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; and
(y) shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to
cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 90
days after the Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement (such 90th
day the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
If, after the Company has and the Guarantors have filed an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section
3(a) above, the Company is and the Guarantors are required to file and make
effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer is
not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause (a)(i) above), then the
filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed to satisfy
the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that, in such event, the Company
and the Guarantors shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness Deadline set
forth in clause (y).
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To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration
Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the
Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other
securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)
hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a)
continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and
subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity with
the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and
regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at
least two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the Closing
Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
thereto.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in
Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in
any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until
such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 15 days after receipt of
a request therefor, the information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation
S-K, as applicable, of the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration
Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant
to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such
information. Each Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information
required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished
to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading. The Company shall not
be obligated to supplement such Shelf Registration Statement after it has been
declared effective by the Commission more than one time per quarterly period to
reflect additional Holders.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement
is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline;
(ii) any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline; (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline
or (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective but thereafter,
pending the announcement of a material corporate transaction, the Company issues
a notice that the Shelf Registration Statement is unusable, or such notice is
required under applicable securities laws to be issued by the Company, and,
during the period specified in Section 4(a) above, the aggregate number of days
in any consecutive twelve-month period for which all such notices are issued or
required to be issued exceeds 45 days or (v) the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is filed and declared effective but thereafter (A) during the period
through and including the Consummation Deadline, shall cease to be effective or
fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within five
Business Days by a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared effective
immediately or (B) during the period from the day after the Consummation
Deadline through and including the one-hundred-eightieth day after the
Consummation Deadline, pending the announcement of a material corporate
transaction, the Company issues a notice that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is unusable for the purposes contemplated by the second paragraph of
Section 3(c) above, or such notice is required under applicable securities laws
to be
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issued by the Company, and, during the 180-day period specified in Section 3(c)
above, the aggregate number of days for which all such notices are issued or
required to be issued exceeds 45 days (each such event referred to in clauses
(i) through (v), a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the Company and the Guarantors
hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $0.05 per
week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by
such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the Registration Default
continues for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of
such Registration Default. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase
by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated
damages of $0.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities; provided that the Company and the Guarantors shall in no event be
required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any
given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon
filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the
Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above; (2) upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above; (3)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above; or (4) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an
additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be
declared effective or made usable in the case of clauses (iv) and (v) above, as
applicable, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or
(v)(A) or (B), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders
entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the
Indenture, on each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the
Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which
liquidated damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all
obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to pay liquidated damages with
respect to securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with
respect to such securities shall have been satisfied in full.
In the event that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
declared effective but thereafter the Company issues a notice as contemplated by
clause (v)(B) above, the number of days during which such Registration Statement
is unusable shall be deducted from the number of days permitted under the first
annual 45-day "blackout" period under clause (iv) above for purposes of
determining the number of days during which liquidated damages would accrue in
the event of a Registration Default under clause (iv) above.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection
with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall (x) comply with
all applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below; (y) use all commercially
reasonable efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Series B
Notes by any Broker-Dealer that tendered Series A Notes in the Exchange Offer
that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market
7
making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof; and (z)
comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been
announced a change in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers
such as the Exchange Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel
to the Company raises a substantial question as to whether the Exchange
Offer is permitted by applicable federal law, the Company and the
Guarantors hereby agree to seek a no-action letter or other favorable
decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to
Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities.
The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to pursue the issuance of
such a decision to the Commission staff level. In connection with the
foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to take all such
other actions as may be requested by the Commission or otherwise
required in connection with the issuance of such decision, including
without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with the
Commission staff, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis
prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if
any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer
should be permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which
need not be favorable) by the Commission staff.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange
Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including,
without limitation, any Holder who is a Broker-Dealer) shall furnish,
upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company and the
Guarantors (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal
contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the
effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the
Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is
acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business. Each
Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the
Series B Notes will be required to acknowledge and agree that, if the
resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or an Affiliate
thereof, it (1) could not, under Commission policy as in effect on the
date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the Commission
enunciated in Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and
Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as
interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated
July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if applicable,
any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2)
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that
such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective
registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation
S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall provide a
supplemental letter to the Commission (A)
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stating that the Company and the Guarantors are registering the
Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated
in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the
Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above,
(B) including a representation that neither the Company nor any
Guarantor has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer and that, to the best of the Company's and each Guarantor's
information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer
is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and
has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in
the distribution of the Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer
and (C) any other undertaking or representation required by the
Commission as set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to
clause (i) above, if applicable.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i) comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) and
6(d) below and use all commercially reasonable efforts to effect such
registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to the
Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the
Company and the Guarantors will prepare and file with the Commission a
Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate
form under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the
Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method
or methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and
otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof; and
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of
Series A Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated
by this Agreement, Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for
cancellation; the Company and the Guarantors shall register Series B
Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees on the Shelf Registration
Statement for this purpose and issue the Series B Notes to the
purchaser(s) of securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement
in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any
Registration Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement,
the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i) use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite
financial statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this
Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would
cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained
therein (A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in
the case of the Prospectus only,
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in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not
misleading or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer
Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the
Company and the Guarantors shall file promptly an appropriate amendment
to such Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if Commission
review is required, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause
such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the board of directors of the Company
determines in good faith that it is in the best interests of the
Company not to disclose the existence of facts surrounding any proposed
or pending material corporate transaction or other material development
involving the Company and the Guarantors, the Company may allow the
Shelf Registration Statement to fail to be effective or the Prospectus
contained therein to be unusuable as a result of such nondisclosure for
up to 60 days in any year during the two-year period of effectiveness
required by Section 4(a) hereof, provided that a Registration Default
would not occur during such period;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement
as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for
the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case
may be; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and
462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with
the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable
period in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration
Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the
timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer
Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such
denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at
least two business days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities;
(iv) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such
Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that neither the
Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify as a
foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any
action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to
taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject;
(v) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration
Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the
Trustee under the Indenture with certificates for the Transfer
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Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company;
(vi) otherwise use all commercially reasonable efforts to
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and
make generally available to its security holders with regard to any
applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a
consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158
(which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such term is
defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act); and
(vii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement
required by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with
the Trustee to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required
for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and execute and use all commercially reasonable best efforts
to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to
effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be
filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified
in a timely manner.
(d) Additional Provisions Applicable to Shelf
Registration Statements and Certain Exchange Offer Prospectuses. In connection
with each Shelf Registration Statement, and each Exchange Offer Registration
Statement if and to the extent that an Initial Purchaser has notified the
Company in writing that it is a holder of Series B Notes that are Transfer
Restricted Securities (for so long as such Series B Notes are Transfer
Restricted Securities or for the period provided in Section 3, whichever is
shorter), the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i) advise each selling Holder promptly and, if requested
by such selling Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the
Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to any applicable Registration Statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become
effective; (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus
or for additional information relating thereto; (C) of the issuance by
the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state
securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted
Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation
of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes; (D) of the
existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document
incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making
of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order
to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading and (E) of the existence of any
event as described in the last sentence of Section 6(c)(i) hereof. If
at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement, or any state
11
securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an
order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of
the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky
laws, the Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at
the earliest possible time;
(ii) if any fact or event contemplated by Section
6(d)(i)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file
any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(iii) furnish to each selling Holder in connection with
such exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission,
copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein
(except the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement at the time it was declared effective) or any amendments or
supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including
all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of
such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the
review and comment of such selling Holders in connection with such
sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the
Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or
Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to
which such selling Holders shall reasonably object within five Business
Days after the receipt thereof. A selling Holder shall be deemed to
have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement,
amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be
filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in
case of the Prospectus only, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made) not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable
requirements of the Act;
(iv) upon request, promptly prior to the filing of any
document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration
Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document to each Holder
in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's
and the Guarantors' representatives available for discussion of such
document and other customary due diligence matters, and include such
information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such
Holders may reasonably request;
(v) subject to appropriate confidentiality agreements
being entered into, make available, at reasonable times, for inspection
by each selling Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such
selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the Company's and
the Guarantors' officers, directors and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such selling Holder, attorney
or accountant in connection with such
12
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness;
(vi) if requested by any selling Holders in connection
with such exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective
amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders may
reasonably request to have included therein, including, without
limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the
Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all required filings of such
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as
practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be included
in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(vii) furnish to each selling Holder in connection with
such exchange or sale without charge, at least one copy of the
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each
amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by
reference);
(viii) deliver to each selling Holder without charge, as
many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus)
and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may
request; the Company and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in
accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the offering and the
sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto;
(ix) upon the request of Holders who collectively hold an
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes in excess of 20% of the
amount of outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities (the "REQUESTING
HOLDERS"), enter into such agreements (including underwriting
agreements) on up to three occasions and make such customary
representations and warranties and take all such other actions in
connection therewith as may be reasonable customary in underwritten
offerings in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested
by the Requesting Holders in connection with any sale or resale
pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such connection,
the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(A) upon request of any Requesting Holder,
furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be furnished) to
each Requesting Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange
Offer or upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be:
(1) a certificate, dated such date,
signed on behalf of the Company and each Guarantor by
an officer of the Company or of such Guarantor, as
the case may be, confirming, as of the date thereof,
the
13
matters set forth in Section 7(o) of the Purchase
Agreement and such other similar matters as such
Requesting Holders may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the
Guarantors covering matters similar to those set
forth in Exhibits B through F of the Purchase
Agreement and such other matters as such Requesting
Holders may reasonably request, and in any event
including a statement to the effect that such counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and
other representatives of the Company and the
Guarantors, representatives of the independent public
accountants for the Company and the Guarantors and
has considered the matters required to be stated
therein and the statements contained therein,
although such counsel has not independently verified
the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such
statements; and that such counsel advises that, on
the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such
counsel's attention that caused such counsel to
believe that the applicable Registration Statement,
at the time such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto became effective
and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, or that the
Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement
as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated
the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of
the date of Consummation, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. Without
limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state
further that such counsel assumes no responsibility
for, and has not independently verified, the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial
statements, notes and schedules and other financial
data included in any Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement or the related
Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated
the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as
of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the
Company's independent accountants, in the customary
form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming
the matters set forth in the comfort letters
delivered pursuant to Sections 7(l) and 7(m) of the
Purchase Agreement; and
(B) deliver such other documents and
certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Requesting
Holders to evidence compliance with the matters
14
covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions
contained in any agreement entered into by the Company and the
Guarantors pursuant to this clause (ix);
(x) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all
other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition
in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that neither
the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify
as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take
any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or
to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject; and
(xi) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each
document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(e) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder's acquisition of
a Transfer Restricted Security constitutes such Holder's agreement that, upon
receipt of the notice referred to in Section 6(d)(i)(C) or any notice from the
Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(d)(i)(D)
hereof or of any event of the kind described in the last sentence of Section
6(c)(i) hereof (in each case, a "SUSPENSION NOTICE"), such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
applicable Registration Statement until (i) such Holder has received copies of
the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(d)(ii) hereof,
or (ii) such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in
each case, the "RECOMMENCEMENT DATE"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice
shall be required to either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent
file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the
Company with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at
the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities that was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The
time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth
in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days
equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of
delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of delivery of the Recommencement
Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and the
Guarantors' performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by
the Company, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective,
including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses;
(ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state
15
Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including
certificates for the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
printing of Prospectuses, messenger and delivery services and telephone); (iv)
all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and one
counsel for the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities which shall be Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP or such other counsel as may be selected by a majority of such
Holders; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the
Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system
pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors'
internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses
of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement
required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and
the Guarantors will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities who are tendering Series A Notes into in the Exchange
Offer and/or selling or reselling Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to
the "Plan of Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable
fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such
Registration Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and the Guarantors agree, jointly and
severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers
and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, (including without limitation,
any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or
defending any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment
or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective
purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused by any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a
preliminary prospectus or Prospectus or any supplement thereto, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based upon
information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company
by any of the Holders; provided, that the Company and each Guarantor will not be
liable to any Holder under this Section 8(a) to the extent, but only to the
extent, that (1) such loss, claim, damage or liability
16
resulted solely from an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission of a material fact contained in or omitted from such preliminary
Prospectus which was corrected in the final Prospectus, (2) the Company sustains
the burden of proving that such Holder sold Transfer Restricted Securities to
the person alleging such loss, claim, damage or liability without sending or
giving a copy of the Prospectus within the time required by the Act, (3) the
Company had previously furnished sufficient quantities of the Prospectus to such
Holder in such amounts and within such period of time as required under this
Agreement and (4) such Holder failed to deliver the Prospectus, if required by
law to have so delivered it, and such delivery would have been a complete
defense against the person asserting such loss, claim, damage or liability.
(b) By its acquisition of Transfer Restricted Securities,
each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and its their
respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the
Company or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the
Company and the Guarantors set forth in section (a) above, but only with
reference to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the
Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no
event shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such
Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which
the total amount received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities; and (ii) the
amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person
who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or
8(b) (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the
person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PERSON") in
writing and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred
(except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required
to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may
employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of
the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party
unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically
authorized in writing by the indemnifying party; (ii) the indemnifying party
shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; or (iii) the named parties to
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been
advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available
to it which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party).
In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with
17
any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys
(in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees
and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be
designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties
indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company and the Guarantors, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). No indemnifying party
shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim,
action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or
potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or
consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be
liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written
consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with
the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment of the
plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for
in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and
the Guarantors on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their
initial sale of Transfer Restricted Securities (or in the case of Series B Notes
that are Transfer Restricted Securities, the sale of the Series A Notes for
which such Series B Notes were exchanged); or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause
8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on
the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one
hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company or such Guarantor, on the one hand, or by
the Holder, on the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of this
Section 8(d), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such
party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantors and, by its acquisition of
Transfer Restricted Securities, each Holder agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one
18
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any matter,
including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no
Holder, its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such
Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with respect to the
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted
Securities; and (ii) the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute pursuant to this
Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144
The Company and each Guarantor agrees with each Holder, for so
long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any
period in which the Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available within a reasonable period of
time, upon written request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A; and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in order
to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge
and agree that any failure by the Company and/or the Guarantors to comply with
their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in
material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which
there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure
damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure,
the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required
to specifically enforce the Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under
Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Company and the Guarantors further agree to waive
the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the
Guarantors will not, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to their respective securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
19
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company and the Guarantors
have not previously entered into any agreement, other than the registration
rights agreement, dated December 23, 2003, between the Company, the Guarantors
and the initial purchasers relating to the December 2003 Notes, granting any
registration rights with respect to its their respective securities to any
Person that would require such securities to be included in any Registration
Statement filed hereunder. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in
any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the
holders of the Company's and the Guarantors' securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this
Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents
to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the
case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the
written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities;
and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained
the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held
by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly
the rights of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being
tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a
majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
subject to such Exchange Offer.
(d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third
party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and
shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may
deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect their rights hereunder.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex,
telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the
records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the
Registrar under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company or any of the Guarantors:
NRG Energy, Inc,
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
00
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given at the time delivered by hand, when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications
shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at
the address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted
Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the
Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted
Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such
Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform
all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on
resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement,
and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of
the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance,
is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the
parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete
and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
NRG ENERGY, INC.
By: _________________________________________
Name:
Title:
EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HEREOF
By: _________________________________________
Name:
Title:
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
BY: CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
22
SCHEDULE A
GUARANTORS
1. Xxxxxx Kill Power LLC
2. Astoria Gas Turbine Power LLC
3. Berrians I Gas Turbine Power LLC
4. Big Cajun II Unit 4 LLC
5. Capistrano Cogeneration Company
6. Chickahominy River Energy Corp.
7. Cobee Energy Development LLC
8. Commonwealth Atlantic Power LLC
9. Conemaugh Power LLC
10. Connecticut Jet Power LLC
11. Devon Power LLC
12. Dunkirk Power LLC
13. Eastern Sierra Energy Company
14. El Segundo Power II LLC
15. Hanover Energy Company
16. Xxxxxxx Power LLC
17. Indian River Operations Inc.
18. Indian River Power LLC
19. Xxxxx River Power LLC
20. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx XX
21. Keystone Power LLC
22. Louisiana Generating LLC
23. MidAtlantic Generation Holding LLC
24. Middletown Power LLC
Schedule I-1
25. Montville Power LLC
26. NEO California Power LLC
27. NEO Xxxxxxx-Gen LLC
28. NEO Corporation
29. NEO Freehold-Gen LLC
30. NEO Landfill Gas Holdings Inc.
31. NEO Landfill Gas Inc.
32. NEO Nashville LLC
33. NEO Power Services Inc.
34. NEO Tajiguas LLC
35. Northeast Generation Holding LLC
36. Norwalk Power LLC
37. NRG Affiliate Services Inc.
38. NRG Xxxxxx Kill Operations Inc.
39. NRG Asia-Pacific, Ltd.
40. NRG Astoria Gas Turbine Operations Inc.
41. NRG Bayou Cove LLC
42. NRG Cabrillo Power Operations Inc.
43. NRG Cadillac Operations Inc.
44. NRG California Peaker Operations LLC
45. NRG Central U.S. LLC
46. NRG Connecticut Affiliate Services Inc.
47. NRG Devon Operations Inc.
48. NRG Dunkirk Operations Inc.
49. NRG Eastern LLC
50. NRG El Segundo Operations Inc.
Schedule I-2
51. NRG Xxxxxxx Operations Inc.
52. NRG International LLC
53. NRG Xxxxxxx LLC
54. NRG Mesquite LLC
55. NRG MidAtlantic Affiliate Services Inc.
56. NRG MidAtlantic Generating LLC
57. NRG MidAtlantic LLC
58. NRG Middletown Operations Inc.
59. NRG Montville Operations Inc.
60. NRG New Jersey Energy Sales LLC
61. XXX Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx XXX
00. XXX Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Operations Inc.
63. NRG Northeast Affiliate Services Inc.
64. NRG Northeast Generating LLC
65. NRG Norwalk Harbor Operations Inc.
66. NRG Operating Services, Inc.
67. NRG Oswego Harbor Power Operations Inc.
68. NRG Power Marketing Inc.
69. NRG Rocky Road LLC
70. NRG Saguaro Operations Inc.
71. NRG South Central Affiliate Services Inc.
72. NRG South Central Generating LLC
73. NRG South Central Operations Inc.
74. NRG West Coast LLC
75. NRG Western Affiliate Services Inc.
76. Oswego Harbor Power LLC
Schedule I-3
77. Saguaro Power LLC
78. Somerset Operations Inc.
79. Somerset Power LLC
80. South Central Generation Holding LLC
81. Vienna Operations Inc.
82. Vienna Power LLC
Schedule I-4
