AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT among AGL RESOURCES INC., as Guarantor, AGL CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Borrower, The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as...
Exhibit
10
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
among
as
Guarantor,
AGL
CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as
Borrower,
The
Several Lenders
from
Time
to Time Parties Hereto,
SunTrust
Bank,
as
Administrative Agent,
Wachovia
Bank, National Association,
as
Syndication Agent,
and
The
Bank
of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.,
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., and
Calyon
New York Branch,
as
Co-Documentation Agents
Dated
as
of August 31, 2005
SunTrust
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Capital Markets,
a
Division of SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.,
as
Co-Lead Arranger and Co-Book Manager,
and
Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC,
as
Co-Lead Arranger and Co-Book Manager
Β
Table
of Contents
Β
Section
Β
|
Β |
Page
Β
|
SECTION
1.
Β
|
DEFINITIONS
Β
|
1
Β
|
SECTION
1.
Β
|
DEFINITIONS
Β
|
1
Β
|
1.1
Β
|
Defined
Terms
Β
|
1
Β
|
1.2
Β
|
Other
Definitional Provisions
Β
|
16
Β
|
SECTION
2.
Β
|
AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
Β
|
17
Β
|
SECTION
2.
Β
|
AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
Β
|
17
Β
|
2.1
Β
|
Revolving
Commitments
Β
|
17
Β
|
2.2
Β
|
Procedure
for Revolving Loan Borrowing
Β
|
17
Β
|
2.5
Β
|
Evidence
of Debt
Β
|
20
Β
|
2.6
Β
|
Facility
Fees, etc.
Β
|
20
Β
|
2.7
Β
|
Termination
or Reduction of Revolving Commitments
Β
|
21
Β
|
2.8
Β
|
Optional
Prepayments
Β
|
21
Β
|
2.9
Β
|
Prepayments
on Revolving Commitment Reductions
Β
|
21
Β
|
2.10
Β
|
Conversion
and Continuation Options
Β
|
21
Β
|
2.11
Β
|
Limitations
on Eurodollar Tranches
Β
|
22
Β
|
2.12
Β
|
Interest
Rates and Payment Dates
Β
|
22
Β
|
2.13
Β
|
Computation
of Interest and Fees
Β
|
23
Β
|
2.14
Β
|
Inability
to Determine Interest Rate
Β
|
23
Β
|
2.15
Β
|
Pro
Rata Treatment and Payments
Β
|
24
Β
|
2.16
Β
|
Requirements
of Law
Β
|
25
Β
|
2.17
Β
|
Taxes
Β
|
26
Β
|
2.18
Β
|
Indemnity
Β
|
28
Β
|
2.19
Β
|
Change
of Lending Office
Β
|
28
Β
|
2.20
Β
|
Illegality
Β
|
29
Β
|
2.21
Β
|
Replacement
of Lenders
Β
|
29
Β
|
SECTION
3.
Β
|
LETTERS
of CREDIT
Β
|
31
Β
|
SECTION
3.
Β
|
LETTERS
OF CREDIT
Β
|
31
Β
|
3.1
Β
|
L/C
Commitment
Β
|
31
Β
|
3.2
Β
|
Procedure
for Issuance of Letter of Credit
Β
|
31
Β
|
3.3
Β
|
Fees
and Other Changes
Β
|
32
Β
|
3.4
Β
|
L/C
Participations
Β
|
32
Β
|
3.5
Β
|
Reimbursement
Obligation of the Borrower
Β
|
33
Β
|
3.6
Β
|
Obligations
Absolute
Β
|
34
Β
|
3.7
Β
|
Letter
of Credit Payments
Β
|
34
Β
|
3.8
Β
|
Applications
Β
|
34
Β
|
SECTION
4.
Β
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
Β
|
34
Β
|
SECTION
4.
Β
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
Β
|
34
Β
|
4.1
Β
|
Financial
Condition
Β
|
35
Β
|
4.2
Β
|
No
Change
Β
|
35
Β
|
4.3
Β
|
Existence;
Compliance with Law
Β
|
35
Β
|
4.4
Β
|
Power;
Authorization; Enforceable Obligations
Β
|
35
Β
|
4.5
Β
|
No
Legal Bar
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.6
Β
|
Litigation
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.7
Β
|
No
Default
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.8
Β
|
Ownership
of Property; Liens
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.9
Β
|
Intellectual
Property
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.10
Β
|
Taxes
Β
|
36
Β
|
4.11
Β
|
Federal
Regulations
Β
|
37
Β
|
4.12
Β
|
ERISA
Β
|
37
Β
|
4.13
Β
|
Investment
Company Act; Other Regulations
Β
|
37
Β
|
4.14
Β
|
Subsidiaries
Β
|
37
Β
|
4.15
Β
|
Use
of Proceeds
Β
|
38
Β
|
4.16
Β
|
Environmental
Matters
Β
|
38
Β
|
4.17
Β
|
Accuracy
of Information, etc.
Β
|
39
Β
|
4.18
Β
|
Solvency
Β
|
39
Β
|
4.19
Β
|
Status
of Loans and Guarantee Agreement
Β
|
39
Β
|
4.20
Β
|
OFAC
Β
|
39
Β
|
4.21
Β
|
USA
Patriot Act
Β
|
39
Β
|
SECTION
5.
Β
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
Β
|
40
Β
|
SECTION
5.
Β
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
Β
|
40
Β
|
5.1
Β
|
Conditions
to Initial Extension of Credit
Β
|
40
Β
|
5.2
Β
|
Conditions
to Each Extension of Credit
Β
|
40
Β
|
SECTION
6.
Β
|
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
|
41
Β
|
SECTION
6.
Β
|
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
|
41
Β
|
6.1
Β
|
Financial
Statements
Β
|
41
Β
|
6.2
Β
|
Certificates;
Other Information
Β
|
42
Β
|
6.3
Β
|
Payment
of Obligations
Β
|
42
Β
|
6.4
Β
|
Maintenance
of Existence; Compliance
Β
|
42
Β
|
6.5
Β
|
Maintenance
of Property; Insurance
Β
|
43
Β
|
6.6
Β
|
Inspection
of Property; Books and Records; Discussions
Β
|
43
Β
|
6.7
Β
|
Notices
Β
|
43
Β
|
6.8
Β
|
Environmental
Laws
Β
|
44
Β
|
6.9
Β
|
Maintenance
of Ownership
Β
|
44
Β
|
SECTION
7.
Β
|
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
|
44
Β
|
SECTION
7.
Β
|
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
|
44
Β
|
7.1
Β
|
Financial
Condition Covenant
Β
|
44
Β
|
7.2
Β
|
Liens
Β
|
44
Β
|
7.3
Β
|
Fundamental
Changes
Β
|
45
Β
|
7.4
Β
|
Disposition
of Property
Β
|
46
Β
|
7.5
Β
|
Restricted
Payments
Β
|
46
Β
|
7.6
Β
|
Intentionally
Omitted
Β
|
47
Β
|
7.7
Β
|
Investments
Β
|
47
Β
|
7.8
Β
|
Negative
Pledge Clauses
Β
|
47
Β
|
7.9
Β
|
Clauses
Restricting Subsidiary Distributions
Β
|
47
Β
|
7.10
Β
|
Lines
of Business and Hedge Activities
Β
|
48
Β
|
7.11
Β
|
Designation
of Subsidiaries
Β
|
48
Β
|
SECTION
8.
Β
|
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
Β
|
48
Β
|
SECTION
8.
Β
|
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
Β
|
48
Β
|
SECTION
9.
Β
|
THE
AGENTS
Β
|
51
Β
|
SECTION
9.
Β
|
THE
AGENTS
Β
|
51
Β
|
9.1
Β
|
Appointment
Β
|
51
Β
|
9.2
Β
|
Delegation
of Duties
Β
|
51
Β
|
9.3
Β
|
Exculpatory
Provisions
Β
|
52
Β
|
9.4
Β
|
Reliance
by Administrative Agent
Β
|
52
Β
|
9.5
Β
|
Notice
of Default
Β
|
52
Β
|
9.6
Β
|
Non-Reliance
on Agents and Other Lenders
Β
|
53
Β
|
9.7
Β
|
Indemnification
Β
|
53
Β
|
9.8
Β
|
Agent
in Its Individual Capacity
Β
|
54
Β
|
9.9
Β
|
Successor
Administrative Agent
Β
|
54
Β
|
9.10
Β
|
Co-Documentation
Agents and Syndication Agent
Β
|
54
Β
|
SECTION
10.
Β
|
MISCELLANEOUS
Β
|
54
Β
|
SECTION
10.
Β
|
MISCELLANEOUS
Β
|
54
Β
|
10.1
Β
|
Amendments
and Waivers
Β
|
54
Β
|
10.2
Β
|
Notices
Β
|
55
Β
|
10.3
Β
|
No
Waiver; Cumulative Remedies
Β
|
56
Β
|
10.4
Β
|
Survival
of Representations and Warranties
Β
|
56
Β
|
10.5
Β
|
Payment
of Expenses and Taxes
Β
|
56
Β
|
10.6
Β
|
Successors
and Assigns; Participations and Assignments
Β
|
57
Β
|
10.7
Β
|
Adjustments;
Set-Off
Β
|
60
Β
|
10.8
Β
|
Counterparts
Β
|
61
Β
|
10.9
Β
|
Severability
Β
|
61
Β
|
10.10
Β
|
Integration
Β
|
61
Β
|
10.11
Β
|
GOVERNING
LAW
Β
|
61
Β
|
10.12
Β
|
Submission
to Jurisdiction; Waivers
Β
|
61
Β
|
10.13
Β
|
Acknowledgments
Β
|
62
Β
|
10.14
Β
|
Confidentiality
Β
|
62
Β
|
10.15
Β
|
WAIVERS
OF JURY TRIAL
Β
|
63
Β
|
10.16
Β
|
USA
Patriot Act Notice
Β
|
63
Β
|
10.17
Β
|
Amendment
and Restatement; No Novation
Β
|
63
Β
|
10.18
Β
|
References
in Loan Documents
Β
|
63
Β
|
Β
Schedules:
Β
Schedule
1.1Β -Β Revolving
Commitments
Schedule
4.6 Β Β -Β Litigation
Schedule
4.9Β Β -Β Intellectual
Property
Schedule
4.14 -Β Subsidiaries
Schedule
4.16 -Β Environmental
Matters
Schedule
7.2(h) -Β Existing
Liens
Schedule
7.8Β -Β Agreements
Prohibiting or Limiting Liens
Exhibits:
Exhibit
AΒ -Β Form
of
Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit
BΒ -Β Form
of
Compliance Certificate
Exhibit
CΒ -Β Form
of
Closing Certificate
Exhibit
DΒ -Β Form
of
Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit
EΒ -Β Form
of
Legal Opinion
Exhibit
FΒ -Β Form
of
Exemption Certificate
Β
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this βAgreementβ),
dated
as of August 31, 2005, among AGL RESOURCES INC., a Georgia corporation
(βHoldingsβ),
AGL
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the βBorrowerβ),
the
several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time
parties to this Agreement (the βLendersβ),
SUNTRUST BANK, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the βAdministrative
Agentβ)
and as
issuer of any letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement (in such
capacity, the βIssuing
Lenderβ),
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent (in such capacity,
the
βSyndication
Agentβ),
and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., and Calyon
New
York Branch, as documentation agents (in such capacities, the βCo-Documentation
Agentsβ).
Β
Β
W
I T N E S S E T H:
Β
WHEREAS,
Holdings, the Borrower, certain of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent,
the
Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents are parties to that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2004 (as amended and in effect on the
date
hereof, the "Original
Credit Agreement");
Β
WHEREAS,
at the
request of the Borrower, the Lenders have agreed to, among other things,
(i)Β increase the principal amount of the revolving credit facility
and
(ii)Β make certain other modifications to the Original Credit Agreement,
as
more fully set forth herein; and
Β
WHEREAS,
the
parties to this Agreement have agreed to effect such modifications by amending
and restating the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety as hereinafter
set
forth, upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereof;
Β
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the premises, the Original Credit Agreement and the financial
accommodations outstanding thereunder, the mutual covenants herein contained
and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which
are hereby acknowledged, Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Issuing
Lender, the Administrative Agent and the other Agents agree that the Original
Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:
Β
SECTION
1. Β Β DEFINITIONS
Β
1.1Β Β Defined
Terms.
As used
in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the
respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
Β
βABRβ:
for
any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16
of
1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and
(b) the
Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus Β½ of 1%. For purposes
hereof, βPrime
Rateβ
shall
mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time
by
SunTrust Bank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in Atlanta
(the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged
by
SunTrust Bank in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). Any change
in
the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective
Rate
shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of
such
change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate,
respectively.
Β
1
βABR
Loansβ:
Loans
the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR.
Β
βAdministrative
Agentβ:
SunTrust Bank, as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.
Β
βAffiliateβ:
as to
any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in Control
of, is
Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person. For purposes
of
this definition, βControlβ means the power to direct or to cause the direction
of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership
of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Β
βAgentsβ:
the
collective reference to the Administrative Agent, the Co-Documentation Agents
and the Syndication Agent.
Β
βAggregate
Exposureβ:
with
respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to (a) until the Closing
Date, the aggregate amount of such Lenderβs Revolving Commitment at such time
and (b) thereafter, the amount of such Lenderβs Revolving Commitment then in
effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have expired or been terminated,
the
amount of such Lenderβs Revolving Extensions of Credit then
outstanding.
Β
βAggregate
Exposure Percentageβ:
with
respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage)
of such
Lenderβs Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all
Lenders at such time.
Β
βAgreementβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto.
Β
βApplicable
Marginβ:
for
each Type of Loan, the rate per annum set forth below opposite the Level
in
effect on such day:
Β
Level
Β
|
ABR
Loans
Β
|
Eurodollar
Loans
Β
|
Level
I
|
0.000%
|
0.320%
|
Level
II
|
0.000%
|
0.375%
|
Level
III
|
0.000%
|
0.500%
|
Level
IV
|
0.000%
|
0.600%
|
Level
V
|
0.000%
|
0.800%
|
βApplicationβ:
an
application, in such form as the Issuing Lender may specify from time to
time,
requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.
Β
βApproved
Fundβ
shall
mean any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged
in
making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and
similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that
is
administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or
(iii)
an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a
Lender.
Β
2
βAssigneeβ:
as
defined in Section 10.6(c).
Β
βAssetsβ:
with
respect to any Person, all or any part of its business, property and assets
wherever situated.
Β
βAssignment
and Acceptanceβ:
an
Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
Β
βAssignorβ:
as
defined in Section 10.6(c).
Β
βAvailable
Revolving Commitmentsβ:
at any
time, an amount equal to (a) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect,
minus
(b) the
Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Β
βBenefitted
Lenderβ:
as
defined in Section 10.7(a).
Β
βBoardβ:
the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or
any
successor).
Β
βBorrowerβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto.
Β
βBorrowing
Dateβ:
any
Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests
the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.
Β
βBusinessβ:
as
defined in Section 4.16(b).
Β
βBusiness
Dayβ:
a day
other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta,
Georgia and New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close,
provided,
that
with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments
of
principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading
by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar
market.
Β
βCapital
Stockβ:
any
and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however
designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership
interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants,
rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
Β
βCash
Equivalentsβ:
(a)
marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by,
the
United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the
full
faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year
from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits,
eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of
six
months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000;
(c)
commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Xxxxxβx,
or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency,
if
both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial
paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of
acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial
bank
satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term
of
not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed
or
insured by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of
one
year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any
state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political
subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory
or
by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth,
territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government
(as the
case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or A2 by Xxxxxβx; (f) securities
with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed
by
standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying
the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; or (g) shares of money
market
mutual or similar funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.
Β
3
βClosing
Dateβ:
the
later of (i) the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section
5.1
shall have been satisfied or waived, and (ii) August 31, 2005.
Β
βCodeβ:
the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Β
βCo-Documentation
Agentsβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto.
Β
βCommonly
Controlled Entityβ:
an
entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the
Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group
that
includes the Borrower and that is treated as a single employer under
SectionΒ 414 of the Code.
Β
βCompliance
Certificateβ:
a
certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form
of
Exhibit B.
Β
βConduit
Lenderβ:
any
special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for
the
purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and
designated by such Lender in a written instrument, subject to the consent
of the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed); provided,
that
the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the
designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan or purchase
participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement
if,
for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan or purchase
such
participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, and the designating
Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility
to deliver all consents, amendments and waivers required or requested under
this
Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and provided,
further,
that no
Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant
to
Section 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 or 10.5 than the designating Lender would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit
Lender or (b) be deemed to have any Revolving Commitment.
Β
4
βConfidential
Executive Summaryβ:
the
Confidential Information Memorandum dated July, 2005 and furnished to the
Lenders.
Β
βConsolidated
Net Worthβ:
at any
date, the aggregate amount of Capital Stock, minority interests, and other
equity accounts (including, without limitation, retained earnings and paid
in
capital) of Holdings and the other Group Members at such date determined
on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Β
βConsolidated
Total Debtβ:
at any
date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of Holdings and
the
other Group Members at such date (excluding Indebtedness of the type described
in clause (k) of the definition of the term Indebtedness), determined on
a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Β
βContinuing
Directorsβ:
the
directors of Holdings on the Closing Date and each other director, if, in
each
case, such other directorβs nomination for election to the board of directors of
Holdings is recommended by at least a majority of the then Continuing
Directors.
Β
βContractual
Obligationβ:
as to
any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any
agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party
or by
which it or any of its property is bound.
Β
βDefaultβ:
any of
the events specified in SectionΒ 8, whether or not any requirement
for the
giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
Β
βDispositionβ:
with
respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment,
conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof. The terms βDisposeβ
and
βDisposed
ofβ
shall
have correlative meanings.
Β
βDollarsβ
and
β$β:
dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
Β
βEligible
Assigneeβ:
(i) a
Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender; (iii) an Approved Fund; and (iv) any
other Person (other than a natural Person) approved by the Administrative
Agent,
the Issuing Lender (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), and unless (x) such Person is taking delivery of an assignment
in
connection with physical settlement of a credit derivatives transaction or
(y)
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If the consent of the
Borrower to an assignment or to an Eligible Assignee is required hereunder,
the
Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent ten Business Days after
the
date notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through
the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, unless such consent is expressly
refused by the Borrower prior to such tenth Business Day.
Β
βEnvironmental
Lawsβ:
any
and all foreign, Federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders,
regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any
Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law)
regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning
protection of human health or the environment, as now or may at any time
hereafter be in effect.
Β
5
βERISAβ:
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to
time.
Β
βEurocurrency
Reserve Requirementsβ:
for
any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the maximum rates (expressed as
a
decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including
basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations
of
the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect
thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as βEurocurrency Liabilitiesβ in Regulation D of the
Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.
Β
βEurodollar
Base Rateβ:
with
respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar
Loan,
the rate per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars
for a period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of
such
Interest Period appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate screen as of 11:00
A.M.,
London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.
In the event that such rate does not appear on Page 3750 of the Telerate
screen
(or otherwise on such screen), the βEurodollar
Base Rateβ
shall
be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service
for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative
Agent
or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which
the
Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., Atlanta
time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in
the
interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign currency and
exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day
of
such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.
Β
βEurodollar
Loansβ:
Loans
the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar
Rate.
Β
βEurodollar
Rateβ:
with
respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar
Loan,
a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following
formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th ofΒ 1%):
Β
_______Eurodollar
Base Rate_______
Β
1.00
-
Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
Β
βEurodollar
Trancheβ:
the
collective reference to Eurodollar Loans under the Facility, the then current
Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and
end on
the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been
made
on the same day).
Β
βEvent
of Defaultβ:
any of
the events specified in Section 8, provided
that any
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been
satisfied.
Β
βFacilityβ:
the
Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder.
Β
6
βFacility
Fee Rateβ:
for
each day during each quarterly calculation period, a rate per annum set forth
below opposite the Level in effect on such day:
Β
Level
Β
|
Facility
Fee Rate
Β
|
Level
I
|
0.075%
|
Level
II
|
0.080%
|
Level
III
|
0.110%
|
Level
IV
|
0.150%
|
Level
V
|
0.200%
|
βFederal
Funds Effective Rateβ:
for
any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal
funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal
Reserve Bank of NewΒ York, or, if such rate is not so published for
any day
that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such
transactions received by SunTrust Bank from three federal funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by it.
Β
βFunding
Officeβ:
the
office of the Administrative Agent specified in SectionΒ 10.2 or such
other
office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent
as its
funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.
Β
βGAAPβ:
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect
from
time to time.
Β
βGovernmental
Authorityβ:
any
nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any
agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank
or
other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory
or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange
and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association
of
Insurance Commissioners).
Β
βGroup
Membersβ:
the
collective reference to Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Β
βGuarantee
Agreementβ:
the
Amended and Restated Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered by
Holdings, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Β
βGuarantee
Obligationβ:
as to
any Person (the βguaranteeing
personβ),
any
obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person (including
any
bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which the
guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar
obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any
Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the βprimary
obligationsβ)
of any
other third Person (the βprimary
obligorβ)
in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the
guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such
primary
obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,
(ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such
primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of
the
primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the
primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily
for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the
ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation
or
(iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary
obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
however,
that
the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments
for
deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any
Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the
lower
of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary
obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b)
the
maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant
to the
terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such
primary
obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may
be
liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such
Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing personβs maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in
good
faith.
Β
7
βGuarantorβ:
Holdings.
Β
βHedge
Agreementsβ:
all
interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements dealing
with interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal
interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies, and
all
commodity price protection agreements, or any other hedging
arrangements.
Β
βHoldingsβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto.
Β
βIndebtednessβ:
of any
Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person
for
borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase
price of property or services (other than trade payables aged less than 90
days
incurred in the ordinary course of such Personβs business), (c) all obligations
of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar
instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional
sale
or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such
Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under
such
agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of
such
property), (e) all capital lease (within the meaning of GAAP) obligations
of
such Person, (f) all Securitization Facility Attributed Debt, (g) all
obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party
or
applicant under or in respect of acceptances, letters of credit, surety bonds
or
similar arrangements, (h) the liquidation value of all mandatorily redeemable
preferred Capital Stock of such Person, (i) all Guarantee Obligations of
such
Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through
(h) above, (j) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through
(i) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing
right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property
(including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or
not
such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation,
(k)
all obligations of such Person in respect of Hedge Agreements and (l) all
Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities. 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 Personβs ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity,
except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that
such
Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, obligations
of any
Person with respect to Park and Loan Transactions shall not be considered
Indebtedness.
Β
8
βInsolvencyβ:
with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent
within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
Β
βIntellectual
Propertyβ:
the
collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to
intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational
or
foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents,
patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and
processes, and all rights to xxx at law or in equity for any infringement
or
other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and
damages therefrom.
Β
βInterest
Payment Dateβ:
(a) as
to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December
to
occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such
Loan,
(b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or
less,
the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having
an
Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months,
or a
whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the
last
day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving
Loan that is an ABR Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in
respect thereof.
Β
βInterest
Periodβ:
as to
any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing
or
conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan
and
ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower
in
its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given
with
respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day
of
the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and
ending
one, two, three or six months thereafter or such other period as the Borrower
and the Lenders may agree, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice
to
the Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days prior to the last
day
of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided
that,
all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject
to the
following:
Β
(i)Β Β if
any
Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day,
such
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless
the
result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another
calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
preceding Business Day;
Β
(ii)Β Β the
Borrower may not select an Interest Period under the Facility that would
extend
beyond the Revolving Termination Date; and
Β
(iii)Β Β any
Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month
(or on
a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar
month
at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of
a
calendar month.
Β
βInvestmentsβ:
as
defined in Section 7.7.
Β
9
βIssuing
Lenderβ:
SunTrust Bank in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit, or any other
Lender approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld).
Β
βL/C
Commitmentβ:
at any
time, an amount equal to $150,000,000.
Β
βL/C
Fee Payment Dateβ:
the
last day of each March, June, September and December and the last day of
the
Revolving Commitment Period.
Β
βL/C
Obligationsβ:
at any
time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired
amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount
of
drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant
to
Section 3.5.
Β
βL/C
Participantsβ:
the
collective reference to all the Lenders other than the Issuing
Lender.
Β
βLender
Affiliateβ:
(a)
any Affiliate of any Lender, (b) any Person that is administered or managed
by
any Lender and that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise
investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary
course of its business and (c) with respect to any Lender which is a fund
that
invests in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund
that invests in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit and is
managed
or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate
of
such Lender or investment advisor.
Β
βLendersβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto; provided,
that
unless the context otherwise requires, each reference herein to the Lenders
shall be deemed to include the Swingline Lender and any Conduit
Lender.
Β
βLetters
of Creditβ:
as
defined in Section 3.1(a).
Β
βLevel
Iβ,
βLevel
IIβ,
βLevel
IIIβ,
βLevel
IVβ
and
βLevel
Vβ:
the
respective Level set forth below:
Β
Β |
S&P
Rating
Β
|
Xxxxxβx
Rating
Β
|
Level
I
|
A-
or higher
|
A3
or higher
|
Level
II
|
BBB+
|
Baa1
|
Level
III
|
BBB
|
Baa2
|
Level
IV
|
BBB-
|
Baa3
|
Level
V
|
BB+
or below
|
Ba1
or below
|
Β
provided
that if
on any day the Ratings of the Rating Agencies do not coincide for any rating
category and the Level differential is (x) one level, then the higher Rating
will be the applicable Level; (y) two levels, the Level at the midpoint will
be
the applicable Level; and (z) more than two levels, the higher of the
intermediate Levels will be the applicable Level.
Β
10
βLienβ:
any
mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, security interest or other charge,
encumbrance, or other arrangement in the nature of a security interest in
property to secure the payment or performance of Indebtedness or other
obligations of any Person; provided,
however,
the
term βLienβ shall not mean any easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions,
leases, sub-leases, licenses, sublicenses, other restrictions on the use
of
property, defects in title to property or other similar encumbrances.
Β
βLoanβ:
any
loan made by any Lender (including, without limitation, the Swingline Lender)
pursuant to this Agreement.
Β
βLoan
Documentsβ:
this
Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, the Letters of Credit, the Applications,
the
Specified Hedge Agreements, if any, and the Notes.
Β
βLoan
Partiesβ:
the
Borrower and the Guarantor.
Β
βMaterial
Adverse Effectβ:
a
material adverse effect on (a) the business, property, operations or condition
(financial or otherwise) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole
or
(b)Β the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the
other
Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders hereunder or thereunder.
Β
βMaterials
of Environmental Concernβ:
any
gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum
products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined
or
regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
Β
βMoodyβsβ:
Xxxxxβx Investor Service, Inc.
Β
βMultiemployer
Planβ:
a Plan
that is a multiemployer plan as defined in SectionΒ 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.
Β
βNon-Excluded
Taxesβ:
as
defined in Section 2.17(a).
Β
βNon-U.S.
Lenderβ:
as
defined in Section 2.17(d).
Β
βNotesβ:
the
collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.
Β
βObligationsβ:
the
unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the
maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing
after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,
reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not
a
claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding)
the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Specified Hedge
Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute
or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred
pursuant to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit,
any
Specified Hedge Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given
in
connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest,
reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including
all
fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or
to any
Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or
otherwise.
Β
11
βOff-Balance
Sheet Liabilitiesβ:
as to
any Person (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with
respect to notes or accounts receivable sold by such Person, (ii) any liability
of such Person under any sale and leaseback transactions that do not create
a
liability on the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) any liability of such
Person under any so-called "synthetic" lease transaction and (iv) any obligation
under any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of, or takes
the
place of, a borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance
sheet of such Person.
Β
βOriginal
Closing Dateβ:
May
26, 2004.
Β
βOther
Taxesβ:
any
and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise
or
property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made
hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise
with
respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Β
βPark
and Loan Transactionsβ:
any
tariff transaction offered by pipelines, where the pipeline allows the customer
to park gas on or borrow gas from the pipeline in one period and reclaim
gas
from or repay gas to the pipeline in a subsequent period.
Β
βParticipantβ:
as
defined in Section 10.6(b).
Β
βPBGCβ:
the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of
Title
IV of ERISA (or any successor).
Β
βPermitted
Acquisitionsβ:
as
defined in Section 7.7(e).
Β
βPersonβ:
an
individual, company, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, undertaking,
association, organization, trust, state or agency of a state (in each case
whether or not having a separate legal personality).
Β
βPlanβ:
at a
particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by ERISA and in
respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if
such
plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed
to be) an βemployerβ as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Β
βPropertiesβ:
as
defined in Section 4.16(a).
Β
βRating
Agenciesβ:
collectively, S&P and Moodyβs.
Β
βRatingsβ:
the
ratings of the Rating Agencies applicable to the long-term, non-credit enhanced
senior unsecured debt of the Borrower or, if no such ratings then exist for
such
debt of the Borrower, the long-term non-credit enhanced senior unsecured
debt of
Holdings, in each case as announced by the Rating Agencies.
Β
12
βRecovery
Eventβ:
any
settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance
claim
or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of any Group
Member.
Β
βRefunded
Swingline Loansβ:
as
defined in Section 2.4(b).
Β
βRefunding
Dateβ:
as
defined in Section 2.4(c).
Β
βRegisterβ:
as
defined in Section 10.6(d).
Β
βRegulation
Uβ:
Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
Β
βReimbursement
Obligationβ:
the
obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section
3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
Β
βReorganizationβ:
with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in
reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.
Β
βReportable
Eventβ:
any of
the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events
as to
which the thirty day notice period is waived under Sections .27, .28, .29,
.30,
.31, .32, .34 or .35 of PBGC Reg. § 4043.
Β
βRequired
Lendersβ:
at any
time, the holders of more than 50% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Revolving
Commitments then in effect and (b) thereafter, the Total Revolving Commitments
then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have expired or been terminated,
the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Β
βRequirement
of Lawβ:
as to
any Person, the articles or certificate of incorporation or organization,
by-laws, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, operating
agreement, management agreement, or other organizational or governing documents
of such Person, and any constitution, decree, judgment, legislation, order,
ordinance, regulation, rule, statute or treaty, in each case applicable to
or
binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any
of its property is subject.
Β
βResponsible
Officerβ:
the
chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or
controller of Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be, but in any event,
with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer of
Holdings.
Β
βRestricted
Paymentsβ:
as
defined in Section 7.5.
Β
βRestricted
Subsidiaryβ:
any
Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Β
βRevolving
Commitmentβ:
as to
any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans
and
to purchase participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit in an
aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth
under
the heading βRevolving Commitmentβ opposite such Lenderβs name on Schedule
1.1
or in
the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a party
hereto, as the same may be increased pursuant to Section 2.22 or otherwise
changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The aggregate principal
amount of the Revolving Commitments is $850,000,000.
Β
13
βRevolving
Commitment Periodβ:
the
period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination
Date.
Β
βRevolving
Extensions of Creditβ:
as to
any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate
principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding,
(b) such Lenderβs Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding
and (c) such Lenderβs Revolving Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of
Swingline Loans then outstanding.
Β
βRevolving
Loansβ:
as
defined in Section 2.1(a).
Β
βRevolving
Percentageβ:
as to
any Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lenderβs Revolving Commitment
then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments or, at any time after
the
Revolving Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the percentage
which the aggregate principal amount of such Lenderβs Revolving Loans then
outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving
Loans
then outstanding, provided,
that,
in the event that the Revolving Loans are paid in full prior to the reduction
to
zero of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit, the Revolving Percentages
shall be determined in a manner designed to ensure that the other outstanding
Revolving Extensions of Credit shall be held by the Lenders on a comparable
basis.
Β
βRevolving
Termination Dateβ:
August
31, 2010.
Β
βSECβ:
the
Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous
Governmental Authority.
Β
βSecuritization
Facility Attributed Debtβ:
at any
time, the aggregate net outstanding amount theretofore paid to any of the
Group
Members (without duplication) in respect of securitization assets (whether
accounts receivable, general intangibles, instruments, documents, chattel
paper
or other similar assets) sold or transferred in connection with any
securitization financing program established by any of the Group Members
in
respect of such securitization assets (it being the intent of the parties
that
such Securitization Facility Attributed Debt at any time outstanding approximate
as closely as possible the principal amount of Indebtedness that would be
outstanding at such time under such financing program if the same were
structured as a secured lending arrangement rather than a sale or securitization
arrangement).
Β
βSingle
Employer Planβ:
any
Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer
Plan.
Β
βS&Pβ:
Standard & Poorβs Rating Service, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies,
Inc.
Β
βSolventβ:
when
used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination,
(a) the sum of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the
sum
of the liabilities of such Person as of such date, (b) such Person will be
able
to pay its debts as they mature and (c) such Person has sufficient capital
to
conduct its business. For purposes of this definition, (i) βdebtβ means
liability on a βclaimβ, and (ii) βclaimβ means any (x) right to payment, whether
or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed,
contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal equitable, secured
or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance
if
such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to
an
equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or
unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.
Β
14
βSpecified
Hedge Agreementβ:
any
Hedge Agreement (a) entered into by the Borrower and any Lender or Lender
Affiliate and (b) that has been designated by the relevant Lender and the
Borrower, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, as a Specified Hedge
Agreement.
Β
βSubsidiaryβ:
as to
any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other
entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary
voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such
power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority
of
the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership
or
other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise
controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or
both,
by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a βSubsidiaryβ or
to βSubsidiariesβ in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries
of either or both of the Borrower and Holdings.
Β
βSwingline
Commitmentβ:
the
obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section
2.3 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed
$25,000,000.
Β
βSwingline
Lenderβ:
SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as the lender of Swingline Loans.
Β
βSwingline
Loansβ:
as
defined in Section 2.3.
Β
βSwingline
Participation Amountβ:
as
defined in Section 2.4(c).
Β
βSyndication
Agentβ:
as
defined in the preamble hereto.
Β
βTotal
Capitalizationβ:
at any
date, the sum of Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Total Debt of the
Group
Members at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP.
Β
βTotal
Revolving Commitmentsβ:
at any
time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect. The
original amount of the Total Revolving Commitments is $850,000,000.
Β
15
βTotal
Revolving Extensions of Creditβ:
at any
time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Lenders
outstanding at such time.
Β
βTransfereeβ:
any
Assignee or Participant.
Β
βTypeβ:
as to
any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan, a Eurodollar Loan or a Swingline Loan
bearing interest at an agreed rate and interest period as provided in the
last
sentence of Section 2.3(a).
Β
βUnited
Statesβ:
the
United States of America.
Β
βUnrestricted
Subsidiaryβ:
any
Subsidiary which (i) is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance
with Section 7.11, and (ii) has not incurred any Indebtedness that is guaranteed
or otherwise supported by the credit of Holdings, the Borrower or any other
of
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (but excluding any such guarantee
or
other credit support arrangement pursuant to which the liability of such
guarantor or credit support provider is limited to loan amounts advanced
by
another Person against inventory claimed (by rights or claims of offset,
ownership or similar claim) by such guarantor or credit support provider,
and
such guarantor or credit support provider is entitled to receive a pro rata
interest in such inventory corresponding to the amounts paid in respect of
such
inventory).
Β
βWholly
Owned Subsidiaryβ:
as to
any Person, any other Person all of the Capital Stock of which (other than
directorsβ qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly
and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
Β
1.2Β Β Other
Definitional Provisions.
Β
(a)Β Β Unless
otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have
the
defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate
or
other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
Β
(b)Β Β As
used
herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document
made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating
to
any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined
in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings
given to them under GAAP; provided,
however,
that
for purposes of determining compliance with the covenants contained in Section
7, all accounting terms herein shall be interpreted and all accounting
determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect
on
the date of this Agreement and applied on a basis consistent with the
application used in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.1,
(ii)
the words βincludeβ, βincludesβ and βincludingβ shall be deemed to be followed
by the phrase βwithout limitationβ, (iii) the word βincurβ shall be construed to
mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer
to
exist (and the words βincurredβ and βincurrenceβ shall have correlative
meanings), (iv) the words βassetβ and βpropertyβ 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, Capital Stock, securities, revenues,
accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (v) references to
agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified,
be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Β
(c)Β Β The
words
βhereofβ, βhereinβ and βhereunderβ and words of similar import, when used in
this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit
references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
Β
16
(d)Β Β The
meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both
the
singular and plural forms of such terms.
Β
SECTION
2. Β Β AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
Β
2.1Β Β Revolving
Commitments.
Β
(a)Β Β Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make
revolving credit loans (βRevolving
Loansβ)
to the
Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an
aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when added
to such
Lenderβs Revolving Percentage of the sum of (i) the L/C Obligations then
outstanding and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans
then
outstanding, does not exceed the amount of such Lenderβs Revolving Commitment.
During the Revolving Commitment Period, the Borrower may use the Revolving
Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part,
and
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The
Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as
determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10.
Β
(b)Β Β Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no Lender shall be obligated to make a Revolving Loan hereunder
if the aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding of such Lenderβs
Revolving Percentage of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeds
such
Lenderβs Revolving Commitment.
Β
(c)Β Β The
Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Loans on the Revolving
Termination Date.
Β
2.2Β Β Procedure
for Revolving Loan Borrowing.
The
Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving
Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give
the
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by
the
Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, (a) three Business
Days
prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or
(b)
on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans), specifying (i)
the
amount and Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing
Date and (iii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the respective lengths of
the
initial Interest Period therefor. Each borrowing under the Revolving Commitments
shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or
a
whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (y) in the case of Eurodollar
Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
provided,
however,
that
the Swingline Lender may request, on behalf of the Borrower, borrowings under
the Revolving Commitments that are ABR Loans in other amounts pursuant to
Section 2.4. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender
will
make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower (or, with respect to
Section 3.5, the Issuing Lender) at the Funding Office prior to 1:00 p.m.,
Atlanta time, on the Borrowing Date requested by or on behalf of the Borrower
in
funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will
then be made available to the Borrower (or, with respect to Section 3.5,
the
Issuing Lender) by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of the
Borrower (or, with respect to Section 3.5, the Issuing Lender) on the books
of
such Funding Office with the aggregate of the amountsΒ made
available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent
or, at
the Borrower's (or,
with
respect to Section 3.5, the Issuing Lenderβs) option,
by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by
the
Borrower (or,
with
respect to Section 3.5, the Issuing Lender) to
the
Administrative Agent.
Β
17
2.3Β Β Swingline
Commitment.
Β
(a)Β Β Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees to make a
portion of the credit otherwise available to the Borrower under the Revolving
Commitments from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period by making
swing line loans (βSwingline
Loansβ)
to the
Borrower; provided
that (i)
the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time
shall
not exceed the Swingline Commitment then in effect (notwithstanding that
the
Swingline Loans outstanding at any time, when aggregated with the Swingline
Lenderβs other outstanding Revolving Loans, may exceed the Swingline Commitment
then in effect) and (ii) the Borrower shall not request, and the Swingline
Lender shall not make, any Swingline Loan if, after giving effect to the
making
of such Swingline Loan, the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving
Commitments would be less than zero. During the Revolving Commitment Period,
the
Borrower may use the Swingline Commitment by borrowing, repaying and
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
Each
Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan or shall accrue interest at any other
interest rate as agreed between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender and
shall
have an interest period as agreed between the Borrower and the Swingline
Lender.
Β
(b)Β Β The
Borrower shall repay (i) each outstanding Swingline Loan bearing interest
at an
agreed rate and for an agreed interest period as provided in Section 2.3(a)
at
the end of such interest period, and (ii) all outstanding Swingline Loans
on the
Revolving Termination Date.
Β
2.4Β Β Procedure
for Swingline Borrowing; Refunding of Swingline Loans.
Β
(a)Β Β Whenever
the Borrower desires that the Swingline Lender make Swingline Loans, it shall
give the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender irrevocable telephonic
notice confirmed promptly in writing (which telephonic notice must be received
by the Swingline Lender not later than 1:00 P.M., Atlanta time, on the proposed
Borrowing Date), specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed and (ii) the requested
Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day during the Revolving Commitment
Period). Each borrowing under the Swingline Commitment shall be in an amount
equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Not
later
than 3:00 P.M., Atlanta time, on the Borrowing Date specified in a notice
in
respect of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender shall make available to
the
Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in immediately available
funds equal to the amount of the Swingline Loan to be made by the Swingline
Lender. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swingline
Loan
available to the Borrower on such Borrowing Date by depositing such proceeds
in
the account of the Borrower with the Administrative Agent on such Borrowing
Date
in immediately available funds
or, at
the Borrower's option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an
account designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.
Β
18
(b)Β Β The
Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute
discretion may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs
the
Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), on one Business Dayβs notice given by
the Swingline Lender to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 Noon,
Atlanta time, request each Lender to make, and each Lender hereby agrees
to
make, a Revolving Loan, in an amount equal to such Lenderβs Revolving Percentage
of the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans (the βRefunded
Swingline Loansβ)
outstanding on the date of such notice, together with all interest accrued
and
unpaid thereon, to repay the Swingline Lender. Revolving Loans made pursuant
to
this Section 2.4(b) initially shall bear interest at the ABR only. Each Lender
shall make the amount of such Revolving Loan available to the Administrative
Agent at the Funding Office in immediately available funds, not later than
10:00
A.M., Atlanta time, one Business Day after the date of such notice. The proceeds
of such Revolving Loans shall be immediately made available by the
Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender for application by the Swingline
Lender to the repayment of the Refunded Swingline Loans and all interest
accrued
and unpaid thereon. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Lender
to
charge the Borrowerβs accounts with the Administrative Agent (up to the amount
available in each such account) in order to immediately pay the amount of
such
Refunded Swingline Loans and all interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the
extent amounts received from the Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full
such Refunded Swingline Loans and all interest accrued and unpaid
thereon.
The
Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice of any such charge
against the Borrowerβs account.
Β
(c)Β Β If
prior
to the time a Revolving Loan would have otherwise been made pursuant to Section
2.4(b), one of the events described in Section 8(f) shall have occurred and
be
continuing with respect to the Borrower or if for any other reason, as
determined by the Swingline Lender in its sole discretion, Revolving Loans
may
not be made as contemplated by Section 2.4(b), each Lender shall, on the
date
such Revolving Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred
to in
Section 2.4(b) (the βRefunding
Dateβ),
purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in the then outstanding
Swingline Loans by paying to the Swingline Lender an amount (the βSwingline
Participation Amountβ)
equal
to (i) such Lenderβs Revolving Percentage times
(ii) the
sum of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding,
together with all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, that were to have
been
repaid with such Revolving Loans.
Β
(d)Β Β Whenever,
at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Lender such
Lenderβs Swingline Participation Amount, the Swingline Lender receives any
payment on account of the Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender will distribute
to such Lender its Swingline Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted,
in
the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which
such
Lenderβs participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of
principal and interest payments, to reflect such Lenderβs proΒ rata
portion
of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of
and
interest on all Swingline Loans then due); provided,
however,
that in
the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required
to be
returned, such Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof
previously distributed to it by the Swingline Lender.
Β
19
(e)Β Β Each
Lenderβs obligation to make the Loans referred to in Section 2.4(b) and to
purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.4(c) shall be absolute
and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including
(i)
any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender
or
the Borrower may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other
Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a
Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other
conditions specified in Section 5; (iii) any adverse change in the condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (iv) any
breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any
other
Loan Party or any other Lender; or (v) any other circumstance, happening
or
event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
Β
2.5Β Β Evidence
of Debt.
Β
(a)Β Β Each
Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records
evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each
Loan
of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and
interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time in respect of
such
Loans. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section
10.6(d), and a record therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded
(i)
the amount of each Loan made by such Lender, the interest rate applicable
thereto and each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto, and (ii) the amount
of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower
on
account of such Loan. The entries made in the Register and the records of
each
Lender maintained pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall, to the extent permitted
by
applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided,
however,
that
the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register
or any such record, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect
the
obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans
made by
such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Β
(b)Β Β At
the
request of any Lender (including the Swingline Lender) at any time, the Borrower
agrees that it will execute and deliver to such Lender a Note evidencing
the
Revolving Loans of such Lender and, in the case of the Swingline Lender only,
a
Note evidencing the Swingline Loans of the Swingline Lender, payable to the
order of such Lender.
Β
2.6Β Β Facility
Fees, etc.Β
Β
(a)Β Β The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each
Lender a facility fee for the period from and including the date hereof to
the
Revolving Termination Date, computed at the Facility Fee Rate on the average
daily amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period
for
which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each
March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Termination Date,
commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date
hereof.
Β
20
(b)Β Β The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts
and
on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.
Β
2.7Β Β Termination
or Reduction of Revolving Commitments.
The
Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Daysβ notice to
the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from
time
to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that
no
such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted
if,
after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Loans made on the
effective date thereof pursuant to Section 2.9, the Total Revolving Extensions
of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. Any such reduction
shall
be in an amount equal to $10,000,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000,000
in
excess thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then
in
effect.
Β
2.8Β Β Optional
Prepayments.
The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole
or in
part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the
Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior thereto in the case
of
Eurodollar Loans and no later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, on the date
of such
prepayment in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date
and
amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or
ABR
Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than
the
last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also
pay
any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18. Upon receipt of any such notice
the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
If any
such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and
payable on the date specified therein, together with
accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial
prepayments of the Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000
or an integral multiple
of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Partial prepayments of Swingline Loans shall
be
in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000
in excess thereof.Β
Β
2.9Β Β Prepayments
on Revolving Commitment Reductions.
Any
reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be accompanied by prepayment
of the
Revolving Loans and/or Swingline Loans to the extent, if any, that the Total
Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the amount of the Total Revolving
Commitments as so reduced, provided that if the aggregate principal amount
of
Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans then outstanding is less than the amount
of
such excess (because L/C Obligations constitute a portion thereof), the Borrower
shall, to the extent of the balance of such excess, replace outstanding Letters
of Credit and/or deposit an amount in cash in a cash collateral account
established with the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders
on
terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The application
of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be made, first, to ABR
Loans and, second, to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of the Loans under
this
Section 2.9 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such
prepayment on the amount prepaid.
Β
2.10Β Β Conversion
and Continuation Options.Β
Β
(a)Β Β The
Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans
by
giving the Administrative Agent at least two Business Daysβ prior irrevocable
notice of such election, provided
that any
such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of an
Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower may elect from time to
time
to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent
at
least three Business Daysβ prior irrevocable notice of such election (which
notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor),
provided
that no
ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when both (i) a Default
or an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) the Administrative
Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion
not to permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender
thereof.
Β
21
(b)Β Β Any
Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then
current
Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving irrevocable notice
to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions
of the
term βInterest Periodβ set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next
Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided
that no
Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such when any Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required
Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such
continuations, and provided,
further,
that if
the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in
this
paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding
proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last
day
of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender
thereof.
Β
2.11Β Β Limitations
on Eurodollar Tranches.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings,
conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Loans and all selections of Interest
Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to suchΒ elections
so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount
of the
Eurodollar Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000
or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than
six
Eurodollar Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.
Β
2.12Β Β Interest
Rates and Payment Dates.
Β
(a)Β Β Each
Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period
with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined
for such day plus the Applicable Margin.
Β
(b)Β Β Each
ABR
Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the
Applicable Margin.
Β
(c)Β Β Each
Swingline Loan (other than an ABR Loan) shall bear interest at the rate agreed
between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender as provided in Section
2.3(a).
Β
(d)Β Β (i)
If
all or a portion of the principal amount of any Revolving Loan, Swingline
Loan
or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest
at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that
would
otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
Section plus
2% or
(y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR
Loans
plus
2%, and
(ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Revolving Loan,
Swingline Loan, or Reimbursement Obligation or any facility fee or other
amount
payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity,
by
acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a
rate
per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans plus
2%, in
each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such
non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before
judgment).
Β
22
(e)Β Β
Interest
in respect of all Revolving Loans and all Swingline Loans outstanding as
ABR
Loans shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date. Interest
in
respect of all Swingline Loans (other than ABR Loans) shall be payable in
arrears on the last day of the respective interest period applicable to such
Swingline Loan as agreed between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender pursuant
to Section 2.3(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest accruing pursuant
to
paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on
demand.
Β
2.13Β Β Computation
of Interest and Fees.
Β
(a)Β Β Interest
and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans
the
rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the
interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as
the
case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent
shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders
of
each determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate
on a
Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which
such
change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable
notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the
amount of each such change in interest rate.
Β
(b)Β Β Each
determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
any
provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower
and
the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall,
at
the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing
the
quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate
pursuant to Section 2.12(a).
Β
23
2.14Β Β Inability
to Determine Interest Rate.
If
prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
Β
(a)Β Β the
Administrative Agent shall have determined in its good faith judgment (which
determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by
reason
of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate means do not exist
for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or
Β
(b)Β Β the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders
that
the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period
will
not reflect the actual cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by
such
Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest
Period,
the
Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to
the
Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first
day
of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y)Β any Loans
that were
to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar
Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar
Loans
shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period,
to ABR
Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent,
no
further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the
Borrower have the right to convert Loans to Eurodollar Loans. The Administrative
Agent shall promptly withdraw such notice when Eurodollar Loans are again
available.
Β
2.15Β Β Pro
Rata Treatment and Payments.Β
Β
(a)Β Β Each
borrowing by the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder (other than the borrowing
of Swingline Loans), each payment by the Borrower on account of any facility
fee
and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall be made
proΒ rata
according to the respective Revolving Commitments of the relevant
Lenders.
Β
(b)Β Β Each
payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal
of
and interest on the Loans shall be made proΒ rata
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans then
held
by the Lenders.
Β
(c)Β Β All
payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether
on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without
setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, Atlanta time,
on
the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly
upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than
payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other
than a
Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day
other
than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend
such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall
be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension
of
any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest
thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such
extension.
Β
(d)Β Β Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender
prior
to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute
its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available
to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance
upon
such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If
such
amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required
time on
the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative
Agent,
on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes
such
amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of
the
Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts
owing
under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
If
such Lenderβs share of such borrowing is not made available to the
Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days after such
Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover
such
amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans,
on
demand, from the Borrower.
Β
24
(e)Β Β Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower
prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrower hereunder
that
the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment,
and
the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective proΒ rata
shares
of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days after such due date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender
to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence,
such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit
the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the
Borrower.
Β
2.16Β Β Requirements
of Law.Β
Β
(a)Β Β If
the
adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation
or
application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other
Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:
Β
(i)Β Β shall
subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this
Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Application or any Eurodollar Loan made
by
it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect
thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 2.17 and changes
in
the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);
Β
(ii)Β Β shall
impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory
loan
or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities
in
or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by,
or any
other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise
included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or
Β
(iii)Β Β shall
impose on such Lender any other condition;
Β
and
the
result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by
an
amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into,
continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or issuing or participating in
Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect
thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender,
upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender
for
such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender becomes entitled
to claim any amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify
the
Borrower in writing (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event
by
reason of which it has become so entitled; provided
that the
Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this paragraph
for any amounts incurred more than three months prior to the date that such
Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lenderβs intention to claim compensation
therefor; and providedΒ further
that, if
the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then
such
period for which the Borrower shall be required to compensate the Lenders
shall
be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.
Β
25
(b)Β Β If
any
Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any
Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or
application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling
such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether
or
not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent
to
the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Lenderβs or such corporationβs capital as a consequence of its obligations
hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below
that
which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption,
change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lenderβs or such
corporationβs policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such
Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written
request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount
or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such corporation for such
reduction; provided
that the
Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this paragraph
for any amounts incurred more than three months prior to the date that such
Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lenderβs intention to claim compensation
therefor; and providedΒ further
that, if
the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect,
then
such
period for which the Borrower shall be required to compensate the Lenders
shall
be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect
Β
(c)Β Β A
certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section
submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. The obligations
of
the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this
Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
Β
2.17Β Β Taxes.
Β
(a)Β Β All
payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made free and
clear
of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present
or
future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees,
deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected,
withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding net income
taxes
and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on the
Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or former connection
between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the
Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or
taxing
authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely
from
the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed
its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement
or any
other Loan Document). If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (βNon-Excluded
Taxesβ)
or
Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts so payable to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary
to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after payment of all
Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable
hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement,
provided,
however,
that
the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to
any
Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that are attributable to
such
Lenderβs failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this
Section or (ii) that are United States withholding taxes imposed on amounts
payable to such Lender at the time such Lender becomes a party to this
Agreement, except to the extent that such Lenderβs assignor (if any) was
entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from the
Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this
paragraph.
Β
26
(b)Β Β In
addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law.
Β
(c)Β Β Whenever
any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly
as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent
for
its own account or for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may
be, a
certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing
payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other
Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the
Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary
evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable
by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure.
Β
(d)Β Β Each
Lender (or Transferee) that is not a βU.S. Personβ as defined in Section
7701(a)(30) of the Code (a βNon-U.S.
Lenderβ)
shall
deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of
a
Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have
been
purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN
or
Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from
U.S.
federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect
to payments of βportfolio interestβ, a statement substantially in the form of
Exhibit F and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors
thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming
complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax
on
all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date
it
becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on
or
before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In
addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the
obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S.
Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time
it
determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously
delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification
adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding
any
other provision of this paragraph, a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required
to
deliver any form pursuant to this paragraph that such Non-U.S. Lender is
not
legally able to deliver.
Β
27
(e)Β Β A
Lender
that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of non-U.S. withholding
tax
under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any
treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under
this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without
withholding or at a reduced rate, provided
that
such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such
documentation and in such Lenderβs judgment such completion, execution or
submission would not materially prejudice the legal position of such
Lender.
Β
(f)Β Β The
agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and
the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder and for
a
period of one year after the indefeasible payment in full of all Obligations
and
the termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Β
2.18Β Β Indemnity.
The
Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless
from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence
of (a)Β default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion
into or
continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice
requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
(b)
default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from
Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of
Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period
with
respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the
excess,
if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount
so
prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from
the
date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue
to the
last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,
convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the
date
of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such
Loans
provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein,
if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonablyΒ determined
by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by
placing
such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the
interbank eurodollar market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant
to
this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive
in the
absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of
this
Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
Β
2.19Β Β Change
of Lending Office.
Each
Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the
operation of Section 2.16, 2.17(a) or 2.20 with respect to such Lender, to
the
extent permitted by law, it will designate another lending office for any
Loans
affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such
event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole
judgment of such Lender, are not disadvantageous to such Lender, and provided,
further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the
obligations of the Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section
2.16, 2.17(a), or 2.20.
Β
28
2.20Β Β Illegality.Β If
the
adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation
or
application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other
Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall make it
unlawful, impossible or impracticable for any Lender to make, maintain or
fund
any Eurodollar Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent
and
the Borrower thereof (with supporting documentation) of such event, then
such
Lender's Revolving Commitment shall be suspended and, 30 days following such
notification, shall be canceled if such unlawfulness, impossibility or
impracticability shall then be continuing. The Borrower shall prepay such
Lender's Loans or convert such Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans at the time
or
times and to the extent necessary to avoid such unlawfulness, together with
unpaid accrued interest thereon, unpaid accrued fees and any other amounts
due
and payable to such Lender, unless, in either case, prior thereto, the Borrower
shall have given notice to such Lender that the Borrower will require such
Lender to assign and transfer all of its interests in this Agreement pursuant
to
Section 2.19 and shall have caused such Lender to have so assigned and
transferred such interests.Β Β
Β
2.21Β Β Replacement
of Lenders.
The
Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests
reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), (b)
requires relief pursuant to Section 2.20 or (c) refuses to consent to certain
proposed amendments, modifications, waivers, discharges or terminations with
respect to this Agreement that require the consent of all Lenders (or all
affected Lenders) pursuant to Section
10.1
and the
same have been approved by the Required Lenders, in each case with a replacement
financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict
with
any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and
be
continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such replacement,
such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.19 so as to eliminate
the
continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a)
or relief pursuant to Section 2.20, (iv) the replacement financial institution
shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such
replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower
shall
be liable to such replaced Lender for any amounts owing under Section 2.18
if
any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other
than
on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement
financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be an Eligible Assignee,
(vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6 (provided that the Borrower
shall
be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein),
(viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower
shall pay to the Lender being replaced all additional amounts (if any) required
pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), as the case may be, and (ix)Β any
such
replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced
Lender. If any circumstances arise which result, or such Lender becomes aware
of
any circumstances which are expected to result, in the Borrower having to
make
such compensation or indemnification or in it becoming illegal for such Lender
to make, fund or maintain such Lender's Eurodollar Loans, such Lender shall
use
its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower thereof and, in
consultation with the Borrower, such Lender shall take all steps, if any,
it
determines are reasonable and the Borrower determines are acceptable to mitigate
the effect of those circumstances; provided that no delay or failure by any
Lender to provide any such notice shall affect the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder.Β
Β
29
2.22Β Β Increase
in Revolving Commitments.
Β
(a)Β Β On
not
more than three occasions during any calendar year, the Borrower may submit
to
the Administrative Agent the Borrowerβs written request that the Revolving
Commitments be increased up to a total amount not to exceed on any such occasion
$1,100,000,000 (the requested amount on each such occasion being the
βMaximum
Revolving Commitmentsβ),
and
the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice of such request to each
Lender (the βRevolving
Commitment Increase Noticeβ).
Within fifteen (15) Business Days after its receipt from the Administrative
Agent of a Revolving Commitment Increase Notice, each Lender that desires
to
increase its Revolving Commitment in response to such request (each such
Lender,
a βConsenting
Lenderβ)
shall
deliver written notice to the Administrative Agent of its election to increase
its Revolving Commitment and the maximum amount of such increase (for each
Consenting Lender, its βAdditional
Revolving Commitmentβ),
which
may not be larger than the excess of (a) the Maximum Revolving Commitments,
over
(b) the
Revolving Commitments then in effect. The failure of any Lender to so notify
the
Administrative Agent of its election and its Additional Revolving Commitment,
if
any, shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender to increase its Revolving
Commitment. If the sum of the Revolving Commitments then in effect plus
the
aggregate Additional Revolving Commitments does not exceed the Maximum Revolving
Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Consenting Lender shall be
increased by its Additional Revolving Commitment as hereinafter provided.
If the
sum of the Revolving Commitments then in effect plus
the
aggregate Additional Revolving Commitments exceeds the Maximum Revolving
Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Consenting Lender shall be
increased by an amount equal to the product of (i) such Consenting Lenderβs
Additional Revolving Commitment multiplied
by
(ii) the
quotient of (a) the excess of (A) the Maximum Revolving Commitments,
over
(B) the
Revolving Commitments then in effect, divided
by
(b) the
aggregate Additional Revolving Commitments of all Consenting Lenders. Any
increase in the Revolving Commitments shall be effective as of the date
specified pursuant to Section 2.22(c); provided,
that
the Revolving Commitments may not at any time exceed the Maximum Revolving
Commitments.
Β
(b)Β Β If
the
sum of the Revolving Commitments then in effect plus
the
aggregate Additional Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.22(a) is
less
than the Maximum Revolving Commitments, then the Borrower may obtain the
remainder of the Maximum Revolving Commitment from one or more new banks
or
other financial institutions acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld) (each a
βNew
Lenderβ).
Upon
(i) the execution of a joinder agreement with respect to this Agreement by
such
New Lender and acceptance thereof by the Administrative Agent, (ii) the
execution and delivery by the Borrower of any Notes requested by the New
Lender
evidencing its Loans, and (iii) delivery of notice to the Lenders by the
Administrative Agent setting forth the effective date of the addition of
the New
Lender(s) hereunder and the amount of such New Lender(s)β Revolving
Commitment(s), such New Lender(s) shall be for all purposes Lender(s) party
to
this Agreement to the same extent as if original parties hereto with Revolving
Commitment(s) as set forth on the joinder agreement executed by the New
Lender(s); provided,
however,
(i) the
total Revolving Commitments of all Lenders (including any New Lenders) shall
not
exceed in the aggregate the Maximum Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the
Revolving Commitments of all Lenders that are parties hereto prior to the
addition of any New Lender shall not be affected by the addition of such
New
Lender.
Β
30
(c)Β Β Prior
to
any increase in the Revolving Commitments becoming effective pursuant to
this
Section 2.22, Borrower and Guarantor shall deliver such opinions of counsel
for
the Borrower and the Guarantor with respect thereto as the Administrative
Agent
may reasonably request, no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or
have
occurred and be continuing, and the other conditions set forth in Section
5.2
shall have been satisfied. Effective on the date on which the increase in
Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.22 takes effect, which date
shall be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
and
each Lender or New Lender increasing or providing, as the case may be, its
Revolving Commitments, (i) all Loans outstanding hereunder shall be converted
into, and shall be advanced as, Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans (or both) as
selected by the Borrower by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.2, such that all such Loans are held by
the
Lenders (including any New Lenders) in the proportion of their Revolving
Percentages, as determined taking into account the increase in the Revolving
Commitments, and (ii) each New Lender and each other Lender increasing its
Revolving Commitment shall advance any additional amounts to be advanced
by it
hereunder, by making funds available to the Administrative Agent, in immediately
available funds, not later than 1:00 p.m. Atlanta, Georgia time on such date.
After the Administrative Agentβs receipt of such funds, the Administrative Agent
shall disburse to the non-Consenting Lenders any resulting repayments of
such
outstanding Loans. If any conversion or payment of a Eurodollar Loan pursuant
to
the foregoing provisions occurs on a day that is not the last day of the
applicable Interest Period, the provisions of Section 2.16 shall apply
thereto.
Β
SECTION
3. Β Β LETTERS
OF CREDIT
Β
3.1Β Β L/C
Commitment.
Β
(a)Β Β Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the
agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue
letters of credit (βLetters
of Creditβ)
for
the account of the Borrower on any Business Day during the Revolving Commitment
Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender;
provided
that the
Borrower shall not request the Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit
if,
after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed
the
L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving
Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be
denominated in Dollars, (ii) have a face amount of at least $2,500,000 (unless
otherwise agreed by the Issuing Lender) and (iii) expire no later than the
date
that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date.
Β
(b)Β Β The
Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of
Credit
if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Lender or any
L/C
Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of
Law.
Β
3.2Β Β Procedure
for Issuance of Letter of Credit.
The
Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter
of
Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified
herein an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing
Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information
as the Issuing Lender may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any Application,
the Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents
and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith
in
accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter
of
Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required
to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than twoΒ Business
Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other
certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto)
by
issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof
or as
otherwise may be agreed to by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing
Lender shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly
following the issuance thereof. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish
to the
Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders,
notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount
thereof).
Β
31
3.3Β Β Fees
and Other Charges.
Β
(a)Β Β The
Borrower will pay a fee on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum
rate
equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar
Loans,
shared ratably among the Lenders according to their respective Revolving
Commitments and payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date
after
the issuance date. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender
for
its own account a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired
amount of each Letter of Credit, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C
Fee
Payment Date after the Issuance Date.
Β
(b)Β Β In
addition to the foregoing fees, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing
Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or
charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment
under,
amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
Β
3.4Β Β L/C
Participations.
Β
(a)Β Β The
Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C
Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit,
each
L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts
and
purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth
below,
for such L/C Participantβs own account and risk an undivided interest equal to
such L/C Participantβs Revolving Percentage in the Issuing Lenderβs obligations
and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of
each
draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a
draft
is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not
reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement or which is not converted to ABR Loans pursuant to Section 3.5
of this
Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand
at
the Issuing Lenderβs address for notices specified herein an amount equal to
such L/C Participantβs Revolving Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any
part thereof, that is not so reimbursed.
Β
(b)Β Β If
any
amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Lender pursuant
to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made
by
the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is not paid to the Issuing
Lender
on the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing
Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times
(ii)
the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and
including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment
is
immediately available to the Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and
the
denominator of which is 360, provided
that if
any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to
SectionΒ 3.4(a) is not made available to the Issuing Lender by such
L/C
Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due,
the
Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on
demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at
the
rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility. A
certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect
to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence
of
manifest error.
Β
32
(c)Β Β Whenever,
at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of
Credit
and has received from any L/C Participant its proΒ rata
share of
such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), the Issuing Lender receives
any
payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower
or
otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing
Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender
will
distribute to such L/C Participant its proΒ rata
share
thereof; provided,
however,
that in
the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required
to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to
the
Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing
Lender
to it.
Β
3.5Β Β Reimbursement
Obligation of the Borrower.
Β
(a)Β Β The
Borrower agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender on the Business Day next
succeeding the Business Day on which the Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower
of
the date and amount of a draft presented under any Letter of Credit and paid
by
the Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any taxes,
fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in
connection with such payment. Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing
Lender at its address for notices referred to herein in Dollars and in
immediately available funds. Interest shall be payable on any such amounts
from
the date on which the relevant draft is paid until payment in full at the
rate
set forth in (i) until the Business Day next succeeding the date of the relevant
notice, Section 2.12(b) and (ii) thereafter, SectionΒ 2.12(c).Β
Β
(b)Β Β Unless
the Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank and the Administrative
Agent
prior to 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, on the Business Day immediately prior
to the
date on which such draft is honored that the Borrower intends to reimburse
the
Issuing Bank for the amount of such draft in funds other than from the proceeds
of Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a notice of
borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders to make an ABR
Loan
on the date on which such draft is honored in an exact amount due to the
Issuing
Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such borrowing
in
accordance with Section 2.2, and each Lender shall make the proceeds of its
ABR
Loan included in such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for
the
account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.2. The proceeds
of such
borrowing shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse
the
Issuing Bank for the
amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other
costs
or expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such
payment.
Β
33
(c)Β Β If
for
any reason an ABR Loan may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of
the
Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing
provisions, then each L/C
Participant
(other
than the Issuing Bank) shall be obligated to fund the participation that
such
L/C
Participant
purchased pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in an amount equal
to
such L/C Participantβs Revolving Percentage in the Issuing Lenderβs obligations
and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of
each
draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder on
and as
of the date which such ABR Loan should have occurred pursuant to this Section
3.5.
Β
3.6Β Β Obligations
Absolute.
The
Borrowerβs obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim
or
defense to payment that the Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing
Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower
also agrees with the Issuing Lender that the Issuing Lender shall not be
responsible for, and the Borrowerβs Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5
shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness
of
documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall
in
fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or
among
the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party
to
which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of
the
Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such
transferee. The Issuing Lender shall not beΒ liable
for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch
or
delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with
any
Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions found by a final and
nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender. The
Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender under
or
in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents,
if
done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and in accordance
with the standards of care specified in the Uniform Commercial Code of the
State
of New York, shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any
liability of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower.
Β
3.7Β Β Letter
of Credit Payments.
If any
draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the date and amount thereof.
The
responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any
draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition
to any
payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited
to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under
such
Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in
conformity with such Letter of Credit.
Β
3.8Β Β Applications.
To the
extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit
is
inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this
Section 3 shall apply.
Β
SECTION
4. Β Β REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
Β
To
induce
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and
to
make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, Holdings
and
the Borrower hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
Β
34
4.1Β Β Financial
Condition.
The
audited consolidated balance sheets of Holdings as at December 31, 2004,
and the
related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows
for
the fiscal year ended on such date, reported on by and accompanied by an
unqualified report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, fairly present in all
material respects the consolidated financial condition of Holdings as at
such
date, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated
cash
flows for the fiscal year then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance
sheet
of Holdings as at June 30, 2005, and the related unaudited consolidated
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the three-month
period ended on such date, fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial condition of Holdings as at such date, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for
the
three-month period then ended (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).
All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes
thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently
throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned
firm
of accountants and disclosed therein).Β
Β
4.2Β Β No
Change.
Since
December 31, 2004, no event or condition has occurred or changed that has
had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
4.3Β Β Existence;
Compliance with Law.
Each
Group Member (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and
authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease
the
property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is
currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in
good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification
except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d)
is
in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that such
non-compliance, singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected
to
result in liability or loss to the Group Members in an aggregate amount in
excess of $100,000,000.
Β
4.4Β Β Power;
Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
Each
Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver
and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of
the
Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken
all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery
and
performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case
of the
Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement. No authorization or approval of, filing with, notice to or
other
act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is
required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, other than any such consents, authorizations,
filings and notices which have been obtained or made and are in full force
and
effect. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf
of
each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other
Loan
Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation
of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party
in
accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
the
enforcement of creditorsβ rights generally and by general equitable principles
(whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
Β
35
4.5Β Β No
Legal Bar.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and
the
use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any material Requirement of
Law or
any material Contractual Obligation of any of Holdings, the Borrower or their
respective Subsidiaries and will not result in, or require, the creation
or
imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues
pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation. No
Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to Holdings, the
Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected
to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
4.6Β Β Litigation.
Except
as may be disclosed on Schedule 4.6, no litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority
is pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened (i)
against Holdings or the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries
to
restrain the entry by Holdings or the Borrower into, the enforcement of or
exercise of any rights by the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under,
or the
performance or compliance by the Borrower with any obligations under,
thisΒ Agreement,
the Notes, or the Guarantee Agreement, or (ii) against Holdings or the Borrower
or any of their Subsidiaries which has had or would reasonably be expected
to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
4.7Β Β No
Default.
No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Β
4.8Β Β Ownership
of Property; Liens.
Each
Group Member has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
all
its real property which is material to the operation of such Group Memberβs
business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other
property which is material to the operation of such Group Memberβs business, and
none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section
7.2.
Β
4.9Β Β Intellectual
Property.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.9:
(i)
each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property
necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted; (ii) no
material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging
or
questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or
effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does Holdings or the Borrower
know of any valid basis for any such claim and (iii) the use of Intellectual
Property which is material to the operation of each Group Memberβs business does
not infringe on the rights of any Person in any material respect.
Β
4.10Β Β Taxes.
Each
Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and other
material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes
shown
to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against
it or
any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on
it or
any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any the amount
or
validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have
been
provided on the books of the relevant Group Member); no tax Lien has been
filed,
and, to the knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, no claim is being asserted,
with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.
Β
36
4.11Β Β Federal
Regulations.
No part
of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder,
will
be used in any manner which violates Regulation U as now and from time to
time
hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates the provisions of the
Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender
a
statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of
FR Form
G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in Regulation U.Β
Β
4.12Β Β ERISA.
Neither
a Reportable Event nor an βaccumulated funding deficiencyβ (within the meaning
of SectionΒ 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) has occurred during
the
five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or
deemed made with respect to any Plan, and, to the knowledge and belief of
Holdings and the Borrower, each Plan has complied in all material respects
with
the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code except where non-compliance,
either singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect. No termination of a Single EmployerΒ Plan
has
occurred, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such
five-year period. The present value of all accrued benefits under each Single
Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not,
as
of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation
is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable
to
such accrued benefits by a material amount. Neither the Borrower nor any
Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from
any
Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a liability or loss under ERISA, and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity would become subject to any liability or loss under ERISA
if
the Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely
from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding
the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made, in any case where,
either singly or in the aggregate, the aggregate amount of loss or liability
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
4.13Β Β Investment
Company Act; Other Regulations.
No Loan
Party is an βinvestment companyβ, or a company βcontrolledβ by an βinvestment
companyβ, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other
than
Regulation X of the Board and the Public Utility Holding Company Act) that
limits its ability to borrow Loans or obtain other Revolving Extensions of
Credit under this Agreement.
Β
4.14Β Β Subsidiaries.
Except
as disclosed to the Administrative Agent by Holdings and the Borrower in
writing
from time to time after the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 4.14 sets forth the
name
and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary of each of Holdings
and the
Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of
Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party and (b) except as set forth on Schedule
4.14, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights
or other agreements or commitments (other than stock performance grants granted
to employees or directors and directorsβ qualifying shares) of any nature
relating to any Capital Stock of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, except as created by the Loan Documents.
Β
37
4.15Β Β Use
of
Proceeds.
The
proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit, shall be used to repay existing
Indebtedness, to support the issuance of commercial paper by the Borrower
and to
fund Permitted Acquisitions, the ongoing working capital needs and general
corporate purposes of Holdings, the Borrower and the other Group
Members.
Β
4.16Β Β Environmental
Matters.
Except
(i) as may be disclosed on Schedule 4.16, or (ii) as, either singly or in
the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
Β
(a)Β Β the
facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any of Holdings, the
Borrower, or their respective Subsidiaries (the βPropertiesβ)
do not
contain, and have not previously contained, any Materials of Environmental
Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute
or
constituted a violation of, or could give rise to liability under, any
Environmental Law;
Β
(b)Β Β none
of
Holdings, the Borrower, or their respective Subsidiaries has received or
is
aware of any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability
or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the business operated
by any of them (the βBusinessβ),
nor
does Holdings or the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that any
such
notice will be received or is being threatened;
Β
(c)Β Β Materials
of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of from the
Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a location that could give
rise
to liability under, any Environmental Law, nor have any Materials of
Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at,
on or
under any of the Properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give
rise
to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;
Β
(d)Β Β no
judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is pending or,
to
the knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental
Law to which any of Holdings, the Borrower, or their respective Subsidiaries
is
or will be named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business,
nor
are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative
orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements
outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or
the
Business;
Β
(e)Β Β there
has
been no release or threat of release of Materials of Environmental Concern
at or
from the Properties, or arising from or related to the operations in connection
with the Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation
of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws;
Β
(f)Β Β the
Properties and all operations at the Properties are in compliance, and have
in
the last five years been in compliance, with all applicable Environmental
Laws,
and there is no contamination at, under or about the Properties or violation
of
any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business;
and
Β
38
(g)Β Β no
Group
Member has assumed any liability of any other Person under Environmental
Laws.
Β
4.17Β Β Accuracy
of Information, etc.
No
statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
the Confidential Executive Summary or any other document, certificate or
written
statement furnished by any Loan Party or other statement made or furnished
by a
Responsible Officer of any Loan Party, in each case to the Administrative
Agent
or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, contained as
of the
date such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished
(or,
in the case of the Confidential Executive Summary, as of the date of this
Agreement), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein
not
misleading. There is no fact known to any Loan Party that could reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly disclosed
herein, inΒ the
other
Loan Documents, in the Confidential Executive Summary or in any other documents,
certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and
by
the other Loan Documents.
Β
4.18Β Β Solvency.
Each
Loan Party is, and after giving effect to the incurrence of all Obligations
being incurred in connection herewith, will be and will continue to be,
Solvent.
Β
4.19Β Β Status
of Loans and Guarantee Agreement.
The
obligations of Borrower and Holdings in respect of the Loans and Guarantee
Agreement, respectively, constitute senior, unsubordinated, unsecured, direct
obligations of such Loan Parties and rank pari
passu
with
such Loan Partiesβ other senior, unsubordinated, unsecured
obligations.
Β
4.20Β Β OFAC.
No Loan
Party (i) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or
subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September
23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who
Commit,
Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (ii)
engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such
executive order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner
violative of Section 2, or (iii) is a person on the list of Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions
under any other U.S. Department of Treasuryβs Office of Foreign Assets Control
regulation or executive order.
Β
4.21Β Β USA
Patriot Act.
Each
Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i)Β the
Trading
with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control
regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B,
Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order
relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing
Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot
Act
of 2001, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, as amended). No part of the proceeds
of
the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any
governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political
party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official
capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper
advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
of
1977, as amended
Β
39
SECTION
5. Β Β CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
Β
5.1Β Β Conditions
to Initial Extension of Credit.
The
agreement of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested
to be
made by it is subject to the satisfaction on the Closing Date of the following
conditions precedent:
Β
(a)Β Β Credit
Agreement; Guarantee Agreement.
The
Administrative Agent shall have received (i)Β Β this
Agreement executed and delivered by the Agents, Holdings, the Borrower and
each
Lender, (ii)
the
Notes requested by the Lenders as executed and delivered by the Borrower,
and
(iii) the Guarantee Agreement executed and delivered by Holdings.
Β
(b)Β Β Fees.
The
Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required
to be
paid (including, without limitation, the upfront fees), and all expenses
for
which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses
of legal counsel to the Administrative Agent), on or before the Closing Date.
Β
(c)Β Β Closing
Certificate.
The
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party,
dated
the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C,
with
appropriate insertions and attachments.
Β
(d)Β Β Legal
Opinion.
The
Administrative Agent shall have received the executed legal opinions of (1)
Xxxxxx & Bird LLP, counsel to Holdings and (2) Xxxxxxxx and Wedge, counsel
to the Borrower, substantially in the forms of Exhibits
E-1,
and
E-2.
Such
legal opinions shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
require.Β
Β
(e)Β Β Certificate
of Officers.
The
Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the Secretary or
an
Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and Holdings containing specimen signatures
of the persons authorized to execute the Loan Documents on behalf of the
Borrower and Holdings, and any other documents provided for herein or therein,
together with (x) copies of resolutions of the Boards of Directors of the
Borrower and Holdings authorizing the execution and delivery of the Loan
Documents, (y) copies of the Borrowerβs and Holdingsβ articles or certificate of
incorporation, by-laws, and other governing or organizational documents,
and (z)
a certificate of good standing from the Office of the Secretary of State
of the
state of organization of each of the Borrower and Holdings.
Β
(f)Β Β Commercial
Paper Rating.
The
Borrower has delivered to the Lenders satisfactory evidence that the Borrower
has a short-term commercial paper rating of at least A2 from S&P and at
least P2 from Xxxxxβx.
Β
5.2Β Β Conditions
to Each Extension of Credit.
The
agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be
made by
it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to
the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
Β
40
(a)Β Β Representations
and Warranties.
Each of
the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant
to the
Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and
as of
such date as if made on and as of such date; except (i) to the extent any
representation and warranty expressly relates to any earlier date, in which
case
such representation and warranty shall have been true and correct in all
material respects on and as of such earlier date, and (ii) no representation
or
warranty shall be deemed made as of any date subsequent to the Closing Date
as
to the matters set forth in Section 4.2 and Section 4.6(ii).
Β
(b)Β Β No
Default.
No
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such
date
or after giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on
such
date.
Β
(c)Β Β Other
Documents.
The
Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents, certificates,
information and legal opinions as it or the Required Lenders may have reasonably
requested.
Β
Each
borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower
hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower
as of
the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this
Section 5.2 have been satisfied.
Β
SECTION
6. Β Β AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
Holdings
and the Borrower hereby jointly and severally agree that, so long as the
Revolving Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding
or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative
Agent
hereunder, each of Holdings and the Borrower shall and shall cause each other
Group Member to:
Β
6.1Β Β Financial
Statements.
Furnish
to the Administrative Agent for delivery to the Lenders:
Β
(a)Β Β as
soon
as available, but in any event within 90Β days after the end of each
fiscal
year of Holdings, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings
and its consolidated Subsidiaries and a copy of the separate unaudited balance
sheet (or, if audited financial statements are otherwise prepared or required
to
be prepared for such Unrestricted Subsidiary, audited balance sheet) of each
Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case as at the end of such year and the
related
audited (or, in the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary for which audited
statements are not required by this Section 6.1(a), unaudited) consolidated
statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each
case
in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on for such
fiscal year without a βgoing concernβ or like qualification or exception, or
qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Holdingsβ independent
certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and
Β
(b)Β Β as
soon
as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each
of
the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of Holdings (other
than
the last fiscal quarter of each fiscal year), a copy of the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries,
and a
copy of the separate unaudited consolidated balance sheet of each Unrestricted
Subsidiary, in each case as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited
statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of
the
fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible
Officer as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal
year-end audit adjustments).
Β
41
All
such
financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects
and
shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied
consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods
(except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and
disclosed therein and except for the omission of footnotes in the quarterly
financial statements).
Β
6.2Β Β Certificates;
Other Information.
Furnish
to the Administrative Agent for delivery to the Lenders (or, in the case
of
clause (c), to the relevant Lender):
Β
(a)Β Β concurrently
with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1, (i)
a
certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that, to the best of each such
Responsible Officerβs knowledge, each Loan Party during such period has observed
or performed all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every
condition, contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which
it
is a party to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such
Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of
Default
except as specified in such certificate and (ii) a Compliance Certificate
containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance
by each Group Member with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein
as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of Holdings, as the
case
may be;
Β
(b)Β Β within
five days after the same are filed, copies of all annual reports on Form
10-K,
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and proxy statements, in each case that Holdings
or the Borrower file with the SEC; and
Β
(c)Β Β promptly,
such additional financial and other information as any Lender may from time
to
time reasonably request.
Β
6.3Β Β Payment
of Obligations.
Pay,
discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become
delinquent, as the case may be, all its Federal, state and other material
taxes
and other material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount
or
validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have
been
provided on the books of the relevant Group Member.
Β
6.4Β Β Maintenance
of Existence; Compliance.
(a) (i)
Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence
and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business,
except,
in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.3 and except, in the case
of
clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual
Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to
comply
therewith would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Β
42
6.5Β Β Maintenance
of Property; Insurance.
(a)
Keep all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order
and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b)Β maintain insurance
(either with financially sound insurance companies or through self-insurance)
on
all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks
(but
including in any event public liability and business interruption) as are
usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in
the
same or a similar business.
Β
6.6Β Β Inspection
of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
(a)
Keep proper books of records and account in respect of Holdings, the Borrower,
and their respective Subsidiaries in which full, true and correct entries
in
conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to their business and activities and (b) permit
representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect
any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books
and
records during normal business hours and, if no Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, upon reasonable notice and as often as may reasonably
be
desired and to discuss their respective businesses, operations, properties
and
financial and other condition with their respective officers and employees
and
with their independent certified public accountants; provided, that unless
an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent
and
the Lenders shall use their reasonable efforts to coordinate any such visits
or
inspections so as to minimize disruption of the conduct of their respective
businesses, as applicable.
Β
6.7Β Β Notices.
Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender
of:
Β
(a)Β Β the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
Β
(b)Β Β the
following events, at such time as a Responsible Officer has knowledge thereof;
any (i) default or event of default under any material Contractual Obligation
of
any of Holdings, the Borrower, or their respective Subsidiaries or (ii)
litigation or governmental proceeding that may exist at any time between
any of
Holdings, the Borrower, or their respective Subsidiaries and any Governmental
Authority, and (iii) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect
to any
Plan, a failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, the creation
of any
Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from, or the termination,
Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or the institution
of
proceedings or the taking of any other action by the PBGC or the Borrower
or any
Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to the
withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any
Plan,
that in any of the foregoing cases, singly or in the aggregate, could reasonably
be expected to result in liabilities, losses or claims to the Group Members
in
an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000; and
Β
(c)Β Β any
change in, or withdrawal or suspension of, the Ratings of which Holdings
or the
Borrower has received written notification or of which Holdings or the Borrower
becomes aware of the public announcement thereof.
Β
Each
notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a
Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein
and stating what action the relevant Group Member proposes to take with respect
thereto.
Β
43
6.8Β Β Environmental
Laws.
Β
(a)Β Β Comply
in
all material respects with, and contractually require compliance in all material
respects by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable
Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all material respects with and
maintain, and contractually require that all tenants and subtenants obtain
and
comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all licenses,
approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable
Environmental Laws except where such non-compliance would not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
(b)Β Β Conduct
and complete in all material respects all investigations, studies, sampling
and
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and comply in a timely manner in all material respects
with
all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding
Environmental Laws.
Β
6.9Β Β Maintenance
of Ownership.
In the
case of Holdings, own 100% of the Capital Stock of the Borrower, Atlanta
Gas
Light Company, Chattanooga Gas Company, and Virginia Natural Gas,
Inc.
Β
SECTION
7. Β Β NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Β
Holdings
and the Borrower hereby jointly and severally agree that, during the term
of
this Agreement, and so long as the Revolving Commitments remain in effect,
any
Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing
to any
Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder, each of Holdings and the Borrower
shall not, and shall not permit any of the other Group Members to, directly
or
indirectly:
Β
7.1Β Β Financial
Condition Covenant.
Permit
the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Total Capitalization to be greater
than
0.70:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal month of Holdings (as determined by
Holdings and the Borrower based on their internal fiscal month-end consolidated
balance sheet prepared not later than ten (10) days following the end of
such
fiscal month) or at the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings (as reflected
on
the consolidated financial statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 6.1).
Β
7.2Β Β Liens.
Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, whether
now
owned or hereafter acquired, except:Β
Β
(a)Β Β Mechanicsβ,
materialmenβs, carriersβ, and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course
of business that are not overdue for a period longer than 30 days or that
are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
Β
(b)Β Β Pledges
or deposits in connection with workersβ compensation, unemployment insurance,
and other social security legislation;
Β
(c)Β Β Liens
for
taxes not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained
on the consolidated books of Holdings in conformity with GAAP;
Β
44
(d)Β Β Liens
in
respect of judgments or awards pending appeal so long as execution is not
levied
there-under, and Liens in favor of plaintiff or defendant in any action before
a
court or a tribunal as security for cost or expenses where such action is
being
prosecuted or defended in the bona fide interest of Holdings or any other
Group
Member;
Β
(e)Β Β Liens
on
deposits to secure, or any Lien otherwise securing, the performance of bids,
trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations,
surety bonds, appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a
like
nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
Β
(f)Β Β Liens
upon or in any fixed or capital assets to secure the purchase of or the cost
of
construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or to secure
Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition,
construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets (including Liens
securingΒ capital
lease obligations); provided,
that
(i) such Lien secures Indebtedness which on the date incurred and after giving
pro forma effect thereto is permitted under Section 7.1(a), (ii)Β such
Lien
attaches to such asset concurrently or within 90 days after the acquisition,
improvement or completion of the construction thereof; (iii)Β such
Lien does
not extend to any other asset of any Group Member; and (iv)Β the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed the cost of acquiring,
constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets;
Β
(g)Β Β Liens
(x)
outstanding on or over any Asset acquired after the Closing Date, (y) in
existence at the date of such acquisition and not created in contemplation
thereof, and (z) where the principal amount secured thereby is not increased
over the amount so secured and outstanding at the time of such acquisition
(other than in the case of Liens for a fluctuating balance facility, by way
of
utilization of that facility within the limits applicable thereto at the
time of
acquisition);
Β
(h)Β Β Liens
constituted by a right of set off, or rights over a margin call account,
or any
form of cash collateral, or any similar arrangement, in any such case for
obligations incurred in respect of any Hedge Agreements, as renewed or extended
upon the renewal or extension or refinancing or replacement of the indebtedness
secured thereby;
Β
(i)Β Β Liens
existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.2(h) as renewed,
extended, refinanced or replaced, provided that such renewal, extension,
refinancing, or replacement does not cover any other Assets or increase the
obligations secured thereby;
Β
(j)Β Β Liens
on
the property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into
or
consolidated with Holdings or any other Group Member and not incurred in
contemplation with such merger or consolidation; and
Β
(k)Β Β Liens
created or outstanding on or over Assets of Holdings or other Group Members,
provided that the aggregate outstanding principal, capital and nominal amounts
secured by all Liens created or outstanding as permitted under clauses (f)
through (j) above and this clause (j) shall not at any time exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Worth;
Β
7.3Β Β Fundamental
Changes.
Merge,
consolidate or amalgamate, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer
any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all of
its
property or business, except that so long as no Default or Event of Default
has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom:
Β
45
(a)Β Β any
entity may be merged or consolidated with or into Holdings (provided
that
Holdings shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or any other
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings (provided
that
such Restricted Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation);
and
Β
(b)Β Β any
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings may Dispose of any or all of its Assets
(i) to
Holdings or any other Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings (upon voluntary
liquidation or otherwise) or (ii) pursuant to a Disposition permitted by
Section
7.4 and may thereafter liquidate, wind up or dissolve.
Β
7.4Β Β Disposition
of Property.
Dispose
of any of its Assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the
case
of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell any shares
of
such Restricted Subsidiaryβs Capital Stock to any Person, except:
Β
(a)Β Β Dispositions
of obsolete or worn out property in the ordinary course of
business;
Β
(b)Β Β sales
of
inventory in the ordinary course of business;
Β
(c)Β Β Dispositions
permitted by Section 7.3(b)(i);
Β
(d)Β Β sales
or
issuances of any Restricted Subsidiaryβs Capital Stock to Holdings or to any
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings; and
Β
(e)Β Β the
Disposition of other Assets, the aggregate net book value of which, when
combined with all such other Assets sold, leased, transferred or otherwise
disposed of since June 30, 2005, would not exceed 20% of Holdingβs consolidated
Assets at the end of the preceding fiscal quarter (including the fourth fiscal
quarter) of Holdings for which financial statements have most recently been
delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to SectionΒ 6.1.
Β
7.5Β Β Restricted
Payments.
Declare
or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in common stock
of the
Person making such dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set
apart
assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption,
defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any Capital Stock of any
Group
Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution
in
respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property
or
in obligations of any Group Member (collectively, βRestricted Paymentsβ), except
that:
Β
(a)Β Β any
Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Holdings or to any
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings or to any third-party investors in any
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings;
Β
(b)Β Β so
long
as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Holdings may
pay
dividends on shares of its Capital Stock; and
Β
46
(c)Β Β so
long
as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Holdings may
buy
back any outstanding shares of its Capital Stock.
Β
7.6Β Β Intentionally
Omitted.
Β
7.7Β Β Investments.
Make
any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise)
or
capital contribution to, or purchase any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures
or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of,
or
make any other investment in, any Person (all of the foregoing, βInvestmentsβ),
except:
Β
(a)Β Β extensions
of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;
Β
(b)Β Β investments
in Cash Equivalents;
Β
(c)Β Β Guarantee
Obligations otherwise permitted by this Agreement;
Β
(d)Β Β loans
and
advances to employees of any Group Member in the ordinary course of business
(including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses) in an aggregate
amount for all Group Members not to exceed $2,000,000 at any one time
outstanding;
Β
(e)Β Β other
Investments made by Holdings or its Restricted Subsidiaries (excepting the
Borrower) subsequent to June 30, 2005 where such Investments consist of
purchases of, or other investments in, the Capital Stock or other equity
or
ownership interests, assets, obligations or other interests in, Subsidiaries,
joint ventures, or other Persons, in each case that are engaged principally
in
the business of purchasing, gathering, compression, transportation,
distribution, exploration, production, processing or storage of natural gas,
or
asset management with respect to the foregoing (the foregoing collectively
referred to as βPermitted
Acquisitionsβ);
and
Β
(f)Β Β $150,000,000
in respect of Investments other than those described in the preceding clause
(e).
Β
7.8Β Β Negative
Pledge Clauses.
Except
for the agreements listed on Schedule 7.8, enter into or suffer to exist
or
become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of any
Group
Member to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its
property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than
(a)
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (b) any agreements governing
any
purchase money Liens or capital lease obligations otherwise permitted hereby
(in
which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against
the
assets financed thereby).
Β
7.9Β Β Clauses
Restricting Subsidiary Distributions.
Enter
into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings to (a)
make
Restricted Payments in respect of any Capital Stock of such Restricted
Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, Holdings or any other
Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings, (b) make loans or advances to, or other
Investments in, the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary of Holdings
or
(c) transfer any of its assets to Holdings or any other Restricted Subsidiary
of
Holdings, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or
by
reason of (i) any restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed
pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the
Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of
such
Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) any agreements with joint venture partners
in
connection with joint ventures permitted by this Agreement.
Β
47
7.10Β Β Lines
of Business
and
Hedge Activities.
(a)
With respect to Holdings and each Subsidiary (excepting the Borrower), enter
into any business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for
(i)
those businesses in which Holdings and its Subsidiaries (excepting the Borrower)
and its existing joint ventures are engaged on the date of this Agreement,
(ii)
that are reasonably related to the businesses referred to in the preceding
clause (i), or (iii) that are being undertaken by comparable companies in
the
natural gas industry, (b) with respect to the Borrower, enter into any business,
except for that in which the Borrower is engaged on the date hereof, or (c)
with
respect to Holdings, the Borrower, and each other Group Member, enter into
any
Hedge Agreement except in the ordinary course of their business and consistent
with industry practices.
Β
7.11Β Β Designation
of Subsidiaries.
Holdings may not designate or redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as
a
Restricted Subsidiary, or designate or redesignate any Restricted Subsidiary
as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless (a) Holdings shall have given not less
than
ten (10) daysβ prior written notice to the Lenders that the Board of Directors
of Holdings has made such determination, (b) at the time of such designation
or
redesignation, and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or
Event
of Default would exist, (c) in the case of the designation of a Restricted
Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and after giving effect thereto,
(i)
such Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated shall not, directly, or indirectly,
own any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary,
and (ii) such designation shall be deemed a sale of assets and shall be
permitted by the provisions of Section 7.4, (d) in the case of the designation
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving
effect
thereto, (i) all outstanding Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary so
designated shall be permitted within the applicable limitations of Section
7.1,
and (ii) all existing Liens of such Restricted Subsidiary so designated shall
be
permitted within the applicable limitations of Section 7.2, (e) in the case
of
the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
such
Restricted Subsidiary shall not at any time after the date of this Agreement
have previously been designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary more than once,
and (f) in the case of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary, such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not at any time
after
the date of this Agreement have previously been designated as Restricted
Subsidiary more than once.
Β
SECTION
8. Β Β EVENTS
OF
DEFAULT
Β
If
any of
the following events shall occur and be continuing:
Β
(a)Β Β the
Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation
when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or the Borrower shall fail
to pay
any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within five days after
any
such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof;
or
Β
48
(b)Β Β any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or
in
any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document
or
financial or other statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection
with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been
inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made;
or
Β
(c)Β Β (i)
any
Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement
contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 6.4(a) (with respect to Holdings
and
the Borrower only), Section 6.7(a), Section 6.9 or Section 7 of this Agreement;
or
Β
(d)Β Β any
Loan
Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement
contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided
in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue
unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) knowledge thereof
by
any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party or (ii) notice to the Borrower
from
the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or
Β
(e)Β Β any
Group
Member shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of any
Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans)
on
the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default
in
making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period
of
grace or notice and cure, if any, provided in any instrument or agreement
under
which such Indebtedness was created; or (iii) 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 the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such
Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable, or be required to be prepaid
or
redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or
redemption), purchased or defeased, or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase
or
defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior
to
the scheduled maturity thereof by reason of such event or condition;
provided,
that a
default, event or condition described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this
paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless,
at
such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described
in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and
be
continuing with respect to Indebtedness the total principal amount of which
exceeds in the aggregate $100,000,000 (which, in the case of Indebtedness
arising under any Hedge Agreement, shall be determined as the amount, if
any,
that would then be payable by the Group Member thereunder if such Hedge
Agreement were to be terminated as a result of default by such Group Member);
or
Β
(f)Β Β (i)
any
Group Member shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under
any
existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating
to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have
an
order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it
a
bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment,
winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect
to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial part of its assets, or any Group Member shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced
against any Group Member any case, proceeding or other action of a nature
referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order
for
relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed,
undischarged or unbonded for a period of 90 days; or (iii) there shall be
commenced against any Group Member any case, proceeding or other action seeking
issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process
against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry
of
an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged,
or
stayed or bonded pending appeal within 90 days from the entry thereof; or
(iv)
any Group Member shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its
consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in
clause
(i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) any Group Member shall generally not, or
shall
be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as
they
become due; or
Β
49
(g)Β Β (i)
any
Person shall engage in any βprohibited transactionβ (as defined in Section 406
of ERISA or SectionΒ 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any
βaccumulated funding deficiencyβ (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether
or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor
of the
PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly
Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to,
or
proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall
be
appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which
Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee
is,
in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, likely to result in the
termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single
Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v)Β the
Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion
of the Required Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in connection with
a
withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a Multiemployer
Plan or
(vi) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a
Plan;
and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition,
together with all other such events or conditions, if any, results in
liabilities of the Group Members in respect thereof in excess of $100,000,000;
or
Β
(h)Β Β one
or
more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member involving
in
the aggregate liabilities (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which
the relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $100,000,000
or
more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged,
stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof;
or
Β
(i)Β Β the
guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee Agreement shall cease,
for any
reason, to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate
of any
Loan Party shall so assert; or
Β
(j)Β Β (i)
Β any βpersonβ or βgroupβ (as such terms are used in SectionsΒ 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the βExchange Actβ))
shall become the βbeneficial ownerβ (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the
outstanding common stock of Holdings or (ii)Β the board of directors
of
Holdings shall cease to consist of a majority of Continuing Directors;
Β
50
then,
and
in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in
clause
(i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically
the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with
accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement
and
the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether
or
not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have
presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due
and
payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both
of
the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare
the
Revolving Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving
Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the
Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the
Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower,
declare the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts
of L/C
Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters
of
Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due
and
payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.
With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for
honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to
this
paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account
opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then
undrawn
and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash
collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment
of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof
after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon,
if
any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower hereunder
and
under the other Loan Documents. After all such Letters of Credit shall have
expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have
been
satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in
such
cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower (or such other
Person
as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided above
in this
Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are
hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
Β
SECTION
9. Β Β THE
AGENTS
Β
9.1Β Β Appointment.
Each
Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent
as
the Agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
and
each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such
capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the
terms
of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other
powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not
have
any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein,
or any
fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the
Administrative Agent.
Β
9.2Β Β Delegation
of Duties.
The
Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and
the
other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall
be
entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable
care.
Β
51
9.3Β Β Exculpatory
Provisions.
Neither
any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection
with
this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any
of the
foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Personβs own gross
negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any
of
the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made
by
any Loan Party 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 Agents 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 or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto
to
perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be
under
any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance
or
performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books
or
records of any Loan Party.
Β
9.4Β Β Reliance
by Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected
in
relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate,
affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order
or
other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and
to
have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice
and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Holdings or the Borrower),
independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative
Agent.
The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the
owner
thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation
or
transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take
any
action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified
by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first
be
indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability
and
expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take
any
such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected
in
acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other
Loan
Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so
specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action
taken
or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders
and all
future holders of the Loans.
Β
9.5Β Β Notice
of Default.
The
Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent
has received notice from a Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to
this
Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such
notice is a βnotice of defaultβ. In the event that the Administrative Agent
receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof
to
the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect
to
such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required
Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that
unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions,
the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action,
or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event
of
Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the
Lenders.
Β
52
9.6Β Β Non-Reliance
on Agents and Other Lenders.
Each
Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no
act by
any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan
Party
or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents
to
the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent
or any
other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness
of the
Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans
hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that
it
will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender,
and
based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the
time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions
in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as
to the
business, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices,
reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders
by
the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have
any
duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial
or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate
of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent
or
any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates.
Β
9.7Β Β Indemnification.
The
Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent
not
reimbursed by Holdings or the Borrower and without limiting the obligation
of
Holdings or the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective
Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification
is
sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date
upon
which the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans and any
Letters of Credit outstanding shall have been paid in full, ratably in
accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to
such
date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, claims, demands, causes
of action or disbursements of any kind whatsoever (whether or not an Indemnitee
is a party to any such action, suit, demand, cause of action, etc.) that
may at
any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans and any Letters
of
Credit) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any
way
relating to or arising out of, the Revolving 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 under or in connection with any of the foregoing;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of
such
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable
decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such
Agentβs
gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall
survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
Β
53
9.8Β Β Agent
in Its Individual Capacity.
Each
Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally
engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were
not
an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect
to
any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have
the
same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
as any
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the
terms
βLenderβ and βLendersβ shall include each Agent in its individual
capacity.
Β
9.9Β Β Successor
Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 daysβ notice to
the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as
Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then
the
Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for
the
Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section
8(a) or Section 8(f) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and
be
continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall
not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed
to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term
βAdministrative Agentβ shall mean such successor agent effective upon such
appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agentβs rights, powers
and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other
or
further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any
of
the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor
agent
has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days
following a retiring Administrative Agentβs notice of resignation, the retiring
Administrative Agentβs resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become
effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of
the
Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders
appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring
Administrative Agentβs resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of
this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted
to
be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and
the
other Loan Documents.
Β
9.10Β Β Co-Documentation
Agents and Syndication Agent.
None of
the Co-Documentation Agents or the Syndication Agent shall have any duties
or
responsibilities hereunder in its capacity as such.
Β
SECTION
10. Β Β MISCELLANEOUS
Β
10.1Β Β Amendments
and Waivers.
Neither
this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof
may be
amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions
of
this Section 10.1. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party (any required
response to the matters described in clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 10.1
not
to be unreasonably delayed by any party) party to the relevant Loan Document
may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative
Agent and each Loan Party (any required response to the matters described
in
clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 10.1 not to be unreasonably delayed by
any
party) party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter
into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other
Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement
or the
other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders
or of
the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and
conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case
may
be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement
or
the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its
consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall (i) forgive any principal amount or extend
the
final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan or extend the expiry date of
any
Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Termination Date, reduce the stated
rate
of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of
any
payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of
any
Lenderβs Revolving Commitment, in each case without the written consent of each
Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights
of
any Lender under this Section 10.1 without the written consent of such Lender;
(iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders,
consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights
and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release the
Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement without the
written
consent of all Lenders; (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section
9
without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (v) amend, modify
or
waive any provision of Section 2.3 or 2.4 without the written consent of
the
Swingline Lender, or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section
3
without the written consent of the Issuing Lender. Any such waiver and any
such
amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the
Lenders
and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative
Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the
Loan
Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their
former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents,
and any
Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not
continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default
or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.
Β
54
10.2Β Β Notices.
All
notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to
be
effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
when
delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage
prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as
follows
in the case of Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and as
set
forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative
Agent
in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter
notified by the respective parties hereto:
Β
Holdings:Β AGL
Resources Inc.
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx XX, Xxxxx 0000
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
Attention:
Treasurer
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
The
Borrower:Β AGL
Capital Corporation
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
0000-X
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
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Xxxxx
00
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Xxx
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Attention:
President
Telecopy:
000-000-0000
Telephone:
000-000-0000
The
Administrative Agent:Β SunTrust
Bank
SunTrust
Plaza
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
55
provided
that any
notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders
shall not be effective until received.
Β
10.3Β Β No
Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
No
failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof;
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies,
powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of
any
rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
Β
10.4Β Β Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
All
representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents
and
in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder and
for a
period of one year after the indefeasible payment in full of all Obligations
and
the termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Β
10.5Β Β Payment
of Expenses and Taxes.
The
Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all
its
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement
or
modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other
documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation
and
administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent
and
filing and recording fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the
foregoing to be submitted to the Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the
case
of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter
on a
quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent
shall
deem appropriate, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative
Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement
or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents
and
any such other documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel
(including the allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender
and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold
each
Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording
and
filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from
any
delay in paying, stamp,Β excise
and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable
in
connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration
of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement
or
modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d)
to
pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Lender and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents
and controlling persons (each, an βIndemniteeβ) harmless from and against any
and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance
and
administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds
of the
Loans or any Letters of Credit or the violation of, noncompliance with or
liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of any
Group
Member or any of the Properties and the reasonable fees and expenses of legal
counsel in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee
against any Loan Party under any Loan Document (all the foregoing in this
clause
(d), collectively, the βIndemnified Liabilitiesβ), provided, that the Borrower
shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified
Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final
and
nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without
limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Borrower agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert,
and
hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for
contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims,
demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses
of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that
any of
them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. All amounts
due
under this Section 10.5 shall be payable not later than 10 days after written
demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section
10.5 shall be submitted to the Treasurer, AGL Resources Inc. (Telephone
No.Β 404/000-0000) (Telecopy No.Β 404/584-3589), at the address
of the
Borrower set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as
may be
hereafter designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative
Agent. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive repayment of the
Loans
and all other amounts payable hereunder.
Β
56
10.6Β Β Successors
and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
Β
(a)Β Β This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Holdings, the
Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, all future holders of the
Loans
and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may
not
assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
without
the prior written consent of each Lender.
Β
(b)Β Β Any
Lender other than any Conduit Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower,
in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks,
financial institutions or other entities (each, a βParticipantβ)
participating interests in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Commitment
of such
Lender or any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other
Loan
Documents. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating interest
to a Participant, such Lenderβs obligations under this Agreement to the other
parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain
solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain
the
holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this Agreement and the other
Loan
Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall continue to
deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenderβs rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event
shall
any Participant under any such participation have any right to approve any
amendment or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document, or any consent
to any
departure by any Loan Party therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment,
waiver or consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans
or
any fees payable hereunder, postpone the date of the final maturity of the
Loans
or release the Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement,
in
each case to the extent subject to such participation. The Borrower agrees
that
if amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the Loans are due or unpaid,
or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum
extent
permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect
of
its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly
to it
as a Lender under this Agreement, provided
that, in
purchasing such participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed
to have
agreed to share with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section
10.7(a) as fully as if it were a Lender hereunder. The Borrower also agrees
that
each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17
and
2.18 with respect to its participation in the Commitments and the Loans
outstanding from time to time as if it was a Lender; provided
that, in
the case of Section 2.17, such Participant shall have complied with the
requirements of said Section and provided,
further,
that no
Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any
such
Section than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation transferred by such transferor
Lender
to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.
Each
Lender selling participations (other than the sale of participations to a
Lender
Affiliate) shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide prompt
notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such participations
and
of the identity of the purchasers of such participations; provided that no
delay
or failure of such notice to be so given shall affect the validity of such
sale.
Β
57
(c)Β Β Any
Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of
its
Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided
that (i)
except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the
assigning Lenderβs Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the
case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved
Fund
with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for
this
purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) of the assigning Lender subject
to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance
with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent)
shall
not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment of a Loan, unless
each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) each partial assignment
shall
be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenderβs
rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the
Commitment assigned and (iii) the parties to each assignment shall execute
and
deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together
with
a processing and recordation fee of $1,000, and the Eligible Assignee, if
it
shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an
administrative questionnaire. Upon (i) the execution and delivery of the
Assignment and Acceptance by the assigning Lender and assignee Lender, (ii)
acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
paragraph (c) of this Section, (iii) consent thereof from the Borrower to
the
extent required pursuant to this clause (c) and (iv) if such assignee Lender
is
a Non-U.S. Lender, compliance by such Person with Section
2.15(d),
from
and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance,
the
Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of
the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, 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
Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in
the
case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lenderβs
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
2.14,
2.15,
2.16
and
10.5.
Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this paragraph 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.
Β
58
(d)Β Β The
Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the Borrower, maintain at its address
referred to in Section 10.2 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered
to it and a register (the βRegisterβ)
for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment
of,
and the principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to
time.
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest
error, and the Borrower, each other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent
and the
Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as
the
owner of the Loans and any Notes evidencing the Loans recorded therein for
all
purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any Loan, whether or not evidenced
by a Note, shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with respect
thereto
being made in the Register (and each Note shall expressly so provide). Any
assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan evidenced by a Note shall
be
registered on the Register only upon surrender for registration of assignment
or
transfer of the Note evidencing such Loan, accompanied by a duly executed
Assignment and Acceptance, and thereupon one or more new Notes shall be issued
to the designated Assignee.
Β
(e)Β Β Upon
its
receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an Assignor, an Assignee
and
any other Person whose consent is required by Section 10.6(c), together with
payment to the Administrative Agent of a registration and processing fee
of
$1,000, the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly accept such Assignment
and
Acceptance and (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register
on
the effective date determined pursuant thereto.
Β
(f)Β Β For
avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the
provisions of this Section 10.6 concerning assignments relate only to absolute
assignments and that such provisions do not prohibit assignments creating
security interests, including any pledge or assignment by a Lender to any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with applicable law.
Β
59
(g)Β Β The
Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees
to
issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the
type
described in paragraph (f) above.
Β
(h)Β Β Each
of
Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms
that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person
in
instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy
or
similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest
maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided,
however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to
indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost,
damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding
against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.
Β
10.7Β Β Adjustments;
Set-off.
Β
(a)Β Β Except
to
the extent that this Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated
to a particular Lender or to the Lenders under the Facility, if any Lender
(a
βBenefitted
Lenderβ)
shall,
at any time after the Loans and other amounts payable hereunder shall
immediately become due and payable pursuant to Section 8, receive any payment
of
all or part of the Obligations owing to it, or receive any collateral in
respect
thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events
or
proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in
a
greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any
other
Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender,
such
Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating
interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender,
or
shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral,
as
shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment
or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided,
however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is
thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be
rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of
such
recovery, but without interest.
Β
(b)Β Β In
addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each
Lender
shall have the right, unless they have agreed to the contrary, without prior
notice to Holdings or the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived
by
Holdings and the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon
any
amount becoming due and payable by Holdings or the Borrower hereunder (whether
at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to set off and
appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any
other
credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct
or
indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held
or
owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit
or the
account of Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be. Each Lender agrees
promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such
setoff and application made by such Lender, provided
that the
failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff
and
application.
Β
60
10.8Β Β Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement
on any
number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together
shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an
executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall
be
effective asΒ delivery
of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement
signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.
Β
10.9Β Β Severability.
Any
provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of
such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any
jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision
in any
other jurisdiction.
Β
10.10Β Β Integration.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of
Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect
to
the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings,
representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative
to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein
or in
the other Loan Documents.
Β
10.11Β Β GOVERNING
LAW.
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Β
10.12Β Β Submission
To Jurisdiction; Waivers.
Each of
Holdings and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
Β
(a)Β Β submits
for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to
this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for
recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the
non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York,
the
courts of the United States for the Southern District of NewΒ York,
and
appellate courts from any thereof;
Β
(b)Β Β consents
that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives
any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action
or
proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought
in an
inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
Β
(c)Β Β agrees
that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected
by
mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially
similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to Holdings or the Borrower, as the
case
may be at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address
of
which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant
thereto;
Β
61
(d)Β Β agrees
that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in
any
other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to xxx in any other
jurisdiction; and
Β
(e)Β Β waives,
to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim
or
recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any
special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
Β
10.13Β Β Acknowledgements.
Each of
Holdings and the Borrower hereby acknowledges that:
Β
(a)Β Β it
has
been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
Β
(b)Β Β neither
the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with
or
duty to Holdings or the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between
Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and Holdings and the Borrower,
on
the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor
and
creditor; and
Β
(c)Β Β no
joint
venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists
by
virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among
Holdings, the Borrower and the Lenders.
Β
10.14Β Β Confidentiality.
Each of
the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all
non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party pursuant to this
Agreement that is designated by such Loan Party as confidential; provided
that
nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from
disclosing any such information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other
Lender or any Lender Affiliate, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with
the
provisions of this Section, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any
direct or indirect counterparty to any Hedge Agreement (or any professional
advisor to such counterparty), (c) subject to an agreement to comply with
the
provisions of this Section, to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys,
accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates,
(d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response
to
any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise
be
required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required
to do
so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has
been
publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that
requires access to information about a Lenderβs investment portfolio in
connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that this Agreement does
not
limit the ability of any party hereto (or any employee, representative, or
other
agent of such party) to disclose to any Person the tax treatment or tax
structure of the financing transactions evidenced by this Agreement;
provided,
however,
the
foregoing is not intended to waive the attorney-client privilege or any other
privileges, including the tax advisor privilege under SectionΒ 7525
of the
Code.
Β
62
10.15Β Β WAIVERS
OF JURY TRIAL.
HOLDINGS, THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR
ANY
COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
Β
10.16Β Β USA
Patriot Act Notice.
Each of
the Lenders and the Agents hereby notifies the Borrower and Holdings that
pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L.
107-56, as amended), it is required to obtain, verify and record information
that identifies the Borrower and Holdings, which information includes the
names
and addresses of the Borrower and Holdings and any other information that
will
allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower and Holdings
in accordance with such Act.
Β
10.17Β Β Amendment
and Restatement; No Novation.
This
Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Original Credit
Agreement effective from and after the Closing Date. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any indebtedness or
other
obligations owing to the Lenders or the Agents under the Original Credit
Agreement based on any facts or events occurring or existing prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement. On the Closing Date, the credit
facilities described in the Original Credit Agreement shall be amended and
supplemented by the credit facilities described herein, and all loans and
other
obligations of the Borrower outstanding as of such date under the Original
Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be loans and obligations outstanding
under
the corresponding facilities described herein, without further action by
any
Person.
Β
10.18Β Β References
in Loan Documents.
On and
after the Closing Date, each and every reference in the other Loan Documents
to
the Original Credit Agreement, and to the capitalized terms as defined in
the
Original Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the terms βLoansβ,
βObligationsβ, βRevolving Commitmentβ and βRevolving Termination Dateβ) shall be
deemed to refer to and mean this Agreement and such capitalized terms as
the
same are defined and used in this Agreement, in each case as this Agreement
may
hereafter be further amended, restated and supplemented from time to time.
The
Borrower further confirms and agrees that all such other Loan Documents are
and
shall remain in full force and effect on and after the Closing Date.
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the
day and year first above written.
Β
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. XβXxxxxΒ Β Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. XβXxxxx
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
AGL
CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:Β /s/
Xxxx X. XxxxxxxΒ Β Β Β
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
SUNTRUST
BANK, as Administrative
Agent,
a
Lender, and Issuing Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx XxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxxxxx X. XxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Managing Director
THE
BANK
OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD., New York Branch, as Co-Documentation Agent and
as a
Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx X. ProfestaΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx X. Profesta
Title:
Authorized Signatory
CALYON
New York Branch, as Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxxxx CordβhommeΒ Β
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Cordβhomme
Title:
Director
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxxx XxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Vie President
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx X. XxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Title:
Managing Director
THE
ROYAL
BANK OF SCOTLAND plc, as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxxx MainΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxxx Main
Title:
Senior Vice President
BANK
OF
AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx XxxxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX BANK, as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxx XxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
XXXXX
FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxx XxxxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
Senior Vice President
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxx XxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
THE
BANK
OF NEW YORK, as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx X. XxxxxxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
KBC
BANK
N.V., as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxx XxxxxxΒ Β Β Β
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxx XxxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:
First Vice President
BANK
HAPOALIM B.M., as a Lender
By:Β /s/
Xxxxx X. XxxxxxxΒ Β Β
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Β Β Β Β Β Β Title:
Vice President
By:Β /s/
Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxxxxΒ Β
Name:
Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxxxx
Title:
SVPΒ
FORM
OF GUARANTEE
GUARANTEE,
dated as of August __, 2005, made by AGL RESOURCES INC., a Georgia corporation
(the βGuarantorβ),
in
favor of SUNTRUST BANK, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
βAdministrative
Agentβ)
for
the lenders (the βLendersβ)
parties to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August
__,
2005 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to
time, the βCredit
Agreementβ),
among
Guarantor, AGL CAPITAL CORPORATION (the βBorrowerβ),
the
Lenders and SUNTRUST
BANK,
as
Administrative Agent.
W
I T
N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make
Loans to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
therein;
WHEREAS,
it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their
respective Loans to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, to the obligation
of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower
thereunder, and to the obligation of the Lenders to participate in the Letters
of Credit, that the Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guarantee
to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;
and
WHEREAS,
the Guarantor is the parent of the Borrower, and it is to the advantage of
Guarantor that the Lenders make the Loans to the Borrower, the Issuing Lender
issue the Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, and the Lenders
participate in the Letters of Credit.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the
Lenders to make their respective Loans to the Borrower under the Credit
Agreement, the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit for the account
of the
Borrower thereunder, and the Lenders to participate in the Letters of Credit
thereunder, the Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for
the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:
1.Β Defined
Terms.
(a)
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and
used
herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit
Agreement.
(b)Β The
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
βLender
Hedge Agreementβ:
all
Hedge Agreements entered into by the Borrower with any Lender (or any Affiliate
of any Lender) in connection with the Loans.
βObligationsβ:
the
collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans
and
all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders (including, without limitation, interest accruing at
the
then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity
of the
Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable
rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like
proceedings, relating to the Borrower whether or not a claim for post-filing
or
post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative
Agent or any Lender (or in the case of any Lender Hedge Agreement, any Affiliate
of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or
to
become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise pursuant
to
the Credit Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the Loans, any Lender Hedge
Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection
therewith, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement
obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including,
without
limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent
or
to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Borrower or the Guarantor
pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or this Guarantee or any other
Loan Document).
(c)Β The
words
βhereof,ββhereinβ and βhereunderβ and words of similar import when used in this
Guarantee shall refer to this Guarantee as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Guarantee, and section and paragraph references are to
this
Guarantee unless otherwise specified.
(d)Β The
meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both
the
singular and plural forms of such terms.
2.Β Guarantee.
(a) The
Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the
Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their
respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and
complete payment and performance by the Borrower when due (whether at the
stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations.
(b)Β The
Guarantor further agrees to pay any and all expenses (including, without
limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel actually incurred) which
may
be paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in enforcing,
or
obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any rights with respect to, or
collecting, any or all of the Obligations and/or enforcing any rights with
respect to, or collecting against, the Guarantor under this Guarantee. This
Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations are
paid
in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments
are terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time prior thereto the
Borrower may be free from any Obligations.
(c)Β No
payment or payments made by the Borrower or any other Person or received
or
collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower or
any
other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or
appropriation or application, at any time or from time to time, in reduction
of
or in payment of the Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release
or
otherwise affect the liability of the Guarantor hereunder which shall,
notwithstanding any such payment or payments (other than payments made by
the
Guarantor in respect of the Obligations or payments received or collected
from
the Guarantor in respect of the Obligations), remain liable for the Obligations
until the Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding
and the Revolving Commitments are terminated.
(d)Β The
Guarantor agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time to time, it shall
make
any payment to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of its
liability hereunder, it will notify the Administrative Agent and such Lender
in
writing that such payment is made under this Guarantee for such
purpose.
3.Β Right
of Set-off.
Upon
the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and each
Lender
is hereby irrevocably authorized at any time and from time to time (unless
the
Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, has agreed to the contrary)
without notice to the Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by
the
Guarantor, to set off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general
or
special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any
other
credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct
or
indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held
or
owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or
the
account of the Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as the
Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, against or on account of the
Obligations and liabilities of the Guarantor to the Administrative Agent
or such
Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description of the
Administrative Agent or such Lender against the Guarantor, in any currency,
whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document
or otherwise, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, whether
or
not the Administrative Agent or such Lender has made any demand for payment
and
although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or
unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify the Guarantor
promptly as of any such set-off and the application made by the Administrative
Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of the proceeds thereof; provided
that the
failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off
and
application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under
this
paragraph are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without
limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such
Lender may have.
4.Β No
Subrogation.
Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by the Guarantor hereunder,
or any
set-off or application of funds of the Guarantor by the Administrative Agent
or
any Lender, the Guarantor shall not be entitled to be subrogated to any of
the
rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or
against
any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Obligations, nor
shall
the Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement
from
the Borrower in respect of payments made by the Guarantor hereunder, until
all
amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower
on
account of the Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be
outstanding and the Revolving Commitments terminated. If any amount shall
be
paid to the Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when
all
of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be
held
by the Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
segregated from other funds of the Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt
by the Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact
form
received by the Guarantor (duly indorsed by the Guarantor to the Administrative
Agent, if required), to be applied against the Obligations, whether matured
or
unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.
5.Β Amendments,
etc. with respect to the Obligations; Waiver of Rights.
The
Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without
any
reservation of rights against the Guarantor, and without notice to or further
assent by the Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Obligations
made
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative
Agent or such Lender, and any of the Obligations continued, and the Obligations,
or the liability of any other party upon or for any part thereof, or any
collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect
thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended,
amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released
by
the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement, any other
Loan
Document and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith
may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part,
as
the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders, as the case may be) may
deem
advisable from time to time, and any guarantee or right of offset at any
time
held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the
Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither
the
Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect,
secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for
the
Obligations or for this Guarantee or any property subject thereto. When making
any demand hereunder against the Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any
Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on
the
Borrower or any other guarantor, and any failure by the Administrative Agent
or
any Lender to make any such demand or to collect any payments from the Borrower
or any such other guarantor or any release of the Borrower or such other
guarantor shall not relieve the Guarantor of its obligations or liabilities
hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, express
or
implied, or as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
against the Guarantor. For the purposes hereof βdemandβ shall include the
commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
6.
Guarantee
Absolute and Unconditional.
The
Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or
accrual of any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender upon this Guarantee or acceptance of this
Guarantee; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed
to
have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended
or
waived, in reliance upon this Guarantee; and all dealings between the Borrower
or the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
on the other, shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or
consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee. The Guarantor waives diligence,
presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment
to
or upon the Borrower or the Guarantor with respect to the Obligations. This
Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional
guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity, regularity or
enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of
the
Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right
of
offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim
(other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be
available to or be asserted by the Borrower against the Administrative Agent
or
any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice
to
or knowledge of the Borrower or the Guarantor) which constitutes, or might
be
construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrower
for the
Obligations, or of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, in bankruptcy or in
any
other instance. When pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against the
Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and any Lender may, but shall be under
no
obligation to, pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the
Borrower or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee
for
the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure
by
the Administrative Agent or any Lender to pursue such other rights or remedies
or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any such other Person or
to
realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any
such
right of offset, or any release of the Borrower or any such other Person
or of
any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve
the Guarantor of any liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect
the
rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of
law,
of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Guarantor. This Guarantee
shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and
to
the extent of its terms upon the Guarantor and its successors and assigns
thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns,
until all the Obligations and the obligations of the Guarantor under this
Guarantee shall have been satisfied by payment in full and the Revolving
Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during
the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrower may be free from any
Obligations.
7.Β Reinstatement.
This
Guarantee shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may
be,
if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative
Agent
or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or
reorganization of the Borrower or upon or as a result of the appointment
of a
receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for,
the
Borrower or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though
such payments had not been made.
8.Β Payments.
The
Guarantor hereby agrees that the Obligations will be paid to the Administrative
Agent without set-off or counterclaim in U.S. Dollars at the office of the
Administrative Agent located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
00000.
9.Β Authority
of Administrative Agent.
The
Guarantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the
Administrative Agent under this Guarantee with respect to any action taken
by
the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative
Agent of any option, right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided
for herein or resulting or arising out of this Guarantee shall, as between
the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement
and by
such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time
among
them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Guarantor, the
Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent
for
the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting,
and
the Guarantor shall not be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make
any
inquiry respecting such authority.
10.Β Notices.
All
notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent, any Lender
or
the Guarantor to be effective shall be in writing (or by telex, fax or similar
electronic transfer confirmed in writing) and shall be deemed to have been
duly
given or made (1) when delivered by hand or (2) if given by mail, when deposited
in the mails by certified mail, return receipt requested, or (3) if by telex,
fax or similar electronic transfer, when sent and receipt has been confirmed,
addressed as follows:
(a)Β if
to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, at its address or transmission number
for
notices provided in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement; and
(b)Β if
to the
Guarantor, at its address or transmission number for notices set forth under
its
signature below.
The
Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Guarantor may change its address
and
transmission numbers for notices by notice in the manner provided in this
Section.
11.Β Severability.
Any
provision of this Guarantee which is prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of
such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any
jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision
in any
other jurisdiction.
12.Β Integration.
This
Guarantee represents the agreement of the Guarantor with respect to the subject
matter hereof and there are no promises or representations by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not reflected
herein.
13.
Amendments
in Writing; No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
(a)
None of the terms or provisions of this Guarantee may be waived, amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified except by a written instrument executed
by
the Guarantor and the Administrative Agent, provided
that any
provision of this Guarantee may be waived by the Administrative Agent and
the
Lenders in a letter or agreement executed by the Administrative Agent or
by
telex or facsimile transmission from the Administrative Agent.
(b)Β Neither
the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written
instrument pursuant to paragraph 13(a) hereof), delay, indulgence, omission
or
otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have
acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of
the
terms and conditions hereof. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in
exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single
or
partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude
any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or
privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right
or
remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any
right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise
have on any future occasion.
(c)Β The
rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly
or
concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided
by
law.
14.Β Section
Headings.
The
section headings used in this Guarantee are for convenience of reference
only
and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration
in
the interpretation hereof.
15.Β Successors
and Assigns.
This
Guarantee shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Guarantor
and
shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and
their
successors and assigns.
16.Β GOVERNING
LAW.
THIS
GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
17.Β Submission
to Jurisdiction; Waivers.
The
Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a)Β Submits
for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to
this
Guarantee and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for
recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the
non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York,
the
courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York,
and appellate courts from any thereof;
(b)Β consents
that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives
any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action
or
proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought
in an
inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c)Β agrees
that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected
by
mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially
similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Guarantor at its address referred
to in Section 10(b) hereof or at such other address of which the Administrative
Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;
(d)Β agrees
that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in
any
other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to xxx in any other
jurisdiction; and
(e)Β waives,
to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim
or
recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 17
any
special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
18.Β WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
THE
GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY
LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
[SIGNATURES
ON FOLLOWING PAGES]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed
and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first
above
written.
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Vice
President and Treasurer
Address
for Notices:
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx XX, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Treasurer
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Β
EXHIBIT
B
FORM
OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
This
Compliance Certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section 6.2(a) of
the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August __, 2005, as amended,
restated, supplemented or modified from time to time (the βCredit
Agreementβ),
among
AGL RESOURCES INC., a Georgia corporation (βHoldingsβ),
AGL
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the βBorrowerβ),
the
several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time
parties thereto (the βLendersβ)
and
SUNTRUST BANK, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the βAdministrative
Agentβ).
Terms
defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used
herein
with the meanings so defined.
1.Β I
am the
duly elected, qualified and acting [Chief Financial Officer] [Chief Executive
Officer] of Holdings.
2.Β I
have
reviewed and am familiar with the contents of this Certificate.
3.Β I
have
reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents and have
made
or caused to be made under my supervision, a review in reasonable detail
of the
transactions and condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (including any
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) during the accounting period covered by the financial
statements (including the separate financial statements of any Unrestricted
Subsidiaries) attached hereto as Attachment
1
(the
βFinancial
Statementsβ).
Such
review did not disclose the existence during or at the end of the accounting
period covered by the Financial Statements, and I have no knowledge of the
existence, as of the date of this Certificate, of any condition or event
which
constitutes a Default or Event of Default [, except as set forth
below].
4.Β Attached
hereto as Attachment
2
are the
computations showing compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1
of
the Credit Agreement.
[SIGNATURE
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I execute this Certificate this ____ day of August,
2005.
By:Β Β Β Β Β Β
Name:
Title:
Attachment
1
to
Exhibit B
[Attach
Applicable Financial Statements]
Attachment
2
to
Exhibit B
The
information described herein is as of ____________, 200__, and pertains to
the
period from ____________________, 200__ to _________________,
200__.
[Set
forth Covenant Calculations]
EXHIBIT
C
CLOSING
CERTIFICATE
Pursuant
to Section 5.1(c) of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
August __, 2005 (the βCredit
Agreementβ;
terms
defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among AGL RESOURCES
INC.,
a Georgia corporation (βHoldingsβ),
AGL
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the βBorrowerβ),
the
several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time
parties thereto (the βLendersβ)
and
SUNTRUST BANK, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the βAdministrative
Agentβ),
the
undersigned _______________ of [INSERT NAME OF COMPANY] (the βCompanyβ)
hereby
certifies as follows:
1.Β The
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in each of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party or which are contained in any certificate
furnished by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to any of the Loan Documents
to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and
as
of the date hereof with the same effect as if made on the date hereof, except
for representations and warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific
earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true
and
correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.
2.Β Β Β Β Β
is the
duly elected and qualified [Corporate] Secretary of the Company and the
signature set forth for such officer below is such officerβs true and genuine
signature.
3.Β No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date
hereof
or after giving effect to any Loans to be made on the date hereof.
4.Β The
conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement were
satisfied as of the Closing Date except as set forth on Schedule
I
hereto.
The
undersigned [Corporate] Secretary of the Company certifies as
follows:
1.Β There
are
no liquidation or dissolution proceedings pending or to my knowledge threatened
against the Company, nor has any other event occurred adversely affecting
or
threatening the continued corporate existence of the Company.
2.Β The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.
3.Β Attached
hereto as Annex
1
is a
true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors
of
the Company on ___________, 2005; such resolutions have not in any way been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded, have been in full force and effect
since their adoption to and including the date hereof and are now in full
force
and effect and are the only corporate proceedings of the Company now in force
relating to or affecting the matters referred to therein.
4.Β Attached
hereto as Annex
2
is a
true and complete copy of the By-Laws of the Company as in effect on the
date
hereof.
5.Β Attached
hereto as Annex
3
is a
true and complete copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company as
in
effect on the date hereof, and such Articles have not been amended, repealed,
modified or restated.
6.Β The
following persons are now duly elected and qualified officers of the Company
holding the offices indicated next to their respective names below, and such
officers have held such offices with the Company at all times since the date
indicated next to their respective titles to and including the date hereof,
and
the signatures appearing opposite their respective names below are the true
and
genuine signatures of such officers, and each of such officers is duly
authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Company each of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to
be
delivered by the Company pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a
party:
NameΒ Β Β OfficeΒ Β Β DateΒ Β Β Signature
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set our names as of the date
set
forth below.
Name:Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Name:
Title:Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Secretary
Date:Β August
__, 2005
SCHEDULE
1.1
REVOLVING
COMMITMENTS
LENDER
|
Β |
REVOLVING
COMMITMENT
|
Β | |
SunTrust
Bank
|
Β |
$
|
100,000,000
|
Β |
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
|
Β |
$
|
100,000,000
|
Β |
The
Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi, Ltd., New York Branch
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
Calyon
New York Branch
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
The
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
Bank
of America, N.A.
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Bank
|
Β |
$
|
85,000,000
|
Β |
Xxxxx
Fargo Bank, National Association
|
Β |
$
|
50,000,000
|
Β |
The
Bank of New York
|
Β |
$
|
50,000,000
|
Β |
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
Β |
$
|
30,000,000
|
Β |
Bank
Hapoalim B.M.
|
Β |
$
|
10,000,000
|
Β |
Total
Revolving Commitments
|
Β |
$
|
850,000,000
|
Β |
SCHEDULE
4.6
Β
LITIGATION
Β
Β
NONE
Β
Β
Β
Β
SCHEDULE
4.9
Β
INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
Β
Emergis,
Inc., a Canadian corporation, has filed suit against AGL Resources alleging
patent infringement of U.S. Patent 6,044,362, entitled βElectronic Invoicing and
Payment Systemβ. In its suit, Emergis is seeking (1) to compel AGL Resources to
enter into license agreement for use of its patent and (2) damages for AGL
Resourcesβ and its affiliatesβ alleged infringing use of the
patent.
Β
The
β362
Patent is directed to a method and system including βinvoice presentment
electronicsβ for remotely presenting billing data to a customer, and a customer
interface that receives customer payment instructions and transmits those
instructions from the customer directly to the invoicer. AGL Resources and
its
affiliates dispute the alleged infringement and have met with Emergisβ counsel
and requested the case be dismissed. AGL Resources has evaluated all electronic
billing presentment and payments systems that it uses and continues to assert
that it has no evidence of infringement. While the lawsuit has been filed,
AGL
Resources has not been served.
If
AGL
Resources is served, it will move for dismissal. Until then, AGL Resourcesβ
counsel will continue to monitor the case.
Β
Β
SCHEDULE
4.14
Β
SUBSIDIARIES
Β
Name*
|
Jurisdiction
of Organization
|
%
of Capital Stock owned by AGL Resources Inc. or its
Subsidiaries
|
AGL
Capital Corporation
|
Nevada
|
100%
|
AGL
Capital Trust I
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
AGL
Capital Trust II
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
AGL
Energy Corporation
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
AGL
Investments, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
AGL
Macon Holdings, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
AGL
Networks, LLC
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
AGL
Peaking Services, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
AGL
Propane Services, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
AGL
Resources Inc. Political Action Committee, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
Nonprofit
Corporation
|
AGL
Resources Private Foundation Inc.
|
Georgia
|
Nonprofit
Corporation
|
AGL
Rome Holdings, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
AGL
Services Company
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Atlanta
Gas Light Company
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Atlanta
Gas Light Services, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Chattanooga
Gas Company
|
Tennessee
|
100%
|
Customer
Care Services, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Energy
Risk Insurance Services Company
|
Virgin
Islands
|
100%
|
Georgia
Energy Company
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Georgia
Gas Company
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Georgia
Natural Gas Company
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Georgia
Natural Gas Services Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Global
Energy Resources Insurance Corporation
|
Virgin
Islands
|
100%
|
HPMT,
Kft.
|
Hungary
|
100%
|
NUI
Capital Corp.
|
Florida
|
100%
|
NUI
Corporation
|
New
Jersey
|
100%
|
NUI
Energy Brokers, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Energy Solutions, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Energy, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Hungary, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
International, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Richton Storage, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Sales Management, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Saltville Storage, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Service, Inc.
|
New
Jersey
|
100%
|
NUI
Storage, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
NUI
Utilities, Inc.
|
New
Jersey
|
100%
|
NUI/Caritrade
International LLC
|
Delaware
|
90%
|
OAS
Group, Inc.
|
New
Jersey
|
100%
|
Pinnacle
LNG, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Pivotal
Energy Services, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Pivotal
Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, LLC
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
Pivotal
Propane of Virginia, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
Pivotal
Storage, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
Richton
Gas Storage Company, LLC
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
Sequent
Energy Management, L.P.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Sequent
Energy Marketing, L.P.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Sequent
Holdings, LLC
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Sequent,
LLC
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Southeastern
LNG, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
SouthStar
Energy Services LLC
|
Delaware
|
70%
|
T.I.C.
Enterprises, LLC
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
TES,
Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Trustees
Investments, Inc.
|
Georgia
|
100%
|
Utility
Business Services, Inc.
|
New
Jersey
|
100%
|
Virginia
Gas Company
|
Delaware
|
100%
|
Virginia
Gas Distribution Company
|
Virginia
|
100%
|
Virginia
Natural Gas, Inc.
|
Virginia
|
100%
|
Β | Β | Β |
(b)
Under Article 12 of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company
Agreement of SouthStar Energy Services LLC, Guarantor's wholly
owned
subsidiary, Georgia Natural Gas Company, has the option to purchase
membership interest in SouthStar from Piedmont Energy Company,
its partner
in the company.
|
||
*
As of the date of execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement,
all the
Subsidiaries are Restricted Subsidiaries within the meaning of
the Credit
Agreement.
|
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
SCHEDULE
4.16
Β
ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS
Β
1)Β Β |
Manufactured
Gas Plants.
|
Β
Β
Georgia.
AGLC is
required to investigate possible environmental contamination at manufactured
gas
plants (βMGPβ)
and,
if necessary, clean up any contamination. AGLC has been associated with ten
MGP
sites in Georgia and three in Florida. Based on investigations to date, cleanup
has either already occurred or is likely at most of these sites. As of June
30,
2005, the remediation program in Georgia was approximately 96% complete.
As
reported in Holdings Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June
30, 2005 (the "2nd
Quarter 2005 10-Q"),
the
projected costs of the remaining remediation at these sites are estimated
to be
$40.0 million, with additional future costs for the Florida sites in the
range
of $4 to $11 million.
Β
Β
New
Jersey:
In New
Jersey, Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a NUI Utilities, Inc.)
(βPUHIβ)
. the
utility subsidiary of NUI Corporation (βNUIβ)
owns
five properties where former MGPs were operated. A sixth MGP site, formerly
operated by Elizabethtown Gas, a division of PUHI, operating in New Jersey
(βETGβ),
is
now owned by a church.
Β
Β
Five
of
the six sites in New Jersey are under a Memorandum Agreement (MOA), and the
sixth site is subject to an Administration Consent Order (ACO) with the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The MOAs and ACO require
PUHI to investigate on-site contamination, and if required by the NJDEP,
investigate off-site impacts as well. Various investigation and cleanup
investigations have been conducted and are progressing slowly, but cleanups
are
likely at most sites. Based upon our review of these sites to date, the likely
estimated cost range to address the New Jersey MGP sites is $57 million to
$109
million. These cost ranges are estimates.
Β
Β
ETGβs
prudently incurred remediation costs for the New Jersey properties have been
authorized by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to be recoverable
in
rates through ETGβs Remediation Adjustment Clause. As a result, ETG has recorded
a regulatory asset of approximately $64 million, inclusive of interest, as
a
regulatory asset, reflecting both recorded future costs and accrued interest.
PUHI has also recovered a portion of MGP remediation costs incurred in New
Jersey from the company's insurance carriers.
Β
Other
States.
Outside
of New Jersey, NUI Corporation owns,
or
previously owned, ten properties located in the states of North Carolina,
South
Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland on which MGPs were operated
by NUI
or by other parties in the past.
Two
sites (Athens, Pennsylvania; Reidsville, North Carolina) have been sold to
third
parties, who have agreed to indemnify NUI against environmental liabilities.
Of
these
ten sites, only one site (Elizabeth City, North Carolina) has had any regulatory
activity over the past ten years. The Xxxxxxxxx City site is subject to an
Administrative Consent Order with the North Carolina Department of Natural
Resources, dated October 31, 2001.
Currently,
there is only limited information available to assess the potential
environmental liability associated with these non-New Jersey sites, and the
liability for these sites will remain an uncertainty until a more vigorous
environmental assessment is performed. Regarding the Xxxxxxxxx City site,
experience at other similar sites suggests that the costs for remediation
of
this site will likely range from $4 to $19 million. There is one other site
in
North Carolina where investigation and remediation is probable, although
no
regulatory order exists and there is not currently any basis to reasonably
estimate the costs of such actions. For the remaining sites, no basis for
liability has been asserted.
Β
NUI
Environmental Reserves:
Β Although
the actual total cost of future environmental investigation and remediation
efforts cannot be reasonably estimated, we have recorded on an undiscounted
basis a total reserve of approximately $67million, which we believe represents
the probable minimum amount we may expend over the next 30 years. Of this
reserve, approximately $57 million relates to remediation of the New Jersey
MGP
properties and approximately $4 million relates to remediation of the MGP
properties located outside the state of New Jersey.
Β
Β
For
a
further description of environmental matters, see "Item 1, Note 4, Regulatory
Assets and Liabilities - Environmental Response Costs Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition- Critical
Accounting Policies - Environmental Response Costs" in the 2nd Quarter 2005
10-Q.
Β
2)Β Β |
AGLC
Pipeline Replacement.
|
Β
Β
On
January 8, 1998, the Georgia Public Service Commission (βGPSCβ)
issued
procedures and set a schedule for hearings regarding alleged pipeline safety
violations. On July 21, 1998, the GPSC approved a settlement between AGLC
and
the staff of the GPSC that details a 10-year pipeline replacement program
(βPRP)
for
approximately 2,300 miles of cast iron and bare steel pipe. October 1, 2004
marked the beginning of the seventh year of the original 10-year
PRP.
Β
Β
On
June
10, 2005, AGLC and the GPSC entered into a Settlement Agreement that, among
other things, extends AGLCβs PRP by five years to require that all replacements
be completed by December 2013, with the timing of such replacements to be
subsequently determined through discussions with GPSC staff. Under the
Settlement Agreement, rates charged to customers will remain unchanged through
April 30, 2010, but AGLC will recognize reduced base rate revenues of $5
million
on an annual basis through April 30, 2010. The five-year total reduction
in
recognized base rate revenues of $25 million will be applied to the amount
of
costs incurred to replace pipe and subsequently recovered from
customers.
Β
SCHEDULE
7.2(i)
Β
EXISTING
LIENS
Β
NONE
SCHEDULE
7.8
Β
AGREEMENTS
PROHIBITING OR LIMITING LIENS
Β
1)Β Β |
Indenture,
dated December 1, 1989, as amended, between Atlanta Gas Light Company
and
The Bank of New York, as successor trustee, pursuant to which Atlanta
Gas
Light Company issued its medium term notes.
|
Β
2)Β Β |
Agreements
pursuant to which Pivotal Utility Holdings Inc. (f/k/a NUI Utilities,
Inc.) issued $39.0 million Variable Rate Bonds, due June 1, 2026:
|
Β
a.Β Β |
Amended
and Restated Standby Bond Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2005,
among
Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc., the Participating Banks, the Bank
of New
York, as Purchasing Bank and Administrative Agent and BNY Capital
Markets,
Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book Runner.
|
Β
b.Β Β |
Loan
Agreement, dated June 1, 1996, between NUI Utilities, Inc. (f/k/a
NUI
Corporation) and New Jersey Economic Development
Authority.
|
Β
3)Β Β |
Loan
Agreement, dated June 1, 1997, between NUI Utilities, Inc. (f/k/a
NUI
Corporation) and New Jersey Economic Development Authority, pursuant
to
which NUI Utilities issued $54.6 million 5.70% bonds due June 1,
2032.
|
Β
4)Β Β |
Loan
Agreement, dated December 1, 1998, between NUI Utilities, Inc.
(f/k/a NUI
Corporation) and New Jersey Economic Development Authority, pursuant
to
which NUI Utilities issued $40.0 million 5.25% bonds due November
1, 2033.
|
Β