SECURITY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
Execution Version
THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT is made as of the 18th day of August, 2023, by FUELCELL ENERGY FINANCE HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, having a principal place of business at c/o Fuel Cell Energy, 0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the “Debtor”), in favor of LIBERTY BANK, a mutual savings bank having an office at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for itself and the other Secured Parties (in such capacity, “Secured Party”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Debtor, in accordance with the Credit Agreement, has requested Lenders to extend to Debtor a term loan in the original principal amount of Twelve Million and 00/100 U.S. Dollars (U.S. $12,000,000.00) (the “Loan”); and
WHEREAS, in order to more fully secure Debtor’s obligations under, among other things, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Lenders have requested that Debtor, and Xxxxxx has agreed to, execute and deliver this Agreement and to grant to Secured Party a perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral to secure Debtor’s obligations in connection with the Loan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Debtor and Secured Party do hereby agree as follows:
(a)No financing statement covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office, or land or financing records except for financing statements in favor of Secured Party. Debtor is the legal and beneficial owner of all of the Collateral, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.
(b)The security interest granted to Secured Party hereunder shall constitute a valid attached and perfected first lien security interest upon the Collateral. Debtor shall not, and Secured Party does not authorize Debtor to, sell, lease, license, or assign any interest in the Collateral. Debtor shall not grant or otherwise permit any other Lien to be created or remain on any Collateral, other than Permitted Liens.
(c)Debtor will maintain the Collateral in good order and condition, ordinary wear and tear accepted, and will use, operate and maintain the Collateral in compliance with all Laws, regulations and ordinances and in compliance with all applicable insurance requirements and regulations. Debtor will promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any litigation involving or affecting the Collateral which Debtor knows or has reason to believe is pending or threatened. Debtor will promptly pay when due
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all Taxes and all transportation, storage, warehousing and other such charges and fees affecting or arising out of or relating to the Collateral and shall defend the Collateral, at Debtor’s sole expense, against all claims and demands of any persons claiming any interest in the Collateral adverse to Debtor or Secured Party.
(e)(i) Debtor will maintain at all times (and whether the applicable Collateral is in the possession of Debtor, Secured Party, a third party or otherwise) insurance on the Collateral as required by the Credit Agreement.
(ii) Debtor acknowledges and agrees that the security interest hereunder includes a security interest in any and all proceeds of such policies and, Xxxxxx authorizes and empowers Secured Party (if in Secured Party’s discretion it elects to do so) to adjust or compromise any loss under such policies and to collect and receive all such proceeds and Debtor hereby appoints Secured Party as Xxxxxx’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes. Debtor hereby authorizes and directs each insurance company to pay all such proceeds directly and solely to Secured Party and not to Debtor and Secured Party jointly. Debtor authorizes and empowers Secured Party to execute and endorse in Xxxxxx’s name all proofs of loss, drafts, checks and any other documents or instruments necessary to accomplish such collection, and any persons making payments to Secured Party under the terms of this paragraph are hereby relieved absolutely from any obligation or responsibility to see to the application of any sums so paid.
(iii) After deduction from any proceeds of such policies of all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by Secured Party in the collection and handling of such proceeds, the net proceeds shall be applied as follows: (A) if (I) the loss is resulting from any casualty or event with respect to the Facility (whether received by Secured Party directly or indirectly) and the damage or destruction relating to such casualty or event does not exceed $1,000,000, (II) no Default or Event of Default exists, (III) Debtor shall have delivered evidence satisfactory to Secured Party that the Facility can be fully repaired and restored at least four (4) months prior to the Maturity Date for the same purposes the Facility was utilized prior to such casualty or event and Debtor will otherwise remain in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, (IV) the work is performed under a guaranteed maximum price contract satisfactory to Secured Party in accordance with plans and specifications and a budget satisfactory to Secured Party and in compliance with all Laws, (V) if the net proceeds are insufficient to replace, repair, restore and rebuild the Facility, as applicable, to substantially the same value, condition and character as existed prior to such casualty or event (a “Restoration”), Debtor shall have deposited with Secured Party the amount by which the cost of Restoration exceeds the net proceeds available for such Restoration, and (VI) none of the Facility Documents shall have terminated, or be subject to termination, as a result of the casualty or event, then Secured Party shall release the net proceeds to Debtor and Debtor shall effect a Restoration of the Facility, as applicable; and (B) if (I) the loss is resulting from any casualty or event with respect to the Facility (whether received by Secured Party directly or indirectly) and the damage or destruction relating to such casualty or event exceeds $1,000,000, or (II) a Default or Event of Default exists, then Secured Party may, in its sole discretion, apply the loss proceeds (less expenses of collection) to the Obligations in accordance with Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement, whether or not such Obligations are due, or hold such proceeds as a cash collateral reserve against the Obligations, or apply such proceeds to the Restoration of the Collateral, or release the same to Debtor, but no such application, holding in reserve or release shall cure or waive any Default or Event of Default. In the event that Secured Party elects to permit Debtor to use the proceeds to effect a Restoration of the Collateral under subclause (B) of the immediately preceding sentence, then such net proceeds shall be deposited in a segregated account of Debtor at Secured Party subject to the sole order of (and under the control of) Secured Party and pledged as security for the Loan and shall be disbursed therefrom by Secured Party in such manner and at such times and subject to such conditions as Secured Party deems appropriate to complete such Restoration; provided, however, that if an Event of Default shall occur at any time after Secured Party has elected to permit Debtor to apply such proceeds to the Restoration of the Collateral or
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before or after a Restoration has commenced or prior to such deposit of the net proceeds, then thereupon Secured Party shall have the option to apply all remaining net proceeds as a credit against such of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.
(iv) Debtor hereby indemnifies Secured Party against any third party claim relating to (A) any loss or damage to the Collateral not insured by Debtor or (B) any deficiency in any effective insurance coverage required to be maintained by Debtor pursuant to this Agreement, which indemnification obligation shall constitute part of the Obligations. Secured Party shall not be liable for any insufficiency in the insurance coverage of Debtor.
(f)All books and records pertaining to the Collateral are located at the Business Premises and Debtor will not change the location of such books and records without the prior written consent of Secured Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Debtor shall make notations, satisfactory to Secured Party, on its books and records disclosing the existence of Secured Party’s security interest in the Collateral.
(g)Debtor shall do, make, execute and deliver all such additional and further acts, things, deeds, assurances, instruments and documents as Secured Party may request to vest in, and maintain and preserve, Secured Party’s perfected security interest and rights hereunder or in any of the Collateral, including, without limitation, placing legends on Collateral or on books and records pertaining to Collateral stating that Secured Party has a security interest therein. Debtor will not create any chattel paper without placing a legend on the chattel paper acceptable to Secured Party indicating that it has a security interest in the chattel paper.
(h)Debtor shall cooperate with Secured Party to obtain and keep in effect one or more control agreements (in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party) in deposit account, electronic chattel paper, investment property and letter-of-credit rights Collateral.
(i)Debtor authorizes Secured Party to file financing statements covering the Collateral (including without limitation financing statements which describe any or all of the Collateral and/or indicate that the financing statement covers “all assets” or “all personal property” (or the like) of Debtor and any amendments and continuations thereof, and containing such legends as Secured Party shall deem necessary or desirable to protect Secured Party’s interest in the Collateral. Debtor agrees to pay all Taxes, fees and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) paid or incurred by Secured Party in connection with the preparation, filing or recordation thereof.
(j)Whenever required by Secured Party, Debtor shall promptly deliver to Secured Party, with all endorsements and/or assignments required by Secured Party, all instruments, chattel paper, guaranties and the like received by Debtor constituting, evidencing or relating to any of the Collateral or proceeds of any of the Collateral.
(k)Debtor shall not file any amendments, correction statements or termination statements with respect to any Uniform Commercial Code financing statements concerning the Collateral without the prior written consent of Secured Party.
(l)If any Collateral arises out of a contract with the United States Government or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, Debtor shall immediately notify Secured Party thereof and shall execute and deliver to Secured Party specific assignments of those contracts and the related United States Government accounts of Debtor, and shall do such other things as may be satisfactory to Secured Party in order that all sums due and to become due to Debtor under such contract shall be duly assigned to Secured Party in accordance with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act (31 United States Code
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§3727; 41 United States Code §15) as in effect on the date hereof and as hereafter amended and/or any other applicable Laws and regulations relating to the assignment of governmental obligations. Payments on United States Government contracts or United States Government accounts which have been specifically assigned to Secured Party by means of a direct assignment, as provided herein, shall be made directly to Secured Party, for payment to the Obligations. The separate assignment of specific United States Government contracts to Secured Party, as contemplated herein, shall not be deemed to limit Secured Party’s security interest to the payments under those particular United States Government contracts and the related United States Government accounts, but rather Secured Party’s security interest shall extend to any and all United States Government contracts and the related United States Government accounts and proceeds thereof, now or hereafter owned or acquired by Debtor. During the term of this Agreement, Xxxxxx agrees and covenants not to make any assignment of any of the United States Government contracts to any party other than Secured Party without Secured Party’s prior written consent.
(m)In the event that Collateral is in the possession of, or located on premises owned by, a third party, Debtor shall obtain a Lien Waiver from such third party.
(n)With respect to any Collateral which is subject to a certificate of title, Debtor shall: (i) cause a certificate of title to be issued perfecting the security interest of Secured Party; and (ii) not cause or permit a certificate of title to be issued in another state which does not list Secured Party’s security interest.
(o)If Debtor shall at any time acquire a commercial tort claim, as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code, Debtor shall promptly notify Secured Party, in a writing signed by Xxxxxx, of the brief details of the commercial tort claim and shall grant to Secured Party a security interest therein and in all proceeds thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. All terms and provisions of such written notification and grant of such security interests shall be in form and content satisfactory to Secured Party.
(p)If any part of the Collateral is or becomes a fixture, Debtor will, upon written demand, furnish Secured Party with a disclaimer, release or subordination agreement, in form and content satisfactory to Secured Party, signed by all persons having an interest in the real property or any interest in such Collateral.
(q)The Collateral consisting of the letter-of-credit rights include without limitation the right to draw under letters of credit, to effect which rights a power of attorney is hereby granted by Xxxxxx to Secured Party (which power of attorney shall be coupled with an interest).
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(a)Declare all Obligations to be immediately due and payable and the same shall thereupon become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand for payment, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; provided, however, that all Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand for payment, protest or notice of any kind upon the filing by or against any Loan Party of any petition, arrangement, reorganization, or the like under any Debtor Relief Law, and if involuntary, the failure to have the same dismissed within ninety (90) days from the date of filing (and in any event before the entry of an order for relief), or the adjudication of any Loan Party as bankrupt.
(b)Institute any proceeding or proceedings to enforce the Obligations and/or any Liens of Secured Party.
(c)Take possession of the Collateral, and for that purpose enter upon (and remain without liability to pay any rent or occupancy charge) any premises on which the Collateral or any part thereof may be situated and remove the same therefrom without any liability for suit, action or other proceeding, Debtor HEREBY WAIVING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO PRIOR NOTICE AND TO JUDICIAL HEARING OR PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO REPOSSESSION OF COLLATERAL, and/or require Debtor, at Debtor’s expense, to assemble and deliver the Collateral to such place or places as Secured Party may designate. Debtor shall make available to Secured Party all premises necessary for Secured Party’s taking possession (whether under this paragraph or otherwise) of the Collateral or for removing or putting the Collateral in saleable form.
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(d)Operate, manage and control the Collateral (including use of the Collateral and any other property or assets of Debtor in order to continue or complete performance of Debtor’s obligations under any contracts of Debtor), or permit the Collateral or any portion thereof to remain idle or store the same, and collect all rents and revenues therefrom; and sell or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Collateral (whether such-disposition is at Debtor’s premises or not at such premises) upon such terms and under such conditions as Secured Party, in its sole discretion, may determine, and purchase or acquire any of the Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, all to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
(e)Enforce Debtor’s rights against account debtors and other parties obligated on Collateral, including, but not limited to, the right to: (a) notify and/or require Debtor to notify any or all account debtors and other parties obligated on Collateral to make payments directly to Secured Party or in care of a post office lock box under the sole control of Secured Party established at Debtor’s expense and subject to Secured Party’s customary arrangements and charges therefor, and to take any or all action with respect to Collateral as Secured Party shall determine in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, the right to demand, collect, sue for and receive any money or property at any time due, payable or receivable on account thereof, compromise and settle with any person liable thereon, and extend the time of payment or otherwise change the terms thereof, without incurring liability or responsibility to Debtor; (b) require Debtor to segregate and hold in trust for Secured Party and, on the day of Debtor’s receipt thereof, transmit to Secured Party in the exact form received by Debtor (except for such assignments and endorsements as may be required by Secured Party), all cash, checks, drafts, money orders and other items of payment constituting Collateral or proceeds of Collateral; and/or (c) establish and maintain at Secured Party a “Repayment Account,” which shall be under the exclusive control of and subject to the sole order of Secured Party and which shall be subject to the imposition of such customary charges as are imposed by Secured Party from time to time upon such accounts, for the deposit of cash, checks, drafts, money orders and other items of payments constituting Collateral or proceeds of Collateral from which Secured Party may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, withdraw all or any part. Secured Party’s collection and enforcement of Collateral against any account debtor and other persons obligated thereon shall be deemed to be commercially reasonable if Secured Party exercises the care and follows the procedures that Secured Party generally applies to the collection of obligations owed to Secured Party.
(g)Locate, disable or to take possession of any applicable Collateral by electronic, digital, magnetic or wireless optical electromagnetic or similar means after giving any notices required under applicable Law.
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DEBTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION. DEBTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
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REMAINDER OF XXXX INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Xxxxxx has executed this Security Agreement as of the date first above written.
DEBTOR:
FUELCELL ENERGY FINANCE HOLDCO, LLC
By:FuelCell Energy Finance, LLC
Its:Sole Member
By:FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Its:Sole Member
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
[Signature Page to Security Agreement]