ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
This
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made, as of June 1, 2006, by and
between STILLWATER HYDRO PARTNERS L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(“Seller”), and BORALEX STILLWATER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“Purchaser”).
BACKGROUND
A. Seller
is
engaged in the business of operating a federally licensed hydroelectric
generating plant located at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the
“Business”).
B. Seller
desires to sell to Purchaser the Purchased Assets (as defined herein) and
Purchaser desires to purchase the Purchased Assets from Seller, all on the
terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth.
C. Seller
and Purchaser are entering into this Agreement to evidence their respective
duties, obligations and responsibilities.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the respective representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement, each of Seller and Purchaser agrees
as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1Defined
Terms.
The
following terms when used in this Agreement (or in the Schedules and Exhibits
to
this Agreement) with initial letters capitalized have the meanings set forth
below:
“Affiliate”
of a
Person means any other Person that (a) directly or indirectly controls the
specified Person; (b) is controlled by or is under direct or indirect
common control with the specified Person; or (c) is an officer, director,
employee, representative or agent or subsidiary of the Person. For the purposes
of this definition, “control,”
when
used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the
management or policies of the specified Person, directly or indirectly, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, partnership or limited liability
company interests, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement”
means
this Asset Purchase Agreement, together with the Schedules and Exhibits
hereto.
“Articles”
means
the
Articles of this Agreement.
“Assigned
Contracts”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).
“Assumed
Liabilities”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
“Xxxx
of Sale”
means
the Xxxx of Sale, substantially in the form of Exhibit
B
hereto,
to be delivered at the Closing, with respect to Seller's interests in the
Tangible Personal Property included in the Purchased Assets to be transferred
to
Purchaser at the Closing.
‘Business”
has
the
meaning set forth in the Background of this Agreement.
“Business
Day”
means a
day other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are legally closed
for
business in the State of New York.
“Capital
Expenditure”
means
any expenditure for additions or changes to property, plant and equipment and
any other expenditures (excluding repairs but including capitalized maintenance
costs) that would be capitalized on Seller’s balance sheet in accordance with U.
S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
“Closing”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Closing
Date”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Code”
means
the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Commercially
Reasonable Efforts”
means
those efforts (i) which are reasonably foreseeable by the Parties at the time
of
executing this Agreement, (ii) which a Party would reasonably expect the other
Party to take under the circumstances in order to satisfy its obligations
hereunder, and (iii) which a Party would undertake for its own benefit under
similar circumstances in order to achieve the results contemplated by this
Agreement, provided that such efforts will not require or include either expense
or conduct not ordinarily incurred or engaged in by Persons seeking to implement
transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement.
“Confidential
Information”
has the
meaning assigned to such term in the Confidentiality Agreement.
“Confidentiality
Agreement”
means
that certain confidentiality agreement between Seller and Purchaser accepted
by
Seller as of December 8, 2005.
“Dam
Operation Agreement”
means
the Agreement executed July 15, 1991 between Seller and the New York State
Department of Transportation Regarding Operation and Maintenance of the Xxxxxx
River and the New York State Barge Canal, Champlain Division, Within the
Boundaries of the Stillwater/Lock C-4 Project as the same may be amended from
time to time.
“Deed”
means
the bargain and sale deed containing the clause required by Section 13 of the
New York lien law and conforming to the requirements of the PCB Disposal Letter,
in the form of Exhibit
C.
“Defect
in Title”
has the
meaning set forth in Section
5.17.
“Down
Payment”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Due
Diligence Inspections and Reviews”
means
any due diligence, inspection or review related to the Purchased Assets and
described in or conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
Confidentiality Agreement, inclusive of all third party consultant studies
and
reports.
“Effective
Date”
means
the date on which this Agreement is executed and delivered by the
Parties.
“Encumbrances”
means
any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, conditional and installment
sale agreements, activity and use limitations, conservation easements, deed
restrictions, easements, encumbrances and charges of any kind.
“Environmental
Laws”
means
any Governmental Rule relating to air emissions, storage and use of hazardous
or
toxic substances, generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous
wastes, wastewater discharges and similar environmental matters, including
the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 9601 et seq.),
the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.),
the
Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.),
the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S. C. § 1251 et seq.),
the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.),
the
Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.),
the
Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.)
and
the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. § 11001
et seq.).
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means
any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is or ever has been
under common control, or which is or ever has been treated as a single employer,
with Seller under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
“Escrow
Agent”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Escrow
Agreement”
means
the agreement in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit D to be entered into between
the Parties and the Escrow Agent simultaneously with the execution of this
Agreement.
“Event
of Loss”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 5.11(b).
“Excluded
Assets”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Exhibits”
means
the exhibits to this Agreement.
“FERC”
means
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or its regulatory successor, as
applicable.
“FERC
License”
means
the hydropower license issued by FERC pursuant to Part I of the Federal Power
Act for FERC Project No. 4684, including amendments and all current issuances
and submissions related thereto.
“FIRPTA”
means
the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980.
“Governmental
Approval”
means
any authorization, consent, approval, waiver, exception, variance, order,
franchise, permit, license or exemption issued by any Governmental
Authority.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any federal, state, local or other governmental, regulatory or administrative
agency, governmental commission, department, board, subdivision, court,
tribunal, or other governmental arbitrator, arbitral body or other authority
having jurisdiction over the matter or Person in question, including
FERC.
“Governmental
Rule”
means,
with respect to any Person, any applicable law, statute, treaty, rule,
regulation, ordinance, order, code, judgment, decree, directive, injunction,
writ or similar action or decision duly implementing any of the foregoing by
any
Governmental Authority, but does not include Governmental
Approvals.
“Hazardous
Substances”
means
any chemical, material or substance that is listed or regulated under applicable
Environmental Laws as a “hazardous” or “toxic” substance or waste, or as a
“contaminant,” or is otherwise listed or regulated under applicable
Environmental Laws because it poses a hazard to human health or the
environment.
“Hydro
Easement”
means
the Hydro Easement dated as of July 29, 1992 between the People of the State
of
New York acting through the Office of General Services and the
Seller.
“Hydroelectric
Plant”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Indemnifiable
Claim”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.8.
“Indemnitee”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
“Indemnitor”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.5
“Intellectual
Property”
means
all copyrights, trademarks, trade names, trade styles, service marks, patents,
patent rights, shop rights, proprietary information and other intellectual
property and the right and/or license to use any of the foregoing.
“Interconnection
Agreement”
means
the Interconnection Agreement between Seller and Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation dated as of May 3, 1993.
“Inventories”
means
materials, spare parts, tools, appliances and movable equipment, consumable
supplies and inventories relating to the operation of the Hydroelectric
Plant.
“Knowledge”
or
similar phrases in this Agreement means: (i) in the case of Seller, the
actual, current knowledge of the Seller’s or Seller’s Affiliates’
representatives listed in Schedule 1.1
at the
Effective Date (or, with respect to any certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 7.3,
as of
the Closing Date); and (ii) in the case of Purchaser, the actual, current
knowledge of the Purchaser’s or Purchaser’s Affiliates’ representatives listed
in Schedule 1.1
at the
Effective Date (or, with respect to the certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 8.4,
as of
the Closing Date).
“Liquidated
Damages Amount”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).
“Major
Loss”
has the
meaning given such term in Section 5.11(b).
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
any physical or operational change (or such changes taken together) in, or
effect on, the Purchased Assets that is materially adverse to the value of
the
Purchased Assets as compared with the conditions on the Effective
Date.
“Minor
Loss”
means an
Event of Loss that is not a Major Loss.
“Notice
of Claim”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
“NYPSC”
means
the New York State Public Service Commission.
“NYSDEC”
means
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Party”
means
either Seller or Purchaser, as the context requires; “Parties”
means,
collectively, “Seller
and Purchaser”.
“PCB
Disposal Letter”
means
the letter dated May 26, 1993 from the NYSDEC to Xxxxxx Xxxxx relative to the
PCB Disposal Facility.
“Permits”
means
those permits listed on Schedule
2.1(c).
“Permitted
Encumbrances”
means
(a) liens for taxes and other governmental charges and assessments which are
not
yet due and payable, (b) mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens and similar liens
with respect to work for which Purchaser is obligated to pay pursuant to
Section 5.13,
(c)
other liens, Encumbrances or title imperfections with respect to the Purchased
Assets which are not material and which do not materially detract from the
value
of or materially impair the existing or proposed use of the Purchased Assets
affected by such liens, Encumbrances or title imperfections, (d) all exceptions
set forth in any deeds related to the Real Property listed on Schedule
2.1(a)(i),
(e)
liens, Encumbrances or title imperfections with respect to the Purchased Assets
created by or resulting from the acts or omissions of Purchaser, and (f) the
liens, encumbrances, or title imperfections listed on Schedule
3.7.
“Person”
means an
individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company,
trust, association or unincorporated organization, or any Governmental
Authority.
“Power
Sales Agreement”
means
the Power Sales Agreement, dated as of September 19, 1989, between Niagara
Mohawk Power Corporation, as amended by Amendment dated August 28, 1990 and
by
the Power Sales Agreement Acknowledgment and Consent dated as of August 27,
1992.
“Pre-Approved
Capital Expenditures”
has the
meaning set forth in Section
5.13.
“Procedures”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 9.9(c).
“Project”
means
the Purchased Assets and the Business.
“Prudent
Utility Practices”
means
any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant
portion of the competitive electric generation industry for facilities similar
in size and type to the Hydroelectric Plant during the relevant time period,
or
any of the practices, methods or acts which, in the exercise of reasonable
judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could
have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost
consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety, law, regulation,
environmental protection and expedition. Prudent Utility Practices are not
intended to be limited to the optimum practices, methods or acts to the
exclusion of all others, but rather to be acceptable practices, methods or
acts
generally accepted in the industry.
“Purchased
Assets”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Purchase
Price”
has the
meaning set forth in Section
2.6 as
adjusted pursuant to Section
2.7.
“Purchaser”
has the
meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Purchaser
Claims”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).
“Purchaser
Group”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).
“Purchaser
Required Consent(s)”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).
“Real
Property”
means
the real property interests listed on Schedule
2.1(a)(i).
“Related
Agreements”
means
the Confidentiality Agreement, the Deed, the Xxxx of Sale and the assignments
of
the Assigned Contracts and the Permits.
“Release”
means
release, spill, leak, discharge, dispose of, pump, pour, emit, empty, inject,
xxxxx, dump, or allow to escape into or through the environment.
“Schedules”
means
the schedules to this Agreement.
“Section”
means a
numbered section of this Agreement included within an Article that begins
with the same number as that section.
“Seller”
has the
meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Seller
Claims”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.3
(a).
“Seller
Group”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a).
“Tangible
Personal Property”
means
the personal property to be conveyed to Seller pursuant to Sections
2.1(a)(ii),
(iii),
(iv)
and
2.1(d)
of this
Agreement.
“Tax”
means
any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll,
employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits,
environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended), customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits,
withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real
property (including assessments, fees or other charges based on the ownership
of
real property), personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value
added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated tax, or other tax of any kind
whatsoever, including any interest, penalty or addition thereto, whether
disputed or not, including, without limitation, any item for which a Person’s
liability arises as a transferee or successor-in-interest.
“Third
Party Claim”
means a
claim by a Person that is not a member of the Seller Group or the Purchaser
Group.
“Transferred
Employees”
has the
meaning set forth in Section
5.15.
“Unlimited
Representations”
means
Seller’s representations and warranties set forth in Sections
3.1(a)
and
(b),
3.6
and
3.8.
1.2Interpretation.
In this
Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appear:
(a)the
singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;
(b)reference
to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable,
only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and
reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any
other
capacity;
(c)reference
to any gender includes each other gender;
(d)reference
to any agreement (including this Agreement), document or instrument means such
agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from
time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms
hereof;
(e)reference
any Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit or definition to any clause means such
clause of such Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit or definition;
(f)“hereunder,”
“hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement
as a whole and not to any particular Section or other provision hereof or
thereof;
(g)“including”
(and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the
generality of any description preceding such term;
(h)relative
to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,”
“to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including;”
and
(i)reference
to any law (including statutes and ordinances) means such law as amended,
modified codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time
to
time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
ARTICLE
II
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF ASSETS
2.1Transfer
of Assets.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller will
sell,
convey, assign, transfer and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase
and acquire from Seller all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the
following assets (collectively, the “Purchased
Assets”)
free
and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances:
(a)The
Stillwater, New York Hydroelectric Plant, FERC License # NY-4684 (the
“Hydroelectric
Plant”) consisting
of the following:
(i)all
of
Seller’s right, title or interest in, to and under the Real Property, the dam,
all fixtures, structures, buildings, facilities, and other improvements thereon
and all appurtenances thereto and all easements and other rights relating to
the
Real Property described on Schedule 2.1(a)(i),
including, but not limited to, the Hydro Easement, together with any other
real
property rights held by Seller and necessary to comply with the FERC License
or
located within the Project Boundary as identified in the FERC License,
as
modified with regard to transfers of property approved by FERC;
(ii)all
machinery, equipment, and furniture owned by the Seller and located in or on
and
used in the operation and/or maintenance of the Hydroelectric Plant as of March
20, 2006, including but not limited to the Tangible Personal Property listed
or
referred to in Schedule
2.1(a)(ii)
(which
Schedule includes all current Inventories as of the Effective Date, and the
PCB
containment facilities referenced in the FERC License and PCB Letter) and
Seller's leasehold or possessory interest, if any, in any such property located
at the Hydroelectric Plant which is not owned by Seller;
(iii)all
Inventories on the Closing Date;
(iv)the
34.5
kV transmission line and connections owned by Seller, as more particularly
described in the Interconnection Agreement and all rights transferred to Seller
by the Interconnection Agreement;
(b)all
contracts, agreements and personal property leases listed on Schedule
2.1(b)
(the
“Assigned
Contracts”);
(c)all
governmental authorizations held by the Seller related to the Project and
identified in Schedule 2.1(c),
to the
extent transferable (collectively, the “Permits”);
(d)all
books, operating records, employment records of Transferred Employee(s),
reports, correspondence with regulators, inspection reports, engineering or
design plans, specifications, drawings, procedures, software or tools used
to
process and report production, environmental or other data, safety and
maintenance manuals and similar items of the Seller relating in any material
way
to the Purchased Assets or the Business;
(d)all
unexpired, transferable warranties and guarantees from third parties with
respect to the Purchased Assets;
(e)the
Intellectual Property relating to the Purchased Assets (including Seller’s
goodwill therein and the rights of Seller in and to the name of the
Hydroelectric Plant) and all rights, privileges, claims, causes of action,
indemnification rights and options to the extent pertaining to the Purchased
Assets or the Assumed Liabilities relating to the Purchased Assets as listed
on
Schedule 2.1(e);
(f)subject
to satisfaction of Purchaser’s indemnification obligations under Section 6.3,
the rights of Seller in and to any causes of action, claims or defenses against
third parties (including indemnification and contribution) relating to the
Project or any Assumed Liabilities;
(g) the
accounts receivable, notes receivable and other receivables of Seller allocable
to the period subsequent to Closing, pursuant to Section 5.7(b) hereof.
2.2Excluded
Assets.
Nothing
in this Agreement will constitute or be construed as conferring on Purchaser,
and Purchaser is not acquiring, any right, title or interest in or to
(a) the assets listed or described on Schedule 2.2,
which
are associated with the Purchased Assets but are specifically excluded from
the
sale, if any (b) any deposit accounts or other accounts not expressly set
forth in Section 2.1
or any
schedule referred to therein, (c) any personnel records of Seller and its
Affiliates except the Transferred Employee Records and those records the
disclosure of which is required by law or legal or regulatory process; (d)
any
accounts receivable, notes receivable and other receivables of the Seller
allocable to the period prior to the Closing;(e) any
contracts, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of Seller other than
obligations and liabilities arising under the Assigned Contracts on and after
the Closing Date, (f) all cash and cash equivalents held in the name of Seller
as of the Closing Date, and
(g)
any of
Seller’s rights or obligations in any contract representing an intercompany
transaction between Seller and an Affiliate of Seller, whether or not such
transaction relates to the provision of goods and services, payment
arrangements, intercompany charges or balances, or the like (collectively,
with
clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) above, the “Excluded
Assets”).
2.3Assumption
of Liabilities.
Upon
Closing, Purchaser will assume and retain all obligations and liabilities of
any
kind or nature whatsoever arising after the Closing, and associated with any
of
the following (collectively, the “Assumed
Liabilities”):
(a)Environmental
Liabilities.
Any
liability, obligation, or responsibility under or related to current or future
Environmental Laws or the common law, whether such liability, obligation, or
responsibility is known or unknown, contingent or accrued, arising after the
Closing as a result of or in connection with: (a) any violation or alleged
violation of Environmental Law with respect to the ownership and operation
of
the Purchased Assets, including any obligations with respect to the PCB concrete
storage vault located within Project Boundaries for periods following Closing,
including any new requirements imposed after Closing with respect to the storage
vault; (b) compliance with applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the
ownership or operation of the Purchased Assets; (c) loss of life, injury to
persons or property, or damage to natural resources caused (or allegedly caused)
by any violation or alleged violation of an Environmental Law with respect
to
the ownership and operation of the Purchased Assets, including the Release
of
Hazardous Substances or the off-site disposal, storage, transportation,
discharge, Release, recycling, or the arrangement for such activities, of
Hazardous Substances.
(b)Use
and Operation Liabilities.
The use
or operation of the Purchased Assets or the Business after the Closing,
including: (i) any obligation to decommission, deactivate, demolish, or close
the Purchased Assets or Real Property or any portion thereof, including any
obligation to restore the Real Property to its natural state, and (ii) any
obligation arising from the use or operation of surface impoundments; or (iii)
any other facility used for the treatment, storage or disposal of Hazardous
Substances and that is authorized, licensed or permitted for that use by any
Governmental Authority and made part of the Purchased Assets.
(c)Compliance
Liabilities.
Obligations to comply with the Permits listed on Schedule
2.1(c).
(d)Assigned
Liabilities.
Subject
to Section
2.4(c),
all
liabilities and obligations arising or accruing with respect to periods
occurring after the Closing under (i) the Assigned Contracts, (ii) the
Permits, (iii) all other agreements and contracts disclosed and assigned to
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, (iv) all contracts and agreements
entered into by Seller with respect to the Purchased Assets after the Effective
Date consistent with the terms of this Agreement, (v) any applicable
governmental regulations and (vi) Inventories, and , except, in each case,
to the extent such liabilities and obligations, but for a breach or default
by
Seller, would have been paid, performed, or otherwise discharged on or prior
to
the Closing Date, or to the extent the same arise out of any such breach or
default, or in any event which after the giving of notice would constitute
a
default by Seller.
(e)Employee
Liabilities.
All
liabilities and obligations to Transferred Employees set forth on Schedule
2.3(e) for
which
Purchaser is liable pursuant to Section 5.15.
(f)Tax
Liabilities.
All
liabilities and obligations associated with the Purchased Assets in respect
of
Taxes for which Purchaser is liable pursuant to Section 5.6.
(g)Capital
Expenditure Liabilities.
All
liabilities and obligations incurred by Seller between the Effective Date and
the Closing Date with respect to Pre-Approved Capital Expenditures.
(h)Other
Specified Liabilities.
All
other liabilities and obligations expressly relating to the Purchased Assets
and
allocated to Purchaser in this Agreement or any of the Related
Agreements.
2.4Excluded
Liabilities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed to impose on Purchaser, and Purchaser shall not
assume or be obligated to pay, perform or otherwise discharge, the following
liabilities or obligations (the “Excluded
Liabilities”):
(a)Any
liabilities or obligations of Seller in respect of any Excluded Assets or other
assets of Seller which are not Purchased Assets or related to the Purchased
Assets;
(b)any
liabilities or obligations in respect of Taxes attributable to the ownership,
operation or use of the Purchased Assets for taxable periods, or portions
thereof, ending before the Closing;
(c)any
payment obligations of Seller for goods delivered or services rendered prior
to
the Closing Date except expenditures made pursuant to Section 5.13 or as
otherwise provided herein;
(d)any
fines
or penalties imposed by a Governmental Authority resulting from acts or
omissions of Seller prior to the Closing;
(e)any
liabilities, obligations or responsibilities of Seller relating to the
employment or termination of employment of any employee of Seller.
(f) any
liability, obligations or responsibilities under or related to any current
or
future Environmental Laws or the common law, arising as a result of or in
connection with the ownership or operation of the Purchased Assets on or before
the Closing Date.
2.5Closing.
The
Parties will use their Commercially Reasonable Efforts to assure that the
closing of the sale of the Purchased Assets to, and the assumption of the
Assumed Liabilities by, Purchaser (the “Closing”)
takes
place at the offices of Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP, Binghamton, New York
within five (5) Business Days following the date on which the conditions
precedent set forth in Article
7
and
Article
8
have
been either satisfied or waived by the Party for whose benefit such conditions
precedent exist, or on such other date and at such other place as the Parties
may mutually agree. The date of Closing is the “Closing
Date.”
2.6Purchase
Price and Payment.
The
consideration for the purchase of the Purchased Assets is nine million three
hundred fifty thousand and no/100 dollars ($9,350,000.00) subject to the
adjustments set forth in Section
2.7
(as so
adjusted, the “Purchase
Price”), such
payment in U.S. funds to be made by wire transfer to an account(s) designated
by
Seller, one hundred fifty thousand and no/100 Dollars ($150,000.00) (the
“Down
Payment”) of
which
is to be deposited with Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Kattell, LLP (the “Escrow
Agent”) pursuant
to an Escrow Agreement in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
D
(the
Escrow
Agreement”)
and the
balance of which is to be paid in cash at the Closing.
2.7Adjustments
to Purchase Price .
At the
Closing, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted, without duplication, to account
for the items set forth in this Section
2.7.
(a)The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to account for the items prorated as of the
Closing Date pursuant to Section
5.7.
(b)The
Purchase Price shall be increased by the amount expended by Seller between
the
Effective Date and the Closing Date for Pre-Approved Capital Expenditures
required by Section
5.13
to be
paid by Purchaser.
.
2.8Allocation
of Purchase Price.
The
Purchase Price will be allocated among the Purchased Assets as set forth on
Schedule
2.8.
The
Parties will file all tax returns consistent with the allocation of the Purchase
Price set forth on Schedule 2.8.
If the
Purchase Price is adjusted pursuant to Section
2.7 (b),
the
items in Schedule
2.8 will
be
adjusted to reflect that adjustment. The Parties agree that, for U.S. income
tax
purposes, the Purchase Price plus the amount of the Assumed Liabilities and
any
adjustments to the Purchase Price (but only to the extent such items are
permitted to be taken into account under the tax law) shall be allocated on
a
basis consistent with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder. Purchaser and Seller agree to file Internal Revenue Service Form
8594 (Asset Acquisition Statement Under Section 1060), and all federal, state,
local and foreign tax returns, in accordance with such allocations. Purchaser
and Seller agree to provide the other promptly with any information required
to
complete Form 8594. Purchaser and Seller shall notify and provide the other
with
reasonable assistance in the event of an examination, audit or other proceeding
regarding the allocation of the Purchase Price pursuant to this section.
Purchaser and Seller shall not take any position in any tax return, tax
proceeding or audit that is inconsistent with such allocation without the
consent of the other Party.
2.9Default.
(a)Purchaser’s
Remedies.
If the
sale of the Purchased Assets is terminated pursuant to Section 9.12
because
of Seller’s default hereunder, then, subject to the next sentence, Purchaser
may: (i) seek specific performance of Seller’s obligations under Section 9.9
which
(if awarded), and with all costs of enforcement of such specific performance
(inclusive of lost profits caused by the delay in Closing, if any) will be
Purchaser’s sole remedy for such default by Seller; and (ii) either in lieu of,
or absent a judgment for specific performance, recover damages equal to
Purchaser’s actual, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, including those
associated with Purchaser’s Due Diligence Inspection and Reviews.
(b)Seller’s
Remedies.
If the
purchase of the Purchased Assets is not consummated in accordance with this
Agreement because of Purchaser’s material default hereunder, then Seller will,
as its sole remedy, have the right to retain the Down Payment as liquidated
damages (the “Liquidated
Damages Amount”),
and
Seller will have no other remedy, whether at law or in equity, for the failure
to close by Purchaser hereunder (provided Seller will still be entitled to
receive any costs and expenses due to Seller pursuant to this Agreement and
the
benefit of any obligations, covenants and indemnities hereunder and under the
Confidentiality Agreement by Purchaser which expressly survive the termination
of this Agreement). THE
PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SELLER’S ACTUAL DAMAGES IN THE
EVENT OF A DEFAULT BY PURCHASER WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT OR IMPRACTICABLE
TO
ASCERTAIN AND THAT THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AMOUNT REPRESENTS THE PARTIES’
REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE PAYMENT OF THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
AMOUNT IS NOT INTENDED AS A FORFEITURE OR PENALTY.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS OF SELLER
Seller
represents, warrants and, where specified, disclaims to Purchaser as follows,
which representations and warranties will survive the Closing as provided in
Section 6.1:
3.1Transaction
Representations.
(a)Organization
and Existence.
Seller
is a duly organized and validly existing limited partnership in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and authorized to do business in the
State of New York, and has full requisite partnership power and authority to
carry on the Business.
(b)Execution,
Delivery and Enforceability.
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements by Seller,
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have
been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action required on
the
part of Seller. Assuming Purchaser’s due authorization, execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed by Purchaser,
this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed by Seller
constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of Seller, enforceable
against Seller in accordance with its and their terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws of general application relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable
principles.
(c)No
Violation.
Subject
to the Parties satisfying their respective obligations to obtain or process
(as
applicable) the consents, approvals, Permits, licenses, filings and notices
described in Section 5.2,
neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements
executed by Seller, nor the compliance with any provision hereof or thereof,
nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will
materially:
(i) violate,
or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provisions of the limited
partnership agreement of Seller or its certificate of formation; or
(ii) violate
any material governmental rule applicable to Seller or the Purchased Assets;
or
(iii) subject
to obtaining any consents required by Section
5.2(d),
result
in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate,
modify, cancel, exercise any adverse remedy with respect to, or require a notice
under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
instrument, obligation or other arrangement to which the Project, Purchased
Assets or Seller is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of such
items are subject (or result in the imposition of any encumbrance upon any
of
the Purchased Assets)
(d)Consents
and Approvals.
Subject
to the (i) matters set forth in Schedule 3.1
and
(ii) the Parties satisfying their respective obligations to obtain or
process (as applicable) the consents, approvals, Permits, licenses, filings
or
notices described in Section 5.2,
no
consent or approval of, filing with or notice to any Person is required to
be
obtained or made by Seller in connection with Seller’s execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed
by
Seller, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
which, if not obtained or made, will prevent Seller from performing its
obligations hereunder or thereunder.
3.2Suitability
of Assets; Disclaimer.
Subject
to matters set forth in Schedule 3.2, the Purchased Assets, including all
mechanical equipment and component parts thereof, are suitable for the purposes
for which they have been operated, comply in all material respects with the
FERC
License, have been and will be maintained through the Closing in a manner
consistent with past practices and the FERC License, and to Seller’s Knowledge
are not currently in need of replacement or material repair. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE CONDITION,
VALUE
OR QUALITY OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR THE PROSPECTS (FINANCIAL AND OTHERWISE),
RISKS AND OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS AND SELLER SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, USAGE, SUITABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS,
OR
ANY PART THEREOF, OR AS TO THE WORKMANSHIP THEREOF, OR THE ABSENCE OF ANY
DEFECTS THEREIN, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT.
3.3Compliance
with Laws and Regulations.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.3,
each of
Seller and the Project is, and on the Closing Date shall be, in material
compliance with all Government Rules applicable to Seller or the Project. Seller
has received no notice from, and to Seller’s Knowledge no notice is threatened
or pending from, any Governmental Authority to the effect (i) that Seller’s
current use and operation of any of the Hydroelectric Plant violates in any
material respect any Governmental Rule in existence as of execution of this
Agreement, (ii) that any improvements located on the Real Property are not
constructed in compliance with any Governmental Rule or (iii) that any
repair, alteration, restoration or improvement is needed with respect to any
of
the Purchased Assets in order to be in compliance with any Governmental
Rule.
3.4Governmental
Approvals.
Except
as provided on Schedule 3.4,
(a) Seller has all Governmental Approvals necessary to own and operate the
Purchased Assets, (b) Schedule 2.1(c),
Schedule 5.2(a)
and
Schedule
5.2(b)
list all
material Governmental Approvals which directly and specifically relate to the
current use and operation of the Purchased Assets by Seller, (c) Seller
(i) is not in violation of any Governmental Approvals other than violations
which could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and
(ii) has not received any notice from any Governmental Authority of any
potential violation or indicating that any Governmental Authority considers
Seller to be in violation of any Governmental Approvals.
3.5Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.5,
there
are no pending or, to Seller's Knowledge, threatened action, investigation
or
request for information by any Governmental Authority or third Person or other
facts which could result, or has resulted, in (a) the institution of legal
proceedings to prohibit or restrain the performance of this Agreement or any
of
the Related Agreements, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or (b) a claim for damages as a result of this Agreement
or
any of the Related Agreements, or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby. Except as may be specified in Schedule
3.5,
there
is no pending or, to Seller's Knowledge, threatened litigation, claim,
investigation, proceeding, order or directive, private or governmental, which
directly and specifically relates to the Purchased Assets or the operation
thereof.
3.6Title.
Schedule 2.1(a)(i)
sets
forth a true and complete list of all Real Property and other real property
interests that are part of, or material to, the business or operations of the
Purchased Assets. Seller has leasehold or other contractual interests in all
Purchased Assets identified in Schedules 2.1(b)
and,
subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances, (i) good, valid and marketable
record title to the Real Property and (ii) good and marketable and valid
title to all Purchased Assets to be transferred pursuant to Section 2.1.
To the
Knowledge of Seller, all improvements on the Real Property owned or leased
by
Seller conform in all material respects to applicable Government Rules regarding
zoning and building ordinances. Except for the matters set forth in Schedule
3.1(d),
no
condition or circumstances exists that would require or permit any party to
an
Assigned Contract to cancel or suspend any real property right of
Seller.
3.7Permitted
Encumbrances.
To
Seller's Knowledge, Schedule 3.7
sets
forth all Encumbrances affecting Seller’s Real Property, including matters of
record. True and correct copies of all surveys, abstracts, title opinions and
policies of title insurance in Seller’s possession with respect to such Real
Property have been delivered by Seller to Purchaser. None of the Permitted
Encumbrances materially adversely affect the existing use of the Real Property
or the Purchased Assets.
3.8Brokers.
All
negotiations relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
have been carried on by Seller with the assistance of Marcus & Millichap,
brokers. Seller warrants that it will be responsible for the payment of any
brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment to Marcus &
Millichap. No other Person is entitled to a broker’s fee as a result of any
action by the Seller.
3.9Certain
Contracts and Arrangements.
Except
(i) as listed in Schedule
3.9,
(ii) for contracts, agreements, personal property leases, commitments,
understandings or instruments which will expire prior to the Closing Date,
(iii) for agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of
business and (iv) for contracts agreements, personal property leases,
commitments, understandings or instruments with a value less than twenty five
thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or with annual or aggregate payments of less
than
twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), Seller is not a party to any written
contract, agreement, personal property lease, commitment, understanding or
instrument which is material to the business or operations of the Purchased
Assets and not part of the Purchased Assets.
3.10 Environmental
Issues. Except
as
set forth in Schedule
3.10,
(a)
there are no environmental claims against, or to Seller’s Knowledge threatened
against, Seller with respect to the Purchased Assets; (b) no Releases of
Hazardous Substances have occurred at, from, on, or under the Real Property
and
no Hazardous Substances are present on or migrating from the Real Property
that
are reasonably likely to give rise to a material environmental claim against
Seller or Seller’s successors, except where such Releases would not be
anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) there are no liens arising
under or pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to the Purchased Assets
and, to Seller's Knowledge, there are no facts, circumstances, or conditions
that are reasonably likely to be expected to restrict, encumber, or result
in
the imposition of special conditions under any Environmental Law with respect
to
the ownership, occupancy, development, use, or transferability of the Purchased
Assets; (d) the Purchased Assets include no (i) underground storage tanks,
active or abandoned or (ii) equipment containing polychlorinated-biphenyl;
(e)
Seller holds, and is in compliance with, all permits licenses, certificates
and
governmental authorizations required for Seller to operate the Purchased Assets
under applicable Environmental Law; and (f) Seller has not received any request
for information or been notified of any potential environmental claim regarding
the Purchased Assets and to Seller’s Knowledge, no investigation or remediation
is being conducted or is pending as to the Purchased Assets. The representations
and warranties made by Seller in this Section
3.10
are the
exclusive representations and warranties made to Purchaser relating to
environmental matters.
3.11 ERISA. Schedule
3.11(a)
lists
all deferred compensation, pension, profit-sharing and retirement plans,
including multi-employer plans, and all welfare, severance, stock-based, bonus
and other employee benefit or fringe benefit plans, programs and arrangements,
whether written or oral, maintained or with respect to which contributions
have
been made in the last five (5) years or are made by Seller in respect of
Transferred Employees (such plans, programs and arrangements, collectively
the
“Benefit Plans”). To Seller’s Knowledge, each Benefit Plan is in compliance in
all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and
all
applicable laws.
3.12 Labor
Matters.
There
are no labor union, collective bargaining agreements or other labor agreements
pertaining to the Transferred Employees to which Seller is a party or subject.
Except as set forth in Schedule
3.12
and
except for such matters as will not have a Material Adverse Effect, to Seller’s
Knowledge: (a) Seller is in compliance with all applicable laws respecting
employment and employment practices, occupational health and safety and wages
and hours; (b) Seller has not received written notice of any unfair labor
practice complaint against it; (c) there is no labor strike, slowdown or
stoppage actually pending or threatened against or affecting Seller; (d) no
grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective
bargaining agreement is pending against Seller; and (e) Seller has not
experienced any primary work stoppage.
3.13 ERISA
and Labor Matters Disclaimer.
Except
as set forth in Sections
3.11
and
3.12,
Seller
expressly disclaims any representation or warranty with respect to any ERISA
or
labor matters and any employee benefits provided for thereunder. Purchaser
acknowledges that it is has conducted its own independent review of the ERISA
and labor matters and is not relying on any other material or information
provided by or communication made by Seller with respect thereto when making
its
decision to acquire the Purchased Assets.
3.14 Financial
Statements.
Copies
of
the financial statements of Seller that have been made available to Purchaser
are attached hereto as Schedule
3.14
(the
"Financial
Statements").
The
Financial Statements were prepared by Seller’s accountants from Seller’s books
and records and, to Seller’s Knowledge, are in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles for financial reporting applied on a consistent
basis ("GAAP"),
except
as
specifically noted in such Financial Statements or on Schedule
3.14,
are
true, correct and complete in all material respects, and present fairly the
financial condition of the Seller at the dates indicated and the results of
Seller's operations for the periods indicated. Any internally prepared interim
cash flows for the Business may not be prepared in accordance with GAAP, but
fairly represent the operations of the Business.
3.15 No
Adverse Change.
Since
the date of the latest Financial Statements, there has been no: (a) material
adverse change in the Business or the Purchased Assets, other than changes
in
the ordinary course of business; (b) transactions by Seller, other than in
the
ordinary course of business, which have had any Material Adverse Effect on
the
Business or the Purchased Assets; (c) sale, transfer or other disposition of
any
significant asset used in the Business, other than sales in the ordinary course
of Business; (d) increase in compensation payable by Seller to any officer
or
employee of the Business, except annual increases consistent with prior
practice; (e) change in accounting methods or practices of Seller (including,
without limitation, depreciation and amortization practices); (f) acceleration
of the recognition of any revenue or delay of the recognition of any liabilities
or expenses except in the ordinary course of business; (g) destruction, damage
to, or loss of any asset (whether or not covered by insurance) that had or
has a
Material Adverse Effect on the Business or the Purchased Assets, individually
or
in the aggregate; or (h) material change in the manner of conducting the
Business, including the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, vehicles
and facilities.
3.16 Insurance
Coverage.
Seller
maintains policies of fire, liability and other forms of insurance covering
the
Business and the Purchased Assets, in amounts and against such losses and risks
as are reasonable for assets of the type or class of the Purchased Assets,
including casualty insurance covering the Purchased Assets. Seller has not
received any notice from any insurer disclaiming coverage, or canceling a policy
within the last five years. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, Seller has
no
claims pending under any insurance policy, and all claims made during the last
five years are identified in Schedule
3.16
attached
hereto. Seller has no Knowledge of any occurrence for which the Project or
the
Seller may be liable that could give rise to an insurance claim against
Purchaser or the Purchased Assets on or after the Effective Date.
3.17 Tax
Matters. Seller
has, and through the Closing will, duly and timely file all federal, state,
local and other tax returns, estimates and reports required to be filed by
it
and all such returns are, or will be when filed, true, complete and correct
in
all material respects and Seller or its partners have paid or will pay all
federal, state and local income, profits, environmental, franchise, sales,
use,
occupation, real or personal property, value-added, ad valorem, withholding,
social security, payroll, excise and other taxes, charges, levies, tariffs,
duties, liabilities, assessments, fees and governmental charges (including
all
interest and penalties) (collectively "Taxes") imposed upon or claimed to be
owed by, the Seller or its partners, which are due and payable or claimed by
any
taxing authority or governmental entity to be due and payable through periods
ending on or before the Closing Date, in each case to the extent Purchaser
would
incur liability for Seller's failure to file such Returns or pay such Taxes.
Seller knows of no audits, assessments, notices of deficiency, deficiencies,
investigations, claims or demands for taxes or proposed deficiencies against
Seller for any Federal, state or local income taxes. No issue or issues have
been raised in connection with any prior or pending inquiry into, or audit
of,
any tax filings of Seller which may be expected to be raised in the future
by
such taxing authorities and no facts exist or have existed which would
constitute grounds for the assessment of any further tax liabilities, which
individually or in the aggregate are material with respect to the periods which
have not been examined by the IRS. No claims are being asserted with respect
to
any Taxes of Seller for which Purchaser reasonably could be held liable and
Seller knows of no basis for the assertion of any such claim. Seller's U.S.
Federal Income Tax Returns for the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 fiscal
years have been delivered to Purchaser. Seller has paid to the appropriate
taxing authorities, or will pay when due, all amounts which were required to
be
withheld or paid with respect to all taxes on income, unemployment, workers'
compensation, social insurance or other similar programs or benefits with
respect to salary and other compensation of their respective directors, officers
and employees and taxes required to be withheld.
3.18
Utility
Regulation.
The
Project has been, and remains, a duly certified qualifying small power
production facility pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act
of
1978.
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Purchaser
represents and warrants to Seller as follows, which representations and
warranties will survive the Closing as provided in Section 6.1:
4.1 Transaction
Representations.
(a) Organization
and Existence.
Purchaser is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company
in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and as of the Closing
Date will be authorized to do business under the laws of the State of New
York.
(b) Execution,
Delivery and Enforceability.
Purchaser has full power to enter into, and to carry out its obligations under,
this Agreement and the Related Agreements that are executed by Purchaser. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are
executed by Purchaser, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary action required
on the part of Purchaser. Assuming Seller’s due authorization, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed by
Seller, this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed by
Purchaser constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of Purchaser,
enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its and their terms, except
as
such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws of general application relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable
principles.
(c) No
Violation.
Subject
to the Parties satisfying their respective obligations to obtain or process
(as
applicable) the consents, approvals, Permits, licenses, filings and notices
described in Section 5.2,
neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements
executed by Purchaser, nor the compliance with any provision hereof or thereof,
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
will:
(1) violate
or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provisions of the organizational
documents of Purchaser; or
(2) violate
any material Governmental Rule applicable to Purchaser.
(d) No
Consents.
Subject
to the Parties satisfying their respective obligations to obtain or process
(as
applicable) the consents, approvals, permits, licenses, filings and notices
described in Section 5.2,
no
consent or approval of, filing with or notice to any Person is required to
be
obtained or made by Purchaser in connection with Purchaser’s execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements which are executed
by Purchaser, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, which, if not obtained or made, will prevent Purchaser from performing
its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
4.2 Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.5,
there
is no pending, or to Purchaser's Knowledge, threatened action, investigation
or
request for information by any Governmental Authority or third Person or any
facts which could result, or has resulted, in (a) the institution of legal
proceedings to prohibit or restrain the performance of this Agreement or any
of
the Related Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or (b) a claim for damages as a result of this Agreement
or
any of the Related Agreements, or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
4.3 Brokers.
All
negotiations relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
have been carried on by Purchaser without the intervention of any other Person
and in such a manner as not to give rise to any valid claim against Seller
(by
reason of Purchaser’s actions) for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other
like payment to any Person, other than the fees of Marcus & Millichap, which
are payable by Seller.
4.4 “As
Is” Sale.
EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, PURCHASER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT
THE PURCHASED ASSETS ARE BEING ACQUIRED “AS IS, WHERE IS” ON THE CLOSING DATE,
AND IN THEIR CONDITION ON THE CLOSING DATE, AND THAT OTHER THAN THE
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY RELATED
AGREEMENTS, PURCHASER IS RELYING ON ITS OWN EXAMINATION OF THE PURCHASED
ASSETS.
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
AND OTHER MATTERS
5.1 Due
Diligence Inspections and Reviews.
Purchaser will bear all of its own costs, expenses and charges incurred in
connection with its Due Diligence Inspections and Reviews.
5.2 Consents
and Authorizations.
(a) Seller’s
Responsibility.
Seller
will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain each authorization, consent,
license, permit and approval that may be necessary for its execution and
delivery of, and the performance of its obligations under, this Agreement,
including:
(i) all
authorizations, consents, licenses, permits and approvals of Governmental
Authorities and third Persons required by applicable law or required by any
such
third Persons in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements and with Seller’s
operation of the Hydroelectric Plant, including those listed in Schedule
5.2(a);
(ii) without
limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the specific consents to the
assignment from Seller to Purchaser of (or, as applicable, the reissuance of)
the Governmental Approvals listed in Schedule
2.1(c);
and
(iii) without
limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the assignment to Purchaser of
Seller rights and obligations under the Assigned Contracts.
(b) Purchaser
Responsibility.
Purchaser will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain each authorization,
consent, license, permit and approval that may be necessary for its execution
and delivery of, and the performance of its obligations under, this Agreement,
including those items listed in Schedule
5.2(b).
(c) FERC
Transfer.
The
parties will each bear 50% of the cost of drafting and filing a license transfer
application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
5.3 Cooperative
Effort; Work Arounds.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement
shall
not constitute an agreement to assign any Purchased Asset or any claim or right
or any benefit arising thereunder or resulting therefrom if an attempted
assignment thereof, without consent of a third party thereto, would constitute
a
breach or other contravention thereof or in any way adversely affect the rights
of Purchaser or Seller thereunder. If any transfer or assignment by Seller
to,
or any assumption by Purchaser of, any interest in, or liability, obligation
or
commitment under, any Purchased Asset requires the consent of a third party,
then such transfer, assignment or assumption shall be made subject to such
consent being obtained. Seller
and Purchaser will use their Commercially Reasonable Efforts (but without any
payment of money by Seller or Purchaser) to obtain the consent of such third
parties. If such consent is not obtained, Purchaser and Seller will cooperate
in
any mutually agreeable arrangement under which Purchaser shall obtain the
economic claims, rights and benefits of the Purchased Asset with respect to
which the consent has not been obtained in accordance with this Agreement.
Such
reasonable arrangement may include subcontracting, sub-licensing, or subleasing
to Purchaser, or an arrangement under which Seller would, to the extent
commercially practicable, enforce for the benefit of Purchaser, any and all
rights of Seller against any third party thereto. Seller will promptly pay
to
Purchaser all monies received by Seller after the Closing constituting a
Purchased Asset (or the proceeds thereof) or under any Purchased Asset or any
claim or right or any benefit arising thereunder that accrues after the Closing,
except to the extent the same represents an Excluded Asset. To the extent any
Assigned Contract may not be assigned to Purchaser by reason of the absence
of
any such consent and provided only to the extent no material portion of the
economic claims, rights or benefits under such Assigned Contract are received
by
Purchaser, Purchaser shall not assume any Assumed Liabilities arising under
such
Assigned Contract, other than such as arise from Purchaser’s failure to comply
with the terms of such Assigned Contract (except with respect to a failure
by
Purchaser to obtain the consent to the assignment to Purchaser of such Assigned
Contract by Seller) Following Closing, Purchaser will notify promptly all
relevant Governmental Authorities and all third persons of the change in
ownership of the Purchased Assets resulting from the transactions contemplated
herein, to the extent required by applicable law or the specific underlying
agreement(s).
5.4 Confidentiality.
(a) General.
Each
Party (and its officers, employees, counsel, representatives and agents) will,
using the same degree of care as that Party takes to preserve and safeguard
its
own confidential information, maintain in confidence and not disclose to third
Persons, any Confidential Information received from the other Party (or its
officers, employees, counsel, representatives and agents), whether before or
after the date hereof, in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement. The Parties further acknowledge that any Confidential Information
provided under the Confidentiality Agreement will be considered Confidential
Information for purposes of this Agreement and agree that they are bound by
the
terms of the Confidentiality Agreement as though they were parties thereto.
Each
Party may disclose Confidential Information received from the other Party (i)
if
and to the extent required by law, court order, subpoena or other lawful order
of a Governmental Authority with jurisdiction, (ii) to any other Persons in
connection with Purchaser's insuring and financing, with respect to the
Purchased Assets and with respect to obtaining health and welfare benefits
for
Transferred Employees, (iii) to employees who are to be Transferred
Employees; (iv) subject to Section
5.5
to
existing and potential suppliers, and to such Persons as Purchaser expects
it
may have business dealings regarding the Purchased Assets from and after the
Closing Date; or (v) in accordance with Section 5.4(b).
If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.12,
each
Party will return promptly, if so requested by the other Party, any Confidential
Information provided to it and will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to
return any copies thereof that may have been provided to others in accordance
with this Section 5.4.
(b) Regulatory
Agencies.
Upon
the other Party's prior written approval (which, except as provided below shall
not be unreasonably withheld), either Party may provide Confidential Information
to any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction as is necessary for such Party
to comply with its obligations under Section 5.2.
To the
extent permitted by Government Rule, the disclosing Party will seek confidential
treatment for the Confidential Information provided to any Governmental
Authority and the disclosing Party will notify the other Party as far in advance
as is practicable of its intention to release to any Governmental Authority
any
Confidential Information.
(c) Survival.
The
obligations of the Parties in this Section 5.4
will
survive the termination of this Agreement, the discharge of all other
obligations owed by the Parties to each other, any transfer of title to the
Purchased Assets and the Closing of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
5.5 Purchaser
Contact with Employees.
Purchaser agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, prior to the Closing
Date, it will not contact any employees with respect to any aspect of the
Purchased Assets or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior
written consent of Seller, which consent will not unreasonably be withheld,
conditioned or delayed.
5.6 Further
Assurances.
At any
time or from time to time after the Closing, each Party will, upon the
reasonable request of the other Party, execute and deliver any further
instruments or documents and take all such further actions as may reasonably
be
required to fulfill and implement the terms of this Agreement or realize the
benefits intended to be afforded hereby.
5.7 Taxes,
Prorations, Credits and Closing Costs.
(a) Taxes.
(i) Purchaser
will pay all Taxes (other than Seller’s income Taxes), including sales, use,
mortgage recording tax and documentary transfer Taxes, arising in connection
with the sale and transfer of the Purchased Assets and Seller will pay the
transfer tax associated with the sale of the Real Estate. Seller and Purchaser
will each pay its own income Taxes. State and local real property Taxes relating
to the Purchased Assets for each tax year in which the Closing occurs will
be
prorated between Purchaser and Seller on the following basis: Seller is to
be
responsible for all such Taxes for the period up to the Closing and Purchaser
is
responsible for all such Taxes for the period on and after the Closing. All
Taxes assessed on an annual basis will be prorated on the assumption that an
equal amount of Taxes applies to each day of the year, regardless of how any
installment payments are billed or made.
(ii) After
the
Closing, Purchaser will notify Seller in writing, within fifteen (15) days
after
its receipt of any correspondence, notice or other communication from a taxing
authority or any representative thereof, of any pending or threatened tax audit,
or any pending or threatened judicial or administrative proceeding that involves
Taxes relating to the Purchased Assets, for the period prior to the Closing,
and
furnish Seller with copies of all correspondence received from any taxing
authority in connection with any audit or information request with respect
to
any such Taxes relating to the Purchased Assets for the period prior to the
Closing.
(b) Income
and Expenses.
Except
as set forth in this Section 5.7,
all
items of income and expense, including power sales revenues, rents and charges
under the Assigned Contracts, allocable to the period prior to the Closing
will
be for the account of Seller and all items of income and expense, including
power sales revenues, rents and other charges under the Assigned Contracts,
allocable to the period on and after the Closing will be for the account of
Purchaser, all as determined by the accrual method of accounting. Any payments
due from one Party to the other pursuant to this Section 5.7(b)
will be
paid at Closing.
(c) Proration
Method.
For
purposes of calculating prorations, Purchaser will be deemed to own the
Purchased Assets, and, therefore, entitled to the income therefrom and
responsible for the expenses thereof for the entire day upon which the Closing
occurs and thereafter. All prorations will be made on the basis of the actual
number of days of the month which will have elapsed as of the day of the Closing
and based upon a three hundred sixty-five (365) day year. The amount of the
prorations will be subject to adjustment in cash after the Closing, as and
when
complete and accurate information becomes available, and the Parties agree
to
cooperate and use their good faith efforts to make such post-closing
adjustments. Revenues for the sale of electricity for the month in which the
Closing occurs or for any previous period for which Niagara Mohawk or its
successors have not yet reported shall be based upon 98.5% of the production
shown on the records of the Hydroelectric Plant and shall be subject to a
post-closing adjustment up receipt by Purchaser of notification from Niagara
Mohawk of actual readings at its connection point.
(d) Purchaser’s
Closing Costs.
In
connection with Closing, Purchaser will pay: (i) all costs of (1) any title
policy and all endorsements thereto that Purchaser elects to obtain, (2)
Purchaser’s Due Diligence Inspections and Reviews, (3) obtaining the
authorizations, consents, licenses, permits and approvals disclosed in
Section 5.2(b),
other
than Seller’s costs of pursuing the same
and (4)
any Person other than Marcus & Millichap that is entitled to a brokerage
commission, finder’s fee or other like payment by reason of Purchaser’s actions,
and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of any document recordation costs, including
transfer taxes.
(e) Seller’s
Closing Costs.
In
connection with Closing, Seller will pay all costs of (1) obtaining the
authorizations, consents, licenses, permits and approvals described in
Section 5.2(a),
except
for Purchaser’s legal costs, and (2) fees due to Marcus & Millichap and any
other Person that is entitled to a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other
like payment by reason of Seller's actions; and (3) 50% of any document
recordation costs, including transfer taxes.
5.8 Acknowledgement
by Purchaser.
THE
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTE THE SOLE
AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER IN CONNECTION WITH THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Except
for the representations and warranties expressly set forth herein and in any
Related Agreements, Purchaser disclaims reliance on any representations,
warranties or guarantees, either express or implied, by Seller, its officers,
directors, counsel, representatives or agents.
5.9 No
Recourse.
To the
extent the transfer, conveyance, assignment and delivery of Purchased Assets
to
Purchaser as provided in this Agreement is accomplished by deeds, assignments,
sublicenses, subleases, subcontracts or other instruments of transfer and
conveyance, whether executed at the Closing or thereafter, these instruments
are
made without representation or warranty by, or recourse against, Seller, except
as expressly provided in this Agreement or in such instruments of transfer
or
conveyance.
5.10 Advice
of Changes.
Prior
to the Closing, each Party will advise the other in writing with respect to
any
matter arising after execution of this Agreement of which that Party obtains
Knowledge and which, if existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement,
would have been required to be set forth in any of the Schedules.
5.11 Casualty
Loss.
(a) Minor
Loss. Except
as
set forth in this Section, Seller shall bear the risk of Minor Loss of the
Purchased Assets occurring between the Effective Date and the Closing. If any
Purchased Asset is damaged, Seller shall replace such item and/or repair such
damage and bring the Purchased Asset to its condition as on the Effective Date,
provided that Seller shall first notify Purchaser of the anticipated cost of
repair and Purchaser may elect to take a credit for the cost of replacement
or
repair at the time of Closing in the amount payable under any insurance policy
of Seller, in which case Seller shall not be obligated to make the repair.
If
Purchaser does not make this election and if a replacement or repair cannot
be
completed by the time scheduled for the Closing, the time for the Closing will
be extended to a date ten (10) days following the completion of the repair
or
replacement.
(b) Major
Loss. If,
at
any time prior to Closing, the Hydroelectric Plant suffers a
total
or partial casualty loss (“Event
of Loss”) that
is
reasonably estimated by an engineer to cost in excess of One Hundred Thousand
and no/100 Dollars ($100,000) (a “Major
Loss”),
Seller will promptly inform Purchaser of the Major Loss. As soon as practicable
following the Major Loss, Seller will provide to Purchaser its detailed written
engineer’s estimate (“Seller’s
Estimate”) setting
forth the amount required to repair or replace the damaged Purchased Assets
and
the estimated time period for completion of such repair or replacement and
the
amount available from insurance proceeds. Thereafter, Purchaser shall have
the
right to elect to either (i) terminate this Agreement; (ii) delay the Closing
and allow Seller to repair or replace the damaged Purchased Assets at Seller’s
sole cost and expense, provided that Seller shall have no obligation to make
such repair or replacement if the insurance proceeds are not sufficient for
such
purpose, or (iii) take the amount estimated by Seller as a credit against the
Purchase Price and proceed to Closing on all Purchased Assets, in which case
the
Seller shall have no obligation to repair the asset; provided, that if Purchaser
does not agree with Seller’s Estimate, Purchaser may require that a separate
repair estimate be provided by a mutually acceptable engineer (“Third Party
Estimate”), to be used in lieu of any Seller estimate as a credit against the
Purchase Price; and provided further that the amount of both Seller’s Estimate
and any Third Party Estimate is limited to the amount of the insurance proceeds
available to Seller relating to the damage (or that would have been available
absent breach by Seller of insurance policy terms or payment requirements).
If
the Third Party Estimate is higher than Seller’s Estimate, Seller shall pay the
cost of obtaining the Third Party Estimate. Otherwise Purchaser shall be liable
for the cost of obtaining the Third Party Estimate. If the Purchaser elects
to
have Seller make the repair and the insurance funds are available to Seller
for
such purpose, the completion of the repair or replacement of the Purchased
Assets relating to a Major Loss and the completion of the work relating to
a
Major Loss, will be a condition to the Closing (and the outside date for the
Closing set forth in Section 9.12(a)(6)
will be
extended by the estimated time for completion of such repair or replacement
plus
ten (10) days).
(c) Purchaser’s
Election.
Purchaser will make its election as provided in (b) above within the thirty
(30)
day period immediately following receipt of a Seller’s Estimate relating to a
Major Loss.
(d) If
Purchaser fails to make the election set forth in Section 5.11(
b)
within
the thirty (30) day period immediately following receipt of Seller’s notice of a
Major Loss, Purchaser will be deemed to have terminated the Agreement.
(e) The
provisions of Section 5-1311 of the New York General Obligations Law shall
not
apply to this Agreement.
5.12 Conduct
of Business and Maintenance of Purchased Assets Pending
Closing.
Except
as described herein or to the extent Purchaser otherwise consents in writing,
during the period from the date hereof to the Closing Date, Seller (i) shall
operate the Purchased Assets in the ordinary course consistent with its past
practices; (ii) shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to preserve the
goodwill and relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
dealings with them with respect thereto; and (iii) shall comply in all material
respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the
Purchased Assets, including without limitation, all Environmental Laws.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as contemplated in this Agreement or
as
described in Schedule
5.12,
or as
required under applicable law or by any Governmental Authority, prior to the
Closing Date, without the written consent of Purchaser, which consent shall
not
be unreasonably withheld, Seller will not, with respect to the Purchased
Assets:
(a) Capital
Expenditures.
Except
as allowed or required pursuant to Section 5.13
make any
Capital Expenditure with respect to the Project, other than replacements and
repairs made in the ordinary course of Seller's business acting in accordance
with its past practices, or enter into any contract or commitment
therefore;
(b) Transfers.
Sell,
lease (as lessor), transfer, and except for Permitted Encumbrances, encumber
or
pledge any of the Purchased Assets, other than Purchased Assets used, consumed
or replaced in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Modification,
Amendment and Termination.
Modify,
amend or voluntarily terminate any of the Assigned Leases or Assigned Contracts
or any of the Permits, licenses or variances listed on Schedule
2.1(c)
other
than (i) when required by applicable law or (ii) with cause to the extent
consistent with Seller’s past practices, or as may be required in connection
with transferring Seller’s rights or obligations thereunder to Purchaser in
connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or with Purchaser
obtaining the authorizations, consents, licenses, permits and approvals
disclosed in Section 5.2
(b);
(d) Operation
and Maintenance.
Except
in the case of a casualty loss which will be governed by Section 5.11,
operate
or maintain the Hydroelectric Plant in a manner inconsistent with Seller’s past
practices;
(e) Sales
Agreements.
Enter
into any modification of the Power Sales Agreement;
(f) Employees.
With
respect to Transferred Employees only and except in the normal course of
business, grant any raises, institute any new employee benefit plans or welfare
plans, discipline, promote or demote, hire or fire any Transferred Employee,
other than in the ordinary course of business according to past practices,
without the consent of Purchaser; or
(g) Agreements. Agree
to enter into any of the transactions set forth in subsections (a) through
(f).
5.13 Pre-Approved
Capital Expenditures .
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, from the Effective
Date through the Closing, Seller may (without Purchaser’s consent) make capital
expenditures described on Schedule 5.13
(“Pre-Approved
Capital Expenditures”). Purchaser
will pay to Seller at Closing as an addition to the Purchase Price, the amount
expended by Seller on account of all Pre-Approved Capital Expenditures made
between the Effective Date and the Closing and not theretofore paid by
Purchaser.
5.14 Post
Closing -- Information and Records.
(a) Information
and Administrative Support.
Purchaser agrees that, from and after the Closing Date, it will, promptly
following the request of Seller, provide such information and administrative
support as will be reasonably requested by Seller to enable Seller to comply
with its obligations with respect to the issuance of Forms W-2, 1099 and other
tax reports, reports and notices relating to health and other plans, income
tax
returns, preparation of financial statements and completion of Seller's audit
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 or such earlier date as Seller
determines to liquidate, or to assist Seller in the defense or prosecution
of
law suits and other similar matters.
(b) Books
and Records.
For a
period of seven (7) years after the Closing (or, if requested in writing by
Seller within seven (7) years after the Closing, until the closing of the
examination of Seller federal income tax returns for all periods prior to and
including the Closing), Purchaser will not dispose of any books, records,
documents, or information relating to any of the Purchased Assets delivered
to
it by Seller without first giving notice to Seller thereof and permitting Seller
to retain or copy such books and records as it may select. During such period,
Purchaser will permit Seller to examine and make copies, at Seller’s expense, of
such books, records, documents and information for any reasonable purpose,
including any litigation now pending or hereafter commenced against Seller,
or
the preparation of income or other tax returns.
5.15 Transferred
Employees.
(a) Employment.
Purchaser may at any time offer employment to any of Seller’s employees listed
on Schedule
2.3(e).
Any
employee accepting employment from Purchaser is a “Transferred
Employee.”
During
the period between the Effective Date and the Closing Date, Seller shall use
reasonable efforts to keep available the Transferred Employees on Schedule
2.3(e)
for
employment by Purchaser. Seller shall have no obligations to require any such
employees to accept employment with Purchaser.
(b) Bonus,
Vacation Time, etc.
Seller
shall pay immediately following the Closing, all compensation, bonus, severance,
vacation and holiday compensation, workers’ compensation or other employment
benefits which have accrued to or on behalf of any Transferred Employees
immediately prior to the Closing Date.
5.16 Supplements
to Schedules.
Prior
to the Closing Date, the Parties shall supplement or amend the Schedules with
respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing or occurring at
the
Effective Date would have been required to be set forth in such Schedules.
Such
supplement or amendment as to matters arising after the Effective Date may
constitute a Material Adverse Effect hereunder, but otherwise will not affect
the liability of any party hereto for its representations or warranties
hereunder.
5.17 Title
Evidence.
Seller
has provided Purchaser with a copy of a mortgagee title insurance policy issued
to Seller’s lender in 1993. Purchaser, at its own expense will obtain a
commitment for title insurance. Seller shall provide the title company and
Purchaser such information in its possession as they may reasonably request
in
connection with the issuance of the title commitment. Without limiting the
foregoing, Seller shall provide the title company and Purchaser with copies
of
the each survey in its possession as soon as practicable, and no later than
at
least ten (10) days prior to the date set for Closing regarding the Real
Property, with any abstracts of title, title reports or title policies covering
the Real Property that may be in existence and are in Seller’s possession.
Purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of any premium due with respect
to any title insurance. Promptly after receiving a title commitment from the
Title Company, Purchaser shall notify Seller in writing of any defects in title
that are not Permitted Encumbrances and which would cause title to the Real
Property to be uninsurable (any of which is called a “Defect
of Title”).
Seller
shall cause any Defect of Title to be removed at its own cost and expense,
and
the Closing Date shall be extended as reasonably necessary to allow Seller
time
to remove all Defects of Title; provided that if Seller cannot remove a Defect
in Title, or has not done so within sixty (60) days after delivery of the title
commitment, Purchaser may elect to either terminate the Agreement; or (ii)
proceed to Closing, in spite of such Defect in Title.
5.18 Access
to Project and Information.
(a)
Prior to
Closing, Seller will, during ordinary business hours and upon reasonable notice
(i) give Purchaser and Purchaser’s representatives reasonable access to all
books, records, plants, offices and other facilities and properties constituting
the Purchased Assets; (ii) permit Purchaser to make such reasonable inspections
thereof as Purchaser may reasonably request; (iii) permit Purchaser to
investigate the potential for increasing the capacity of the Project, including
testing the composition of sediments and riverbed, provided that Purchaser
has
secured any permit or authorization required for such activity and provided
evidence thereof to Seller; (iv) furnish Purchaser with such financial and
operating data and other information with respect to the Purchased Assets as
Purchaser may from time to time reasonably request; (v) furnish Purchaser a
copy
of each material report, schedule or other document filed or received by Seller
since the date hereof with respect to the Purchased Assets from or to FERC,
NYPSC, NYSDEC or any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over
the
Purchased Assets; provided,
however,
that
(A)
any such investigation shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere
unreasonably with the operation of the Purchased Assets, (B) Seller shall not
be
required to take any action which would constitute a waiver of the
attorney-client privilege and (C) Seller need not supply Purchaser with any
information that Seller is legally prohibited to supply. Seller will provide
Purchaser or Purchaser's representatives with access to the Transferred Employee
Records.
(b) Purchaser
and Seller acknowledge that all information furnished to or obtained by
Purchaser or Purchaser’s Representatives pursuant to this Section
5.18
shall be
subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement.
(c) Following
the Closing Date, each Party and its respective representatives shall have
reasonable access to all of the books and records relating to the Purchased
Assets, including all Transferred Employee records or other personnel and
medical records required by law, legal process or subpoena, in the possession
of
the other Party or Parties to the extent that such access may reasonably be
required by such Party in connection with the Assumed Liabilities or the
Excluded Liabilities, or other matters relating to or affected by the operation
of the Purchased Assets. Such access shall be afforded during normal business
hours by the Party or Parties in possession of such books and records upon
receipt of reasonable advance notice. The Party or Parties exercising this
right
of access shall be solely responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by
it
or them pursuant to this Section
5.18(c).
If the
Party or Parties in possession of such books and records shall desire to dispose
of any such books and records, such Party or Parties shall, prior to such
disposition, give the other Party or Parties a reasonable opportunity at such
other Party's or Parties' expense, to segregate and remove such books and
records as such other Party or Parties may select. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the right of access to medical records and other confidential
employee records shall be subject to all applicable legal
requirements.
(d) Seller
agrees (i) not to release any Person (other than Purchaser) from any
confidentiality agreement now existing with respect to the Purchased Assets,
or
waive or amend any provision thereof, and (ii) to assign any rights arising
under any such confidentiality agreement (to the extent assignable) to
Purchaser.
ARTICLE
6
INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Survival
of the Parties’ Representations and Warranties.
(a) Survival
Period of Certain Representations and Warranties.
Except
for Unlimited Representations and the representations pursuant to Section 3.17,
the representations and warranties of Seller contained in Article 3
and any
certificate delivered on the Closing Date will survive the Closing until the
date which is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date, at which time these
representations and warranties will terminate. Representations and warranties
pursuant to Section 3.17 shall survive until the end of any applicable statute
of limitation or available review period affecting the tax returns referenced
in
Section 3.17. Unlimited Representations do not terminate. The representations
and warranties of Purchaser contained in Article 4
and any
certificate delivered on the Closing Date will survive the Closing until the
date which is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date, at which time these
representations and warranties will terminate.
(b) Termination
of All Other Representations and Warranties.
Except
as otherwise provided for herein, all other representations and warranties
of
Seller and Purchaser contained in this Agreement will terminate on the Closing
Date and will be of no further force or effect.
6.2 Indemnification
by Seller.
(a) Purchaser
Claims.
Except
as otherwise provided in Section 6.2(b)
and
Section 6.2(c),
Seller
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser and its parents and
Affiliates, and each of their officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents
and successors and assigns (collectively, the “Purchaser
Group”),
from
and against all damages, claims, losses, liabilities and expenses, up to the
limits set forth below plus reasonable legal, accounting and other expenses,
which arise out of or result from the following (collectively, “Purchaser
Claims”):
(1) any
breach or violation of this Agreement by Seller other than as set forth in
(2)
below relating to Article 3 hereof, as to which a Notice of Claim is received
by
Seller prior to the day that is 18 months following the Closing
Date;
(2) any
material breach or inaccuracy of the representations or warranties made in
Article
3
as to
which a Notice of Claim is received by Seller prior to any termination of such
representation or warranty pursuant to Section 6.1 above.
(3) any
Third
Party Claims against any member of the Purchaser Group for damages (but only
where the alleged personal injury or property damage occurred before the Closing
Date) resulting from or arising out of the ownership or operation of the
Purchased Assets by Seller prior to the Closing;
(4) any
loss
or damages resulting from or arising out of Seller’s ownership or operation of
the Excluded Assets before or after the Closing, or failure to discharge when
due the Excluded Liabilities; and
(5) any
loss
or damages caused by Seller's grossly negligent or fraudulent concealment of
information of which Seller had Knowledge regarding environmental conditions,
regulatory orders or other conditions affecting the Project and existing prior
to the Closing.
(b) Seller’s
Exceptions.
Purchaser Claims will not include any damages, claims, losses, liabilities
and
expenses with respect to which Purchaser has agreed to provide indemnification
pursuant to Section 6.3.
(c) Seller’s
Limitations.
Any
indemnity obligations of Seller to the Purchaser Group are subject to the
following limits, plus reasonable legal, accounting and other expenses of
Purchaser Group: (i) indemnities arising under 6.2(a)(1): $1 million; (ii)
indemnities arising under 6.2(a)(2): the Purchase Price; (iii) indemnities
arising under 6.2(a)(3): no limit; (iv) indemnities arising under 6.2(a)(4):
$1
million; (v) indemnities arising under 6.2(a)(5): no limit. Except as is
necessary to provide the indemnity in Section 6.2(a)(5), the Purchaser Group
will not in any event be entitled to any punitive, incidental, indirect, special
or consequential damages resulting from or arising out of any Purchaser Claims.
6.3 Indemnification
by Purchaser.
(a) Seller
Claims.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided in Section 6.3(b)
and
Section 6.3(c),
Purchaser will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates
and
each of their officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents and successors
and assigns (collectively, the “Seller
Group”),
from
and against all damages, claims, losses, liabilities and expenses up to a
maximum amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), including reasonable
legal, accounting and other expenses, which arise out of or relate to the
following (collectively, “Seller
Claims”).
(1) any
breach or violation of this Agreement by Purchaser other than as set forth
in
(2) below relating to Article 4 hereof, as to which a Notice of Claim is
received by Purchaser prior to the day that is 18 months following the Closing
Date;
(2) any
material breach or inaccuracy of any of the representations or warranties made
in Article
4
as to
which a Notice of Claim is received by Purchaser prior to the day that is 18
months following the Closing Date.
(3) any
Third
Party Claims against any member of the Seller Group for loss or damages
resulting from or arising out of the ownership or operation of the Purchased
Assets from and after the Closing;
(4) the
failure, after the Closing, of Purchaser to pay or otherwise discharge when
due
the Assumed Liabilities;
(5) any
loss
or damages resulting from or arising out of the ownership or operation of the
Purchased Assets after the Closing.
(b) Purchaser
Exceptions.
Seller
Claims will not include any damages, claims, losses, liabilities and expenses
for which Seller has agreed to provide indemnification or insurance pursuant
to
Section 6.2.
(c) Purchaser
Limitations.
The
Seller Group will not in any event be entitled to any punitive, incidental,
indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from or arising out of
any
Seller Claim.
6.4 Basket;
Maximum Liability; Other Indemnification Matters.
No
indemnitor shall have any obligation to indemnify or hold harmless a
indemnitee except to the extent that the aggregate amount of loss incurred
by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties or the Seller Indemnified Parties exceeds
$100,000 and only to the extent of such excess; the foregoing limitations shall
not apply to any loss arising our of any breach of any of the Unlimited
Representations or any loss arising as a result of the gross negligence or
intentional misrepresentation of the other Party.
6.5 Notice
of Claim.
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement and upon obtaining Knowledge of a claim for
which
it is entitled to indemnity under this Article
6“Indemnification”,
the Party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnitee”)
will
promptly notify the Party against whom indemnification is sought (the
“Indemnitor”)
in
writing of any damage, claim, loss, liability or expense which the Indemnitee
has determined has given or could give rise to a claim under Section 6.2
or
Section 6.3.
(The
written notice is referred to as a “Notice
of Claim”.)
A
Notice of Claim will specify, in reasonable detail, the facts known to the
Indemnitee regarding the claim. The failure to provide (or timely provide)
a
Notice of Claim will not affect the Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification,
except as otherwise provided by the specific time frames set forth in
Section 6.2
and
Section 6.3;
provided, however, the Indemnitor is not obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee
for the increased amount of any claim which would otherwise have been payable
to
the extent that the increase resulted from the failure to deliver timely a
Notice of Claim.
6.6 Defense
of Third Party Claims.
The
Indemnitor will defend, in good faith and at its expense, any claim or demand
set forth in a Notice of Claim relating to a Third Party Claim for which
indemnification is due pursuant to Section
6.2
or
Section
6.3
and the
Indemnitee, at its expense, may participate in the defense. The Indemnitee
cannot settle or compromise any Third Party Claim so long as the Indemnitor
is
defending it in good faith. If the Indemnitor elects not to contest a Third
Party Claim, the Indemnitee may undertake its defense at Indemnitor’s expense,
and the Indemnitor will be bound by the result obtained by the Indemnitee.
The
Indemnitor may at any time request the Indemnitee to agree to the abandonment
of
the contest of the Third Party Claim or to the payment or compromise by the
Indemnitor of the asserted claim or demand. If the Indemnitee does not object
in
writing within fifteen (15) days of the Indemnitor’s request, the Indemnitor may
proceed with the action stated in the request. If within that fifteen (15)
day
period the Indemnitee notifies the Indemnitor in writing that it has determined
that the contest should be continued, the Indemnitor will be liable under this
Article
6 only
for
an amount up to the amount which the third Party to the contested Third Party
Claim had agreed to accept in payment or compromise as of the time the
Indemnitor made its request and the Indemnitor may pay such amount into the
Court and shall thereafter have no responsibility for the defense of the claim.
This Section 6.6
is
subject to the rights of any Indemnitee’s insurance carrier that is defending
the Third Party Claim.
6.7 Consultation
and Cooperation.
The
Party defending the Third Party Claim will (a) consult with the other Party
throughout the pendency of the Third Party Claim regarding the investigation,
defense, settlement, trial, appeal or other resolution of the Third Party Claim;
and (b) afford the other Party the opportunity to be associated in the defense
of the Third Party Claim. The Parties will cooperate in the defense of the
Third
Party Claim. The Indemnitee will make available to the Indemnitor or its
representatives all records and other materials reasonably required by them
for
use in contesting any Third Party Claim (subject to obtaining an agreement
to
maintain the confidentiality of confidential or proprietary materials in a
form
reasonably acceptable to Indemnitor and Indemnitee). If requested by the
Indemnitor, the Indemnitee will cooperate with the Indemnitor and its counsel
in
contesting any Third Party Claim that the Indemnitor elects to contest or,
if
appropriate, in making any counterclaim against the Person asserting the claim
or demand, or any cross-complaint against any Person. The Indemnitor will
reimburse the Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating
with or acting at the request of the Indemnitor.
6.8 Mitigation
and Limitation on Claims.
As used
in this Agreement, the term “Indemnifiable
Claim”
means
any Purchaser Claims or Seller Claims. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein:
(a) Reasonable
Steps to Mitigate.
The
Indemnitee will take all reasonable steps to mitigate all losses, damages and
the like relating to an Indemnifiable Claim, including availing itself of any
defenses, limitations, rights of contribution, claims against third Persons
and
other rights at law or equity, and will provide such evidence and documentation
of the nature and extent of the Indemnifiable Claim as may be reasonably
requested by the Indemnitor. The Indemnitee’s reasonable steps include the
reasonable expenditure of money to mitigate or otherwise reduce or eliminate
any
loss or expense for which indemnification would otherwise be due under this
Article
6,
and the
Indemnitor will reimburse the Indemnitee for the Indemnitee’s reasonable
expenditures in undertaking the mitigation.
(b) Net
of Benefits.
Any
Indemnifiable Claim is limited to the amount of actual damages sustained by
the
Indemnitee by reason of such breach or nonperformance shall be determined after
deducting therefrom the amount of any insurance proceeds and other third party
recoveries, if any, actually received by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties
or
Seller Indemnified Parties, as applicable, in respect of such loss and the
amount of any tax benefit actually realized with respect thereto.
6.9 Remedies
Exclusive.
The
remedies set forth in this Article
6
constitute the sole and exclusive remedy for any post-Closing claims made for
breach of this Agreement. Each Party waives any provision of law to the extent
that it would limit or restrict the agreements contained in this Article
6.
ARTICLE
7
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
PURCHASER
AT THE CLOSING
The
obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement to complete the purchase of the
Purchased Assets and assume the Assumed Liabilities are subject to the
satisfaction (or waiver by Purchaser), on or prior to the Closing, of each
of
the following conditions precedent:
7.1 Purchaser’s
Receipt of Governmental Approvals and Consents.
Purchaser shall have received all Governmental Approvals and all authorizations
and consents of third Persons required by applicable law or required by any
such
third Persons in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and with Purchaser’s operation of the
Hydroelectric Plant and has obtained all Purchaser Required Consents.
Purchaser
may elect to waive its receipt of any approvals other than any required
Governmental Approvals.
7.2 No
Material Adverse Effects or Proceedings.
No
Material Adverse Effect affecting the Purchased Assets shall have occurred
and
be continuing. No suit, action or other proceeding against any Party or its
Affiliates shall be pending before any court or Governmental Authority which
seeks to restrain or prohibit any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
7.3 Phase
I Audit.
Purchaser shall have obtained a Phase I environmental assessment in conformance
with ASTM standard E 1527-00 disclosing
no conditions that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect or necessitate
further appropriate inquiry by a bona fide purchaser. Purchaser shall complete
this Phase I on or before twenty days following receipt of a final survey of
the
Real Property (delivery of which is a separate condition precedent) and shall
provide Seller with a copy within ten days of its receipt. Purchaser will also
provide Seller with a copy of any interim draft Phase I that anticipates only
the final survey as a condition to completion, and Purchaser will notify Seller
as to any item constituting a Material Adverse Effect or necessitating further
appropriate inquiry identified in any draft Phase I.
7.4 Deliveries. Seller
shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Purchaser at the Closing
the
following documents and payment:
(a) Payments.
All
amounts due Purchaser from Seller under this Agreement.
(b) Deed.
A
Deed,
duly executed by Seller.
(c) Xxxx
of Sale.
A Xxxx
of Sale with respect to the Purchased Assets substantially in the form of
Exhibit
B,
duly
executed by Seller.
(d) Assignments.
Assignments of the Assigned Contracts and the Permits, in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to Purchaser.
(e) Organizational
Documents and Good Standing Certificate.
The
Limited Partnership Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership of Seller
certified as of the Closing Date by the Managing Partner of Seller, a good
standing certificate for Seller from the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and a copy of a certificate of authority to do business from the
Secretary of State of the State of New York.
(f) Partner’s
Certificate.
A
certificate of a General Partner of Seller certifying that the Persons signing
this Agreement, the Related Agreements and any other documents delivered by
Seller in connection with the Closing have been duly authorized to sign and
execute such document(s) on behalf of the Seller.
(g) Resolutions.
A
certificate of an officer of a General Partner of Seller to the effect that
the
execution of this Agreement and the performance of by Seller of the obligations
as been authorized by all necessary partnership action, accompanied by copies
of
such resolutions of the partners of Seller as may be required by Seller’s
Limited Partnership Agreement to authorize the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement and the Related Agreements and authorize the Person executing this
Agreement or the Related Agreements and other documents to execute and deliver
this Agreement, the Related Agreements and any other documents or instruments
which they deem necessary and appropriate in connection with this
Agreement.
(h) Title
Evidence. Uniform
Commercial Code Searches showing the Seller to have good and marketable title
to
the tangible and intangible personal property which are part of the Purchased
Assets, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances, together with such title
documentation as shall be required by the title company issuing the title
commitment.
(i) FIRPTA.
A
“FIRPTA” affidavit, substantially in the form of Exhibit
E,
duly
executed by Seller.
(j) Representation
and Warranty Certificate.
A
certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Seller and
confirming its warranties and representations made under Article
3
and any
of the Schedules, as of the Closing Date, and that such representations and
warranties shall be true in all material respects.
(k) Cure
of any Seller Breaches.
Evidence that Seller has cured any breach or default of Seller hereunder, if
any, except to the extent that Purchaser has elected to waive such cure as
provided herein.
(l) License
Compliance.
Either:
(i) a legal opinion from counsel acceptable to Purchaser (with Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Esq. deemed acceptable) regarding current compliance of the licensee with
Article 5 of the FERC License; (ii) amendments of the Hydro Easement and Dam
Operation Agreement to incorporate a “Linweave Clause” as described in that
certain letter dated July 30, 1992 from FERC’s General Counsel to Xx. Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx; or (iii) consent to a reduction in the Purchase Price of $25,000 as
compensation to Purchaser for the absence of either (i) or (ii) above.
(m)
Other
Documents.
Such
other documents, opinions, instruments or certificates as Purchaser or its
counsel may reasonably request and in form reasonably acceptable to Purchaser,
including copies of as-built drawings of the Project, inclusive of the PCB
disposal vault in Seller’s possession; provided, however, that all such
documents, instruments or certificates are made without representation or
warranty by, or recourse against, Seller, all such representations and
warranties being made exclusively in this Agreement.
7.5 No
Termination.
This
Agreement shall not have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.12.
ARTICLE
8
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
SELLER
AT THE CLOSING
The
obligations of Seller under this Agreement to complete the sale of the Purchased
Assets and transfer the Purchased Assets, Assigned Contracts and Assumed
Liabilities to Purchaser are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, on or prior
to the Closing, of each of the following conditions precedent:
8.1 Seller’s
Receipt of Approvals and Consents.
Subject
to the provisions of Section
7.1,
Purchaser or Seller shall have received
(a) all
Governmental Approvals, and all authorizations and consents of third Persons
required by applicable law or required by any such third Persons in connection
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
with Purchaser’s operation of the Hydroelectric Plant; and
(b)
consent
of a majority in interest of the general partners of the Seller as required
by
Seller’s limited partnership agreement. Seller shall notice any required meeting
of partners within three (3) days following the execution of this agreement,
which notice shall provide no more than 15 days notice of meeting. Immediately
following such meeting, Seller shall notify Buyer of any action taken at such
meeting or in lieu of a meeting.
8.2 Seller’s
Receipt of Governmental Approvals and Consents.
Seller
shall have received all Governmental Approvals required to be obtained by Seller
and all authorizations and consents of third Persons required by applicable
law
or required by any such third Persons in connection with the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including those listed on
Schedule
5.2(a),
provided that Purchaser may waive any approval other than any required
Governmental Approval.
8.3 No
Adverse Proceedings or Events.
No suit,
action or other proceeding against any Party or its Affiliates shall be pending
before any court or Governmental Authority which seeks to restrain or prohibit
one or more of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain
material damages or other material relief in connection with this Agreement
or
the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.4 Deliveries.
Seller
shall have received the following documents and payments:
(a) Escrow
Release.
A
release executed by the Purchaser directing the Escrow Agent to release the
balance in the Escrow Account to the Seller.
(b) Purchase
Price and Other Payments.
All
amounts due Seller from Purchaser under this Agreement, including the balance
of
the Purchase Price to be paid pursuant to Section 2.6
as
adjusted pursuant to
Section 2.7.
(c) Assignments.
Assignments of the Assigned Contracts and the Permits in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to Seller.
(d) Organizational
Documents and Good Standing Certificate.
The
Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement of Purchaser certified as
of
the Closing Date by a member or manager of Purchaser and a good standing
certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Organization and a
Certificate of Authority to do business in the State of New York.
(e) Officer’s
Certificate.
A
Certificate of Purchaser’s manager or member certifying that the person signing
this Agreement and the Related Agreements and any other documents delivered
by
Purchaser in connection with the Closing has been duly authorized to sign and
execute such document(s)) on behalf of Purchaser.
(f) Representation
and Warranty Certificate.
Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Purchaser updating
its warranties and representations made under Article
4
and any
of the Schedules, to the Closing Date.
(g) Other
Documents.
Such
other documents, instruments or certificates as Seller or its counsel may
reasonably request and in a form reasonably acceptable to Seller; provided,
however, that all such documents, instruments or certificates are made without
representation or warranty by, or recourse against, Purchaser, all such
representations and warranties being made exclusively in this
Agreement.
8.5 No
Termination.
This
Agreement shall not have been terminated pursuant to Section 9.12.
ARTICLE
9
MISCELLANEOUS
AGREEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
9.1 Expenses.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, each Party is responsible for its own costs and
expenses (including attorneys’ and consultants’ fees, costs and expenses)
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.2 Entire
Document.
This
Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement) and the
Related Agreements contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersede all negotiations,
representations, warranties, commitments, offers, contracts and writings (except
for the Confidentiality Agreement) prior to the execution date of this
Agreement, written or oral. No waiver and no modification or amendment of any
provision of this Agreement is effective unless made in writing and duly signed
by the Parties referring specifically to this Agreement, and then only to the
specific purpose, extent and interest so provided.
9.3 Schedules.
The
Schedules delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and as updated
at
Closing are an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if they
were set forth verbatim herein.
9.4 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which is an
original, but all of which together constitute one and the same
instrument.
9.5 Severability.
If any
provision hereof is held invalid or unenforceable by any arbitrator or as a
result of future legislative action, this holding or action will be strictly
construed and will not affect the validity or effect of any other provision
hereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Parties waive, to the maximum extent
permissible, any provision of law that renders any provision hereof prohibited
or unenforceable in any respect.
9.6 Assignability.
This
Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the Parties, but is not assignable by any Party without the prior
written consent of the other Party, which consent will not unreasonably be
withheld. Any such assignment is conditioned on the assignee’s agreement in
writing to assume the assigning Party’s duties and obligations under this
Agreement and the Related Agreements. Any assignment effected in accordance
with
this Section 9.6
will not
relieve the assigning Party of its obligations and liabilities under this
Agreement and the Related Agreements.
9.7 Captions.
The
captions of the various Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this
Agreement have been inserted only for convenience of reference and do not
modify, explain, enlarge or restrict any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
9.8 Governing
Law.
The
validity, interpretation and effect of this Agreement are governed by and will
be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable
to
contracts made and performed in such State and without regard to conflicts
of
law doctrines except to the extent that certain matters are preempted by Federal
law or are governed by the law of the jurisdiction of organization of the
respective parties.
9.9 Dispute
Resolution.
(a) Intent
of the Parties.
Except
as provided in Section
2.9
and in
the next sentence, the sole remedy available to either Party for any claim
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Related Agreement is the
dispute resolution procedure set forth in this Section 9.9.
Either
Party may seek a preliminary injunction or other provisional judicial remedy
if
such action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm or preserve the status
quo,
in which case both Parties nonetheless will continue to pursue resolution of
the
dispute by means of this procedure. If the parties cannot resolve a dispute
under Section 9.9(b)
or
Section 9.9(c),
then
the dispute shall be settled through recourse to the courts.
(b) Management
Negotiations.
The
Parties will attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute or claim arising
out
of or relating to this Agreement or a Related Agreement promptly by negotiations
between a managerial representative of Seller or his or her designated
representative and an executive of similar authority of Purchaser. Either Party
may give the other Party written notice of any dispute or claim. Within twenty
(20) days after delivery of said notice, the executives will meet at a mutually
acceptable time and place, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem
necessary to exchange information and to attempt to resolve the dispute or
claim. If the matter has not been resolved within sixty (60) days of the first
meeting, either Party (by notice to the other Party) may initiate a mediation
of
the controversy pursuant to Section 9.9(c).
(c) Mediation.
If a
Party initiates mediation to resolve any dispute or claim as provided in
Section 9.9(
b),
the
Parties will try in good faith to settle the dispute or claim within sixty
(60)
days thereafter by mediation in accordance with the then-existing CPR Model
Procedure for Mediation of Business Disputes (the “Procedures”).
If the
matter has not been resolved within the sixty (60) day period, either Party
(by
notice to the other Party) may initiate legal action to resolve the dispute
or
claim.
9.10 Notices.
All
notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement must
be
in writing and must be delivered in person or sent by certified mail, postage
prepaid, by facsimile or by overnight delivery, and properly addressed as
follows:
If
to
Seller:
Stillwater
Hydro Partners L.P.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Kattell, LLP
700
Security Mutual Building
00
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
If
to
Purchaser:
Boralex
Stillwater, LLC
c/o
Boralex Inc. 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attn:
General Counsel
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxx,
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
Any
Party
may from time to time change its address for the purpose of notices to that
Party by a similar notice specifying a new address, but no such change is
effective until it is actually received by the Party sought to be charged with
its contents.
All
notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement
which are addressed as provided in this Section 9.10
are
effective upon delivery, if delivered personally or by overnight mail, and,
are
effective five (5) days following deposit in the United States mail, postage
prepaid if delivered by mail.
9.11 [Reserved]
.
9.12 Termination.
(a) Rights
To Terminate.
In
addition to the other rights of the parties hereto, this Agreement may, by
written notice given on or prior to the Closing Date, in the manner provided
in
Section 9.10,
be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date:
(1) by
Seller
if there has been a material misrepresentation or a material default or material
breach by Purchaser with respect to any Purchaser’s representations and
warranties in this Agreement or in any Related Agreement or the due and timely
performance of any of Purchaser’s covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in any Related Agreement, and such misrepresentation, default
or
breach is not cured by the earlier of
the
Closing Date or the date thirty (30) days after receipt by Purchaser of written
notice specifying particularly such misrepresentation, default or
breach;
(2) by
Purchaser if there has been a material misrepresentation or a material default
or breach by Seller with respect to Seller’s representations and warranties in
this Agreement or in any Related Agreement or the due and timely performance
of
any of Seller’s covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement or in any
Related Agreement, and such misrepresentation, default or breach is not cured
by
the earlier of the Closing Date or the date thirty (30) days after receipt
by
Seller of written notice specifying particularly such misrepresentation, default
or breach;
(3) by
Seller
on thirty (30) days’ written notice if Purchaser shall not have received all
Purchaser Required Consents by the date which is six (6) months after the
Effective Date or Purchaser has not waived such consents;
(4) by
Purchaser in accordance with Section 5.11;
(5) by
mutual
agreement of Seller and Purchaser; or
(6) by
Seller
or Purchaser if the Closing has not occurred on or before September 30,
2006.
(b) Effect
of Termination.
If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.12
(a), all
further obligations and liabilities of the Parties hereunder will terminate,
except (i) as otherwise contemplated by the Agreement, (ii) for the obligations
set forth in Sections
2.9,
3.8,
4.3,
5.3,
Article
6
and
Article
9,
and
(iii) for the obligations of the Parties set forth in the Confidentiality
Agreement. Upon termination, the originals of any items, documents or written
materials provided by one Party to the other Party will be returned by the
receiving Party to the providing Party, and any Confidential Information
retained by the receiving Party will be kept confidential.
9.13 No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
Except
as may be specifically set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement,
whether express or implied, is intended to confer any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Agreement on any Persons other than the Parties and their
respective permitted successors and assigns, nor is anything in this Agreement
intended to relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of any third
Persons to any Party, nor give any third Persons any right of subrogation or
action against any Party.
9.14 No
Joint Venture.
Nothing
contained in this Agreement creates or is intended to create an association,
trust, partnership, or joint venture or impose a trust or partnership duty,
obligation, or liability on or with regard to any Party.
9.15 Construction
Of Agreement.
Ambiguities or uncertainties in the wording of this Agreement will not be
construed for or against any Party, but will be construed in the manner that
most accurately reflects the Parties’ intent as of the date they executed this
Agreement.
9.16 Effect
of Closing Over Known Unsatisfied Conditions or Breached Representations,
Warranties or Covenants.
If
Seller or Purchaser elects to proceed with the Closing while knowing (as
evidence in a written notice from the other party) of any failure to be
satisfied of any condition in its favor or the breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant by the other Party, the condition that is unsatisfied
or
the representation, warranty or covenant which is breached at the Closing Date
will be deemed waived by such Party, and such Party will be deemed to fully
release and forever discharge the other Party on account of any and all claims,
demands or charges, known or unknown, with respect to the same.
9.17 Conflicts.
In the
event of any conflicts or inconsistencies between the terms of this Agreement
and the terms of any of the Related Agreements, the terms of this Agreement
will
govern and prevail.
9.18 Consent
To Jurisdiction.
THE
PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT XXX XXXXXX XX XXX XXXXX XX XXX XXXX SITTING
IN CAYUGA COUNTY OR THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF SELLER AND
PURCHASER ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS
AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS. IF NOT A RESIDENT OF THE STATE
OF
NEW YORK, PURCHASER MUST APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS
IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK WHICH CAN BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 9.18
IS
INTENDED TO MODIFY OR EXPAND THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF SECTION 9.9
(a).
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
STILLWATER
HYDRO PARTNERS L.P.
By:
Stillwater Corporation, General Partner
By:
/s/
C.
XXXX BOULEY____
Name:
C.
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
President
BORALEX
STILLWATER LLC
By:
/s/
XXXXXXX XXXX ____
Name: Xxxxxxx
Xxxx
Title: Secretary