FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.L.C. a Delaware limited liability company August 10, 2010
Exhibit 3.1
FOURTH
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.L.C.
a Delaware limited liability company
August 10, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1
Definitions
1.1 | Definitions
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2 | ||||||
1.2 | Construction
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7 | ||||||
Article 2 |
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Organization |
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2.1 | Formation; Continuation; Amendment and Restatement
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7 | ||||||
2.2 | Name
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7 | ||||||
2.3 | Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other
Offices
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8 | ||||||
2.4 | Purposes
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8 | ||||||
2.5 | Foreign Qualification
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8 | ||||||
2.6 | Term
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8 | ||||||
2.7 | Powers
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8 | ||||||
Article 3 |
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Transfers of Interests; Admission of Members |
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3.1 | Membership Interests
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9 | ||||||
3.2 | Liability to Third Parties; Relationship between Members
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9 | ||||||
3.3 | Certificates
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9 | ||||||
3.4 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates
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9 | ||||||
3.5 | Record Holders
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10 | ||||||
3.6 | Registration of Member Interests
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10 | ||||||
Article 4 |
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Capital Contributions |
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4.1 | Capital Contributions
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11 | ||||||
4.2 | No Interest or Withdrawal
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11 | ||||||
4.3 | Title to Company Assets
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11 | ||||||
4.4 | Creditors of the Company
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11 | ||||||
Article 5 |
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Capital Accounts, Allocations and Distributions |
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5.1 | Capital Accounts
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5.2 | Distributions of Available Cash
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11 | ||||||
5.3 | Limitations on Distributions
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12 | ||||||
Article 6 |
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Management |
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6.1 | Management |
12 | ||||||
6.2 | Officers |
17 | ||||||
6.3 | Officer Actions |
18 | ||||||
6.4 | Indemnification |
19 | ||||||
6.5 | Reliance by Third Parties |
21 | ||||||
6.6 | Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standard of Conduct and Modification of Duties
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22 | ||||||
Article 7 |
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Taxes, Books, Records, Accounting and Reporting |
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7.1 | Books and Records; Fiscal Year
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23 | ||||||
7.2 | Tax Returns
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23 | ||||||
Article 8 |
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Dissolution, Winding-up and Termination |
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8.1 | Dissolution
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24 | ||||||
8.2 | Winding-Up and Termination
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24 | ||||||
8.3 | Certificate of Cancellation
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25 | ||||||
8.4 | Certain Matters Concerning a Member
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25 | ||||||
Article 9 |
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Merger |
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9.1 | Authority
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25 | ||||||
9.2 | Procedure for Merger or Consolidation
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25 | ||||||
9.3 | Approval by Members of Merger or Consolidation
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26 | ||||||
9.4 | Certificate of Merger or Consolidation
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27 | ||||||
9.5 | Effect of Merger or Consolidation
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27 | ||||||
Article 10 |
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Other Provisions |
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10.1 | Entire Agreement
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27 | ||||||
10.2 | Governing Law
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27 |
ii
10.3 | Non-Waiver
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28 | ||||||
10.4 | Severability
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28 | ||||||
10.5 | Headings; Exhibits
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28 | ||||||
10.6 | Winding Up Arrangement
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28 | ||||||
10.7 | No Third Party Beneficiaries
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28 | ||||||
10.8 | Counterparts
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28 | ||||||
10.9 | Amendment or Restatement
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28 | ||||||
10.10 | Notices
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28 | ||||||
10.11 | Further Assurances
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28 | ||||||
10.12 | Waiver of Certain Rights
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29 | ||||||
10.13 | Creditors
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29 | ||||||
10.14 | Confidentiality
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29 |
iii
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
OF
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.L.C.
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
This Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this “Agreement”) of
Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C. (the “Company”),
dated as of August 10, 2010 (the “Effective
Date”), is entered into by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the
sole member of the Company (the “Member”).
Recitals
1. AGL Propane, Inc., a Georgia corporation, Peoples Gas Company, a Florida corporation,
Piedmont Propane Company, a North Carolina corporation, and United Cities Propane Gas, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation (such entities, collectively, the “Organizational Members”) formed Equity
Transfer Partners, L.L.C. (formerly, U.S. Propane, L.L.C.) as a Delaware limited liability company
by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the “Delaware Certificate”) with the Delaware
Secretary of State on March 3, 2000 (the “Formation Date”), and the execution of that certain
Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of March 2, 2000 (the “Original
Agreement”).
2. Effective as of August 10, 2000, the Original Agreement was amended and restated in its
entirety and, effective June 16, 2005, was further amended by the First Amendment (as so amended,
the “Amended LLC Agreement”).
3. Effective as of January 20, 2004, the Member acquired all of the outstanding member
interests in the Company.
4. On September 22, 2004, FHM Investments, L.L.C., a Nevada limited liability company (“FHM”)
acquired from the Member a five percent (5%) interest in the outstanding member interests in the
Company, which interests were subsequently repurchased by the Member effective June 15, 2005.
5. Effective as of February 8, 2006, the Amended LLC Agreement was amended and restated in its
entirety by the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Second
Amended LLC Agreement”).
6. Effective as of April 17, 2007, the Second Amended LLC Agreement was amended and restated
in its entirety by the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Third
Amended LLC Agreement”).
7. The Company desires to amend and restate the Third Amended LLC Agreement as provided
herein.
Agreement
The Member hereby agrees as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth
below or set forth in the Sections referred to below (and grammatical variations of such terms have
correlative meanings):
“Acquisition” means any acquisition by the Company or the Partnership of all or substantially
all of the interest in any company or business (whether by a purchase of assets, purchase of stock,
merger or otherwise).
“Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the
Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreed Value” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or
other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner. The Board
shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of
Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among
each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed
Property.
“Agreement” is defined in the introductory paragraph.
“Applicable Law” means any Law to which a specified Person or property is subject.
“Authorized Person” is defined in Section 6.5(a).
“Available Cash” means, as of any Distribution Date,
(a) all cash and cash equivalents of the Company on hand on such date, less
(b) the amount of any cash reserves that is necessary or appropriate in the reasonable
discretion of the Board to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Company
(including reserves for future capital expenditures, Acquisitions and for anticipated future
working capital and other credit needs of the business of the Company) subsequent to such date
2
or (ii) comply with Applicable Law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt
instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound
or its assets are subject.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the
Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
“Bankruptcy” means, with respect to any Person, (a) such Person (i) makes a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii) becomes the subject
of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a reorganization, arrangement,
composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Law; (v) files an
answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition
filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through (iv) of
this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s
properties; or (b) a proceeding against such Person seeking reorganization, arrangement,
composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any Law has been
commenced and 120 days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without
such Person’s consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of such Person or of all
or any substantial part of such Person’s properties has been appointed and 90 days have expired
without the appointment having been vacated or stayed, or 90 days have expired after the date of
expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated.
“Board” is defined in Section 6.1.
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member pursuant to Section
5.1.
“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of any
Contributed Property that a Member contributes to the Company pursuant to this Agreement. Any
reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital
Contribution of its predecessors-in-interest.
“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such
property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization, and cost recovery
deductions charged to each Member’s Capital Account in respect of such Contributed Property, and
(b) with respect to any other Company Assets, the adjusted basis of such Company Assets for federal
income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall
be adjusted from time to time to reflect changes, additions, or other adjustments to the Carrying
Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Company properties, as approved by the Board.
“Certificate” means a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit B to this
Agreement or in such other form as may be adopted by the Board in its discretion, issued by the
Company evidencing ownership of one of more Units.
3
“Claim” means any and all judgments, claims, causes of action, demands, lawsuits, suits,
proceedings, Governmental investigations or audits, losses, assessments, fines, penalties,
administrative orders, obligations, costs, expenses, liabilities and damages (whether actual,
consequential or punitive), including interest, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees,
disbursements and costs of investigations, deficiencies, levies and duties.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a
reference to a corresponding provision of any successor law.
“Company” is defined in Recital 1.
“Company Assets” means the assets and properties of the Company of every kind, character and
description, whether tangible, intangible, real, personal or mixed, and wherever located.
“Confidential Information” means all information and data relating to the Company or its
Affiliates (other than a Member), including proposed strategic business plans, financial
information, business opportunities, pro forma information and employee matters.
“Contract” means any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, or undertaking (whether written
or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally binding.
“Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by
the Act, but excluding cash or cash equivalents, contributed or deemed contributed by the Company.
“Delaware Certificate” is defined in Recital 1.
“Dissolution Event” is defined in Section 8.1(a).
“Distribution Date” means any date upon which the Partnership makes a distribution of cash to
the Company.
“Effective Date” is defined in the introductory paragraph.
“Extraordinary Approval” means written approval of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
“Fiscal Year” is defined in Section 7.1(b).
“Formation Date” is defined in Recital 1.
“Governmental Authority” (or “Governmental”) means a federal, state, local or foreign
governmental authority; a state, province, commonwealth, territory or district thereof a county or
parish; a city, town, township, village or other municipality; a district, xxxx or other
subdivision of any of the foregoing; any executive, legislative or other governing body of any of
the foregoing; any agency, authority, board, department, system, service, office, commission,
4
committee, council or other administrative body of any of the foregoing; any court or other
judicial body; and any officer, official or other representative of any of the foregoing.
“Indemnitee” means each of (a) the Company and any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the
Company, (b) any Person who is or was a member, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the
Company, (c) any Person who is or was an officer, member, partner, director, employee, agent or
trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any Affiliate of any such Person, and
(d) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company or any such Affiliate as a
director, officer, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person;
provided, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for- services
basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services and (e) any Person the Company designates as an
“Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.
“Law” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code),
law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment,
decision, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a Governmental Authority
having valid jurisdiction.
“Limited Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the
Partnership, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as
provided in the Partnership Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to
comply with the terms and provisions of the Partnership Agreement.
“Liquidation Date” means the date on which a Dissolution Event arises pursuant to Section
8.1.
“Liquidator” is defined in Section 8.2(a).
“Majority Vote” means approval by a majority of the Directors.
“Member” means Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and any Person hereafter admitted to the Company
as a Member as provided in this Agreement, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased
to be a Member of the Company.
“Member Approval” means approval of the Member.
“Member Interest” means the ownership interest of a Member in the Company, and includes any
and all benefits to which such Member is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all
obligations of such Member to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
“MLP” means Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
“MLP Interests” means the limited partner interests of the MLP, regardless of class or
category of limited partner interests.
“MLP Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
the MLP, as amended or restated from time to time.
5
“Net Agreed Value” means (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such
property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Company upon such contribution or to
which such property is subject when contributed as set forth on Exhibit A and (b) in the
case of any property distributed to a Member by the Company, the Company’s Carrying Value of such
property at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by
such Member upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of
distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code.
“Officers” is defined in Section 6.2(a).
“Organizational Members” is defined in Recital 1.
“Original Agreement” is defined in Recital 1.
“Partnership” means Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
“Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
Partnership dated as of June 27, 1996 as amended from time to time.
“Person” means the meaning assigned to that term in Section 18-101(12) of the Act and also
includes a Governmental Authority and any other entity.
“Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Company.
“Record Holder” means the Person in whose name a Unit is registered on the books of the
Company as of the opening of business on a particular day.
“Sharing Ratio” means the percentage specified for a Member as its Sharing Ratio on
Exhibit A (subject to any adjustments or amendments in accordance with this Agreement, in
connection with a Transfer or purchase of a Member Interest or in connection with any issuance of
Units); provided, however, that the total of all Sharing Ratios shall always equal 100 percent.
“Special Vote” means, with respect to any matter, the approval of the Directors by Majority
Vote provided that at least one Independent Director has voted in favor of such matter.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of
the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or
indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such
Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited
partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such
partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is
owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a
corporation or a
partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination
thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority
ownership
6
interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors
or other governing body of such Person.
“Term” is defined in Section 2.6.
“Transfer” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Member Interest, shall be deemed to
refer to a transaction by which a Member assigns its Member Interest to another Person, and
includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, or any
other disposition by law or otherwise.
“Treasury Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code.
“Unanimous Vote” means approval by all of the Directors.
“Unit” means a Member Interest of a Member in the Company representing a fractional part of
the Member Interests of all Members.
“U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the
applicable date.
Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.
1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) the gender (or lack of gender) of all
words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine, and neuter; (b) the term “include”
or “includes” means “includes, without limitation,” and “including” means “including, without
limitation”; (c) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this
Agreement; (d) references to Exhibits refer to the Exhibits attached to this Agreement, which are
made a part hereof for all purposes; (e) references to Laws refer to such Laws as they may be
amended from time to time, and references to particular provisions of a Law include any
corresponding provisions of any succeeding Law; and (f) references to money refer to legal currency
of the United States of America.
Article 2
Organization
2.1 Formation; Continuation; Amendment and Restatement. The Company was formed as a Delaware limited
liability company by the filing of the Delaware Certificate, as of the Formation Date. The Member
ratifies the organization and formation of the Company and continues the Company, pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety and
supersedes the Amended LLC Agreement, which shall have no further force or effect. The rights and
liabilities of the Member shall be as provided in the Act, except as may be expressly provided
otherwise in this
Agreement. All Member Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all
purposes.
2.2 Name. The name of the Company shall continue to be “Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C.,” and all
Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Law as the
Board selects.
7
2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices. Unless
and until changed by the Board, the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall
be located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and the registered agent
for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be
The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Company shall be located at 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 or such other place as the Board may from time to time
designate by notice to the Member. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places
within or outside the State of Delaware as the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
2.4 Purposes. The purposes of the Company are to engage in the following activities: (a) serving as
the general partner of the Partnership and, in connection therewith, exercising all the rights and
powers conferred upon the Company as a general partner in the Partnership pursuant to the
Partnership Agreement or otherwise, (b) engaging directly in, or entering into or forming any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage
directly in, any business activity that the Partnership, the MLP or any of their respective
subsidiaries is permitted to engage in pursuant to their respective agreements of limited
partnership and, in connection therewith, exercising all of the rights and powers conferred upon
the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, (c) engaging
directly in, or entering into or forming any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is
approved by the Board pursuant to the provisions of Article 6 and which lawfully may be conducted
by a limited liability company pursuant to the Act and, in connection therewith, exercising all of
the rights and powers conferred upon the Company pursuant to the agreements relating to such
business activity, and (d) engaging in activities incidental or reasonably related to, resulting
from, or otherwise necessary or convenient to facilitate, the activities referred to in the
foregoing clauses (a) through (c). The Board has no obligation or duty to the Partnership or the
Limited Partners to propose or approve, and in its discretion may decline to propose or approve,
the conduct by the Company or the Partnership of any business.
2.5 Foreign Qualification. Prior to the Company’s conducting business in any jurisdiction other than
the State of Delaware, the Board shall cause the Company to comply, to the extent procedures are
available and those matters are reasonably within the control of the Board, with all requirements
necessary
to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in that jurisdiction. At the request
of the Board, the Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and
other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify,
continue and terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions
in which the Company may conduct business.
2.6 Term. The period of existence of the Company (the “Term”) commenced on the Formation Date and
shall end at such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware in accordance with Section 8.3.
2.7 Powers. The Company is empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper,
advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and
8
accomplishment of the purposes and
business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Company.
Article 3
Transfers of Interests; Admission of Members
3.1 Membership Interests. Each Member owns Membership Interests and shall have a Sharing Ratio in the
Company as reflected in Exhibit A attached hereto. Persons may be admitted to the Company
as Members, on such terms and conditions as the Board determines at the time of admission. The
terms of admission or issuance must specify the Sharing Ratios applicable thereto and may provide
for the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers and
duties. The Board may reflect the creation of any new class or group in an amendment to this
Agreement indicating the different rights, powers and duties, and such an amendment shall be
approved by the Board and executed by authorized Officers. Any such admission is effective only
after such new Member has executed and delivered to the Members and the Company an instrument
containing the notice address of the new Member, the Member’s ratification of this Agreement and
agreement to be bound by it.
3.2 Liability to Third Parties; Relationship between Members. Except as may be expressly provided in
another separate, written guaranty or other agreement executed by a Member, no Member shall be
liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company, including under a judgment, decree
or order of a court. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member has the authority or
power to act for or on behalf of or bind the Company or to incur any expenditures on behalf of the
Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed for any purpose to create a general partnership,
limited partnership, joint venture or any other similar relationship.
3.3 Certificates. Upon the Company’s issuance of Units to any Person as of or after the date of this Agreement,
the Company shall issue one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number
of such Units being so issued. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the
Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the
Company.
3.4 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Company, the appropriate officers of
the Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same
number and type of Units as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The appropriate officers of the Company shall execute and deliver a new Certificate in
place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, that a
previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
9
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the Company has notice that the
Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of
an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the Company, delivers to the Company a bond, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Company, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open
penalty as the Company may reasonably direct, in its sole discretion, to indemnify the
Company against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or
theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Board.
If a Member fails to notify the Company within a reasonable time after it has notice of the
loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Member Interests represented by
the Certificate is registered before the Company receives such notification, the Member shall be
precluded from making any claim against the Company for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 3.4 the
Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses reasonably connected therewith.
3.5 Record Holders. The Company shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Member with
respect to any Member Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or
other claim to or interest in such Member Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of
whether the Company shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
Applicable Law.
3.6 Registration of Member Interests.
(a) The Company shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Company a register in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of
Section 3.6(b), the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Member
Interests. The Company shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Member Interests
unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 3.6. Upon
surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Member Interest, and subject to the
provisions of Section 3.6(b), the appropriate officers of the Company shall execute and
deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required
pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate
number and type of Member Interests as were evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The Company shall not recognize any transfer of Member Interests until the Certificates
evidencing such Member Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be
imposed by the Company for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new
Certificate under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other Governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.
10
(c) Member Interests may be transferred only in the manner described in this Section
3.6. The transfer of any Member Interests and the admission of any new Member shall not
constitute an amendment to this Agreement.
Article 4
Capital Contributions
4.1 Capital Contributions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided for by the Act, (i) the Capital Contributions made in
accordance as reflected on the Company’s books and records shall constitute the full obligation of
the Member to furnish funds or property to the Company, and no additional funds or other property
shall be required of the Member and (ii) the Member shall have the right to make additional Capital
Contributions.
(b) All Member Interests issued to a Member pursuant to, and in accordance with the
requirements of, this Article 4 shall be fully paid and non-assessable Member Interests, except as
such non-assessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Act.
4.2 No Interest or Withdrawal. No interest shall be paid by the Company on Capital Contributions or on balances in Capital
Accounts. No Member shall be entitled to withdraw any part of its Capital Contribution or its
Capital Account or to receive any distributions from the Company, except as expressly provided in
this Agreement. A Member shall not be required to contribute any cash or property to the Company
to enable the Company to return any Member’s Capital Contribution.
4.3 Title to Company Assets. Title to Company Assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether
tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Director or
Member, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Company Assets or
any portion thereof.
4.4 Creditors of the Company. No creditor of the Company will have or shall acquire at any time any
direct or indirect interest in the profits, capital or property of the Company other than as a
secured creditor as a result of making a loan to the Company.
Article 5
Capital Accounts, Allocations and Distributions
5.1 Capital Accounts. The Company shall establish and maintain for each Member a separate Capital
Account in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv).
5.2 Distributions of Available Cash. On each Distribution Date during the Term, the Company shall
distribute to the Member 100 percent of Available Cash on such Distribution Date.
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5.3 Limitations on Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the Company shall not make a distribution to a Member to the extent that such
distribution is not permitted under the Act. A Member who receives a distribution that is not
permitted under the terms of Section 18-607 of the Act shall have no liability under the Act or
this Agreement to return the distribution unless the Member knew that the distribution violated the
terms of such Section.
Article 6
Management
6.1 Management.
(a) Generally.
(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1(a)(iii) and Section
6.1(b)(iv) all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be
exclusively vested in a Board of Directors (“Board of Directors” or “Board”) and, subject to
the direction of the Board of Directors, the Officers. The Director shall be elected or
appointed by the Member, and any Director may be removed or replaced by the Member at any
time. The Officers and Directors shall each constitute a “manager” of the Company within
the meaning of the Act. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
authority and functions of the Board of Directors on the one hand and of the Officers on the
other shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and
officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation
Law. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs
of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors, and the
day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Company’s behalf by the
Officers, who shall be agents of the Company.
(ii) In addition to the powers that now or hereafter can be granted to managers under
the Act and to all other powers granted under any other provision of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Board of Directors and the Officers shall have
full power and authority to do all things as are not restricted by this Agreement, the
Partnership Agreement, the Act or applicable Law, on such terms as they may deem necessary
or appropriate to conduct, or cause to be conducted, the business and affairs of the
Company.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, without obtaining Extraordinary
Approval, the Company shall not, and shall not take any action to cause either the
Partnership or the MLP to, (1) make or consent to a general assignment for the benefit of
its respective creditors; (2) file or consent to the filing of any bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code naming the
Company, the Partnership or the MLP, as applicable, or otherwise seek, with respect to the
Company, the Partnership or the MLP, relief from debts or protection from creditors
generally; (3) file or consent to the filing of a petition or answer seeking for the
Company, the Partnership or the MLP, as applicable, a liquidation, dissolution,
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arrangement,
or similar relief under any law; (4) file an answer or other pleading admitting or failing
to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Company, the Partnership
or the MLP, as applicable, in a proceeding of the type described in any of clauses (1) —
(3) of this Section 6.1(a); (5) seek, consent to or acquiesce in the appointment of
a receiver, liquidator, conservator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, custodian or any
similar official for the Company, the Partnership or the MLP, as applicable, or for all or
any substantial portion of either entity’s properties; (6) sell all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company, the Partnership or the MLP; (7) dissolve or liquidate, except in
the case of the Partnership, in accordance with Article VIII of the Partnership Agreement;
(8) merge or consolidate; (9) amend the MLP Partnership Agreement; or (10) make a material
change in the amount of the quarterly distributions made on the MLP Interests or the payment
of any material extraordinary distribution on the MLP Interests.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as
the sole Member of the Company, shall have exclusive authority over the business and affairs
of the Company that do not relate to management and control of the MLP. The type of matter
referred to in the prior sentence where Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as the sole Member of
the Company, shall have exclusive authority shall include, but not be limited to, (i) the
amount and timing of distributions paid by the Company or the Partnership, (ii) the issuance
or repurchase of any equity interests in the Company or the Partnership, (iii) the
prosecution, settlement or management of any claim made directly against the Company or the
Partnership, (iv) whether to sell, convey, transfer or pledge any asset of the Company or
the Partnership, (v) whether to amend, modify or waive any rights relating to the assets of
the Company or the Partnership (including the decision to amend or forego distributions in
respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights), and (vi) whether to enter into any agreement
to incur an obligation of the Company or the Partnership other than an agreement entered
into for and on behalf of the MLP for which the Company or the Partnership are liable
exclusively by virtue of the Partnership’s capacity as general partner of the MLP or of any
of its affiliates. Further, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as the sole Member of the
Company, shall have exclusive authority to cause the Company to exercise the rights of the
Company and those of the Partnership, as general partner of the MLP (or those exercisable
after the Partnership ceases to be the general partner of the MLP), pursuant to the
following provisions of the MLP Partnership Agreement:
(A) Section 2.4 (“Purpose and Business”), with respect to decisions to propose
or approve the conduct by the MLP of any business.
(B) Sections 4.6(a) and (b) (“Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner
Interest”) and Section 4.8 (“Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights”), solely
with respect to the decision by the Partnership to transfer its general partner
interest in the MLP or its Incentive Distribution Rights;
(C) Section 5.2 (“Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates”),
solely with respect to the decision to make additional Capital Contributions to the
MLP;
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(D) Section 5.9 (“Limited Preemptive Right”);
(E) Section 7.5(d) (relating to the right of the Partnership and its Affiliates
to purchase Units or other Partnership Securities and exercise rights related
thereto) and Section 7.11 (“Purchase and Sale of Units”), solely with respect to
decisions by the Company or the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire and
sell Partnership Securities for their own account;
(F) Section 7.6(a) (“Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions
from the Partnership; Contracts with Affiliates; Certain Restrictions on the General
Partner”), solely with respect to the decision by the Company or the Partnership to
lend funds to a Group Member, subject to the provisions of Section 7.9 of the MLP
Agreement;
(G) Section 7.7 (“Indemnification”), solely with respect to any decision by the
Company or the Partnership to exercise its rights as an “Indemnitee”;
(H) Section 7.13 (“Registration Rights of the General Partner and its
Affiliates”), solely with respect to any decision to exercise registration rights
and to take actions in connection therewith;
(I) Section 11.1 (“Withdrawal of the General Partner”), solely with respect to
the decision by Partnership to withdraw as general partner of the MLP and to giving
notices required thereunder;
(J) Section 11.3(a) and (b) (“Interest of Departing General Partner and
Successor General Partner”); and
(K) Section 15.1 (“Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests”).
(v) Without the approval of the Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company, the Company shall not take any action that would result in either the Company or
the Partnership engaging in any business or activity or incurring any debts or liabilities
except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner of the
Partnership or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt of equity securities of the
Partnership.
(b) Board of Directors.
(i) Generally. The Board of Directors shall consist of not more than thirteen natural
persons. The other members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Member,
provided that at least three of such members must meet the independence, qualification and
experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, of Section 10A(m)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor Law), the rules and regulations of the
SEC, other applicable Law and the charter of the Audit and Conflicts Committee (each, an
“Independent Director”); provided, however, that if at any time at least three of the
Directors are not Independent Directors, the Board of Directors shall
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still have all powers
and authority granted to it hereunder, but the Board of Directors and the Member shall
endeavor to elect additional Independent Directors to come into compliance with this
Section 6.1(b)(i).
(ii) Term; Resignation; Vacancies; Removal. Each Director shall hold office until his
successor is appointed and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any
Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board, the Chairman (or
Co-Chairmen, if applicable) of the Board, to the Chief Executive Officer (or Co-Chief
Executive Officers, if applicable). Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be
necessary to make it effective. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Directors or from any other cause shall be filled by
the Member. Any Director may be removed, with or without cause, by the Member at
any time, and the vacancy in the Board caused by any such removal shall be filled by
the Member.
(iii) Voting; Quorum. Unless otherwise required by the Act, other Law or the
provisions hereof,
(A) each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote; and
(B) the presence at a meeting of a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors shall constitute a quorum at any such meeting for the transaction of
business; and
(C) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1(b)(iv) the act of the
members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting duly called in accordance
with Section 6.1(b)(v) at which a quorum is present shall be deemed to
constitute the act of the Board of Directors.
(iv) Required Vote for Certain Actions.
(A) Unanimous Vote of Directors. The following action by the Company,
or by the Company in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, shall
require approval by a Unanimous Vote, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement:
1. Any action or election that would cause the Company to be
taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes; and
(B) Special Vote of Directors. The following actions by the Company, or by the
Company in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, shall require
approval by a Special Vote:
1. Any action to make, or consent to, a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors of the MLP;
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2. Any action to file, or consent to the filing of, any
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization petition for relief under
the United States Bankruptcy Code naming the MLP or otherwise seek
relief for the MLP from its debts or protection generally from its
creditors;
3. Any action to file, or consent to the filing of, a petition
or answer seeking for the MLP a liquidation, dissolution, arrangement
or similar relief under any law; and
4. Any action to file an answer or other pleading admitting, or
failing to contest, the material allegations of a petition filed
against the MLP in a proceeding of the type
described in any of the clauses (1) through (3) of this
Section 6.1 (b) (iv) (b).
(C) Majority Vote of Directors. Except for (i) matters that require a Member
Approval, a Special Vote or a Unanimous Vote and (ii) matters specified in
Section 6.3 as within the authority of the Chief Executive Officer (or
Co-Chief Executive Officers, as applicable) (subject, for purposes of this clause
(ii), at all times to the direction and control of the Board), actions by the
Company, or by the Company in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership,
shall require approval by a Majority Vote.
(v) Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times
and places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors or meetings of any committee thereof may be
called by written request authorized by any member of the Board of Directors or a committee
thereof on at least 24 hours prior written notice to the other members of such Board or
committee, provided, that such notice requirement may be waived with respect to a particular
special meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors. Any such notice need not state the purpose of such meeting, except as may
otherwise be required by law. Attendance of a Director at a meeting (including pursuant to
the last sentence of this Section 6.2(b)(v)) shall constitute a waiver of notice of
such meeting, except where such Director attends the meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board
of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice
and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken,
are signed by at least as many members of the Board of Directors or committee thereof as
would have been required to take such action at a meeting of the Board of Directors or such
committee. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in
and hold a meeting by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar
communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in such meetings shall constitute presence in person at the
meeting.
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6.2 Officers.
(a) Generally. The Board may appoint agents of the Company, which agents shall be
referred to as “Officers” of the Company, having the titles, power, authority and duties described
in this Section 6.2 or as otherwise granted by the Board. Subject to the foregoing, the
Officers shall have the full authority to and shall manage, control and oversee the day-to-day
business and affairs of the Company and shall perform all other acts as are customary or incident
to the management of such business and affairs, which will include the general and administrative
affairs of the Company and the operation and maintenance of the Company Assets, all in accordance
with the provisions of Section 6.3.
(b) Titles and Number. The Officers may include a Chairman, a Chief Executive Officer, one or
more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers, and any other officer position or title as the Board may approve. Any person may hold
two or more offices.
(c) Appointment and Term of Office. The Officers may be appointed by the Board at such times
and for such terms as the Board shall determine. Any Officer may be removed, with or without
cause, only by the Board. Vacancies in any office may be filled only by the Board.
(d) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and of the unitholders of the Partnership; and he shall have such other powers
and duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. There may be
more than one person holding the office of Chairman, in which case they shall act as Co-Chairmen
and shall share the duties of such office.
(e) Chief Executive Officer. In accordance with and subject to the limitations imposed by
this Agreement or any direction of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, as such, shall (i)
supervise generally the other Officers, (ii) be responsible for the management and day-to-day
business and affairs of the Company, its other Officers, employees and agents and shall supervise
generally the affairs of the Company, (iii) have full authority to execute all documents and take
all actions that the Company may legally take and (iv) have the power and authority to delegate the
Chief Executive Officer’s powers and authority to any proper Officer. There may be more than one
person holding the office of Chief Executive Officer, in which case they shall act as Co-Chief
Executive Officers and shall share the duties of such office.
(f) President. The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors have
executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties as from time
to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board and shall report directly to the Chief Executive
Officer, or, if there be none, to the Chairman. The President shall, during the absence or
incapacity of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman, report directly to the Board.
(g) Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President, each Vice President appointed by the
Board shall have all of the powers and duties conferred upon the President, including the same
power as the President to execute documents on behalf of the Company.
17
Each such Vice President shall perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as
may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board. Vice Presidents may be designated Executive
Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, or any other title determined by the Board.
(h) Secretary. The Secretary shall record or cause to be recorded in books provided for that
purpose the minutes of meetings or actions of the Board, shall see that all notices are given in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as required by Applicable Law, shall be
custodian of all records (other than financial), shall see that the books, reports, statements,
certificates and all other documents and records required by Applicable Law are properly kept and
filed, and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other
duties as may, from time to time, be assigned by this Agreement or the Board. The Assistant
Secretaries shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that Officer’s absence or inability
or refusal to act.
(i) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to
be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of account of the Company and the
Partnership. He shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables belonging to the Company
in the name and to the credit of the Company and shall disburse the same and only in such manner as
the Board of Directors or the appropriate Officer of the Company may from time to time determine.
He shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables belonging to the Partnership in the
name and to the credit of the Partnership and shall disburse the same and only in such manner as
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may require. He shall render to the Board of
Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, whenever any of them request it, an account of all his
transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Company, and shall
perform such further duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may require.
The Chief Financial Officer shall have the same power as the Chief Executive Officer to execute
documents on behalf of the Company.
(j) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have such duties as may be specified by the Board in the
performance of his duties. The Assistant Treasurers shall exercise the power of the Treasurer
during that Officer’s absence or inability or refusal to act. Each of the Assistant Treasurers
shall possess the same power as the Treasurer to sign all certificates, contracts, obligations and
other instruments of the Company. If no Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer is appointed and serving
in the absence of the appointed Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, such other Officer as the Board
shall select shall have the powers and duties conferred upon the Treasurer.
(k) Powers of Attorney. The Company may xxxxx xxxxxx of attorney or other authority as
appropriate to establish and evidence the authority of the Officers and other persons.
(l) Delegation of Authority. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, no Officer
shall have the power or authority to delegate to any person such Officer’s powers as an Officer to
manage the business and affairs of the Company.
6.3 Officer Actions. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the authority to take the following actions for the
Company, or by the Company in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, subject to
the direction and control of the Board:
18
(a) Managing the day-to-day operations of the Company;
(b) Initiating, defending, settling, and otherwise handling Claims against the Company, or
Claims of the Company against third parties;
(c) Obtaining all permits, certificates, licenses and regulatory approvals necessary to carry
out the business of the Company, and preparing and timely providing such filings, reports,
statements and information to any Governmental Authority as may be required in connection therewith
from time to time;
(d) Protecting and preserving the title and interests of the Company and the Partnership with
respect to the Company Assets;
(e) Negotiating contracts of the Company in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Executing and delivering documents requiring execution on behalf of the Company in its own
right and as general partner of the Partnership;
(g) Hiring and terminating the employment or services of employees of the Company (including
contract personnel, consultants and independent contractors, but excluding Officers);
(h) Taking such actions as may be delegated or assigned to the Chief Executive Officer or the
other Officers from time to time by the Board;
(i) Taking any other actions similar in character to those identified in clauses (a) to (h)
above, other than those requiring approval by a Unanimous Vote or a Majority Vote under this
Agreement; and
(j) Performing such ancillary and ministerial acts, and making, executing, acknowledging and
delivering all contracts, assignments and other agreements, instruments or documents as are
reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and
other Officers hereunder.
6.4 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by Law but subject to the limitations expressly provided
in this Agreement, each Indemnitee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements and other
amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any such
Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by
reason of such person’s status as an Indemnitee; provided, however that the Indemnitee shall not be
indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee
is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.5, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith
or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct, or in the case of a criminal matter, acted with
19
knowledge
that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this
Section 6.5 shall be available to the Members or their Affiliates (other than the MLP and
any Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption
that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified above. Any indemnification
pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall be made only out of Company Assets, it being agreed that
a Member shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to
contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such
indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by Law, expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 6.5(a) in
defending any Claim shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final
disposition of such Claim upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified as authorized in this Section 6.4.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 6.4 shall be in addition to any other
rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, as a matter of Law or otherwise,
both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other
capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Company may purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of the members of the Board of
Directors, the Officers and such other Persons as the Board shall determine, against any liability
that may be asserted against or expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the
Company’s activities, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such
Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 6.4, the Company shall be deemed to have requested an
Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by the
Indemnitee of such Indemnitee’s duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves
services by, the Indemnitee to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes
assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to Applicable Law shall
constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 6.5(a) and action taken or omitted by the
Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of such Indemnitee’s duties
for a purpose reasonably believed by such Indemnitee
to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be
for a purpose which is in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Members to personal liability by reason of the
indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
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(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this
Section 6.4 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which
the indemnification applies if the transaction is otherwise permitted by the terms of this
Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 6.4 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their
heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the
benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.4 or any provision hereof
shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair either the right of any past, present or future
Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company or the obligation of the Company to indemnify any such
Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 as in effect
immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or
relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or
repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted, provided such Person became an
Indemnitee hereunder prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.
(j) No member of the Board of Directors or Member shall be liable to the Company or to any
Member for any loss suffered by the Company unless such loss is caused by such Director’s or
Member’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, intentional violation of law or material breach of
this Agreement. No member of the Board of Directors or Member shall be liable for errors in
judgment or for any acts or omissions that do not constitute gross negligence, willful misconduct,
intentional violation of law or material breach of this Agreement. Any member of the Board of
Directors or Member may consult with counsel and accountants in respect of Company affairs and,
provided such Director or Member acts in good faith reliance upon the advice or opinion of such
counsel or accountants, such Director or Member shall not be liable for any loss suffered by the
Company in reliance thereon.
(k) THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 6.4 ARE INTENDED BY
THE MEMBERS TO APPLY EVEN IF SUCH PROVISIONS HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXCULPATING THE INDEMNITEE FROM
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PERSON’S NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR OTHER CONDUCT,
SUBJECT TO LIMITS UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.
6.5 Reliance by Third Parties.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the
Company shall be entitled to assume that the Chief Executive Officer or any Person authorized by
the Board to act on behalf of and in the name of the Company (each an
“Authorized Person”) has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any
manner any and all assets of the Company and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of
the Company, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with any Authorized Person as if it were the
Company’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. In no event shall any Person
dealing with any Authorized Person be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have
been complied with or to inquire into the necessity of any act or action of any Authorized Person.
21
(b) Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Company
by any Authorized Person shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying
thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such
certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person
executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered
to do so for and on behalf of the Company and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was
duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is
binding upon the Company.
6.6 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standard of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of
interest exists or arises between the Members or any of their Affiliates (other than the MLP or any
Group Member), on the one hand, and the MLP or any Group Member, on the other hand, any resolution
or course of action by the Board of Directors in respect of such conflict of interest shall be
permitted and deemed approved by all Members, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement
or of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or
equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i)
approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Units excluding Units
owned by the Members and their Affiliates, (iii) on terms no less favorable to the MLP or Group
Member, as the case may be, than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated
third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the MLP or Group Member, as the case may be, taking
into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other
transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the MLP or Group Member, as the
case may be). The Board of Directors shall be authorized but not required in connection with its
resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the Board
of Directors may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special
Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors determines that the
resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the
standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its
decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Member
or by or on behalf of such Member or the MLP or Group Member, as the case may be, challenging such
approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming
such presumption.
(b) Whenever the Company makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action,
or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the General
Partner of the MLP as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, or any
other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then unless another express standard is provided
for in this Agreement, the Company, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such
determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject
to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated
hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a
determination or other action to be in “good faith” for purposes of any action taken or delivered
to be taken by the Company in its capacity as the general partner of the General Partner of the
MLP, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or
22
declining to take such other
action must believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the MLP.
(c) Whenever the Company makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action,
or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its
capacity as a general partner of the General Partner of the MLP, whether under this Agreement or
any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the Company, or such Affiliates causing
it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other
action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the MLP or any partner thereof, and
the Company, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or
pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby
or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. By way of illustration and not of
limitation, whenever the phrase, “at the option of the Company,” or some variation of that phrase,
is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the Company is acting in its individual capacity. For
the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Company votes or transfers its MLP Interests, or refrains from
voting or transferring its MLP Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company and its Affiliates
shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset
of the MLP or any Group Member or (ii) permit the MLP or any Group Member to use any facilities or
assets of the Company and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from
time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the Company or any of its
Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
(e) Whenever a particular transaction, arrangement or resolution of a conflict of interest is
required under this Agreement to be “fair and reasonable” to any Person, the fair and reasonable
nature of such transaction, arrangement or resolution shall be considered in the context of all
similar or related transactions.
Article 7
Taxes, Books, Records, Accounting and Reporting
7.1 Books and Records; Fiscal Year.
(a) The books and records of the Company shall be maintained in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(b) The fiscal year of the Company for U.S. GAAP purposes shall be January 1 through December
31 (the “Fiscal Year”).
7.2 Tax Returns. The Member shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the Company) all state and
local tax returns, if any, required to be filed by the Company. The Company and the Member
acknowledge that for federal income tax purposes, the Company will be disregarded as an entity
separate from the Member pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 as long as all of the member
interests in the Company are owned by the Member.
23
Article 8
Dissolution, Winding-up and Termination
8.1 Dissolution.
(a) The Company shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 10.6) its affairs shall be
wound up, on the first to occur of the following events (each a “Dissolution Event”):
(i) Member Approval to dissolve the Company; and
(ii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of
the Act; provided that the Board shall not submit an application for a decree of judicial
dissolution unless and until all amounts payable under the obligations of the Company have
been indefeasibly paid in full.
(b) The Company shall not dissolve other than pursuant to Section 8.1(a).
8.2 Winding-Up and Termination.
(a) The winding up of the Company shall commence on the day of the applicable Dissolution
Event, but this Agreement shall not terminate until the Company Assets have been distributed in
accordance with the terms of this Article 8. The Board shall act as liquidator (the
“Liquidator”). The Liquidator shall immediately proceed to wind up and terminate the affairs of
the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of
liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the Liquidator shall
continue to operate the business and assets of the Company with all of the power and authority of
the Board. Maintenance of property, borrowing and expenditures of Company
funds for legitimate Company purposes to effectuate or facilitate the winding up or the
liquidation of the Company affairs shall be authorized if the Liquidator, in the exercise of its
business judgment, believes that the interests of the Company would be best served thereby, and
such actions shall not be construed to involve a continuation of the Company. The steps to be
accomplished by the Liquidator are as follows:
(i) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the
Liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified
public accountants of the Company Assets, liabilities and operations through the last
calendar day of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is
completed, as applicable;
(ii) the Liquidator shall discharge from the Company’s funds all of the debts,
liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding up)
or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the
establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such
term as the Liquidator may reasonably determine); and
(iii) all remaining Company Assets (including cash) shall be distributed among the
Members in accordance with the ratio of the positive balances in their respective
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Capital
Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other
than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 8.2(a)(iii)) for
the taxable period during which the Liquidation Date occurs.
(b) The distribution of cash or other assets to a Member in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 8.2 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions
and a complete distribution to the Member of its Member Interest and all the Company Assets and
constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented pursuant to Section 18-502(b) of the
Act.
8.3 Certificate of Cancellation. Upon completion of the distribution of Company Assets as provided
herein, the Liquidator (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall
file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, cancel any
other filings made pursuant to Section 2.5, and take such other actions as may be necessary
to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation,
the existence of the Company shall terminate (and the Term shall end).
8.4 Certain Matters Concerning a Member.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Bankruptcy of a Member shall
not cause such Member to cease to be a Member of the Company, and upon the occurrence of such an
event, the business of the Company shall continue without dissolution.
(b) The dissolution, liquidation or termination of a Member shall not cause the termination or
dissolution of the Company, and the business of the Company shall continue without dissolution.
Article 9
Merger
9.1 Authority. Subject to Section 6.1(a), the Company may merge or consolidate with one or
more limited liability companies, corporations, business trusts or associations, real estate
investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a general partnership
or limited partnership, formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction,
pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) in accordance with
this Article 9.
9.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation. The merger or consolidation of the Company pursuant to this
Article 9 requires the prior approval of a Majority Vote and compliance with Section 9.3.
Upon such approval, the Merger Agreement shall set forth:
(a) The names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities
proposing to merge or consolidate;
(b) The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to
survive the proposed merger or consolidation (“Surviving Business Entity”);
25
(c) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(d) The manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent
business entity for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partnership or limited liability
company interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if
any general or limited partnership or limited liability company interests, rights, securities or
obligations of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or
into, cash, property or general or limited partnership or limited liability company interests,
rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general
or limited partnership or limited liability company interests, rights, securities or obligations of
any general or limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or other entity
(other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, rights, securities
or obligations of the constituent business entity are to receive in exchange for, or upon
conversion of, their interests, rights, securities or obligations and (ii) in the case of
securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash,
property or general or limited partnership or limited liability company interests, rights,
securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership,
limited liability company, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business
Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(e) A statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent
documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust,
certificate or agreement of limited partnership or limited liability company or other similar
charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or
consolidation;
(f) The effective time of the merger or consolidation, which may be the date of the filing of
the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 9.4 or a later date specified in or
determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the
merger or consolidation is to be later than the date of the filing of the certificate of merger or
consolidation, the effective time shall be fixed no later than the time of the filing of the
certificate of merger or consolidation and stated therein); and
(g) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors.
9.3 Approval by Members of Merger or Consolidation.
(a) The Board of Directors, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the
Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of the Members, whether at a meeting or by written consent.
A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a
meeting or the written consent.
(b) After approval by vote or consent of the Members, and at any time prior to the filing of
the certificate of merger or consolidation pursuant to Section 9.4, the merger or
consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
26
9.4 Certificate of Merger or Consolidation. Upon the required approval by the Board of Directors and
the Members of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger or consolidation shall be executed and
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of
the Act.
9.5 Effect of Merger or Consolidation.
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger or consolidation:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has
merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any
of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of
those business entities shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the
merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent
they were property of each constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those
constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the
merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interest in property of any
of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall
attach to the Surviving Business Entity, and may be enforced against it to the same extent
as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article 9 shall not (i) be deemed to
result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another having
occurred or (ii) require the Company (if it is not the Surviving Business Entity) to wind up its
affairs, pay its liabilities or distribute its assets as required under Article 8 of this Agreement
or under the applicable provisions of the Act.
Article 10
Other Provisions
10.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the entire agreement between
the Members with respect to the subject matter hereof.
10.2 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement
and any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If
any provision of the Act provides that it may be varied or superseded in a limited liability
company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability
company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement
contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter.
27
10.3 Non-Waiver. No waiver by any Person of any one or more defaults by another Person in the
performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other
default whether of a like kind or different nature.
10.4 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Member or
circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement
and the application of that provision to other Members or circumstances is not affected thereby,
and (b) each Member shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision
that is
valid and enforceable and that puts each Member in substantially the same economic, business and
legal position as it would have had if the original provision had been valid and enforceable.
10.5 Headings; Exhibits. The headings used for the sections and articles herein are for convenience and
reference purposes only and shall in no way affect the meaning or interpretation of the provisions
of this Agreement. Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference,
incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.
10.6 Winding Up Arrangement. All indemnity and audit rights shall survive the termination of this
Agreement for the time period provided herein. All obligations provided in this Agreement shall
remain in effect following the expiration or termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary
to give full force and effect to the rights and obligations undertaken by the Members.
10.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement (except as provided in Section
6.5) shall provide any benefit to any third party or entitle any third party to any claim,
cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, it being the intent of the Member that this Agreement
shall not be construed as a third party beneficiary contract.
10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which is an original
and all of which constitute one and the same instrument.
10.9 Amendment or Restatement. This Agreement or the Delaware Certificate may be amended only by a
written instrument executed (or, in the case of the Delaware Certificate, approved) by the Member.
10.10 Notices. Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or
consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and must be
delivered to the recipient at the address set forth in Exhibit A in person, by courier or
mail or (with written confirmation of delivery) by facsimile, telegram, telex, cablegram or similar
transmission; and a notice, request or consent given under this Agreement is effective on receipt
by the Person to receive it. Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law, the Delaware
Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such
notice. By giving each other Member notice thereof, a Member may change its address for notices or
add additional addresses for copies of notices.
10.11 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall
execute and deliver any additional documents and
28
instruments and perform any additional acts that
may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and
those transactions.
10.12 Waiver of Certain Rights. To the extent permitted by the Act and applicable Law, each Member
irrevocably waives any right it may have to maintain any action for dissolution of the Company.
10.13 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be
enforceable by, any creditor of the Company.
10.14 Confidentiality.
(a) Each Member agrees that it will not disclose to any Person or otherwise use to its benefit
or to the benefit of any third party, including any Affiliate of such Member, in any way whatsoever
any Confidential Information, without the consent of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer,
except as may be necessary to comply with any Applicable Law, directive or procedure of any
Governmental Authority. Each Member will notify the Company before disclosing such information
pursuant to any such Applicable Law, directive or procedure to give the Company the opportunity to
seek a protective order. The restrictions set forth in this Section 10.14 shall not apply
to information that (i) is, or after the date of this Agreement, becomes generally available to the
public, other than through the wrongful act of any Person, (ii) after the date of this Agreement,
is communicated to the Member disclosing such information in a non confidential manner by a third
party without any breach of this Section 10.14 or breach of any confidentiality obligations
of such third party to any of the Members or (iii) was or is already in the possession of the
Person receiving such information at the time of its disclosure by the Member disclosing such
information, provided, that such Person came into possession of such information through means
other than that which would constitute a breach of this Section 10.14 or a breach of the
confidentiality obligations of any third party to the Member disclosing such information. This
Section 10.14 shall survive with respect to a former Member for a period of two years after
the date that such Member ceases to be a Member.
(b) A Member that subsequently ceases to be a Member shall promptly destroy (and provide a
certificate of destruction to the Company with respect to), or return to the Company, all
Confidential Information in its possession.
(c) The Members agree that no adequate remedy at law exists for a breach or threatened breach
of any of the provisions of this Section 10.14, the continuation of which unremedied will
cause the Company to suffer irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Members agree that the Company shall
be entitled, in addition to other remedies that may be available to them, to immediate injunctive
relief from any breach of any of the provisions of this Section 10.14 and
to specific performance of their rights hereunder, as well as to any other remedies available
at law or in equity.
[Signature Page Follows]
29
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Member has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. |
||||
By: | LE GP, LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxx, President | ||||
30
EXHIBITS
Exhibit | ||||
A
|
— | Sharing Ratios | ||
B
|
— | Form of Certificate |
Exhibit A
Sharing Ratios
Name and Address and | Net Agreed Value of | |||||||||||
Number of Units as of Effective Date | Unit Ownership | Sharing Ratio | Capital Contributions | |||||||||
MEMBER: |
||||||||||||
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. |
100 | % | ||||||||||
0000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx |
||||||||||||
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 |
Exhibit A — Page 1
Exhibit B
The Units represented by this Certificate have been acquired for investment and were issued without
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or under the
securities laws of any state. These interests may not be sold, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise
transferred at any time except (i) in accordance with the restrictions contained in the Third
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C. (the
“LLC Agreement”), as amended from time to time, among the members of Energy Transfer Partners,
L.L.C. and the other parties thereto and (ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws unless an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act and under any applicable state securities laws is available in connection
with the transfer.
Certificate Evidencing Class Units
Representing Member Interests in
Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C.
Representing Member Interests in
Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C.
No. | Units |
In accordance with Section 3.3 of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C., as amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time (the “LLC Agreement”), Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company (the “Company”), hereby certifies that (the “Holder”) is the
registered owner of units representing limited partner interests in the Company (the “Units”)
transferable on the books of the Company, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender
of this Certificate properly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed application for
transfer of the Units represented by this Certificate. The rights, preferences and limitations of
the Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Units represented hereby are issued and
shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the LLC Agreement. Copies of the
LLC Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request
to the Company at, the principal office of the Company located at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and
agreed to become, a Member and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed
the LLC Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and
authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the LLC Agreement and (iii)
made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the LLC Agreement.
Exhibit B — Page 1
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been signed and registered
by the Company.
Dated: | Signed and Registered: Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C. |
|||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Exhibit B — Page 2