Exhibit 4.3
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
7.75% Senior Notes due 2007
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Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
April 16, 2003
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC
Eleven Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company (the
"Company"), proposes to issue and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein)
upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein)
$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.75% Senior Notes due 2007. As
an inducement to the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and in
satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers thereunder, the
Company agrees with the Purchasers for the benefit of holders (as defined
herein) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as
follows:
1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:
"Base Interest" shall mean the interest that would otherwise accrue
on the Securities under the terms thereof and the Indenture, without
giving effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
The term "broker-dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer registered
with the Commission under the Exchange Act.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date on which the Securities are
initially issued.
"Commission" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for
the particular purpose.
"Effective Time," in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration, shall
mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange
Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Registration
Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall
mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Shelf
Registration Statement effective or as of which the Shelf Registration
Statement otherwise becomes effective.
"Electing Holder" shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities
that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the
Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 3(c) hereof.
"Exchange Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(a) hereof.
The term "holder" shall mean each of the Purchasers and all other
persons who acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including
any successors or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns
any Registrable Securities.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of October 8, 1999,
as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 30,
2002 between the Company and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly
known as First Union National Bank), as Trustee, as the same shall be
amended from time to time.
"Notice and Questionnaire" means a Notice of Registration Statement
and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto.
The term "person" shall mean a corporation, association,
partnership, organization, business, individual, government or political
subdivision thereof or governmental agency.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 9, 2003, between the Purchasers and the Company relating to the
Securities.
"Purchasers" shall mean the Purchasers named in Schedule I to the
Purchase Agreement.
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"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided,
however, that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i)
in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the Security has
been exchanged for an Exchange Security in an Exchange Offer as
contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof (provided that any Exchange Security
that, pursuant to the last two sentences of Section 2(a), is included in a
prospectus for use in connection with resales by broker-dealers shall be
deemed to be a Registrable Security with respect to Sections 5, 6 and 9
until resale of such Registrable Security has been effected within the
180-day period referred to in Section 2(a)); (ii) in the circumstances
contemplated by Section 2(b) hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement
registering such Security under the Securities Act has been declared or
becomes effective and such Security has been sold or otherwise transferred
by the holder thereof pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such
effective Shelf Registration Statement; (iii) such Security is sold
pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend borne by such
Security relating to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the
Securities Act or otherwise, is removed by the Company or pursuant to the
Indenture; (iv) such Security is eligible to be sold pursuant to paragraph
(k) of Rule 144; or (v) such Security shall cease to be outstanding.
"Registration Default" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(c) hereof.
"Registration Expenses" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 4 hereof.
"Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(a) hereof.
"Restricted Holder" shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of
the Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires
Exchange Securities outside the ordinary course of such holder's business,
(iii) a holder who has arrangements or understandings with any person to
participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange
Securities and (iv) a holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with
respect to Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer pursuant to
an Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities acquired by the
broker-dealer directly from the Company.
"Rule 144," "Rule 405" and "Rule 415" shall mean, in each case, such
rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as
the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Securities" shall mean, collectively, the 7.75% Senior Notes due
2007 of the Company to be issued and sold to the Purchasers, and
securities issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the
Indenture.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any
successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
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"Shelf Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.
"Special Interest" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(c) hereof.
"Subsidiary" shall mean a "significant subsidiary" as such term is
defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X.
"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or
any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated
thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a "Section"
or "clause" refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or
other subdivision.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company agrees to file
under the Securities Act, as soon as practicable, but no later than 150 days
after the Closing Date, a registration statement relating to an offer to
exchange (such registration statement, the "Exchange Registration Statement",
and such offer, the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the Securities for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities issued by the Company, which debt
securities are substantially identical to the Securities (and are entitled to
the benefits of a trust indenture which is substantially identical to the
Indenture or is the Indenture and which has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act), except that they have been registered pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act and do not contain provisions
for the additional interest contemplated in Section 2(c) below (such new debt
securities hereinafter called "Exchange Securities"). The Company agrees to use
its reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Registration Statement to
become effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable, but no later
than 180 days after the Closing Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered
under the Securities Act on the appropriate form and will comply with all
applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. The
Company further agrees to use its best efforts to commence and complete the
Exchange Offer promptly, but no later than 45 days after such registration
statement has become effective, hold the Exchange Offer open for at least 30
days and exchange Exchange Securities for all Registrable Securities that have
been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration of the
Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been "completed" only
if the debt securities received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the
Exchange Offer for Registrable Securities are, upon receipt, transferable by
each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act and without material restrictions under the blue
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sky or securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United
States of America. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed
upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Company having exchanged the Exchange
Securities for all outstanding Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and (ii) the Company having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
Exchange Securities for all Registrable Securities that have been properly
tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration of the Exchange Offer, which
shall be on a date that is at least 30 days following the commencement of the
Exchange Offer. The Company agrees (x) to include in the Exchange Registration
Statement a prospectus for use in any resales by any holder of Exchange
Securities that is a broker-dealer and (y) to keep such Exchange Registration
Statement effective for a period (the "Resale Period") beginning when Exchange
Securities are first issued in the Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of
the expiration of the 180th day after the Exchange Offer has been completed or
such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Registrable Securities. With
respect to such Exchange Registration Statement, such holders shall have the
benefit of the rights of indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections
6(a), (c), (d) and (e) hereof.
(b) If (i) on or prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed
existing Commission interpretations are changed such that the debt securities
received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for
Registrable Securities are not or would not be, upon receipt, transferable by
each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act, (ii) the Exchange
Offer has not been completed within 225 days following the Closing Date or (iii)
the Exchange Offer is not available to any holder of the Securities, the Company
shall, in lieu of (or, in the case of clause (iii), in addition to) conducting
the Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 2(a), file under the Securities Act
as soon as practicable, but no later than the later of 30 days after the time
such obligation to file arises, a "shelf" registration statement providing for
the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the
holders of, all of the Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any
similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission (such filing, the "Shelf
Registration" and such registration statement, the "Shelf Registration
Statement"). The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts (x) to cause
the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective no later
than 30 days after such Shelf Registration Statement is filed and to keep such
Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the
earlier of the second anniversary of the Effective Time or such time as there
are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding, provided, however, that no
holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for
resales of Registrable Securities unless such holder is an Electing Holder, and
(y) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, promptly upon
the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing
Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary to enable such holder to use the
prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities,
including, without limitation, any action necessary to identify such holder as a
selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement, provided, however,
that nothing in this Clause (y) shall relieve any such holder of the obligation
to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in
accordance with Section 3(d)(iii)
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hereof. The Company further agrees to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf
Registration Statement, as and when required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such
Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations
thereunder for shelf registration, and the Company agrees to furnish to each
Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being
used or promptly following its filing with the Commission.
(c) In the event that (i) the Company has not filed the Exchange
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement on or before the date on
which such registration statement is required to be filed pursuant to Section
2(a) or 2(b), respectively, or (ii) such Exchange Registration Statement or
Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared effective
by the Commission on or before the date on which such registration statement is
required to become or be declared effective pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b),
respectively, or (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 45 days
after the initial effective date of the Exchange Registration Statement relating
to the Exchange Offer (if the Exchange Offer is then required to be made) or
(iv) any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement
required by Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof is filed and declared effective but
shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the Company or shall become subject to
an effective stop order issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act
suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement (except as
specifically permitted herein) without being succeeded immediately by an
additional registration statement filed and declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default" and each
period during which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a
"Registration Default Period"), then, as liquidated damages for such
Registration Default, subject to the provisions of Section 9(b), special
interest ("Special Interest"), in addition to the Base Interest, shall accrue at
a per annum rate of 0.25% for the first 90 days of the Registration Default
Period, at a per annum rate of 0.50% for the second 90 days of the Registration
Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.75% for the third 90 days of the
Registration Default Period and at a per annum rate of 1.0% thereafter for the
remaining portion of the Registration Default Period.
(d) The Company shall take all actions necessary or advisable to be taken
by it to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are effected as so
contemplated.
(e) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time shall
be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated,
therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to any
post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be
deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated,
therein by reference as of such time.
3. Registration Procedures.
If the Company files a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or
Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:
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(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Registration or the
Shelf Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
(b) In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of
a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee
thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
(c) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
registration of Exchange Securities as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the
"Exchange Registration"), if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as
practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable but
no later than 150 days after the Closing Date, an Exchange Registration
Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and which shall
permit the Exchange Offer and resales of Exchange Securities by
broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be effected as contemplated by
Section 2(a), and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Exchange
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable
thereafter, but no later than 180 days after the Closing Date;
(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission
such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Registration Statement
and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and
maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement for the
periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof and as may be
required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the
instructions applicable to the form of such Exchange Registration
Statement, and promptly provide each broker-dealer holding Exchange
Securities with such number of copies of the prospectus included therein
(as then amended or supplemented), in conformity in all material respects
with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as such
broker-dealer reasonably may request prior to the expiration of the Resale
Period, for use in connection with resales of Exchange Securities;
(iii) promptly notify each broker-dealer that has requested or
received copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement,
and confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Exchange Registration
Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment
or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to such Exchange Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any comments by the
Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of
any state with respect thereto or any request by the Commission for
amendments or supplements to such Exchange Registration Statement or
prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange
Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings
for that purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and
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warranties of the Company contemplated by Section 5 cease to be true and
correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
Exchange Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (F) at any time during
the Resale Period when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, that such Exchange Registration Statement, prospectus,
prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not
conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing;
(iv) in the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to
Section 3(c)(iii)(F) above, to notify any broker-dealers holding Exchange
Securities, without delay prepare and furnish to each such holder a
reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so
that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of such Exchange Securities
during the Resale Period, such prospectus shall conform in all material
respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing;
(v) use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date;
(vi) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the
Exchange Securities under the securities laws or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no later than the
commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such registrations or
qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the
continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions
until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C) take any and all other
actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each
broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities to consummate the disposition
thereof in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required
to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(c)(vi), (2) consent
to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any
changes to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or any agreement
between it and its stockholders;
(vii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state
or local, which may be required to effect the Exchange Registration, the
Exchange Offer and the
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offering and sale of Exchange Securities by broker-dealers during the
Resale Period;
(viii) provide CUSIP and ISIN numbers for all Exchange Securities,
not later than the applicable Effective Time;
(ix) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable but no later than eighteen months after the effective date of
such Exchange Registration Statement, an earning statement of the Company
and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
(including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
(d) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the Shelf
Registration, if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as practicable (or as
otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable but
in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b), a Shelf
Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company
and which shall register all of the Registrable Securities for resale by
the holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods of
disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from time to
time, may be Electing Holders and use its best efforts to cause such Shelf
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable but in
any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b);
(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective Time of
the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and Questionnaire to the
holders of Registrable Securities; no holder shall be entitled to be named
as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement as of the
Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the prospectus
forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities at any time,
unless such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and
Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline for response set forth
therein; provided, however, holders of Registrable Securities shall have
at least 28 calendar days from the date on which the Notice and
Questionnaire is first mailed to such holders to return a completed and
signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;
(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement,
upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then
an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire to such
holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to take any action
to name such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration
Statement or to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part
thereof for resales of Registrable Securities until such holder has
returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;
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(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission
such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement and
the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain
the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement for the period
specified in Section 2(b) hereof and as may be required by the applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to
the form of such Shelf Registration Statement, and furnish to the Electing
Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment simultaneously with or
prior to its being used or filed with the Commission;
(v) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to
the disposition of all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the Electing Holders provided for in such Shelf
Registration Statement;
(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters (which
term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement,
shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act), if any, thereof, (C) any sales or
placement agent therefor, (D) counsel for any such underwriter or agent
and (E) not more than one counsel for all the Electing Holders the
opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Shelf Registration
Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission
and each amendment or supplement thereto;
(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf
Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section
2(b), make available at reasonable times, at the Company's principal place
of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by the persons
referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) who shall certify to the Company that they
have a current intention to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration, such financial and other information and books and
records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees, counsel and
independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to such
inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the
respective counsel referred to in such Section, to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act;
provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in
confidence and not to disclose to any other person any information or
records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential, until
such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record
(whether by virtue of its inclusion in such registration statement or
otherwise), or (B) such person shall be required so to disclose such
information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject
to the requirements of such order, and only after such person shall have
given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C)
such information is required to be set forth in such Shelf Registration
Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such
Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such
prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus,
amendment or supplement, as the
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case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing;
(viii) promptly notify each of the Electing Holders, any sales or
placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which notification
may be made through any managing underwriter that is a representative of
such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm such advice in writing, (A)
when such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein
or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any
comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner
or regulator of any state with respect thereto or any request by the
Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration
Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance
by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such
Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any
proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and
warranties of the Company contemplated by Section 3(d)(xvii) or Section 5
cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt
by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction
or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or
(F) if at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus,
prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not
conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing;
(ix) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date;
(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters, any
placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly incorporate in a
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as is
required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and as
such managing underwriter or underwriters, such agent or such Electing
Holder specifies should be included therein relating to the terms of the
sale of such Registrable Securities, including information with respect to
the principal amount of Registrable Securities being sold by such Electing
Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name and description of such
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such
Registrable Securities and any discount,
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commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof, the purchase
price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any
other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold by
such Electing Holder or agent or to such underwriters; and make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
promptly after notification of the matters to be incorporated in such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales agent,
if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the respective
counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) an executed copy (or, in the case
of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such Shelf Registration
Statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case
including all exhibits thereto (in the case of an Electing Holder of
Registrable Securities, upon request) and documents incorporated by
reference therein) and such number of copies of such Shelf Registration
Statement (excluding exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by
reference therein unless specifically so requested by such Electing
Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be) and of the prospectus
included in such Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary
prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and such other documents, as such Electing Holder, agent, if
any, and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the offering and disposition of the Registrable Securities
owned by such Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or
underwritten by such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent
and underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act; and the Company hereby consents to the use of such
prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) and any
amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder and by any
such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form most recently
provided to such person by the Company, in connection with the offering
and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the prospectus
(including such preliminary and summary prospectus) or any supplement or
amendment thereto;
(xii) use reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the
Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement
under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any
Electing Holder and each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and
underwriter, if any, thereof shall reasonably request, (B) keep such
registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as
to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such
jurisdictions during the period the Shelf Registration is required to
remain effective under Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be
necessary to enable any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to
complete its distribution of Securities pursuant to such Shelf
Registration Statement and (C) take any and all other actions as may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing Holder,
agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to
12
consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required for
any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for
the requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service
of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its
certificate of incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and
its stockholders;
(xiii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state
or local, which may be required to effect the Shelf Registration or the
offering or sale in connection therewith or to enable the selling holder
or holders to offer, or to consummate the disposition of, their
Registrable Securities;
(xiv) unless any Registrable Securities shall be in book-entry only
form, cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing underwriters,
if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates, if so
required by any securities exchange upon which any Registrable Securities
are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any
combination of such methods, on steel engraved borders, and which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends; and, in the case of
an underwritten offering, enable such Registrable Securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters
may request at least two business days prior to any sale of the
Registrable Securities;
(xv) provide CUSIP and ISIN numbers for all Registrable Securities,
not later than the applicable Effective Time;
(xvi) enter into one or more underwriting agreements, engagement
letters, agency agreements, "best efforts" underwriting agreements or
similar agreements, as appropriate, including customary provisions
relating to indemnification and contribution, and take such other actions
in connection therewith as any Electing Holders aggregating at least 20%
in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time
outstanding shall request in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(xvii) whether or not an agreement of the type referred to in
Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof is entered into and whether or not any portion of
the offering contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten
offering or is made through a placement or sales agent or any other
entity, (A) make such representations and warranties to the Electing
Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the
underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are
customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities
pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration statement filed
on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) obtain an opinion of
counsel to the Company in customary form and covering such matters, of the
type customarily
13
covered by such an opinion, as the managing underwriters, if any, or as
any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Securities at the time outstanding may reasonably request,
addressed to such Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or
sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and
dated the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (and if such
Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a
part or all of the Registrable Securities, dated the date of the closing
under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it being agreed that
the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include the due
incorporation and good standing of the Company and its Subsidiaries; the
qualification of the Company and its Subsidiaries to transact business as
foreign corporations; the due authorization, execution and delivery of the
relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof;
the due authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the
validity and enforceability, of the Securities; the absence of material
legal or governmental proceedings involving the Company; the absence of a
breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or a default under,
material agreements binding upon the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company; the absence of governmental approvals required to be obtained in
connection with the Shelf Registration, the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or
any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof, except
such approvals as may be required under state securities or blue sky laws;
the material compliance as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement
and any documents incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture
with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, respectively;
and, as of the date of the opinion and of the Shelf Registration Statement
or most recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, the
absence from such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included
therein, as then amended or supplemented, and from the documents
incorporated by reference therein (in each case other than the financial
statements and other financial information contained therein) of an untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission to state therein a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case
of such documents, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time
that such documents were filed with the Commission under the Exchange
Act)); (C) obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters from the independent
certified public accountants of the Company addressed to the selling
Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor or the
underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of such Shelf
Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any prospectus
supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which
includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a
period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such
prospectus (and, if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an
underwritten offering pursuant to any prospectus supplement to the
prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective
amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement
14
which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or
for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in
such prospectus, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting
agreement relating thereto), such letter or letters to be in customary
form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by letters
of such type; (D) deliver such documents and certificates, including
officers' certificates, as may be reasonably requested by any Electing
Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Securities at the time outstanding or the placement or sales agent, if
any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence
the accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause
(A) above or those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance
with or satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company; and
(E) undertake such obligations relating to expense reimbursement,
indemnification and contribution as are provided in Section 6 hereof;
(xviii) notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities of
any proposal by the Company to amend or waive any provision of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h) hereof
and of any amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of which
notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver proposed or
effected, as the case may be;
(xix) in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or participate as
a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or "assist in the
distribution" (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the "Conduct
Rules) of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or
any successor thereto, as amended from time to time) thereof, whether as a
holder of such Registrable Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or
sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, assist
such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Conduct
Rules, including by (A) if such Conduct Rules shall so require, engaging a
"qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in such Conduct Rules) to
participate in the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement
relating to such Registrable Securities, to exercise usual standards of
due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering
contemplated by such Shelf Registration Statement is an underwritten
offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the
yield of such Registrable Securities, (B) indemnifying any such qualified
independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of
underwriters provided in Section 6 hereof (or to such other customary
extent as may be reasonably requested by such underwriter), and (C)
providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in
order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the
Conduct Rules; and
(xx) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
effective date of such Shelf
15
Registration Statement, an earning statement of the Company and its
subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
(including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
(e) In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to Section
3(d)(viii)(F) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the
Company shall without delay prepare and furnish to each of the Electing Holders,
to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter, if any,
a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that,
as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Registrable Securities, such prospectus
shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the
Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) hereof, such Electing Holder shall
forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such Registrable Securities until
such Electing Holder shall have received copies of such amended or supplemented
prospectus, and if so directed by the Company, such Electing Holder shall
deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than
permanent file copies, then in such Electing Holder's possession of the
prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such
notice.
(f) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the information
required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice Questionnaire, the
Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the Company such
additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such Electing Holder's
intended method of distribution of Registrable Securities as may be required in
order to comply with the Securities Act. Each such Electing Holder agrees to
notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in
information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the Company or of
the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which any prospectus
relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an untrue
statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing
Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities or omits
to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing
Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to furnish to the
Company any additional information required to correct and update any previously
furnished information or required so that such prospectus shall not contain,
with respect to such Electing Holder or the disposition of such Registrable
Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.
(g) Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the Company
will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined in Rule 144)
to, resell any of the
16
Securities that have been reacquired by any of them except pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
4. Registration Expenses.
The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all
expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any
NASD registration, filing and review fees and expenses including fees and
disbursements of counsel for the placement or sales agent or underwriters in
connection with such registration, filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
under the State securities and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii)
hereof and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of
such jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may
designate, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the Electing
Holders or underwriters in connection with such qualification and determination,
(c) all expenses relating to the preparation, printing, production, distribution
and reproduction of each registration statement required to be filed hereunder,
each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto,
each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing the
Securities for delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any
underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and
blue sky or legal investment memoranda and all other documents in connection
with the offering, sale or delivery of Securities to be disposed of (including
certificates representing the Securities), (d) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses relating to the offering, sale or delivery of Securities and the
preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of
the Trustee under the Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any counsel for
the Trustee and of any collateral agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses
(including all salaries and expenses of the Company's officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of
counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company (including
the expenses of any opinions or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance and compliance), (h) fees, disbursements and expenses of any
"qualified independent underwriter" engaged pursuant to Section 3(d)(xix)
hereof, (i) fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the Electing
Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected by the
Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (j) any fees charged by securities
rating services for rating the Securities, and (k) fees, expenses and
disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the
Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the "Registration
Expenses"). To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed
or paid by any holder of Registrable Securities or any placement or sales agent
therefor or underwriter thereof, the Company shall reimburse such person for the
full amount of the Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly
after receipt of a request therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders
of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and
commissions and underwriting discounts and
17
commissions attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities and the fees
and disbursements of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by such
holders (severally or jointly), other than the counsel and experts specifically
referred to above.
5. Representations and Warranties.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Purchaser
and each of the holders from time to time of Registrable Securities that:
(a) Each registration statement covering Registrable Securities and each
prospectus (including any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained therein
or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof and any further
amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or prospectus, when
it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as the case may be, and,
in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, at the time
of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto, will conform
in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and
will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading; and at all times subsequent to the Effective Time when a
prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities Act, other
than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) or Section 3(c)(iii)(F) hereof
until (ii) such time as the Company furnishes an amended or supplemented
prospectus pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section 3(c)(iv) hereof, each such
registration statement, and each prospectus (including any summary prospectus)
contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof,
as then amended or supplemented, will conform in all material respects to the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein.
(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus referred to
in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or are or were
filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or conformed in all
material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act,
as applicable, and none of such documents will contain or contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or will omit or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not
apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by a holder of Registrable
Securities expressly for use therein.
18
(c) The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach of
any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a party or
by which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is bound or to which any
of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is
subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the
certificate of incorporation, as amended, or the by-laws of the Company or any
statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or
body having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or
any of their properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order,
registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency
or body is required for the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated by this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, except the
registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, qualification of the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals,
authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under State
securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering and distribution of
the Securities.
(d) This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold
harmless each of the holders of Registrable Securities included in an Exchange
Registration Statement, each of the Electing Holders of Registrable Securities
included in a Shelf Registration Statement and each person who participates as a
placement or sales agent or as an underwriter in any offering or sale of such
Registrable Securities against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint
or several, to which such holder, agent or underwriter may become subject under
the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may
be, under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities
Act, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or
furnished by the Company to any such holder, Electing Holder, agent or
underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse such holder, such Electing Holder, such agent and
such underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable
to any such person in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such
registration statement, or preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or
amendment or supplement
19
thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by such person expressly for use therein.
(b) Indemnification by the Holders and any Agents and Underwriters. The
Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in
any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof and to entering
into any underwriting agreement with respect thereto, that the Company shall
have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the Electing
Holder of such Registrable Securities and from each underwriter named in any
such underwriting agreement, severally and not jointly, to (i) indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, and all other holders of Registrable Securities,
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or such
other holders of Registrable Securities may become subject, under the Securities
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration
statement, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or
furnished by the Company to any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Electing Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the
Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder shall be
required to undertake liability to any person under this Section 6(b) for any
amounts in excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds to be received by such
Electing Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder's Registrable Securities
pursuant to such registration.
(c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
under subsection (a) or (b) above of written notice of the commencement of any
action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of
or contemplated by this Section 6, notify such indemnifying party in writing of
the commencement of such action; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any
indemnified party otherwise than under the indemnification provisions of or
contemplated by Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof. In case any such action shall be
brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except
with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party for
20
any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. In no event shall an
indemnifying party be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in
addition to local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified
parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related
actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the
indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim
in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
(whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such
action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of
such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission
of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified
party.
(d) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provisions
contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) are unavailable to or insufficient
to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party, and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of
them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in this Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 6(d), no holder shall be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds
received by such holder from the sale of any Registrable Securities (after
deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the
amount of any damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission, and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable
Securities underwritten by it and distributed to
21
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which
such underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The holders' and any underwriters'
obligations in this Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to
the principal amount of Registrable Securities registered or underwritten, as
the case may be, by them and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 6 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and partner of
each holder, agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the
obligations of the holders and any agents or underwriters contemplated by this
Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective holder,
agent or underwriter may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company (including any
person who, with his consent, is named in any registration statement as about to
become a director of the Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act.
7. Underwritten Offerings.
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten
offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated
by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering, provided that such
designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable
to the Company.
(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Registrable Securities hereby
agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in any
underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such
holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
8. Rule 144.
The Company covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to the
extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall
timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the
Securities Act (including the reports under Section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange
Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the Commission
under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by the
Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all
22
to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell
Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the request of any holder
of Registrable Securities in connection with that holder's sale pursuant to Rule
144, the Company shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether
it has complied with such requirements.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company represents, warrants,
covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant, registration
rights with respect to Registrable Securities or any other securities which
would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement.
(b) Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there would
be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of its
obligations hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time to time
of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and
accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in addition to any other
remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to
compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company under this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, in any court of
the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by courier, or
three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: If to the Company, to it
at 00 Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, and if to a holder, to the address of such
holder set forth in the security register or other records of the Company, or to
such other address as the Company or any such holder may have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit
of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders from time to
time of the Registrable Securities and the respective successors and assigns of
the parties hereto and such holders. In the event that any transferee of any
holder of Registrable Securities shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any
manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such
transferee shall, without any further writing or action of any kind, be deemed a
beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Registrable Securities shall be
held subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such transferee
shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be conclusively deemed to have
agreed to be bound by all of the applicable terms and provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. If the Company shall so request, any
23
such successor, assign or transferee shall agree in writing to acquire and hold
the Registrable Securities subject to all of the applicable terms hereof.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and each other provision set forth in this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results thereof) made by
or on behalf of any holder of Registrable Securities, any director, officer or
partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or
partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration of Registrable Securities
by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.
(f) Governing Law. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and
paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted for
convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the Indenture and
the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof
contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject
matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject
matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be amended and the
observance of any term of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the
holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Securities at the time outstanding. Each holder of any Registrable Securities at
the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment or waiver
effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice, writing or
marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such Registrable
Securities or is delivered to such holder.
(i) Inspection. For so long as this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement shall be in effect, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders of Registrable
Securities shall be made available for inspection and copying on any business
day by any holder of Registrable Securities for proper purposes only (which
shall include any purpose related to the rights of the holders of Registrable
Securities under the Securities, the Indenture and this Agreement) at the
offices of the Company at the address thereof set forth in Section 9(c) above
and at the office of the Trustee under the Indenture.
24
(j) Counterparts. This agreement may be executed by the parties in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
25
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, this
letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between
each of the Purchasers and the Company.
Very truly yours,
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President-Finance
and Treasurer
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Managing Director
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Title: Managing Director
26
Exhibit A
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
INSTRUCTION TO DTC PARTICIPANTS
(Date of Mailing)
URGENT - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: [DATE] *
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") has identified you as a DTC Participant
through which beneficial interests in the PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C. (the
"Company") 7.75% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Securities") are held.
The Company is in the process of registering the Securities under the Securities
Act of 1933 for resale by the beneficial owners thereof. In order to have their
Securities included in the registration statement, beneficial owners must
complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and Selling
Securityholder Questionnaire.
It is important that beneficial owners of the Securities receive a copy of the
enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the Securities
included in the registration statement depend upon their returning the Notice
and Questionnaire by [Deadline For Response]. Please forward a copy of the
enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the
Securities through you. If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or
have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact PSEG Energy
Holdings L.L.C. in writing at 00 Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000 or by telephone at
(000) 000-0000.
----------
* Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.
A-1
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
Notice of Registration Statement
and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire
(Date)
Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the
"Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement") between PSEG Energy Holdings
L.L.C. (the "Company") and the Purchasers named therein. Pursuant to the
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a
registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Shelf Registration Statement") for the
registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), of the Company's 7.75% Senior Notes due 2007 (the
"Securities"). A copy of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement is
attached hereto. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (as defined below) is entitled
to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in the
Shelf Registration Statement. In order to have Registrable Securities included
in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration Statement and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire ("Notice and Questionnaire") must be
completed, executed and delivered to the Company at the address set forth herein
for receipt ON OR BEFORE [Deadline for Response]. Beneficial owners of
Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice and
Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as selling securityholders in
the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use the Prospectus forming a
part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in
the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus. Accordingly, holders
and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus.
The term "Registrable Securities" is defined in the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement.
A-2
ELECTION
The undersigned holder (the "Selling Securityholder") of Registrable Securities
hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable
Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3). The
undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees to
be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and conditions
of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were
an original party thereto.
Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver to the Company
and Trustee the Notice of Transfer set forth as Exhibit B to the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement.
The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to the
Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and
complete:
A-3
QUESTIONNAIRE
(1)(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a) above)
of Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as
(b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below
are Held:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
--------------------------
--------------------------
--------------------------
Telephone:
--------------------------
Fax:
--------------------------
Contact Person:
--------------------------
(3) Beneficial Ownership of Securities:
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not
beneficially own any Securities.
(a) Principal amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned: CUSIP
No(s). of such Registrable Securities:
(b) Principal amount of Securities other than Registrable Securities
beneficially owned:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No(s). of such other Securities:
---------------------------------
(c) Principal amount of Registrable Securities which the undersigned wishes
to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement: CUSIP No(s). of such
Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration
Statement:
(4) Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company:
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling
Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other
securities of the Company, other than the Securities listed above in
Item (3).
State any exceptions here:
A-4
(5) Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any of
its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or
more) has held any position or office or has had any other material
relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during
the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
(6) Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder
intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item
(3) only as follows (if at all): Such Registrable Securities may be sold
from time to time directly by the undersigned Selling Securityholder or,
alternatively, through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Such
Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed
prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying
prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such
sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or
block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange or quotation
service on which the Registered Securities may be listed or quoted at
the time of sale, (ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in
transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market, or (iv) through the writing of options. In
connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the
Selling Securityholder may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
Registrable Securities in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The Selling Securityholder may also sell Registrable Securities
short and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short
positions, or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers
that in turn may sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it understands
its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, particularly
Regulation M.
In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on which such
information is provided to the Company, the Selling Securityholder agrees to
notify the transferee(s) at the time
A-5
of the transfer of its rights and obligations under this Notice and
Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and
the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus. The Selling Securityholder understands that such information
will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation of the
Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.
In accordance with the Selling Securityholder's obligation under Section 3(d) of
the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as
may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the
Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies
or changes in the information provided herein which may occur subsequent to the
date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains in
effect. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:
To the Company:
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
00 Xxxx Xxxxx, X-00
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Securityholder and
received by the Company, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire, and the
representations and warranties contained herein, shall be binding on, shall
inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors,
heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the Company and the Selling
Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by
such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item (3) above. This Agreement shall
be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York.
A-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this
Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its
duly authorized agent.
Dated:
----------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling Securityholder
(Print/type full legal name of beneficial owner of Registrable Securities)
By:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON
OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE COMPANY AT:
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
00 Xxxx Xxxxx, X-00
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
A-7
Exhibit B
NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Wachovia Bank, National Association
PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C.
c/o Wachovia Bank, National Association
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, New Jersey 07960
Attention: Trust Officer
Re: PSEG Energy Holdings L.L.C. (the "Company")
7.75% Senior Notes due 2007
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that _____________________ has transferred $____________
aggregate principal amount of the above-referenced Notes pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-____ ) filed by the
Company.
We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named
beneficial owner of the Notes is named as a "Selling Holder" in the Prospectus
dated [date] or in supplements thereto, and that the aggregate principal amount
of the Notes transferred are the Notes listed in such Prospectus opposite such
owner's name.
Dated: Very truly yours,
-------------------------------
(Name)
By:
-------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
B-1
