50,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY CREDIT AGREEMENT by and among STRATEGIC ENERGY, L.L.C. and THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, As Administrative Agent Dated as of October 3, 2007
Exhibit
10.1.1
$50,000,000 REVOLVING
CREDIT FACILITY
by
and
among
STRATEGIC
ENERGY, L.L.C.
and
THE
LENDERS PARTY HERETO
and
PNC
BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, As Administrative Agent
Dated
as
of October 3, 2007
1.
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CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
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1
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1.1 Certain
Definitions
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1
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1.2 Construction
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19
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1.3 Accounting
Principles
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19
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2.
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REVOLVING
CREDIT FACILITY
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20
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2.1 Commitments.
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20
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2.2 Nature
of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Loans.
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20
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2.3 Commitment
Fees.
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20
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2.4 Facility
Fees.
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20
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2.5 Loan
Requests.
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20
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2.6 Making
Loans;
Presumptions by the Administrative Agent; Repayment of
Loans.
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20
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2.7 Notes.
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21
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2.8 Use
of Proceeds.
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21
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2.9 Letter
of Credit Subfacility.
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21
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3.
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INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED
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27
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4.
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INTEREST
RATES
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27
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4.1 Interest
Rate Options.
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27
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4.2 Interest
Periods.
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28
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4.3 Interest
After Default.
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28
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4.4 LIBOR
Rate
Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not
Available.
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28
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4.5 Selection
of Interest Rate Options.
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29
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5.
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PAYMENTS
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29
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5.1 Payments.
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29
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5.2 Pro
Rata Treatment of Lenders.
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30
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5.3 Sharing
of Payments by Lenders.
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30
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5.4 Presumptions
by Administrative Agent.
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30
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5.5 Interest
Payment Dates.
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31
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5.6 Voluntary
Prepayments.
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31
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5.7 Mandatory
Prepayments.
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32
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5.8 Increased
Costs.
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32
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5.9 Taxes.
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34
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5.10 Indemnity.
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35
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6.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
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36
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6.1 Representations
and Warranties.
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36
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6.2 Updates
to Schedules.
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39
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7.
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CONDITIONS
OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT
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39
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7.1 First
Loans and Letters of Credit.
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39
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i
7.2 Each
Loan or Letter of Credit.
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41
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8.
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COVENANTS
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41
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8.1 Affirmative
Covenants.
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41
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8.2 Negative
Covenants.
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43
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8.3 Reporting
Requirements.
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48
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9.
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DEFAULT
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50
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9.1 Events
of Default.
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50
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9.2 Consequences
of Event of Xxxxxxx.
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00
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00.
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THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
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54
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10.1 Appointment
and Authority.
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54
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10.2 Rights
as a Lender.
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54
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10.3 Exculpatory
Provisions.
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54
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10.4 Reliance
by Administrative Agent.
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55
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10.5 Delegation
of Duties.
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55
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10.6 Resignation
of Administrative Agent.
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55
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10.7 Non-Reliance
on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
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56
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10.8 No
Other Duties, etc.
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56
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10.9 Administrative
Agent's Fee.
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56
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10.10 Authorization
to Release Collateral and Guarantors.
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56
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10.11
No
Reliance on Administrative Agent's Customer Identification
Program.
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56
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10.12 Intercreditor
Agreement.
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57
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11.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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57
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11.1 Modifications,
Amendments or Waivers.
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57
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11.2 No
Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies.
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58
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11.3 Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
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58
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11.4 Holidays.
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59
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11.5 Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
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59
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11.6 Severability.
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60
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11.7 Duration;
Survival.
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60
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11.8 Successors
and Assigns.
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60
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11.9 Confidentiality.
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63
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11.10 Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness.
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64
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11.11
CHOICE
OF LAW; SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL.
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64
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11.12 USA
Patriot Act Notice.
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65
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ii
LIST
OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE
1.1(A)
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-
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PRICING
GRID
|
SCHEDULE
1.1(B)
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-
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COMMITMENTS
OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
|
SCHEDULE
1.1(P)(1)
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-
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EXISTING
PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
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SCHEDULE
1.1(P)(2)
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-
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PERMITTED
LIENS
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SCHEDULE
6.1.1
|
-
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QUALIFICATIONS
TO DO BUSINESS
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SCHEDULE
6.1.2
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-
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SUBSIDIARIES
|
SCHEDULE
6.15
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-
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LITIGATION
|
SCHEDULE
6.1.14
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-
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ENVIRONMENTAL
DISCLOSURES
|
SCHEDULE
7.1.1
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-
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OPINION
OF COUNSEL
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SCHEDULE
8.1.3
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-
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INSURANCE
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COLLATERAL
|
SCHEDULE
8.2.1
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-
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PERMITTED
INDEBTEDNESS
|
EXHIBITS
|
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(A)
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-
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ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(G)(1)
|
-
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GUARANTOR
JOINDER
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(G)(2)
|
-
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GUARANTY
AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(G)(3)
|
-
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GREAT
PLAINS GUARANTY AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(I)
|
-
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INTERCOMPANY
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(N)
|
-
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REVOLVING
CREDIT NOTE
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(P)(1)
|
-
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PATENT,
TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(P)(2)
|
-
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PLEDGE
AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(S)(1)
|
-
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SECURITY
AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
1.1(S)(2)
|
-
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SUBORDINATION
AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
2.5
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-
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LOAN
REQUEST
|
EXHIBIT
8.3.1
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-
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BORROWING
BASE CERTIFICATE
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EXHIBIT
8.3.4
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-
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QUARTERLY
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
|
iii
THIS
CREDIT AGREEMENT (as hereafter amended, the "Agreement") is dated as of October
3, 2007, and is made by and among STRATEGIC ENERGY, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company (the "Borrower"), each of the GUARANTORS (as hereinafter
defined and other than Great Plains Energy Incorporated), the LENDERS (as
hereinafter defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as
administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement (hereinafter referred
to in such capacity as the "Administrative Agent").
The
Borrower has requested the Lenders to provide a revolving credit facility
to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$50,000,000. In consideration of their mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby,
the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Certain
Definitions.
In
addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following
words and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the
context hereof clearly requires otherwise:
Account
shall mean any account, contract right, general intangible, chattel paper,
instrument or document representing any right to payment for goods sold or
services rendered, whether or not earned by performance and whether or not
evidenced by a contract, instrument or document, which is now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Account
Debtor shall mean any Person who is or who may become obligated to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under, with respect to, or on account of,
an
Account.
Acquisition
shall mean any acquisition whether by purchase or by merger, (i) all of the
ownership interests of another Person or (ii) substantially all of assets
of another Person, constituting a business or division of another
Person.
Administrative
Agent shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, and its successors and
assigns.
Administrative
Agent's Fee shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9
[Administrative Agent's Fee].
Administrative
Agent's Letter shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9
[Administrative Agent's Fee].
Affiliate
as to any Person any other Person (i) which directly or indirectly
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person,
(ii) which beneficially owns or holds 10% or more of any class of the
voting or other equity interests of such Person, or (iii) 10% or more of
any class of voting interests or other equity interests of which is beneficially
owned or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
Anti-Terrorism
Laws shall mean any Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering,
including Executive Order No. 13224, the USA Patriot Act, the Laws comprising
or
implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the Laws administered by the United
States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (as any of the
foregoing Laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or
replaced).
Applicable
Commitment Fee Rate shall mean the percentage rate per annum based on the
Unused Availability then in effect according to the pricing grid on Schedule
1.1(A) below the heading "Commitment Fee."
Applicable
Letter of Credit Fee Rate shall mean the percentage rate per annum based on
the Unused Availability then in effect according to the pricing grid on
Schedule 1.1(A) below the heading "Letter of Credit Fee."
Applicable
Margin shall mean, as applicable:
(A) the
percentage spread to be added to the Base Rate applicable to Loans under the
Base Rate Option based on the Unused Availability then in effect according
to
the pricing grid on Schedule 1.1(A) below the heading "Base Rate Spread",
or
(B) the
percentage spread to be added to the LIBOR Rate applicable to Loans under the
LIBOR Rate Option based on the Unused Availability then in effect according
to
the pricing grid on Schedule 1.1(A) below the heading "LIBOR Rate
Spread".
Approved
Fund shall mean any fund that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or
investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course
of business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender,
(b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity
that administers or manages a Lender.
Assignment
and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender
and an assignee permitted under Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns], in
substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(A).
Authorized
Officer shall mean, with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President
- Corporate Development and Finance, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of such
Borrower or Subsidiary or such other individuals, designated by written notice
to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower, authorized to execute notices,
reports and other documents on behalf of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
required hereunder. The Borrower may amend such list of individuals
from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to the
Administrative Agent.
Base
Rate shall mean the greater of (i) the interest rate per annum
announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent at its Principal Office
as its then prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest rate then being charged
commercial borrowers by the Administrative Agent, or (ii) the Federal Funds
Open Rate, plus one half of one percent (0.5%) per annum.
Base
Rate Option shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans bear
interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in either
Section 4.1.1(i) [Base Rate Option].
Borrower
shall mean Strategic Energy, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized
and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Borrowing
Base shall mean at any time the sum of (i) 85% of Eligible Receivables
("Receivables Portion"), plus (ii) either the amount of the GPE
Letter of Credit or the GPE Limited Guaranty Amount other than the GPE
Guaranty Increases occurring pursuant to Section 9.1.11 [Breach of Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio]; provided that any increase in the amount of
the GPE Limited Guaranty Amount is made pursuant to an amendment to the GPE
Guaranty in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in
its
sole discretion and at a time when GPE's long term senior unsecured debt is
rated at least Baa3 by Xxxxx'x Investors Service or at least BBB- by Standard
& Poor's Ratings Group, less (iii) the Securitization
Usage. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, at any time hereafter,
decrease the advance percentage for Eligible Receivables, or increase the level
of any reserves or ineligibles, or define or maintain such other
reserves
-2-
or
ineligibles, as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or appropriate
in
the exercise of it reasonable discretion and based on (1) its analysis of the
financial condition of the Borrower or (2) any change in the status of the
Eligible Receivables pursuant to an audit by the Administrative
Agent. Any such change shall become effective immediately upon
written notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower for the purpose
of
calculating the Borrowing Base hereunder. For purposes of determining
the Borrowing Base, (a) the Receivables Portion shall be determined from the
most recent Borrowing Base Certificate and (b) the GPE Limited Guaranty Amount,
GPE Letter of Credit amount and Securitization Usage shall be determined
daily.
Borrowing
Date shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the date for the making thereof
or the renewal or conversion thereof at or to the same or a different Interest
Rate Option, which shall be a Business Day.
Borrowing
Tranche shall mean specified portions of Loans outstanding as
follows: (i) any Loans to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies
which become subject to the same Interest Rate Option under the same Loan
Request by the Borrower and which have the same Interest Period shall constitute
one Borrowing Tranche, and (ii) all Loans to which a Base Rate Option
applies shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche.
Business
Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday
on
which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed for business
in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and if the applicable Business Day relates to any
Loan
to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies, such day must also be a day on which
dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
Capital
Stock shall mean (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, (ii) in
the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate
stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether
general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers
on
a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
Cash
Equivalents shall mean (i) marketable direct obligations issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government and backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States government; (ii) domestic and
Eurodollar certificates of deposit and time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and
floating rate certificates of deposit issued by any commercial bank organized
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of
Columbia, any foreign bank, or its branches or agencies, any such issuing bank
having capital and retained earnings of at least $500,000,000 (fully protected
against currency fluctuations for any such deposits with a term of more than
ninety (90) days); (iii) shares of money market, mutual or similar funds having
assets in excess of $100,000,000 and the investments of which are limited to
investment grade securities (i.e., securities rated at least Baa3 by Xxxxx’x
Investors Service, Inc. or at least BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings
Group); and (iv) commercial paper of United States and foreign banks and bank
holding companies and their subsidiaries and United States and foreign finance,
commercial industrial or utility companies which, at the time of acquisition,
are rated A-1 (or better) by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, or P-1 (or
better) by Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.; provided that the maturities
of such Cash Equivalents shall not exceed 365 days.
Change
in Law shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any
of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law,
(b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation or
application thereof by any Official Body or (c) the making or issuance of
any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law)
by
any Official Body.
Change
of Control means an event or series of events by which:
(i)
GPE
ceases to own and control directly or indirectly, 51% or more of the Equity
Interests of the Borrower; or
-3-
(ii) the
Borrower consolidates with or merges into another corporation or conveys,
transfers or leases all or substantially all of its property to any Person,
or
any corporation consolidates with or merges into the Borrower, in either event
pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower
is reclassified or changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other
property; provided, however, that so long as no Potential Default or Event
of
Default has occurred and is continuing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed
to have occurred if (A) after the consummation of any such events, GPE continues
to own and control, directly or indirectly, 99% or more of the Equity Interests
of the resulting entity, and (B) the resulting entity delivers to the
Administrative Agent such documents, instruments, and agreements as are
necessary to evidence its agreement to be bound by this Agreement and the Loan
Documents.
Closing
Date shall mean the Business Day on which the first Loan shall be made,
which shall be October 3, 2007.
Code
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import,
and
the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in
effect.
Collateral
shall mean all property and interests in property now owned or hereafter
acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or upon which a security
interest, lien or mortgage is granted to the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, including under the (i) Security Agreement (ii) Pledge
Agreement, or (iii) Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement;
provided, however, that “Collateral” shall not include the Excluded
Collateral.
Commitment
shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount initially set forth
opposite its name on Schedule 1.1(B) in the column labeled
"Amount of Commitment for Loans," as such Commitment is thereafter assigned
or
modified and Commitments shall mean the aggregate Commitments of all of
the Lenders.
Commitment
Fee shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3 [Commitment
Fees].
Compliance
Certificate shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.3.4 [Certificate
of the Borrower].
Complying
Lender shall mean any Lender which is not a Non-Complying
Lender.
Commodities
Contracts means any and all domestic and foreign
commodity futures contracts, physical commodities contracts, exchanges for
physical commodities, options on domestic and foreign commodity contracts,
spot
commodities contracts, commodities swaps and swap options, or other commodities
related derivatives on one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity
securities or other equity instruments, debt securities or other debt
instruments, economic indices or measures of economic risk or value or other
benchmarks against which payments or deliveries are to be
made. Commodities Contacts shall be deemed Hedging Obligations for
purposes of this Agreement.
Contract
shall mean, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments,
agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such
Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which an Obligor
becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such
Receivable.
Distributions
means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account
of
any Equity Interests of the Borrower now or hereafter outstanding, except a
dividend payable solely in the Borrower’s Capital Stock or in options, warrants
or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock, and (ii) any redemption,
retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of
any
Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter
outstanding.
-4-
Dollar,
Dollars, U.S. Dollars and the symbol $ shall mean lawful money of the
United States of America.
Drawing
Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements,
Reimbursement].
EBITDA shall
mean, for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such period, without duplication,
of
(i) Net Income, plus (ii) Interest Expense, plus (iii) charges
against income for foreign, federal, state and local taxes to the extent
deducted in computing Net Income, plus (iv) depreciation expense to the
extent deducted in computing Net Income, plus (v) amortization expense,
including, without limitation, amortization of goodwill and other intangible
assets and Transaction Costs to the extent deducted in computing Net Income,
plus (vi) other non-cash charges to the extent deducted in computing Net
Income, including non-cash charges for xxxx to market adjustments under FAS
133,
less (vii) non-cash gains to the extent reflected in Net Income,
including non-cash gains for xxxx to market adjustments under FAS
133.
Eligible
Receivables as used herein shall mean the Eligible Receivables as such term
is defined in the Receivables Purchase Agreement as of the Closing
Date.
Energy
Purchase Contracts shall mean those physical and financial wholesale
agreements between Borrower and a counterparty for the purpose of buying and
selling electric energy in the ordinary course of its business.
Environmental
Laws shall mean all applicable federal, state, local, tribal, territorial
and foreign Laws (including common law), constitutions, statutes, treaties,
regulations, rules, ordinances and codes and any consent decrees, settlement
agreements, judgments, orders, directives, policies or programs issued by or
entered into with an Official Body pertaining or relating to: (i) pollution
or pollution control; (ii) protection of human health from exposure to
regulated substances; or the environment; (iii) protection of the
environment and/or natural resources; employee safety in the workplace;
(iv) the presence, use, management, generation, manufacture, processing,
extraction, treatment, recycling, refining, reclamation, labeling, packaging,
sale, transport, storage, collection, distribution, disposal or release or
threat of release of regulated substances; (v) the presence of
contamination; (vi) the protection of endangered or threatened species; and
(vii) the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
Equity
Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to
acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible
into,
or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
ERISA
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same
may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of
similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time
in effect.
ERISA
Affiliate shall mean, at any time, any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Borrower and are treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.
ERISA
Event means (a) a reportable event (under Section 4043 of ERISA and
regulations thereunder) with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063
of
ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined
in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as
such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial
withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or
notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing
of a
notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a
termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of
proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan;
(e)
an event or condition which constitutes grounds
-5-
under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee
to
administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of
any
liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not
delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate;
provided that it shall not constitute an "ERISA Event" hereunder unless it
is
reasonably likely to result in liability of $1,000,000 or more to the Borrower
or its Subsidiaries.
ERISA
Group shall mean, at any time, the Borrower and all members of a controlled
group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated)
under common control and all other entities which, together with the Borrower,
are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Event
of Default shall mean any of the events described in Section 9.1
[Events of Default] and referred to therein as an "Event of
Default."
Excluded
Collateral shall mean (1) Transferred Receivables; (2) all cash and
letter-of-credit rights held by the Borrower as “Performance Assurance”, “Posted
Credit Support” or “Adequate Assurance of Performance” as those terms are
defined in the Energy Purchase Contracts, so long as such amounts are held
by
LaSalle Bank pursuant to that certain Custody Agreement dated as of March 26,
2003 between the Borrower and LaSalle Bank (as may be amended, restated,
modified, or replaced with any Lender or any other financial institution that
is
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (3) any Collateral in
which
the Borrower has granted a security interest, or in the future will be granting
a security interest, pursuant to a close out and setoff netting agreement (such
as the EEI Master Netting, Setoff, Security and Collateral Agreement, EEI Master
Power Purchase and Sale Agreement, ISDA Master Agreement or the ISDA Energy
Agreement Bridge) entered into with a third party with whom it has entered
into
an Energy Purchase Contract, but only to the extent that such Collateral
consists of present or future payment obligations of such third party to the
Borrower arising under the Energy Purchase Contract entered into between the
Borrower and said third party; and (4) only to the extent (i) a security
interest in such property in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit
of the Lenders, violates the express written terms and conditions of a
commodities brokerage account(s) established by the Borrower with a commodities
broker for the purpose of transacting in Commodities Contracts, (ii) such
property is subject to a lien, security interest and right of set-off and
recoupment in the commodities broker’s favor to secure the Borrower’s
indebtedness and obligations to such broker, and (iii) such property does not
exceed by more than ten percent (10%) the minimum amount of property then
required under the terms of such commodities brokerage account(s) to be pledged
to such commodities broker or otherwise to be maintained in such commodities
account, the contents of such commodities account, including any such
Commodities Contracts, monies, proceeds, securities, or other property which
are
held by a commodities broker, or its agents or affiliates, for the
Borrower.
Excluded
Taxes shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the
Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account
of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or
measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes
imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any
political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the
case of a Foreign Lender, any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable
to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto
(or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s
failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply
with
Section 5.9.5[Taxes –Status of Lenders], except to the extent that such Foreign
Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation
of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from
the
Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 5.9.1 [Taxes
–
Payment Free of Taxes].
-6-
Executive
Order No. 13224 shall mean the Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist
Financing, effective September 24, 2001, as the same has been, or shall
hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.
Expiration
Date shall mean, with respect to the Commitments, October 3,
2010.
Facility
Availability shall mean, as of any given day, the difference between (i) the
lesser of the Borrowing Base or the Commitment minus (ii) the Facility
Usage.
Facility
Fees shall mean the fees referred to in Sections 2.4 [Facility
Fees].
Facility
Usage shall mean at any time the sum of the outstanding Loans and the Letter
of Credit Obligations.
Federal
Funds Effective Rate for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a
year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest
1/100
of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor)
on
such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day,
as
computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in
substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and
announces the weighted average it refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective
Rate" as of the date of this Agreement; provided, if such Federal Reserve
Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the "Federal
Funds Effective Rate" for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate
for
the last day on which such rate was announced.
Federal
Funds Open Rate. The rate per annum determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be the "open" rate
for federal funds transactions as of the opening of business for federal funds
transactions among members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal
funds brokers on such day, as quoted by Xxxxxx Guybutler, any successor entity
thereto, or any other broker selected by the Administrative Agent, as set forth
on the applicable Telerate display page; provided, however; that
if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Open Rate for such day
shall be the "open" rate on the immediately preceding Business Day, or if no
such rate shall be quoted by a Federal funds broker at such time, such other
rate as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with its usual
procedures.
Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is defined in Section 8.2.18 [Minimum Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio] hereof.
Foreign
Lender shall mean any Lender that is organized under the Laws of a
jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax
purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States of
America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to
constitute a single jurisdiction.
FPA
means the Federal Power Act, as amended, and all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
GAAP
shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect from time
to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3 [Accounting Principles],
and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and
amounts.
Governmental Authority
means any nation or government, any federal, state, local or other political
subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to
government.
GPE shall
mean Great Plains Energy, Incorporated, a Missouri corporation.
-7-
GPE
Cash Infusion means the purchase by GPE or its Subsidiaries for cash of
additional Equity Interests of Borrower or cash capital contributions made
by
GPE or its Subsidiaries in respect of their direct or indirect Equity Interests
in Borrower.
GPE
Cross Default shall have the meaning set forth in the GPE
Guaranty.
GPE
Guarantee Increase means (i) any increase in the amount of the GPE
Limited Guaranty Amount made pursuant to an amendment to the GPE Guaranty
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion and at a time when GPE's long term senior unsecured debt is rated
at
least Baa3 by Xxxxx'x Investors Service or at least BBB- by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group or (ii) any increase in the GPE Letter of Credit, if
one is in effect, pursuant to an amendment in form and substance satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
GPE
Guaranty shall mean the Limited Continuing Agreement of Guaranty and
Suretyship in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(3)
(as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time)
executed and delivered by GPE.
GPE
Letter of Credit means a letter of credit issued in favor of the
Administrative Agent (i) within ten (10) calendar days of GPE's long term senior
unsecured debt no longer being rated at least Baa3 by Xxxxx'x Investor
Service or BBB- by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or (ii) prior to the
termination of the GPE Guaranty. Such letter of credit shall be
issued by a lender satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion, in an amount equal to the GPE Limited Guaranty Amount and shall
not
expire (or fail to be renewed) prior to the Expiration Date.
GPE
Limited Guaranty Amount shall mean the principal amount of the Obligations
guaranteed pursuant to the GPE Guaranty, which amount is $12,500,000 as of
the
Closing Date and may be increased (but not decreased below $12,500,000) by
GPE
by a GPE Guarantee Increase.
Guarantor
shall mean (i) GPE and (ii) each of the parties to this Agreement which is
designated as a "Guarantor" on the signature page hereof and each other Person
which joins this Agreement as a Guarantor after the date hereof.
Guarantor
Joinder shall mean a joinder by a Person as a Guarantor under the Loan
Documents in the form of
Exhibit 1.1(G)(1).
Guaranty
of any Person shall mean any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or in effect
guaranteeing any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner,
whether directly or indirectly, including any agreement to indemnify or hold
harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement
and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of negotiable
or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business.
Guaranty
Agreement shall mean the Continuing Agreement of Guaranty and Suretyship in
substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(2) (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) executed and
delivered by each of the Guarantors (other than GPE).
Hedging
Obligations of a Person means any and all obligations of such Person,
whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising,
evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications
thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all agreements, devices
or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the parties thereto from
the
fluctuations of interest rates, commodity prices, exchange rates or forward
rates applicable to such party’s assets, liabilities or exchange transactions,
including, but not limited to, dollar-denominated or cross-currency interest
rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange agreements, interest rate
cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate currency or interest rate
options, puts and warrants, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs,
reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing; provided,
however,
that “Hedging Obligations” shall not include physical and financial agreements
to purchase energy entered into by the Borrower in the ordinary course of its
business.
-8-
Indebtedness
shall mean, as to any Person at any time, any and all indebtedness, obligations
or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct
or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person for
or
in respect of: (i) borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised
under or liabilities in respect of any note purchase or acceptance credit
facility, (iii) reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) under
any letter of credit, currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar
or floor agreement or other interest rate management device, (iv) any other
transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases
and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing
of
money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital
requirements (but not including trade payables and accrued expenses incurred
in
the ordinary course of business which are not represented by a promissory note
or other evidence of indebtedness and which are not more than thirty (30) days
past due), (v) any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money, or (vi)
Hedging Obligations. Anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement notwithstanding, Borrower’s Energy Purchase Contracts, Distributions
by the Borrower to the holders of its Equity Interests, and the obligation
to
make tax distributions under the terms of the Borrower’s limited liability
company operating agreement shall not be deemed to be Indebtedness.
Indemnified
Taxes shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitee
shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the
Borrower].
Information
shall mean all information received from the Loan Parties or any of their
Subsidiaries relating to the Loan Parties or any of such Subsidiaries or any
of
their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available
to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender on a
non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Loan Parties or any of their
Subsidiaries, provided that, in the case of information received from the
Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement,
such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as
confidential.
Insolvency
Proceeding shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) a
case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person (i) before any court
or any other Official Body under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or
other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) for the appointment
of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator,
conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party or otherwise relating to
the
liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or relief of such Person, or (b) any
general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of
assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of such Person's
creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; undertaken
under any Law.
Intercompany
Subordination Agreement shall mean a Subordination Agreement among the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (other than Strategic Receivables) in
the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1(I) (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).
Intercreditor
Agreement shall mean that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, among Borrower, the Administrative Agent and PNC Bank, as
administrator under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Interest
Expense shall mean, for any period, the total interest expense of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued (including
the interest component of any capitalized leases, commitment and letter of
credit fees) as reflected on the income statement of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries, all as determined in conformity with
GAAP.
Interest
Period shall mean the period of time selected by the Borrower in connection
with (and to apply to) any election permitted hereunder by the Borrower to
have
Loans bear interest under the LIBOR Rate Option. Subject to the last
sentence of this definition, such period shall be one, two, three or six
Months. Such Interest Period shall commence on the effective date of
such Interest Rate Option,
-9-
which
shall be (i) the Borrowing Date if the Borrower is requesting new Loans, or
(ii)
the date of renewal of or conversion to the LIBOR Rate Option if the Borrower
is
renewing or converting to the LIBOR Rate Option applicable to outstanding
Loans. Notwithstanding the second sentence hereof: (A) any Interest
Period which would otherwise end on a date which is not a Business Day shall
be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls
in
the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the
next preceding Business Day, and (B) the Borrower shall not select, convert
to
or renew an Interest Period for any portion of the Loans that would end after
the Expiration Date.
Interest
Rate Hedge shall mean an interest rate exchange, collar, cap, swap,
adjustable strike cap, adjustable strike corridor or similar agreements entered
into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to provide protection to,
or
minimize the impact upon, the Borrower, the Guarantor and/or their Subsidiaries
of increasing floating rates of interest applicable to
Indebtedness.
Interest
Rate Option shall mean any LIBOR Rate Option or Base Rate
Option.
IRS
shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing
Lender means PNC Bank, in its individual capacity as issuer of Letters of
Credit hereunder and any other Lender that Borrower, Administrative Agent and
such other Lender may agree may from time to time issue Letters of Credit
hereunder.
Joint
Venture shall mean a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or
other entities in which any Person other than the Loan Parties and their
Subsidiaries holds, directly or indirectly, an equity interest.
Law
shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty,
regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, release, ruling, order, injunction, writ,
decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award by or
settlement agreement with any Official Body.
Lender
Provided Interest Rate Hedge shall mean an Interest Rate Hedge which is
provided by any Lender or its Affiliate and with respect to which the
Administrative Agent confirms: (i) is documented in a standard International
Swap Dealer Association Agreement, (ii) provides for the method of calculating
the reimbursable amount of the provider's credit exposure in a reasonable and
customary manner, and (iii) is entered into for hedging (rather than
speculative) purposes.
Lenders
shall mean the financial institutions named on Schedule
1.1(B) and their respective successors and assigns as
permitted hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a
Lender. For the purpose of any Loan Document which provides for the
granting of a security interest or other Lien to the Lenders or to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders as security for the
Obligations, "Lenders" shall include any Affiliate of a Lender to which such
Obligation is owed.
Letter
of Credit shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.1 [Issuance
of Letters of Credit].
Letter
of Credit Borrowing shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3
[Disbursements, Reimbursement].
Letter
of Credit Fee shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.2 [Letter
of Credit Fees].
Letter
of Credit Obligation means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate
amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit on such
date (if any Letter of Credit shall increase
in amount automatically in the future, such aggregate amount available to be
drawn shall currently give effect to any such future increase) plus the
aggregate Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of Credit Borrowings on such
date.
-10-
LIBOR
Rate shall mean, with respect to the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche
to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies for any Interest Period, the interest
rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting
quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum)
(i) the rate which appears
on the
Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays
rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London
interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source
selected by the Administrative Agent which has been approved by the British
Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of
displaying rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in
the
London interbank deposit market (an “Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00
a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such
Interest Period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. Dollars for
an amount comparable to such Borrowing Tranche and having a borrowing date
and a
maturity comparable to such Interest Period (or if there shall at any time,
for any
reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or
any
Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Administrative
Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error)), by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve
Percentage. LIBOR may also be expressed by the following
formula:
Average
of London interbank offered rates quoted
by
Bloomberg or appropriate successor as shown on
|
LIBOR
=
|
Bloomberg
Page BBAM1
|
|
1.00
- LIBOR Reserve Percentage
|
The
LIBOR
Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Loan to which the LIBOR Rate Option
applies that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the LIBOR
Rate Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. The Administrative
Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the LIBOR Rate as determined
or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive
absent manifest error.
LIBOR
Rate Option shall mean shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans
bear interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in
Section 4.1.1(ii) [LIBOR Rate Option].
LIBOR
Rate Reserve Percentage shall mean as of any day the maximum percentage in
effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements
(including supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with
respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities").
Lien
shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, charge
or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title
retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended
as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or
other
notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance
is
created or exists at the time of the filing).
Loan
Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Administrative Agent's Letter, the
Guaranty Agreement, the GPE Guaranty Agreement, the Subordination Agreement,
the
Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes,
the Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement,
the Security Agreement, and any other instruments, certificates or documents
delivered in connection herewith or therewith.
Loan
Parties shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.
Loan
Request shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5 [Loan
Requests].
-11-
Loans
shall mean collectively and Loan shall mean separately all Loans or any
Loan made by the Lenders or one of the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to
Section 2.1 [Commitments] or 2.9.3 [Disbursements,
Reimbursement].
Material
Adverse Change shall mean any set of circumstances or events which
(a) has or could reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect
whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, (b) is or could reasonably be expected to be material and
adverse to the business, properties, assets, financial condition, results of
operations or prospects of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries taken
as a
whole, (c) impairs materially or could reasonably be expected to impair
materially the ability of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries taken as
a
whole to duly and punctually pay or perform its Indebtedness, or
(d) impairs materially or could reasonably be expected to impair materially
the ability of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders, to the extent
permitted, to enforce their legal remedies pursuant to this Agreement or any
other Loan Document.
Month,
with respect to an Interest Period under the LIBOR Rate Option, shall mean
the
interval between the days in consecutive calendar months numerically
corresponding to the first day of such Interest Period. If any LIBOR
Rate Interest Period begins on a day of a calendar month for which there is
no
numerically corresponding day in the month in which such Interest Period is
to
end, the final month of such Interest Period shall be deemed to end on the
last
Business Day of such final month.
Multiemployer
Plan shall mean any employee benefit plan which is a "multiemployer plan"
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower
or any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to
make contributions or, within the preceding five Plan years, has made or had
an
obligation to make such contributions.
Net
Income shall mean, for any period, the net earnings (or loss) after taxes of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken
as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP.
Non-Complying
Lender shall mean any Lender which has failed to fund any Loan which it is
required to fund, or pay any other amount which it is required to pay to the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, within one day of the due date
therefor.
Non-Consenting
Lender shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.1 [Modifications,
Amendments or Waivers].
Notes
shall mean, collectively, the promissory notes in the form of Exhibit
1.1(N) (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time) evidencing the Loans.
Notices
shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.5 [Notices; Effectiveness;
Electronic Communication].
Obligation
shall mean any obligation or liability of any of the Loan Parties, howsoever
created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, under or in
connection with (i) this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters
of Credit, the Administrative Agent’s Letter or any other Loan Document whether
to the Administrative Agent, any of the Lenders or their Affiliates or other
persons provided for under such Loan Documents, (ii) any Lender Provided
Interest Rate Hedge and (iii) any Other Lender Provided Financial Service
Product.
Obligor
shall mean, with respect to any Receivable, the Person obligated to make
payments pursuant to the Contract relating to such Receivable.
Official
Body shall mean the government of the United States of America or any other
nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and
any
agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or
other entity exercising executive, legislative,
-12-
judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union
or
the European Central Bank).
Other
Lender Provided Financial Service Product shall mean agreements or other
arrangements under which any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender provides any of
the
following products or services to any of the Loan Parties: (a) credit cards,
(b)
credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH
Transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts
or services, or (g) foreign currency exchange.
Other
Taxes shall mean all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any
payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution,
delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document.
Participant
has the meaning specified in Section 11.8.4 [Participations].
Participation
Advance shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3
[Disbursements, Reimbursement].
Patent,
Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement shall mean the Patent, Trademark
and Copyright Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit
1.1(P)(1) (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time) executed and delivered by the Borrower and each
of
its Subsidiaries (other than Strategic Receivables) to the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders.
Payment
Date shall mean the first day of each October, January, April and July after
the date hereof and on the Expiration Date or upon acceleration of the
Notes.
Payment
In Full shall mean payment in full in cash of the Loans and other
Obligations hereunder, termination of the Commitments and expiration or
termination of all Letters of Credit.
PBGC
shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to
Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.
Pension
Plan means any "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to
Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an
obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan
described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any times
during the immediately preceding five plan years.
Permitted
Existing Investments means the Investments of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries identified as such on Schedule 1.1(P)(1) to this
Agreement.
Permitted
Liens shall mean:
(i) Liens
for taxes, assessments, or similar charges, incurred in the ordinary course
of
business and which are not yet due and payable;
(ii) Pledges
or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of
workmen's compensation, or to participate in any fund in connection with
workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social
security programs;
(iii) Liens
of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers, or other like Liens, securing
obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due
and
payable and Liens of landlords securing obligations to pay lease payments that
are not yet due and payable or in default;
-13-
(iv) Good-faith
pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure
performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of
borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder,
or to secure statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance
or
other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business;
(v) Encumbrances
consisting of zoning restrictions, easements or other restrictions on the use
of
real property, none of which materially impairs the use of such property or
the
value thereof, and none of which is violated in any material respect by existing
or proposed structures or land use;
(vi) Liens,
security interests and mortgages in favor of the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders and their Affiliates securing the Obligations including
Lender Provided Financial Services Obligations;
(vii) Liens
on property leased by any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party under capital
and operating leases permitted in Section 8.2.15 [Capital Expenditures and
Leases] securing obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary to the lessor
under such leases;
(viii) Any
Lien existing on the date of this Agreement and described on Schedule
1.1(P)(2), provided that the principal amount secured
thereby is not hereafter increased, and no additional assets become subject
to
such Lien;
(ix) Purchase
Money Security Interests; provided that the aggregate amount of loans and
deferred payments secured by such Purchase Money Security Interests shall not
exceed $5,000,000 (excluding for the purpose of this
computation any loans or deferred payments secured by Liens described on
Schedule 1.1(P)(2));
(x) The
following, (A) if the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good
faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted so long as
levy
and execution thereon have been stayed and continue to be stayed or (B) if
a final judgment is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30)
days of entry, and in either case they do not affect the Collateral or, in
the
aggregate, materially impair the ability of any Loan Party to perform its
Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents:
(1) Claims
or Liens for taxes, assessments or charges due and payable and subject to
interest or penalty; provided that the applicable Loan Party maintains
such reserves or other appropriate provisions as shall be required by GAAP
and
pays all such taxes, assessments or charges forthwith upon the commencement
of
proceedings to foreclose any such Lien;
(2) Claims,
Liens or encumbrances upon, and defects of title to, real or personal property
other than the Collateral, including any attachment of personal or real property
or other legal process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the
merits;
(3) Claims
or Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers, or other statutory
nonconsensual Liens;
(4) Liens
resulting from final judgments or orders that would not constitute an Event
of
Default under Section 9.1.7 [Final Judgments or Orders]; provided
that all Liens securing judgments or in connection with appeals do not secure
at
any time an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000.00;
(xi) Liens
in connection with the Transferred Receivables;
(xii) Liens
and rights of set-off and recoupment in a commodities broker’s favor to secure
the Borrower’s indebtedness and obligations to such broker with respect to a
commodities brokerage
account established by the Borrower with such commodities broker for the purpose
of transacting in Commodities Contracts, provided that such Liens and
rights of set-off and recoupment relate only to the contents of such commodities
brokerage account(s), including any such Commodities Contracts, monies,
proceeds, securities, or other property which are held by a commodities broker,
or its
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agents
or
affiliates, for the Borrower, and provided, further, that all such
Commodities Contracts entered into through such commodities account are
permitted Hedging Obligations under Section 8.2.16 [Hedging Obligations]
hereof; and
(xiii) Liens
with respect to any cash collateral deposited by the Borrower with a independent
system operator.
(xiv) Liens
with respect to (a) the Consolidated Utility Billing Service and Assignment
Agreement (as referenced in the May, 2006 Waiver and Consent) or (b) any other
receivables purchase programs provided by local distribution utilities
acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
discretion.
Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness means any replacement, renewal, refinancing or
extension of any Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement that (i) does not
exceed the aggregate principal amount (plus accrued interest and any applicable
premium and associated fees and expenses) of the Indebtedness being replaced,
renewed, refinanced or extended, (ii) does not have a Weighted Average Life
to
Maturity at the time of such replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension
that
is less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being
replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended, (iii) does not rank at the time
of
such replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension senior to the Indebtedness
being replaced, renewed, refinanced or extended, and (iv) does not contain
terms
(including, without limitation, terms relating to security, amortization,
interest rate, premiums, fees, covenants, event of default and remedies)
materially less favorable to the Borrower or to the Lenders than those
applicable to the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced or
extended.
Person
shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint
venture, government or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any other
entity.
Plan
shall mean at any time an employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple
Employer Plan, but not a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of
ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of
the Code and either (i) is maintained by any member of the ERISA Group for
employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within
the preceding five years been maintained by any entity which was at such time
a
member of the ERISA Group for employees of any entity which was at such time
a
member of the ERISA Group.
Pledge
Agreement shall mean the Pledge Agreement in substantially the form of
Exhibit 1.1(P)(2) (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time) executed and delivered by Borrower to
the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
PNC
Bank shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, its successors and
assigns.
Potential
Default shall mean any event or condition which with notice or passage of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
Principal
Office shall mean the main banking office of the Administrative Agent in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Prior
Security Interest shall mean a valid and enforceable perfected
first-priority security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code in the
Collateral which is subject only to statutory Liens for taxes not yet due and
payable or Purchase Money Security Interests.
Purchase
Money Security Interest shall mean Liens upon tangible personal property
securing loans to any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party or deferred
payments by such Loan Party or Subsidiary for the purchase of such tangible
personal property.
Purchase
and Sale Agreement shall mean that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (as
may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented with the consent of the
Administrative Agent,
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which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) entered into by Strategic
Receivables, the Borrower, as Servicer (as defined therein), and the Originators
(as defined therein), dated October 3, 2007.
Ratable
Share shall mean the proportion that a Lender's Commitment bears to the
Commitments of all of the Lenders. If the Commitments have terminated
or expired, the Ratable Shares shall be determined based upon the Commitments
most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
Receivables
as used herein shall mean the Receivables as such term is defined in the
Receivables Purchase Agreement as of the Closing Date.
Receivables
Purchase Agreement shall mean that certain Receivables Purchase Agreement
(as may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented with the consent of
the
Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) entered
into by Strategic Receivables, the Borrower, as Servicer (as defined therein),
the Conduit Purchasers (as defined therein), the LC Participants (as defined
therein) and PNC Bank, as Administrator and LC Bank (each as defined therein),
dated October 3, 2007.
Receivables
Purchase Facility shall mean the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the
Purchase and Sale Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (as defined
in
the Receivables Purchase Agreement).
Reimbursement
Obligation shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements,
Reimbursement].
Related
Parties shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and
the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and of such Person’s Affiliates.
Related
Security shall mean, with respect to any Transferred
Receivable:
(A) All
of Borrower's, Strategic Receivables' and any other Subsidiary of the
Borrower's interests in any goods (including returned goods), and documentation
of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned
goods), relating to any sale giving rise to such Transferred
Receivable;
(B) All
instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Transferred
Receivable;
(C) All
other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to
time
purporting to secure payment of such Transferred Receivable, whether pursuant
to
the Contract related to such Transferred Receivable or otherwise, together
with
all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto;
(D) All
of Borrower's, Strategic Receivables' and any other Subsidiary of the
Borrower's rights, interests and claims under the Contracts and all guaranties,
warranties, indemnities, insurance (and proceeds and premium refunds with
respect thereto) and other agreements (including the related Contract) or
arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing
payment of such Transferred Receivable or otherwise relating to such Transferred
Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Transferred
Receivable or otherwise; and
(E) All
of Strategic Receivables' rights, interests and claims under the Purchase and
Sale Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the
Receivables Purchase Agreement).
Relief
Proceeding shall mean any proceeding seeking a decree or order for relief in
respect of any Loan Party or Subsidiary of the Borrower in a voluntary or
involuntary case under any
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applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter
in
effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party
or
Subsidiary of the Borrower for any substantial part of its property, or for
the
winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, or an assignment for the benefit
of
its creditors.
Required
Lenders shall mean:
(A) If
there exists fewer than three (3) Lenders, all Lenders, and
(B) If
there exist three (3) or more Lenders:
(i) if
there are no Loans, Reimbursement Obligations or Letter of Credit Borrowings
outstanding, Complying Lenders whose Commitments aggregate at least 75% of
the
Commitments of all of the Complying Lenders, or
(ii) if
there are Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, or Letter of Credit Borrowings
outstanding, any group of Complying Lenders if the sum of the Loans,
Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of Credit Borrowings of such Lenders then
outstanding aggregates at least 75% of the total principal amount of all of
the
Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of Credit Borrowings of all of
the
Complying Lenders then outstanding.
Restricted Payment
means (i) any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, prepayment or
other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Indebtedness other
than
the Obligations prior to the stated maturity of such Indebtedness, (ii) any
payment of a claim for the rescission of the purchase or sale of, or for
material damages arising from the purchase or sale of, any Indebtedness (other
than the Obligations), or of a claim for reimbursement, indemnification or
contribution arising out of or related to any such claim for damages or
rescission and (iii) any payment of any management fee or similar consulting
fee
to any Affiliate of the Borrower in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate in
any
fiscal year.
Security
Agreement shall mean the Security Agreement in substantially the form of
Exhibit 1.1(S)(1) executed and delivered by the Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries (other than Strategic Receivables) to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
Securitization
Usage shall mean, as of any give day, the sum of (i) the aggregate Capital
plus (ii) the LC Participation Amount of the Purchasers under the Receivables
Purchase Agreement, as each undefined term is defined in the Receivables
Purchase Agreement as of the Closing Date.
Solvent
shall mean, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date
(i) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total
amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities,
of
such Person, (ii) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such
Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable
liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured,
(iii) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and
other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature
in the normal course of business, (iv) such Person does not intend to, and
does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's
ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (v) such Person is
not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business
or a transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute unreasonably
small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in
the
industry in which such Person is engaged. In computing the amount of
contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will
be
computed at the amount
which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time,
represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or
matured liability.
Strategic
Receivables shall mean Strategic Receivables, LLC a Delaware limited
liability company.
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Standard
& Poor's shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division
of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc.
Statements
shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.6(i) [Historical
Statements].
Subordinated
Debtholder means GPE
Subordinated
Debt means any intercompany Indebtedness owed by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the Subordinated Debtholder (whether or not
evidenced by a promissory note) and subject to the terms of the Subordination
Agreement.
Subordination
Agreement means that certain Subordination Agreement dated as of the Closing
Date (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time) between the Subordinated Debtholder and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders with respect
to
the Subordinated Debt, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(S)(2)
attached hereto.
Subsidiary
of any Person at any time shall mean any corporation, trust, partnership, any
limited liability company or other business entity (i) of which 50% or more
of
the outstanding voting securities or other interests normally entitled to vote
for the election of one or more directors or trustees (regardless of any
contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such
time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or more of such Person's
Subsidiaries, or (ii) which is controlled or capable of being controlled
by such Person or one or more of such Person's Subsidiaries.
Subsidiary
Equity Interests shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.2
[Subsidiaries and Owners; Investment Companies].
Taxes
shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Official Body,
including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable
thereto.
Transaction
Costs shall mean the fees, costs and expenses payable by the Borrower in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents.
Transferred Receivables shall
mean:
(A) Each
Receivable of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower that has been
sold,
purportedly sold, transferred, assigned, contributed, or conveyed to (or subject
to a security interest in favor of) Strategic Receivables, pursuant to the
Purchase and Sale Agreement;
(B) All
rights to, but not the obligations under, all Related Security with respect
to
such Receivables;
(C) All
monies due or to become due to Strategic Receivables with respect to any of
the
foregoing set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above;
(D) All
books and records related to any of the foregoing; and all rights, remedies,
powers, privileges, title and interest of Borrower in each lock-box and related
lock-box address and account to which Collections (as defined in the Receivables
Purchase Agreement) are sent, all amounts on deposit therein, all certificates
and instruments, if any, from time to time evidencing such accounts and
amounts
on deposit therein, and all related agreements between Borrower, any Subsidiary
of the Borrower, Strategic Receivables and each related account bank and each
related lock-box bank; and
(E) All
collections and other products and proceeds (as defined in the applicable UCC)
of any of the foregoing that are or were received by Borrower, any Subsidiary
of
the Borrower or
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Strategic
Receivables on or after October 3, 2007, including without limitation, all
funds
which either are received by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or
Strategic Receivables from or on behalf of the Obligors in payment of any
amounts owed (including, without limitation, invoice price, finance charges,
interest and all other charges) in respect of such Receivables, or are applied
to such amounts owed by the Obligors (including, without limitation, insurance
payments that Borrower, any other Loan Party or Strategic Receivables applies
in
the ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of any such
Receivable and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of repossessed goods
or
other collateral or property of the Obligors or any other parties directly
or
indirectly liable for payment of such Transferred Receivables).
Unused
Availability shall mean the difference between (i) the Borrowing Base for
the previous calendar month minus (ii) the average outstanding Facility
Usage for the previous calendar month.
USA
Patriot Act shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001,
Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed,
extended, amended or replaced.
1.2 Construction. Unless
the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules
of
construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents:
(i) references to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and
the
whole and the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase “without limitation”; (ii) the words "hereof," "herein,"
"hereunder," "hereto" and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole; (iii)
article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to
this Agreement or other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise
specified; (iv) reference to any Person includes such Person's successors and
assigns; (v) reference to any agreement, including this Agreement and any other
Loan Document together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto,
document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended,
modified, replaced, substituted for, superseded or restated; (vi) relative
to
the determination of any period of time, "from" means "from and including,"
"to"
means "to but excluding," and "through" means "through and including"; (vii)
the
words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and
effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (viii)
section headings herein and in each other Loan Document are included for
convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or such
Loan Document, and (ix) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to
times of day shall be references to local Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
time.
1.3 Accounting
Principles. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations
as
to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP
(including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting
or
financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP;
provided, however, that all accounting terms used in
Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] (and all defined terms used in the
definition of any accounting term used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants]
shall have the meaning given to such terms (and defined terms) under GAAP as
in
effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in
preparing Statements referred to in Section 6.1.6(i) [Historical
Statements]. In the event of any change after the date
hereof in GAAP, and if such change would affect the computation of any of the
financial covenants set forth in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants], then the
parties hereto agree to endeavor, in good faith, to agree upon an amendment
to
this Agreement that would adjust such financial covenants in a manner that
would
preserve the original intent thereof, but would allow compliance therewith
to be
determined in
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accordance
with the Borrower's financial statements at that time, provided
that, until so amended such financial covenants shall continue
to be
computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein.
2. REVOLVING
CREDIT FACILITY
2.1 Commitments. Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and
warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees to make Loans to
the
Borrower at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof to the
Expiration Date; provided that after giving effect to such Loan (i) the
aggregate amount of Loans from such Lender shall not exceed such Lender's
Commitment minus such Lender's Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations
and (ii) the Facility Usage shall not exceed the Borrowing
Base. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other
provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow
pursuant to this Section 2.1; provided, however, that at no time shall the
Facility Usage exceed the lesser of the Borrowing Base or the
Commitments.
2.2 Nature
of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Loans. Each
Lender shall be obligated to participate in each request for Loans pursuant
to
Section 2.5 [Loan Requests] in accordance with its Ratable
Share. The aggregate of each Lender's Loans outstanding hereunder to
the Borrower at any time shall never exceed its Commitment minus its Ratable
Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations. The obligations of each
Lender hereunder are several. The failure of any Lender to perform
its obligations hereunder shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower
to
any other party nor shall any other party be liable for the failure of such
Lender to perform its obligations hereunder. The Lenders shall have
no obligation to make Loans hereunder on or after the Expiration
Date.
2.3 Commitment
Fees. Accruing
from the date hereof until the Expiration Date, the Borrower agrees to pay
to
the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender according to its Ratable
Share, a nonrefundable commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") equal to the
Applicable Commitment Fee Rate (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366
days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) times the average daily
difference between the amount of (i) the Commitments and the (ii) the
Facility Usage. All Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on
each Payment Date.
2.4 Facility
Fees. The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date for
the
account of each Lender according to its Ratable Share, a nonrefundable facility
fee (the "Facility Fee") equal to the one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of
the
Commitments.
2.5 Loan
Requests. Except
as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower may from time to time prior to the
Expiration Date request the Lenders to make Loans, or renew or convert the
Interest Rate Option applicable to existing Loans pursuant to Section 4.2
[Interest Periods], by delivering to the Administrative Agent, not later than
(i) 12:00 noon, three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing
Date with respect to the making of Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies
or the conversion to or the renewal of the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans;
and
(ii) [12:00 noon], on the same Business Day with respect to the making of a
Loan to which the Base Rate Option applies or the last day of the preceding
Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the Base Rate Option for
any
Loan, of a duly completed request therefor substantially in the form of
Exhibit 2.5 or a request by telephone immediately confirmed in
writing by letter, facsimile or telex in such form (each, a "Loan Request"),
it
being understood that the Administrative Agent may rely on the authority of
any
individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt
of
such written confirmation. Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and
shall specify the aggregate amount of the proposed Loans comprising
each
Borrowing
Tranche, and, if applicable, the Interest Period, which amounts shall be in
integral multiples of $100,000 and not less than $1,000,000 for each Borrowing
Tranche under the LIBOR Rate Option and not less than the lesser of $500,000
or
the maximum amount available for Borrowing Tranches under the Base Rate
Option.
2.6 Making
Loans; Presumptions by the Administrative Agent; Repayment of
Loans.
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2.6.1 Making Loans. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly after receipt by it of a Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.5 [Loan Requests], notify the Lenders of its receipt of such Loan Request specifying the information provided by the Borrower and the apportionment among the Lenders of the requested Loans as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.2 [Nature of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Loans]. Each Lender shall remit the principal amount of each Loan to the Administrative Agent such that the Administrative Agent is able to, and the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent the Lenders have made funds available to it for such purpose and subject to Section 7.2 [Each Loan or Letter of Credit], fund such Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m., on the applicable Borrowing Date; provided that if any Lender fails to remit such funds to the Administrative Agent in a timely manner, the Administrative Agent may elect in its sole discretion to fund with its own funds the Loans of such Lender on such Borrowing Date, and such Lender shall be subject to the repayment obligation in Section 2.6.2 [Presumptions by the Administrative Agent].
2.6.2 Presumptions
by the Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent
shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any
Loan
that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such
Lender’s share of such Loan, the Administrative Agent may assume that such
Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section
2.6.1 [Making Loans] and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available
to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender
has not in fact made its share of the applicable Loan available to the
Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally
agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding
amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such
amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment
to
the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by
such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate
determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry
rules
on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by
the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Loans under the Base Rate
Option. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Loan to the
Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s
Loan. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any
claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make
such
payment to the Administrative Agent.
2.6.3 Repayment
of Loans. The Borrower shall repay the Loans together with all
outstanding interest thereon on the Expiration Date.
2.7 Notes. The
Obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
the
Loans made to it by each Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be
evidenced by a Note, dated the Closing Date payable to the order of such Lender
in a face amount equal to the Commitment of such Lender.
2.8 Use
of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of
the Loans to (i) repay existing Indebtedness, (ii) provide funds for
the additional working capital needs and other general corporate purposes of
the
Borrower, (iii) provide funds for cash collateral to independent system
operators, and (iv) provide funds for the payment of fees and expenses incurred
in connection with the negotiation and documentation of this Agreement and
the
Loan Documents. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any
Subsidiary to, use any of the proceeds of the Loans to purchase or carry any
Margin
Stock. Letters
of Credit issued hereunder will be used (i) to provide performance assurance
of
Borrower’s obligations under the Energy Purchase Contracts, and (ii) for other
general corporate purposes of the Borrower.
2.9 Letter
of Credit Subfacility.
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2.9.1 Issuance
of Letters of Credit. The Borrower may at any time prior to the
Expiration Date request the issuance of a standby or trade letter of credit
under this Agreement (each a "Letter of Credit") on behalf of itself or another
Loan Party, or the amendment or extension of an existing Letter of Credit,
by
delivering or having such other Loan Party deliver to the Issuing Lender (with
a
copy to the Administrative Agent) a completed application and agreement for
letters of credit, or request for such amendment or extension, as applicable,
in
such form as the Issuing Lender may specify from time to time by no later than
2:00 p.m. at least one (1) Business Day, or such shorter period as may be agreed
to by the Issuing Lender, in advance of the proposed date of
issuance. For the avoidance of doubt, the defined term "Letter of
Credit" shall not include any Letters of Credit issued to Strategic Receivables
pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Facility. Promptly after receipt
of any letter of credit application, the Issuing Lender shall confirm with
the
Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent
has received a copy of such Letter of Credit application and if not,
such Issuing Lender will provide Administrative Agent with a copy
thereof. Unless the Issuing Lender has received notice from any
lender, Administrative Agent or any Loan party, at least one day prior to the
requested date of issuance, amendment or extension of the applicable Letter
of
Credit, that one or more applicable conditions in Section 7 [Conditions of
Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] is not satisfied, then, subject
to
the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on the agreements of the other
Lenders set forth in this Section 2.9, the Issuing Lender or any of the
Issuing Lender's Affiliates will issue a Letter of Credit or agree to such
amendment or extension, provided that each Letter of Credit shall (A) have
a maximum maturity of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance, and
(B) in no event expire later than the Expiration Date and provided further
that in no event shall (i) the Letter of Credit Obligations exceed, at any
one time, the lesser of the Borrowing Base or the Commitments or
(ii) the Facility Usage exceed, at any one time, the Facility
Availability. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance,
amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a
representation by the Borrower that it shall be in compliance with the preceding
sentence and with Section 7[Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of
Credit] after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment or extension
of
such Letter of Credit.
2.9.2 Letter
of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay (i) to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders a fee (the "Letter
of Credit Fee") equal to the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate, and
(ii) to the Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee equal to one
eighth of one percent (1/8%) per annum (in each case computed on the basis
of a
year of 360 days and actual days elapsed), which fees shall be computed on
the
daily average Letter of Credit Obligations and shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on each Payment Date following issuance of each Letter of
Credit. The Borrower shall also pay to the Issuing Lender for the
Issuing Lender's sole account the Issuing Lender's then in effect customary
fees
and administrative expenses payable with respect to the Letters of Credit as
the
Issuing Lender may generally charge or incur from time to time in connection
with the issuance, maintenance, amendment (if any), assignment or transfer
(if
any), negotiation, and administration of Letters of
Credit.
2.9.3 Disbursements,
Reimbursement. Immediately upon the Issuance of each Letter of
Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Lender a participation
in
such Letter of Credit and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such
Lender's Ratable Share of the maximum amount available to be drawn under such
Letter of Credit and the amount of such drawing, respectively.
2.9.3.1 In
the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary or transferee thereof, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify
the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Provided that it shall
have received such notice, the Borrower shall reimburse (such obligation to
reimburse the Issuing Lender shall sometimes be referred to as a "Reimbursement
Obligation") the Issuing Lender prior to 12:00 noon, Pittsburgh time on each
date that an amount is paid by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit
(each such date, a "Drawing Date") by
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paying
to
the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender an amount equal
to the amount so paid by the Issuing Lender. In the event the
Borrower fails to reimburse the Issuing Lender (through the Administrative
Agent) for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by 12:00
noon, Pittsburgh time, on the Drawing Date, the Administrative Agent will
promptly notify each Lender thereof, and the Borrower shall be deemed to have
requested that Loans be made by the Lenders under the Base Rate Option to be
disbursed on the Drawing Date under such Letter of Credit, subject to Facility
Availability and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 [Each
Additional Loan] other than any notice requirements. Any notice given
by the Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender pursuant to this
Section 2.9.3.1 may be oral if immediately confirmed in writing; provided
that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the
conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
2.9.3.2 Each
Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.9.3.1 make available to
the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender an amount in
immediately available funds equal to its Ratable Share of the amount of the
drawing, whereupon the participating Lenders shall (subject to Section
2.9.3[Disbursement; Reimbursement]) each be deemed to have made a Loan under
the
Base Rate Option to the Borrower in that amount. If any Lender so
notified fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account
of
the Issuing Lender the amount of such Lender's Ratable Share of such amount
by
no later than 2:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time on the Drawing Date, then interest
shall accrue on such Lender's obligation to make such payment, from the Drawing
Date to the date on which such Lender makes such payment (i) at a rate per
annum
equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate during the first three (3) days
following the Drawing Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the rate
applicable to Loans under the Base Rate Option on and after the fourth day
following the Drawing Date. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing
Lender will promptly give notice (as described in Section 2.9.3.1 above) of
the
occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of the Administrative Agent or
the
Issuing Lender to give any such notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient
time
to enable any Lender to effect such payment on such date shall not relieve
such
Lender from its obligation under this Section 2.9.3.2.
2.9.3.3 With
respect to any unreimbursed drawing that is not converted into Loans under
the
Base Rate Option to the Borrower in whole or in part as contemplated by
Section 2.9.3.1, because of the Borrower's failure to satisfy the
conditions set forth in Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan] other than any
notice requirements, or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed
to
have incurred from the Issuing Lender a borrowing (each a "Letter of Credit
Borrowing") in the amount of such drawing. Such Letter of Credit
Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall
bear interest at the rate per annum applicable to the Loans under the Base
Rate
Option. Each Lender's payment to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements,
Reimbursement] shall be deemed to be a payment in respect of its participation
in such Letter of Credit Borrowing (each a "Participation Advance") from such
Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this
Section 2.9.3.
2.9.4 Repayment
of Participation Advances.
2.9.4.1 Upon
(and only upon) receipt by the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Issuing Lender of immediately available funds from the Borrower (i) in
reimbursement of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under the Letter of
Credit with respect to which any Lender has made a Participation Advance to
the
Administrative Agent, or (ii) in payment of interest on such a payment made
by the Issuing Lender under such a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent
on
behalf of the Issuing Lender will pay to each Lender, in the same funds as
those
received by the Administrative Agent, the amount of such Lender's Ratable Share
of such funds, except the Administrative Agent shall retain for the account
of
the Issuing Lender the amount of the Ratable Share of such funds of any Lender
that did not make a Participation Advance in respect of such payment by the
Issuing Lender.
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2.9.4.2 If
the Administrative Agent is required at any time to return to any Loan Party,
or
to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in any Insolvency
Proceeding, any portion of any payment made by any Loan Party to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to this
Section in reimbursement of a payment made under the Letter of Credit or
interest or fee thereon, each Lender shall, on demand of the Administrative
Agent, forthwith return to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Issuing Lender the amount of its Ratable Share of any amounts so returned by
the
Administrative Agent plus interest thereon from the date such demand is made
to
the date such amounts are returned by such Lender to the Administrative Agent,
at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect from
time to time.
2.9.5 Documentation. Each
Loan Party agrees to be bound by the terms of the Issuing Lender's application
and agreement for letters of credit and the Issuing Lender's written regulations
and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though such
interpretation may be different from such Loan Party's own. In the
event of a conflict between such application or agreement and this Agreement,
this Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except
in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Issuing Lender shall
not be liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission
or
commission, in following any Loan Party's instructions or those contained in
the
Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements
thereto.
2.9.6 Determinations
to Honor Drawing Requests. In determining whether to honor any
request for drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof,
the
Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and
certificates required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been
delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements of such
Letter of Credit.
2.9.7 Nature
of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations. Each Lender's
obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make the Loans or Participation
Advances, as contemplated by Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement],
as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and the Obligations of the
Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender upon a draw under a Letter of Credit,
shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.9 under all
circumstances, including the following circumstances:
(i) any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender
may
have against the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, the Borrower or any
other Person for any reason whatsoever, or which any Loan Party may have against
the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, any Lender or any other Person
for
any reason whatsoever;
(ii) the
failure of any Loan Party or any other Person to comply, in connection with
a
Letter of Credit Borrowing, with the conditions set forth in Section 2.1
[Commitments], 2.5 [Loan Requests], 2.6 [Making Loans] or 7.2 [Each Additional
Loan] or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement for the making of a Loan, it
being acknowledged that such conditions are not required for the making of
a
Letter of Credit Borrowing and the obligation of the Lenders to make
Participation Advances under Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements,
Reimbursement];
(iii) any
lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;
(iv) any
claim of breach of warranty that might be made by any Loan Party or any Lender
against any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit, or the existence of any claim,
set-off, recoupment, counterclaim, crossclaim, defense or other right which
any
Loan Party or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary, successor
beneficiary any transferee or assignee of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds
thereof (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing
Lender or its Affiliates or any Lender or any other Person, whether in
connection with this
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Agreement,
the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including
any
underlying transaction between any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party
and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);
(v) the
lack of power or authority of any signer of (or any defect in or forgery of
any
signature or endorsement on) or the form of or lack of validity, sufficiency,
accuracy, enforceability or genuineness of any draft, demand, instrument,
certificate or other document presented under or in connection with any Letter
of Credit, or any fraud or alleged fraud in connection with any Letter of
Credit, or the transport of any property or provision of services relating
to a
Letter of Credit, in each case even if the Issuing Lender or any of its
Affiliates has been notified thereof;
(vi) payment
by the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates under any Letter of Credit
against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which
does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
(vii) the
solvency of, or any acts or omissions by, any beneficiary of any Letter of
Credit, or any other Person having a role in any transaction or obligation
relating to a Letter of Credit, or the existence, nature, quality, quantity,
condition, value or other characteristic of any property or services relating
to
a Letter of Credit;
(viii) any
failure by the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates to issue any Letter
of
Credit in the form requested by any Loan Party, unless the Issuing Lender has
received written notice from such Loan Party of such failure within three
Business Days after the Issuing Lender shall have furnished such Loan Party
and
the Administrative Agent a copy of such Letter of Credit and such error is
material and no drawing has been made thereon prior to receipt of such
notice;
(ix) any
adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of
a
Loan Party;
(x) any
breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party
thereto;
(xi) the
occurrence or continuance of an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Loan
Party;
(xii) the
fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Default shall have occurred and
be
continuing;
(xiii) the
fact that the Expiration Date shall have passed or this Agreement or the
Commitments hereunder shall have been terminated; and
(xiv) any
other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of
the
foregoing.
2.9.8 Indemnity. The
Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless the Issuing
Lender and any of its Affiliates that has issued a Letter of Credit from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, taxes, penalties,
interest, judgments, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel) which the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates may incur or be
subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of the issuance of any Letter
of Credit, other than as a result of (A) the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Issuing Lender as determined by a final non-appealable
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the wrongful dishonor
by the Issuing Lender or any of Issuing Lender's Affiliates of a proper demand
for payment made under any Letter of Credit, except if such dishonor
resulted from any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present
or future de jure or de facto government or governmental authority.
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2.9.9 Liability
for Acts and Omissions. As between any Loan Party and the Issuing
Lender, or the Issuing Lender's Affiliates, such Loan Party assumes all risks
of
the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective
beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in
limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for
any
of the following, including any losses or damages to any Loan Party or other
Person or property relating therefrom: (i) the form, validity,
sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted
by
any party in connection with the application for an issuance of any such Letter
of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid,
insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged (even if the Issuing Lender
or
its Affiliates shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or
sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to
transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary
of any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit
may be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to
draw upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of any Loan Party against
any
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute
between or among any Loan Party and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit
or
any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex
or
otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation
of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise
of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of
Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the
beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes
beyond the control of the Issuing Lender or the its Affiliates, as applicable,
including any act or omission of any governmental authority, and none of the
above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of the Issuing
Lender's or its Affiliates rights or powers hereunder. Nothing in the
preceding sentence shall relieve the Issuing Lender from liability for the
Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with
actions or omissions described in such clauses (i) through (viii) of such
sentence. In no event shall the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates be
liable to any Loan Party for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive,
exemplary or special damages or expenses (including without limitation
attorneys' fees), or for any damages resulting from any change in the value
of
any property relating to a Letter of Credit.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender and each of its
Affiliates (i) may rely on any oral or other communication believed in good
faith by the Issuing Lender or such Affiliate to have been authorized or given
by or on behalf of the applicant for a Letter of Credit, (ii) may honor any
presentation if the documents presented appear on their face substantially
to
comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Letter of Credit; (iii)
may
honor a previously dishonored presentation under a Letter of Credit, whether
such dishonor was pursuant to a court order, to settle or compromise any claim
of wrongful dishonor, or otherwise, and shall be entitled to reimbursement
to
the same extent as if such presentation had initially been honored, together
with any interest paid by the Issuing Lender or its Affiliate; (iv) may honor
any drawing that is payable upon presentation of a statement advising
negotiation or payment, upon receipt of such statement (even if such statement
indicates that a draft or other document is being delivered separately), and
shall not be liable for any failure of any such draft or other document to
arrive, or to conform in any way with the relevant Letter of Credit; (v) may
pay
any paying or negotiating bank claiming that it rightfully honored under the
laws or practices of the place where such bank is located; and (vi) may settle
or adjust any claim or demand made on the Issuing Lender or its Affiliate in
any
way related to any order issued at the applicant's request to an air carrier,
a
letter of guarantee or of indemnity issued to a carrier or any similar document
(each an "Order") and honor any drawing in connection with any Letter of Credit
that is the subject of such Order, notwithstanding that any drafts or other
documents presented in connection with such Letter of Credit fail to conform
in
any way with such Letter of Credit.
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In
furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions
set
forth above, any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates
under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or any documents
and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall
not put the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates under any resulting liability
to
the Borrower or any Lender.
2.9.10 Issuing
Lender Reporting Requirements. Each Issuing Lender shall, on the
first business day of each month, provide to Administrative Agent and Borrower
a
schedule of the Letters of Credit issued by it, in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent, showing the date of issuance of each
Letter of Credit, the account party, the original face amount (if any), and
the
expiration date of any Letter of Credit outstanding at any time during the
preceding month, and any other information relating to such Letter of Credit
that the Administrative Agent may request.
2.9.11 Reduction
of Commitment. The Borrower shall have the right at any time
after the Closing Date upon five (5) days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent to permanently reduce (ratably among the Lenders in
proportion to their Ratable Shares) the Commitments, in a minimum amount of
$5,000,000 and whole multiples of $1,000,000, or to terminate completely the
Commitments, without penalty or premium except as hereinafter set forth;
provided that any such reduction or termination shall be accompanied by
prepayment of the Notes, together with outstanding Commitment Fees, and the
full
amount of interest accrued on the principal sum to be prepaid (and all amounts
referred to in Section 5.10 [Indemnity] hereof) to the extent necessary to
cause
the aggregate Facility Usage after giving effect to such prepayments to be
equal
to or less than the lesser of (i) the Commitments as so reduced or terminated
or
(ii) the Borrowing Base. Any notice to reduce the Commitments under
this Section 2.1. shall be irrevocable.
3. INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED
4. INTEREST
RATES
4.1 Interest
Rate Options. The Borrower shall pay interest in respect of the
outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Loans as selected by it from the
Base
Rate Option or LIBOR Rate Option set forth below applicable to the Loans, it
being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower
may select different Interest Rate Options and different Interest Periods to
apply simultaneously to the Loans comprising different Borrowing Tranches and
may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with respect to all
or
any portion of the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche; provided that there
shall not be at any one time outstanding more than five (5) Borrowing Tranches
in the aggregate among all of the Loans and provided further that if an Event
of
Default or Potential Default exits and is continuing, the Borrower may not
request, convert to, or renew the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans and the
Required Lenders may demand that all existing Borrowing Tranches bearing
interest under the LIBOR Rate Option shall be converted immediately to the
Base
Rate Option, subject to the obligation of the Borrower to pay any indemnity
under Section 5.10 [Indemnity] in connection with such conversion. If
at any time the designated rate applicable to any Loan made by any Lender
exceeds such Lender's highest lawful rate, the rate of interest on such Lender's
Loan shall be limited to such Lender's highest lawful rate.
4.1.1 Interest
Rate Options. The Borrower shall have the right to select from
the following Interest Rate Options applicable to the Loans:
(i) Base
Rate Option: A fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis
of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and
actual days elapsed) equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, such
interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of the
effective date of each change in the Base Rate; or
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(ii) LIBOR
Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of
360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable
Margin.
4.1.2 Rate
Quotations. The Borrower may call the Administrative Agent on or
before the date on which a Loan Request is to be delivered to receive an
indication of the rates then in effect, but it is acknowledged that such
projection shall not be binding on the Administrative Agent or the Lenders
nor
affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect when the
election is made.
4.2 Interest
Periods. At any time when the Borrower shall select, convert to
or renew a LIBOR Rate Option, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative
Agent
thereof at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such
LIBOR Rate Option by delivering a Loan Request. The notice shall
specify an Interest Period during which such Interest Rate Option shall
apply. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the following
provisions shall apply to any selection of, renewal of, or conversion to a
LIBOR
Rate Option:
4.2.1 Amount
of Borrowing Tranche. Each Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the
LIBOR Rate Option shall be in integral multiples of $100,000 and not less than
$1,000,000; and
4.2.2 Renewals. In
the case of the renewal of a LIBOR Rate Option at the end of an Interest Period,
the first day of the new Interest Period shall be the last day of the preceding
Interest Period, without duplication in payment of interest for such
day.
4.3 Interest
After Default. To the extent permitted by Law, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and until such time such Event of Default
shall have been cured or waived:
4.3.1 Letter
of Credit Fees, Interest Rate. The Letter of Credit Fees and the
rate of interest for each Loan otherwise applicable pursuant to
Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] or Section 4.1 [Interest Rate
Options], respectively, shall be increased by 2.0% per annum;
4.3.2 Other
Obligations. Each other Obligation hereunder if not paid when due
shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the rate of interest
applicable under the Base Rate Option plus an additional 2.0% per annum from
the
time such Obligation becomes due and payable and until it is paid in full;
and
4.3.3 Acknowledgment. The
Borrower acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this
Section 4.3 reflects, among other things, the fact that such Loans or other
amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status
and
that the Lenders are entitled to additional compensation for such risk; and
all
such interest shall be payable by Borrower upon demand by Administrative
Agent.
4.4 LIBOR
Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not
Available.
4.4.1 Unascertainable. If
on any date on which a LIBOR Rate would otherwise be determined, the
Administrative Agent shall have determined that:
(i) adequate
and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining such LIBOR Rate,
or
(ii) a
contingency has occurred which materially and adversely affects the London
interbank eurodollar market relating to the LIBOR Rate, the Administrative
Agent
shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's
and Lender's Rights].
4.4.2 Illegality;
Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available.
If
at any time any Lender shall have determined that:
(i) the
making, maintenance or funding of any Loan to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies
has been made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such
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Lender
in
good faith with any Law or any interpretation or application thereof by any
Official Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body
(whether or not having the force of Law), or
(ii) such
LIBOR Rate Option will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender
of the establishment or maintenance of any such Loan, or
(iii) after
making all reasonable efforts, deposits of the relevant amount in Dollars for
the relevant Interest Period for a Loan, or to banks generally, to which a
LIBOR
Rate Option applies, respectively, are not available to such Lender with respect
to such Loan, or to banks generally, in the interbank eurodollar market, then
the Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3
[Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights].
4.4.3 Administrative
Agent's and Lender's Rights. In the case of any event specified
in Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] above, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly so notify the Lenders and the Borrower thereof, and in the case of
an
event specified in Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not
Available] above, such Lender shall promptly so notify the Administrative Agent
and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific circumstances of
such notice, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly send copies of such
notice and certificate to the other Lenders and the Borrower. Upon
such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier
than
the date such notice is given), the obligation of (A) the Lenders, in the
case of such notice given by the Administrative Agent, or (B) such Lender,
in the case of such notice given by such Lender, to allow the Borrower to
select, convert to or renew a LIBOR Rate Option shall be suspended until the
Administrative Agent shall have later notified the Borrower, or such Lender
shall have later notified the Administrative Agent, of the Administrative
Agent's or such Lender's, as the case may be, determination that the
circumstances giving rise to such previous determination no longer
exist. If at any time the Administrative Agent makes a determination
under Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] and the Borrower has previously
notified the Administrative Agent of its selection of, conversion to or renewal
of a LIBOR Rate Option and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into
effect, such notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of,
conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option otherwise available with
respect to such Loans. If any Lender notifies the Administrative
Agent of a determination under Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs;
Deposits Not Available], the Borrower shall, subject to the Borrower's
indemnification Obligations under Section 5.10 [Indemnity], as to any Loan
of the Lender to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies, on the date specified in
such notice either convert such Loan to the Base Rate Option otherwise available
with respect to such Loan or prepay such Loan in accordance with
Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments]. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or prepayment, such Loan shall automatically be converted
to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loan upon
such
specified date.
4.5 Selection
of Interest Rate Options. If the Borrower fails to select a new
Interest Period to apply to any Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the LIBOR
Rate
Option at the expiration of an existing Interest Period applicable to such
Borrowing Tranche in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2
[Interest Periods], the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such
Borrowing Tranche to the Base Rate Option commencing upon the last day of the
existing Interest Period.
5. PAYMENTS
5.1 Payments. All
payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal, interest,
Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, Administrative Agent's
Fee or other feesor amounts due from the Borrower hereunder shall be payable
prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date when due, provided that Borrower has adequate
information to assess such amount due, without presentment, demand, protest
or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower,
and without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature, and an
action therefor shall immediately
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accrue. Such
payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office
for
the ratable accounts of the Lenders with respect to the Loans in U.S. Dollars
and in immediately available funds, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly
distribute such amounts to the Lenders in immediately available funds; provided
that in the event payments are received by 11:00 a.m. by the Administrative
Agent with respect to the Loans and such payments are not distributed to the
Lenders on the same day received by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative
Agent shall pay the Lenders the Federal Funds Effective Rate with respect to
the
amount of such payments for each day held by the Administrative Agent and not
distributed to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent's and each
Lender's statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the
absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of
principal of and interest on the Loans and other amounts owing under this
Agreement and shall be deemed an "account stated."
5.2 Pro
Rata Treatment of Lenders. Each borrowing shall be allocated to
each Lender according to its Ratable Share, and each selection of, conversion
to
or renewal of any Interest Rate Option and each payment or prepayment by the
Borrower with respect to principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Facility Fees,
Letter of Credit Fees, or other fees (except for the Administrative Agent's
Fee)
or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder to the Lenders with respect to the
Loans, shall (except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's
and Lender's Rights] in the case of an event specified in Section 4.4
[LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Etc.], 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] or 5.8
[Increased Costs; Indemnity]) be made in proportion to the applicable Loans
outstanding from each Lender and, if no such Loans are then outstanding, in
proportion to the Ratable Share of each Lender.
5.3 Sharing
of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any
right of setoff, counterclaim or banker's lien, by receipt of voluntary payment,
by realization upon security, or by any other non-pro rata source, obtain
payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other
obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon
or
other such obligations greater than its Ratable Share thereof as provided
herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify
the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face
value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other
Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the
benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in
accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on
their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:
(i) if
any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment
giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and
the
purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with interest
or other amounts, if any, required by Law (including court order) to be paid
by
the Lender or the holder making such purchase; and
(ii) the
provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any
payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express
terms of the Loan Documents or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as
consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its
Loans or Participation Advances to any assignee or participant, other than
to
the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this
Section 5.3 shall apply).
Each
Loan
Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively
do
so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant
to
the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Loan Party rights of setoff
and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender
were a direct creditor of each Loan Party in the amount of such
participation.
5.4 Presumptions
by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment
is
due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing
Lender hereunder that the Borrower will not make
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such
payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such
payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such
assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may
be,
the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made
such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
the amount so distributed to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, with interest
thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed
to
it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the
greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation.
5.5 Interest
Payment Dates. Interest on Loans to which the Base Rate Option
applies shall be due and payable in arrears on each Payment
Date. Interest on Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies shall
be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period for those Loans
and,
if such Interest Period is longer than three (3) Months, also on the 90th day
of
such Interest Period. Interest on mandatory prepayments of principal
under Section 5.7 [Mandatory Prepayments] shall be due on the date such
mandatory prepayment is due. Interest on the principal amount of each
Loan or other monetary Obligation shall be due and payable on demand after
such
principal amount or other monetary Obligation becomes due and payable (whether
on the stated Expiration Date, upon acceleration or otherwise).
5.6 Voluntary
Prepayments.
5.6.1 Right
to Prepay. The Borrower shall have the right at its option from
time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or part without premium or penalty
(except as provided in Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] below, in
Section 5.8 [Increased Costs; Indemnity] and Section 5.10
[Indemnity]). Whenever the Borrower desires to prepay any part of the
Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies, it shall provide a prepayment
notice to the Administrative Agent by 1:00 p.m. at least one (1) Business Day
prior to the date of prepayment of such Loans setting forth the following
information:
(y) the
date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed prepayment is to
be
made; and
(z) the
total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall not be less than
$1,000,000.
All
prepayment notices shall be irrevocable. The principal amount of the
Loans for which a prepayment notice is given, together with interest on such
principal amount shall be due and payable on the date specified in such
prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be
made. Except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative
Agent's and Lender's Rights], if the Borrower prepays a Loan but fails to
specify the applicable Borrowing Tranche which the Borrower is prepaying, the
prepayment shall be applied first to Loans to which the Base Rate Option
applies, then to Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies. Any
prepayment hereunder shall be subject to the Borrower's Obligation to indemnify
the Lenders under Section 5.10 [Indemnity].
5.6.2 Replacement
of a Lender. In the event any Lender (i) gives notice under
Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable, Etc.], (ii) requests compensation
under Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], or requires the Borrower to pay any
additional amount to any Lender or any Official Body for the account of any
Lender pursuant to Section 5.9[Taxes], (iii) is a Non-Complying Lender
or otherwise, (iv) becomes subject to the control of an Official Body
(other than normal and customary supervision), or (v) is a Non-Consenting Lender
referred to in Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] then in
any such event the Borrower may, at its sole expense, upon notice to such Lender
and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate,
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in, and consents required by, Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns]), all
of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related
Loan Documents
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to
an
assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another
Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(i)
the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee
specified in Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns];
(ii)
such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding
principal of its Loans and Participation Advances, accrued interest thereon,
accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 5.10 [Indemnity]) from
the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest
and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii)
in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation
under
Section 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or payments required to be made
pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], such assignment will result in a reduction
in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(iv)
such assignment does not conflict with applicable Law.
A
Lender
shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior
thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances
entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to
apply.
5.7 Mandatory
Prepayments.
5.7.1 Sale
of Assets. Unless otherwise consented to in writing by the
Administrative Agent and subject to any right of priority payments under the
Receivables Purchase Facility, within five (5) Business Days of any non-ordinary
course of business sale of assets (other than the sales contemplated under
the
Receivables Purchase Facility) authorized by Section 8.2.8 [Disposition of
Assets or Subsidiaries] and any insurance and condemnation proceeds received
by
the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, the Borrower shall make a mandatory
prepayment of principal on the Loans equal to the after-tax proceeds of such
sale (as estimated in good faith by the Borrower), together with accrued
interest on such principal amount; provided however, that the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to make any prepayments pursuant this
Section 5.7.1 for any such sales that do not exceed $2,000,000 in the
aggregate per each fiscal year. All prepayments pursuant to this
Section 5.7.1 shall be applied to payment of the principal amount of the
Loans.
5.7.2 Borrowing
Base Exceeded. Whenever the Facility Usage exceeds the Borrowing
Base, the Borrower shall make, within one (1) Business Day after the Borrower
learns of such excess and whether or not the Administrative Agent has given
notice to such effect, a mandatory prepayment of principal, equal to the excess
of the outstanding principal balance of the Facility Usage over the Borrowing
Base, together with accrued interest on such principal amount. In the
event that such prepayment of principal is not sufficient to reduce the Facility
Usage to less than the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall provide cash
collateral for the Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to reduce the
Facility Usage to less than the Borrowing Base.
5.7.3 Application
Among Interest Rate Options. All prepayments required pursuant to
this Section 5.7 shall first be applied among the Interest Rate Options to
the principal amount of the Loans subject to the Base Rate Option, then to
Loans
subject to a LIBOR Rate Option. In accordance with Section 5.10
[Indemnity], the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders for any loss or expense,
including loss of margin, incurred with respect to any such prepayments applied
against Loans subject to a LIBOR Rate Option on any day other than the last
day
of the applicable Interest Period.
5.8 Increased
Costs.
5.8.1 Increased
Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
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(i) impose,
modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan,
insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or
for
the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except
any
reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing
Lender;
(ii) subject
any Lender or the Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect
to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit
or any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option made by it, or change the basis of
taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuing Lender in respect thereof
(except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 5.9 [Taxes]
and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable
by
such Lender or the Issuing Lender); or
(iii) impose
on any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the London interbank market any other
condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Loan under the LIBOR
Rate
Option made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and
the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender
of making or maintaining any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option (or of maintaining
its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender
or
the Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of
Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any
Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable
by
such Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest
or
any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the Issuing Lender,
the
Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be,
such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing
Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction
suffered.
5.8.2 Capital
Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that
any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any lending
office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company,
if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s capital or on the
capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a
consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans
made
by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters
of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender
or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company
could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such
Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or
the Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then
from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender,
as
the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding
company for any such reduction suffered.
5.8.3 Certificates
for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New
Loans. A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Lender setting
forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing
Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in
Sections 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or 5.8.2 [Capital Requirements]
and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as
the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten
(10) days after receipt thereof.
5.8.4 Delay
in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the
Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not
constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s right to demand
such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to
compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section for any
increased costs incurred
or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender
or the Issuing
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Lender,
as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise
to
such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s
intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law
giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the
nine
(9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period
of
retroactive effect thereof).
5.9 Taxes.
5.9.1 Payments
Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any
obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
be
made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required by
applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes)
from
such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so
that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable
to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender
or
Issuing Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it
would
have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall
make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full
amount deducted to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable
Law.
5.9.2 Payment
of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions
of Section 5.9.1 [Payments Free of Taxes] above, the Borrower shall timely
pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable
Law.
5.9.3 Indemnification
by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Lender, within ten (10) days after demand
therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to
amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent, such
Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest
and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether
or
not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed
or
asserted by the relevant Official Body. A certificate as to the
amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or
the
Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the
Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing
Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
5.9.4 Evidence
of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Official Body, the
Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified
copy of a receipt issued by such Official Body evidencing such payment, a copy
of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
5.9.5 Status
of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption
from or reduction of withholding tax under the Law of the jurisdiction in which
the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other
Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed
and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Law as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of
withholding. Notwithstanding the submission of a such documentation
claiming a reduced rate of or exemption from U.S. withholding tax, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income
taxes at the full 30% withholding rate if in its reasonable judgment it is
required to do so under the due diligence requirements imposed upon a
withholding agent under § 1.1441-7(b) of the United States Income Tax
Regulations. Further, the Administrative Agent is indemnified under §
1.1461-1(e) of the United States Income Tax Regulations against any claims
and
demands of any Lender or assignee or
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participant
of a Lender for the amount of any tax it deducts and withholds in accordance
with regulations under § 1441 of the Internal Revenue Code. In
addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent,
shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or
reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable
the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender
is subject to backup withholding or information reporting
requirements.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is
resident for tax purposes in the United States of America, any Foreign Lender
shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number
of
copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which
such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to
time
thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but
only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the
following is applicable:
(i) duly
completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an
income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,
(ii) duly
completed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in
the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for
portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the
effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of
section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower
within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled
foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly
completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN, or
(iv) any
other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from
or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together
with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law
to
permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be
made.
5.10 Indemnity. In
addition to the compensation or payments required by Section 5.8 [Increased
Costs] or Section 5.9 [Taxes], the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender
against all liabilities, losses or expenses (including loss of margin, any
loss
or expense incurred in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties
and
any loss or expense incurred in connection with funds acquired by a Lender
to
fund or maintain Loans subject to a LIBOR Rate Option) which such Lender
sustains or incurs as a consequence of any
(i) payment,
prepayment, conversion or renewal of any Loan to which a LIBOR Rate Option
applies on a day other than the last day of the corresponding Interest Period
(whether or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory, voluntary or automatic
and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due),
(ii) attempt
by the Borrower to revoke (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or
otherwise) in whole or part any Loan Requests under Section 2.5 [Loan
Requests] or Section 4.2 [Interest Periods] or notice relating to
prepayments under Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments], or
(iii) default
by the Borrower in the performance or observance of any covenant or condition
contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any failure
of
the Borrower to pay when due (by acceleration or otherwise) any principal,
interest, Commitment Fee or any other amount due hereunder.
If
any
Lender sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to time
notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such Lender (which
determination may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses
and averaging or attribution methods as such Lender
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shall
deem reasonable) to be necessary to indemnify such Lender for such loss or
expense. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis
for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the
Borrower to such Lender ten (10) Business Days after such notice is
given.
6. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
6.1 Representations
and Warranties. The Borrower, on behalf of itself and each of its
Subsidiaries, represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each
of
the Lenders as follows:
6.1.1 Organization
and Qualification; Power and Authority; Compliance With Laws; Title to
Properties; Event of Default. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company
duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has the lawful power to own or lease its
properties and to engage in the business it presently conducts or proposes
to
conduct, (iii) is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each
jurisdiction listed on Schedule 6.1.1 and in all other
jurisdictions where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to result
in a
Material Adverse Change, (iv) has full power to enter into, execute, deliver
and
carry out this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party,
to
incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Loan Documents to which it is a
party
and to perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party,
and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings
on
its part, (v) is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
Laws
(other than Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in
Section 6.1.14 [Environmental Matters]) in all jurisdictions in which any
Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party is presently doing business except
where the failure to do so would not constitute a Material Adverse Change,
and
(vi) has good and marketable title to or valid leasehold interest in all
properties, assets and other rights which it purports to own or lease or which
are reflected as owned or leased on its books and records, free and clear of
all
Liens and encumbrances except Permitted Liens. No Event of Default or
Potential Default exists or is continuing. GPE owns, directly or
indirectly, over ninety-nine percent (99%) of the outstanding Equity Interests
of the Borrower.
6.1.2 Subsidiaries
and Owners; Investment Companies. Schedule 6.1.2
states (i) the name of each of the Borrower's Subsidiaries, its jurisdiction
of
organization and the amount, percentage and type of equity interests in such
Subsidiary (the "Subsidiary Equity Interests"), (ii) the name of each holder
of
an equity interest in the Borrower, the amount, percentage and type of such
equity interest (the "Borrower Equity Interests"), and (iii) any
options, warrants or other rights outstanding to purchase
any such equity interests referred to in clause (i) or (iii) (collectively
the
"Equity Interests"). The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower
has good and marketable title to all of the Subsidiary Equity Interests it
purports to own, free and clear in each case of any Lien and all such Subsidiary
Equity Interests been validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an
"investment company" registered or required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the "control" of an "investment company"
as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not
become such an "investment company" or under such "control."
6.1.3 Validity
and Binding Effect. This Agreement and each of the other Loan
Documents (i) has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries, to the extent any such Subsidiary is a party
hereto or thereto, and (ii) constitutes, or will constitute, legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries which is or
will be a party thereto, enforceable against such Borrower and Subsidiaries
in
accordance with its terms.
6.1.4 No
Conflict; Material Agreements; Consents. Neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent any such Subsidiary is a party hereto
or
thereto, nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated
or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by any of them
will
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conflict
with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms
and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of
limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited
liability company agreement or other organizational documents of the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Law or order, writ, judgment, injunction
or decree to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which it is
subject, or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or
encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Liens granted under the Loan
Documents) or (iii) any instrument, indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed
of
trust or other material agreement, to the extent that the same could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. There is no
default under such material agreement (referred to above) and neither the
Borrower nor its Subsidiaries are bound by any contractual obligation, or
subject to any restriction in any organization document, or any requirement
of
Law which could result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent,
approval, exemption, order or authorization of, or a registration or filing
with, any Official Body or any other Person is required by any Law or any
agreement in connection with the execution, delivery and carrying out of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
6.1.5 Litigation. Schedule 6.1.5
to this Agreement lists all pending litigation involving individual claims
against the Borrower of more than $1,000,000.00. There are no
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge
of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against such Borrower or
such Subsidiaries at law or in equity before any Official Body (whether listed
on Schedule 6.1.5 or otherwise) which individually or in the aggregate may
result in any Material Adverse Change. Neither the Borrower nor any
of its Subsidiaries are in violation of any order, writ, injunction or any
decree of any Official Body which may result in any Material Adverse
Change.
6.1.6 Financial
Statements.
(i) Historical
Statements. The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative
Agent copies of its audited consolidated year-end financial statements for
and
as of the end of the fiscal year ending 2006. In addition, the
Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of its unaudited
consolidated interim financial statements for the fiscal year to date and as
of
the end of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007 (all such annual and interim
statements being collectively referred to as the "Statements"). The
Statements were compiled from the books and records maintained by the Borrower's
management, are correct and complete and fairly represent the consolidated
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the respective
dates thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal periods then ended
and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject
(in
the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit
adjustments.
(ii) Accuracy
of Financial Statements. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of the Borrower has any material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, or
forward or long-term commitments that are not disclosed in the Statements or
in
the notes thereto, and except as disclosed therein there are no unrealized
or
anticipated losses from any commitments of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the
Borrower which may cause a Material Adverse Change. Since December
31, 2006, no Material Adverse Change has occurred.
6.1.7 Margin
Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries engages
or intends to engage principally, or as one of its important activities, in
the
business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately, incidentally or
ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of
Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any Loan has been or will
be used, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry any
margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any margin stock or which is inconsistent with the provisions of the
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
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holds
or
intends to hold margin stock in such amounts that more than 25% of the
reasonable value of the assets of such Borrower or Subsidiary are or will be
represented by margin stock.
6.1.8 Full
Disclosure. Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document,
nor any certificate, statement, agreement or other documents furnished to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection herewith or therewith, contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein, in
light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which materially adversely affects the business, property, assets,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects of such Borrower or
Subsidiary which has not been set forth in this Agreement or in the
certificates, statements, agreements or other documents furnished in writing
to
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to or at the date hereof in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.1.9 Taxes. All
federal, state, local and other tax returns required to have been filed with
respect to the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have been filed, and
payment or adequate provision has been made for the payment of all taxes, fees,
assessments and other governmental charges which have become due pursuant to
said returns or to assessments received, except to the extent that such taxes,
fees, assessments and other charges are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserves or
other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have
been made.
6.1.10 Patents,
Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Etc. The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries owns or possesses all the material patents, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, registrations, franchises, permits
and
rights necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business
as presently conducted and planned to be conducted by such Borrower or
Subsidiary, without known or actual conflict with the rights of others, and
no
such conflict has been alleged.
6.1.11 Liens
in the Collateral. The Liens in the Collateral granted to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to the Patent,
Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, and the
Security Agreement (collectively, the "Collateral Documents") constitute and
will continue to constitute first priority perfected Liens. All
filing fees and other expenses in connection with the perfection of such Liens
have been or will be paid by the Borrower.
6.1.12 Insurance. The
tangible personalty and real property interests of the Borrower and each of
its
Subsidiaries are insured pursuant to policies and other bonds which are valid
and in full force and effect and which provide adequate coverage from reputable
and financially sound insurers in amounts sufficient to insure the assets and
risks of each such Borrower and Subsidiary in accordance with prudent business
practice in the industry of such Borrower and Subsidiaries.
6.1.13 ERISA
Compliance. (i) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state
Laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a)
of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an
application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with
respect thereto and, to the best knowledge of Borrower, nothing has occurred
which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such
qualification. Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have made all
required contributions to each Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and
no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any
Plan.
(ii)
No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (a) no
Pension Plan has any unfunded pension liability (i.e. excess of benefit
liabilities over the current value of that Pension Plan's assets, determined
in
accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan for the
applicable plan year) that is reasonably likely to result in liability of
$1,000,000 or more to the Borrower
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or
its
Subsidiaries; (b) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or
reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with
respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under
Section 4007 of ERISA); (c) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has
occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA,
would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with
respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (d) neither Borrower nor any ERISA
Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069
or
4212(c) of ERISA.
6.1.14 Environmental
Matters. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are and, to
the knowledge of each respective Borrower and Subsidiary are and have been
in
material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws except as disclosed
on
Schedule 6.1.14; provided that such matters so disclosed could not reasonably
be
expected to subject the Borrower to liability in excess of $2,500,000.00 or
result in a Material Adverse Change.
6.1.15 Solvency. The
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are Solvent. After giving
effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the
Receivables Purchase Facility, including all Indebtedness incurred thereby,
the
Liens granted by the Borrower in connection therewith and the payment of all
fees related thereto, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will be Solvent,
determined as of the Closing Date.
6.1.16 Statutory
Indebtedness Restrictions. The Borrower and GPE have all
necessary authorization required for the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents under FPA or any other Law for the execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or GPE is a party do not and will
not violate FPA or require any registration with, consent or approval of, or
notice to, or any other action to, with or by any Governmental Authority under
FPA or any Law, other than such reporting requirements as may be in effect
from
time to time under FPA.
6.2 Updates
to Schedules. Should any of the information or disclosures
provided on any of the Schedules attached hereto become outdated or incorrect
in
any material respect, the Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative
Agent in writing with such revisions or updates to such Schedule as may be
necessary or appropriate to update or correct same; provided, however, that
no
Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended, modified or superseded by any
such correction or update, nor shall any breach of warranty or representation
resulting from the inaccuracy or incompleteness of any such Schedule be deemed
to have been cured thereby, unless and until the Required Lenders, in their
sole
and absolute discretion, shall have accepted in writing such revisions or
updates to such Schedule.
7. CONDITIONS
OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT
The
obligation of each Lender to make Loans and of the Issuing Lender to issue
Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the performance by the Borrower and
each of it Subsidiaries of its Obligations to be performed hereunder at or
prior
to the making of any such Loans or issuance of such Letters of Credit and to
the
satisfaction of the following further conditions:
7.1 First
Loans and Letters of Credit.
7.1.1 Deliveries. On
the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the
following in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent:
(i) A
certificate of the Borrower signed by an Authorized Officer, dated the Closing
Date stating that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with
each
of their representations, warranties, covenants and conditions hereunder and
no
Event of Default or Potential Default exists, no Material Adverse Change has
occurred since the date of the last audited financial statements of the Borrower
delivered to the Administrative Agent, and no material adverse litigation
exists.
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(ii) A
certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower and each of the Loan Parties, certifying as
appropriate as to: (a) all action taken by each Loan Party in connection with
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) the names of the Authorized
Officers authorized to sign the Loan Documents and their true signatures; and
(c) copies of its organizational documents as in effect on the Closing Date
certified by the appropriate state official where such documents are filed
in a
state office together with certificates from the appropriate state officials
as
to the continued existence and good standing of each Loan Party in each state
where organized or qualified to do business.
(iii) This
Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents signed by an Authorized Officer
and all appropriate financing statements and appropriate stock powers and
certificates evidencing the pledged Collateral.
(iv) A
written opinion of counsel for the Loan Parties, dated the Closing Date and
as
to the matters set forth in Schedule 7.1.1.
(v) Evidence
that adequate insurance required to be maintained under this Agreement is in
full force and effect, with additional insured and lender loss payable special
endorsements attached thereto in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and its counsel naming the Administrative Agent as
additional insured, mortgagee and lender loss payee.
(vi) A
duly completed Compliance Certificate as of the last day of the fiscal quarter
of Borrower most recently ended prior to the Closing Date, signed by an
Authorized Officer of Borrower;
(vii) All
material consents, regulatory approvals and licenses required to effectuate
the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(viii) Evidence
that the Amended and Restated Agreement dated July 2, 2004 among Borrower and
PNC Bank and LaSalle Bank National Association, has been terminated, and all
outstanding obligations thereunder have been paid and all Liens securing such
obligations have been released;
(ix) A
Lien search in acceptable scope and with acceptable results;
(x) A
Borrowing Base Certificate prepared as of the Closing Date in substantially
the
form of Exhibit 8.3.5, showing total Unused Availability (using current
amounts, rather than average amounts, for Loans and Letters of Credit
Outstanding), after giving effect to (i) the Loans to be made on the Closing
Date, (ii) the Letters of Credit issued and outstanding, and (iii) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, of at least
$25,000,000;
(xi) A
duly completed solvency certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to
the
Administrative Agent dated as of the Closing Date, signed by an Authorized
Officer of Borrower;
(xii) A
field examination of the Borrower's receivables prepared in connection with
the
Receivables Purchase Facility which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, in its sole discretion;
(xiii) No
action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been
instituted, or, to the knowledge of any Authorized Officer of the Borrower
and
any Subsidiary, threatened or proposed before any court, governmental agency
or
legislative body to enjoin, restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages in
respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or which, in the sole
discretion
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of
the
Administrative Agent, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents;
(xiv) The
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have completed or shall have caused
to be completed, to their satisfaction in form, scope, substance and in all
other respects, a due diligence review with respect to the assets, financial
condition, operations, business and prospects of the Borrower and each of the
other Loan Parties, including a review, without limitation of the books and
records of the Borrower and each of the other Loan Parties, the historical
financial statements and related Form-10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the financial
projections (including income statements) from the Closing Date through the
three year anniversary of the Closing Date, and all tax, ERISA, employee
retirement benefit, environmental and the contingent liabilities to which the
Borrower and any other Loan Party may be subject.
(xv) an
executed Company Note (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement) delivered
from Strategic Receivables to the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.1(b) of the
Purchase and Sale Agreement; and
(xvi) such
other documents in connection with such transactions as the Administrative
Agent
or said counsel may reasonably request.
7.1.2 Payment
of Fees. The Borrower shall have paid or caused to be paid to the
Administrative Agent for themselves and for the account of the Lenders to the
extent not previously paid, all commitment and other fees accrued through the
Closing Date and the costs and expenses for which the Administrative Agent
and
the Lenders are entitled to be reimbursed.
7.2 Each
Loan or Letter of Credit. At the time of making any Loans or
issuing any Letters of Credit and after giving effect to the proposed extensions
of credit: the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall then be true and no Event of Default or
Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing; the making of the
Loans
or issuance of such Letter of Credit shall not contravene any Law applicable
to
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiary or any of the Lenders; and the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed and completed
Loan Request or to the Issuing Lender an application for a Letter of Credit,
as
the case may be.
8. COVENANTS
The
Borrower, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, covenants and agrees
that until Payment in Full, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
comply at all times with the following covenants:
8.1 Affirmative
Covenants.
8.1.1 Preservation
of Existence, Etc. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
shall maintain its legal existence as a corporation, limited partnership or
limited liability company and its license or qualification and good standing
in
each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature
of
its business makes such license or qualification necessary.
8.1.2 Payment
of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc. The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries shall duly pay and discharge all material liabilities to which
it is subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same
shall become due and payable, including all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon it or any
of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to the date on which
penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such liabilities, including
taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and for which such
reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP
shall have been made.
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8.1.3 Maintenance
of Insurance. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
insure its properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other
insurable hazards as such assets are commonly insured (including fire, extended
coverage, property damage, workers' compensation, public liability and business
interruption insurance) and against other risks (including errors and omissions)
in such amounts as similar properties and assets are insured by prudent
companies in similar circumstances carrying on similar businesses, and with
reputable and financially sound insurers, including self-insurance to the extent
customary, all as reasonably determined by the Administrative
Agent. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall comply with
the covenants and provide the endorsement set forth on Schedule 8.1.3
relating to property and related insurance policies covering the
Collateral.
8.1.4 Maintenance
of Properties and Leases. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall maintain in good repair, working order and condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of
other businesses of similar character and size, all of those properties useful
or necessary to its business, and from time to time, Borrower and/or such
Subsidiary shall will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals
or replacements thereof, all as in the reasonable judgment of Borrower may
be
necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted; provided, however, that nothing shall
prevent the Borrower from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of such
property if such discontinuance is, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower,
desirable and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Administrative
Agent or any of the Lenders.
8.1.5 Visitation
Rights. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall permit
any of the officers or authorized employees or representatives of the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to visit and inspect any of its
properties and to examine and make excerpts from its books and records and
discuss its business affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all
in
such detail and at such times and as often as any of the Lenders may reasonably
request, provided that each Lender shall provide the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent with reasonable notice prior to any visit or
inspection. In the event any Lender desires to conduct an audit of
the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall, such Lender shall make a
reasonable effort to conduct such audit contemporaneously with any audit to
be
performed by the Administrative Agent; and provided further, absent the
occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing, such inspections shall
only be conducted upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business
hours. The Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that
absent the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing, the Borrower
shall be obligated to reimburse the Administrative Agent for costs and expenses
associated with one inspection each fiscal year.
8.1.6 Keeping
of Records and Books of Account. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall maintain and keep proper books of record and account which
enable the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to issue financial statements in
accordance with GAAP and as otherwise required by applicable Laws of any
Official Body having jurisdiction over the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower, and in which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all
material respects of all its dealings and business and financial
affairs.
8.1.7 Compliance
with Laws; Use of Proceeds. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall comply with all applicable Laws, including all Environmental
Laws, in all respects; provided that it shall not be deemed to be a violation
of
this Section 8.1.7 if any failure to comply with any Law would not result
in fines, penalties, remediation costs, other similar liabilities or injunctive
relief which in the aggregate would constitute a Material Adverse
Change. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will use the
Letters of Credit and the proceeds of the Loans only in accordance with Section
2.8 above and as permitted by applicable Law.
8.1.8 Further
Assurances. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (other than
Strategic Receivables) shall, from time to time, at its expense, faithfully
preserve and protect the
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Administrative
Agent's Lien on and Prior Security Interest in the Collateral whether now owned
or hereafter acquired (other than the Excluded Collateral) as a continuing
first
priority perfected Lien, subject only to Permitted Liens, and shall do such
other acts and things as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may
deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to preserve, perfect
and
protect the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and to exercise and enforce
its rights and remedies thereunder with respect to the Collateral.
8.1.9 Anti-Terrorism
Laws. Neither
the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is or shall be (i)
a
Person with whom any
Lender is restricted from doing business under Executive Order No. 13224
or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, (ii) engaged in any business involved in making
or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit
of such a Person or in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose
of evading or avoiding, the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law,
or
(iii) otherwise in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law. The Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries shall provide to the Lenders
any
certifications or information that a Lender requests to confirm compliance
by
the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with Anti-Terrorism
Laws.
8.2 Negative
Covenants.
8.2.1 Indebtedness. The
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not at any time create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(i) Indebtedness
under the Loan Documents;
(ii) Existing
Indebtedness as set forth on Schedule 8.2.1 (including any
extensions or renewals thereof; provided there is no increase in the
amount thereof or other significant change in the terms thereof unless otherwise
specified on Schedule 8.2.1;
(iii) Indebtedness
secured by Purchase Money Security Interests not exceeding
$5,000,000;
(iv) Indebtedness
of a Loan Party to another Loan Party which is subordinated pursuant to the
Intercompany Subordination Agreement or Subordination Agreement;
(v) the
Subordinated Debt;
(vi) Indebtedness
in respect of obligations secured by Permitted Liens described in
clauses (xii) and (xiii) therein;
(vii) Indebtedness
in respect of Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 8.2.16;
(viii) other
future unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$20,000,000.00;
(ix) Any
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(x) Indebtedness
in connection with the Receivables Purchase Facility; and
(xi) Any
(i) Lender Provided Interest Rate Hedge, (ii) other Interest Rate Hedge approved
by the Administrative Agent or (iii) Indebtedness under any Other Lender
Provided Financial Service Product.
8.2.2
Liens. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not, at
any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its
property or assets, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired,
or
agree or become liable to do so, except Permitted
Liens.
-43-
8.2.3 Guaranties. The
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not, at any time, directly or
indirectly, become or be liable in respect of any Guaranty, or assume,
guarantee, become surety for, endorse or otherwise agree, become or remain
directly or contingently liable upon or with respect to any obligation or
liability of any other Person, except for (i) Guaranties of Indebtedness of
the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries permitted hereunder; (ii) obligations,
warranties, and indemnities, not relating to Indebtedness of any Person, which
have been or are undertaken or made in the ordinary course of business and
not
for the benefit of or in favor of an Affiliate of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary; (iii) Guaranties with respect to appeal and performance bonds
obtained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
of
business; and (iv) Guaranties with respect to surety bonds issued for the
benefit of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed $250,000,000.00.
8.2.4 Loans
and Investments. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
not, at any time, make or suffer to remain outstanding any loan or advance
to,
or purchase, acquire or own any stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any
partnership interest (whether general or limited) or limited liability company
interest in, or any other investment or interest in, or
make any capital contribution to, any other Person, or agree, become or remain
liable to do any of the foregoing, except:
(i) trade
credit extended on usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of
business;
(ii) advances
to employees to meet expenses incurred by such employees in the ordinary course
of business;
(iii) investments
in Cash Equivalents;
(iv) loans,
advances and investments in other Loan Parties (other than GPE or its
Subsidiaries);
(v) Permitted
Existing Investments in an amount not greater than the amount thereof on the
Closing Date;
(vi) Investments
in trade receivables or received in connection with the bankruptcy or
reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent
obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in
the
ordinary course of business;
(vii) loans,
advances and investments in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in an aggregate
amount at any time outstanding consisting of loans to GPE or its
Subsidiaries;
(viii) any
sale of receivables to Strategic Receivables pursuant to the Receivables
Purchase Facility or the Borrower's acceptance of notes from Strategic
Receivables pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Facility;
and
(ix) Investments
in addition to those referred to elsewhere in this Section 8.2.4 in an
amount not to exceed $2,500,000.00 in the aggregate at any time
outstanding.
8.2.5 Dividends
and Related Distributions. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall not make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to
make
or pay, any Distribution of any nature (whether in cash, property, securities
or
otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of capital stock,
partnership interests or limited liability company interests on account of
the
purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of its shares of capital stock
(or warrants, options or rights therefor), partnership interests or limited
liability company interests, except (a) Distributions pursuant to
Section 8.2.13 [Issuance of Stock] and (b) Distributions if, after giving
effect to each Distribution, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are
in
pro forma compliance with the covenants contained in Sections8.2.18 [Minimum
Fixed Charge Coverage
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Ratio]
and 8.2.19 [Minimum EBITDA]; provided, however, nothing
contained in this section shall prohibit Strategic Receivables from making
distributions of cash to the Borrower.
8.2.6 Restricted
Payments. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not
declare or make any Restricted Payment; provided, however, nothing
contained in this section shall prohibit Strategic Receivables from (i) making
payments on notes in favor of the Borrower pursuant to the Receivables Purchase
Facility or (ii) paying any servicing fee to the Borrower in connection with
the
Receivables Purchase Facility.
8.2.7 Conduct
of Business; Subsidiaries.
(i) Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall engage in any business other
than
the businesses engaged in by the Borrower on the Closing Date and any business
or activities which are substantially similar, related or incidental
thereto.
(ii) Neither
the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries shall create, acquire or capitalize any
Subsidiary (a "New Subsidiary") after the date hereof pursuant to any
transaction unless such transaction is permitted by or not otherwise prohibited
by this Agreement and upon the creation or acquisition of each New Subsidiary,
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall promptly deliver, and shall cause each
New Subsidiary to promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent the documents,
instruments and agreements required pursuant to Section 8.2.10 [Subsidiaries,
Partnerships and Joint Ventures] for a New Subsidiary; provided, however,
Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to capitalize Strategic
Receivables;
(iii) Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make any Acquisitions other
than
Acquisitions meeting all of the following requirements (each such Acquisition
constituting a “Permitted Acquisition”):
(a) no
Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing
or
would result from such Acquisition or the incurrence of any Indebtedness in
connection therewith;
(b) the
Acquisition shall be consummated on a non-hostile basis and, in the case of
an
Acquisition of Equity Interests of an entity, such Acquisition shall be of
not
less than the amount of the Equity Interests required to give the Borrower
direct or indirect voting control of such entity;
(c) the
businesses being acquired shall be substantially similar to the businesses
or
activities engaged in by the Borrower on the Closing Date;
(d) the
aggregate purchase price (including assumed liabilities) in connection with
all
such transactions during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed
$25,000,000.00;
(e) The
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall be, after giving effect to such
Acquisition, in pro forma compliance with the covenants contained in Sections
8.2.18 [Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio] and 8.2.19 [Minimum
EBITDA] (including in such computation Indebtedness incurred in connection
with
such Acquisition and including income earned or expenses incurred by the Person,
business or assets to be acquired prior to the date of such Acquisition);
and
(f) The
Borrower shall have, after giving effect to such Acquisition, Unused
Availability greater than or equal to $50,000,000.
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8.2.8 Dispositions
of Assets or Subsidiaries.
The
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not sell, convey, assign, lease,
abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily,
any
of its properties or assets, tangible or intangible (including sale, assignment,
discount or other disposition of accounts, contract rights, chattel paper,
equipment or general intangibles with or without recourse or of capital stock,
shares of beneficial interest, partnership interests or limited liability
company interests of a Subsidiary of such Borrower or Subsidiary),
except:
(i) transactions
involving the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) any
sale, transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which
are
no longer necessary or required in the conduct of the Borrower's or such
Subsidiary's business;
(iii) any
sale, contribution, transfer or lease of assets by any wholly owned Subsidiary
of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to one another;
(iv) any
sale, purported sale, contribution, assignment, conveyance or transfer of assets
contemplated by the Receivables Purchase Facility;
(v) any
sale, transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which
are
replaced by substitute assets acquired or leased within the parameters of
Section 8.2.15 [Capital Expenditures and Leases]; provided such
substitute assets are subject to the Lenders' Prior Security Interest;
(vi) any
sale, transfer or lease of assets, other than those specifically excepted
pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) above, which is approved by the Required
Lenders so long as the after-tax proceeds (as reasonably estimated by the
Borrower) are applied as a mandatory prepayment of the Loans in accordance
with
the provisions of Section 5.7.1 [Sale of Assets] above; or
(vii) dividends
and related distributions permitted pursuant to Section 8.2.5 [Dividends and
Related Distributions].
8.2.9 Affiliate
Transactions. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not
enter into or carry out any transaction (including purchasing property or
services from or selling property or services to any Affiliate of any Borrower
or such Subsidiary or other Person) unless such transaction is not otherwise
prohibited by this Agreement, is entered into in the ordinary course of business
upon fair and reasonable arm's-length terms and conditions which are fully
disclosed to the Administrative Agent and is in accordance with all applicable
Law.
8.2.10 Subsidiaries,
Partnerships and Joint Ventures. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall not own or create directly or indirectly any Subsidiaries
other than (i) any Subsidiary other than Strategic Receivables which has joined
this Agreement as Guarantor on the Closing Date; and (ii) any Subsidiary formed
after the Closing Date which joins this Agreement as a Guarantor by delivering
to the Administrative Agent (A) a signed Guarantor Joinder;
(B) documents in the forms described in Section 7.1 [First Loans]
modified as appropriate; and (C) documents necessary to grant and perfect
Prior Security Interests to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders in the equity interests of, and Collateral held by, such
Subsidiary. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not
become or agree to become a party to a Joint Venture.
8.2.11 Continuation
of or Change in Business. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall not engage in any business other than substantially as
conducted and operated by the Borrower or such Subsidiary during the present
fiscal year, and such Borrower or Subsidiary shall not
permit any material change in such business.
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8.2.12
Fiscal Year. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
not change its fiscal year from the twelve-month period beginning January 1
and
ending December 31.
8.2.13 Issuance
of Stock. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not
issue any additional shares of its capital stock or any options, warrants or
other rights in respect thereof.
8.2.14 Changes
in Organizational Documents. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries (other than Strategic Receivables) shall not amend in any respect
its certificate of incorporation (including any provisions or resolutions
relating to capital stock), by-laws, certificate of limited partnership,
partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company
agreement or other organizational documents without providing at least thirty
(30) calendar days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders and, in the event such change would be adverse to the Lenders as
determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, obtaining the
prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
8.2.15 Intentionally
Omitted.
8.2.16 Hedging
Obligations. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (other
than Strategic Receivables) shall not enter into any interest rate, commodity
or
foreign currency exchange, swap, collar, cap or similar agreements evidencing
Hedging Obligations, other than interest rate, foreign currency or commodity
exchange, swap, collar, cap or similar agreements entered into by the Borrower
pursuant to which the Borrower has hedged its actual interest rate, foreign
currency or commodity exposure.
8.2.17 Subordinated
Debt. The Borrower shall not amend, supplement or modify the
terms of the Subordinated Debt or make any payment required as a result of
any
amendment or change thereto without the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders. Except as permitted in
the Subordination Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, the Borrower shall
not redeem, purchase, prepay (by setoff or otherwise), defease or repay any
principal of, premium, if any, or other amount payable in respect of the
Subordinated Debt.
8.2.18 Minimum
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries shall maintain a ratio ("Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio") of (i)
the
sum of the amounts of (a) EBITDA minus (b) capital expenditures to (ii) the
sum
of the amounts of (a) Interest Expense to the extent paid in cash plus (b)
scheduled cash payments of the principal portion of all Indebtedness for
borrowed money of the Borrower made during such period plus (c) cash income
taxes paid by the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period
plus (d) Distributions paid during such period less (e) the amount of GPE Cash
Infusions during such period, of at least 1.05 to 1.00 calculated as of the
end
of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended, commencing
with
the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2007, and for each fiscal year thereafter
until the Maturity Date.
8.2.19 Minimum
EBITDA. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall not at
any time permit EBITDA of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, calculated
as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended,
to
be less than the applicable amount set for the applicable fiscal quarter
below:
Fiscal
Quarter
|
Amount
|
July
1, 2007 through March 31, 2008
|
$15,000,000
|
April
1, 2008 through September 30, 2008
|
$17,500,000
|
October
1, 2008 through March 31, 2009
|
$20,000,000
|
April
1, 2009 and each fiscal quarter thereafter
|
$22,500,000
|
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8.2.20 Wholesale
Supply Position. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (other
than Strategic Receivables) shall employ a business strategy of entering into
wholesale supply positions to approximately match the expected megawatt hour
utilization of its fixed price retail supply contracts so that the net long
or
short position created by the Borrower's hedging activities shall not result
in
its book being more than 10% long or short megawatt hours in the
aggregate.
8.2.21 Maximum
Facility Usage. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall
not at any time permit the Facility Usage to exceed the Borrowing
Base.
8.3 Reporting
Requirements. The Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished
to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders.
8.3.1 Borrowing
Base Certificates; Schedules of Accounts; Hedging Report; Securitization
Information. Monthly, within twenty-one (21) calendar days after
the end of each calendar month and upon demand by the Administrative Agent,
(i)
a Borrowing Base Certificate in the form of Exhibit 8.3.1 hereto,
appropriately completed, executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer, (ii)
a
hedging report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
detailing all of the Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries' Hedging
Obligations and on the wholesale supply position referenced in
Section 8.2.20 [Wholesale Supply Position], (iii) copies of any information
submitted to the Administrator of the Receivable Purchase Agreement, including
the Information Package (as such term is defined in the Receivables Purchase
Agreement), and (iv) any additional detail that the Administrative Agent may
request.
8.3.2 Quarterly
Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event
within forty-five (45) calendar days after the end of each of the first three
fiscal quarters in each fiscal year, financial statements of the Borrower,
consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter
and related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for the fiscal quarter then ended and the fiscal year through that date,
all in reasonable detail and certified (subject to normal year-end audit
adjustments) by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial
Officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied, and setting forth in comparative form the respective
financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous
fiscal year.
8.3.3 Annual
Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event
within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
financial statements of the Borrower consisting of a consolidated balance sheet
as of the end of such fiscal year, and related consolidated statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended,
all
in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the financial
statements as of the end of and for the preceding fiscal year, and certified
by
independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The certificate or report
of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other than any consistency
qualification that may result from a change in the method used to prepare the
financial statements as to which such accountants concur) and shall not indicate
the occurrence or existence of any event, condition or contingency which would
materially impair the prospect of payment or performance of any covenant,
agreement or duty of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan
Documents. The Borrower shall deliver with such financial statements
and certification by their accountants a letter of such accountants to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders substantially to the effect that, based
upon their ordinary and customary examination of the affairs of the Borrower,
performed in connection with the preparation of such consolidated financial
statements, and in accordance with GAAP, they are not aware of the existence
of
any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential
Default or, if they are aware of such condition or event, stating the nature
thereof.
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8.3.4 Certificate
of the Borrower. Concurrently with the financial statements of
the Borrower furnished to the Administrative Agent and to the Lenders pursuant
to Sections 8.3.2 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and 8.3.3 [Annual
Financial Statements], a certificate (each a "Compliance Certificate") of the
Borrower signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial
Officer of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 8.3.4. including, without
limitation, schedules detailing Distributions and compliance with the financial
covenants.
8.3.5 Notices
8.3.5.1 Default. Promptly
after any officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has learned of
the
occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default, a certificate signed
by
an Authorized Officer setting forth the details of such Event of Default or
Potential Default and the action which such Loan Party proposes to take with
respect thereto.
8.3.5.2 Litigation. Promptly
after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or
investigations before or by any Official Body or any other Person against
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which relate to the Collateral, involve
a
claim or series of claims in excess of $2,500,000 or which if adversely
determined would constitute a Material Adverse Change.
8.3.5.3 Organizational
Documents. Within the time limits set forth in
Section 8.2.14 [Changes in Organizational Documents], any amendment to the
organizational documents of any Loan Party.
8.3.5.4 Erroneous
Financial Information. Immediately in the event that the Borrower
or its accountants conclude or advise that any previously issued financial
statement, audit report or interim review should no longer be relied upon or
that disclosure should be made or action should be taken to prevent future
reliance.
8.3.5.5 ERISA
Event. Immediately upon the occurrence of any ERISA
Event.
8.3.5.6 Business
Plans; Financial Projections. As soon as practicable and in any
event not later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each fiscal year,
a
copy of the business plan and forecast (including a projected balance sheet,
income statement and a statement of cash flow) of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the next succeeding fiscal year prepared in such detail as
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
8.3.5.7 Other
Reports. Promptly upon their becoming available to the
Borrower:
(i) Management
Letters. Any reports, including management letters submitted to
the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim
or special audit, if any,
(ii) SEC
Reports; Shareholder Communications. Reports, including Forms
10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, registration statements and prospectuses and other
shareholder communications, filed by the Borrower with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, if any,
(iii) Other
Indebtedness. Deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a copy
of each regular report, notice or communication regarding potential or actual
defaults (including any accompanying officer’s certificate) delivered by or on
behalf of the Borrower to the holders of non-contingent Indebtedness pursuant
to
the terms of the agreements governing such non-contingent Indebtedness, such
delivery to be made at the same time and by the same means as such notice or
other communication is delivered to such holders, and (ii) a copy of each
notice or other communication received by the Borrower from the holders of
non-contingent Indebtedness pursuant to
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the
terms
of such non-contingent Indebtedness, such delivery to be made promptly after
such notice or other communication is received by the Borrower,
(iv) Other
Information. Such other reports and information as any of the
Lenders may from time to time reasonably request.
9. DEFAULT
9.1 Events
of Default. An Event of Default shall mean the occurrence or
existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever
the
reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation
of
Law):
9.1.1 Payments
Under Loan Documents. The Borrower shall fail to pay any
principal of any Loan (including scheduled installments, mandatory prepayments
or the payment due at maturity), Reimbursement Obligation or Letter of Credit
or
Obligation or any interest on any Loan, Reimbursement Obligation or Letter
of
Credit Obligation or any other amount owing hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents within one (1) day of the date on which such principal, interest
or
other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or
thereof;
9.1.2 Breach
of Warranty. Any representation or warranty made at any time by
any of the Loan Parties herein or by any of the Loan Parties in any other Loan
Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished
pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been false
or
misleading in any material respect as of the time it was made or
furnished;
9.1.3 Breach
of Negative Covenants; Borrowing Base Exceeded or Visitation
Rights. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in
the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 5.7.2
[Borrowing Base Exceeded], Section 8.1.5 [Visitation Rights] or
Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] other than Section 8.2.18 (which is
specifically addressed in Section 9.1.11 [Breach of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio]
below);
9.1.4 Breach
of Reporting Requirement. The Borrower shall default in the
observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.3.1[Reporting
Requirements] and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of ten
(10) Business Days;
9.1.5 Breach
of Other Covenants. Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the
observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof
or of any other Loan Document and such default shall continue unremedied for
a
period of thirty (30) calendar days;
9.1.6 Defaults
in Other Agreements or Indebtedness. A default or event of
default shall occur at any time under the terms of any other agreement involving
borrowed money or the extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which
(i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be obligated as a
borrower or guarantor in excess of $7,500,000 in the aggregate or (ii) GPE
may
be obligated as a borrower or guarantor in excess of $25,000,000 in the
aggregate, and such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure
to pay (beyond any period of grace permitted with respect thereto, whether
waived or not) any Indebtedness when due (whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) or if such breach or default permits or causes the
acceleration of any Indebtedness (whether or not such right shall have been
waived) or the termination of any commitment to lend;
9.1.7 Final
Judgments or Orders. Any money judgment(s) (other than a money
judgment covered by insurance as to which the insurance company has not
disclaimed or reserved the right to disclaim coverage), writ or warrant of
attachment, or similar process against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any their respective assets involving in any single case or in the aggregate
an amount in excess of $7,500,000.00 is or are entered and shall remain
undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days
or
in any event later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of any proposed
sale
thereunder;
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9.1.8 Loan
Document Unenforceable. Any of the Loan Documents shall cease to
be legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against the party executing
the same or such party's successors and assigns (as permitted under the Loan
Documents) in accordance with the respective terms thereof or shall in any
way
be terminated (except in accordance with its terms) or become or be declared
ineffective or inoperative or shall in any way be challenged or contested or
cease to give or provide the respective Liens, security interests, rights,
titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to be created
thereby;
9.1.9 Uninsured
Losses; Proceedings Against Assets. There shall occur any
material uninsured damage to or loss, theft or destruction of any of the
Collateral in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate during the term of this
Agreement, or the Collateral or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries' assets
are attached, seized, levied upon or subjected to a writ or distress warrant;
or
such come within the possession of any receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee
for the benefit of creditors and the same is not cured within thirty (30) days
thereafter;
9.1.10 Events
Relating to Plans and Benefit Arrangements. (i) An ERISA Event
occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Borrower under Title
IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate
amount in excess of $1,000,000, or (ii) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails
to
pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any
installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section
4201
of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of
$100,000;
9.1.11 Breach
of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower shall default in the
performance of or compliance with the financial covenant contained in
Section 8.2.18 [Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio] (a "Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach"), and such default is not cured pursuant to
the
procedure set forth below within fifteen (15) days after the determination
of
such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach. In the event of a
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach and so long as (i) no other
Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii)
no GPE Cross Default has occurred and is continuing, GPE may within fifteen
(15)
days of the determination of such breach, cure the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
Covenant Breach through a GPE Cash Infusion or GPE Guarantee Increase, or
combination thereof, in an amount equal to the amount required to achieve
compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, such amount to be determined
as
of the last day of the quarter when compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio was tested; provided that, in no event shall GPE be permitted to make
a
GPE Guarantee Increase in excess of $15,000,000 for purposes of this Section
9.1.11. In regard to a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach,
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be recalculated by adding to EBITDA the
amount(s) of the applicable GPE Cash Infusion, GPE Guarantee Increase and/or
the
amount of the GPE Letter of Credit. For purposes of this Section
9.1.11, any increase in EBITDA for the fiscal quarter in which a Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach occurred resulting from such GPE Cash Infusion,
GPE Guarantee Increase and/or the amount of the GPE Letter of Credit shall
be
deemed to modify EBITDA for such fiscal quarter for purposes of calculating
compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio in fiscal quarters following
the
fiscal quarter in which such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant Breach has
occurred, but only so long as the full amount of such GPE Cash Infusion, GPE
Guarantee Increase and/or the amount of the GPE Letter of Credit is maintained
and is not reduced by means of a Distribution or reduction in the GPE Guarantee
Increase or GPE Letter of Credit.
9.1.12 Change
of Control. A Change of Control shall occur;
9.1.13 Loan
Documents; Failure of Security. At any time, for any reason, (i)
any Loan Document as a whole that materially affects the ability of the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to enforce the Obligations or enforce
their rights against the Collateral ceases to be in full force and effect or
any
of the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto seeks to repudiate
its
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obligations
thereunder and the Liens intended to be created thereby are, or any of the
Borrower or any such Subsidiary seeks to render such Liens, invalid and
unperfected, or (ii) Liens on Collateral with a fair market value in excess
of
$100,000.00 in favor of the Administrative Agent contemplated by the Loan
Documents shall, at any time, for any reason, be invalidated or otherwise cease
to be in full force and effect, or such Liens shall not have the perfection
or
priority contemplated by this Agreement or the Loan Documents;
9.1.14 Environmental
Matters. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be the
subject of any proceeding or investigation pertaining to (i) the release by
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any contaminant into the environment,
(ii) the liability of the Borrower arising from the release by any other Person
of any contaminant into the environment, or (iii) any violation of any
Environmental Law which by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which,
in
any case, has or could reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower or any
of
its Subsidiaries to liability in excess of $1,000,000.00;
9.1.15 Guarantor
Revocation.(i)Any
guarantor of the Obligations shall
terminate or revoke or refuse to perform any of its payment obligations under
the applicable guarantee agreement or (ii) a GPE Default (as defined in such
guarantee agreement) shall occur; provided
that upon the timely issuance of a GPE
Letter of Credit, any violation of subsection (i) and (ii) of this Section
shall
not constitute an Event of Default;
9.1.16 Default
Under Subordinated Debt. A default or event of default shall
occur with respect to the obligations arising under the Subordinated Debt or
under any instrument or agreement executed in connection therewith and the
holder(s) thereof shall take any action to accelerate the maturity thereof
or to
otherwise collect the amount outstanding with respect to the Subordinated
Debt;
9.1.17 Default
under Contractual Obligations. A default or event of default
shall occur under (i) any Energy Purchase Contract, to the extent that such
default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;
(ii) the Receivables Purchase Facility; or (iii) any other contractual
obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries where such default or
event of default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change;
or
9.1.18 Relief
Proceedings.
(i)
A Relief Proceeding shall have been instituted against any Loan Party or
Subsidiary of the Borrower and such Relief Proceeding shall remain undismissed
or unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or such
court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such
Relief Proceeding, (ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of the Borrower institutes,
or takes any action in furtherance of, a Relief Proceeding, or (iii) any Loan
Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower ceases to be Solvent or admits in
writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature.
9.2 Consequences
of Event of Default.
9.2.1 Events
of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization
Proceedings. If an Event of Default specified under
Sections 9.1.1 through 9.1.17 shall occur and be continuing, the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent shall be under no further obligation to make Loans
and the Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to issue Letters of Credit
and the Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders,
shall (i) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the unpaid principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any
unpaid fees and all other Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lenders hereunder
and thereunder to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon
become and be immediately due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of each Lender without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and (ii) require the
Borrower to, and the Borrower shall thereupon, deposit in a non-interest-bearing
account with the
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Administrative
Agent, as cash collateral for its Obligations under the Loan Documents, an
amount equal to the maximum amount currently or at any time thereafter available
to be drawn on all outstanding Letters of Credit, and the Borrower hereby
pledges to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and grants to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders a security interest in, all such cash
as
security for such Obligations; and
9.2.2 Bankruptcy,
Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings. If an Event of Default
specified under Section 9.1.18 [Relief Proceedings] shall occur, the
Lenders shall be under no further obligations to make Loans hereunder and the
Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to issue Letters of Credit and
the
unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued
thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Indebtedness of the Borrower to the
Lenders hereunder and thereunder shall be immediately due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived; and
9.2.3 Set-off. If
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the
Issuing Lender, and each of their respective Affiliates and any participant
of
such Lender or Affiliate which has agreed in writing to be bound by the
provisions of Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments] is hereby authorized at any
time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law,
to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,
provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other
obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing
Lender or any such Affiliate or participant to or for the credit or the account
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries against any and all of the
Obligations of such the Borrower or Subsidiaries now or hereafter existing
under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the Issuing Lender,
Affiliate or participant, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing
Lender, Affiliate or participant shall have made any demand under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations of the Borrower or
such
Subsidiaries may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office
of
such Lender or the Issuing Lender different from the branch or office holding
such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The rights of each
Lender, the Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates and participants
under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including
other
rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Lender or their respective
Affiliates and participants may have. Each Lender and the Issuing
Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly
after
any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice
shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application; and
9.2.4 Application
of Proceeds. From and after the date on which the Administrative
Agent has taken any action pursuant to this Section 9.2 and until all
Obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been paid in full, any
and
all proceeds received by the Administrative Agent from any sale or other
disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the exercise of any
other
remedy by the Administrative Agent, shall be applied as follows:
(i) first,
to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for out-of-pocket costs,
expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' and paralegals'
fees
and legal expenses, incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in
connection with realizing on the Collateral or collection of any Obligations
of
any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents,
including advances made by the Lenders or any one of them or the Administrative
Agent for the reasonable maintenance, preservation, protection or enforcement
of, or realization upon, the Collateral, including advances for taxes,
insurance, repairs and the like and reasonable expenses incurred to sell or
otherwise realize on, or prepare for sale or other realization on, any of the
Collateral;
(ii) second,
to the repayment of all Obligations then due and unpaid of the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries to the Lenders or their Affiliates incurred under this Agreement
or
any of the other Loan Documents or agreements evidencing Lender Provided
Financial
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Services
Obligations, whether of principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise and
to
cash collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations, in such manner as the
Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion; and
(iii) the
balance, if any, as required by Law.
10. THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
10.1 Appointment
and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereby
irrevocably appoints PNC Bank to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative
Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are
delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together
with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the
benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, and
neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third
party
beneficiary of any of such provisions.
10.2 Rights
as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender
as
any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the
Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise
expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person
serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual
capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity
for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the
Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to
the
Lenders.
10.3 Exculpatory
Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or
obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan
Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Administrative Agent:
(a) shall
not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether
a
Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing;
(b) shall
not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary
powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby
or
by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to
exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number
or
percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the
other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not
be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its
counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary
to
any Loan Document or applicable Law; and
(c) shall
not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents,
have
any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose,
any
information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is
communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent
or
any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The
Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it
(i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such
other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the
Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under
the
circumstances as provided in Sections 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or
Waivers] and 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default]) or (ii) in the
absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Potential
Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Potential
Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the
Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Lender.
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The
Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain
or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the
contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or
thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions
set
forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event
of
Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of
this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument
or
document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in
Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] or
elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required
to
be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
10.4 Reliance
by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon,
any
notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other
writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting
or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed,
sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The
Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or
by
telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall
not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining
compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance
of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction
of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that
such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Lender unless
the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender
or the Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such
Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal
counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and
other
experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not
taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants
or
experts.
10.5 Delegation
of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of
its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other
Loan
Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent
may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by
or
through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions
of this Section 10 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related
Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply
to
their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative
Agent.
10.6 Resignation
of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may at any time
give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the
Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the
Required Lenders shall have the right, with approval from the Borrower (so
long
as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor,
such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If no such
successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have
accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring
Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring
Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender,
appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth
above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower
and
the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such
resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice
and (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except
that
in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on
behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents,
the
retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security
until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and
(ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made
by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall
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instead
be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Lender directly, until such time
as
the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for
above in this Section 10.6. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s
appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed
to
and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of
the
retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder
or
under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided
above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a
successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its
predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such
successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this
Section 10 and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] shall
continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its
sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent
was acting as Administrative Agent.
If
PNC
Bank resigns as Administrative Agent under this Section 10.6, PNC Bank shall
also resign as an Issuing Lender. Upon the appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall (i) succeed to all of
the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of PNC Bank as the retiring Issuing Lender
and Administrative Agent and PNC Bank shall be discharged from all of its
respective duties and obligations as Issuing Lender and Administrative Agent
under the Loan Documents, and (ii) issue letters of credit in substitution
for
the Letters of Credit issued by PNC Bank, if any, outstanding at the time of
such succession or make other arrangement satisfactory to PNC Bank to
effectively assume the obligations of PNC Bank with respect to such Letters
of
Credit.
10.7 Non-Reliance
on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the
Issuing Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance
upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties
and
based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made
its
own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender and the Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently
and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of
their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall
from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking
or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document
or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or
thereunder.
10.8 No
Other Duties, etc. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, none of the Lenders listed on the cover page hereof shall
have
any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative
Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder.
10.9 Administrative
Agent's Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent a
nonrefundable fee (the "Administrative Agent's Fee") under the terms of a letter
(the "Administrative Agent’s Letter") between the Borrower and Administrative
Agent, as amended from time to time.
10.10 Authorization
to Release Collateral and Guarantors. The Lenders and Issuing
Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent to release (i) any Collateral
consisting of assets or equity interests sold or otherwise disposed of in a
sale
or other disposition or transfer permitted under Section 8.2.8 [Disposition
of Assets or Subsidiaries] and (ii) any Guarantor from its obligations under
the
Guaranty Agreement if the ownership interests in such Guarantor are sold or
otherwise disposed of or transferred to persons other than Loan Parties or
Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties in a transaction permitted under
Section 8.2.8 [Disposition of Assets or Subsidiaries].
10.11 No
Reliance on Administrative Agent's Customer Identification
Program. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such
Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the
Administrative Agent to carry out such Lender's, Affiliate's, participant's
or
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assignee's
customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under
or pursuant to the USA Patriot Act or the regulations thereunder, including
the
regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced,
the
"CIP Regulations"), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs
involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any
of
the Loan Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the
transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification
procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists,
(iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations
or such other Laws.
10.12 Intercreditor
Agreement.Each of the Lenders hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to
enter the Intercreditor Agreement, and agrees to be bound by the provisions
thereof. The Administrative Agent shall be authorized to make any
amendment, waiver, permit, consent or approval with respect to such
Intercreditor Agreement in its sole discretion (except for any amendment to
Section 6(b) thereof or otherwise in any manner materially adverse to the
interest of the Lenders), and any such amendment, waiver, permit, consent or
approval shall be binding upon each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Modifications,
Amendments or Waivers. With the written consent of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent, acting on behalf of all the Lenders, and
the
Borrower, on behalf of the Loan Parties, may from time to time enter into
written agreements amending or changing any provision of this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document or the rights of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder
or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents hereunder or
thereunder. Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such
written consent shall be effective to bind all the Lenders and the Loan Parties;
provided, that no such agreement, waiver or consent may be made which
will:
11.1.1 Increase
of Commitment. Increase the amount of the Commitment of any
Lender hereunder without the consent of such Lender;
11.1.2 Extension
of Payment; Reduction of Principal Interest or Fees; Modification of Terms
of
Payment. Whether or not any Loans are outstanding, extend the
Expiration Date or the time for payment of principal or interest of any Loan
(excluding the due date of any mandatory prepayment of a Loan), the Commitment
Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, or reduce the principal amount
of or
the rate of interest borne by any Loan or reduce the Commitment Fee or any
other
fee payable to any Lender, the Commitment Fee or any other fee payable to any
Lender, without the consent of each Lender directly affected
thereby;
11.1.3 Release
of Collateral or Guarantor. Release all or substantially all of
the Collateral or any Guarantor from its Obligations under the Guaranty
Agreement without the consent of all Complying Lenders, except for (i) sales
of
assets permitted by Section 8.2.8 [Disposition of Assets or Subsidiaries]
or (ii) the release any Guarantor or any Collateral having a value less than
or
equal to $5,000,000.00 at any one time; or
11.1.4 Miscellaneous. Amend
Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], 10.3 [Exculpatory
Provisions, Etc.] or 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or the definitions
Eligible Receivables, Receivables or Securitization Usage contained in Section
1.1 [Definitions] or this Section 11.1, alter any provision regarding the
pro rata treatment of the Lenders or requiring all Lenders to authorize the
taking of any action or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of
Required Lenders, in each case without the consent of all of the Complying
Lenders;
provided
that no agreement, waiver or consent which would modify the interests, rights
or
obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender without the
written consent of such Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable,
and provided, further that, if in connection with any proposed waiver,
amendment or modification referred to in Sections 11.1.1
through 11.1.4 above, the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but
the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is
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required
is not obtained (each a "Non-Consenting Lender"), then the Borrower shall have
the right to replace any such Non-Consenting Lender with one or more replacement
Lenders pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender].
11.2 No
Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No course of dealing and no
delay or failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any
right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or
privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders under this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative
and
not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise
have.
11.3 Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
11.3.1 Costs
and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates
(including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the
Administrative Agent), and shall pay all fees and time charges and disbursements
for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, in connection
with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the
preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or
waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand
for payment thereunder, (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender (including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or the Issuing Lender), and shall pay all fees and time charges for
attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the
Issuing Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights
(A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the
Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such
out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or
negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit, and (iv) all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent's regular
employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits of the Loan Parties'
books, records and business properties.
11.3.2 Indemnification
by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the Issuing Lender, and
each
Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called
an
“Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges
and
disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred
by
any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by
the
Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as
a
result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the
performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder
or
thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of
the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor
a
demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in
connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter
of Credit), (iii) breach of representations, warranties or covenants of the
Borrower under the Loan Documents, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
including any such items or losses relating to or arising under Environmental
Laws or pertaining to environmental matters, whether based on contract, tort
or
any other theory, whether brought
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by
a
third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of
whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity
shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee
or
(y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party
against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee's obligations
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party
has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim
as
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
11.3.3 Reimbursement
by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails
to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Sections 11.3.1 [Costs and
Expenses] or 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower] to be paid by it to
the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Lender or
any
Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay
to
the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Lender or such
Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Ratable Share (determined as of
the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is
sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or
indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case
may
be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such
sub-agent) or the Issuing Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related
Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such
sub-agent) or Issuing Lender in connection with such capacity.
11.3.4 Waiver
of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim
against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any
other
Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or
the
use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in
Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by Borrower] shall be liable for any
damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or
other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or
other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or
the
other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.
11.3.5 Payments. All
amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) days
after demand therefor.
11.4 Holidays. Whenever
payment of a Loan to be made or taken hereunder shall be due on a day which
is
not a Business Day such payment shall be due on the next Business Day (except
as
provided in Section 4.2 [Interest Periods]) and such extension of time
shall be included in computing interest and fees, except that the Loans shall
be
due on the Business Day preceding the Expiration Date if the Expiration Date
is
not a Business Day. Whenever any payment or action to be made or
taken hereunder (other than payment of the Loans) shall be stated to be due
on a
day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken
on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall not be
included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment
or action.
11.5 Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
11.5.1 Notices
Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications
expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in
Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications]), all notices and other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered
by
hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or
sent by telecopier (i) if to a Lender, to it at its address set forth in its
administrative questionnaire, or (ii) if to any other Person, to it at its
address set forth on Schedule 1.1(B).
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Notices
sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered
mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by
telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not
given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have
been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the
recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to
the extent provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications], shall be
effective as provided in such Section.
11.5.2 Electronic
Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders
and the Issuing Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic
communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant
to
procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the
foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Lender if
such
Lender or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative
Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic
communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its
discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder
by
electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided
that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes,
(i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be
deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the
intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as
available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if
such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours
of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been
sent
at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and
(ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website
shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient
at
its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification
that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website
address therefor.
11.5.3 Change
of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address or
telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice
to
the other parties hereto.
11.6 Severability. The
provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole
or
in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in
any
manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other
jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any
jurisdiction.
11.7 Duration;
Survival. All representations and warranties of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the completion of the transactions
hereunder and Payment In Full. All covenants and agreements of the
Borrower contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest,
premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including
those set forth in the Notes, Section 5 [Payments] and Section 11.3
[Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], shall survive Payment in
Full. All other covenants and agreements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries shall continue in full force and effect from and after the date
hereof and until Payment in Full.
11.8 Successors
and Assigns.
11.8.1 Successors
and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the
Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee
in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders],
(ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of
Section
-60-
11.8.4 [Participations],
or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the
restrictions of Section 11.8.6 [Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns
Generally] (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto
shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties
hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants
to the extent provided in Section 11.8.4 [Participations] and, to the
extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy
or
claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
11.8.2 Assignments
by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more
assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing
to
it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following
conditions:
(i) Minimum
Amounts.
(A) in
the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning
Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an
assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum
amount need be assigned; and
(B) in
any case not described in clause (i)(A) of this Section 11.8.2, the aggregate
amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding
thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the
principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject
to
each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption
Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative
Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless
each
of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred
and
is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii) Proportionate
Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment
of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations
under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment
assigned.
(iii) Required
Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except
for the consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and:
(A) the
consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and
is
continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender,
an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;
(B) the
consent of the Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld
or
delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation
of
the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit
(whether or not then outstanding).
(iv) Assignment
and Assumption Agreement. The parties to each assignment shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the
assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent
an
administrative questionnaire provided by the Administrative Agent.
-61-
(v) No
Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the
Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
(vi) No
Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made
to a natural person.
Subject
to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 11.8.3 [Register], from and after the effective date specified in
each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be
a
party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be
released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s
rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be
a
party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs;
Deposits Not Available], 5.8 [Increased Costs; Indemnity], and 11.3
[Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver] with respect to facts and
circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such
assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or
obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this
Section 11.8.2 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by
such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance
with
Section 11.8.4 [Participations].
11.8.3 Register. The
Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the
Borrower, shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of the Lenders,
and
the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time. Such register shall
be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may
treat each Person whose name is in such register pursuant to the terms hereof
as
a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice
to
the contrary. Such register shall be available for inspection by the
Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
11.8.4 Participations. Any
Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower
or
the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a
natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or
Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such
Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that
(i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,
(ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, Issuing Lender shall continue to deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
Any
agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation
shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this
Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement
or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of
the
Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to
Sections 11.1.1 [Increase of Commitment, Etc.], 11.1.2 [Extension of
Payment, Etc.], or 11.1.3 [Release of Collateral or
Guarantor]). Subject to Section 11.8.5 [Limitations upon
Participant Rights Successors and Assigns Generally], the Borrower agrees that
each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.4 [LIBOR
Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available]
and 5.8 [Increased Costs; Indemnity] to the same extent as if
it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to
Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders]. To the extent permitted
by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 9.2.3 [Setoff] as though it were a Lender;
provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 5.3
[Sharing of Payments by Lenders] as though it were a
Lender.
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11.8.5 Limitations
upon Participant Rights Successors and Assigns Generally. A
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under
Sections 5.8 [Increased Costs], 5.9 [Taxes] or 11.3 [ Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver] than the applicable Lender would have
been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such
Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made
with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would
be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits
of
Section 5.9 [Taxes] unless the Borrower is notified of the
participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the
benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 5.9.5 [Status of
Lenders] as though it were a Lender.
11.8.6 Certain
Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally. Any Lender may at any
time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights
under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge
or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided
that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender
as a party hereto.
11.8.7 Assignment
and Participation Expenses. Any Lender assigning any portion of
its Commitment and/or Loans or selling a participation in its Commitment and/or
Loans, and the assignee(s) and Participant(s), shall bear their own fees and
expenses incurred in connection with any such assignment or participation,
and
none of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates
shall have any obligation for any such fees or expenses.
11.9 Confidentiality.
11.9.1 General. Each
of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may
be
disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective
partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other
representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure
is
made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and
instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent
requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over
it
(including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association
of
Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws
or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any
other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies
hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating
to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights
hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or
Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its
rights or obligations under this Agreement or (B) any actual or prospective
counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating
to
the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower or
(viii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (B) becomes available
to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any of their
respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the
Borrower or the other Loan Parties. Any Person required to maintain
the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be
considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential
information.
11.9.2 Sharing
Information With Affiliates of the Lenders. Each Loan Party
acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking
and
other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of
its
Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or
by
one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender and each of the Loan
Parties hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to
such
Lender by such
-63-
Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement to any such Subsidiary
or
Affiliate subject to the provisions of Section 11.9.1 [General].
11.10 Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness.
11.10.1 Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each
of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together
shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable
to
the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous
agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter
hereof including any prior confidentiality agreements and
commitments. Except as provided in Section 7 [Conditions Of
Lending And Issuance Of Letters Of Credit], this Agreement shall become
effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and
when
the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when
taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties
hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of
this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of this Agreement.
11.11 CHOICE
OF LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
11.11.1 Governing
Law This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under the
Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflict of
laws
principles. Each standby Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement
shall be subject either to the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber
of
Commerce (the “ICC”) at the time of issuance (“UCP”) or the rules of the
International Standby Practices (ICC Publication Number 590) (“ISP98”), as
determined by the Issuing Lender, and each trade Letter of Credit shall be
subject to UCP, and in each case to the extent not inconsistent therewith,
the
Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to is conflict of laws
principles.
11.11.2 SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF,
IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND
EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS
IN
RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH
PENNSYLVANIA STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW,
IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL
JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE
ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER
PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR
THE
ISSUING LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING
TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER
OF
ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION.
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11.11.3 WAIVER
OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH ITS SUBSIDIARIES IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
ANY
OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 11.11. EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF
SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT ASSERT ANY SUCH
DEFENSE.
11.11.4 SERVICE
OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.5 [NOTICES;
EFFECTIVENESS; ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION]. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
11.11.5 WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE,
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,
SEEK
TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER
PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
LOAN
DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN
THIS
SECTION.
11.12 USA
Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA
Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any
Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that pursuant to
the
requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record
information that identifies the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which information
includes the name and address of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and other
information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable,
to identify the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the USA Patriot
Act.
[SIGNATURE
PAGES TO FOLLOW]
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[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto duly
authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
WITNESS/ATTEST:
____________________________
|
STRATEGIC
ENERGY, L.L.C.
___________________________________
|
By:
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Title:
Vice President, Corporate Development and
Finance
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]
PNC
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
individually
and as Administrative Agent
____________________________________
|
|
By:
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President and Director
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]
FIFTH
THIRD BANK
____________________________________
|
|
By:
Name:
Xxx Janovksy
Title:
Vice President
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]
THE
HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
____________________________________
|
|
By:
Name:
W. Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
|
SCHEDULE 1.1(A)
PRICING
GRID--
VARIABLE
PRICING AND FEES BASED ON UNUSED
AVAILABILITY
(PRICING
EXPRESSED IN BASIS POINTS)
Level
|
Unused
Availability
|
Commitment
Fee
|
Letter
of Credit Fee
|
Base
Rate Spread
|
LIBOR
Rate Spread
|
I
|
Greater
than $50,000,000
|
37.5
|
175
|
25
|
175
|
II
|
Less
than or equal to $50,000,000 but greater than
$25,000,000
|
37.5
|
200
|
50
|
200
|
III
|
Less
than or equal to $25,000,000
|
50
|
225
|
75
|
225
|
For
purposes of determining the Applicable Margin, the Applicable Commitment Fee
Rate and the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate:
(a) The
Applicable Margin, the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and the Applicable Letter
of Credit Fee Rate shall be determined on the Closing Date based on the Unused
Availability computed on such date pursuant to a Borrowing Base Certificate
to
be delivered on the Closing Date.
(b) The
Applicable Margin, the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and the Applicable Letter
of Credit Fee Rate shall be recomputed in connection with each delivery of
a
Borrowing Base Certificate on the 21st day of each calendar month and shall
apply retroactively to the first day of such calendar month; provided, if
the Borrower shall fail to deliver such Borrowing Base Certificate on the 21st
day of such month, the Loans and Letters of Credit shall be subject Level III
pricing for such calendar month.
(c) This
paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender
or
the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under Section 2.9 [Letter of Credit
Subfacility] or 4.3 [Interest After Default] or 9
[Default]. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall
survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other
Obligations hereunder.
SCHEDULE
1.1.(A) - 1
SCHEDULE 1.1(B)
COMMITMENTS
OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
Page
1 of
2
Part
1 - Commitments of Lenders and Addresses for Notices to
Lenders
Lender
|
Commitment
|
Ratable
Share
|
Name: PNC
Bank, National Association
Address:
One PNC Plaza, 2nd
Floor
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
|
$20,000,000
|
40.000000000%
|
Name:
Fifth Third Bank
Address:
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxx Xxxxxxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Telecopy: (000)
000-0000
|
$15,000,000
|
30.000000000%
|
Name: The
Huntington National Bank
Address:
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
W. Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Telecopy: (000)
000-0000
|
$15,000,000
|
30.000000000%
|
Total
|
$50,000,000
|
100%
|
SCHEDULE
1.1(B) - 1
SCHEDULE 1.1(B)
COMMITMENTS
OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
Page
2 of
2
Part
2 - Addresses for Notices to Borrower and Guarantors:
ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT
Agency
Services
PNC
Bank,
National Association
PNC
Firstside Center
4th
Floor
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Telecopy: (000)
000-0000
BORROWER:
Name: Strategic
Energy, L.L.C.
Address:
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Telecopy: (000)
000-0000
GUARANTOR:
Name: Great
Plains Energy, Incorporated
Address: 0000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Telecopy: (000)
000-0000
SCHEDULE
1.1(B) - 2
SCHEDULE
8.1.3
INSURANCE
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE COLLATERAL
COVENANTS:
At
the
request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
deliver to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders (x) on the
Closing Date and annually thereafter an original certificate of insurance signed
by the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' independent insurance broker describing
and certifying as to the existence of the insurance on the Collateral required
to be maintained by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with
a
copy of the endorsement described in the next sentence attached to such
certificate and (y) from time to time a summary schedule indicating all
insurance then in force with respect to each of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries. Such policies of insurance shall contain special
endorsements, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent,
which shall include the provisions set forth below. The applicable
Borrower and/or Subsidiary shall notify the Administrative Agent promptly of
any
occurrence causing a material loss or decline in value of the Collateral and
the
estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss or
decline. Any monies received by the Administrative Agent constituting
insurance proceeds or condemnation proceeds may, at the option of the
Administrative Agent, (i) be applied by the Administrative Agent to the
payment of the Loans in such manner as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
determine, or (ii) be disbursed to the applicable Borrower and/or
Subsidiary on such terms as are deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent
for the repair, restoration and/or replacement of property in respect of which
such proceeds were received.
ENDORSEMENT:
(i) specify
the Administrative Agent as an additional insured and lender loss payee as
its
interests may appear, with the understanding that any obligation imposed upon
the insured (including the liability to pay premiums) shall be the sole
obligation of the applicable Borrower and/or Subsidiary and not that of the
insured,
(ii) provide
that the interest of the Lenders shall be insured regardless of any breach
or
violation by the applicable Borrower and/or Subsidiary of any warranties,
declarations or conditions contained in such policies or any action or inaction
of the applicable Borrower and/or Subsidiary or others insured under such
policies,
(iii) provide
a waiver of any right of the insurers to set off or counterclaim or any other
deduction, whether by attachment or otherwise,
(iv) provide
that any and all rights of subrogation which the insurers may have or acquire
shall be, at all times and in all respects, junior and subordinate to the prior
payment in full of the Indebtedness hereunder and that no insurer shall exercise
or assert any right of subrogation until such time as the Indebtedness hereunder
has been paid in full and the Commitments have terminated,
(v) provide,
except in the case of public liability insurance and workmen's compensation
insurance, that all insurance proceeds for losses of less than $1,000,000 shall
be adjusted with and payable to the applicable Borrower and/or Subsidiary and
that all insurance proceeds for losses of $1,000,000 or more shall be adjusted
with and payable to the Administrative Agent,
(vi) include
effective waivers by the insurer of all claims for insurance premiums against
the Administrative Agent,
SCHEDULE
8.1.3 - 1
(vii) provide
that no cancellation of such policies for any reason (including non-payment
of
premium) nor any change therein shall be effective until at least thirty (30)
days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such
cancellation or change,
(viii) be
primary without right of contribution of any other insurance carried by or
on
behalf of any additional insureds with respect to their respective interests
in
the Collateral, and
(ix) provide
that inasmuch as the policy covers more than one insured, all terms, conditions,
insuring agreements and endorsements (except limits of liability) shall operate
as if there were a separate policy covering each insured.
SCHEDULE
8.1.3 - 2