CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of August 24, 2006 Among FIRSTENERGY CORP., FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP., AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED, OHIO EDISON COMPANY, PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY, THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY, THE TOLEDO...
EXHIBIT
10.1
U.S.
$2,750,000,000
|
|
Dated
as
of August 24, 2006
|
Among
|
FIRSTENERGY
CORP., FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP., AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED, OHIO EDISON COMPANY, PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY,
THE
CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY, THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY,
JERSEY
CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY and
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY,
|
as
Borrowers,
|
THE
BANKS NAMED HEREIN,
|
as
Banks,
|
CITIBANK,
N.A.,
|
as
Administrative Agent,
|
THE
FRONTING BANKS
|
PARTY
HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME
|
as
Fronting Banks
|
and
|
THE
SWING LINE LENDERS PARTY
|
HERETO
FROM TIME TO TIME
|
as
Swing
Line Lenders
|
CITIGROUP
GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
|
and
|
BARCLAYS
CAPITAL
|
Joint
Lead
Arrangers
|
BARCLAYS
BANK PLC
|
Syndication
Agent
|
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
|
KEYBANK
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
Co-Documentation
Agents
|
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
I
|
||
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
|
||
SECTION
1.01
|
Certain
Defined Terms.
|
1
|
SECTION
1.02
|
Computation
of
Time Periods.
|
18
|
SECTION
1.03
|
Accounting
Terms.
|
19
|
SECTION
1.04
|
Certain
References.
|
19
|
ARTICLE
II
|
||
AMOUNTS
AND
TERMS OF THE ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
|
||
SECTION
2.01
|
The
Pro-Rata
Advances.
|
19
|
SECTION
2.02
|
Making
the
Pro-Rata Advances.
|
19
|
SECTION
2.03
|
Swing
Line
Advances.
|
21
|
SECTION
2.04
|
Letters
of
Credit.
|
24
|
SECTION
2.05
|
Fees.
|
31
|
SECTION
2.06
|
Adjustment
of
the Commitments; Borrower Submits.
|
32
|
SECTION
2.07
|
Repayment
of
Advances.
|
34
|
SECTION
2.08
|
Interest
on
Advances.
|
34
|
SECTION
2.09
|
Additional
Interest on Advances.
|
35
|
SECTION
2.10
|
Interest
Rate
Determination.
|
36
|
SECTION
2.11
|
Conversion
of
Advances.
|
36
|
SECTION
2.12
|
Prepayments.
|
37
|
SECTION
2.13
|
Increased
Costs.
|
38
|
SECTION
2.14
|
Illegality.
|
39
|
SECTION
2.15
|
Payments
and
Computations
|
40
|
SECTION
2.16
|
Taxes.
|
42
|
SECTION
2.17
|
Sharing
of
Payments, Etc.
|
43
|
SECTION
2.18
|
Noteless
Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness.
|
44
|
SECTION
2.19
|
Extension
of
Termination Date.
|
44
|
SECTION
2.20
|
Several
Obligations.
|
46
|
ARTICLE
III
|
||
CONDITIONS
OF
LENDING AND ISSUING LETTERS OF CREDIT
|
||
SECTION
3.01
|
Conditions
Precedent to Initial Extension of Credit.
|
46
|
SECTION
3.02
|
Conditions
Precedent to Each Extension of Credit.
|
48
|
SECTION
3.03
|
Conditions
Precedent to Conversions.
|
49
|
SECTION
3.04
|
Conditions
Precedent to Extensions of Credit after Expiration of
Approval.
|
50
|
ARTICLE
IV
|
||
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
||
SECTION
4.01
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Borrowers.
|
50
|
i
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
ARTICLE
V
|
||
COVENANTS
OF
THE BORROWERS
|
||
SECTION
5.01
|
Affirmative
Covenants of the Borrowers.
|
54
|
SECTION
5.02
|
Debt
to
Capitalization Ratio.
|
57
|
SECTION
5.03
|
Negative
Covenants of the Borrowers.
|
57
|
ARTICLE
VI
|
||
EVENTS
OF
DEFAULT
|
||
SECTION
6.01
|
Events
of
Default.
|
59
|
ARTICLE
VII
|
||
THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
|
||
SECTION
7.01
|
Authorization
and Action.
|
62
|
SECTION
7.02
|
Administrative
Agent’s Reliance, Etc.
|
63
|
SECTION
7.03
|
CUSA,
Barclays
and Affiliates.
|
63
|
SECTION
7.04
|
Lender
Credit
Decision.
|
64
|
SECTION
7.05
|
Indemnification.
|
64
|
SECTION
7.06
|
Successor
Administrative Agent.
|
64
|
ARTICLE
VIII
|
||
MISCELLANEOUS
|
||
SECTION
8.01
|
Amendments,
Etc.
|
65
|
SECTION
8.02
|
Notices,
Etc.
|
66
|
SECTION
8.03
|
Electronic
Communications.
|
66
|
SECTION
8.04
|
No
Waiver;
Remedies.
|
67
|
SECTION
8.05
|
Costs
and
Expenses; Indemnification.
|
68
|
SECTION
8.06
|
Right
of
Set-off.
|
69
|
SECTION
8.07
|
Binding
Effect.
|
69
|
SECTION
8.08
|
Assignments
and Participations.
|
70
|
SECTION
8.09
|
Governing
Law.
|
73
|
SECTION
8.10
|
Consent
to
Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
|
73
|
SECTION
8.11
|
Severability.
|
74
|
SECTION
8.12
|
Entire
Agreement.
|
74
|
SECTION
8.13
|
Execution
in
Counterparts.
|
74
|
SECTOPM
8.14
|
USA
PATRIOT
Act Notice.
|
74
|
ii
SCHEDULES
AND EXHIBITS
Schedule
I
|
-
|
List
of
Commitments and Lending Offices
|
Schedule
II
|
-
|
List
of L/C
Fronting Bank Commitments
|
Schedule
III
|
-
|
List
of Swing
Line Commitments
|
Schedule
IV
|
-
|
Letters
of
Credit
|
Exhibit
A
|
-
|
Form
of
Assignment and Acceptance
|
Exhibit
B
|
-
|
Form
of
Note
|
Exhibit
C
|
-
|
Form
of
Guaranty
|
Exhibit
D
|
-
|
Form
of Notice
of Pro-Rata Borrowing
|
Exhibit
E
|
-
|
Form
of Notice
of Swing Line Borrowing
|
Exhibit
F
|
-
|
Form
of Letter
of Credit Request
|
Exhibit
G
|
-
|
Form
of
Opinion of Xxxx X. Benz, Esq.
|
Exhibit
H
|
-
|
Form
of
Opinion of Akin Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP
|
Exhibit
I
|
-
|
Form
of
Opinion of King & Spalding LLP
|
iii
CREDIT
AGREEMENT,
dated as of
August 24, 2006, among FIRSTENERGY CORP., an Ohio corporation (“FE”),
FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.,
an Ohio
corporation (“FES”),
AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED,
an Ohio
corporation (“ATSI”),
OHIO
EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation (“OE”),
PENNSYLVANIA
POWER
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation (“Penn”),
THE
CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation (“CEI”),
THE
TOLEDO EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation (“TE”),
JERSEY
CENTRAL POWER
& LIGHT COMPANY,
a New Jersey
corporation (“JCP&L”),
METROPOLITAN
EDISON
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
FE, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the “Borrowers”),
the banks and
other financial institutions (the “Banks”)
listed on the
signature pages hereof, Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”),
as Administrative
Agent (the “Administrative
Agent”)
for the Lenders
hereunder, the fronting banks party hereto from time to time and the swing
line
lenders party hereto from time to time.
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENTS
(1) The
Borrowers have
requested that the Lenders establish a five-year unsecured revolving credit
facility in the amount of $2,750,000,000 in favor of the Borrowers, all of
which
may be used for general corporate purposes and the entirety of which may
be used
for the issuance of Letters of Credit.
(2) Subject
to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders severally, to the extent of
their
respective Commitments (as defined herein), are willing to establish the
requested revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrowers.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in consideration
of the premises, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE III
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
SECTION
1.01 Certain
Defined Terms.
As
used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings
to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined):
“Account
Party”
has
the meaning set
forth in Section 2.04(a).
“Additional
Lender”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.06(b).
“Administrative
Agent”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.
1
“Advance”
means
a Pro-Rata
Advance or a Swing Line Advance.
“Affiliate”
means, as to any
Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled
by or is under common control with such Person or is a director or officer
of
such Person.
“Agreement”
means this Credit
Agreement, as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time.
“Alternate
Base Rate”
means, for any
period, a fluctuating interest rate per
annum
as shall be in
effect from time to time, which rate per
annum
shall at all times
be equal to the higher of (i) the rate of interest announced publicly by
Citibank in New York, New York, from time to time, as its “base rate” and
(ii) the sum of 1/2 of 1% per
annum
plus the Federal
Funds Rate in effect from time to time.
“Alternate
Base Rate Advance”
means
an Alternate
Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance or an Alternate Base Rate Swing Line
Advance.
“Alternate
Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance”
means a Pro-Rata
Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(a).
“Alternate
Base Rate Swing Line Advance”
means
a Swing Line
Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(c).
“Applicable
Law”
means all
applicable laws, statutes, treaties, rules, codes, ordinances, regulations,
permits, certificates, orders, interpretations, licenses and permits of any
Governmental Authority and judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders
or
like action of any court, arbitrator or other judicial or quasi-judicial
tribunal of competent jurisdiction (including those pertaining to health,
safety
or the environment or otherwise).
“Applicable
Lending Office”
means, with respect
to each Lender, such Lender’s Domestic Lending Office in the case of an
Alternate Base Rate Advance, and such Lender’s Eurodollar Lending Office in the
case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance.
“Applicable
Margin”
means, for any
Alternate Base Rate Advance or any Eurodollar Rate Advance made to any Borrower,
the interest rate per
annum
set forth in the
relevant row of the table below, determined by reference to the Reference
Ratings for such Borrower from time to time in effect:
2
BASIS
FOR PRICING
|
LEVEL
1
Reference
Ratings at least A- by S&P or
A3 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
2
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 1 but at least BBB+ by S&P or
Baa1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
3
Reference
Ratings of lower than Level 2 but at least BBB by S&P or
Baa2 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
4
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 3 but at least BBB- by S&P or
Baa3 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
5
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 4 but at least BB+ by S&P or
Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
6
Reference
Ratings lower than BB+ by S&P and
Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
Applicable
Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances
|
0.190%
|
0.270%
|
0.350%
|
0.425%
|
0.525%
|
0.800%
|
Applicable
Margin for Alternate Base Rate Advances
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
Utilization
Fee
|
0.050%
|
0.050%
|
0.050%
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
provided,
that the
Applicable Margin shall be increased by the rate per
annum
set forth above in
the row captioned “Utilization Fee” that corresponds to the Reference Ratings
Level used to determine the Applicable Margin during any period in which
the
total amount of Outstanding Credits is greater than one-half of the aggregate
amount of the Commitments.
For
purposes of the
foregoing, (i) if there is a difference of one level in Reference Ratings
of
S&P and Xxxxx’x and the higher of such Reference Ratings falls in Xxxxx 0,
Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 4 or Xxxxx 0, then the higher Reference Rating will
be
used to determine the pricing level and (ii) if there is a difference of
more
than one level in Reference Ratings of S&P and Xxxxx’x, the Reference Rating
that is one level above the lower of such Reference Ratings will be used
to
determine the pricing level, unless the lower of such Reference Ratings falls
in
Level 6, in which case the lower of such Reference Ratings will be used to
determine the pricing level. If there exists only one Reference Rating, such
Reference Rating will be used to determine the pricing level.
“Approval”
means:
(i) with
respect to FE, the FE SEC Order; (ii) with respect to FES, the FES FERC Order,
(iii) with respect to ATSI, the ATSI SEC Order; (iv) with respect to OE,
the OE
PUCO Order; (v) with respect to Penn, the Penn SEC Order, subject to any
borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents of Penn;
(vi)
with respect to CEI, the CEI PUCO Order; (vii) with respect to TE, the XX
XXXX
Order; (viii) with respect to JCP&L, the JCP&L SEC Order, subject to any
borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents of JCP&L;
(ix) with respect to Met-Ed, the Met-Ed SEC Order; and (x) with respect to
Penelec, the Penelec SEC Order.
3
“Assignment
and Acceptance”
means an assignment
and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted
by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A
hereto.
“ATSI”
has
the
meaning
set forth in the
preamble hereto.
“ATSI
SEC
Order” means
the order of
the SEC that authorized ATSI to obtain Extensions of Credit until February
8,
2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007 pursuant
to the
FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
“ATSI
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC or the PUCO that authorizes ATSI to obtain Extensions of Credit
after
December 31, 2007.
“Available
Commitment”
means, for each
Lender, the excess of such Lender’s Commitment over such Lender’s Percentage of
the Outstanding Credits. “Available
Commitments”
shall refer to the
aggregate of the Lenders’ Available Commitments hereunder.
“Bankruptcy
Code”
means the
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended from time to time, and any Federal
law
with respect to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.
“Banks”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Barclays”
means
Barclays
Bank PLC.
“Beneficiary”
means
any Person
designated by an Account Party to whom a Fronting Bank is to make payment,
or on
whose order payment is to be made, under a Letter of Credit.
“Borrower”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto and, as the context may require, includes
FE in
its capacity as guarantor under any Guaranty.
“Borrower
Sublimit”
means:
(i) with
respect to FE, $2,750,000,000, (ii) with respect to FES, $0 (unless and until
increased pursuant to Section 2.06(c)), (iii) with respect to ATSI, $0 (unless
and until increased pursuant to Section 2.06(c)), (iv) with respect to OE,
$500,000,000, (v) with respect to Penn, $50,000,000, (vi) with respect to
CEI,
$250,000,000 (unless and until increased pursuant to Section 2.06(c)), (vii)
with respect to TE, $250,000,000 (unless and until increased pursuant to
Section
2.06(c)), (viii) with respect to JCP&L, $425,000,000, (ix) with respect to
Met-Ed, $250,000,000, and (x) with respect to Penelec,
$250,000,000.
“Borrowing”
means a Pro-Rata
Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing.
“Business
Day”
means a day of the
year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in New York City
or
Akron, Ohio and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar
Rate
Advances, on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank
market.
4
“CEI”
has the meaning set
forth in the preamble hereto.
“CEI
PUCO
Order”
means
the order of
the PUCO that authorizes CEI to obtain Extensions of Credit until December
31,
2006.
“CEI
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the PUCO that authorizes CEI to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31,
2006.
“Change
of Control”
has
the meaning
set
forth in
Section
6.01(j).
“Citibank”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Code”
means the United
States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the
applicable regulations thereunder.
“Commitment”
means,
as to any
Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I
hereto or, if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance,
set
forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 8.08(c), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 2.06(a).
“Commitment
Increase”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.06(b).
“Consolidated
Debt”
means,
with
respect to any Borrower at any date of determination the aggregate Indebtedness
of such Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP, but shall not include (i) Nonrecourse
Indebtedness of such Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) obligations
under leases that shall have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP,
recorded as operating leases in respect of which such Borrower or any of
its
Consolidated Subsidiaries is liable as a lessee, (iii) the aggregate
principal amount of Stranded Cost Securitization Bonds of such Borrower and
its
Consolidated Subsidiaries and (iv) the aggregate principal amount of Trust
Preferred Securities and Junior Subordinated Deferred Interest Obligations
not
exceeding 15% of the Total Capitalization of such Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries (determined, for purposes of such calculation, without regard
to
the amount of Trust Preferred Securities and Junior Subordinated Deferred
Interest Debt Obligations outstanding of such Borrower); provided
that the amount of
any mandatory principal amortization or defeasance of Trust Preferred Securities
or Junior Subordinated Deferred Interest Debt Obligations prior to the
Termination Date shall be included in this definition of Consolidated
Debt.
“Consolidated
Subsidiary”
means,
as to any
Person, any Subsidiary of such Person the accounts of which are or are required
to be consolidated with the accounts of such Person in accordance with
GAAP.
“Controlled
Group”
means all members
of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether
or
not incorporated) under common control that, together with any Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or
414(c) of the Code.
5
“Convert”,
“Conversion”
and “Converted”
each refers to a
conversion of Pro-Rata Advances of one Type into Pro-Rata Advances of another
Type or the selection of a new, or the renewal of the same, Interest Period
for
Pro-Rata Eurodollar Rate Advances pursuant to Section 2.10 or
2.11.
“Cost
of
Funds Swing Line Advance”
means
a Swing Line
Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(e).
“Date
of
Issuance”
means
the date of
issuance by a Fronting Bank of a Letter of Credit under this
Agreement.
“Debt
to
Capitalization Ratio”
means,
for any
Borrower, the ratio of Consolidated Debt of such Borrower to Total
Capitalization of such Borrower.
“Domestic
Lending Office”
means, with respect
to any Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its “Domestic
Lending
Office”
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance
pursuant to which it became a Lender, or such other office of such Lender
as
such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative
Agent.
“Drawing”
means
a drawing by
a Beneficiary under any Letter of Credit.
“Eligible
Assignee”
means (i) a
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State
thereof; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other
country that is a member of the OECD or has concluded special lending
arrangements with the International Monetary Fund associated with its “General
Arrangements to Borrow”, or a political subdivision of any such country,
provided
that such bank is
acting through a branch or agency located in the United States; (iii) a
finance company, insurance company or other financial institution or fund
(whether a corporation, partnership or other entity) engaged generally in
making, purchasing or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary
course of its business; (iv) the central bank of any country that is a
member of the OECD; or (v) any Bank; provided,
however,
that (A) any
Person described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above shall
also (x) have outstanding unsecured indebtedness that is rated A- or better
by S&P or A3 or better by Xxxxx’x (or an equivalent rating by another
nationally recognized credit rating agency of similar standing if neither
of
such corporations is in the business of rating unsecured indebtedness of
entities engaged in such businesses) and (y) have combined capital and
surplus (as established in its most recent report of condition to its primary
regulator, if applicable) of not less than $250,000,000 (or its equivalent
in
foreign currency), (B) any Person described in clause (ii), (iii) or
(iv) above shall, on the date on which it is to become a Lender hereunder,
be entitled to receive payments hereunder without deduction or withholding
of
any United States Federal income taxes (as contemplated by Section 2.16(d))
and (C) any Person described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or
(iv) above shall, in addition, be reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lenders and the Fronting
Banks.
6
“Environmental
Laws”
means any federal,
state or local laws, ordinances or codes, rules, orders, or regulations relating
to pollution or protection of the environment, including, without limitation,
laws relating to hazardous substances, laws relating to reclamation of land
and
waterways and laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened
releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or
hazardous substances or wastes into the environment (including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
strata) or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollution, contaminants,
chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.
“ERISA”
means the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the regulations promulgated and
rulings issued thereunder, each as amended, modified and in effect from time
to
time.
“Eurocurrency
Liabilities”
has the meaning
assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
“Eurodollar
Lending Office”
means, with respect
to any Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its “Eurodollar
Lending
Office”
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance
pursuant to which it became a Lender (or, if no such office is specified,
its
Domestic Lending Office), or such other office of such Lender as such Lender
may
from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent.
“Eurodollar
Rate”
means, for the
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance made in connection with any
Borrowing, the interest rate per
annum
at which eurodollar
deposits are offered in the London interbank market for a term equivalent
to
such Interest Period determined by reference to Telerate page 3750 at 11:00
a.m.
(London time) two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period
for
a period equal to such Interest Period. If
such rate is not
available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” for such
Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative
Agent to be the rate at which deposits in dollars for delivery on the first
day
of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of (i)
the
Eurodollar Rate Advance being made, continued or converted by Citibank in
connection with such Borrowing (if such Borrowing is a Pro-Rata Borrowing)
or
(ii) such Borrowing (if such Borrowing is a Swing Line Borrowing), and with
a
term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Citibank, N.A.’s
London branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at
their
request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior
to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
“Eurodollar
Rate Advance”
means
a Eurodollar
Rate Pro-Rata Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance.
“Eurodollar
Rate Pro-Rata Advance”
means a Pro-Rata
Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(b).
7
“Eurodollar
Rate Reserve Percentage”
of any Lender for
the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve percentage
applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage
shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days
in
such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable)
under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve
requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or
other
marginal reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities
or
assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term
equal
to such Interest Period.
“Eurodollar
Rate Swing Line Advance”
means
an Advance
that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(d).
“Event
of
Default”
has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.01.
“Exchange
Act”
means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
in
each case as amended and in effect from time to time.
“Existing
Credit Agreement”
means
the $2.0
Billion Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2005, among the Borrowers,
the
banks party thereto, Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent, and Citicorp
USA, Inc. and Barclays, as fronting banks.
“Expiration
Date”
means, with respect
to a Letter of Credit, its stated expiration date.
“Extension
of Credit” means
the making of
any Advance or the issuance or amendment (including, without limitation,
an
extension or renewal) of a Letter of Credit.
“FE”
has
the
meaning
set
forth in
the preamble
hereto.
“Federal
Funds Rate”
means, for any
period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such
period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day,
for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day,
the
average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100 of 1% per
annum,
if such average is not such a multiple) of the quotations for such day on
such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
“Fee
Letter”
means that certain
letter agreement, dated July 27, 2006, among FE, Citigroup Global Markets
Inc.,
Barclays and Barclays Capital.
“FERC”
means
the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission or successor organization.
8
"FERC
PUHCA 2005 Filing"
means the
informational filing submitted to the FERC on February 21, 2006, pursuant
to the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 and the FERC's Order No. 667,
which
enabled each Borrower, as applicable, to continue to rely on the financing
authorizations authorized in the SEC Order.
“FES”
has
the
meaning set
forth
in
the
preamble hereto.
“FES
FERC
Order”
means
the order
issued by the FERC on January 24, 2001, in Docket Nos. ER01-000 et al. under
the
Federal Power Act, that granted FirstEnergy Services, Inc. blanket approval
under Part 34 of the FERC's regulations to issue securities and assume
liabilities, to which grant of blanket approval FES subsequently succeeded
through the order of the FERC issued on October 24, 2001, in Docket Nos.
ER01-2968-000 et al.
“FES
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC subsequently issued that authorizes FES to obtain Extensions of
Credit
in the event the blanket approval granted in the FES FERC Order is rescinded
or
as may otherwise apply.
“FE
SEC
Order” means
the order
issued by the SEC that authorized FE to obtain Extensions of Credit until
February 8, 2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007,
pursuant to the FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
“First
Mortgage Indenture”
means, with respect
to any Significant Subsidiary, an indenture or similar instrument pursuant
to
which such Person may issue bonds, notes or similar instruments secured by
a
lien on all or substantially all of such Person’s fixed assets.
“Fraction”
means,
for any
Borrower at any time, a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Borrower
Sublimit of such Borrower at such time, and the denominator of which shall
be
the sum of the Borrower Sublimits of all Borrowers at such time.
“Fronting
Bank”
means
each Lender
identified as a “Fronting Bank” on Schedule II and any other Lender (in each
case, acting directly or through an Affiliate) that delivers an instrument
in
form and substance satisfactory to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent
whereby such other Lender (or its Affiliate) agrees to act as “Fronting Bank”
hereunder and that specifies the maximum aggregate Stated Amount of Letters
of
Credit that such other Lender (or its Affiliates) will agree to issue
hereunder.
“Fronting
Bank Fee Letter”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 3.01(b).
“GAAP”
means
generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to
time.
“Generation
Transfers”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 5.03(a).
9
“Governmental
Action”
means all
authorizations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, orders,
licenses, exemptions, publications, filings, notices to and declarations
of or
with any Governmental Authority (other than routine reporting requirements
the
failure to comply with which will not affect the validity or enforceability
of
any Loan Document or have a material adverse effect on the transactions
contemplated by any Loan Document or any material rights, power or remedy
of any
Person thereunder or any other action in respect of any Governmental
Authority).
“Governmental
Authority”
means any Federal,
state, county, municipal, foreign, international, regional or other governmental
authority, agency, board, body, instrumentality or court.
“Guaranty”
means
a guaranty
by FE substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
“Hostile
Acquisition” means
any Target
Acquisition (as defined below) involving a tender offer or proxy contest
that
has not been recommended or approved by the board of directors (or similar
governing body) of the Person that is the subject of such Target Acquisition
prior to the first public announcement or disclosure relating to such Target
Acquisition. As used in this definition, the term “Target Acquisition” means any
transaction, or any series of related transactions, by which any Person directly
or indirectly (i) acquires all or substantially all of the assets or
ongoing business of any other Person, whether through purchase of assets,
merger
or otherwise, (ii) acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent
transaction in a series of transactions) control of at least a majority in
ordinary voting power of the securities of any such Person that have ordinary
voting power for the election of directors or (iii) otherwise acquires
control of more than a 50% ownership interest in any such Person.
“Increasing
Lender”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.06(b).
“Indebtedness”
of any Person means
at any date, without duplication, (i) all obligations of such Person for
borrowed money, or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, or for
the
deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) all obligations of
such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments,
(iii) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are
customarily paid, (iv) all obligations under leases that shall have been or
should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases in respect
of
which such Person is liable as lessee, (v) liabilities in respect of
unfunded vested benefits under Plans, (vi) withdrawal liability incurred
under ERISA by such Person or any of its affiliates to any Multiemployer
Plan,
(vii) reimbursement obligations of such Person (whether contingent or
otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, surety or
other
bonds and similar instruments, (viii) all Indebtedness of others secured by
a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed
by such Person and (ix) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect
guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase
or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect
of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to above.
10
“Interest
Period”
means, for each
Eurodollar Rate Advance made to any Borrower as part of the same Borrowing,
the
period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Rate Advance or the date
of the
Conversion of any Pro-Rata Advance into such Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance
and ending on the last day of the period selected by such Borrower pursuant
to
the provisions below and, thereafter in the case of Pro-Rata Advances, each
subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding
Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by such
Borrower pursuant to the provisions below. The duration of each such Interest
Period shall be (i) in the case of any Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance,
one,
two or three weeks or one, two, three or six months, or (ii) in the case
of any
Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance or Cost of Funds Swing Line Advance, a
period
of not more than 10 days, in each case as the relevant Borrower may select
by
notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.02(a), 2.03(b) or
Section 2.11(a); provided,
however,
that:
(i) no
Borrower may
select any Interest Period that ends after the latest Termination
Date;
(ii) Interest
Periods
commencing on the same date for Advances made as part of the same Borrowing
shall be of the same duration;
(iii) no
more than fifteen
different Interest Periods shall apply to outstanding Pro-Rata Eurodollar
Rate
Advances on any date of determination; and
(iv) whenever
the last
day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business
Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the
next
succeeding Business Day, provided,
that if such
extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the
next
following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur
on
the next preceding Business Day.
“JCP&L”
has
the meaning
set
forth in
the preamble
hereto.
“JCP&L
SEC Order” means
the order of
the SEC that authorized JCP&L to obtain Extensions of Credit until February
8, 2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007, pursuant
to
the FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
“JCP&L
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC that authorizes JCP&L to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31, 2007.
“Junior
Subordinated Deferred Interest Debt Obligations”
means
subordinated
deferrable interest debt obligations of any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries
(A)
for
which the maturity date is subsequent to the Termination Date and (B) that
are
fully subordinated in right of payment to the Indebtedness
hereunder.
“L/C
Commitment Amount”
means
$2,750,000,000 as the same may be reduced permanently from time to time pursuant
to Section 2.06 hereof.
11
“L/C
Fronting Bank Commitment”
means,
with
respect to any Fronting Bank, the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters
of
Credit that such Fronting Bank agrees to issue, as modified from time to
time
pursuant to an agreement signed by such Fronting Bank. With respect to each
Lender that is a Fronting Bank on the date hereof, such Fronting Bank’s L/C
Fronting Bank Commitment shall equal such Fronting Bank’s “L/C Fronting Bank
Commitment” listed on Schedule II and, with respect to any Lender that becomes a
Fronting Bank after the date hereof, such Lender’s L/C Fronting Bank Commitment
shall equal the amount agreed upon between the Borrowers and such Lender
at the
time that such Lender becomes a Fronting Bank.
“Lenders”
means the Banks
listed on the signature pages hereof and each Eligible Assignee that shall
become a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.08 and, as the context
requires, includes the Swing Line Lenders.
“Letter
of Credit”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.04(a).
“Letter
of Credit Cash Cover”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 6.01.
“Letter
of Credit Request”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.04(c).
“Lien”
means, with respect
to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this
Agreement, a Person or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to own, subject
to a Lien, any asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest
of a
vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.
“Loan
Documents”
means this
Agreement, any Note, any Guaranty, the Fee Letter and any Fronting Bank Fee
Letter.
“Majority
Lenders”
means, at any time
prior to the Termination Date, Lenders having in the aggregate more than
50% of
the Commitments (without giving effect to any termination in whole of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 6.01) and at any time on or after the
Termination Date, Lenders having more than 50% of the then aggregate Outstanding
Credits of the Lenders; provided,
that for purposes
hereof, no Borrower, nor any of its Affiliates, if a Lender, shall be included
in (i) the Lenders having such amount of the Commitments or the Advances or
(ii) determining the total amount of the Commitments or the Outstanding
Credits.
“Margin
Stock”
has the meaning
assigned to that term in Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, and as amended and in effect from time to
time.
“Met-Ed”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Met-Ed
SEC Order”
means
the order of
the SEC that authorized Met-Ed to obtain Extensions of Credit until February
8,
2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007, pursuant
to
the FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
12
“Met-Ed
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC that authorizes Met-Ed to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31, 2007.
“Moody’s”
means Xxxxx’x
Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means a
“multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.
“Nonrecourse
Indebtedness”
means
any
Indebtedness that finances the acquisition, development, ownership or operation
of an asset in respect of which the Person to which such Indebtedness is
owed
has no recourse whatsoever to any Borrower or any of its Affiliates other
than:
(i)
|
recourse
to
the named obligor with respect to such Indebtedness (the “Debtor”)
for amounts
limited to the cash flow or net cash flow (other than historic
cash flow)
from the asset; and
|
(ii)
|
recourse
to
the Debtor for the purpose only of enabling amounts to be claimed
in
respect of such Indebtedness in an enforcement of any security
interest or
lien given by the Debtor over the asset or the income, cash flow
or other
proceeds deriving from the asset (or given by any shareholder or
the like
in the Debtor over its shares or like interest in the capital of
the
Debtor) to secure the Indebtedness, but only if the extent of the
recourse
to the Debtor is limited solely to the amount of any recoveries
made on
any such enforcement; and
|
(iii)
|
recourse
to
the Debtor generally or indirectly to any Affiliate of the Debtor,
under
any form of assurance, undertaking or support, which recourse is
limited
to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages
required
to be calculated in a specified way) for a breach of an obligation
(other
than a payment obligation or an obligation to comply or to procure
compliance by another with any financial ratios or other tests
of
financial condition) by the Person against which such recourse
is
available.
|
“Nonconsenting
Lender”
has
the meaning
set forth in Section 2.19(d) hereof.
“Note”
means any
promissory note issued at the request of a Lender pursuant to Section 2.18
in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
“Notice
of Pro-Rata Borrowing”
means a notice of a
Pro-Rata Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially
in
the form of Exhibit D.
“Notice
of Swing Line Borrowing”
means
a notice of
a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.03 which, if in writing, shall
be
substantially in the form of Exhibit E.
13
“OE”
has
the meaning
set
forth
in the preamble hereto.
“OECD”
means the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
“OE
PUCO
Order”
means
the order of
the PUCO that authorized OE to obtain Extensions of Credit until December
31,
2006.
“OE
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the PUCO or the FERC that authorizes OE to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2006.
“Organizational
Documents”
shall
mean, as
applicable to any Person, the charter, code of regulations, articles of
incorporation, by-laws, certificate of formation, operating agreement,
certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited
partnership, limited partnership agreement or other constitutive documents
of
such Person.
“Other
Taxes”
has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.16(b).
“Outstanding
Credits” means,
on any date
of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate principal amount of
all
Advances outstanding on such date plus
(ii) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all issued Letters of Credit outstanding on such date
plus
(iii) the aggregate
amount of Reimbursement Obligations outstanding on such date (exclusive of
Reimbursement Obligations that, on such date of determination, are repaid
with
the proceeds of Advances made in accordance with Section 2.04 (f) and (g),
to
the extent the principal amount of such Advances is included in the
determination of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Advances
as
provided in clause (i) of this definition). The “Outstanding Credits” of a
Lender on any date of determination shall be an amount equal to the outstanding
Advances made by such Lender plus
the amount of such
Lender’s participation interest in outstanding Letters of Credit, Reimbursement
Obligations and Swing Line Advances included in the definition of “Outstanding
Credits”.
“Patriot
Act”
means
the USA
Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001),
as
in effect from time to time.
“Payment
Date”
means the date on
which payment of a Drawing is made by a Fronting Bank.
“PBGC”
means the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its
functions under ERISA.
“Penelec”
has
the meaning
set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Penelec
SEC Order” means
the order of
the SEC that authorized Penelec to obtain Extensions of Credit until February
8,
2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007, pursuant
to
the FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
14
“Penelec
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC that authorizes Penelec to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31, 2007.
“Penn” has
the meaning set
forth in the preamble hereto.
“Penn
SEC
Order” means
the order of
the SEC that authorized Penn to obtain Extensions of Credit until February
8,
2006, which authorization was extended through December 31, 2007, pursuant
to
the FERC PUHCA 2005 Filing.
“Penn
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the FERC that authorizes Penn to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31,
2007.
“Percentage”
means, in respect
of any Lender on any date of determination, the percentage obtained by dividing
such Lender’s Commitment on such day by the total of the Commitments on such
day, and multiplying the quotient so obtained by 100%.
“Person”
means an
individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
joint
venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or
agency
thereof.
“Plan”
means, at any time,
an employee pension benefit plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA or
subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and
is either (i) maintained by a member of the Controlled Group for employees
of a member of the Controlled Group or (ii) maintained pursuant to a
collective bargaining agreement or any other arrangement under which more
than
one employer makes contributions and to which a member of the Controlled
Group
is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within
the
preceding five plan years made contributions.
“Pro-Rata
Advance”
means an advance by
a Lender to any Borrower as part of a Pro-Rata Borrowing pursuant to Section
2.01 and refers to an Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance or a Eurodollar
Rate
Pro-Rata Advance, each of which shall be a “Type”
of Pro-Rata
Advance, subject to Conversion pursuant to Section 2.10 or
2.11.
“Pro-Rata
Borrowing”
means
a borrowing
consisting of simultaneous Pro-Rata Advances of the same Type made by each
of
the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 or Converted pursuant to Section 2.10
or
2.11.
“PUCO”
means
The Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio or any successor thereto.
“Reference
Ratings”
means, with respect
to any Borrower,
the ratings
assigned by S&P and Moody’s to the senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt
of such Borrower; provided
that,
if there is no
such rating, “Reference Ratings” shall mean the ratings that are one level below
the ratings assigned by S&P and Moody’s to the senior secured debt of such
Borrower.
“Register”
has the meaning set
forth in Section 8.08(c).
“Reimbursement
Obligation”
means
the
obligation of each Borrower to reimburse a Fronting Bank for any Drawing
paid by
such Fronting Bank pursuant to Section 2.04(g).
“S&P”
means Standard
& Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc., or
any successor thereto.
“SEC”
means the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
“SEC
Order”
means the order
issued by the SEC on December 5, 2005, pursuant to the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, authorizing the Borrowers, as applicable to engage in
financing activities, including obtaining Extensions of Credit, through February
8, 2006.
“Significant
Subsidiaries”
means
(i) each regulated energy Subsidiary of FE, including, but not limited to,
OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec, and any successor to any of
them, (ii) FES and ATSI, and (iii) each other Subsidiary of FE the annual
revenues of which exceed $100,000,000 or the total assets of which exceed
$50,000,000.
“Stated
Amount”
means
the maximum
amount available to be drawn by a Beneficiary under a Letter of
Credit.
“Stranded
Cost Securitization Bonds”
means
any
instruments, pass-through certificates, notes, debentures, certificates of
participation, bonds, certificates of beneficial interest or other evidences
of
indebtedness or instruments evidencing a beneficial interest that are secured
by
or otherwise payable from non-bypassable cent per kilowatt hour charges
authorized pursuant to an order of a state commission regulating public
utilities to be applied and invoiced to customers of such utility. The charges
so applied and invoiced must be deducted and stated separately from the other
charges invoiced by such utility against its customers.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect
to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
Board of Directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the
time
directly or indirectly owned by such a Person, or one or more Subsidiaries,
or
by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Supplemental
Approval”
means:
(i) with
respect to FES, an FES Supplemental Order, (ii) with respect to ATSI, an
ATSI
Supplemental Order; (iii) with respect to OE, an OE Supplemental Order; (iv)
with respect to Penn, a Penn Supplemental Order, subject to any borrowing
limitations contained in the Organizational Documents of Penn; (v) with respect
to CEI, a CEI Supplemental Order; (vi) with respect to TE, a TE Supplemental
Order; (vii) with respect to JCP&L, a JCP&L Supplemental Order, subject
to any borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents of
JCP&L; (viii) with respect to Met-Ed, a Met-Ed Supplemental Order; and (ix)
with respect to Penelec, a Penelec Supplemental Order.
15
“Swing
Line Advance”
means
an Advance
made by a Swing Line Lender to any Borrower as part of a Swing Line Borrowing
pursuant to Section 2.03 and refers to an Alternate Base Rate Swing Line
Advance, a Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance or a Cost of Funds Swing Line
Advance, each of which shall be a “Type”
of
Swing Line
Advance.
“Swing
Line Borrowing”
means
a borrowing
consisting of a Swing Line Advance made by a Swing Line Lender pursuant to
Section 2.03.
“Swing
Line Commitment”
means,
with
respect to any Swing Line Lender, the aggregate amount of Swing Line Advances
that such Swing Line Lender agrees to make, as modified from time to time
pursuant to an agreement signed by such Swing Line Lender. With respect to
each
Lender
that
is
a Swing Line Lender on the date hereof, such Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line
Commitment shall equal the “Swing Line Commitment” listed on Schedule III and,
with respect to any Lender that becomes a Swing Line Lender after the date
hereof, such Lender’s Swing Line Commitment shall equal the amount agreed upon
between the Borrowers and such Lenders at the time such Lender becomes a
Swing
Line Lender.
“Swing
Line Lender”
means
each of the
Lenders identified as a “Swing Line Lender” on Schedule III and any
other Lender or
Affiliate thereof that may be appointed from time to time by the Borrowers
to provide Swing
Line Advances under this Agreement and that is reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.
“Swing
Line Sublimit”
means
an amount
equal to the lesser of (i) $250,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate Commitments.
The
Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate
Commitments.
“Taxes”
has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.16(a).
“TE”
has the meaning set
forth in the preamble hereto.
“XX
XXXX
Order”
means
the order of
the PUCO that authorizes TE to obtain Extensions of Credit until December
31,
2006.
“Termination
Date”
means August 24,
2011, subject, for certain Lenders, to the extension described in Section
2.19
hereof, or, in any case, the earlier date of termination in whole of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 6.01
hereof.
“Termination
Event”
means (i) a
Reportable Event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations
issued thereunder (other than a Reportable Event not subject to the provision
for 30-day notice to the PBGC under such regulations), or (ii) the
withdrawal of any member of the Controlled Group from a Plan during a plan
year
in which it was a “substantial
employer”
as
defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (iii) the filing of a notice of
intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination
under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (iv) the institution of proceedings to
terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or (v) any other event or condition that
might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.
16
“TE
Supplemental Order”
means
any order of
the PUCO that authorizes TE to obtain Extensions of Credit after December
31,
2006.
“Total
Capitalization”
means,
with
respect to any Borrower at any date of determination the sum, without
duplication, of (i) Consolidated Debt of such Borrower,
(ii) the
capital stock
(but excluding treasury stock and capital stock subscribed and unissued)
and
other equity accounts (including retained earnings and paid in capital but
excluding accumulated other comprehensive income and loss) of
such Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (iii) consolidated equity of the preference
stockholders of such Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, and
(iv) the aggregate principal amount of Trust Preferred Securities and
Junior
Subordinated Deferred Interest Debt Obligations.
“Trust
Preferred Securities”
means
(i) the
issued and outstanding preferred securities of Cleveland Electric Financing
Trust I and (ii) any other securities, however denominated, (A) issued by
any
Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary of any Borrower, (B) that are not
subject to mandatory redemption or the underlying securities, if any, of
which
are not subject to mandatory redemption, (C) that are perpetual or mature
no
less than 30 years from the date of issuance, (D) the indebtedness issued
in
connection with which, including any guaranty, is subordinate in right of
payment to the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the issuer of
such
indebtedness or guaranty, and (E) the terms of which permit the deferral
of the
payment of interest or distributions thereon to a date occurring after the
Termination Date.
“Type”
has
the meaning
assigned to that term in the definitions of “Pro-Rata Advance” and “Swing Line
Advance” when used in such context.
“Unfunded
Vested Liabilities”
means, with respect
to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value
of all vested nonforfeitable benefits under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair
market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined
as of
the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent
that
such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the Controlled
Group
to the PBGC or the Plan under Title IV of ERISA.
“Unmatured
Default”
means
any event
that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would
constitute an Event of Default.
SECTION
1.02 Computation
of Time Periods.
In
this Agreement in
the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified
date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until”
each means “to but excluding”.
17
SECTION
1.03 Accounting
Terms.
All
accounting terms
not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP
consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements
referred to in Section 4.01(g) hereof.
SECTION
1.04 Certain
References.
Unless
otherwise
indicated, references in this Agreement to articles, sections, paragraphs,
clauses, schedules and exhibits are to the same contained in or attached
to this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
II
AMOUNTS
AND
TERMS OF THE ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
SECTION
2.01 The
Pro-Rata Advances.
Each
Lender
severally agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make
Pro-Rata Advances to each Borrower in U.S. dollars only from time to time
on any
Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the Termination
Date
in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the Available
Commitment of such Lender. Each Pro-Rata Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess
thereof and shall consist of Advances of the same Type and, in the case of
Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, having the same Interest Period made or
Converted on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective
Commitments. Within the limits of each Lender’s Available Commitment, and
subject to the conditions set forth in Article III and the other terms and
conditions hereof, each Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay pursuant
to Section 2.12 and reborrow under this Section 2.01; provided,
that in no case
shall any Lender be required to make a Pro-Rata Advance to a Borrower hereunder
if (i) the amount of such Pro-Rata Advance would exceed such Lender’s
Available Commitment, (ii) the making of such Pro-Rata Advance, together
with the making of the other Pro-Rata Advances constituting part of the same
Pro-Rata Borrowing, would cause the total amount of all Outstanding Credits
to
exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments or (iii) the amount of such
Pro-Rata Advance, together with all other Outstanding Credits for the account
of
such Borrower, would exceed such Borrower’s Borrower Sublimit.
18
SECTION
2.02 Making
the Pro-Rata Advances.
(a) Each
Pro-Rata
Borrowing shall be made on notice, given (i) in the case of a Pro-Rata
Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, not later than
11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to the date of
the proposed Borrowing, and (ii) in the case of a Pro-Rata Borrowing
comprising Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advances, not later than 11:00 a.m.
(New York time) on the date of the proposed Pro-Rata Borrowing, by any Borrower
to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice
thereof. Each such Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing by a Borrower shall be by
telecopier or cable, in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto,
specifying therein the requested (A) date of such Pro-Rata Borrowing,
(B) Type of Pro-Rata Advances to be made in connection with such Pro-Rata
Borrowing, (C) aggregate amount of such Pro-Rata Borrowing, (D) in the
case of a Pro-Rata Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances,
the
initial Interest Period for each such Pro-Rata Advance, which Pro-Rata Borrowing
shall be subject to the limitations stated in the definition of “Interest
Period” in Section 1.01, and (E) the identity of the Borrower requesting
such Pro-Rata Borrowing. Each Lender shall, before 1:00 p.m. (New York time)
on
the date of such Pro-Rata Borrowing, make available for the account of its
Applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred
to
in Section 8.02, in same day funds, such Lender’s ratable portion
(according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of such Pro-Rata Borrowing.
After the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of
the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative
Agent will make such funds available to such Borrower at the Administrative
Agent’s aforesaid address.
(b) Each
Notice of
Pro-Rata Borrowing delivered by any Borrower shall be irrevocable and binding
on
such Borrower. In the case of any Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing delivered
by any
Borrower requesting Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, such Borrower shall
indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by such
Lender
as a result of any failure by such Borrower to fulfill on or before the date
specified in such Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing the applicable conditions
set
forth in Article III, including, without limitation, any loss (including
loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the
liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender
to fund the Pro-Rata Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such Borrowing
when such Pro-Rata Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such
date.
19
(c) Unless
the
Administrative Agent shall have received written notice via facsimile
transmission from a Lender prior to (A) 5:00 p.m. (New York time) one Business
Day prior to the date of a Pro-Rata Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate
Pro-Rata Advances or (B) 12:00 noon (New York time) on the date of a Pro-Rata
Borrowing comprising Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advances that such Lender
will
not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion of
such Pro-Rata Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender
has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of
such
Pro-Rata Borrowing in accordance with subsection (a) of this
Section 2.02 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower on such date a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have
so
made such ratable portion available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender
and
such Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith
on
demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each
day
from the date such amount is made available to such Borrower until the date
such
amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such
Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to Pro-Rata Advances made
in
connection with such Pro-Rata Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such
Lender, the Federal Funds Rate. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative
Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such
Lender’s Pro-Rata Advance as part of such Pro-Rata Borrowing for purposes of
this Agreement.
(d) The
failure of any
Lender to make the Pro-Rata Advance to be made by it as part of any Pro-Rata
Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any,
hereunder to make its Pro-Rata Advance on the date of such Pro-Rata Borrowing,
but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to
make
the Pro-Rata Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any
Borrowing.
SECTION
2.03 Swing
Line
Advances
(a) The
Swing Line.
Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swing Line Lender agrees to make
Swing Line Advances to any Borrower in U.S. dollars only from time to time
on
any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the Termination
Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time the amount of such
Swing
Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment; provided,
however,
no Swing Line
Lender shall be required to make a Swing Line Advance hereunder if (i) the
amount of such Swing Line Advance, together with the aggregate principal
amount
of all other Swing Line Advances outstanding would exceed the Swing Line
Sublimit, (ii) the making of such Swing Line Advance, together with the making
of the other Swing Line Advances constituting part of the same Swing Line
Borrowing, would cause the total amount of all Outstanding Credits to exceed
the
aggregate amount of the Commitments or (iii) the amount of such Swing Line
Advance, together with all other Outstanding Credits for the account of such
Borrower, would exceed such Borrower’s Borrower Sublimit. Within the foregoing
limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, each Borrower
may
borrow under this Section 2.03, prepay under Section 2.12, and reborrow under
this Section 2.03. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Advance, each
Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees
to,
purchase from the applicable Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such
Swing Line Advance in an amount equal to such Lender’s ratable portion
(according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) times the amount of such
Swing Line Advance. No more than five Swing Line Advances may be outstanding
hereunder at any time.
20
(b) Borrowing
Procedures.
Each Swing Line
Borrowing shall be made upon any Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the applicable
Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.
Each such notice must be received by the applicable Swing Line Lender and
the
Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the date
of
the proposed Swing Line Borrowing in the case of a Swing Line Borrowing
comprising Alternate Base Rate Swing Line Advances or Cost of Funds Swing
Line
Advances and three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Swing
Line
Borrowing in the case of a Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Swing Line
Advances or, in each case, at such later time as a Swingline Lender may agree,
and shall specify (i) the date of such Swing Line Borrowing, (ii) the Type
of
Swing Line Advance to be made in connection with such Swing Line Borrowing,
(iii) the aggregate amount of such Swing Line Borrowing, which shall be in
an
aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iv) in the case of a Swing Line Borrowing
comprising a Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance, the Interest Period for
such
Advance, which Swing Line Borrowing shall be subject to the limitations stated
in the definition of “Interest Period” in Section 1.01 and (v) the identity of
the Borrower requesting such Swing Line Borrowing. Each such telephonic notice
must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the relevant Swing Line Lender
and the
Administrative Agent of a written Notice of Swing Line Borrowing, appropriately
completed and signed by such Borrower. Promptly after receipt by such Swing
Line
Lender of any telephonic Notice of Swing Line Borrowing, such Swing Line
Lender
will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that
the
Administrative Agent has also received such Notice of Swing Line Borrowing
and,
if not, such Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by
telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless such Swing Line
Lender
has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative
Agent
(including at the request of any Lender) prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York time)
on
the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing such Swing Line
Lender not to make such Swing Line Advance as a result of the limitations
set
forth in the first sentence of Section 2.03(a) or (B) that one or more of
the
applicable conditions specified in Article III is not then satisfied, then,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such Swing Line Lender will,
not
later than 1:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Notice of Swing
Line Borrowing, make the amount of its Swing Line Advance available to the
applicable Borrower at its office by crediting the account of such Borrower
on
the books of such Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.
21
(c) Refinancing
of Swing Line Advances.
(i) Each
Swing Line
Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf
of
any Borrower (each of which hereby irrevocably authorizes each Swing Line
Lender
to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make an Alternate Base Rate
Pro-Rata Advance in an amount equal to such Lenders’ ratable portion (according
to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of the amount of Swing Line Advances
made by such Swing Line Lender then outstanding to such Borrower. Such request
shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Notice
of Pro-Rata Borrowing for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 2.01 and 2.02, without regard to the minimum and
multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Alternate Base Rate
Pro-Rata Advances, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Commitments
and
the conditions set forth in Section 3.02. Such Swing Line Lender shall furnish
such Borrower with a copy of the applicable Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing
promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each
Lender shall,
before 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date of such Borrowing, make available
for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent
at
its address referred to in Section 8.02, in same day funds, such Lender’s
ratable portion (according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of such
Pro-Rata Borrowing. After the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds and
upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the
Administrative Agent will make such funds available to such Borrower at the
Administrative Agent’s aforesaid address,
whereupon, subject
to Section 2.03(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be
deemed to have made an Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance to such Borrower
in
such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to
the
applicable Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If
for any reason
any Swing Line Advance cannot be refinanced by a Pro-Rata Borrowing in
accordance with Section 2.03(c)(i), the request for Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata
Advances submitted by a Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed
to
be a request by such Swing Line Lender that each Lender fund its risk
participation in the relevant Swing Line Advances and each Lender’s payment to
the Administrative Agent for the account of such Swing Line Lender pursuant
to
Section 2.03(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such
participation.
(iii) If
any Lender fails
to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Swing
Line
Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section
2.03(c)(i),
such Swing Line
Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the
Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the
period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment
is immediately available to such Swing Line Lender at a rate per
annum
equal to the
greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by such Swing Line
Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A
certificate of such Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the
Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause
(iii)
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
22
(iv) Each
Lender’s
obligation to make Pro-Rata Advances or to purchase and fund risk participations
in Swing Line Advances pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) shall be absolute
and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A)
any
setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender
may
have against any Swing Line Lender, any Borrower or any other Person for
any
reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of an Unmatured Default
or
Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether
or
not similar to any of the foregoing; provided,
however,
that each Lender’s
obligation to make Pro-Rata Advances pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is
subject
to the conditions set forth in Section 3.02. No such funding of risk
participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of any Borrower
to repay Swing Line Advances, together with interest as provided
herein.
(d) Repayment
of Participations.
(i) At
any time after
any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line
Advance, if the applicable Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account
of
such Swing Line Advance, such Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender
its ratable portion (according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of such
payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect
the period of time during which such Lender’s risk participation was funded) in
the same funds as those received by such Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If
any payment
received by any Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on
any
Swing Line Advance is required to be returned by such Swing Line Lender under
any of the circumstances described in Section 2.15(g) (including pursuant
to any
settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each
Lender
shall pay to such Swing Line Lender its ratable portion (according to the
Lenders’ respective Commitments) thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent,
plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount
is
returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The
Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of such Swing
Line
Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the
payment in full of the obligations hereunder and the termination of this
Agreement.
(e) Interest
for Account of Swing Line Lenders.
Each Swing Line
Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the relevant Borrower for interest
on
the Swing Line Advances made to such Borrower. Until each Lender funds its
Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance or risk participation pursuant to this
Section 2.03 to refinance such Lender’s ratable portion (according to the
Lenders’ respective Commitments) of any Swing Line Advance, interest in respect
of such ratable portion (according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) shall
be solely for the account of such Swing Line Lender.
(f) Payments
Directly to Swing Line Lenders.
Each Borrower with
outstanding Swing Line Advances shall make all payments of principal and
interest in respect of the Swing Line Advances directly to the Swing Line
Lender
that made such Advances.
23
SECTION
2.04 Letters
of Credit.
(a) Agreement
of Fronting Banks.
Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Fronting Bank agrees to issue
and
amend (including, without limitation, to extend or renew) for the account
of the
Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof (each such Person, an “Account
Party”)
one or more
standby letters of credit (individually, a “Letter
of Credit”
and
collectively,
the “Letters
of Credit”)
from and
including the date hereof to the Termination Date, in an aggregate Stated
Amount
at any time outstanding not to exceed such Fronting Bank’s LC Fronting Bank
Commitment, up to a maximum aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit
at
any one time outstanding equal to the L/C Commitment Amount minus
Reimbursement
Obligations outstanding at such time. Each Letter of Credit shall be renewable
(if so requested by the Borrower) and shall have an Expiration Date of no
later
than the earlier of (x) the latest Termination Date and (y) the date occurring
one year after the Date of Issuance of such Letter of Credit; provided,
however, that
no Fronting
Bank will issue or amend a Letter of Credit if, immediately following such
issuance or amendment, (i) the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit would
(A)
exceed the Available Commitments or (B) when aggregated with (1) the Stated
Amounts of all other outstanding Letters of Credit and (2) the outstanding
Reimbursement Obligations, exceed the L/C Commitment Amount or (ii) the total
amount of all Outstanding Credits would exceed the aggregate of the Commitments.
Letters of Credit shall be denominated in U.S. dollars only.
(b) Forms.
Each Letter of
Credit shall be in a form customarily used by the Fronting Bank that is to
issue
such Letter of Credit or in such other form as has been approved by such
Fronting Bank. At the time of issuance or amendment, subject to the terms
and
conditions of this Agreement, the amount and the terms and conditions of
each
Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by the applicable Fronting
Bank
and the applicable Borrower.
(c) Notice
of Issuance; Application.
The applicable
Borrower shall give the applicable Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent
written notice (or telephonic notice confirmed in writing) at least one Business
Day prior to the requested Date of Issuance of a Letter of Credit, such notice
to be in substantially the form of Exhibit F hereto (a “Letter
of Credit Request”).
Such Borrower
shall also execute and deliver such customary letter of credit application
forms
as requested from time to time by such Fronting Bank. Such application forms
shall indicate the identity of the Account Party and that such Borrower is
the
“Applicant” or shall otherwise indicate that such Borrower is the obligor in
respect of any Letter of Credit to be issued thereunder. If the terms or
conditions of the application forms conflict with any provision of this
Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.
24
(d) Issuance.
Provided that the
applicable Borrower has given the notice prescribed by Section 2.04(c) and
subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the
satisfaction of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in
Article III, the applicable Fronting Bank shall issue the requested Letter
of Credit on the requested Date of Issuance as set forth in the applicable
Letter of Credit Request for the benefit of the stipulated Beneficiary and
shall
deliver the original of such Letter of Credit to the Beneficiary at the address
specified in the notice. At the request of the applicable Borrower, such
Fronting Bank shall deliver a copy of each Letter of Credit to such Borrower
within a reasonable time after the Date of Issuance thereof. Upon the request
of
such Borrower, such Fronting Bank shall deliver to such Borrower a copy of
any
Letter of Credit proposed to be issued hereunder prior to the issuance
thereof.
(e) Notice
of Drawing.
Each Fronting Bank
shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower by telephone, facsimile or
other
telecommunication of any Drawing under a Letter of Credit issued for the
account
of such Borrower by such Fronting Bank.
(f) Payments.
Each Borrower
hereby agrees to pay to each Fronting Bank, in the manner provided in subsection
(g) below:
(i) on
each Payment
Date, an amount equal to the amount paid by such Fronting Bank under any
Letter
of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower by such Fronting Bank;
and
(ii) if
any Drawing shall
be reimbursed to any Fronting Bank after 12:00 noon (New York time) on the
Payment Date, interest on any and all amounts required to be paid pursuant
to
clause (i) of this subsection (f) from and after the due date thereof until
payment in full, payable on demand, at an annual rate of interest equal to
2.00%
above Citibank’s “base rate” as in effect from time to time.
(g) Method
of Reimbursement.
Each Borrower
shall reimburse each Fronting Bank for each Drawing under any Letter of Credit
issued for the account of such Borrower by such Fronting Bank pursuant to
subsection (f) above in the following manner:
(i) such
Borrower shall
immediately reimburse such Fronting Bank in the manner described in
Section 2.15; or
(ii) if
(A) such Borrower
has not reimbursed such Fronting Bank pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) the
applicable conditions to Borrowing set forth in Articles II and III have
been
fulfilled, and (C) the Available Commitments in effect at such time exceed
the amount of the Drawing to be reimbursed, such Borrower may reimburse such
Fronting Bank for such Drawing with the proceeds of an Alternate Base Rate
Pro-Rata Advance or, if the conditions specified in the foregoing clauses
(A),
(B) and (C) have been satisfied and a Notice of Borrowing requesting a
Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance has been given in accordance with Section
2.02
three Business Days prior to the relevant Payment Date, with the proceeds
of a
Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance.
25
(h) Nature
of Fronting Banks’ Duties.
In determining
whether to honor any Drawing under any Letter of Credit issued by any Fronting
Bank, such Fronting Bank shall be responsible only to determine that the
documents and certificates required to be delivered under that Letter of
Credit
have been delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements
of
that Letter of Credit. Each Borrower otherwise assumes all risks of the acts
and
omissions of, or misuse of any Letters of Credit issued by any Fronting Bank
for
the account of such Borrower by, the Beneficiary of such Letter of Credit.
In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, but consistent with
applicable law, no Fronting Bank shall be responsible, absent gross negligence
or willful misconduct, (i) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy,
genuineness or legal effects of any document submitted by any party in
connection with the application for and issuance of any drawing honored under
a
Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects
invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for 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) for errors, omissions,
interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail,
cable, telegraph, telex, facsimile or otherwise, whether or not they be in
cipher; (iv) for errors in interpretation of technical terms; (v) for
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 the proceeds
thereof; (vi) for the misapplication by the Beneficiary of any such Letter
of Credit or of the proceeds of any drawing honored under such Letter of
Credit;
and (vii) for any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of
such Fronting Bank. None of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the
vesting of any of such Fronting Bank’s rights or powers hereunder. Not in
limitation of the foregoing, any action taken or omitted to be taken by any
Fronting Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit shall not
create
against such Fronting Bank any liability to the Borrowers or any Lender,
except
for actions or omissions resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Fronting Bank or any of its agents or representatives,
and
the Fronting Bank shall not be required to take any action that exposes the
Fronting Bank to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement
or
applicable law.
(i) Obligations
of Borrowers Absolute.
The obligation of
each Borrower to reimburse each Fronting Bank for Drawings honored under
the
Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower by such Fronting
Bank
shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances including, without
limitation, the following circumstances:
(i) any
lack of validity
or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;
(ii) the
existence of any
claim, set-off, defense or other right that any Borrower, any Account Party
or
any Affiliate of any Borrower or any Account Party may have at any time against
a Beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or
entities for whom any such Beneficiary or transferee may be acting), such
Fronting Bank or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement,
the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction;
26
(iii) any
draft, demand,
certificate or any other documents presented under any Letter of Credit proving
to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) the
surrender or
impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the
terms
of any of the Loan Documents;
(v) any
non-application
or misapplication by the Beneficiary of the proceeds of any Drawing under
a
Letter of Credit; or
(vi) the
fact that an
Event of Default, or event that would constitute an Event of Default but
for the
requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both, shall have occurred
and
be continuing.
No
payment made
under this Section shall be deemed to be a waiver of any claim any Borrower
may
have against any Fronting Bank or any other Person.
(j) Participations
by Lenders.
By the issuance of
a Letter of Credit and without any further action on the part of any Fronting
Bank or any Lender in respect thereof, each Fronting Bank shall hereby be
deemed
to have granted to each Lender, and each Lender shall hereby be deemed to
have
acquired from such Fronting Bank, an undivided interest and participation
in
such Letter of Credit (including any letter of credit issued by such Fronting
Bank in substitution or exchange for such Letter of Credit pursuant to the
terms
thereof) equal to such Lender’s Percentage of the Stated Amount of such Letter
of Credit, effective upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit. In
consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely
and unconditionally agrees to pay to such Fronting Bank, in accordance with
this
subsection (j), such Lender’s Percentage of each payment made by such Fronting
Bank in respect of an unreimbursed Drawing under a Letter of Credit. Such
Fronting Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent of the amount of such
unreimbursed Drawing honored by it not later than (x) 12:00 noon (New York
time) on the date of payment of a draft under a Letter of Credit, if such
payment is made at or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on such day, and
(y) the close of business (New York time) on the date of payment of a draft
under a Letter of Credit, if such payment is made after 11:00 a.m. (New York
time) on such day, and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender
of the
date and amount of such unreimbursed Drawing under such Letter of Credit
honored
by such Fronting Bank and the amount of such Lender’s Percentage therein no
later than (1) 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on such day, if such payment is
made at or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on such day, and (2) 11:00
a.m. (New York time) on the next following Business Day, if such payment
is made
after 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on such day. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (New
York
time) on the date of receipt of a notice of an unreimbursed Drawing by a
Lender,
such Lender agrees to pay to such Fronting Bank an amount equal to the product
of (A) such Lender’s Percentage and (B) the amount of the payment made by
such Fronting Bank in respect of such unreimbursed Drawing.
27
If
payment of the
amount due pursuant to the preceding sentence from a Lender is received by
such
Fronting Bank after the close of business on the date it is due, such Lender
agrees to pay to such Fronting Bank, in addition to (and along with) its
payment
of the amount due pursuant to the preceding sentence, interest on such amount
at
a rate per
annum
equal to (i) for
the period from and including the date such payment is due to but excluding
the
second succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate, and (ii) for the
period
from and including the second Business Day succeeding the date such payment
is
due to but excluding the date on which such amount is paid in full, the Federal
Funds Rate plus 2.00%.
(k) Obligations
of Lenders Absolute.
Each Lender
acknowledges and agrees that (i) its obligation to acquire a participation
in any Fronting Bank’s liability in respect of the Letters of Credit and
(ii) its obligation to make the payments specified herein, and the right of
each Fronting Bank to receive the same, in the manner specified herein, are
absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances
whatsoever, including, without limitation, (A) the occurrence and
continuance of any Event of Default or Unmatured Default; (B) any other breach
or default by any Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder;
(C) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any
Loan Document; (D) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right
that the Lender may have at any time against any Borrower, any other Account
Party, any Beneficiary, any Fronting Bank or any other Lender; (E) the existence
of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that any Borrower may have at
any
time against any Beneficiary, any Fronting Bank, the Administrative Agent,
any
Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or
any
other documents contemplated hereby or any unrelated transactions; (F) any
amendment or waiver of, or consent to any departure from, all or any of the
Letters of Credit or this Agreement; (G) any statement or any document presented
under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or
insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate
in any respect; (H) payment by any Fronting Bank under any Letter of Credit
against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not comply with
the
terms of such Letter of Credit, so long as such payment is not the consequence
of such Fronting Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in determining
whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms
thereof; (I) the occurrence of the Termination Date; or (J) any other
circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the
foregoing. Nothing herein shall prevent the assertion by any Lender of a
claim
by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim, nor shall any payment made by
a
Lender under Section 2.04 hereof be deemed to be a waiver of any claim that
a
Lender may have against any Fronting Bank or any other Person.
28
(l) Proceeds
of Reimbursements.
Upon receipt of a
payment from a Borrower pursuant to subsection (f) hereof, the applicable
Fronting Bank shall promptly transfer to each Lender such Lender’s pro
rata
share (determined
in accordance with such Lender’s Percentage) of such payment based on such
Lender’s pro
rata
share (determined
as aforesaid) of amounts previously paid pursuant to subsection (j), above,
and
not previously transferred by such Fronting Bank pursuant to this subsection
(l); provided,
however,
that if a Lender
shall fail to pay to such Fronting Bank any amount required by subsection
(j)
above by the close of business on the Business Day following the date on
which
such payment was due from such Lender, and such Borrower shall not have
reimbursed such Fronting Bank for such amount pursuant to subsection (f)
hereof
(such unreimbursed amount being hereinafter referred to as a “Transferred
Amount”),
such Fronting
Bank shall be deemed to have purchased, on such following Business Day (a
“Participation
Transfer Date”)
from such Lender
(a “Defaulting
Lender”),
a participation
in such Transferred Amount and shall be entitled, for the period from and
including the Participation Transfer Date to the earlier of (i) the date
on
which such Borrower shall have reimbursed such Fronting Bank for such
Transferred Amount and (ii) the date on which such Lender shall have reimbursed
such Fronting Bank for such Transferred Amount (the “Participation
Transfer Period”),
to the rights,
privileges and obligations of a “Lender” under this Agreement with respect to
such Transferred Amount, and such Defaulting Lender shall not be deemed to
be a
Lender hereunder, and shall not have any rights or interests of a Lender
hereunder, with respect to such Transferred Amount, and its Percentage shall
be
reduced accordingly with the amount by which such Percentage is reduced deemed
held by such Fronting Bank during the Participation Transfer Period; and
provided
further, however,
that if, at any
time after the occurrence of a Participation Transfer Date with respect to
any
Lender and prior to the reimbursement by such Lender of such Fronting Bank
with
respect to the related Transferred Amount pursuant to subsection (j) above,
such
Fronting Bank shall receive any payment from such Borrower pursuant to
subsection (f) hereof, such Fronting Bank shall not be obligated to pay any
amounts to such Lender, and such Fronting Bank shall retain such amounts
(including, without limitation, interest payments due from such Borrower
pursuant to subsection (f) hereof) for its own account as a Lender, provided
that all such
amounts shall be applied in satisfaction of the unpaid amounts (including,
without limitation, interest payments due from such Lender pursuant to
subsection (j), above) due from such Lender with respect to such Transferred
Amount.
29
If
at any time after
the occurrence of a Participation Transfer Date with respect to any Lender,
the
Administrative Agent shall receive any payment from any Borrower for the
account
of such Lender pursuant to this Agreement, if at the time of receipt of such
amounts by the Administrative Agent such Lender shall not have reimbursed
the
applicable Fronting Bank with respect to the related Transferred Amount pursuant
to subsection (j) above, the Administrative Agent shall not pay any such
amounts
to such Lender but shall pay all such amounts to such Fronting Bank, and
such
Fronting Bank shall retain such amounts for its own account as a Lender and
apply such amounts in satisfaction of the unpaid amounts (including, without
limitation, interest payments due from such Lender pursuant to subsection
(j)
above) due from such Lender with respect to such Transferred Amount.
All
payments due to
the Lenders from any Fronting Bank pursuant to this subsection (l) shall
be made
to the Lenders if, as, and, to the extent possible, when such Fronting Bank
receives payments in respect of Drawings under the Letters of Credit pursuant
to
subsection (f) hereof, and in the same funds in which such amounts are received;
provided
that if any Lender
to which such Fronting Bank is required to transfer any such payment (or
any
portion thereof) pursuant to this subsection (l) does not receive such payment
(or portion thereof) prior to (i) the close of business on the Business Day
on
which such Fronting Bank received such payment from such Borrower, if such
Fronting Bank received such payment prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on
such
day, or (ii) 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day next succeeding
the
Business Day on which such Fronting Bank received such payment from the
Borrower, if such Fronting Bank received such payment after 1:00 p.m. (New
York
time) on such day, such Fronting Bank agrees to pay to such Lender, along
with
its payment of the portion of such payment due to such Lender, interest on
such
amount at a rate per
annum
equal to (A) for
the period from and including the Business Day when such payment was required
to
be made to the Lenders to but excluding the second succeeding Business Day,
the
Federal Funds Rate and (B) for the period from and including the second Business
Day succeeding the Business Day when such payment was required to be made
to the
Lenders to but excluding the date on which such amount is paid in full, the
Federal Funds Rate plus 2.00%. The provisions of this subsection (l) shall
not
affect or impair any of the obligations under this Agreement of any Defaulting
Lender to any Fronting Bank, all of which shall remain unaffected by any
default
in payment by any Fronting Bank to such Defaulting Lender.
30
(m) Concerning
the Fronting Banks.
Each Fronting Bank
will exercise and give the same care and attention to the Letters of Credit
issued by it as it gives to its other letters of credit and similar obligations,
and each Lender agrees that each Fronting Bank’s sole liability to each Lender
shall be (i) to distribute promptly, as and when received by such Fronting
Bank,
and in accordance with the provisions of subsection (l) above, such Lender’s
pro
rata
share (determined
in accordance with such Lender’s Percentage) of any payments to such Fronting
Bank by the Borrowers pursuant to subsection (f) above in respect of Drawings
under the Letters of Credit issued by such Fronting Bank, (ii) to exercise
or
refrain from exercising any right or to take or to refrain from taking any
action under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit issued by such Fronting
Bank
as may be directed in writing by the Majority Lenders (or, when expressly
required by the terms of this Agreement, all of the Lenders) or the
Administrative Agent acting at the direction and on behalf of the Majority
Lenders (or, when expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, all
of the
Lenders), except to the extent required by the terms hereof or thereof or
by
applicable law, and (iii) as otherwise expressly set forth in this Section
2.04.
No Fronting Bank shall be liable for any action taken or omitted at the request
or with approval of the Majority Lenders (or, when expressly required by
the
terms of this Agreement, all of the Lenders) or of the Administrative Agent
acting on behalf of the Majority Lenders (or, when expressly required by
the
terms of this Agreement, all of the Lenders) or for the nonperformance of
the
obligations of any other party under this Agreement, any Letter of Credit
or any
other document contemplated hereby or thereby. Without in any way limiting
any
of the foregoing, each Fronting Bank may rely upon the advice of counsel
concerning legal matters and upon any written communication or any telephone
conversation that it believes to be genuine or to have been signed, sent
or made
by the proper Person and shall not be required to make any inquiry concerning
the performance by any Borrower, any Beneficiary or any other Person of any
of
their respective obligations and liabilities under or in respect of this
Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any other documents contemplated hereby
or
thereby. No Fronting Bank shall have any obligation to make any claim, or
assert
any Lien, upon any property held by such Fronting Bank or assert any offset
thereagainst in satisfaction of all or any part of the obligations of the
Borrowers hereunder; provided
that each Fronting
Bank shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders or the Administrative
Agent
acting on behalf of and with the consent of the Majority Lenders, have an
obligation to make a claim, or assert a Lien, upon property held by such
Fronting Bank in connection with this Agreement, or assert an offset
thereagainst.
Each
Fronting Bank
may accept deposits from, make loans or otherwise extend credit to, and
generally engage in any kind of banking or trust business with the Borrowers
or
any of their Affiliates, or any other Person, and receive payment on such
loans
or extensions of credit and otherwise act with respect thereto freely and
without accountability in the same manner as if it were not a Fronting Bank
hereunder.
Each
Fronting Bank
makes no representation or warranty and shall have no responsibility with
respect to: (i) the genuineness, legality, validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement or any other documents contemplated hereby;
(ii) the truthfulness, accuracy or performance of any of the representations,
warranties or agreements contained in this Agreement or any other documents
contemplated hereby; (iii) the collectibility of any amounts due under this
Agreement; (iv) the financial condition of the Borrowers or any other Person;
or
(v) any act or omission of any Beneficiary with respect to its use of any
Letter
of Credit or the proceeds of any Drawing under any Letter of Credit.
31
(n) Indemnification
of Fronting Banks by Lenders.
To the extent that
any Fronting Bank is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrowers under
Section 8.05 hereof, each Lender agrees to reimburse and indemnify such Fronting
Bank on demand, pro
rata
in accordance with
such Lender’s Percentage, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred
by or asserted against such Fronting Bank, in any way relating to or arising
out
of this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any other document contemplated
hereby or thereby, or any action taken or omitted by such Fronting Bank under
or
in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any other document
contemplated hereby or thereby; provided,
however, that
such Lender
shall not be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from such Fronting Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct; and
provided
further,
however,
that such Lender
shall not be liable to such Fronting Bank or any other Lender for the failure
of
any Borrower to reimburse such Fronting Bank for any drawing made under a
Letter
of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower with respect to which such
Lender has paid such Fronting Bank such Lender’s pro
rata
share (determined
in accordance with such Lender’s Percentage), or for such Borrower’s failure to
pay interest thereon. Each Lender’s obligations under this subsection (n) shall
survive the payment in full of all amounts payable by such Lender under
subsection (j) above, and the termination of this Agreement and the Letters
of
Credit. Nothing in this subsection (n) is intended to limit any Lender’s
reimbursement obligation contained in subsection (j) above.
(o) Representations
of Lenders.
As between any
Fronting Bank and the Lenders, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement
each Lender hereby represents and warrants solely to such Fronting Bank that
(i)
it is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws
of the
jurisdiction of its formation, and has full corporate power, authority and
legal
right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations to such Fronting Bank
under this Agreement; and (ii) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid
and
binding obligation enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof,
except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bank organization,
moratorium, conservatorship or other laws now or hereafter in effect affecting
the enforcement of creditors rights in general and the rights of creditors
of
banks, and except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles
of
equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(p) The
Letters of
Credit listed in Schedule IV shall be deemed “Letters of Credit” upon
fulfillment of their conditions precedent listed in Section 3.01.
(q) Successor
Fronting Bank.
Any Fronting Bank
may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders, the
Fronting Banks and the Borrowers, as long as such Fronting Bank has no Letters
of Credit outstanding under this Agreement. Upon such resignation, the Borrowers
may designate one or more Lenders as Fronting Banks to replace the retiring
Fronting Bank.
32
SECTION
2.05 Fees.
(a) FE
agrees to pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee on
the
amount of such Lender’s Commitment (whether used or unused) from the date hereof
in the case of each Bank and from the effective date specified in the Assignment
and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender in the case of each other
Lender until the Termination Date applicable to such Lender, payable on the
last
day of each March, June, September and December during such period,
and on such Termination Date, at the rate per
annum
set forth below
determined by reference to the Reference Ratings of FE from time to time
in
effect:
BASIS
FOR PRICING
|
LEVEL
1
Reference
Ratings at least A- by S&P or
A3 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
2
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 1 but at least BBB+ by S&P or
Baa1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
3
Reference
Ratings of lower than Level 2 but at least BBB by S&P or
Baa2 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
4
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 3 but at least BBB- by S&P or
Baa3 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
5
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 4 but at least BB+ by S&P or
Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
6
Reference
Ratings lower than BB+ by S&P and
Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x.
|
Facility
Fee
|
0.060%
|
0.080%
|
0.100%
|
0.125%
|
0.175%
|
0.200%
|
For
purposes of the
foregoing, if (i) there is a difference of one level in Reference Ratings
of
S&P and Xxxxx’x and the higher of such Reference Ratings falls in Xxxxx 0,
Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 4 or Level 5 then the higher Reference Rating will
be
used to determine the Facility Fee, and (ii) there is a difference of more
than
one level in Reference Ratings of S&P and Xxxxx’x, the Reference Rating that
is one level above the lower of such Reference Ratings will be used to determine
the Facility Fee, unless the lower of such Reference Ratings falls in
Level 6, in which case the lower of such Reference Ratings will be used to
determine the Facility Fee. If there exists only one Reference Rating, such
Reference Rating will be used to determine the Facility Fee.
(b) FE
agrees to pay the
Administrative Agent, for its own account, certain fees in such amounts and
payable on such terms as set forth in the Fee Letter.
(c) Each
Borrower shall
pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, a fee in
an
amount equal to the then Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances
multiplied by the Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit issued for the account
of such Borrower, in each case for the number of days that such Letter of
Credit
is issued but undrawn, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each
March, June, September and December and on the Termination Date.
(d) FE
agrees to pay to
each Fronting Bank, for its own account, certain fees in such amounts and
payable on such terms as set forth in the Fronting Bank Fee Letter to which
such
Fronting Bank is a party.
33
SECTION
2.06 Adjustment
of the Commitments; Borrower Submits.
(a) The
Borrowers shall
have the right, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative
Agent, to terminate in whole or, upon same day notice, from time to time
to
permanently reduce ratably in part the unused portions of the respective
Commitments of the Lenders; provided
that each partial
reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or in an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided,
further,
that the
Commitments may not be reduced to an amount that is less than the aggregate
Stated Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit. Subject to the foregoing,
any
reduction of the Commitments to an amount below $2,750,000,000 shall result
in a
reduction of the L/C Commitment Amount to the extent of such deficit. Each
such
notice of termination or reduction shall be irrevocable; provided,
further,
that, if, after
giving effect to any reduction of the Commitments, the Swing Line Sublimit
or
any Borrower Sublimit exceeds the amount of the aggregate Commitments, such
sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such
excess.
(b) Commitment
Increase. (i)
On any date on or
prior to the Termination Date, the Borrowers may increase the aggregate amount
of the Commitments by an amount not less than $50,000,000 and up to an amount
not more than the sum of the aggregate amount of the Commitments on the date
hereof plus $500,000,000 (any such increase, a “Commitment
Increase”)
by designating
one or more of the existing Lenders or one or more Affiliates thereof (each
of
which, in its sole discretion, may determine whether and to what degree to
participate in such Commitment Increase) or one or more other Eligible Assignees
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks and
the
Swing Line Lenders that at the time agree, in the case of any such Eligible
Assignee that is an existing Lender, to increase its Commitment (an
“Increasing
Lender”)
and, in the case
of any other Eligible Assignee or an Affiliate of a Lender (an “Additional
Lender”),
to become a
party to this Agreement. The sum of the increases in the Commitments of the
Increasing Lenders pursuant to this subsection (b) plus the Commitments of
the
Additional Lenders upon giving effect to the Commitment Increase shall not
exceed the amount of the Commitment Increase. The Borrowers shall provide
prompt
notice of any proposed Commitment Increase pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)
to
the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly provide a copy of such notice
to
the Lenders and the Fronting Banks.
(ii) Any
Commitment
Increase shall become effective upon (A) the receipt by the Administrative
Agent
of an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent
signed by each Borrower, each Increasing Lender and each Additional Lender,
setting forth the new Commitment of each such Lender and setting forth the
agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and
to
be bound by all the terms and provisions hereof binding upon each Lender,
(B)
the funding by each Lender of the Advance(s) to be made by each such Lender
described in paragraph (iii) below and (C) receipt by the Administrative
Agent
of a certificate (the statements contained in which shall be true) of a duly
authorized officer of each Borrower stating that both before and after giving
effect to such Commitment Increase (1) no Event of Default has occurred and
is
continuing and (2) all representations and warranties made by such Borrower
in
this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects.
34
(iii) Upon
the effective
date of any Commitment Increase, the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding
Pro-Rata Advances (if any) in full, and shall simultaneously make new Pro-Rata
Advances hereunder in an amount equal to such prepayment, so that, after
giving
effect thereto, the Pro-Rata Advances are held ratably by the Lenders in
accordance with their respective Commitments (after giving effect to such
Commitment Increase). Prepayments made under this paragraph (iii) shall not
be
subject to the notice requirements of Section 2.12.
(iv) Notwithstanding
any
provision contained herein to the contrary, from and after the date of any
Commitment Increase and the making of any Pro-Rata Advances on such date
pursuant to paragraph (iii) above, all calculations and payments of the facility
fees, Letter of Credit fees and interest on the Advances shall take into
account
the actual Commitment of each Lender and the principal amount outstanding
of
each Advance made by such Lender during the relevant period of time.
(c) Borrower
Sublimit Increase.
FES and ATSI may
increase their Borrower Sublimits up to $250,000,000 and $100,000,000,
respectively, by delivering a notice to the Administrative Agent requesting
such
increase, subject to the condition that either (i) such Borrower requesting
the
increase in its Borrower Sublimit has Reference Ratings of at least BBB-
by
S&P and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x or (ii) FE unconditionally guarantees the amounts
payable by such Borrower hereunder by delivering to the Administrative Agent
a
duly completed Guaranty executed by FE. Each of CEI and TE may increase its
Borrower Sublimits up to $500,000,000 by delivering a notice to the
Administrative Agent requesting such increase, subject to the condition that
such Borrower requesting the increase in its Borrower Sublimit has Reference
Ratings of at least BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Xxxxx’x.
SECTION
2.07 Repayment
of Advances.
Each
Borrower agrees
to repay the principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender to such
Borrower no later than the earlier of (i) 364 days after the date such Advance
is made (or in the case of a Swing Line Advance, 10 days after the date such
Swing Line Advance is made) and (ii) the latest Termination Date of all the
Lenders; provided,
however,
that if any
Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation,
certified copies of governmental approvals and legal opinions) that such
Borrower is authorized under Applicable Law to incur Indebtedness hereunder
maturing more than 364 days after the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness,
such Borrower shall repay each Advance made to it no later than the latest
Termination Date of all Lenders.
SECTION
2.08 Interest
on Advances.
Each
Borrower agrees
to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance made by each
Lender to such Borrower from the date of such Advance until such principal
amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
35
(a) Alternate
Base Rate Pro-Rata Advances.
If such Advance is
an Alternate Base Pro-Rata Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times
to
the Alternate Base Rate in effect from time to time plus
the Applicable
Margin for such Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance in effect from time
to
time, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June,
September and December, on the Termination Date and on the date such Alternate
Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance shall be Converted or be paid in full and as provided
in Section 2.12;
(b) Eurodollar
Rate Pro-Rata Advances.
If such Advance is
a Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times during
the Interest Period for such Advance to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for
such
Interest Period plus
the Applicable
Margin for such Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance in effect from time to time,
payable on the last day of each Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate
Pro-Rata Advance (and, in the case of any Interest Period of six months,
on the
last day of the third month of such Interest Period), on the Termination
Date
and on the date such Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance shall be Converted
or be
paid in full and as provided in Section 2.12;
(c) Alternate
Base Rate Swing Line Advances.
If such Advance is
an Alternate Base Rate Swing Line Advance, a rate per annum equal to the
sum of
the Alternate Base Rate in effect from time to time plus
the Applicable
Margin for such Alternate Base Rate Swing Line Advance payable on the date
such
Alternate Base Rate Swing Line Advance is paid in full and as provided in
Section 2.12;
(d) Eurodollar
Rate Swing Line Advances.
If such Advance is
a Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance, a rate per annum equal to the sum of
the
Eurodollar Rate (if the Eurodollar Rate is available) in effect from time
to
time plus
the Applicable
Margin for such Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance, payable on the last day
of
the Interest Period of such Swing Line Advance;
(e) Cost
of
Funds Swing Line Advances.
If such Advance is
a Cost of Funds Swing Line Advance, a rate per annum equal to the sum of
the
applicable Swing Line Lender’s cost of funds as determined by such Swing Line
Lender in its sole discretion with reference to its funding sources on the
date
such Swing Line Advance is made for a term equal to the Interest Period for
such
Swing Line Advance plus
the Applicable
Margin for a corresponding Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance, payable on
the
last day of the Interest Period of such Swing Line Advance; provided,
however,
that if and for so
long as an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing the unpaid
principal amount of each Advance shall (to the fullest extent permitted by
law)
bear interest until paid in full at a rate per
annum
equal at all times
to a rate equal to 2% above the rate then applicable to such Advance or,
if
higher, the Alternate Base Rate plus
2% per
annum,
payable upon
demand.
36
SECTION
2.09 Additional
Interest on Advances.
Each
Borrower agrees
to pay to each Lender, so long as such Lender shall be required under
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to maintain
reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including
Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount
of
each Eurodollar Rate Advance made by such Lender to such Borrower, from the
date
of such Advance until such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest
rate
per
annum
equal at all times
to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the Eurodollar Rate for the
Interest Period for such Advance from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing
such Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate
Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each
date
on which interest is payable on such Advance; provided,
that no Lender
shall be entitled to demand additional interest under this Section 2.09
more than 90 days following the last day of the Interest Period in respect
of which such demand is made; provided
further, however,
that the foregoing
proviso shall in no way limit the right of any Lender to demand or receive
such
additional interest to the extent that such additional interest relates to
the
retroactive application by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System
of any regulation described above if such demand is made within 90 days
after the implementation of such retroactive regulation. Such additional
interest shall be determined by such Lender and notified to the applicable
Borrower through the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
SECTION
2.10 Interest
Rate Determination.
(a) The
Administrative
Agent shall give prompt notice to the applicable Borrower and the Lenders
of the
applicable interest rate determined by the Administrative Agent for purposes
of
Section 2.08(a), (b) or (c).
(b) If,
with respect to
any Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, the Majority Lenders notify the
Administrative Agent that (i) dollar deposits are not being offered to banks
in
the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest
Period of such Eurodollar Rate Advances, (ii) adequate and reasonable means
do
not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate
for
any Interest Period for such Advances will not adequately reflect the cost
to
such Majority Lenders of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Rate
Advances for such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith
so
notify the Borrowers and the Lenders, whereupon
(i) each
Eurodollar Rate
Pro-Rata Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing
Interest Period, therefor, Convert into an Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance,
and
(ii) the
obligation of
the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances
shall
be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and
the
Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist.
37
SECTION
2.11 Conversion
of Advances.
(a) Voluntary.
Any Borrower may
on any Business Day, upon notice given to the Administrative Agent not later
than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to the date
of
any proposed Conversion into Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, and on the
date
of any proposed Conversion into Alternate Base Rate Pro-Rata Advances, and
subject to the provisions of Sections 2.10 and 2.11, Convert all Pro-Rata
Advances of one Type made to such Borrower in connection with the same Borrowing
into Pro-Rata Advances of another Type or Types or Pro-Rata Advances of the
same
Type having the same or a new Interest Period; provided,
however,
that any
Conversion of, or with respect to, any Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances
into
Pro-Rata Advances of another Type or Pro-Rata Advances of the same Type having
the same or new Interest Periods, shall be made on, and only on, the last
day of
an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, unless the
applicable Borrower shall also reimburse the Lenders in respect thereof pursuant
to Section 8.05(b) on the date of such Conversion. Each such notice of
a Conversion shall, within the restrictions specified above, specify
(i) the date of such Conversion, (ii) the Pro-Rata Advances to be
Converted, and (iii) if such Conversion is into, or with respect to,
Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances, the duration of the Interest Period for
each
such Pro-Rata Advance.
(b) Mandatory.
If any Borrower
shall fail to select the Type of any Pro-Rata Advance or the duration of
any
Interest Period for any Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances
in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of “Interest
Period” in Section 1.01 and Section 2.11(a), or if any proposed
Conversion of a Borrowing that is to comprise Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances
upon Conversion shall not occur as a result of the circumstances described
in
paragraph (c) below, the Administrative Agent will forthwith so notify
such Borrower and the Lenders, and such Advances will automatically, on the
last
day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into Alternate
Base
Rate Pro-Rata Advances.
(c) Failure
to Convert.
Each notice of
Conversion given by any Borrower pursuant to subsection (a) above
shall be irrevocable and binding on such Borrower. In the case of any Borrowing
that is to comprise Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances upon Conversion, the
Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense
incurred by such Lender as a result of any failure to fulfill on the date
specified for such Conversion the applicable conditions set forth in
Article III, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense
incurred by reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other
funds
acquired by such Lender to fund such Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances upon
such
Conversion, when such Conversion, as a result of such failure, does not occur.
Each Borrower’s obligations under this subsection (c) shall survive
the repayment of all other amounts owing by such Borrower to the Lenders
and the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement and any Note and the termination
of
the Commitments.
38
SECTION
2.12 Prepayments.
(a) Optional.
Any Borrower may
at any time prepay the outstanding principal amounts of the Advances made
to
such Borrower as part of the same Borrowing in whole or ratably in part,
together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal
amount prepaid, upon notice thereof given to the Administrative Agent by
such
Borrower not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) (i) on the date of any
such prepayment in the case of Alternate Base Rate Advances and (ii) on the
second Business Day prior to any such prepayment in the case of Eurodollar
Rate
Advances; provided,
however,
that (x) each
partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount
not less than $5,000,000 with respect to Pro-Rata Borrowings and $1,000,000
with
respect to Swing Line Borrowings and (y) in the case of any such prepayment
of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, such Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse
the
Lenders in respect thereof pursuant to Section 8.05(b) on the date of
such prepayment.
(b) Mandatory.
(i) If and to the
extent that the Outstanding Credits on any date hereunder shall exceed the
aggregate amount of the Commitments hereunder on such date, each Borrower
agrees
to (A) prepay on such date a principal amount of Advances and/or
(B) pay to the Administrative Agent an amount in immediately available
funds (which funds shall be held as collateral pursuant to arrangements
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) equal to all or a portion of the
amount available for drawing under the Letters of Credit outstanding at such
time, which prepayment under clause (A) and payment under clause (B) shall,
when
taken together result in the amount of Outstanding Credits minus
the amount paid to
the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (B) being less than or equal
to the
aggregate amount of the Commitments hereunder on such date.
(ii) If
at any time the
Outstanding Credits with respect to a Borrower on any date hereunder shall
exceed the Borrower Sublimit for such Borrower, such Borrower agrees to (A)
prepay on such date Advances in a principal amount equal to such excess and/or
(B) pay to the Administrative Agent an amount in immediately available
funds (which funds shall be held as collateral pursuant to arrangements
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) equal to all or a portion of the
amount available for drawing under the Letters of Credit outstanding to such
Borrower at such time, which prepayment under clause (A) and payment under
clause (B) shall, when taken together, result in the amount of Outstanding
Credits minus
the amount paid to
the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (B) being less than or equal
to the
aggregate amount of the applicable Borrower Sublimit hereunder on such date.
(iii) If
at any time the
aggregate principal amount of the Swing Line Advances exceeds the Swing Line
Sublimit, each Borrower agrees to prepay the Swing Line Advances outstanding
to
such Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Borrower’s pro-rata amount of
such excess, determined on the basis of the percentage of the aggregate
principal amount of Swing Line Advances outstanding to such
Borrower.
39
(iv) If
at any time
either ATSI or FES shall have Outstanding Credits and shall fail to have
Reference Ratings of at least BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x, and FE shall
fail to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty executed by FE, such
Borrower agrees (A) to prepay to the Administrative Agent the principal amount
of all Advances outstanding to such Borrower and (B) to pay to the
Administrative Agent an amount in immediately available funds (which funds
shall
be held as collateral pursuant to arrangements satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent) equal to all of the amount available for drawing under
the
Letters of Credit outstanding to such Borrower at such time.
Any
prepayment of
Advances shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to
the
date of such prepayment and, in the case of any such prepayment of Eurodollar
Rate Advances, the applicable Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the
Lenders in respect thereof pursuant to Section 8.05(b) on the date of
such prepayment.
SECTION
2.13 Increased
Costs.
(a) If,
due to either
(i) the introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of
imposition or increase of reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar
Rate
Reserve Percentage) in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation,
in
each case, after the date hereof, or (ii) the compliance with any guideline
or request from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether
or not
having the force of law) issued, promulgated or made, as the case may be,
after
the date hereof, there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of
agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances
or
any increase in the cost to any Fronting Bank or any Lender of issuing,
maintaining or participating in Letters of Credit, then each Borrower shall
from
time to time, upon demand by such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case
may
be) (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender
or such
Fronting Bank (as the case may be) for such increased cost. A certificate
as to
the amount of such increased cost and the basis therefor, submitted to each
Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be), shall constitute such demand and shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
40
(b) If
any Lender or any
Fronting Bank determines that compliance with any law or regulation or any
guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority
(whether or not having the force of law), issued, promulgated or made (as
the
case may be) after the date hereof, affects or would affect the amount of
capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or such Fronting
Bank (as the case may be) or any corporation controlling such Lender or such
Fronting Bank (as the case may be) and that the amount of such capital is
increased by or based upon the existence of (i) such Lender’s commitment to
lend or participate in Letters of Credit hereunder and other commitments
of this
type or (ii) the Advances made by such Lender or (iii) the
participations in Letters of Credit acquired by such Lender or (iv) in the
case of any Fronting Bank, such Fronting Bank’s commitment to issue, maintain
and honor drawings under Letters of Credit hereunder, or (v) the honoring
of Letters of Credit by any Fronting Bank hereunder, then, upon demand by
such
Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be) (with a copy of such demand
to
the Administrative Agent), each Borrower shall immediately pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be), from time to time as specified by such Lender or such Fronting
Bank (as the case may be), additional amounts sufficient to compensate such
Lender, such Fronting Bank or such corporation in the light of such
circumstances, to the extent that such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the
case
may be) determines such increase in capital to be allocable to (i) in the
case of such Lender, the existence of such Lender’s commitment to lend hereunder
or the Advances made by such Lender or (ii) the participations in Letters
of Credit acquired by such Lender or (iii) in the case of any Fronting
Bank, such Fronting Bank’s Commitment to issue, maintain and honor drawings
under Letters of Credit hereunder, or (iv) the honoring of Letters of
Credit by any Fronting Bank hereunder. A certificate as to such amounts
submitted to each Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender or
such
Fronting Bank (as the case may be) shall constitute such demand and shall
be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(c) Each Borrower
shall be
liable for its pro rata share of each payment to be made by the Borrowers
under
subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 2.13, determined on the basis of
such
Borrower’s Fraction; provided,
however,
that if and to the
extent that any such liabilities are reasonably determined by the Borrowers
(subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, which approval shall
not
be unreasonably withheld) to be directly attributable to Advances made to
a
specific Borrower, then only such Borrower shall be liable for such
payments.
41
SECTION
2.14 Illegality.
Notwithstanding
any
other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Administrative
Agent that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation
of any
law or regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental
authority asserts that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending
Office to perform its obligations hereunder to make Eurodollar Rate Advances
or
to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, (i) the obligation
of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances
shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers
and
the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist
and
(ii) the Borrowers shall forthwith prepay in full all Eurodollar Rate
Advances of all Lenders then outstanding, together with interest accrued
thereon, unless (A) the Borrowers, within five Business Days of notice from
the Administrative Agent, Converts all Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advances
of all
Lenders then outstanding into Advances of another Type in accordance with
Section 2.11 (in which case all Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advances must
still be repaid pursuant to this Section 2.14) or (B) the Administrative
Agent notifies the Borrowers that the circumstances causing such prepayment
no
longer exist. Any Lender that becomes aware of circumstances that would permit
such Lender to notify the Administrative Agent of any illegality under this
Section 2.14 shall use its best efforts (consistent with its internal
policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction
of its
Applicable Lending Office if the making of such change would avoid or eliminate
such illegality and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender,
be
otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
SECTION
2.15 Payments
and Computations.
(a) Each
Borrower shall
make each payment hereunder and under any Note not later than 12:00 noon
(New
York time) on the day when due in U.S. dollars to the Administrative Agent
or,
with respect to payments made in respect of Reimbursement Obligations, to
the
applicable Fronting Bank, at its address referred to in Section 8.02 in
same day funds, without set-off, counterclaim or defense and any such payment
to
the Administrative Agent or any Fronting Bank (as the case may be) shall
constitute payment by such Borrower hereunder or under any Note, as the case
may
be, for all purposes, and upon such payment the Lenders shall look solely
to the
Administrative Agent or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be) for their
respective interests in such payment. The Administrative Agent or such Fronting
Bank (as the case may be) will promptly after any such payment cause to be
distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or
facility fees or Reimbursement Obligations ratably (other than amounts payable
pursuant to Section 2.02(c), 2.05, 2.09, 2.11(c), 2.13, 2.16 or 8.05(b))
(according to the Lenders’ respective Commitments) to the Lenders for the
account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating
to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for
the
account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon its acceptance of an
Assignment and Acceptance and recording of the information contained therein
in
the Register pursuant to Section 8.08(d), from and after the effective date
specified in such Assignment and Acceptance, the Administrative Agent and
each
Fronting Bank shall make all payments hereunder and under any Note in respect
of
the interest assigned thereby to the Lender assignee thereunder, and the
parties
to such Assignment and Acceptance shall make all appropriate adjustments
in such
payments for periods prior to such effective date directly between
themselves.
42
(b) Each
Borrower hereby
authorizes each Lender and each Fronting Bank, if and to the extent payment
owed
to such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be) is not made by
such
Borrower to the Administrative Agent or such Fronting Bank (as the case may
be)
when due hereunder or under any Note held by such Lender, to charge from
time to
time against any or all of such Borrower’s accounts (other than any payroll
account maintained by such Borrower with such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) if and to the extent that such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) shall have expressly waived its set-off rights in writing
in
respect of such payroll account) with such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as
the
case may be) any amount so due.
(c) All
computations of
interest based on the Alternate Base Rate (based upon Citibank’s base rate)
shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or
366
days, as the case may be, and all computations of facility fees and of interest
based on the Alternate Base Rate (based upon the Federal Funds Rate), the
Eurodollar Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be made by the Administrative
Agent, and all computations of interest pursuant to Section 2.09 shall be
made by a Lender, on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the
actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day)
occurring in the period for which such facility fees or interest are payable.
Each determination by the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of
Section 2.09, by a Lender) of an interest rate hereunder shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(d) Whenever
any payment
hereunder or under any Note shall be stated to be due on a day other than
a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business
Day,
and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation
of
payment of interest or facility fees, as the case may be; provided,
however,
if such extension
would cause payment of interest on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances
to
be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made
on the
next preceding Business Day.
(e) Unless
the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from any Borrower prior to
the
date on which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder that such Borrower
will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that
each Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on
such
date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption,
cause
to be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the
amount
then due such Lender. If and to the extent that a Borrower shall not have
so
made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall
repay
to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to
such
Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount
is
distributed to such Lender until the date such Lender repays such amount
to the
Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate.
(f) Except
as provided
otherwise in Section 2.08, any amount payable by a Borrower hereunder or
under
any Note that is not paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration
or otherwise) shall (to the fullest extent permitted by law) bear interest
from
the date when due until paid in full at a rate per
annum
equal at all times
to the Alternate Base Rate plus
2% per
annum,
payable upon
demand.
43
(g) To
the extent that
any payment by or on behalf of a Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent,
any Fronting Bank or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, any Fronting
Bank
or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds
of
such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to
be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to
any
settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, such Fronting Bank or
such
Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other
party, in connection with any proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency
or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect or otherwise (a “Returned
Payment”),
then (i) to the
extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended
to
be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if
such
payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (ii) each
Lender
and each Fronting Bank severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent
upon
demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered
from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus
interest thereon
from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per
annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The
obligations of the Lenders and the Fronting Banks under clause (ii) of the
preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of any amounts hereunder
and the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION
2.16 Taxes.
(a) Any
and all payments
by each Borrower hereunder and under any Note shall be made, in accordance
with
Section 2.15, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings,
and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding,
in the case of
each Lender, each Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent, such taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions and charges in the nature of franchise taxes
or
taxes measured by the gross receipts or net income of any Lender, any Fronting
Bank or the Administrative Agent by any jurisdiction in which such Lender,
such
Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized,
located or conducts business or any political subdivision thereof and, in
the
case of each Lender, by the jurisdiction of such Lender’s Applicable Lending
Office or any political subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being
herein
referred to as “Taxes”).
If a Borrower
shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum
payable hereunder or under any Note to any Lender, any Fronting Bank or the
Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be
necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) such Lender,
such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) receives
an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been
made,
(ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) FE shall pay
the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority
in accordance with Applicable Law.
(b) In
addition, FE
agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise from any payment
made hereunder or under any Note or from the execution, delivery or registration
of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or
any
Note (herein referred to as “Other
Taxes”).
44
(c) FE
agrees to
indemnify each Lender, each Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent for
the
full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes
or
Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section 2.16) paid by such Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative
Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest
and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such
Taxes
or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall
be
made within 30 days from the date such Lender, such Fronting Bank or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) makes written demand
therefor.
(d) Prior
to the date of
the initial Borrowing in the case of each Bank, and on the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender in the case
of
each other Lender, and from time to time thereafter if requested by a Borrower
or the Administrative Agent, each Lender organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction outside the United States shall provide the Administrative Agent,
each Fronting Bank, each Swing Line Lender and such Borrower with the forms
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying
that
such Lender is exempt from United States withholding taxes with respect to
all
payments to be made to such Lender hereunder and under any Note. If for any
reason during the term of this Agreement, any Lender becomes unable to submit
the forms referred to above or the information or representations contained
therein are no longer accurate in any material respect, such Lender shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank, each Swing
Line
Lender and each Borrower in writing to that effect. Unless the Borrowers,
the
Fronting Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the Administrative Agent have
received forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments
hereunder or under any Note are not subject to United States withholding
tax,
each Borrower, each Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent shall withhold
taxes from such payments at the applicable statutory rate in the case of
payments to or for any Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
outside
the United States.
(e) Any
Lender claiming
any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall use its
best efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory
restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office
if the
making of such a change would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of,
any
such additional amounts that may thereafter accrue and would not, in the
reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such
Lender.
(f) Without
prejudice to
the survival of any other agreement of the Borrowers hereunder, the agreements
and obligations of the Borrowers contained in this Section 2.16 shall
survive the payment in full of principal and interest hereunder and under
any
Note.
45
SECTION
2.17 Sharing
of
Payments, Etc.
If
any Lender shall
obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise
of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances made by it or
participations in Letters of Credit acquired by it (other than pursuant to
Section 2.02(c), 2.09, 2.11(c), 2.13, 2.16 or 8.05(b)) in excess of its
ratable share of payments on account of the Advances or Letters of Credit
(as
the case may be) obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith
purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Advances made
by them
or participations in Letters of Credit acquired by them (as the case may
be) as
shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment
ratably with each of them; provided,
however,
that if all or any
portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing
Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender
shall
repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery
together with an amount equal to such Lender’s ratable share (according to the
proportion of (a) the amount of such Lender’s required repayment to
(b) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any
interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect
of
the total amount so recovered. Each Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this
Section 2.17 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its
rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of such
Borrower in the amount of such participation.
SECTION
2.18 Noteless
Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Each
Lender shall
maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing
the indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Advance
made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal
and
interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time
hereunder.
(b) The
Administrative
Agent shall also maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount
of each Advance made hereunder, the Borrower thereof, the Type thereof and
the
Interest Period (if any) with respect thereto, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from such
Borrower to each Lender hereunder, and (iii) the amount of any sum received
by the Administrative Agent hereunder from each Borrower and each Lender’s share
thereof.
(c) The
entries
maintained in the accounts maintained pursuant to subsections (a) and (b)
above
shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations
therein recorded; provided,
however,
that the failure
of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to maintain such accounts or any
error
therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of each Borrower to
repay
such obligations in accordance with their terms.
46
(d) Any
Lender may
request that its Advances be evidenced by a Note. In such event, each Borrower
shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a Note payable to the order
of
such Lender. Thereafter, the Advances evidenced by such Note and interest
thereon shall at all times (including after any assignment pursuant to
Section 8.08) be represented by one or more Notes payable to the order of
the payee named therein or any assignee pursuant to Section 8.08, except to
the extent that any such Lender or assignee subsequently returns any such
Note
for cancellation and requests that such Borrowings once again be evidenced
as
described in subsections (a) and (b) above.
SECTION
2.19 Extension
of Termination Date.
(a) So
long as no Event
of Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers
may, no earlier than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date hereof
but no later than 90 days prior to the last anniversary of the date hereof
preceding the then-effective Termination Date, by delivering a written request
(the date of delivery of the written request described below being the
“Extension
Notice Date”)
to the
Administrative Agent (such request being irrevocable), request that each
Lender
extend for one year the Termination Date with respect to such Lender’s
Commitment. The Administrative Agent shall, upon its receipt of such request,
promptly notify each Lender thereof, and request that each Lender promptly
advise the Administrative Agent of its approval or rejection of such request.
The Borrowers may exercise their right to request an extension of the
Termination Date under this Section 2.19 no more than two times.
(b) Upon
receipt of such
notification from the Administrative Agent, each Lender may (but shall not
be
required to), in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to extend the
Termination Date with respect to its Commitment and any of its Outstanding
Credits for a period of one year, and shall (should it determine to do so),
no
earlier than 60 days but in any event no later than 70 days immediately
following the Extension Notice Date, notify the Administrative Agent in writing
of its consent to such request. If any Lender shall not so notify the
Administrative Agent, such Lender shall be deemed not to have agreed to such
request. The Administrative Agent shall thereupon notify the Borrowers no
later
than 75 days following the Extension Notice Date as to the Lenders, if any,
that
have consented to such request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Advance
shall
be outstanding longer than 364 days.
47
(c) If
Lenders holding
Commitments aggregating more than 66-2/3% of the Commitments then in effect
agree to such request, the Commitment of each Lender that agreed to such
request
shall be extended for a period of one year, commencing on the then-scheduled
Termination Date; subject,
however,
to the conditions
precedent that (i) the following statements shall be true: (A) no event has
occurred and is continuing, or would result from the extension of the
Termination Date, that constitutes an Event of Default or would, with the
giving
of notice or the lapse of time, or both, constitute an Event of Default and
(B) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 are
correct in all material respects on and as of the date of extension of the
Termination Date, before and after giving effect to such extension, as though
made on and as of such date, and that, on or prior to the date of such
extension, and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received the following,
each dated such date and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent: (x) a certificate of a duly authorized officer of
each Borrower to the effect that as of the date of extension of the Termination
Date the statements set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above are true,
(y) certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of each
Borrower authorizing such extension and the performance of this Agreement
on and
after the date of extension of the Termination Date, and of all documents
evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental and regulatory
approvals with respect to this Agreement and such extension of the Termination
Date and (z) an opinion of counsel to the Borrowers, as to such matters
related to the foregoing as the Administrative Agent or the Lenders through
the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Subject to subsection (d)
below, the Commitment of any Lender electing not to extend (or failing to
notify
the Administrative Agent in writing of its consent to extend) the Termination
Date shall automatically terminate on the then-scheduled Termination Date
(without regard to any extension by any other Lender).
(d) In
the event that
any Lender (a “Nonconsenting
Lender”)
shall not agree
(or shall be deemed not to have agreed) to an extension request of the Borrowers
made pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Borrowers will have the right to
substitute other financial institutions reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lenders and the Fronting Banks for any
Nonconsenting Lender (provided
that
the other
Lenders shall have the right to increase their Commitments ratably according
to
the amount of their Commitments relative to the other Commitments that are
to be
extended up to the amount of the Commitment of such Nonconsenting Lender
before
the Borrowers shall be permitted to substitute any other financial institution
for such Nonconsenting Lender) by causing any Nonconsenting Lender to assign
its
Commitment pursuant to Section 8.08 hereof, provided,
however,
that the parties
to any such assignment shall not be required to pay the processing and
recordation fee otherwise payable under Section 8.08(a)(iv), and provided,
further
that such
Nonconsenting Lender shall, prior to the effectiveness of any such assignment,
be paid in full all amounts due to it hereunder.
(e) Upon
the extension
of the Termination Date in accordance with this Section 2.19, the Administrative
Agent shall deliver to each Lender a revised Schedule I setting forth the
Commitment of each Lender after giving effect to such extension of the
Termination Date for each Lender, and such Schedule I shall replace the Schedule
I in effect before the extension of the then applicable Termination
Date.
48
(f) In
the event that
any Lender shall not have consented to a request made by the Borrowers under
this Section 2.19 to extend the Termination Date, then, on the date of any
termination of such Lender’s Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.19, the
Borrowers shall pay or prepay to such Lender the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of all Advances of such Lender and an amount equal to the aggregate
Stated Amount of all issued but undrawn Letters of Credit issued by such
Lender
with respect to such termination of its Commitment, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and
all
other fees and other amounts due and payable to such Lender hereunder. In
the
case of any such prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrowers shall
be
obligated to reimburse each such Lender in respect thereof pursuant to Section
8.05(b).
SECTION
2.20 Several
Obligations.
Each
Borrower’s
obligations hereunder are several and not joint. Any action taken by or on
behalf of the Borrowers shall not result in one Borrower being held responsible
for the actions, debts or liabilities of the other Borrowers. Nothing contained
herein shall be interpreted as requiring the Borrowers to effect Borrowings
jointly.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
OF LENDING
AND ISSUING
LETTERS OF CREDIT
SECTION
3.01 Conditions
Precedent to Initial Extension of Credit.
The
obligation of
each Lender to make its initial Advance to any Borrower, and the obligation
of
each Fronting Bank to issue its initial Letter of Credit, are subject to
the
conditions precedent that on or before the date of any such Extension of
Credit:
(a) The
Administrative
Agent shall have received the following, each dated the same date (except
for
the financial statements referred to in paragraph (iv)), in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (except for any Note)
with one copy for each Fronting Bank and each Lender:
(i) This
Agreement, duly
executed by each of the parties hereto, and Notes requested by any Lender
pursuant to Section 2.18(d), duly completed and executed by each Borrower
and payable to the order of such Lender;
(ii) Certified
copies of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Borrower approving this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party
and
of all documents evidencing any other necessary corporate action with respect
to
this Agreement and such Loan Documents;
49
(iii) A
certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Borrower certifying (A) the
names and true signatures of the officers of such Borrower authorized to
sign
each Loan Document to which such Borrower is, or is to become, a party and
the
other documents to be delivered hereunder; (B) that attached thereto are
true and correct copies of the Organizational Documents of such Borrower,
in
each case as in effect on such date; and (C) that attached thereto are true
and correct copies of all governmental and regulatory authorizations and
approvals (including such Borrower’s Approval, as applicable) required for the
due execution, delivery and performance by such Borrower of this Agreement
and
each other Loan Document to which such Borrower is, or is to become, a
party;
(iv) Copies
of the
consolidated balance sheets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other
than
FES and ATSI, the financial statements of which are consolidated into the
balance sheets of FE) as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of such Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries (other than FES and ATSI, the statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flows of which are consolidated into the financial statements
of FE) for the fiscal year then ended, certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP,
and the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of such Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (other than FES and ATSI, the balance sheets of which are
consolidated into the balance sheets of FE) as of June 30, 2006 and related
consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of such
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three-month period then ended, in all
cases as amended and restated to the date of delivery;
(v) An
opinion of Xxxx
X. Benz, Esq., counsel for the Borrowers, substantially in the form of
Exhibit G hereto;
(vi) An
opinion of Akin
Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP, special counsel for the Borrowers,
substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto;
(vii) A
favorable opinion
of King & Spalding LLP, special New York counsel for the Administrative
Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto; and
(viii) Such
other
certifications, opinions, financial or other information, approvals and
documents as the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank, any Swing Line
Lender
or any other Lender may reasonably request, all in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such Fronting Bank, such Swing
Line
Lender or such other Lender (as the case may be).
(b) The
Borrowers and
each Fronting Bank shall have entered into an agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to such Fronting Bank, concerning fees payable by the Borrower
to
such Fronting Bank for its own account (the “Fronting
Bank Fee Letters”).
(c) The
Borrowers shall
have paid all of the fees payable in accordance with the Fee Letter, and
the
Borrowers shall have paid all the fees payable in accordance with the Fronting
Bank Fee Letters.
50
(d) All
amounts
outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, whether for principal,
interest, fees or otherwise, shall have been paid in full, and all commitments
to lend thereunder shall have been terminated and the Existing Credit Agreement
shall have been terminated.
(e) The
Administrative
Agent shall have received all documentation and information required by
regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money
laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Patriot
Act.
SECTION
3.02 Conditions
Precedent to Each Extension of Credit.
The
obligation of
each Lender to make an Advance to any Borrower as part of any Borrowing
(including the initial Borrowing) that would increase the aggregate principal
amount of Advances outstanding hereunder, and the obligation of each Fronting
Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew a Letter of Credit (including the initial
Letter of Credit for the account of such Borrower), shall be subject to the
further conditions precedent that on the date of such Extension of
Credit:
(i) The
following
statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice
of
Pro-Rata Borrowing, Notice of Swing Line Borrowing or Letter of Credit Request
and the acceptance by such Borrower of the proceeds of such Borrowing or
the
acceptance of a Letter of Credit by the Beneficiary thereof, as the case
may be,
shall constitute a representation and warranty by such Borrower that on the
date
of such Extension of Credit such statements are true):
(A) The
representations
and warranties of such Borrower contained in Section 4.01 (other than
subsections (f) and (g) thereof with respect to any Extension of Credit
following the initial Extension of Credit) hereof are true and correct on
and as
of the date of such Extension of Credit, before and after giving effect to
such
Extension of Credit and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as
though
made on and as of such date;
(B) No
event has
occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Extension of Credit
or
from the application of the proceeds therefrom, that constitutes an Event
of
Default with respect to such Borrower (and if FE has executed and delivered
a
Guaranty with respect to the obligations of such Borrower hereunder, with
respect to FE) or would constitute an Event of Default with respect to such
Borrower (and if FE has executed and delivered a Guaranty with respect to
the
obligations of such Borrower hereunder, with respect to FE) but for the
requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both; and
51
(C)Immediately
following such Extension of Credit, (1) the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Credits shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments then in
effect,
(2) the Outstanding Credits of any Lender shall not exceed the amount of
such Lender’s Commitment, (3) the aggregate principal amount of Advances
outstanding for such Borrower shall not exceed amounts authorized under such
Borrower’s Approval or Supplemental Approval, as the case may be, (4) the
Outstanding Credits for the account of any Borrower shall not exceed the
Borrower Sublimit for such Borrower, (5) the aggregate principal amount of
the
Swing Line Advances outstanding shall not exceed the Swing Line Sublimit,
and
(6) if such Extension of Credit is the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the
Stated Amount thereof, when aggregated with (x) the Stated Amount of each
other Letter of Credit that is outstanding or with respect to which a Letter
of
Credit Request has been received and (y) the outstanding Reimbursement
Obligations, shall not exceed the L/C Commitment Amount;
(ii) In
the case of an
Extension of Credit with respect to ATSI or FES without delivery of a Guaranty
executed by FE with respect to such Borrower, the financial statements described
in Section 5.01(g)(ii) and (iii) shall be currently available for such
Borrower, and such Borrower shall have delivered copies of such financial
statements to the Administrative Agent; and
(iii) Such
Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of such other approvals
and
documents as the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank, any Swing Line
Lender
or any other Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably
request.
SECTION
3.03 Conditions
Precedent to Conversions.
The
obligation of
each Lender to Convert any Borrowing of any Borrower is subject to the
conditions precedent that on the date of such Conversion:
(a) The
following
statements shall be true (and the giving of the notice of Conversion pursuant
to
Section 2.11 shall constitute a representation and warranty by such
Borrower that on the date of such Conversion such statements are
true):
(i) The
representations
and warranties of such Borrower contained in Section 4.01 (other than
subsections (f) and (g) thereof) are correct on and as of the date of such
Conversion, before and after giving effect to such Conversion, as though
made on
and as of such date; and
(ii) No
event has
occurred and is continuing or would result from such Conversion, that
constitutes an Event of Default with respect to such Borrower (and, if FE
has
executed and delivered a Guaranty with respect to the obligations of such
Borrower hereunder, with respect to FE) or that would constitute an Event
of
Default with respect to such Borrower (and, if FE has executed and delivered
a
Guaranty with respect to the obligations of such Borrower hereunder, with
respect to FE) but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse
or
both; and
52
(b) Such
Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of such other approvals
and
documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
SECTION
3.04 Conditions
Precedent to Extensions of Credit after Expiration of
Approval.
At
any time after
the expiration of an Approval or Supplemental Approval applicable to a Borrower,
the obligation of each Lender to make an Advance to such Borrower as part
of any
Borrowing (including the initial Borrowing) that would increase the aggregate
principal amount of Advances outstanding hereunder, and the obligation of
each
Fronting Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew a Letter of Credit (including
the
initial Letter of Credit), shall be subject to the further conditions precedent
that on or prior to the date of such Extension of Credit the Administrative
Agent shall have received the following, each dated the same date, in form
and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with one copy for
each
Fronting Bank and each Lender:
(i) A
certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Borrower certifying that attached
thereto is a true and correct copy of the Supplemental Approval and that
such
order has been issued and is in full force and effect; and
(ii) An
opinion of Akin
Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP, special counsel for such Borrower, if such
Supplemental Approval consists of a FERC order, or Xxxx X. Benz, Esq., counsel
for such Borrower, if such Supplemental Approval consists of a PUCO order,
to
the effect that no Governmental Action is or will be required in connection
with
the execution, delivery or performance by such Borrower, or the consummation
by
such Borrower of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other
Loan Document to which it is, or is to become, a party other than such
Supplemental Approval, which has been duly issued and is in full force and
effect.
Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, this Section 3.04 shall not be applicable to any Borrower who
has
exercised its rights under Section 2.07 hereof to incur Indebtedness hereunder
maturing more than 364 days after the date of the incurrence of such
Indebtedness.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
SECTION
4.01 Representations
and Warranties of the Borrowers.
Each
Borrower
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Corporate
Existence and Power.
It is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, is duly qualified to do business
as a foreign corporation in and is in good standing under the laws of each
state
in which the ownership of its properties or the conduct of its business makes
such qualification necessary except where the failure to be so qualified
would
not have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition
or its
ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and has all
corporate powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations,
consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now
conducted.
53
(b) Corporate
Authorization.
The execution,
delivery and performance by it of each Loan Document to which it is, or is
to
become, a party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on
its part and do not, and will not, require the consent or approval of its
shareholders, or any trustee or holder of any Indebtedness or other obligation
of it, other than such consents and approvals as have been duly obtained,
given
or accomplished.
(c) No
Violation, Etc.
Neither the
execution, delivery or performance by it of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document to which it is, or is to become, a party, nor the consummation by
it of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor compliance by it with
the
provisions hereof or thereof, conflicts or will conflict with, or results
or
will result in a breach or contravention of any of the provisions of its
Organizational Documents, any Applicable Law, or any indenture, mortgage,
lease
or any other agreement or instrument to which it or any of its Affiliates
is
party or by which its property or the property of any of its Affiliates is
bound, or results or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
upon
any of its property or the property of any of its Affiliates except as provided
herein. There is no provision of its Organizational Documents, or any Applicable
Law, or any such indenture, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument
that materially adversely affects, or in the future is likely (so far as
it can
now foresee) to materially adversely affect, its business, operations, affairs,
condition, properties or assets or its ability to perform its obligations
under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is, or is to become,
a
party. Each of such Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance
with
all laws (including, without limitation, ERISA and Environmental Laws),
regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or
its
property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon
it or
its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the
aggregate, has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, operations, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, or (ii) the legality, validity or enforceability of any
of the Loan Documents or the rights, remedies and benefits available to the
parties thereunder or the ability of such Borrower to perform its obligations
under the Loan Documents.
(d) Governmental
Actions.
No Governmental
Action is or will be required in connection with the execution, delivery
or
performance by it, or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is, or is to become,
a
party other than (i) such Borrower’s Approval, as applicable, which has
been duly issued and is in full force and effect and (ii) such Borrower’s
Supplemental Approval, as applicable.
(e) Execution
and Delivery.
This Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which it is, or is to become, a party have been
or
will be (as the case may be) duly executed and delivered by it, and this
Agreement is, and upon execution and delivery thereof each other Loan Document
will be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against
it in
accordance with its terms, subject,
however,
to the application
by a court of general principles of equity and to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally.
54
(f) Litigation.
Except as
disclosed with respect to ATSI and FES, in FE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed in 2005 prior to the date hereof (copies of which have been
furnished to each Bank) or with respect to any other Borrower, in such
Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June
30, 2006 and
its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed in 2006 prior to the date hereof (copies
of which have been furnished to each Bank for each Borrower other than ATSI
and
FES, there is no pending or threatened action or proceeding (including, without
limitation, any proceeding relating to or arising out of Environmental Laws)
affecting it or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency
or
arbitrator that has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse
effect
on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations
or
prospects of it and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on
the
ability of such Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement
or any
other Loan Document, and there has been no development in the matters disclosed
in such filings that has had such a material adverse effect.
(g) Financial
Statements; Material Adverse Change.
The consolidated
balance sheets of FE and its Subsidiaries, with respect to ATSI and FES,
and
such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with respect to any other Borrower, as
at
December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income,
retained earnings and cash flows of FE and its Subsidiaries, with respect
to
ATSI and FES, and such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with respect to any
other
Borrower, for the fiscal year then ended, certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent public accountants, and the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of FE and its Subsidiaries, with respect to ATSI and FES, and such
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with respect to any other Borrower, as at
June
30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings
and cash flows of FE and its Subsidiaries, with respect to ATSI and FES,
and
such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with respect to any other Borrower, for
the
three months then ended, copies of each of which have been furnished to each
Bank and each Fronting Bank, in all cases as amended and restated to the
date
hereof, present fairly the consolidated financial position of such Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries as at such dates and the consolidated results of the operations
of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the periods ended on such dates,
all
in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. Except as disclosed in FE’s, with
respect to ATSI and FES, or such Borrower’s, with respect to any other Borrower,
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, its
Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and its
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed in 2005 prior to the date hereof (copies
of
which have been furnished to each Bank), there has been no material adverse
change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or prospects of such Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, since December 31, 2005.
55
(h) ERISA.
(i) No
Termination Event
has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any
Plan.
(ii) Schedule B
(Actuarial Information) to the most recent annual report (Form 5500 Series)
with respect to each Plan, copies of which have been filed with the Internal
Revenue Service and furnished to the Banks, is complete and accurate and
fairly
presents the funding status of such Plan, and since the date of such
Schedule B there has been no material adverse change in such funding
status.
(iii) Neither
it nor any
member of the Controlled Group has incurred nor reasonably expects to incur
any
withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan.
(i) Taxes.
It and each of its
Subsidiaries has filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required
to be
filed and paid all taxes shown thereon to be due, including interest and
penalties, or provided adequate reserves for payment thereof in accordance
with
GAAP other than such taxes that such Borrower or such Subsidiary is contesting
in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings.
(j) Use
of
Proceeds.
The proceeds of
each Extension of Credit and each Letter of Credit will be used solely for
the
general corporate purposes of such Borrower and/or its
Subsidiaries.
(k) Margin
Stock.
After applying the
proceeds of each Extension of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the
assets of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to the restrictions
of
Section 5.03(a) or (b) will consist of or be represented by Margin Stock.
Such Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the
purpose
of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no proceeds of any Extension
of
Credit will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit
to
others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.
(l) Investment
Company.
Such Borrower is
not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
an
“investment advisor” within the meaning of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended.
(m) No
Event
of Default.
No event has
occurred and is continuing that constitutes an Event of Default or that would
constitute an Event of Default (including, without limitation, an Event of
Default under Section 6.01(e)) but for the requirement that notice be given
or time elapse or both.
56
(n) Solvency. (i) The
fair saleable value of its assets will exceed the amount that will be required
to be paid on or in respect of the probable liability on its existing debts
and
other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they mature;
(ii) its assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out
its business as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted; (iii) it does
not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature
(taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it
and the
amounts to be payable on or in respect of its obligations); and (iv) it
does not believe that final judgments against it in actions for money damages
presently pending will be rendered at a time when, or in an amount such that,
it
will be unable to satisfy any such judgments promptly in accordance with
their
terms (taking into account the maximum reasonable amount of such judgments
in
any such actions and the earliest reasonable time at which such judgments
might
be rendered). Its cash flow, after taking into account all other anticipated
uses of its cash (including the payments on or in respect of debt referred
to in
clause (iii) above), will at all times be sufficient to pay all such
judgments promptly in accordance with their terms.
(o) No
Material Misstatements. The
reports,
financial statements and other written information furnished by or on behalf
of
such Borrower to the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank or any Lender
pursuant to or in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions
contemplated thereby do not contain and will not contain, when taken as a
whole,
any untrue statement of a material fact and do not omit and will not omit,
when
taken as a whole, to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in
the light of the circumstances under which they were or will be made, not
misleading in any material respect.
ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS
OF
THE BORROWERS
SECTION
5.01 Affirmative
Covenants of the Borrowers.
Unless
the Majority
Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, so long as any amount payable
by any
Borrower hereunder shall remain unpaid, FE shall have any obligations under
any
Guaranty, any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding or any Lender shall
have
any Commitment hereunder, such Borrower will:
(a) Preservation
of Corporate Existence, Etc.
(i) Without
limiting the right of such Borrower to merge with or into or consolidate
with or
into any other corporation or entity in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.03(c) hereof, preserve and maintain its corporate existence
in the state of its incorporation and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is reasonably
necessary in view of its business and operations or the ownership of its
properties and (ii) preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect the
rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct
of its business.
57
(b) Compliance
with Laws, Etc.
Comply, and cause
each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, the
noncompliance with which would materially and adversely affect the business
or
condition of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, such
compliance to include, without limitation, compliance with the Patriot Act,
regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign
Assets
Control, Environmental Laws and ERISA and paying before the same become
delinquent all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed
upon
it or upon its property, except to the extent compliance with any of the
foregoing is then being contested in good faith by appropriate legal
proceedings.
(c) Maintenance
of Insurance, Etc.
Maintain insurance
with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations or through
its own program of self-insurance in such amounts and covering such risks
as is
usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar
properties in the same general areas in which such Borrower operates and
furnish
to the Administrative Agent, within a reasonable time after written request
therefor, such information as to the insurance carried as any Lender or any
Fronting Bank, through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably
request.
(d) Inspection
Rights.
At any reasonable
time and from time to time as the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank
or any
Lender may reasonably request, permit the Administrative Agent, such Fronting
Bank or such Lender or any agents or representatives thereof to examine and
make
copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit
the
properties of, such Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss
the
affairs, finances and accounts of such Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries
with
any of their respective officers or directors; provided,
however,
that such Borrower
reserves the right to restrict access to any of its Subsidiaries’ generating
facilities in accordance with reasonably adopted procedures relating to safety
and security. The Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank and each Lender
agree
to use reasonable efforts to ensure that any information concerning such
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries obtained by the Administrative Agent,
such
Fronting Bank or such Lender pursuant to this subsection (d) or
subsection (g) that is not contained in a report or other document filed
with
the SEC, distributed by such Borrower to its security holders or otherwise
generally available to the public, will, to the extent permitted by law and
except as may be required by valid subpoena or in the normal course of the
Administrative Agent’s, such Fronting Bank’s or such Lender’s business
operations be treated confidentially by the Administrative Agent, such Fronting
Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, and will not be distributed or
otherwise made available by the Administrative Agent, such Fronting Bank
or such
Lender, as the case may be, to any Person, other than the Administrative
Agent’s, such Fronting Bank’s or such Lender’s employees, authorized agents or
representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys and
accountants).
(e) Keeping
of Books.
Keep, and cause
each Subsidiary to keep, proper books of record and account in which entries
shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of
such
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
58
(f) Maintenance
of Properties.
Maintain and
preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all
of
its properties that are used or that are useful in the conduct of its business
in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, it
being
understood that this covenant relates only to the good working order and
condition of such properties and shall not be construed as a covenant of
such
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not to dispose of such properties by
sale,
lease, transfer or otherwise.
(g) Reporting
Requirements.
Furnish, or cause
to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for
each
Lender and each Fronting Bank, the following:
(i) promptly
after the
occurrence of any Event of Default, the statement of an authorized officer
of
such Borrower setting forth details of such Event of Default and the action
that
such Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto;
(ii) as
soon as available
and in any event within 50 days after the close of each of the first three
quarters in each fiscal year of such Borrower (other than ATSI or FES, unless
then currently available for either such Borrower), consolidated balance
sheets
of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and
consolidated statements of income of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
the
period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with
the end
of such quarter, fairly presenting the financial condition of such Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries as at such date and the results of operations of such Borrower
and its Subsidiaries for such period and setting forth in each case in
comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period of
the
preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and duly certified (subject
to
year-end audit adjustments) by the chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant
treasurer or controller of such Borrower as having been prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied;
(iii) as
soon as available
and in any event within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year of such
Borrower (other than ATSI or FES, unless then currently available for either
such Borrower), a copy of the annual report for such year for such Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries, containing consolidated and consolidating financial statements
of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such year certified in a manner
acceptable to the Lenders and the Fronting Banks by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
or other independent public accountants acceptable to the Lenders and the
Fronting Banks, together with statements of projected financial performance
prepared by management for the next fiscal year, in form satisfactory to
the
Administrative Agent;
59
(iv) concurrently
with
the delivery of the financial statements specified in clauses (ii) and
(iii) above a certificate of the chief financial officer, treasurer,
assistant treasurer or controller of such Borrower (A) stating whether he
has any knowledge of the occurrence at any time prior to the date of such
certificate of an Event of Default not theretofore reported pursuant to the
provisions of clause (i) of this subsection (g) or of the occurrence
at any time prior to such date of any such Event of Default, except Events
of
Default theretofore reported pursuant to the provisions of clause (i) of
this subsection (g) and remedied, and, if so, stating the facts with
respect thereto, and (B) setting forth in a true and correct manner, the
calculation of the ratios contemplated by Section 5.02 hereof, as of the
date of the most recent financial statements accompanying such certificate,
to
show such Borrower’s compliance with or the status of the financial covenants
contained in Section 5.02 hereof;
(v) promptly
after the
sending or filing thereof, copies of any reports that such Borrower sends
to any
of its securityholders, and copies of all reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q
or
Form 8-K that such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries files with the
SEC;
(vi) as
soon as possible
and in any event (A) within 30 days after such Borrower or any member of
the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any Termination Event
described in clause (i) of the definition of Termination Event with respect
to any Plan has occurred and (B) within 10 days after such Borrower or any
member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any other
Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, a statement of the
chief financial officer of such Borrower describing such Termination Event
and
the action, if any, that such Borrower or such member of the Controlled Group,
as the case may be, proposes to take with respect thereto;
(vii) promptly
and in any
event within two Business Days after receipt thereof by such Borrower or
any
member of the Controlled Group from the PBGC, copies of each notice received
by
such Borrower or any such member of the Controlled Group of the PBGC’s intention
to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any
Plan;
(viii) promptly
and in any
event within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service,
copies of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report
(Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Plan;
(ix) promptly
and in any
event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by such Borrower or
any
member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, a copy
of each
notice received by such Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202
of ERISA;
(x) promptly
and in any
event within five Business Days after Xxxxx’x or S&P has changed any
relevant Reference Rating, notice of such change; and
60
(xi) such
other
information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise,
of
such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation,
copies
of all reports and registration statements that such Borrower or any Subsidiary
files with the SEC or any national securities exchange, as the Administrative
Agent or any Fronting Bank or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent)
may
from time to time reasonably request.
(h) Borrower
Approvals.
Maintain such
Borrower’s Approval, as applicable, and, on and after the date of any Extension
of Credit after the expiration of such Borrower’s Approval, as applicable, such
Borrower’s Supplemental Approval, as applicable, in full force and effect and
comply with all terms and conditions thereof until all amounts outstanding
under
the Loan Documents shall have been repaid or paid (as the case may be) and
the
Termination Date has occurred.
SECTION
5.02 Debt
to
Capitalization Ratio.
Unless
the Majority
Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, so long as any amount payable
by any
Borrower hereunder shall remain unpaid, FE shall have any obligations as
guarantor under any Guaranty, any Letter of Credit for the account of any
Borrower shall remain outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment
to any
Borrower hereunder, such Borrower
or FE, as
guarantor, as the case may be, will maintain a Debt to Capitalization Ratio
of
no more than 0.65 to 1.00 (determined as of the last day of each fiscal
quarter); provided,
however,
that each of FES
and ATSI shall be required to comply with such covenant only if any Advance
or
Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower is outstanding under
this Agreement, unless such Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative
Agent a duly completed Guaranty, executed by FE.
SECTION
5.03 Negative
Covenants of the Borrowers.
Unless
the Majority
Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, so long as any amount payable
by any
Borrower hereunder shall remain unpaid, FE shall have any obligations as
guarantor under any Guaranty, any Letter of Credit for the account of any
Borrower shall remain outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment
to any
Borrower hereunder, such Borrower will not:
(a) Sales,
Etc.
(i) Sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock of any
domestic Significant Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired
by such
Borrower, or permit any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such
Borrower to do so or (ii) permit such Borrower or any Subsidiary to sell,
lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or a series
of
transactions) assets located in The United States of America representing
in the
aggregate more than 15% (determined at the time of each such transaction)
of the
value of all of the consolidated fixed assets of such Borrower, as reported
on
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Borrower, to any entity
other
than such Borrower or any of its wholly owned direct or indirect Subsidiaries
or, in the case of TE, to Centerior Funding Corporation; provided,
however,
that this provision
shall not restrict the transfer of nuclear and fossil generation assets from
Penn, OE, CEI and TE to FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp. and FirstEnergy
Generation Corp., respectively (the “Generation
Transfers”).
61
(b) Liens,
Etc.
Create or suffer to
exist, or permit any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such
Borrower to create or suffer to exist, any Lien upon or with respect to any
of
its properties (including, without limitation, any shares of any class of
equity
security of any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such Borrower),
in each case to secure or provide for the payment of Indebtedness, other
than
(i) liens consisting of (A) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course
of business to secure obligations under worker’s compensation laws or similar
legislation, (B) deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure, or
in lieu of, surety, appeal, or customs bonds to which such Borrower or
Significant Subsidiary is a party, (C) pledges or deposits in the ordinary
course of business to secure performance in connection with bids, tenders
or
contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), or
(D) materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairmen’s or other
like Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due
or
currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted, or deposits to obtain in the release of such Liens;
(ii) purchase money liens or purchase money security interests upon or in
any property acquired or held by such Borrower or Significant Subsidiary
in the
ordinary course of business, which secure the purchase price of such property
or
secure indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition
of such property; (iii) Liens existing on the property of any Person at the
time that such Person becomes a direct or indirect Significant Subsidiary
of
such Borrower or Significant Subsidiary; provided
that such Liens
were not created to secure the acquisition of such Person; (iv) Liens in
existence on the date of this Agreement; (v) Liens created by any First Mortgage
Indenture, so long as (A) under the terms thereof no “event of default”
(howsoever designated) in respect of any bonds issued thereunder will be
triggered by reference to an Event of Default or Unmatured Default and (B)
no
such Liens shall apply to assets acquired from such Borrower or any Significant
Subsidiary if such assets were free of Liens (other than as a result of a
release of such Liens in contemplation of such acquisition) immediately prior
to
any such acquisition; (vi) Liens on assets of ATSI to secure Indebtedness
of ATSI, provided,
however,
that the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens shall not at any time
exceed 60% of the depreciated book value of the property subject to such
Liens;
(vii) Liens securing Stranded Cost Securitization Bonds; (viii) Liens on
cash (in an aggregate amount not to exceed $270,000,000) pledged to secure
reimbursement obligations for letters of credit issued for the account of
OE;
(ix) Liens on assets transferred in the Generation Transfers in favor of
the transferor thereof; and (x) Liens created for the sole purpose of
extending, renewing or replacing in whole or in part Indebtedness secured
by any
Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (ix); provided,
however,
that the principal
amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount
of
Indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement,
and that such extension, renewal or replacement, as the case may be, shall
be
limited to all or a part of the property or Indebtedness that secured the
Lien
so extended, renewed or replaced (and any improvements on such property).
62
(c) Mergers,
Etc.
Merge with or into
or consolidate with or into any other Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries
to do so unless (i) immediately after giving effect thereto, no event shall
occur and be continuing that constitutes an Event of Default, (ii) the
consolidation or merger shall not materially and adversely affect the ability
of
such Borrower (or its successor by merger or consolidation as contemplated
by
clause (i) of this subsection (c)) to perform its obligations
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and (iii) in the case of any
merger or consolidation to which such Borrower is a party, the corporation
formed by such consolidation or into which such Borrower shall be merged
shall
assume such Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which it is a party in a writing satisfactory in form and substance
to the Majority Lenders and the Fronting Banks.
(d) Compliance
with ERISA.
(i) Enter
into any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code,
and in ERISA) involving any Plan that may result in any liability of such
Borrower to any Person that (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the
Fronting Banks) is material to the financial position or operations of such
Borrower or (ii) allow or suffer to exist any other event or condition
known to such Borrower that results in any liability of such Borrower to
the
PBGC that (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Fronting Banks)
is
material to the financial position or operations of such Borrower. For purposes
of this subsection (d), “liability” shall not include termination insurance
premiums payable under Section 4007 of ERISA.
(e) Use
of
Proceeds. Use
the proceeds of
any Extension of Credit for any purpose other than working capital and other
general corporate purposes of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that
such Borrower
may not use such proceeds in connection with any Hostile
Acquisition.
ARTICLE
VI
EVENTS
OF
DEFAULT
SECTION
6.01 Events
of Default.
If
any of the
following events shall occur and be continuing with respect to any Borrower,
or
with respect to FE at any time that a Guaranty with respect to such Borrower’s
obligations hereunder is in effect (as to such Borrower, an “Event
of
Default”):
(a) Any
principal of, or
interest on, any Advance, or any Reimbursement Obligation, or any fees or
other
amounts payable hereunder shall not be paid by such Borrower when the same
become due and payable; or
(b) Any
representation
or warranty made by such Borrower (or any of its officers) in any Loan Document
or in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect
or
misleading in any material respect when made; or
(c) (i) Such
Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any covenant set forth in
Section 5.02 or Section 5.03 on its part to be performed or observed
or (ii) such Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other term,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document
on
its part to be performed or observed and such failure shall remain unremedied
for 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to such
Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(d) Any
material
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall at any time
and for
any reason cease to be valid and binding upon such Borrower, except pursuant
to
the terms thereof, or shall be declared to be null and void, or the validity
or
enforceability thereof shall be contested by such Borrower or any Governmental
Authority, or such Borrower shall deny that it has any or further liability
or
obligation under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(e) Such
Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such Borrower shall fail to
pay
any principal of or premium or interest on any Indebtedness (other than,
in the
case of FE, Indebtedness owed by FE under this Agreement) that is outstanding
in
a principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate when the same
becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after
the
applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument
relating to such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition
shall
exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness
and
shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such
agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to
accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness;
or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required
to
be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior
to
the stated maturity thereof; or
(f) Such
Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such Borrower shall generally
not
pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability
to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit
of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against any Borrower
or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such Borrower seeking
to
adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition
or
arrangement with creditors, a readjustment of its debts, in each case under
any
law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors,
or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial
part
of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against
it
(but not instituted or acquiesced in by it), either such proceeding shall
remain
undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive days, or any of the
actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry
of
an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of
its
property) shall occur; or any Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary that
is a
Subsidiary of such Borrower shall take any corporate action to authorize
or to
consent to any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (f);
or
(g) Any
judgment or
order for the payment of money exceeding any applicable insurance coverage
by
more than $50,000,000 shall be rendered by a court of final adjudication
against
such Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such
Borrower and either (i) valid enforcement proceedings shall have been
commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall
be any period of 10 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of
such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not
be in
effect; or
(h) Any
Termination
Event with respect to a Plan shall have occurred, and, 30 days after notice
thereof shall have been given to such Borrower by the Administrative Agent
or
any Lender, (i) such Termination Event (if correctable) shall not have been
corrected and (ii) the then Unfunded Vested Liabilities of such Plan exceed
$10,000,000 (or in the case of a Termination Event involving the withdrawal
of a
“substantial
employer”
(as
defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), the withdrawing employer’s proportionate
share of such excess shall exceed such amount), or any Borrower or any member
of
the Controlled Group as employer under a Multiemployer Plan shall have made
a
complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan and the Plan
sponsor
of such Multiemployer Plan shall have notified such withdrawing employer
that
such employer has incurred a withdrawal liability in an amount exceeding
$10,000,000; or
(i) Any
change in
Applicable Law or any Governmental Action shall occur that has the effect
of
making the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan
Document unauthorized, illegal or otherwise contrary to Applicable Law with
respect to such Borrower; or
(j) (i) FE
shall
fail to own directly or indirectly 100% of the issued and outstanding shares
of
common stock of each Significant Subsidiary (with any such failure constituting
an Event of Default with respect to FE and any such Significant Subsidiary
that
is also a Borrower), (ii) any Person or two or more Persons acting in
concert shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of securities of FE (or
other
securities convertible into such securities) representing 30% or more of
the
combined voting power of all securities of FE entitled to vote in the election
of directors; (iii) commencing after the date of this Agreement,
individuals who as of the date of this Agreement were directors shall have
ceased for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors
of FE
unless the Persons replacing such individuals were nominated by the stockholders
or the Board of Directors of FE in accordance with FE’s Organizational
Documents; or (iv) 90 days shall have elapsed after any Person or two or
more Persons acting in concert shall have entered into a contract or arrangement
that upon consummation will result in its or their acquisition of, or control
over, securities of FE (or other securities convertible into such securities)
representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of all securities of
FE
entitled to vote in the election of directors (each a “Change
of Control”).
63
then,
and in any
such event, the Administrative Agent shall at the request, or may with the
consent, of the Majority Lenders, (i) by notice to the defaulting Borrower,
declare the obligation of each Lender to make Advances to such Borrower,
and the
obligation of the Fronting Banks to issue Letters of Credit for the account
of
such Borrower, to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate,
and (ii) by notice to such Borrower, declare the Advances made to such
Borrower, an amount equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all issued but
undrawn Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower, (such
amount
being the “Letter
of Credit Cash Cover”)
and all other
amounts payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by such
Borrower to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon such Advances and all
such
amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by such Borrower; provided,
however,
that in the event
of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower
or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of such Borrower under
the
Bankruptcy Code, (A) the obligation of each Lender to make Advances to such
Borrower, and the obligation of the Fronting Banks to issue Letters of Credit
for the account of such Borrower, shall automatically be terminated and
(B) all Advances made to such Borrower, the Letter of Credit Cash Cover
with respect to such Borrower and all other amounts payable under this Agreement
by such Borrower shall automatically become and be due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby
expressly waived by such Borrower. In
the event that
any Borrower is required to pay the Letter of Credit Cash Cover pursuant
to this
Section, such payment shall be made in immediately available funds to the
Administrative Agent, which shall hold such funds as collateral pursuant
to
arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks
to
secure Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit then
outstanding.
ARTICLE
VII
THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION
7.01 Authorization
and Action.
Each
Lender, each
Fronting Bank and each Swing Line Lender hereby appoints and authorizes the
Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent
by
the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement the
Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or
take
any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall
be
fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions
of
the Majority Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders
and all Fronting Banks; provided,
however,
that the
Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes
the
Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement
or applicable law. The Administrative Agent agrees to give to each Lender
and
each Fronting Bank prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrowers
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to promptly forward to each Lender
and each Fronting Bank the financial statements and any other certificates
or
statements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
5.01(g).
64
SECTION
7.02 Administrative
Agent’s Reliance, Etc.
Neither
the
Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees
shall be liable to any Lender, any Fronting Bank or the Borrowers for any
action
taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this
Agreement, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative
Agent:
(i) may treat each Lender listed in the Register as a “Lender” with a
Commitment in the amount recorded in the Register until the Administrative
Agent
receives and accepts an Assignment and Acceptance entered into by a Lender
listed in the Register, as assignor, and an Eligible Assignee, as assignee,
as
provided in Section 8.08, at which time the Administrative Agent will make
such recordations in the Register as are appropriate to reflect the assignment
effected by such Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) may consult with legal
counsel (including counsel for the Borrowers), independent public accountants
and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken
or
omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of
such
counsel, accountants or experts; (iii) makes no warranty or representation
to any Lender or any Fronting Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender
or
any Fronting Bank for any statements, warranties or representations (whether
written or oral) made in or in connection with the Loan Documents;
(iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of
the
Loan Documents on the part of the Borrowers or to inspect the property
(including the books and records) of the Borrowers; (v) shall not be
responsible to any Lender or any Fronting Bank for the due execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan
Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto;
and
(vi) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement by
acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing
(which may be by telecopier, telegram or cable) believed by it in good faith
to
be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.
SECTION
7.03 Citibank,
Barclays and Affiliates.
With
respect to its
Commitment, the Advances made by it and any Note issued to it, each of Citibank
and Barclays shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as
any
other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative
Agent, a Swing Line Lender or a Fronting Bank (as the case may be); and the
term
“Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include each
of Citibank and Barclays in its individual capacity. Each of Citibank and
Barclays and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act
as
trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business
with,
each Borrower, any of its respective subsidiaries and any Person who may
do
business with or own securities of such Borrower or any such subsidiary,
all as
if Citibank or Barclays were not the Administrative Agent or a Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders
or the
Fronting Banks.
65
SECTION
7.04 Lender
Credit Decision.
Each
Lender
acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks or any other Lender and based on
the
financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(g) and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks or any other Lender and based on
such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue
to
make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this
Agreement.
SECTION
7.05 Indemnification.
The
Lenders agree to
indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the
Borrowers), ratably according to the amounts of their respective Commitments,
from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of
any
kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of
this
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under
this
Agreement; provided
that no Lender
shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse
the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the
Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through
negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect
of
rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that such
expenses are reimbursable by the Borrowers but for which the Administrative
Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrowers.
SECTION
7.06 Successor
Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative
Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders,
the Fronting Banks and the Borrowers and may be removed at any time with
or
without cause by the Majority Lenders and the Fronting Banks. Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders and the Fronting Banks shall
have
the right, with the prior written consent of the Borrowers (unless an Event
of
Default or an Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing), which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, to appoint a successor
Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been
so
appointed by the Majority Lenders and the Fronting Banks, and shall have
accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative
Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Lenders’ and the
Fronting Banks’ removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring
Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Fronting Banks,
appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank
described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Eligible
Assignee” and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000.
Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder
by a
successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as
Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article VII shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was
Administrative Agent under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if no
Event of Default or Unmatured Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
then no successor Administrative Agent shall be appointed under this
Section 7.06 without the prior written consent of the Borrowers, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
66
ARTICLE
VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
8.01 Amendments,
Etc.
No
amendment or
waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any Note, nor consent to any
departure by any Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless
the
same shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Lenders, and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the
specific purpose for which given; provided,
however,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders,
do any
of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions specified in
Section 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 or 3.04 (b) increase the Commitments of the
Lenders or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations, (c) reduce
the principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal
of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder,
(e) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Advances, the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding
Letters of Credit or the number of Lenders, that shall be required for the
Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder or (f) amend this
Section 8.01; and provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative
Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect
the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement; and
provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent that would adversely affect the rights of, or increase
the
obligations of, any Fronting Bank, or that would alter any provision hereof
relating to or affecting Letters of Credit issued by such Fronting Bank,
shall
be effective unless agreed to in writing by such Fronting Bank; and provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent that would adversely affect the rights of, or increase
the
obligations of, any Swing Line Lender, or that would alter provisions hereof
relating to or affecting Swing Line Advances made by such Swing Line Lender,
shall be effective unless agreed to in writing by such Swing Line Lender;
and
provided,
further,
that this
Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender,
any
Fronting Bank, any Swing Line Lender or the Administrative Agent if, upon
giving
effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender, such Fronting Bank,
such
Swing Line Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall
no
longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated) or have
any
Commitment or other obligation hereunder (including, without limitation,
any
obligation to make payment on account of a Drawing) and shall have been paid
in
full all amounts payable hereunder to such Lender, such Fronting Bank, such
Swing Line Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
67
SECTION
8.02 Notices,
Etc.
Unless
specifically
provided otherwise in this Agreement, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic
or
cable communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, cabled or delivered,
if to any Borrower, to it in care of FE at its address at 00 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx, Xxxx 00000, Attention: Treasurer, Telecopy: (000) 000-0000; if to
any
Bank (including any Swing Line Lender), at its Domestic Lending Office specified
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto; if to any other Lender (including
any Swing Line Lender), at its Domestic Lending Office specified in the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender; if to the
Administrative Agent, at its address at Xxx Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Bank Loan Syndications; if
to
any
Fronting Bank identified on Schedule II hereto, at the address specified
opposite its name on Schedule II hereto; if to any other Fronting Bank, at
such
address as shall be designated by such Fronting Bank in a written notice
to the
other parties; or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such
notices and communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed or
cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied, delivered to
the
telegraph company or delivered to the cable company, respectively, except
that
notices and communications to the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Banks
pursuant to Article II or VII shall not be effective until received by the
Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lenders or the Fronting Banks (as the
case
may be).
SECTION
8.03 Electronic
Communications.
(a) Each
Borrower hereby
agrees that it will provide to the Administrative Agent all information,
documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents, including, without
limitation, all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other
reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any
such
communication that (i) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of
an
existing, Borrowing or other Extension of Credit (including any election
of an
interest rate or Interest Period relating thereto), (ii) relates to the payment
of any principal or other amount due under the Credit Agreement prior to
the
scheduled date therefor, (iii) provides notice of any Unmatured Default or
Event
of Default under the Credit Agreement or (iv) is required to be delivered
to
satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Credit Agreement
and/or any Borrowing or other Extension of Credit thereunder (all such
non-excluded communications being referred to herein collectively as
“Communications”),
by transmitting
the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format acceptable to
the
Administrative Agent to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx or faxing the
Communications to 000-000-0000. In addition, each Borrower agrees to continue
to
provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent in the manner otherwise
specified in this Agreement, but only to the extent requested by the
Administrative Agent.
68
(b) Each
Borrower
further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications
available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Intralinks
or
a
substantially similar electronic transmission systems
(the “Platform”).
Each Borrower
acknowledges that the distribution of material through an electronic medium
is
not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks
associated with such distribution.
(c) THE
PLATFORM IS
PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT
WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY
OF
THE PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN
THE
COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR
A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM
VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE AGENT PARTIES IN CONNECTION
WITH
THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT
OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ADVISORS OR REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, “AGENT
PARTIES”)
HAVE ANY
LIABILITY TO ANY BORROWER, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES
OF ANY KIND,
INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES
(WHETHER IN
TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY BORROWER’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE PLATFORM, EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY AGENT PARTY IS FOUND IN A FINAL NON-APPEALABLE
JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY
FROM
SUCH AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
(d) The
Administrative
Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Administrative
Agent
at its e-mail address set forth above shall constitute effective delivery
of the
Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Loan Documents.
Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence)
specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform shall
constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes
of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent
in
writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such
Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic
transmission and that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail
address.
(e) Nothing
herein shall
prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to give any
notice
or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner
specified in such Loan Document.
69
SECTION
8.04 No
Waiver; Remedies.
No
failure on the
part of any Lender, any Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent to exercise,
and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder or under any Note shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such
right
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any
remedies provided by law.
SECTION
8.05 Costs
and Expenses; Indemnification.
(a) FE
agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses incurred by either the Administrative Agent
or any
Fronting Banks in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
syndication administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement,
any
Note, any Letter of Credit and the other documents to be delivered hereunder,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses
of
counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks with respect
thereto
and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Bank
as
to their rights and responsibilities under this Agreement. FE further agrees
to
pay on demand all costs and expenses, if any (including, without limitation,
reasonable counsel fees and expenses of counsel), incurred by the Administrative
Agent, the Fronting Banks and the Lenders in connection with the enforcement
(whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this
Agreement, any Note and the other documents to be delivered hereunder,
including, without limitation, counsel fees and expenses in connection with
the
enforcement of rights under this Section 8.05(a).
(b) If
any payment of
principal of, or Conversion of, any Eurodollar Rate Advance is made other
than
on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance, as a result of a
payment or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.11 or 2.14 or a prepayment
pursuant to Section 2.12 or acceleration of the maturity of any amounts
owing hereunder pursuant to Section 6.01 or upon an assignment made upon
demand of a Borrower pursuant to Section 8.08(h) or for any other
reason, FE shall, upon demand by any Lender (with a copy of such demand to
the
Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of
such
Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional
losses,
costs or expenses that it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment
or
Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense incurred
by
reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other funds acquired
by
any Lender to fund or maintain such Advance. FE’s obligations under this
subsection (b) shall survive the repayment of all other amounts owing
to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and any
Note
and the termination of the Commitments.
70
(c) Each
Borrower hereby
agrees to indemnify and hold each Lender, each Fronting Bank, the Administrative
Agent and their respective Affiliates and their respective officers, directors,
employees and professional advisors (each, an “Indemnified
Person”)
harmless from and
against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses (including
reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, whether or not such Indemnified Person
is named as a party to any proceeding or is otherwise subjected to judicial
or
legal process arising from any such proceeding) that any of them may incur
or
that may be claimed against any of them by any Person (including any Borrower)
by reason of or in connection with or arising out of any investigation,
litigation or proceeding related to the Commitments or the commitment of
each
Fronting Bank hereunder and any use or proposed use by any Borrower of the
proceeds of any Extension of Credit or the existence or use of any Letter
of
Credit or the amounts drawn thereunder, except to the extent such claim,
damage,
liability, cost or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by
a
court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Person’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Borrower’s obligations under this
Section 8.05(c) shall survive the repayment of all amounts owing to
the Lenders, the Fronting Banks and the Administrative Agent under this
Agreement and any Note and the termination of the Commitments, the commitment
of
the Fronting Banks hereunder and any Letters of Credit. If and to the extent
that the obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 8.05(c) are
unenforceable for any reason, each Borrower agrees to make the maximum payment
in satisfaction of such obligations that are not unenforceable that is
permissible under Applicable Law or, if less, such amount that may be ordered
by
a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) To
the extent
permitted by law, each Borrower also agrees not to assert any claim against
any
Indemnified Person on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as
opposed to
actual or direct damages) in connection with, arising
out of, or
otherwise relating to this Agreement, any of the transactions contemplated
herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the
Advances.
(e) Each
Borrower shall
be liable for its pro rata share of any payment to be made by the Borrowers
under this Section 8.05, such pro rata share to be determined on the basis
of
such Borrower’s Fraction; provided,
however,
that if and to the
extent that any such liabilities are reasonably determined by the Borrowers
(subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent which approval shall
not be
unreasonably withheld) to be directly attributable to a specific Borrower
or
Borrowers, only such Borrower or Borrowers, as the case may be, shall be
liable
for such payments.
71
SECTION
8.06 Right
of
Set-off.
Upon
the occurrence
and during the continuance of any Event of Default each Lender and each Fronting
Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general
or
special, time or demand, provisional or final, excluding,
however,
any payroll
accounts maintained by the Borrowers with such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) if and to the extent that such Lender or such Fronting Bank
(as
the case may be) shall have expressly waived its set-off rights in writing
in
respect of such payroll account) at any time held and other indebtedness
at any
time owing by such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be) to or
for
the credit or the account of the Borrowers against any and all of the
obligations of the Borrowers now or hereafter existing under this Agreement
and
any Note held by such Lender, whether or not such Lender or such Fronting
Bank
(as the case may be) shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such
Note and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender and each
Fronting Bank agrees promptly to notify the Borrowers after any such set-off
and
application made by such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be),
provided
that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
The rights of each Lender and each Fronting Bank under this Section 8.06
are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation,
other rights of set-off) which such Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the
case
may be) may have.
SECTION
8.07 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall
become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
by each Bank, each Swing Line Lender and each Fronting Bank that such Bank,
such
Swing Line Lender or such Fronting Bank (as the case may be) has executed
it and
thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers,
the
Administrative Agent, each Swing Line Lender, each Fronting Bank and each
Lender
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that the Borrowers
shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or
any
interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders and the
Fronting Banks.
72
SECTION
8.08 Assignments
and Participations.
(a) Each
Lender may,
with the prior written consent of the Borrowers, the Fronting Banks (in each
Fronting Bank’s sole discretion), the Swing Line Lenders (in each Swing Line
Lender’s sole discretion) and the Administrative Agent (which consents, in the
case of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, shall not unreasonably
be
withheld or delayed and, in the case of the Borrowers, shall not be required
if
an Event of Default then exists), assign to one or more banks or other entities
all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a portion of
its
Commitment, the Advances owing to it and any Note held by it); provided,
however,
that (i) each
such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of
all the
assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the
amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender being assigned pursuant
to each
such assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance
with
respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than $5,000,000 (or
if
less, the entire amount of such Lender’s Commitment) and shall be an integral
multiple of $1,000,000, (iii) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible
Assignee, and (iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in
the
Register, an Assignment and Acceptance, together with any Note subject to
such
assignment and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500. Upon such execution,
delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date specified
in each Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a
party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have
been
assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights
and
obligations of a Lender hereunder and (y) the Lender assignor thereunder
shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned
by
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and
be
released from its continuing obligations under this Agreement (and, in the
case
of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of
an
assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender
shall cease to be a party hereto).
(b) By
executing and
delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the Lender assignor thereunder and
the
assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and
Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution,
legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of
this
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto;
(ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes
no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrowers
or
the performance or observance by the Borrowers of any of their obligations
under
this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto;
(iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement,
together with copies of the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.01(g) and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such
Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks, such
assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information
as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit
decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such
assignee confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (vi) such assignee
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent
on
its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated
to
the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as
are
reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such assignee agrees that it will
perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the
terms
of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
73
(c) The
Administrative
Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 8.02 a copy of
each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment
of, and principal amount of the Advances owing to, each Lender from time
to time
(the “Register”).
The entries in
the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest
error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks and
the
Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a
Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available
for inspection by the Borrowers, the Fronting Banks or any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Upon
its receipt of
an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee
representing that it is an Eligible Assignee, together with any Note subject
to
such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and
Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit A
hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the
information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice
thereof to the Borrowers and the Borrowers shall deliver any Note requested
pursuant to Section 2.18 in favor of such assignee or assignor (as the case
may
be), after giving effect to such assignment.
(e) Each
Lender may sell
participations to one or more banks or other entities in or to all or a portion
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment, the Advances
owing to it and any Note held by it); provided,
however,
that (i) such
Lender’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its
Commitment to the Borrowers hereunder and its obligations to the Fronting
Banks
hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
(iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for all purposes
of this Agreement, (iv) such Lender may not subject its ability to consent
to any modification of this Agreement or any Note to the prior consent of
the
bank or other entity to which such participation was sold, except in the
case of
proposed waivers or modifications with respect to interest, principal and
fees
payable hereunder and under any Note and with respect to any extension of
the
Termination Date, and (v) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the
Fronting Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly
with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement.
(f) Any
Lender may, in
connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or
participation pursuant to this Section 8.08, disclose to the assignee or
participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information relating
to the
Borrowers furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrowers;
provided,
that prior to any
such disclosure, the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant
shall agree to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information
relating to the Borrowers received by it from such Lender.
74
(g) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Lender may assign, as collateral
or otherwise, any of its rights hereunder and under any Note (including,
without
limitation, its rights to receive payments of principal and interest hereunder
and under any Note) to (i) any Federal Reserve Bank, (ii) any
Affiliate of such Lender or (iii) any other Lender, in either case, without
notice to or consent of the Borrowers, the Fronting Banks, the Swing Line
Lenders or the Administrative Agent; provided,
that no such
assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations
hereunder.
(h) If
any Lender shall
make demand for payment under Section 2.13(a), 2.13(b) or 2.16, or
shall deliver any notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 2.14 resulting in the suspension of certain obligations of the
Lenders with respect to Eurodollar Rate Advances, then, within 30 days of
such
demand (if, and only if, such payment demanded under Section 2.13(a),
2.13(b) or 2.16, as the case may be, shall have been made by a
Borrower) or such notice (if such suspension is still in effect), as the
case
may be, such Borrower may demand that such Lender assign in accordance with
this
Section 8.08 to one or more Eligible Assignees designated by such Borrower
all (but not less than all) of such Lender’s Commitment and the Advances owing
to it within the next 15 days. If any such Eligible Assignee designated by
such
Borrower shall fail to consummate such assignment on terms acceptable to
such
Lender, or if such Borrower shall fail to designate any such Eligible Assignee
for all of such Lender’s Commitment or Advances, then such Lender may assign
such Commitment and Advances to any other Eligible Assignee in accordance
with
this Section 8.08 during such 15-day period; it being understood for
purposes of this Section 8.08(h) that such assignment shall be
conclusively deemed to be on terms acceptable to such Lender, and such Lender
shall be compelled to consummate such assignment to an Eligible Assignee
designated by such Borrower, if such Eligible Assignee shall agree to such
assignment in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto and shall offer
compensation to such Lender in an amount equal to the sum of the principal
amount of all Advances outstanding to such Lender plus all interest accrued
thereon to the date of such payment plus all other amounts payable by such
Borrower to such Lender hereunder (whether or not then due) as of the date
of
such payment accrued in favor of such Lender hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Lender shall make any assignment at any time pursuant to this
subsection (h) if, at such time, (i) an Event of Default or Unmatured Default
has occurred and is continuing, (ii) any Borrower has not satisfied all of
its
obligations hereunder with respect to such Lender or (iii) such replacement
of
such Lender is not acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Fronting
Banks.
75
(i) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting
Lender”)
may grant to a
special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”)
of such Granting
Lender identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender
to
the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, the option to provide to a Borrower
all or any part of any Advance that such Granting Lender would otherwise
be
obligated to make to such Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided
that
(i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any such SPC to make
any Advance, (ii) if such SPC elects not to exercise such option or
otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Advance, the Granting
Lender
shall be obligated to make such Advance pursuant to the terms hereof and
(iii) no SPC or Granting Lender shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount pursuant to Section 2.09 or 2.13 than the Granting Lender would have
been entitled to receive had the Granting Lender not otherwise granted such
SPC
the option to provide any Advance to a Borrower. The making of an Advance
by an
SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the
same
extent, and as if, such Advance were made by such Granting Lender. Each party
hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar
payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise
be
liable so long as, and to the extent that, the related Granting Lender provides
such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each
party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination
of
this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after
the
payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness
of any SPC, it will not institute against or join any other person in
instituting against such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States
or any
State thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Granting Lender
unconditionally agrees to indemnify each Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
each Fronting Bank and each Lender against all liabilities, obligations,
losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be incurred by or asserted against
such Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Fronting Bank or such Lender,
as
the case may be, in any way relating to or arising as a consequence of any
such
forbearance or delay in the initiation of any such proceeding against its
SPC.
Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that no SPC shall have the
rights of a Lender hereunder, such rights being retained by the applicable
Granting Lender. Accordingly, and without limiting the foregoing, each party
hereby further acknowledges and agrees that no SPC shall have any voting
rights
hereunder and that the voting rights attributable to any Advance made by
an SPC
shall be exercised only by the relevant Granting Lender and that each Granting
Lender shall serve as the administrative agent and attorney-in-fact for its
SPC
and shall on behalf of its SPC receive any and all payments made for the
benefit
of such SPC and take all actions hereunder to the extent, if any, such SPC
shall
have any rights hereunder. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement any SPC may, with notice to, but without the
prior
written consent of, any other party hereto, assign all or a portion of its
interest in any Advances to the Granting Lender. This Section may not be
amended
without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part
of
whose Advance is being funded by an SPC at the time of such
amendment.
76
SECTION
8.09 Governing
Law.
THIS
AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION
8.10 Consent
to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) To
the fullest
extent permitted by law, each Borrower hereby irrevocably (i) submits to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or Federal court sitting
in
New York City and any appellate court from any thereof in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document
or any Letter of Credit, and (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such
action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court
or
in such Federal court. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of such action or proceeding. Each Borrower also irrevocably consents, to
the
fullest extent permitted by law, to the service of any and all process in
any
such action or proceeding by the mailing by certified mail of copies of such
process to such Borrower at its address specified in Section 8.02. Each
Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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.
(b) EACH
BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH FRONTING BANK, EACH SWING LINE LENDER
AND THE LENDERS HEREBY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT,
ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY LETTER OF CREDIT, OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT
DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.
SECTION
8.11 Severability.
Any
provision of
this Agreement that is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of
such prohibition, unenforceability or non-authorization without invalidating
the
remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or
legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION
8.12 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and
the Notes issued hereunder constitute the entire contract among the parties
relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement,
except (i) as expressly agreed in any such previous agreement and
(ii) for the Fee Letter and the Fronting Bank Fee Letters. Except as is
expressly provided for herein, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied,
is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
77
SECTION
8.13 Execution
in Counterparts.
This
Agreement may
be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto
in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to
be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
SECTION
8.14 USA
PATRIOT Act Notice.
Each
Lender that is
subject to the Patriot Act, each Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent
(for
itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers pursuant
to the requirements of the Patriot Act that it is required to obtain, verify
and
record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes
the
name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such
Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to
identify the Borrowers in accordance with the Patriot Act.
[Signatures
to
Follow]
78
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF,
the parties hereto
have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.
|
AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
|
INCORPORATED
|
OHIO
EDISON
COMPANY
|
PENNSYLVANIA
POWER COMPANY
|
THE
CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING
|
COMPANY
|
THE
TOLEDO
EDISON COMPANY
|
JERSEY
CENTRAL
POWER & LIGHT
|
COMPANY
|
METROPOLITAN
EDISON COMPANY
|
PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-1
CITIBANK,
N.A., as Administrative Agent, and as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-2
BARCLAYS
BANK
PLC, as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-3
JPMORGAN
CHASE
BANK, N.A., as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-4
KEYBANK
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-5
WACHOVIA
BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-6
THE
ROYAL BANK
OF SCOTLAND PLC, as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-7
THE
BANK OF
NOVA SCOTIA, as a Bank and as a Fronting
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-8
BANK
OF
AMERICA, N.A., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-9
THE
BANK OF
NEW YORK, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-10
CREDIT
SUISSE,
CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-11
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX
BANK, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-12
UBS
LOAN
FINANCE LLC, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-13
UNION
BANK OF
CALIFORNIA, N.A., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-14
XXXXXX
BROTHERS BANK, FSB, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-15
LASALLE
BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
X-00
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
CREDIT CORPORATION, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
X-00
XXXXXXXX
XXXX
XXXX, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-18
SUMITOMO
MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as a
Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-19
MIZUHO
CORPORATE BANK, LTD., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-20
PNC
BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-21
U.S.
BANK,
N.A., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-22
SUNTRUST
BANK,
as a Bank and as a Fronting Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
X-00
XXXXXX
XXXX,
X.X., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-24
FIRST
COMMERCIAL BANK, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-25
FIFTH
THIRD
BANCORP, as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-26
KBC
BANK N.V.,
as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-27
FIRST
MERIT
BANK. N.A., as a Bank
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-28
SCHEDULE
I
List
of
Commitments and Lending Offices
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
Citibank,
N.A.
|
$190,000,000
|
Xxx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX
00000
Email:
xxxxxxxxx.x.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Barclays
Bank
PLC
|
$190,000,000
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
c/o
Barclays
Capital Services LLC
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank, N.A.
|
$157,500,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
email:
Xxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
KeyBank
National Association
|
$157,500,000
|
000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Wachovia
Bank,
National Association
|
$157,500,000
|
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xx., XX0000
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
The
Royal Bank
of Scotland plc
|
$157,500,000
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Li Xxx
Xx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxx.xx@xxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
The
Bank of
Nova Scotia
|
$157,500,000
|
0
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Pier
Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Bank
of
America, N.A.
|
$157,500,000
|
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
NC1-001-15-02
Attn:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
The
Bank of
New York
|
$130,000,000
|
One
Wall
Street
Energy
Division, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxx-Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Credit
Suisse,
Cayman Islands Branch
|
$130,000,000
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xx
Xxxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Bank
|
$130,000,000
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxxxx.Xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
UBS
Loan
Finance LLC
|
$130,000,000
|
000
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx.
0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxx.Xxxxx@xxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
2
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
Union
Bank of
California, N.A.
|
$100,000,000
|
000
X.
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Xxxxxx
Brothers Bank, FSB
|
$100,000,000
|
000
0xx
Xxxxxx,
0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxx
Xxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
XXxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
LaSalle
Bank,
National Association
|
$100,000,000
|
000
X. XxXxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Phone:
(000)
000-0000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Xxxxxxx
Street
Credit Corporation
|
$100,000,000
|
00
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxx.X.Xxxxx@xx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
National
City
Bank
|
$75,000,000
|
I
Cascade
Plaza - 14-1803
Xxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Sumitomo
Mitsui Banking Corporation
|
$75,000,000
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxx_X_Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
3
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
Mizuho
Corporate Bank, Ltd.
|
$75,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx xx
xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
PNC
Bank,
National Association
|
$50,000,000
|
One
PNC
Plaza
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
U.S.
Bank,
N.A.
|
$50,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
SunTrust
Bank
|
$50,000,000
|
000
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
Mellon
Bank,
N.A.
|
$35,000,000
|
Xxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
000-0000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxx.xx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
First
Commercial Bank
|
$30,000,000
|
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
4
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
Fifth
Third
Bancorp
|
$25,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
XX
0XXX0X
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Dawn
Xxxxxx@00.xxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxx.xxxxxx@00.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
KBC
Bank
N.V.
|
$25,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx xx
xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
FirstMerit
Bank, N.A.
|
$15,000,000
|
FirstMerit
Bank, N.A.
Mail
Code
TOW-24
000
X. Xxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx,
Xxxx
00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as
Domestic Lending Office
|
TOTAL
|
$2,750,000,000
|
5
SCHEDULE
II
List
of L/C
Fronting Bank Commitments
Fronting
Bank
|
Fronting
Bank Address
|
L/C
Fronting Bank Commitment
|
Barclays
Bank
PLC
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
|
$500,000,000
|
KeyBank
National Association
|
000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
$500,000,000
|
The
Royal Bank
of Scotland plc
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
$500,000,000
|
The
Bank of
Nova Scotia
|
0
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000
Attn:
Pier
Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
|
$500,000,000
|
Wachovia
Bank,
National Association
|
000
Xxxxxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
Loan
Administration
|
$375,000,000
|
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank, N.A.
|
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX
00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
$375,000,000
|
SunTrust
Bank
|
00
Xxxx
Xxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX
00000
Attn:
International
Operations
|
$150,000,000
|
SCHEDULE
III
List
of
Swing Line Commitments
Swing
Line Lender
|
Swing
Line Commitment
|
Barclays
Bank
PLC
|
$125,000,000
|
KeyBank
National Association
|
$125,000,000
|
The
Royal Bank
of Scotland plc
|
$125,000,000
|
Wachovia
Bank,
National Association
|
$125,000,000
|
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank, N.A.
|
$125,000,000
|
The
Bank of
Nova Scotia
|
$125,000,000
|
SCHEDULE
IV
Letters
of
Credit
Please
see
attached.
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of
Assignment and Acceptance
ASSIGNMENT
AND
ACCEPTANCE
[Date]
Reference
is made to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”),
among FirstEnergy
Corp., an Ohio corporation (“FE”),
FirstEnergy
Solutions Corp.,
an Ohio
corporation (“FES”),
American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated, an Ohio corporation (“ATSI”),
Ohio Edison
Company, an Ohio corporation (“OE”),
Pennsylvania
Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn”),
The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio corporation (“TE”),
Jersey Central
Power & Light Company, a New Jersey corporation (“JCP&L”),
Metropolitan
Edison Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and Pennsylvania
Electric Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
FE, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the “Borrowers”
and
each a
“Borrower”),
the banks party
thereto (the “Banks”),
CITIBANK, N.A.
(“Citibank”),
as Administrative
Agent (the “Administrative
Agent”)
for the Lenders
thereunder, the fronting banks party thereto from time to time and the swing
line lenders party thereto from time to time. Capitalized terms defined in
the
Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meaning.
[_____________]
(the
“Assignor”)
and [____________]
(the “Assignee”)
agree as
follows:
1. The
Assignor hereby
sells and assigns, without recourse, to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby
purchases and assumes from the Assignor, without recourse to the Assignor,
all
or a portion of the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section
5
below) which represents the percentage interest specified on Schedule 1 of
all outstanding rights and obligations of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement
(the “Assigned
Interest”),
including,
without limitation, such percentage interest in the Commitment as in effect
on
the Effective Date, the Advances outstanding on the date hereof, the Notes
(if
any) held by the Assignor and in the Letters of Credit. After giving effect
to
such sale and assignment, the Assignee’s Commitment and the amount of
outstanding credits owing to the Assignee will be as set forth in Section
2 of
Schedule 1.
2. On
the Effective
Date, the Assignee will pay to the Assignor, in same day funds, at such address
and account as the Assignor shall advise the Assignee, the principal amount
of
the Advances, and the participatory interest in Reimbursement Obligations,
outstanding under the Loan Documents that are being assigned hereunder, and
the
sale and assignment contemplated hereby shall thereupon become effective.
From
and after the Effective Date, the Assignor agrees that the Assignee shall
be
entitled to all rights, powers and privileges of the Assignor under the Credit
Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Interest, including without limitation
(i) the right to receive all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest
for the period from and after the Effective Date, whether on account of
principal, interest, fees, indemnities in respect of claims arising after
the
Effective Date (subject to Sections 8.05 and 8.08 of the Credit Agreement),
increased costs, additional amounts or otherwise; (ii) the right to vote
and to instruct the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement based
on the
Assigned Interest; (iii) the right to set-off and to appropriate and apply
deposits of the Borrowers as set forth in the Credit Agreement; and
(iv) the right to receive notices, requests, demands and other
communications. The Assignor agrees that it will promptly remit to the Assignee
any amount received by it in respect of the Assigned Interest (whether from
the
Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or otherwise) in the same funds in which
such amount is received by the Assignor.
3. The
Assignor
(i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of
the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free
and
clear of any adverse claim; (ii) other than as provided in this Assignment
and Acceptance, makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto;
(iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility
with respect to the financial condition of the Borrowers or the performance
or
observance by the Borrowers of any of their obligations under the Credit
Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto;
(iv) (if applicable) attaches the Notes referred to in Section 1 above and
requests that the Administrative Agent exchange such Notes for a new Note
payable to the order of the Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment
assumed by the Assignee pursuant hereto or new Notes payable to the order
of the
Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment assumed by the Assignee pursuant
hereto and the Assignor in an amount equal to the Commitment retained by
the
Assignor under the Credit Agreement, respectively, as specified on
Schedule 1 hereto; and (v) makes no other representation or warranty with
respect to the Borrowers, the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto, except as expressly set forth in clause (i) of
this
Section 3.
A-2
4. The
Assignee
(i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together
with copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01 thereof
and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to
make
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and
Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank, the Assignor or any other
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under the Credit Agreement; (iii) confirms that it is an Eligible
Assignee; (iv) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the
Credit
Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees
that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations
which
by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as
a
Lender; [and] (vi) specifies as its Domestic Lending Office (and address
for notices) and Eurodollar Lending Office the offices set forth beneath
its
name on the signature pages hereof [and (vi) attaches the forms prescribed
by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying that it is
exempt from United States withholding taxes with respect to all payments
to be
made to the Assignee under the Credit Agreement and the Notes].*
5. Following
the
execution of this Assignment and Acceptance by the Assignor and the Assignee,
it
will be delivered to the Administrative Agent for acceptance and recording
by
the Administrative Agent. The effective date of this Assignment and Acceptance
shall be the date of acceptance thereof by the Administrative Agent, unless
otherwise specified on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Effective
Date”);
provided,
however,
that in no event
shall this Assignment and Acceptance become effective prior to the payment
for
the processing and recordation fee to the Administrative Agent as provided
in
Section 8.08(a) of the Credit Agreement.
6. Upon
such acceptance
and recording and receipt of any consent of the Borrowers and the Administrative
Agent required pursuant to Section 8.08(a) of the Credit Agreement, as of
the
Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement
and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights
and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the
extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights
and be
released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.
7. Upon
such
acceptance, recording and consent, from and after the Effective Date, the
Administrative Agent shall make all payments under the Credit Agreement and
the
Notes in respect of the interest assigned hereby (including, without limitation,
all payments of principal, interest and fees with respect thereto) to the
Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments
in
payments under the Credit Agreement and the Notes for periods prior to the
Effective Date directly between themselves.
A-3
8. THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
This
Assignment and
Acceptance may be signed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be
deemed
to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same agreement.
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF,
the parties hereto
have caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written, such
execution being made on Schedule 1 hereto.
[NAME
OF ASSIGNOR],
as Assignor
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
[NAME
OF ASSIGNEE],
as Assignee
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
Domestic
Lending Office (and
|
address
for
notices):
|
[Address]
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office:
|
[Address]
|
Accepted
and
Consented this ____ day
|
of
___________, ______
|
CITIBANK,
N.A.
as
Administrative
Agent
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
A-4
BARCLAYS
BANK
PLC
as
a Fronting Bank
and a Swing Line Lender
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
KEYBANK
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
as
a Fronting Bank
and a Swing Line Lender
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
THE
ROYAL BANK OF
SCOTLAND PLC
as
a Fronting Bank
and a Swing Line Lender
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
WACHOVIA
BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as
a Fronting Bank
and a Swing Line Lender
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
[OTHER
FRONTING
BANK]
as
a Fronting
Bank
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
A-5
[OTHER
SWING LINE
LENDER]
as
a Swing Line
Lender
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
Consented
to:
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
OHIO
EDISON
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
A-6
PENNSYLVANIA
POWER
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
THE
CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC
ILLUMINATING
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
THE
TOLEDO EDISON
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
JERSEY
CENTRAL POWER
&
LIGHT
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
METROPOLITAN
EDISON
COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
*
|
If
the
Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside
the United
States.
|
A-7
Schedule 1
to
Assignment
and
Acceptance
Dated
|
Section 1.
|
|||
Total
Credit
Agreement Commitments
|
$____
|
||
Percentage
Interest:
|
____%
|
||
Amount
of
Assigned Share
|
$____
|
||
Section 2.
|
|||
Assignee’s
Commitment:
|
$
|
||
Aggregate
Outstanding Commitments owing to the Assignee:
|
$
|
||
A
Note payable
to the order of the Assignee
|
|||
Dated:
|
|||
Principal
amount:
|
$
|
||
[A
Note
payable to the order of the Assignor
|
|||
Dated:
|
|||
Principal
amount:
|
$
|
||
Section 3.
Effective
Date:
|
*
This date should be no earlier than the date of acceptance by the Administrative
Agent
A-8
EXHIBIT
B
Form
of
Note
PROMISSORY
NOTE
U.S.$[______________]August
__,
2006
FOR
VALUE RECEIVED,
the undersigned, [FIRSTENERGY CORP., an Ohio corporation]
[FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.,
an Ohio
corporation] [AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED,
an Ohio
corporation] [OHIO
EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [PENNSYLVANIA
POWER
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation] [THE
CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [THE
TOLEDO EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [JERSEY
CENTRAL POWER
& LIGHT COMPANY,
a New Jersey
corporation], [METROPOLITAN
EDISON
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation] [PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation] (the “Borrower”),
HEREBY PROMISES TO
PAY to the order of [_____________] (the “Lender”)
for the account of
its Applicable Lending Office (such term and other capitalized terms herein
being used as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) the principal
sum of U.S.$[______________] or, if less, the aggregate principal amount
of the
Advances made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement
outstanding on the Termination Date, payable on the Termination
Date.
The
Borrower
promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance from
the
date of such Advance until such principal amount is paid in full, at such
interest rates, and payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit
Agreement.
Both
principal and
interest are payable in lawful money of the United States of America to
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, at Xxx Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, in same day funds. Each Advance made by the Lender
to
the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and all payments made on account
of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer
hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto which is part of this Promissory
Note.
This
Promissory Note
is one of the Notes referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of, the
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”),
among the
Borrower, [FirstEnergy Corp.,] [FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.,] [American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated,] [Ohio Edison Company,] [Pennsylvania
Power
Company,] [The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company,] [The Toledo Edison
Company,] [Jersey Central Power & Light Company,] [Metropolitan Edison
Company,] [Pennsylvania Electric Company,] the banks party thereto, Citibank,
N.A. as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, the fronting banks
party thereto from time to time and the swing line lenders party thereto
from
time to time. The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for
the making of Advances by the Lender to the Borrower from time to time in
an
aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the U.S. dollar amount
first above mentioned, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each
such
Advance being evidenced by this Promissory Note, and (ii) contains
provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of
certain
stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior
to
the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.
The
Borrower hereby
waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind. No failure to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights hereunder on the part of
the
holder hereof shall operate as a waiver of such rights.
THIS
PROMISSORY NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[FIRSTENERGY
CORP.] [FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.] [AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED] [OHIO EDISON COMPANY] [PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY]
[THE
CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY], [THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY]
[JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY], [METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY],
[PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
B-2
EXHIBIT
C
Form
of
Guaranty
GUARANTY,
dated as
of _______, 200_, made by FIRSTENERGY CORP., an Ohio corporation (the
“Guarantor”),
in favor of the
Lenders
(as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below), Citibank, N.A.
(“Citibank”),
as Administrative
Agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative
Agent”),
the fronting
banks party to the Credit Agreement referred to below from time to time (the
“Fronting
Banks”)
and the swing
line lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below from time to
time
(the “Swing
Line Lenders”,
and together with
the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks, the “Beneficiaries”).
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENT
The
Guarantor,
FirstEnergy
Solutions Corp., an Ohio corporation (“FES”),
American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated, an Ohio corporation (“ATSI”),
Ohio Edison
Company, an Ohio corporation (“OE”),
Pennsylvania
Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn”),
The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio corporation (“CEI”),
The Toledo
Edison Company, an Ohio corporation (“TE”),
Jersey Central
Power & Light Company, a New Jersey corporation (“JCP&L”),
Metropolitan
Edison Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and Pennsylvania
Electric Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
the Guarantor, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the
“Borrowers”),
are parties to a
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (as amended, amended and restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”;
the capitalized
terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein
as
therein defined), with
the
Beneficiaries.
The Guarantor may
receive, directly or indirectly, a portion of the proceeds of the Extensions
of
Credit under the Credit Agreement and will derive substantial direct and
indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement.
[It is a condition precedent to any increase in the Borrower Sublimit of
[ATSI][FES] (the “Guaranteed
Borrower”)
that either (i)
the Guaranteed Borrower has Reference Ratings of at least BBB- by S&P and
Baa3 by Xxxxx’x or (ii) the Guarantor deliver this Guaranty. The Guarantor
desires to deliver this Guaranty in fulfillment of such condition.][ [ATSI][FES]
(the “Guaranteed
Borrower”)
is required to
meet the debt to capitalization ratio financial covenant described in Section
5.02(b) of the Credit Agreement unless the Guarantor delivers this Guaranty.
The
Guarantor desires to deliver this Guaranty in order to exempt the Guaranteed
Borrower from compliance with such financial covenant.]
NOW,
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Beneficiaries to
make
Advances to, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Guaranteed
Borrower and to otherwise satisfy their obligations under the Credit Agreement,
the Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:
SECTION
1. Guaranty;
Limitation of Liability.
(a) The
Guarantor hereby
absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment
when
due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment
or by
acceleration, demand or otherwise, of the Applicable Percentage (as defined
below) of all payment, performance and other obligations of the Guaranteed
Borrower now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents
(including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions,
amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest,
reimbursement obligations, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of
action, costs, expenses or otherwise, including, without limitation, (i)
the
obligation of the Guaranteed Borrower to pay principal, interest, Letter
of
Credit fees, charges, expenses, fees, attorneys’ fees and disbursements,
indemnities and other amounts payable by the Guaranteed Borrower under any
Loan
Document, (ii) the obligation of the Guaranteed Borrower to reimburse any
amount
in respect of any drawing under any Letter of Credit issued for the account
of
the Guaranteed Borrower and (iii) any liability of the Guaranteed Borrower
on
any claim, whether or not the right of any creditor to payment in respect
of
such claim is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent,
matured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured, and
whether or not such claim is discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by
any
proceeding (such obligations being the “Guaranteed Obligations”), and agrees to
pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
of
counsel) incurred by any Beneficiary in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty
or any other Loan Document. As used herein, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean
(i) 100%, at any time that the Guaranteed Borrower [has Reference Ratings
of
less than BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x][the Guaranteed Borrower is not in
compliance with the financial covenant described in Section 5.02 of the Credit
Agreement] and (ii) 0%, at any time that the Guaranteed Borrower has Reference
Ratings of at least BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x and the Guaranteed
Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenant described in Section
5.02
of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the
Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the
Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Borrower to any
Beneficiary under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that
they
are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy,
reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Borrower.
C-2
(b) The
Guarantor, and
by its acceptance of this Guaranty, each Beneficiary hereby confirms that
it is
the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty and the Guaranteed
Obligations of the Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer
or
conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law (as hereinafter defined), the Uniform
Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar
foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty and
the
Guaranteed Obligations. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Beneficiaries
and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the Guaranteed Obligations
at
any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Guaranteed
Obligations not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. For purposes
hereof, “Bankruptcy
Law”
means
any
proceeding of the type referred to in Section 6.01(f) of the Credit Agreement
or
Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar foreign, federal or state law for the
relief
of debtors.
SECTION
2. Guaranty
Absolute.
The
Guarantor
guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance
with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any law, regulation or
order
now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms
or
the rights of any Beneficiary with respect thereto. The obligations of the
Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any other obligations the Guaranteed Borrower under or in
respect
of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions may be brought and
prosecuted against the Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of
whether any action is brought against the Guaranteed Borrower or whether
the
Guaranteed Borrower is joined in any such action or actions. The liability
of
the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and
unconditional irrespective of, and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives
any
defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any
or all
of the following:
(a) any
lack of validity
or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating
thereto;
(b) any
change in the
time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any
of the
Guaranteed Obligations or any other obligations of any other Borrower under
or
in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or
any
consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation,
any
increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of
additional credit to the Guaranteed Borrower or any other Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries or otherwise;
(c) any
taking,
exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any taking, release
or
amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any other guaranty,
for
all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;
C-3
(d) any
manner of
application of any collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any
collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other assets
of
the Guaranteed Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(e) any
change,
restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the
Guaranteed Borrower or any other Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(f) any
failure of any
Beneficiary to disclose to the Guarantor any information relating to the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance,
properties or prospects of the Guaranteed Borrower now or hereafter known
to
such Beneficiary (the Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of Beneficiaries
to
disclose such information);
(g) the
failure of any
other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty or any other guaranty or
agreement or the release or reduction of liability of the Guarantor or other
guarantor or surety with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; or
(h) any
other
circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations)
or any
existence of or reliance on any representation by any Beneficiary that might
otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Guarantor
or
any other guarantor or surety.
This
Guaranty shall
continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time
any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise
be returned by any Beneficiary or any other Person upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Guarantor, the Guaranteed Borrower or
otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
SECTION
3. Waivers
and
Acknowledgments.
(a) The
Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably waives promptness, diligence, notice of
acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance,
default, acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect
to
any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that
any
Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject
thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against the Guaranteed Borrower
or any other Person or any collateral.
(b) The
Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty
and
acknowledges that this Guaranty is continuing in nature and applies to all
Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.
C-4
(c) The
Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably waives (i) any defense arising by reason
of any
claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any Beneficiary that
in
any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise adversely affects the
subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification
rights
of the Guarantor or other rights of the Guarantor to proceed against the
Guaranteed Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person or any collateral
and (ii) any defense based on any right of set-off or counterclaim against
or in
respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(d) The
Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably waives any duty on the part of any Beneficiary
to disclose to the Guarantor any matter, fact or thing relating to the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or
prospects of the Guaranteed Borrower or any other Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries now or hereafter known by such Beneficiary.
(e) The
Guarantor
acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits
from
the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the
waivers set forth in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in
contemplation of such benefits.
SECTION
4. Subrogation.
The
Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it
may
now have or hereafter acquire against the Guaranteed Borrower that arise
from
the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Guaranteed Obligations
under or in respect of this Guaranty, including, without limitation, any
right
of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification
and
any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Beneficiary against
the
Guaranteed Borrower, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in
equity
or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation,
the
right to take or receive from the Guaranteed Borrower, directly or indirectly,
in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or
security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all
of the
Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty
shall
have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit issued for the account
of
the Guaranteed Borrower shall have expired or been terminated and the
Commitments relating to the Guaranteed Borrower’s Borrower Sublimit shall have
expired or been terminated. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor
in
violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the
latest
of (a) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and all
other
amounts payable under this Guaranty, (b) the Termination Date, and (c) the
latest date of expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit issued
for the
account of the Guaranteed Borrower, such amount shall be received and held
in
trust for the benefit of the Beneficiaries, shall be segregated from other
property and funds of the Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered
to
the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary
endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed
Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured
or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be
held
as collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other amounts payable under
this
Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) the Guarantor shall make payment to any
Beneficiary of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of
the
Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty
shall
have been paid in full in cash, (iii) the Termination Date shall have occurred
and (iv) all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been terminated, the
Beneficiaries will, at the Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver
to the Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without
representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation
to
the Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from
such
payment made by the Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.
C-5
SECTION
5. Payments
Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.
(a) Any
and all payments
made by the Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan
Document shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.16 of the Credit Agreement,
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future
Taxes.
If the Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in
respect
of any sum payable under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan
Document to any Beneficiary, (i) the sum payable by the Guarantor shall be
increased as may be necessary so that after the Guarantor and the Administrative
Agent have made all required deductions (including deductions applicable
to
additional sums payable under this Section 5), such Beneficiary receives
an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been
made,
(ii) the Guarantor shall make all such deductions and (iii) the Guarantor
shall
pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In
addition, the
Guarantor agrees to pay any present or future Other Taxes that arise from
any
payment made by or on behalf of the Guarantor under or in respect of this
Guaranty or any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or
registration of, performance under, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty
and the other Loan Documents.
(c) The
Guarantor agrees
to indemnify each Beneficiary for and hold it harmless against the full amount
of Taxes and Other Taxes, (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other
Taxes of any kind imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section 5) imposed on or paid by such Beneficiary and any liability (including
penalties, additions to tax, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or
with
respect thereto. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the
date
such Beneficiary makes written demand therefor.
(d) From
time to time
thereafter if requested by the Guarantor or the Administrative Agent, each
Beneficiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United
States
shall provide the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank, each Swing Line
Lender and the Guarantor with the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service of the United States certifying that such Beneficiary is exempt from
United States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to
such
Beneficiary hereunder. If for any reason during the term of this Guaranty,
any
Beneficiary becomes unable to submit the forms referred to above or the
information or representations contained therein are no longer accurate in
any
material respect, such Beneficiary shall promptly notify the Administrative
Agent, each Fronting Bank, each Swing Line Lender and the Guarantor in writing
to that effect. Unless the Guarantor, the Fronting Banks, the Swing Line
Lenders
and the Administrative Agent have received forms or other documents satisfactory
to them indicating that payments hereunder are not subject to United States
withholding tax, the Guarantor, each Fronting Bank, each Swing Line Lender
or
the Administrative Agent shall withhold taxes from such payments at the
applicable statutory rate in the case of payments to or for any Beneficiary
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United
States.
C-6
(e) Any
Beneficiary
claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5 shall
use its best efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and
regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending
Office if the making of such a change would avoid the need for, or reduce
the
amount of, any such additional amounts that may thereafter accrue and would
not,
in the reasonable judgment of such Beneficiary, be otherwise disadvantageous
to
such Beneficiary.
(f) Without
prejudice to
the survival of any other agreement of the Guarantor hereunder, the agreements
and obligations of the Guarantor contained in this Section 5 shall survive
the
payment in full or termination of the Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION
6. Representations
and Warranties.
The
Guarantor hereby
makes each representation and warranty made in the Loan Documents by the
Borrowers with respect to the Guarantor and the Guarantor hereby further
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) There
are no
conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have not
been
satisfied or waived.
(b) The
Guarantor has,
independently and without reliance upon any Beneficiary and based on such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document
to which it is or is to be a party, and the Guarantor has established adequate
means of obtaining from the Guaranteed Borrower on a continuing basis
information pertaining to, and is now and on a continuing basis will be
completely familiar with, the business, condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, performance, properties and prospects of the Guaranteed
Borrower.
SECTION
7. Covenants.
The
Guarantor
covenants and agrees that, so long as any part of the Guaranteed Obligations
shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit issued for the account of the
Guaranteed Borrower shall be outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment
relating to the Guaranteed Borrower’s Borrower Sublimit, the Guarantor will
perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe,
all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents
on
its or their part to be performed or observed or that the Guarantor has agreed
to cause the Guaranteed Borrower or such Subsidiaries to perform or
observe.
C-7
SECTION
8. Amendments,
Guaranty Supplements, Etc.
No
amendment or
waiver of any provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure
by the
Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall
be in
writing and signed by the Majority Lenders, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
for which given; provided,
however,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the
Beneficiaries, (a) reduce or limit the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder,
release the Guarantor hereunder or otherwise limit the Guarantor’s liability
with respect to the Obligations owing to the Beneficiaries under or in respect
of the Loan Documents, (b) postpone any date fixed for payment hereunder
or (c)
change the number of Beneficiaries or the percentage of (x) the Commitments,
(y)
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances or (z) the aggregate
available amount of outstanding Letters of Credit that, in each case, shall
be
required for the Beneficiaries or any of them to take any action hereunder;
and
provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative
Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect
the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Guaranty; and
provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent that would adversely affect the rights of, or increase
the
obligations of, any Fronting Bank, shall be effective unless agreed to in
writing by such Fronting Bank; and provided,
further,
that no amendment,
waiver or consent that would adversely affect the rights of, or increase
the
obligations of, any Swing Line Lender, shall be effective unless agreed to
in
writing by such Swing Line Lender; and provided,
further,
that this Guaranty
may be amended and restated without the consent of any Beneficiary if, upon
giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Beneficiary shall no
longer be a Beneficiary of this Guaranty (as so amended and restated) or
have
any obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all amounts payable
hereunder to such Beneficiary.
SECTION
9 Notices,
Etc.
All
notices and
other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including
telegraphic, telecopy or cable communication) and mailed, telegraphed,
telecopied, cabled or delivered to it, if to the Guarantor, addressed to
it at
FE’s addresses specified in Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Fronting Bank, at its address specified
in Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, or, as to each party, at such other
address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each
other
party. All such notices and other communications shall, when mailed,
telegraphed, telecopied or cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails,
delivered to the telegraph company, telecopied or delivered to the cable
company, respectively. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart
of a
signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty
or
of any Guaranty Supplement to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be
effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
C-8
SECTION
10. No
Waiver,
Remedies.
No
failure on the
part of any Beneficiary to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
SECTION
11. Right
of
Set-off.
Upon
the occurrence
and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Beneficiary and
each of
its Affiliates that is acting as a Fronting Bank under the Credit Agreement
is
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final, excluding,
however,
any payroll
accounts maintained by the Guarantor with such Beneficiary if and to the
extent
that such Beneficiary shall have expressly waived its set-off rights in writing
in respect of such payroll account) at any time held and other indebtedness
at
any time owing by such Beneficiary or such Affiliate to or for the credit
or the
account of the Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of the Guarantor
now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty, irrespective of whether such
Beneficiary shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan
Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Beneficiary
agrees
promptly to notify the Guarantor after any such set-off and application;
provided,
however,
that the failure
to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and
application. The rights of each Beneficiary and its respective Affiliates
under
this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without
limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Beneficiary and its respective
Affiliates may have.
SECTION
12. Indemnification.
(a)
Without
limitation
on any other Guaranteed Obligations of the Guarantor or remedies of the
Beneficiaries under this Guaranty, the Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each Beneficiary
and each of its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents and advisors (each, an “Indemnified
Party”)
from and against,
and shall pay on demand, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities
and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified
Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any Guaranteed
Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Guaranteed
Borrower enforceable against the Guaranteed Borrower in accordance with their
terms.
(b) The
Guarantor hereby
also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any liability
(whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to the Guarantor
or
any of its respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors,
employees, agents and advisors, and the Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert
any claim against any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special,
indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with, arising out
of,
or otherwise relating to this Guaranty, any of the transactions contemplated
herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Advances
constituting Guaranteed Obligations.
C-9
(c) Without
prejudice to
the survival of any of the other agreements of the Guarantor under this Guaranty
or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of the
Guarantor contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses),
the
last sentence of Section 2, Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the
payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of the other amounts
payable under this Guaranty.
SECTION
13. Subordination.
If
any Unmatured
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Guarantor agrees to
subordinate any and all debts, liabilities and other obligations owed to
the
Guarantor by the Guaranteed Borrower (the “Subordinated
Obligations”)
to the Guaranteed
Obligations to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this
Section 13:
(a) Prohibited
Payments, Etc.
Except during the
continuance of an Unmatured Default (including the commencement and continuation
of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law relating to the Guaranteed Borrower),
the Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled payments from the Guaranteed
Borrower on account of the Subordinated Obligations. After the occurrence
and
during the continuance of any Unmatured Default (including the commencement
and
continuation of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law relating to the
Guaranteed Borrower), however, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise
agrees,
the Guarantor shall not demand, accept or take any action to collect any
payment
on account of the Subordinated Obligations.
(b) Prior
Payment of Guaranteed Obligations.
In any proceeding
under any Bankruptcy Law relating to the Guaranteed Borrower, the Guarantor
agrees that the Beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive payment in full
in
cash of all Guaranteed Obligations (including all interest and expenses accruing
after the commencement of a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law, whether
or not
constituting an allowed claim in such proceeding (“Post
Petition Interest”))
before the
Guarantor receives payment of any Subordinated Obligations.
(c) Turn-Over.
After the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Unmatured Default (including
the
commencement and continuation of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law
relating to the Guaranteed Borrower), the Guarantor shall, if the Administrative
Agent so requests, collect, enforce and receive payments on account of the
Subordinated Obligations as trustee for the Beneficiaries and deliver such
payments to the Administrative Agent on account of the Guaranteed Obligations
(including all Post Petition Interest), together with any necessary endorsements
or other instruments of transfer, but without reducing or affecting in any
manner the liability of the Guarantor under the other provisions of this
Guaranty.
C-10
(d) Administrative
Agent Authorization.
After the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Unmatured Default (including
the
commencement and continuation of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law
relating to any other the Guaranteed Borrower), the Administrative Agent
is
authorized and empowered (but without any obligation to so do), in its
discretion, (i) in the name of the Guarantor, to collect and enforce, and
to
submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and to apply any amounts
received thereon to the Guaranteed Obligations (including any and all Post
Petition Interest), and (ii) to require the Guarantor (A) to collect and
enforce, and to submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and
(B) to
pay any amounts received on such obligations to the Administrative Agent
for
application to the Guaranteed Obligations (including any and all Post Petition
Interest).
SECTION
14. Continuing
Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement.
This
Guaranty is a
continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the
latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and
all
other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (ii) the Termination Date, (iii)
the
latest date of expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit issued
for the
account of the Guaranteed Borrower, (b) be binding upon the Guarantor, its
successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the
Beneficiaries and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting
the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any
Beneficiary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights
and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation,
all
or any portion of its Commitments, the Advances owing to it and the Note
or
Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon
become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such
Beneficiary herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided
in
Section 8.08 of the Credit Agreement. The Guarantor shall not have the right
to
assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written
consent of the Beneficiaries.
SECTION
15. Execution
in
Counterparts.
This
Guaranty and
each amendment, waiver and consent with respect hereto may be executed in
any
number of counterparts and by different parties thereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty
by
telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart
of
this Guaranty.
C-11
SECTION
16. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc.
(a) THIS
GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS
OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) To
the fullest
extent permitted by law, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
(i) submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction
of
any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America
sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of
the
other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, and (ii) agrees
that
all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such New York State court or, in such Federal court. The Guarantor
agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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.
(c) The
Guarantor hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law,
any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of
any
suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or
any of
the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York
State or federal court. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court. The Guarantor also,
irrevocably consents, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the service
of
any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of certified
mail of copies of such process to the Guarantor at its address specified
in
Section 9.
(d) THE
GUARANTOR AND
EACH BENEFICIARY HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER
OR
THEREUNDER.
C-12
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered
by its
officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above
written.
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
EXHIBIT
D
Form
of
Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing
Citibank,
N.A., as Administrative Agent
|
for
the
Lenders party to the Credit Agreement
|
referred
to
below
|
____
__,
200__
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”,
the terms defined
therein being used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned,
[FirstEnergy Corp.,] [American Transmission Systems, Incorporated,]
[Pennsylvania Power Company,] [The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company,]
[The Toledo Edison Company,] [Jersey Central Power & Light Company,]
[Metropolitan Edison Company,] [Pennsylvania Electric Company,] the banks
party
thereto, Citibank, N.A. as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
the
fronting banks party thereto from time to time and the swing line lenders
party
thereto from time to time, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant
to
Section 2.02 of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests
a
Pro-Rata Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets
forth
below the information relating to such Pro-Rata Borrowing (the “Proposed
Borrowing”)
as required by
Section 2.02(a) of the Credit Agreement:
(i) The
Business Day of
the Proposed Borrowing is __________________, ____.
(ii) The
Type of Pro-Rata
Advance to be made in connection with the Proposed Borrowing is [an Alternate
Base Rate Pro-Rata Advance] [a Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance].
(iii) The
aggregate amount
of the Proposed Borrowing is $____________.
[(iv) The
Interest Period
for each Eurodollar Rate Pro-Rata Advance made as part of the Proposed Borrowing
is ____ [week[s]][month[s]].]
(v) |
The
Borrower
requesting the Proposed Borrowing is
_______________.
|
The
undersigned
hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof,
and
will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:
(A) the
representations
and warranties of such Borrower contained in Section 4.01 [(other than
subsections (f) and (g) thereof)]*
of the Credit
Agreement are correct, before and after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing
and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as
of
such date;
(B) no
event has
occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Proposed Borrowing
or from
the application of the proceeds therefrom, that constitutes an Event of Default
with respect to such Borrower (and if FE has executed and delivered a Guaranty
with respect to the obligations of such Borrower thereunder, with respect
to FE)
or would constitute an Event of Default with respect to such Borrower (and
if FE
has executed and delivered a Guaranty with respect to the obligations of
such
Borrower thereunder, with respect to FE) but for the requirement that notice
be
given or time elapse or both; and
(C) immediately
following such Proposed Borrowing, (1) the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Credits shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments then in
effect,
(2) the Outstanding Credits of any Lender shall not exceed the amount of
such
Lender’s Commitment, (3) the Outstanding Credits for the account of any Borrower
shall not exceed the Borrower Sublimit for such Borrower, and (4) the aggregate
principal amount of the Swing Line Advances outstanding shall not exceed
the
Swing Line Sublimit.
Very
truly
yours,
[FIRSTENERGY
CORP.] [FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.] [AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED] [OHIO EDISON COMPANY] [PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY]
[THE
CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY] [THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY]
[JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY] [METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY]
[PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY]
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
*
Delete for initial
Extension of Credit.
D-2
EXHIBIT
E
Form
of
Notice of Swing Line Borrowing
Citibank,
N.A., as Administrative Agent
|
for
the
Lenders party to the Credit Agreement
|
referred
to
below
|
____
__,
200__
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”,
the terms defined
therein being used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned,
[FirstEnergy Corp.,] [American Transmission Systems, Incorporated,]
[Pennsylvania Power Company,] [The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company,]
[The Toledo Edison Company,] [Jersey Central Power & Light Company,]
[Metropolitan Edison Company,] [Pennsylvania Electric Company,] the banks
party
thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
the
fronting banks party thereto from time to time and the swing line lenders
party
thereto from time to time, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant
to
Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests
a
Swing Line Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets
forth below the information relating to such Swing Line Borrowing (the
“Proposed
Borrowing”)
as required by
Section 2.03(b) of the Credit Agreement:
(i) The
Business Day of
the Proposed Borrowing is __________________, ____.
(ii) The
Type of a Swing
Line Advance to be made in connection with the Proposed Borrowing is [an
Alternate Base Rate Swing Line Advance] [a Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance]
[a Cost of Funds Swing Line Advance].
(iii) The
aggregate amount
of the Proposed Borrowing is $____________.
[(iv) The
Interest Period
for each [Eurodollar Rate Swing Line Advance] [Cost of Funds Swing Line Advance]
made as part of the Proposed Borrowing is ____
[week[s]][month[s]].]
(v) |
The
Borrower
requesting the Proposed Borrowing is
_______________.
|
The
undersigned
hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof,
and
will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:
(A) the
representations
and warranties of such Borrower contained in Section 4.01 [(other than
subsections (f) and (g) thereof)]*
of the Credit
Agreement are correct, before and after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing
and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as
of
such date;
(B) no
event has
occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Proposed Borrowing
or from
the application of the proceeds therefrom, that constitutes an Event of Default
with respect to such Borrower (and if FE has executed and delivered a Guaranty
with respect to the obligations of such Borrower thereunder, with respect
to FE)
or would constitute an Event of Default with respect to such Borrower (and
if FE
has executed and delivered a Guaranty with respect to the obligations of
such
Borrower thereunder, with respect to FE) but for the requirement that notice
be
given or time elapse or both; and
(C) immediately
following such Proposed Borrowing, (1) the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Credits shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments then in
effect,
(2) the Outstanding Credits of any Lender shall not exceed the amount of
such
Lender’s Commitment, (3) the Outstanding Credits for the account of any Borrower
shall not exceed the Borrower Sublimit for such Borrower, and (4) the aggregate
principal amount of the Swing Line Advances outstanding shall not exceed
the
Swing Line Sublimit.
Very
truly
yours,
[FIRSTENERGY
CORP.] [FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.] [AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED] [OHIO EDISON COMPANY] [PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY]
[THE
CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY] [THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY]
[JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY] [METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY]
[PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY]
|
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
*
Delete for initial
Extension of Credit.
E-2
EXHIBIT
F
Form
of
Letter of Credit Request
_____
__,
200__
Citibank,
N.A., as
Administrative Agent Xxx Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000
Attn:_______________________
[___________________,
as Fronting Bank
[ADDRESS]]
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned,
[FIRSTENERGY CORP., an Ohio corporation]
[FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.
an Ohio
corporation], [AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED,
an Ohio
corporation] [OHIO
EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [PENNSYLVANIA
POWER
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation] [THE
CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [THE
TOLEDO EDISON
COMPANY,
an Ohio
corporation] [JERSEY
CENTRAL POWER
& LIGHT COMPANY,
a New Jersey
corporation] [METROPOLITAN
EDISON
COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation] [PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY,
a Pennsylvania
corporation], (the “Borrower”),
refer to that
certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”),
among FirstEnergy
Corp., FirstEnergy
Solutions
Corp.,
American
Transmission
Systems,
Incorporated,
Ohio
Edison
Company,
Pennsylvania
Power
Company,
the
Cleveland
Electric
Illuminating
Company,
The
Toledo
Edison
Company,
Jersey
Central
Power
&
Light
Company,
Metropolitan
Edison
Company,
and
Pennsylvania
Electric
Company,
the
banks party
thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
the
fronting banks party thereto from time to time and the swing line lenders
party
thereto from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise
defined herein, shall have their respective defined meanings as set forth
in the
Credit Agreement.
Pursuant
to Section
2.04(d) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower irrevocably requests that the
Fronting Bank to which this Letter of Credit Request is addressed issue a
Letter
of Credit on the following terms:
1. Date
of
Issuance:
2. Expiration
Date:
3. Stated
Amount:
4. Beneficiary:
5. Account
Party:
and
the terms set
forth in the attached application for said Letter of Credit.
The
Borrower hereby
further certifies that (i) as of the date hereof, (ii) as of the Date of
Issuance and (iii) after the issuance of the Letter of Credit requested
hereby:
(A) the
representations
and warranties of such Borrower contained in Section 4.01 [(other than
subsections (f) and (g) thereof)]*
of the Credit
Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, before and after
giving effect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit and to the application
of
the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such dates;
(B) no
event has
occurred and is continuing, or would result from the issuance of the Letter
of
Credit requested hereby or from the application of the proceeds therefrom,
that
constitutes an Event of Default with respect to such Borrower (and if FE
has
executed and delivered a Guaranty with respect to the obligations of such
Borrower thereunder, with respect to FE) or would constitute an Event of
Default
with respect to such Borrower (and if FE has executed and delivered a Guaranty
with respect to the obligations of such Borrower thereunder, with respect
to FE)
but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both;
and
(C) immediately
following the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (1) the aggregate amount
of
Outstanding Credits shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments
then in effect, (2) the Outstanding Credits of any Lender shall not exceed
the
amount of such Lender’s Commitment [and] [,] (3) the Stated Amount thereof, when
aggregated with (x) the Stated Amount of each other Letter of Credit that
is
outstanding or with respect to which a Letter of Credit Request has been
received and (y) the outstanding Reimbursement Obligations, shall not exceed
the
L/C Commitment Amount [and (2) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding
Letters of Credit issued by the Fronting Bank will not exceed
$375,000,000]* *.
If
notice of the
request for the above referenced Letter of Credit has been given by the Borrower
previously by telephone, then this notice shall be considered a written
confirmation of such telephone notice as required by Section 2.04(d) of the
Credit Agreement.
[FIRSTENERGY
CORP.] [FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.] [AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED] [OHIO EDISON COMPANY] [PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY] [THE CLEVELAND
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY] [THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY] [JERSEY CENTRAL
POWER
& LIGHT COMPANY] [METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY] [PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC
COMPANY]
By
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
*
Delete for initial
Extension of Credit.
**
Include if
applicable Fronting Bank is
[_______________________________].
F-2
EXHIBIT
G
Form
of
Opinion of Xxxx X. Benz, Esq.
[LETTERHEAD
OF
FIRSTENERGY CORP.]
August
24,
2006
To
the Banks party to the within-mentioned
Credit
Agreement,
Citibank, N.A., as
Administrative
Agent
for the Lenders thereunder,
the
fronting banks party thereto and
the
swing line lenders party thereto.
Re: Credit
Agreement,
dated
as of
August 24, 2006
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
I
am Associate
General Counsel for FirstEnergy Corp., an Ohio corporation (“FE”)
and have acted as
counsel to FE and its subsidiaries, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., an Ohio
corporation (“FES”),
American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated, an Ohio corporation (“ATSI”),
Ohio Edison
Company, an Ohio corporation (“OE”),
Pennsylvania
Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn”),
The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio corporation (“CEI”),
The Toledo
Edison Company, an Ohio corporation (“TE”),
Jersey Central
Power & Light Company, a New Jersey corporation (“JCP&L”),
Metropolitan
Edison Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and Pennsylvania
Electric Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
FE, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the “Borrowers”
and
each a
“Borrower”)
in connection
with the transactions contemplated by the U.S. $2,750,000,000 Credit Agreement,
dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”),
among the
Borrowers, the banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
for
the Lenders thereunder, the fronting banks party thereto and the swing line
lenders party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined have
the
meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement. This opinion is being
furnished to you pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement.
The
Credit Agreement, the Notes and each Guaranty are sometimes referred to in
this
opinion collectively as the “Loan
Documents”
and
each
individually as a “Loan
Document”.
For
purposes of this
opinion, I or persons under my supervision and control have reviewed executed
originals or copies of executed originals of the Credit Agreement and the
respective forms of the Notes and the Guaranty attached thereto. I or persons
under my supervision and control have also reviewed originals or copies of
the
Approvals and such corporate records and other documents and matters and
have
made such investigation of fact and law as I have considered relevant or
necessary as a basis for this opinion. In such review, I have assumed the
accuracy and completeness of all agreements, documents, records, certificates
and other materials submitted to us, the conformity with the originals of
all
such materials submitted to us as copies (whether or not certified and including
facsimiles), the authenticity of the originals of such materials and all
materials submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures
(other
than those on behalf of the Borrowers) and the legal capacity of all natural
persons.
I
have also assumed
(a) the due organization, valid existence and good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation of each party (other than the Borrowers)
to
each Loan Document, (b) the corporate or other power and due authorization
of
each Person (other than the Borrowers) not a natural person to execute, deliver
and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party,
(c) the due execution and delivery of each Loan Document by each party
thereto (other than the Borrowers), and (d) that each Loan Document
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party thereto (other
than
the Borrowers), enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.
As
to various questions of fact relevant to this opinion, I have relied, without
independent investigation, upon certificates of public officials, certificates
of officers of the Borrowers and representations and warranties of the Borrowers
contained in the Credit Agreement.
I
am a member of the
Bars of the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and, for
purposes of this opinion, I do not hold myself out as an expert on the laws
of
any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. Except as set forth in the next sentence, I express no opinion
herein as to the application or effect of the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the laws of the State of Ohio or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Insofar
as the opinion expressed herein relates to matters which are governed by
(i) the
laws of the State of New York or the federal laws of the United States, I
have
relied with your permission on the opinion, dated the date hereof, addressed
to
you of Akin Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP, New York, New York, and (ii) the
laws of the State of New Jersey, I have relied with your permission on the
opinion, dated the date hereof, addressed to me of Xxxxxx Xxxx & Priest LLP,
Florham Park, New Jersey.
Based
on the
foregoing and such legal considerations as I have deemed necessary or advisable
to express this opinion, I am of the opinion that:
Each
Borrower is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, is duly qualified to do business
as a foreign corporation in and is in good standing under the laws of each
other
state in which the ownership of its properties or the conduct of its business
makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified
would not have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition
or on its ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and
has
all corporate powers to carry on its business as now conducted and to maintain
and operate its property and business.
G-2
No
Governmental
Action is or will be required for (a) the due execution or delivery by any
Borrower of any Loan Document or the performance by any Borrower of its
obligations thereunder or (b) the consummation by any Borrower of any
transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents, other than (1) the Approvals,
which are in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (2) the Supplemental
Approvals, (3) such Governmental Action as may be required as a condition
to the
exercise by any Borrower of its rights under Section 2.07 of the Credit
Agreement and (4) such Governmental Action as may be required after the date
hereof in connection with the performance by the Borrowers of the general
covenants set forth in Sections 5.01(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement.
The
execution and
delivery by each Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, the
performance by such Borrower of its obligations under such Loan Documents,
the
consummation by such Borrower of the transactions contemplated by any such
Loan
Document, and compliance by such Borrower with the provisions thereof, will
not
result in of (a) a breach or violation of, or conflict with, any of the
provisions of the Organizational Documents of such Borrower, (b) a breach
or
violation of, or conflict with, any Applicable Law of the State of Ohio,
the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey, (c) a breach or
contravention of, or conflict with, any of the provisions of any material
indenture, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any
Borrower or any Affiliate of such Borrower is a party or by which any of
its
property or the property of its Affiliates is bound, or (d) the creation
or
imposition of any Lien upon any property of such Borrower or any of its
Affiliates.
The
execution,
delivery and performance by each Borrower of each of the Loan Documents to
which
it is a party are within its corporate powers, have been duly authorized
by all
necessary corporate action on the part of such Borrower and did not, do not,
and
will not require the consent or approval of such Borrower’s shareholders, or any
trustee or holder of any Indebtedness or other obligation of it, other than
such
consents and approvals as have been duly obtained, given or
accomplished.
The
Credit Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by each Borrower and is a valid and
binding
obligation of each Borrower, enforceable against each Borrower in accordance
with its terms, subject to and qualified by the effect of (a) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally;
(b) general principles of equity, (regardless of whether enforcement is sought
in a proceeding at law or in equity); (c) commercial reasonableness and
unconscionability and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing;
(d)
the power of the courts to award damages in lieu of equitable remedies; (e)
securities laws and public policy underlying such laws with respect to rights
to
indemnification and contribution; and (f) unenforceability of any
indemnification or other provision on the basis that such enforcement would
contravene public policy.
G-3
Each
Note, when
executed by the applicable Borrower and delivered in exchange for value,
and
each Guaranty, when executed by FirstEnergy and delivered in exchange for
value,
will be a valid and binding obligation of such Borrower or FirstEnergy, as
the
case may be, enforceable against such Borrower or FirstEnergy, as the case
may
be, in accordance with its terms, subject to and qualified by the effect
of (a)
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and
remedies generally; (b) general principles of equity, (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity); (c) commercial
reasonableness and unconscionability and an implied covenant of good faith
and
fair dealing; (d) the power of the courts to award damages in lieu of equitable
remedies; (e) securities laws and public policy underlying such laws with
respect to rights to indemnification and contribution; and (f) unenforceability
of any indemnification or other provision on the basis that such enforcement
would contravene public policy.
In
any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notes or the Credit Agreement
in
any court of the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State
of
New Jersey or in any federal court sitting in the State of Ohio, the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey, such court should
recognize and give effect to the provisions of the Notes or Section 8.09
of the
Credit Agreement, as the case may be, wherein the parties thereto agree that
the
Notes and the Credit Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York. Without limiting the generality
of the
foregoing, a court of the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or the
State of New Jersey or a federal court sitting in the State of Ohio, the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey should apply the
usury
law of the State of New York, and should not apply the usury law of the State
of
Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey, respectively,
to the Credit Agreement and the Notes. However, if a court were to hold that
the
Credit Agreement or the Notes are governed by, and to be construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or
the
State of New Jersey, the Credit Agreement and the Notes (when executed and
delivered in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement) would be,
under
the laws of, as applicable, the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or the State of New Jersey, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Borrowers, enforceable against the Borrowers in accordance with their respective
terms, subject to and qualified by the effect of (a) applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer and conveyance, reorganization, moratorium
and
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally; (b) general
principles of equity, (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity); (c) commercial reasonableness and
unconscionability and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing;
(d)
the power of the courts to award damages in lieu of equitable remedies; (e)
securities laws and public policy underlying such laws with respect to rights
to
indemnification and contribution; and (f) unenforceability of any
indemnification or other provision on the basis that such enforcement would
contravene public policy.
G-4
Except
as disclosed
in any filings made by the Borrowers in compliance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, (a) there is no provision of the Organizational
Documents of any Borrower, or any Applicable Law of the State of Ohio, the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey, or any indenture,
mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument, in each case, that could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on such Borrower’s
ability to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is
a
party, (b) each Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all
laws
(including, without limitation, ERISA and Environmental Laws), regulations
and
orders of any Governmental Authority of the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth
of
Pennsylvania or the State of New Jersey applicable to it or its property
and all
indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property,
except in each case where the failure to be so, individually or in the
aggregate, has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, operations or condition (financial
or otherwise) of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or
(ii)
the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or
the
rights, remedies and benefits available to the parties thereunder or the
ability
of such Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and
(c)
there is no pending or, to the best of my knowledge, threatened action or
proceeding (including, without limitation, any proceeding relating to or
arising
out of ERISA or Environmental Laws) affecting any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, that could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of such Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the ability of such Borrower to
perform its obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
This
opinion is
limited by, subject to and based on the following:
No
examination has
been made of, and no opinion is expressed as to the effect of, any zoning
ordinance or permit pertaining to the authority of the Borrowers to operate
their properties or conduct their businesses;
I
also express no
opinion with respect to (i) Section 8.10(a) of the Credit Agreement or any
similar provision in any of the other Loan Documents, to the extent such
provisions purport to confer subject matter jurisdiction on any federal court
of
the United States of America or grant a waiver of the defense of inconvenient
forum;
(ii) Section 8.10(b) of the Credit Agreement or any similar provision in
any of
the other Loan Documents, to the extent such provisions relate to the waiver
of
the right to jury trial in the federal courts; (iii) the financial condition
or
solvency of any Borrower, (iv) the financial ability of any Borrower or the
ability (financial or otherwise) of any other Person to meet its obligations
under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (v) the compliance
of
the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated
thereby with, or the effect of any of the foregoing with respect to, Federal
and
state securities Laws, rules and regulations;
G-5
This
opinion and the
matters addressed herein are as of the date hereof or such earlier date as
is
specified herein, and I undertake no, and hereby disclaim any, obligation
to
advise you of any change in any matter set forth herein, whether based on
a
change in the law, a change in any fact relating to the Borrowers or any
other
Person, or any other circumstance occurring after the date hereof;
I
have assumed that
no fraud, dishonesty, forgery, coercion, duress or breach of fiduciary duty
exists with respect to any of the matters relevant to this opinion;
and
This
opinion is
limited to the matters expressly set forth herein and no opinion is to be
implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated
herein.
This
opinion is
solely for the benefit of the addressees hereof in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and may not be relied on
by
the addressees hereof for any other purpose or furnished or quoted to or
relied
on by any other Person for any purpose without my prior written
consent.
Respectfully
submitted,
|
Xxxx
X. Benz,
Esq
Associate
General Counsel
|
G-6
EXHIBIT
H
Form
of
Opinion of Akin Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP
August
24,
2006
To
the Banks party to the within-mentioned
Credit
Agreement,
Citibank, N.A., as
Administrative
Agent
for the Lenders thereunder,
the
fronting banks party thereto and
the
swing line lenders party thereto.
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
We
have acted as
special New York counsel to FirstEnergy Corp., an Ohio corporation
(“FE”)
and its
subsidiaries, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., an Ohio corporation (“FES”),
American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated, an Ohio corporation (“ATSI”),
Ohio Edison
Company, an Ohio corporation (“OE”),
Pennsylvania
Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn”),
The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio corporation (“CEI”),
The Toledo
Edison Company, an Ohio corporation (“TE”),
Jersey Central
Power & Light Company, a New Jersey corporation (“JCP&L”),
Metropolitan
Edison Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and Pennsylvania
Electric Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
FE, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the “Borrowers”
and
each a
“Borrower”)
in connection
with the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement, dated as of August
24,
2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”),
among the
Borrowers, the banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
for
the Banks thereunder, the fronting banks party thereto and the swing line
lenders party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined have
the
meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement. This opinion is being
furnished to you pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(vi) of the Credit Agreement.
The
Credit Agreement, the Notes and each Guaranty are sometimes referred to in
this
opinion collectively as the “Loan
Documents”
and
each
individually as a “Loan
Document”.
In
connection with
this opinion, we have reviewed executed originals or copies of executed
originals of the Credit Agreement and the respective forms of the Notes and
the
Guaranty attached thereto. We have also reviewed copies of the Approvals
and
originals or certified copies of such corporate and company records of each
Borrower and other certificates and documents of officials of each Borrower
and
certain of their affiliates, public officials and others as we have deemed
appropriate for purposes of this opinion, and relied upon them to the extent
we
deem appropriate. As to various questions of fact relevant to this opinion,
we
have relied, without independent investigation, upon certificates of public
officials, certificates of officers of each Borrower, and representations
and
warranties of each Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement. In addition,
we
have made no inquiry of any Borrower or any other person or entity (including
governmental authorities), regarding any judgments, orders, decrees, franchises,
licenses, certificates, permits or other public records or agreements to
which
any Borrower is a party other than those described herein, and our knowledge
of
any such matters is accordingly limited. We have assumed the genuineness
of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
and
the conformity to authentic original documents of all copies submitted to
us as
conformed, certified or reproduced copies.
We
have also assumed
(i) the due organization, valid existence and good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation of each party to each Loan Document,
(ii)
the legal capacity of natural persons, (iii) the corporate or other power
and due authorization of each Person not a natural person to execute, deliver
and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party,
(iv) the due execution and delivery of each Loan Document by all parties
thereto, (v) that each Loan Document constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of each party thereto (other than the Borrowers), enforceable
against
such party in accordance with its terms, (vi) that the execution, delivery
and
performance by any party to the Loan Documents do not, and will not, require
the
consent or approval of its shareholders, or any trustee or holder of any
Indebtedness or other obligation of it and will not result in (a) a breach
or
violation of, or conflict with, any of the provisions of its Organizational
Documents or (b) a breach or contravention of, or conflict with, any of the
provisions of any indenture, mortgage, lease or other agreement or instrument
to
which it is a party or (c) a breach or violation of, or conflict with, any
law
(other than in the case of any Borrower any Included Law (as defined herein))
or
any order, rule, regulation or determination of any Governmental Authority
applicable to it (other than in the case of any Borrower under any Included
Law), (vii) that all required Governmental Action (other than under in the
case
of any Borrower any Included Law) for the execution and delivery by each
party
to any Loan Document, the performance by it of its obligations thereunder
or the
consummation by it of any transaction contemplated thereby have been obtained
or
taken and (viii) that the Approvals (other than the FE SEC Order, ATSI SEC
Order, FES FERC Order, Penn SEC Order, JCP&L SEC Order, Met-Ed SEC Order and
Penelec SEC Order (collectively, the “SEC
Order”))
are in full
force and effect.
Based
upon the
foregoing and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and
limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
No
Governmental
Action is or will be required under any Included Law for the due execution
and
delivery by each Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party or
the
performance by it of its obligations thereunder, other than (i) the SEC Order,
which is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, and (a) with respect
to
ATSI, any ATSI
Supplemental Order,
(b) with respect to FES, any FES Supplemental Order, (c) with respect to
Penn,
any Penn Supplemental Order, (d) with respect to JCP&L, any JCP&L
Supplemental Order, (e) with respect to Met-Ed, any Met-Ed Supplemental Order
and (f) with respect to Penelec, any Penelec Supplemental Order, and (ii)
such
Governmental Action as may be required after the date hereof in connection
with
the performance by such Borrower of the general covenants set forth in Section
5.01(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement.
The
execution and
delivery by each Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party, the
performance by such Borrower of its obligations under any such Loan Document,
the consummation by such Borrower of the transactions contemplated by any
such
Loan Document and compliance by such Borrower with the provisions thereof,
will
not result in a breach or violation of, or conflict with, any Included Law
or,
to our knowledge, any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction over such Borrower under any Included Law.
The
Credit Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each Borrower, enforceable
against
each Borrower in accordance with its terms.
H-2
Each
Note, when
properly completed and executed by the applicable Borrower and delivered
in
exchange for value, and each Guaranty, when properly completed and executed
by
FE and delivered in exchange for value, will constitute a valid and binding
obligation of such Borrower or FE, as the case may be, enforceable against
such
Borrower or FE, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms.
* * *
A. We
express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Included Laws.
We have
made no special investigation or review of any published constitutions,
treaties, laws, rules or regulations or judicial or administrative decisions
(“Laws”),
other than a
review of (i) the Laws of the State of New York, and (ii) the Federal Laws
of
the United States of America. For purposes of this opinion, the term
“Included
Laws”
means
the items
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence that are, in
our
experience, normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated
by the
Loan Documents. The term Included Laws specifically excludes Laws of any
counties, cities, towns, municipalities and special political subdivisions
and
any agencies thereof and Laws relating to land use, zoning and building code
issues, taxes, environmental issues, intellectual property Laws, antitrust
issues and securities law issues.
B. When
used in this
opinion, the phrases “known
to
us”,
“to
our
knowledge”
and
similar
phrases (i) mean the conscious awareness of facts or other information by
(a)
the lawyer in our firm who signed this letter, (b) any lawyer in our firm
actively involved in negotiating and preparing the Loan Documents and (c)
solely
as to information relevant to a particular opinion, issue or confirmation
regarding a particular factual matter, any lawyer in our firm who is primarily
responsible for providing the response concerning that particular opinion,
issue
or confirmation, and (ii) do not require or imply (a) any examination of
this
firm’s, such lawyer’s or any other person’s or entity’s files, (b) that any
inquiry be made of the client, any lawyer (other than the lawyers described
above), or any other person or entity, or (c) any review or examination of
any
agreements, documents, certificates, instruments or other papers (including,
but
not limited to, the exhibits and schedules to the Loan Documents and the
various
papers referred to in or contemplated by the Loan Documents and the respective
exhibits and schedules thereto) other than the Loan Documents.
C. The
matters
expressed in this opinion are subject to and qualified and limited by (i)
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and
remedies generally; (ii) general principles of equity, (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity); (iii) principals
of
commercial reasonableness and unconscionability and an implied covenant of
good
faith and fair dealing; (iv) the power of the courts to award damages in
lieu of
equitable remedies; and (v) securities Laws and public policy underlying
such
Laws with respect to rights to indemnification and contribution. Although
it
appears that the requirements of Section 5-1401 of the New York General
Obligations Law have been met, we express no opinion on whether the choice
of
law provision in Section 8.09 of the Credit Agreement or in each Guaranty
or
Note would raise any issues under the United States constitution or in equity
that would affect whether courts in New York would enforce the choice of
New York law to govern the Credit Agreement or such Guaranty or Note. We
have also assumed that the choice of law of the State of New York as the
governing law of the Credit Agreement and each Guaranty and Note would not
result in a violation of an important public policy of another state having
greater contacts with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents
than
the State of New York
H-3
D. This
opinion and the
matters addressed herein are as of the date hereof or such earlier date as
is
specified herein, and we undertake no, and hereby disclaim any, obligation
to
advise you of any change in any matter set forth herein, whether based on
a
change in the law, a change in any fact relating to any Borrower or any other
Person, or any other circumstance occurring after the date hereof. This opinion
is limited to the matters expressly stated herein and no opinions are to
be
inferred or may be implied beyond the opinions expressly set forth
herein.
E. We
have assumed that
no fraud, dishonesty, forgery, coercion, duress or breach of fiduciary duty
exists with respect to any of the matters relevant to this opinion.
F. We
express no
opinion as to (i) the compliance of the transactions contemplated by the
Loan
Documents with any regulations or governmental requirements applicable to
any
Person other than the Borrowers; (ii) the financial condition or solvency
of any
Borrower; (iii) the ability (financial or otherwise) of any Borrower or any
other Person to meet its obligations under the Loan Documents; (iv) the
compliance of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby
with,
or the effect on any of the foregoing with respect to, the antifraud provisions
of the Federal and state securities Laws, rules and regulations; or (v) the
conformity of the Loan Document to any term sheet or commitment
letter.
G. We
express no
opinion with respect to any provisions of the Credit Agreement or any Guaranty
that purport to grant:
i. a
“consent
to
jurisdiction” or “waiver of inconvenient forum” in connection with any legal
proceedings, insofar as such provisions relate to federal courts (except
as to
the personal jurisdiction thereof); and
ii. a
waiver of trial by
jury insofar as such provision is sought to be enforced in a federal
court.
H. For
purposes of this
letter, the phrase “transactions
of the type contemplated by the Loan Documents”
and
similar
phrases mean (i) the issuance of Advances and Letters of Credit by the banks
party to the Credit Agreement and (ii) the performance by the Borrowers of
their
obligations under the Loan Documents.
I. This
opinion is
solely for your benefit, and no other Person shall be entitled to rely upon
this
opinion, except that Xxxx X. Benz, Esq. may rely on this opinion, in connection
with his opinion to you of even date herewith, to the extent it relates to
matters that involve the Included Laws, with respect to the Loan Documents
and
the transactions contemplated thereby. Without our prior written consent,
this
opinion may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to in
any
document and may not be furnished or otherwise disclosed to or used by any
other
Person, except for (i) delivery of copies hereof to counsel for the addressees
hereof and (ii) inclusion of copies hereof in a closing file.
Very
truly
yours,
AKIN
GUMP XXXXXXX
XXXXX & XXXX LLP
H-4
EXHIBIT
I
Form
of
Opinion of
Special
New
York Counsel to the Administrative Agent
August
24,
2006
Citibank,
N.A., as
administrative agent,
the
fronting banks,
the swing line lenders and
the
lenders party to
the Credit Agreement
defined
below
Re: FirstEnergy
Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., American Transmission Systems, Incorporated,
Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power Company, The Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power &
Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company, and Pennsylvania Electric
Company
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
We
have acted as
special New York counsel to Citibank, N.A., individually and as administrative
agent (the “Administrative
Agent”),
in connection
with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit
Agreement,
dated as of August 24, 2006 (the “Credit
Agreement”),
among
FirstEnergy
Corp.,
an Ohio corporation (“FE”),
FirstEnergy
Solutions Corp., an Ohio corporation (“FES”),
American
Transmission Systems, Incorporated, an Ohio corporation (“ATSI”),
Ohio Edison
Company, an Ohio corporation (“OE”),
Pennsylvania
Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penn”),
The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio corporation (“CEI”),
The Toledo
Edison Company, an Ohio corporation (“TE”),
Jersey Central
Power & Light Company, a New Jersey corporation (“JCP&L”),
Metropolitan
Edison Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Met-Ed”),
and Pennsylvania
Electric Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Penelec”,
and together with
FE, FES, ATSI, OE, Penn, CEI, TE, JCP&L and Met-Ed, the “Borrowers”),
Citibank,
N.A., as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, the fronting banks party
thereto, the swing line lenders party thereto and the Banks party thereto.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement are
used
herein as therein defined. This opinion is being delivered pursuant to Section
3.01(a)(vii) of the Credit Agreement.
In
that connection,
we have examined (i) counterparts of the Credit Agreement, executed by the
Borrowers, the Banks, the Swing Line Lenders, the Administrative Agent and
the
Fronting Banks, (ii) a form of the Notes and (iii) the other documents furnished
to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.01(a) of the Credit Agreement,
including (without limitation) the opinions of Xxxx X. Benz, Esq., counsel
to
the Borrowers, and Akin Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP, special counsel to
the Borrowers (such opinions referred to hereinafter, collectively, as the
“Borrowers’ Counsel
Opinions”).
In
our examination
of the documents referred to above, we have assumed the authenticity of all
such
documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures,
the
due authority of the parties executing such documents and the conformity
to the
originals of all such documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed
that each of the Banks, the Swing Line Lenders, the Fronting Banks and the
Administrative Agent have duly executed and delivered, with all necessary
power
and authority (corporate and otherwise), the Credit Agreement. We have further
assumed that you have evaluated, and are satisfied with, the creditworthiness
of
the Borrowers and the business and financial terms evidenced by the Loan
Documents.
To
the extent that
our opinions expressed below involve conclusions as to matters governed by
law
other than the law of the State of New York and the Federal law of the United
States, we have relied upon the Borrowers’ Counsel Opinions and have assumed
without independent investigation the correctness of the matters set forth
therein, our opinions expressed below being subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth in the Borrowers’ Counsel Opinions. As
to matters of fact, we have relied solely upon the documents we have examined.
We note that we do not represent the Borrowers, and accordingly, are not
privy
to the nature or character of their business. Accordingly, we have assumed
that
the Borrowers are subject only to statutes, rules, regulations, judgments,
orders and other requirements of law generally applicable to corporations
doing
business in the State of New York.
Based
upon the
foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the
opinion that:
(i) The
Credit Agreement
is, and each of the Notes when executed and delivered for value received
will
be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower enforceable
against
each Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.
(ii) While
we have not
independently considered the matters covered by the Borrowers’ Counsel Opinions
to the extent necessary to enable us to express the conclusions stated therein,
each of the Borrowers’ Counsel Opinions and the other documents furnished to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.01(a) of the Credit Agreement
are
substantially responsive to the corresponding requirements set forth in
Section 3.01(a) of the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the same have
been delivered.
Our
opinions are
subject to the following qualifications:
(a) Our
opinion in
paragraph (i) above is subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar
law
affecting creditors’ rights generally.
I-2
(b) Our
opinion in
paragraph (i) above is subject to the effect of general principles of equity,
including (without limitation) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good
faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in
equity or at law).
(c) We
note further
that, in addition to the application of equitable principles described above,
courts have imposed an obligation on contracting parties to act reasonably
and
in good faith in the exercise of their contractual rights and remedies, and
may
also apply public policy considerations in limiting the right of parties
seeking
to obtain indemnification under circumstances where the conduct of such parties
in the circumstances in question is determined to have constituted
negligence.
(d) We
express no
opinion herein as to (i) Section 8.06 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) the
enforceability of provisions purporting to grant to a party conclusive rights
of
determination, (iii) the availability of specific performance or other equitable
remedies, (iv) the enforceability of rights to indemnity under Federal or
state
securities laws and (v) the enforceability of waivers by parties of their
respective rights and remedies under law.
(e) Our
opinion in
paragraph (i) is limited to the law of the State of New York and the Federal
law
of the United States, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning
any
other law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we express no
opinion as to the effect of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State
of
New York wherein any Lender may be located or wherein enforcement of the
Credit
Agreement or the Notes may be sought that limits the rates of interest legally
chargeable or collectible.
The
foregoing
opinion is solely for your benefit and may not be relied upon by any other
Person other than any Person that may become a Lender under the Credit Agreement
after the date hereof.
Very
truly
yours,
MEO:vjs
I-3