U.S. $2,000,000,000 CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of June 14, 2005 Among FIRSTENERGY CORP., FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP., AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED, OHIO EDISON COMPANY, PENNSYLVANIA POWER COMPANY, THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING...
EXHIBIT
10.1
EXECUTION
COPY
U.S.
$2,000,000,000
Dated
as of June 14, 2005
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,
CITICORP
USA, INC.,
as
Administrative Agent,
CITICORP
USA, INC.,
BARCLAYS
BANK PLC
AND
THE OTHER 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, N.A.,
Co-Documentation
Agents
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
||
Page
|
||
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.
|
18
|
SECTION
1.04.
|
Certain
References.
|
18
|
ARTICLE
II
|
||
AMOUNTS
AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF
CREDIT
|
||
SECTION
2.01.
|
The
Pro-Rata Advances.
|
18
|
SECTION
2.02.
|
Making
the Pro-Rata Advances.
|
19
|
SECTION
2.03.
|
Swing
Line Advances
|
20
|
SECTION
2.04.
|
Letters
of Credit.
|
23
|
SECTION
2.05.
|
Fees.
|
31
|
SECTION
2.06.
|
Adjustment
of the Commitments; Borrower Submits.
|
32
|
SECTION
2.07.
|
Repayment
of Advances.
|
33
|
SECTION
2.08.
|
Interest
on Advances.
|
34
|
SECTION
2.09.
|
Additional
Interest on Advances.
|
35
|
SECTION
2.10.
|
Interest
Rate Determination.
|
35
|
SECTION
2.11.
|
Conversion
of Advances.
|
36
|
SECTION
2.12.
|
Prepayments.
|
36
|
SECTION
2.13.
|
Increased
Costs.
|
38
|
SECTION
2.14.
|
Illegality.
|
39
|
SECTION
2.15.
|
Payments
and Computations.
|
39
|
SECTION
2.16.
|
Taxes.
|
41
|
SECTION
2.17.
|
Sharing
of Payments, Etc.
|
43
|
SECTION
2.18.
|
Noteless
Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness.
|
43
|
SECTION
2.19.
|
Extension
of Termination Date.
|
44
|
SECTION
2.20.
|
Several
Obligations.
|
45
|
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.
|
47
|
SECTION
3.03.
|
Conditions
Precedent to Conversions.
|
48
|
SECTION
3.04.
|
Conditions
Precedent to Extensions of Credit after December 31,
2005.
|
49
|
i
ARTICLE
IV
|
||
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
||
SECTION
4.01.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Borrowers.
|
50
|
ARTICLE
V
|
||
COVENANTS
OF THE BORROWERS
|
||
SECTION
5.01.
|
Affirmative
Covenants of the Borrowers.
|
53
|
SECTION
5.02.
|
Financial
Covenants of the Borrowers.
|
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.
|
62
|
SECTION
7.03.
|
CUSA,
Barclays and Affiliates.
|
63
|
SECTION
7.04.
|
Lender
Credit Decision.
|
63
|
SECTION
7.05.
|
Indemnification.
|
63
|
SECTION
7.06.
|
Successor
Administrative Agent.
|
64
|
ARTICLE
VIII
|
||
MISCELLANEOUS
|
||
SECTION
8.01.
|
Amendments,
Etc.
|
64
|
SECTION
8.02.
|
Notices,
Etc.
|
65
|
SECTION
8.03.
|
Electronic
Communications.
|
66
|
SECTION
8.04.
|
No
Waiver; Remedies.
|
67
|
SECTION
8.05.
|
Costs
and Expenses; Indemnification.
|
67
|
SECTION
8.06.
|
Right
of Set-off.
|
69
|
SECTION
8.07.
|
Binding
Effect.
|
69
|
SECTION
8.08.
|
Assignments
and Participations.
|
69
|
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
|
ii
SCHEDULES
AND EXHIBITS
|
||
Schedule
I
|
-
|
List
of Commitments and Lending Offices
|
Schedule
2.09(p)
|
-
|
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 June 14, 2005,
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, Citicorp USA, Inc. (“CUSA”), as
Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for
the Lenders hereunder, CUSA, as a fronting bank, Barclays Bank PLC
(“Barclays”), as a fronting bank, the other 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 $2,000,000,000
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
I
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.
“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 and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
5
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 3 but at least BBB- by
S&P or Baa3 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
6
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 4 but at least BB+ by
S&P or Ba1 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
7
Reference
Ratings lower than BB+ by S&P and Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x or no Reference Rating exists.
|
Applicable
Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances
|
0.270%
|
0.350%
|
0.425%
|
0.500%
|
0.575%
|
0.675%
|
0.825%
|
Applicable
Margin for Alternate Base Rate Advances
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
Utilization
Fee
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
0.100%
|
0.125%
|
0.125%
|
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 5 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 7, 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 ATSI, the ATSI SEC Order; (iii)
with
respect to OE, the OE PUCO Order; (iv) with respect to Penn, the Penn SEC
Order,
subject to any borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents
of Penn; (v) with respect to CEI, the CEI PUCO Order; (vi) with respect to
TE,
the XX XXXX Order; (vii) with respect to JCP&L, the JCP&L SEC Order,
subject to any borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents
of JCP&L; (viii) with respect to Met-Ed, the Met-Ed SEC Order; and (ix) with
respect to Penelec, the Penelec SEC Order.
“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.
3
“ATSI”
has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.
“ATSI
SEC
Order” means the order of the SEC that
authorizes ATSI to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005 and
to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“ATSI
Supplemental SEC Order” means any
order of the SEC that authorizes ATSI to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“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”
has the meaning set forth in
the preamble hereto.
“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, $2,000,000,000, (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, (vii) with respect to TE, $250,000,000, (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.
“CEI”
has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.
4
“CEI
PUCO Order” means the order of the
PUCO that authorizes CEI to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31,
2005
and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“CEI
Supplemental PUCO Order” means any
order of the PUCO that authorizes CEI to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“Change
of Control” has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.01(j).
“Citibank”
means Citibank, N.A. and its
successors.
“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.
“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) the aggregate principal
amount of Trust Preferred Securities of such Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, (iii) 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,
and
(iv) the aggregate principal amount of Stranded Cost Securitization
Bonds
of such Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
“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.
“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.
5
“Cost
of Funds Swing Line Advance” means
a Swing Line Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.08(e).
“CUSA”
has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.
“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.
“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.
6
“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 CUSA 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).
“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.
7
“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 Agreements” means (i)
the $125 Million 3 Year Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2003, among
OE, the banks party thereto, and Citibank, as administrative agent, (ii)
the
$375 Million 3 Year Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2003, among
FE,
the banks party thereto, Citibank, as administrative agent, and Bank One,
NA, as
fronting bank, and (iii) the $1 Billion 3 Year Credit Agreement, dated
as
of June 22, 2004, among FE, the banks party thereto, Citibank, as administrative
agent, and CUSA 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 May 16, 2005, among FE, CUSA, Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
Barclays and Barclays Capital.
“FES”
has the meaning set forth in
the preamble hereto.
8
“FE
SEC
Order” means the order of the SEC that
authorizes FE to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005 and
to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“FE
Supplemental SEC Order” means any
order of the SEC that authorizes FE to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“FirstEnergy
Fixed Charge Ratio” means
the ratio of (i) the sum of (A) consolidated net income before
extraordinary items of FE and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the twelve-month
period ended on the last day of each fiscal quarter of FE, plus
(B) depreciation, amortization, dividends paid on preferred stock
of
subsidiaries, interest expense, amounts paid on Trust Preferred Securities
and
Federal income taxes deducted in determining such net income, plus
(C) the interest element of rental payments deducted in determining
such
net income under operating lease obligations of FE and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries during such twelve-month period, plus (D) all other
non-cash charges constituting operating expenses deducted in determining
such
net income to (ii) the sum of (A) all interest expense (excluding
the
amount of any allowance for funds used during construction and amounts paid
on
Trust Preferred Securities) in respect of Indebtedness of FE and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries during such twelve-month period, plus
(B) the interest element of rental payments deducted in determining
net
income under operating lease obligations of FE and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
during such twelve-month period.
“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 CUSA, Barclays 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
authorizes JCP&L to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005 and
to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“JCP&L
Supplemental SEC Order” means
any order of the SEC that authorizes JCP&L to obtain Extensions of Credit
after December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
“L/C
Commitment Amount” means
$2,000,000,000 as the same may be reduced permanently from time to time pursuant
to Section 2.06 hereof.
“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).
11
“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
authorizes Met-Ed to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005
and to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“Met-Ed
Supplemental SEC Order” means
any order of the SEC that authorizes Met-Ed to obtain Extensions of Credit
after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“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:
12
(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.
“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 authorizes OE to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31,
2005
and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“OE
Supplemental PUCO Order” means any
order of the PUCO that authorizes OE to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“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.
13
“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”.
“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
SEC
Order” means the order of the SEC that
authorizes Penelec to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005
and to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“Penelec
Supplemental SEC Order” means
any order of the SEC that authorizes Penelec to obtain Extensions of Credit
after December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
“Penn
SEC
Order” means the order of the SEC that
authorizes Penn to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31, 2005 and
to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“Penn
Supplemental SEC Order” means any
order of the SEC that authorizes Penn to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“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.
14
“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.
“Penn” means
Pennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation.
“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.
“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.
15
“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 FE, an FE Supplemental SEC Order; (ii) with respect to ATSI, an
ATSI
Supplemental SEC Order; (iii) with respect to OE, an OE Supplemental PUCO
Order;
(iv) with respect to Penn, a Penn Supplemental SEC Order, subject to any
borrowing limitations contained in the Organizational Documents of Penn;
(v)
with respect to CEI, a CEI Supplemental PUCO Order; (vi) with respect to
TE, a
TE Supplemental PUCO Order; (vii) with respect to JCP&L, a JCP&L
Supplemental SEC Order, subject to any borrowing limitations contained in
the
Organizational Documents of JCP&L; (viii) with respect to Met-Ed, a Met-Ed
Supplemental SEC Order; and (ix) with respect to Penelec, a Penelec Supplemental
SEC Order.
“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 Lender” means one or more
Lenders or Affiliates thereof that may be appointed from time to time by
the
Borrowers to provide Swing Line Advances under this Agreement and that are
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Swing
Line Sublimit” means an amount
equal to the lesser of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate Commitments.
The
Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate
Commitments.
16
“Taxes”
has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.16(a).
“TE”
means The Toledo Edison Company, an
Ohio corporation.
“XX
XXXX Order” means the order of the
PUCO that authorizes TE to obtain Extensions of Credit until December 31,
2005
and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“Termination
Date” means June 14, 2010,
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.
“TE
Supplemental PUCO Order” means any
order of the PUCO that authorizes TE to obtain Extensions of Credit after
December 31, 2005 and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“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) consolidated equity of the common stockholders 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
of such
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
“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.
17
“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”.
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.
(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.
19
(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, the Swing Line Lenders agree 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 the Swing
Line Sublimit; 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.
(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 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, 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.
20
(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.
21
(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.
(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.
22
(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.
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, 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, (ii) the total amount of all Outstanding
Credits would exceed the aggregate of the Commitments or (iii) in the case
of
Barclays and CUSA in their capacity as Fronting Banks, the aggregate Stated
Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by either such Fronting
Bank
would exceed $500,000,000. To the extent that any Fronting Bank other than
Barclays or CUSA agrees to become a Fronting Bank and to issue Letters of
Credit, the obligations of Barclays and CUSA to issue Letters of Credit shall
be
reduced on a pro-rata basis, but only after the obligations of all Fronting
Banks other than Barclays and CUSA to issue Letters of Credit exceed
$1,000,000,000 in the aggregate. Letters of Credit shall be denominated in
U.S.
dollars only.
23
(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.
(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.
24
(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.
(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.
25
(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;
(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.
26
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.
27
(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.
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.
28
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.
(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.
29
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.
(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).
30
(p) The
Letters of Credit listed in Schedule 2.04(p) 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.
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 and Baa3 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
5
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 3 but at least BBB- by
S&P or Baa3 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
6
Reference
Ratings lower than Level 4 but at least BB+ by
S&P or Ba1 by Xxxxx’x.
|
LEVEL
7
Reference
Ratings lower than BB+ by S&P and Ba1 by
Xxxxx’x or no Reference Ratings exist.
|
Facility
Fee
|
0.080%
|
0.100%
|
0.125%
|
0.150%
|
0.175%
|
0.200%
|
0.300%
|
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 5 or Level 6
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 7, 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.
31
(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.
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
$2,000,000,000 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 $5,000,000
and to
an amount not more than $2,500,000,000 (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.
32
(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.
(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.
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.
33
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:
(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.
34
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.
35
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.
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.
36
(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.
(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.
37
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.
(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.
38
(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.
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.
39
(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.
40
(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.
(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.
41
(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”).
(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.
42
(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.
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.
43
(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
fourth anniversary of the date hereof, 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 only once.
(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.
(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 condition precedent that, on or prior to the date of such
extension, the Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each
dated such date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent: (i) a certificate of a duly authorized officer of each Borrower
to
the effect that as of the date of extension of the Termination Date (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, (ii) 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 (iii) 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).
44
(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.
(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.
45
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) All
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;
(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,
2004, 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 March 31,
2005
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;
46
(vi) An
opinion of Akin Gump Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP,
special counsel for the Borrowers, in substantially 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.
(d) All
amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreements, whether for principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall have
been
paid in full, and all commitments to lend thereunder 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 USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56
(signed into law October 26, 2001)).
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;
47
(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
(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, 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):
48
(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
(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 an
SEC 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.
49
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.
(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.
50
(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.
(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, 2004, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 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, 2004, its
Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 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 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,
2004,
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 March 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 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, 2004, its Quarterly Report
on
form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 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,
2004.
51
(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.
52
(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.
(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
USA
Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)),
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.
53
(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.
(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.
54
(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;
(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;
55
(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
(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.
56
SECTION
5.02. Financial
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:
(a) FirstEnergy
Fixed Charge Ratio.
Unless and until FE obtains Reference Ratings of at least BBB- by S&P or
Baa2 by Xxxxx’x, XX will maintain a FirstEnergy Fixed Charge Ratio of at least
2.00 to 1.00 (determined as of the last day of each fiscal
quarter).
(b) Debt
to Capitalization Ratio.
Each Borrower 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 the Borrowers 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 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”).
(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).
57
(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.
58
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
59
(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
60
(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”).
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.
61
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 Bank; 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).
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.
62
SECTION
7.03. CUSA,
Barclays and Affiliates.
With
respect to its Commitment, the Advances made by it and any
Note issued to it, each of CUSA 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 CUSA and Barclays in its
individual capacity. Each of CUSA 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 CUSA 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.
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.
63
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.
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.
64
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 CUSA, as a Fronting Bank, as its
address at Xxx Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Xxxxx
Xxxxx; if to Barclays, as a Fronting Bank, at its address at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000; and 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).
65
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.
(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.
66
(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.
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.
67
(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.
68
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.
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).
69
(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.
(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.
70
(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.
(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 (other than to an Eligible
Assignee under subsection (a) above) shall release the assigning
Lender from its obligations hereunder.
71
(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.
(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.
72
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.
73
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.
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.
[Signatures
to Follow]
74
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
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:
S-1
CITICORP
USA, INC., as Administrative Agent, as a Bank and as a
Fronting 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
By
Name:
Title:
S-4
KEYBANK
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-5
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-6
THE
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-7
THE
BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-8
CREDIT
SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
By
Name:
Title:
S-9
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX BANK, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-10
UBS
LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-11
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXX
XXXX XX XXXX XXXXXX, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXXXX
XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX, 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
XXXXXXXXXXX
XX, XXX XXXX AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES, as a
Bank
By
Name:
Title:
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXX, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXXXXX
XX, XXX XXXX BRANCH, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-20
PNC
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-21
SUMITOMO
MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-22
U.S.
BANK, N.A., as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-23
FIRST
COMMERCIAL BANK, as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
X-00
XXXXXX
XXXX, X.X., as a Bank
By
Name:
Title:
S-25
SCHEDULE
I
List
of Commitments and Lending Offices
Lender
|
Allocation
|
Domestic
Lending Office
|
Eurodollar
Lending Office
|
Citicorp
USA, Inc.
|
$176,250,000
|
Xxx
Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Email:
xxxxxxxxx.x.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
Barclays
Bank PLC
|
$176,250,000
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
XX
Xxxxxx Chase Bank, N.A.
|
$125,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxx.x.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
KeyBank
National Association
|
$125,000,000
|
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
|
$125,000,000
|
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Loan Administration
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
The
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
|
$125,000,000
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
The
Bank of New York
|
$100,000,000
|
One
Wall Street
Energy
Division, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxx-Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
Lender | Allocation | Domestic Lending Office | Eurodollar Lending Office |
Credit
Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
|
$100,000,000
|
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
|
$100,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
UBS
Loan Finance LLC
|
$100,000,000
|
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
|
Bank
of America, N.A.
|
$100,000,000
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
XX0-000-00-00
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
The
Bank of Nova Scotia
|
$100,000,000
|
0
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Pier Xxxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
Union
Bank of California, N.A.
|
$60,000,000
|
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
|
I-2
Lender
|
Allocation | Domestic Lending Office | Eurodollar Lending Office |
Xxxxxx
Brothers Bank, FSB
|
$60,000,000
|
000
0xx Xxxxxx, 00xx 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
|
$60,000,000
|
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
|
Commerzbank
AG, New York and Grand Cayman Branches
|
$45,000,000
|
0
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
National
City Bank
|
$45,000,000
|
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
|
WestLB
AG, New York Branch
|
$45,000,000
|
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
Xxxxxxx-xxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
Xxxxxxx
Street
|
$45,000,000
|
00
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
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
|
I-3
Lender | Allocation | Domestic Lending Office | Eurodollar Lending Office |
PNC
Bank, National Association
|
$45,000,000
|
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
|
Sumitomo
Mitsui Banking Corporation
|
$45,000,000
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
U.S.
Bank, N.A.
|
$45,000,000
|
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
|
First
Commercial Bank
|
$27,500,000
|
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
|
Mellon
Bank, N.A.
|
$25,000,000
|
One
Mellon Center
Room
151-4530
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Phone:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxx.xx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Same
as Domestic Lending Office
|
TOTAL
|
$2,000,000,000
|
I-4
SCHEDULE
2.04(p)
Letters
of Credit
1.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 751172, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas for
the
account of FE in the amount of $46,150,595.00 with an expiration
date of
October 15, 2005.
|
2.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 750788, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. for
the
account of FES in the amount of $2,500,000.00 with an expiration
date of
November 30, 2005.
|
3.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 751725, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Cologne Reinsurance Company (Dublin) Ltd.
for the
account of FE in the amount of $6,008,976.00 with an expiration
date of
December 31, 2005.
|
4.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 751749, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas for
the
account of FE in the amount of $400,000.00 with an expiration date
of
December 31, 2005.
|
5.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 7500281, issued by JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. in favor of Genesis Insurance Co. for the account
of GPU
Service Company in the amount of $3,873,554.00 with an expiration
date of
December 31, 2005.
|
6.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 751766, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America
for
the account of FE in the amount of $18,000,000.00 with an expiration
date
of December 31, 2005.
|
7.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 751762, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America
for
the account of FE in the amount of $3,000,000.00 with an expiration
date
of December 31, 2005.
|
8.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 420678, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Midamerican Energy Company for the account
of MYR
Group in the amount of $20,000,000.00 with an expiration date of
December
31, 2005.
|
9.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 332831, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of PJM Interconnection, LLC for the account
of FE in
the amount of $5,000,000.00 with an expiration date of December
31,
2005.
|
10.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 329830, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of C.N.A. Insurance Co. for the account of
MYR Group
in the amount of $10,000.00 with an expiration date of June 1,
2006.
|
11.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 329832, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of C.N.A. Insurance Co. for the account of
MYR Group
in the amount of $29,000.00 with an expiration date of June 1,
2006.
|
12.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 329889, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Zurich American Insurance for the account
of MYR
Group in the amount of $14,600,000.00 with an expiration date of
June 1,
2006.
|
13.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 750380, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of US Department of Labor-Workers Comp Programs
for
the account of Penn in the amount of $250,000.00 with an expiration
date
of June 30, 2006.
|
14.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 750552, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Old Republic Insurance Company for the account
of
FirstEnergy Facilities Services in the amount of $6,876,385.00
with an
expiration date of August 30, 2006.
|
15.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 332764, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection
Bureau of Land Recycling and Waste Management for the account of
Penn in
the amount of $11,454,222.00 with an expiration date of September
1,
2006.
|
16.
|
Letter
of credit number SLT 750787, issued by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. in favor of PA Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of
Land Recycling and Waste Management for the account of Penn in
the amount
of $210,000.00 with an expiration date of October 21,
2006.
|
2
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of Assignment and Acceptance
ASSIGNMENT
AND ACCEPANCE
[Date]
Reference
is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14,
2005 (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”), CITICORP USA, INC.
(“CUSA”), as Administrative Agent (the
“Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders
thereunder,
CUSA (or one of its Affiliates), as a fronting bank, BARCLAYS BANK PLC
(“Barclays”), as a fronting bank, the other 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.
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].*
A-2
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.
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.
*
If the Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United
States.
A-3
[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
___________, ______
CITICORP
USA, INC.
as
Administrative Agent and as a Fronting Bank
By
Name:
Title:
[FRONTING
BANK]
as
a Fronting Bank
By
Name:
Title:
A-4
[SWING
LINE LENDER]
as
a Swing Line Lender
By
Name:
Title:
BARCLAYS
BANK PLC
as
a Fronting Bank
By
Name:
Title:
Consented
to:
FIRSTENERGY
CORP.
By
Name:
Title:
FIRSTENERGY
SOLUTIONS CORP.
By
Name:
Title:
AMERICAN
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS,
INCORPORATED
By
Name:
Title:
A-5
OHIO
EDISON COMPANY
By
Name:
Title:
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:
A-6
METROPOLITAN
EDISON COMPANY
By
Name:
Title:
PENNSYLVANIA
ELECTRIC COMPANY
By
Name:
Title:
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: $____]
Section 3.
Effective
Date* :
_____________
*
|
This
date
should be no earlier than the date of acceptance by the Administrative
Agent.
|
EXHIBIT
B
Form
of Note
PROMISSORY
NOTE
U.S.$[______________]
June __, 2005
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 Citicorp USA, Inc., 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 June 14, 2005
(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, Citicorp USA, Inc.
as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Citicorp USA, Inc. (or one
of
its Affiliates), as a fronting bank, Barclays Bank PLC, as a fronting bank,
the
other 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), Citicorp USA, Inc.
(“CUSA”), 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 June 14, 2005 (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.
(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.
C-2
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;
(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
C-3
(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) 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.
C-4
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.
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.
C-5
(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.
(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.
C-6
(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.
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.
C-7
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.
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.
C-8
(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) 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-9
(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.
(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-10
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-11
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.
FIRSTENERGY
CORP.
By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT
D
Form
of Notice of Pro-Rata Borrowing
Citicorp
USA, Inc., 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 June
14, 2005 (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, Citicorp USA, Inc. as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
Citicorp USA, Inc. (or one of its Affiliates), as a fronting bank, Barclays
Bank
PLC, as a fronting bank, the other 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
Citicorp
USA, Inc., 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 June
14, 2005 (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, Citicorp USA, Inc. as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
Citicorp USA, Inc. (or one of its Affiliates), as a fronting bank, Barclays
Bank
PLC, as a fronting bank, the other 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__
Citicorp
USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent [and as Fronting
Bank]1
Xxx
Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn:_______________________
[___________________,
as Fronting Bank
[ADDRESS]]2
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 June 14, 2005 (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, Citicorp USA, Inc. as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
Citicorp USA, Inc. (or one of its Affiliates), as a fronting bank, Barclays
Bank
PLC, as a fronting bank, the other 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
Include
bracketed language if applicable
Fronting Bank is Citicorp USA, Inc.
2
Include
bracketed language if applicable
Fronting Bank is not Citicorp USA, Inc.
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 $500,000,000]* *.
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.
*
Delete for initial Extension of Credit.
**
Include if applicable Fronting Bank is CUSA or Barclays.
F-2
[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:
F-3
EXHIBIT
G
Form
of Opinion of Xxxx X. Benz, Esq.
[LETTERHEAD
OF FIRSTENERGY CORP.]
June
14, 2005
To
the Banks party to the within-mentioned
Credit
Agreement, Citicorp USA, Inc., as
Administrative
Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
Citicorp
USA (or one of its Affiliates), as a
fronting
bank, Barclays Bank PLC, as a fronting
bank,
the other fronting banks party thereto and
the
swing line lenders party thereto.
Re: Credit
Agreement,
dated
as of June 14, 2005
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 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2005 (the
“Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, the banks
party thereto, Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
thereunder, Citicorp USA, Inc. (or one of its Affiliates), as a fronting bank,
Barclays Bank PLC, as a fronting bank, the other 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.
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, and (3) 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.
G-2
The
execution and delivery by the Borrowers of the Loan Documents,
the performance by the Borrowers of their obligations under the Loan Documents,
the consummation by the Borrowers of the transactions contemplated by any Loan
Document, and compliance by the Borrowers 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 the Borrowers, (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 any 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.
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.
G-3
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.
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,
(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 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.
G-4
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;
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.
G-5
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
To
the Banks party to the within-mentioned
Credit
Agreement, Citicorp USA, Inc., as
Administrative
Agent for the Lenders thereunder,
Citicorp
USA, as a fronting bank, Barclays
Bank
PLC, as a fronting bank, the other
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 June 14, 2005 (the
“Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, the banks
party thereto, Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent for the Banks
thereunder, Citicorp USA, Inc., as a fronting bank, Barclays Bank PLC, as a
fronting bank, the other 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 any Included
Law
(as defined herein)) or any order, rule, regulation or determination of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it (other than under any Included Law),
(vii) that all required Governmental Action (other than under 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, Penn SEC Order,
JCP&L SEC Order, Penelec SEC Order and Met-Ed 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 any FE Supplemental SEC Order, ATSI Supplemental SEC Order, Penn
Supplemental SEC Order, JCP&L Supplemental SEC Order, Penelec Supplemental
SEC Order and Met-Ed Supplemental SEC 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.
I-2
The
Credit Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
each Borrower, enforceable against each Borrower in accordance with its
terms.
Each
Note, when executed by the applicable Borrower and delivered in
exchange for value, and each Guaranty, when 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
I-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.
I-4
J. This
law firm is a registered limited liability partnership
organized under the laws of the State of Texas.
Very
truly yours,
AKIN
GUMP XXXXXXX XXXXX & XXXX LLP
I-5
EXHIBIT
I
Form
of Opinion of
Special
New York Counsel to the Administrative
Agent
June
14, 2005
Citicorp
USA, Inc., as administrative agent, Citicorp USA, Inc.
(or one of its Affiliates) as a fronting bank, Barclays Bank PLC, as a fronting
bank, and the other 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 Citicorp USA, Inc.,
individually and as administrative agent (the “Administrative
Agent”), in connection with the preparation, execution and
delivery of the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2005 (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”),
Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders thereunder, Citicorp
USA, Inc., as a fronting bank, Barclays Bank PLC, as a fronting bank, the other
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.
(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).
I-2
(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:VGS:gat
I-3