Exhibit 10.1
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
between
PSNH FUNDING LLC
Issuer
and
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Seller
Dated as of April __, 2001
This PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, dated as of April __, 2001, is
between PSNH Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "ISSUER"),
and Public Service Company of New Hampshire, a New Hampshire corporation
(together with its successors in interest to the extent permitted hereunder, the
"SELLER").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to purchase the RRB Property (as defined
herein) created pursuant to the Statute and the Finance Order (each as defined
herein); and
WHEREAS, the Seller is willing to sell the RRB Property to the Issuer.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. DEFINITIONS. Whenever used in this Agreement, the
following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
"ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT" means the Administration Agreement dated as
of the date hereof between Public Service Company of New Hampshire, as
Administrator, and the Issuer, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
"AGREEMENT" means this Purchase and Sale Agreement, as amended and
supplemented from time to time.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" means an officer of the Seller listed on the list
of Authorized Officers delivered by the Seller to the Trustee on the date of
issuance of the Bonds (as such list may be modified or supplemented by the
Seller from time to time).
"BACK-UP SECURITY INTEREST" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
"BASIC DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Indenture,
the Servicing Agreement, the Administration Agreement, the Underwriting
Agreement and the Fee and Indemnity Agreement.
"BONDHOLDER" or "HOLDER" means the Person in whose name a Bond is
registered on the Register.
"BONDS" means the PSNH Funding LLC Bonds issued under the Indenture.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions or trust companies in New York, New York,
Hartford, Connecticut, Manchester, New Hampshire or Wilmington, Delaware are
authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
"CAPITAL SUBACCOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a) of
the Indenture.
"CLOSING DATE" means April __, 2001.
"COLLECTION ACCOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a) of
the Indenture.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(a)
of the Indenture.
"DATE OF BREACH" means, with respect to the repurchase obligation
specified in Section 5.01(b), the date of a breach of a representation or
warranty that triggers such repurchase obligation.
"FEE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT" means the Fee and Indemnity Agreement
dated as of the date hereof between the Issuer and the Trustee, as amended and
supplemented from time to time.
"FINANCE ORDER" means the order of the NHPUC, DE 99-099 , issued on
September 8, 2000 (Order No. 23,550).
"FITCH" means Fitch, Inc. or its successor.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(c),
Section 5.01(d), Section 5.01(e) or in Section 5.01(h), for the purposes set
forth therein.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the
Issuer and the Trustee, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
"INDEPENDENT" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(a) of the
Indenture.
"INTEREST RESERVE SUBACCOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section
8.02(a) of the Indenture.
"ISSUANCE ADVICE LETTER" means the initial Issuance Advice Letter,
dated April __, 2001, filed with the NHPUC by the Seller pursuant to the Finance
Order.
"ISSUANCE DATE" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(c)(i) of the
Indenture.
"ISSUER" has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"LIEN" means a security interest, lien, charge, pledge or encumbrance
of any kind.
"LOSSES" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(e).
"MOODY'S" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. or its successor.
"NHPUC" means the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and any
successor thereto.
"NHPUC REGULATIONS" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of the
Servicing Agreement.
"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means a certificate signed by the chairman of
the board, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice chairman of the
board, any vice president, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the
secretary, any assistant secretary, the controller or the finance manager of the
Seller.
"OPERATING EXPENSE" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(a) of the
Indenture.
"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means one or more written opinions of counsel who
may be an employee of or counsel to the party providing such opinion of counsel,
which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the party receiving such opinion
of counsel.
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"OUTSTANDING AMOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(a) of
the Indenture.
"OVERCOLLATERALIZATION SUBACCOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section
8.02(a) of the Indenture.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust
(including any beneficiary thereof), unincorporated organization or government
or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus dated April __, 2001 offering the
Bonds.
"RATING AGENCIES" means, collectively, S&P, Xxxxx'x and Fitch.
"REGISTER" has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 of the Indenture.
"REPURCHASE DATE" means the date that is five Business Days after the
date that is (i) if the terms of Section 5.01(b)(i)(A) and Section
5.01(b)(i)(B)(2) are applicable, two Business Days after the Date of Breach if
the Seller fails to make the deposit required by Section 5.01(b)(i)(B)(2) or 90
days after the Date of Breach if the Seller makes the deposit required by
Section 5.01(b)(i)(B)(2); (ii) if the terms of Section 5.01(b)(ii) are
applicable, 90 days after the Date of Breach; and (iii) if the terms of Section
5.01(b)(i)(A) and Section 5.01(b)(i)(B)(1) are applicable, 90 days after the
Date of Breach.
"REPURCHASE PRICE" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(b)(i).
"REQUIRED CAPITAL LEVEL" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(a)
of the Indenture.
"REQUIRED OVERCOLLATERALIZATION LEVEL" has the meaning specified in
Section 1.01(a) of the Indenture.
"REQUIRED INTEREST RESERVE LEVEL" has the meaning specified in Section
1.01(a) of the Indenture.
"RRB CHARGE" means the portion (which may become all) of the Seller's
"stranded cost recovery charge" designated pursuant to the Finance Order and RSA
369-B:2, XIII as the RRB Charge, as the same may be adjusted from time to time
as provided in the Finance Order.
"RRB CHARGE COLLECTIONS" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of
the Servicing Agreement.
"RRB PROPERTY" means the RRB Property that exists under Approval Nos.
20 to 22 of the Finance Order.
"SELLER" has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"SERVICER DEFAULT" means an event specified in Section 7.01 of the
Servicing Agreement.
"SERVICING AGREEMENT" means the Servicing Agreement dated as of the
date hereof between Public Service Company of New Hampshire, as Servicer, and
the Issuer, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
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"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or its successor.
"STATE TREASURER" means the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire.
"STATUTE" means New Hampshire RSA Chapter 369-B.
"TRUSTEE" means the Person acting as trustee under the Indenture.
"UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT" means the Underwriting Agreement dated as of
April __, 2001 among Public Service Company of New Hampshire, the Issuer and the
underwriters named therein.
Section 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS.
(a) All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto
unless otherwise defined therein.
(b) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and words of similar
import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; Section, Schedule and
Exhibit references contained in this Agreement are references to Sections,
Schedules and Exhibits in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; and
the term "including" shall mean "including without limitation".
(c) The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the
singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.
ARTICLE 2
CONVEYANCE OF RRB PROPERTY
Section 2.01. CONVEYANCE OF RRB PROPERTY. In consideration of the
Issuer's delivery to or upon the order of the Seller of $___________ net of
underwriting discounts and commissions, original issue discount, if any, and
other fees and expenses, the Seller does hereby irrevocably sell, transfer,
assign, set over and otherwise convey to the Issuer, WITHOUT RECOURSE OR
WARRANTY, except as specifically set forth herein, all right, title and interest
of the Seller in and to the RRB Property (such sale, transfer, assignment,
setting over and conveyance of the RRB Property includes, to the fullest extent
permitted by the Statute, the assignment of all revenues, collections, claims,
payments, money or proceeds of or arising from the RRB Charge pursuant to the
Finance Order) and copies of all books and records related thereto. Such sale,
transfer, assignment, setting over and conveyance is hereby expressly stated to
be a sale and, pursuant to RSA 369-B:6, V, shall be treated as an absolute
transfer of all of the Seller's right, title and interest in (as in a true
sale), and not as a pledge or other financing of, the RRB Property. If such
sale, transfer, assignment, setting over and conveyance is held by any court of
competent jurisdiction not to be a true sale as provided in RSA 369-B:6, V, then
such sale, transfer, assignment, setting over and conveyance shall be treated as
the creation of a security interest in the RRB Property and, without prejudice
to its position that it has absolutely transferred all of its rights in the RRB
Property to the Issuer, the Seller hereby grants to the Issuer a security
interest in the RRB Property (including, to the
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fullest extent permitted by the Statute, all revenues, collections, claims,
payments, money or proceeds of or arising from the RRB Charge pursuant to the
Finance Order) to secure a payment obligation incurred by the Seller in respect
of the amount paid by the Issuer to the Seller pursuant to this Agreement (the
"Back-Up Security Interest"). Such sale, transfer, assignment, setting over and
conveyance of the RRB Property includes the right to use the Seller's computer
software system to access and create copies of all books and records related to
the RRB Property.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Seller makes the following
representations and warranties, as of the Closing Date, on which the Issuer has
relied in acquiring the RRB Property.
Section 3.01. ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. The Seller is duly
organized and validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws
of the State of New Hampshire, with the requisite corporate power and authority
to own its properties as such properties are currently owned and to conduct its
business as such business is now conducted by it, and has the requisite
corporate power and authority to own the RRB Property.
Section 3.02. DUE QUALIFICATION. The Seller is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in good standing, and has obtained all
necessary licenses and approvals, in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or
lease of property or the conduct of its business shall require such
qualifications, licenses or approvals (except where the failure to so qualify or
obtain such licenses and approvals would not be reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Seller's business, operations, assets, revenues
or properties).
Section 3.03. POWER AND AUTHORITY. The Seller has the requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to carry
out its terms; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Seller.
Section 3.04. BINDING OBLIGATION. This Agreement constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer and other laws relating to or affecting
creditors' or secured parties' rights generally from time to time in effect and
to general principles of equity (including concepts of materiality,
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing), regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 3.05. NO VIOLATION. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof do not:
(i) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of,
nor constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time) a default under, the
articles of organization or by-laws of the Seller, or any material indenture,
agreement or other instrument to which the Seller is a party or by which it is
bound; (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon
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any of the Seller's properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture,
agreement or other instrument (other than any Lien that may be granted under the
Basic Documents or any Lien created pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, VIII); or (iii)
violate any existing law or any existing order, rule or regulation applicable to
the Seller of any court or of any federal or state regulatory body,
administrative agency or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction
over the Seller or its properties.
Section 3.06. NO PROCEEDINGS. Except as described under the caption
"Risk Factors - Bondholders could experience payment delays or losses as a
result of amendment, repeal or invalidation of the securitization statute,
breach of the state pledge or invalidation of the stranded cost recovery charge
- Appeal of settlement order" in the Prospectus, there are no proceedings
pending and, to the Seller's knowledge, there are no proceedings threatened and,
to the Seller's knowledge, there are no investigations pending or threatened,
before any court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or
other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over the Seller or its
properties involving or relating to the Seller or the Issuer or, to the Seller's
knowledge, any other Person: (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement, any
of the other Basic Documents, the Bonds, the Statute or the Finance Order, (ii)
seeking to prevent the issuance of the Bonds or the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Basic Documents,
(iii) seeking any determination or ruling that might materially and adversely
affect the performance by the Seller of its obligations under, or the validity
or enforceability of, this Agreement, any of the other Basic Documents or the
Bonds or (iv) seeking to adversely affect the federal or state income tax
classification of the Bonds as debt.
Section 3.07. APPROVALS. No approval, authorization, consent, order
or other action of, or filing with, any court, federal or state regulatory body,
administrative agency or other governmental instrumentality is required in
connection with the execution and delivery by the Seller of this Agreement, the
performance by the Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby or the
fulfillment by the Seller of the terms hereof, except those that have been
obtained or made and those that the Seller, in its capacity as Servicer under
the Servicing Agreement, is required to make in the future pursuant to the
Servicing Agreement and post closing filings required in connection therewith.
Section 3.08. THE RRB PROPERTY.
(a) TITLE. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the transfer
and assignment herein contemplated constitute a sale of the RRB Property from
the Seller to the Issuer and that no interest in, or title to, the RRB Property
shall be part of the Seller's estate in the event of the filing of a bankruptcy
petition by or against the Seller under any bankruptcy law. No portion of the
RRB Property has been sold, transferred, assigned or pledged by the Seller to
any Person other than the Issuer. On the Closing Date, immediately upon the sale
hereunder, the Seller has transferred, sold and conveyed the RRB Property to the
Issuer, free and clear of all Liens (including the Lien of the Seller's first
mortgage indenture but excluding any Lien created pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, VIII
and any Lien that may be granted under the Basic Documents), and pursuant to RSA
369-B:6, V such transfer shall be treated as an absolute transfer of all of the
Seller's right, title
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and interest (as in a true sale), and not as a pledge or other financing of, the
RRB Property.
(b) TRANSFER FILINGS. On the Closing Date, immediately upon the sale
hereunder, the RRB Property has been validly transferred and sold to the Issuer,
the Issuer shall own all such RRB Property free and clear of all Liens
(including the Lien of the Seller's first mortgage indenture but excluding any
Lien created pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, VIII and any Lien that may be granted
under the Basic Documents) and all filings to be made by the Seller (including
filings with the NHPUC under the Statute) necessary in any jurisdiction to give
the Issuer a valid first priority perfected ownership interest and to grant to
the Trustee a first priority perfect security interest (subject to any Lien
created pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, VIII and any Lien that may be granted under the
Basic Documents) in the RRB Property have been made. No further action is
required to maintain the Issuer's first priority perfected ownership interest or
the Trustee's first priority perfected security interest (subject to any Lien
created pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, VIII and any Lien that may be granted under the
Basic Documents). Filings have also been made to the extent required by
applicable law in any jurisdiction to perfect the Back-Up Security Interest
granted by the Seller to the Issuer (subject to any Lien created pursuant to RSA
369-B:7, VIII and any Lien that may be granted under the Basic Documents).
(c) FINANCE ORDER AND ISSUANCE ADVICE LETTER; OTHER APPROVALS. On the
Closing Date, under the laws of the State of New Hampshire and the United States
in effect on the Closing Date, (i) the Finance Order pursuant to which the RRB
Property has been created is in full force and effect; (ii) the Bondholders are
entitled to the protections of the Statute and, accordingly, the Finance Order
is not revocable by the Commission; (iii) the State of New Hampshire may neither
limit nor alter the RRB Charge, RRB Property, the Finance Order and all rights
thereunder, in a manner that would substantially impair the rights of
Bondholders, absent a demonstration that an impairment is narrowly-tailored and
is necessary to advance an important public interest, such as responding to a
"great public calamity," until the Bonds, together with accrued interest, are
fully met and discharged; provided that the State of New Hampshire is not
precluded from such limitation or alteration if and when adequate provision is
made by law for the protection of the Issuer, the Bondholders and the Trustee;
(iv) except for periodic adjustments to the RRB Charge required under the
Statute, the NHPUC does not have authority, either by rescinding, altering or
amending the Finance Order or otherwise, to revalue or revise for ratemaking
purposes the stranded costs or the costs of providing, recovering, financing or
refinancing the stranded costs, to determine that the RRB Charge is unjust or
unreasonable or in any way to reduce or impair the value of RRB Property either
directly or indirectly by taking the RRB Charge into account when setting other
rates for the Seller; nor are the amount of revenues arising with respect
thereto subject to reduction, impairment, postponement or termination; (v) the
process by which the Finance Order was adopted and approved, and the Finance
Order and Issuance Advice Letter themselves, comply with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations; (vi) the Issuance Advice Letter has been filed in
accordance with the Finance Order; (vii) no other approval, authorization,
consent, order or other action of, or filing with, any court, Federal or state
regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental
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instrumentality is required in connection with the creation or sale of the RRB
Property, except those that have been obtained or made and post closing filings
required in connection therewith and those that the Seller, in its capacity as
Servicer under the Servicing Agreement, is required to make in the future
pursuant to the Servicing Agreement; and (viii) the State of New Hampshire, in
the exercise of its executive or legislative powers, may not repeal or amend the
Statute or the Finance Order, or take any action in contravention of the pledge
by the State of New Hampshire in RSA 369-B:6, II, without paying just
compensation to the Bondholders, as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction, if this action would constitute a permanent appropriation of a
substantial property interest of Bondholders in the RRB Property and deprive the
Bondholders of their reasonable expectations arising from their investments in
the Bonds.
(d) ASSUMPTIONS. On the Closing Date, based upon the information
available to the Seller on the Closing Date, the assumptions used in calculating
the initial RRB Charge are reasonable and are made in good faith.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller makes no representation or warranty
that the assumptions used in calculating such RRB Charge will in fact be
realized.
(e) CREATION OF RRB PROPERTY. Upon the effectiveness of the Finance
Order and the Issuance Advice Letter: (i) all of the RRB Property constitutes an
existing property right; (ii) the RRB Property includes the right, title and
interest in and to all revenues, collections, claims, payments, money, or
proceeds of or arising from the RRB Charge, as adjusted from time to time
pursuant to the Finance Order, and all rights to obtain adjustments to the RRB
Charge pursuant to the Finance Order; and (iii) subject to the cap on the
Seller's "stranded cost recovery charge" set forth in the Statute and the
Finance Order, the owner of the RRB Property is legally entitled to collect
payments in respect of the RRB Charge in the aggregate sufficient to pay the
interest on and principal of the Bonds, to pay the fees and expenses of
servicing the Bonds, to replenish the Capital Subaccount to the Required Capital
Level and to fund the Overcollateralization Subaccount to the Required
Overcollateralization Level, to fund the Interest Reserve Subaccount to the
Required Interest Reserve Level and to enforce all other material rights
conferred in the Finance Order and the Statute until the earlier of 14 years
after "competition day" (as defined in the Statute) and the date on which the
Bonds are paid in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller makes no
representation or warranty that any amounts actually collected in respect of the
RRB Charge will in fact be sufficient to meet payment obligations with respect
to the Bonds (other than as provided in the Finance Order with respect to other
components of the "stranded cost recovery charge" (as defined in the Statute)).
(f) PROSPECTUS. As of the date hereof, the information describing the
Seller under the caption "The Seller and Servicer" in the Prospectus is correct
in all material respects.
Section 3.09. LIMITATIONS ON REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Seller will not be
in breach of any representation or warranty as a result of a change in law by
means of a legislative enactment or constitutional amendment or (if such means
become available in the future) referendum or initiative petition.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
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Agreement, the Seller makes no representation or warranty that any amounts
actually collected in respect of the RRB Charge will in fact be sufficient to
meet payment obligations with respect to the Bonds or that the assumptions used
in calculating the RRB Charge will in fact be realized nor shall the Seller be
obligated to reduce, or accept a reduction of, any rates or charges to which it
would otherwise be entitled in respect of services rendered or to be rendered to
customers in order to permit the payment of the RRB Charge (other than as
provided in the Finance Order with respect to other components of the "stranded
cost recovery charge" (as defined in the Statute)).
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS OF THE SELLER
Section 4.01. CORPORATE EXISTENCE. So long as any of the Bonds are
outstanding, the Seller (a) will keep in full force and effect its existence,
rights and franchises as a corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization and (b) will obtain and preserve its qualification to do business,
in each case to the extent that in each such jurisdiction such existence or
qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and
enforceability of this Agreement, the other Basic Documents to which the Seller
is a party and each other instrument or agreement necessary or appropriate to
the proper administration of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 4.02. NO LIENS. Except for the conveyances hereunder or any
Lien under RSA 369-B:7, VIII, the Seller will not sell, pledge, assign or
transfer, or grant, create, or incur any Lien on, any of the RRB Property, or
any interest therein, and the Seller shall defend the right, title and interest
of the Issuer and the Trustee in, to and under the RRB Property against all
claims of third parties claiming through or under the Seller. Public Service
Company of New Hampshire, in its capacity as Seller, will not at any time assert
any Lien against, or with respect to, any of the RRB Property.
Section 4.03. DELIVERY OF COLLECTIONS. If the Seller receives any
payments in respect of the RRB Charge or the proceeds thereof when it is not
acting as the Servicer, the Seller agrees to pay to the Servicer all payments
received by it in respect thereof as soon as practicable after receipt thereof
by it.
Section 4.04. NOTICE OF LIENS. The Seller shall notify the Issuer
and the Trustee promptly after becoming aware of any Lien on any of the RRB
Property, other than the conveyances hereunder, any Lien under the Basic
Documents or any Lien under RSA 369-B:7, VIII.
Section 4.05. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. The Seller hereby agrees to
comply with its organizational and governing documents and all laws, treaties,
rules, regulations and determinations of any governmental instrumentality
applicable to it, except to the extent that failure to so comply would not
adversely affect the Issuer's or the Trustee's interests in the RRB Property or
under any of the other Basic Documents to which the Seller is party or the
Seller's performance of its obligations hereunder or under any of the other
Basic Documents to which it is party.
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Section 4.06. COVENANTS RELATED TO BONDS AND RRB PROPERTY.
(a) So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall treat
the Bonds as debt of the Issuer and not of the Seller, except for financial
accounting or tax reporting purposes.
(b) So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall
indicate in its financial statements that it is not the owner of the RRB
Property and that the assets of the Issuer are not available to pay creditors of
the Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Issuer).
(c) So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall
disclose the effects of all transactions between the Seller and the Issuer in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(d) So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall not
own or purchase any Bonds.
(e) The Seller agrees that, upon the sale by the Seller of the RRB
Property to the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement, (i) to the fullest extent
permitted by law, including the Statute and applicable NHPUC Regulations, the
Issuer shall have all of the rights originally held by the Seller with respect
to the RRB Property, including the right (subject to the terms of the Servicing
Agreement) to exercise any and all rights and remedies to collect any amounts
payable by any customer or third party supplier in respect of the RRB Property,
notwithstanding any objection or direction to the contrary by the Seller and
(ii) any payment by any customer or third party supplier to the Issuer shall
discharge such customer's or third party supplier's obligations in respect of
the RRB Property to the extent of such payment, notwithstanding any objection or
direction to the contrary by the Seller.
(f) So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding, (i) (A) the Seller
shall affirmatively certify and confirm that it has sold the RRB Property to the
Issuer (other than for financial accounting or tax reporting purposes), and (B)
the Seller shall not make any statement or reference in respect of the RRB
Property that is inconsistent with the ownership thereof by the Issuer (other
than for financial accounting or tax reporting purposes), and (ii) the Seller
shall not take any action in respect of the RRB Property except solely in its
capacity as the Servicer thereof pursuant to the Servicing Agreement or as
otherwise contemplated by the Basic Documents.
Section 4.07. PROTECTION OF TITLE. The Seller shall execute and
file such filings, including filings with the NHPUC pursuant to the Statute and
Uniform Commercial Code filings, and cause to be executed and filed such
filings, all in such manner and in such places as may be required by law fully
to preserve, maintain and protect the ownership or security interest of the
Issuer and the Trustee in the RRB Property, including all filings required under
the Statute and the applicable Uniform Commercial Code relating to the transfer
of the ownership or security interest in the RRB Property by the Seller to the
Issuer and the granting of a security interest in the RRB Property by the Issuer
to the Trustee and the continued perfection of such ownership or security
interest. The Seller shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Issuer and
the Trustee file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any document filed
as provided above, as soon as available
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following such filing. The Seller shall institute any action or proceeding
necessary to compel performance by the NHPUC or the State of New Hampshire of
any of their obligations or duties under the Statute or the Finance Order, and
the Seller agrees to take such legal or administrative actions, including
defending against or instituting and pursuing legal actions and appearing or
testifying at hearings or similar proceedings, as may be reasonably necessary
(i) to protect the Issuer, the Bondholders, the Trustee, the State of New
Hampshire, the State Treasurer, agencies of the State of New Hampshire and any
of their respective affiliates, officials, officers, directors, employees,
consultants, counsel and agents from claims, state actions or other actions or
proceedings of third parties which, if successfully pursued, would result in a
breach of any representation set forth in Article III or (ii) to block or
overturn any attempts to cause a repeal of, modification of or supplement to the
Statute, the Finance Order, any Advice Letter (as defined in the Indenture), the
Settlement Agreement (as defined in the Finance Order) (to the extent it
adversely affects the rights of Bondholders or the validity or value of the RRB
Property) or the rights of Bondholders by executive action, legislative
enactment or constitutional amendment that would be adverse to the Issuer, the
Trustee or the Bondholders. If the Servicer performs its obligations under
Section 5.02(d) of the Servicing Agreement in all respects, such performance
shall be deemed to constitute performance of the Seller's obligations pursuant
to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence. In such event, the Seller
agrees to assist the Servicer as reasonably necessary to perform its obligations
under Section 5.02(d) of the Servicing Agreement in all respects. The costs of
any such actions or proceedings shall be payable from RRB Charge Collections as
an Operating Expense in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section
8.02(d) of the Indenture. The Seller's obligations pursuant to this Section 4.07
shall survive and continue notwithstanding the fact that the payment of
Operating Expenses pursuant to Section 8.02(d) of the Indenture may be delayed
(it being understood that the Seller may be required to advance its own funds to
satisfy its obligations hereunder).
Section 4.08. NONPETITION COVENANTS. Notwithstanding any prior
termination of this Agreement or the Indenture, but subject to the NHPUC's right
to order the sequestration and payment of revenues arising with respect to the
RRB Property notwithstanding any bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency
proceedings with respect to the Seller pursuant to RSA 369-B:7, V or RSA
369-B:7, VIII, the Seller shall not, prior to the date which is one year and one
day after the termination of the Indenture, petition or otherwise invoke or
cause the Issuer to invoke the process of any court or government authority for
the purpose of commencing or sustaining a case against the Issuer under any
Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official
of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, or ordering
the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Issuer.
Section 4.09. TAXES. So long as any of the Bonds are outstanding,
the Seller shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, pay all material
taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its
properties or assets or with respect to any of its franchises, business, income
or property before any penalty accrues thereon if the failure to pay any such
taxes, assessments and governmental charges would, after any
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applicable grace periods, notices or other similar requirements, result in a
lien on the RRB Property; provided that no such tax need be paid if the Seller
or one of its subsidiaries is contesting the same in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and if the Seller or
such subsidiary has established appropriate reserves as shall be required in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Section 4.10. ADDITIONAL SALES OF RRB PROPERTY. So long as any of
the Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall not sell any RRB property (as
defined in the Statute) to secure another issuance of rate reduction bonds (as
defined in the Statute) if it would cause the then existing ratings on any class
of Bonds from the Rating Agencies to be withdrawn or downgraded.
Section 4.11. ISSUANCE ADVICE LETTER. The Seller hereby agrees not
to withdraw the filing of the Issuance Advice Letter with the NHPUC.
Section 4.12. MAINTENANCE OF WORKING PAPERS. So long as any of the
Bonds are outstanding, the Seller shall keep and maintain any and all working
papers, reports and other documents used by the firm of Independent certified
public accountants in the preparation of its letters delivered on the Issuance
Date pursuant to Section 2.10(g) of the Indenture and Section 6(h) of the
Underwriting Agreement.
ARTICLE 5
THE SELLER
Section 5.01. LIABILITY OF SELLER; INDEMNITIES.
(a) The Seller shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the
extent of the obligations specifically undertaken by the Seller under this
Agreement.
(b) (i) In the event of a breach by the Seller of any representation
and warranty specified in Sections 3.08(c) or 3.08(e) that has a material
adverse effect on the Bondholders, the Seller shall repurchase the RRB Property
from the Issuer at a purchase price equal to the then outstanding principal
amount of the Bonds and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, excluding any
premium or penalty of any kind (the "REPURCHASE PRICE"), as of the Repurchase
Date; provided, however, that the Seller shall not be obligated to repurchase
the RRB Property if (A) within 90 days after the Date of Breach such breach is
cured or the Seller takes remedial action such that there is not and will not be
a material adverse effect on the Bondholders as a result of such breach and (B)
either (1) if the Seller had, immediately prior to the Date of Breach, a long
term debt rating of at least "A3" by Moody's and "BBB" or the equivalent by S&P
or Fitch, and the Seller enters into a binding agreement with the Issuer to pay
any amounts necessary so that all interest payments due on the Bonds during such
90-day period will be paid in full, or (2) if the Seller does not have such long
term debt ratings, the Seller deposits, within two Business Days after the Date
of Breach, an amount in escrow with the Trustee sufficient, taking into account
amounts on deposit in the Collection Account which will be available for such
purpose, to pay all interest payments which will become due on the Bonds during
such 90-day period.
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(ii) In the event of a breach by the Seller of any representation
and warranty specified in Sections 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.08(a) or
3.08(b) that has a material adverse effect on the Bondholders, if within 90 days
after the Date of Breach such breach has not been cured or the Seller has not
taken remedial action such that there is not and will not be a material adverse
effect on the Bondholders as a result of such breach, then the Seller shall
repurchase the RRB Property from the Issuer for the Repurchase Price on the
Repurchase Date.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, upon
the payment by the Seller of the Repurchase Price pursuant to this Section
5.01(b), neither the Issuer nor any other Person shall have any other claims,
rights or remedies against the Seller under, arising from or with respect to
this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.01(h).
(c) Subject to Section 5.01(i), the Seller shall indemnify the Issuer,
the Trustee, the State of New Hampshire, the State Treasurer, agencies of the
State of New Hampshire and the Bondholders (each an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" for
purposes of this Section 5.01(c) and Section 5.01(i)) for, and defend and hold
harmless each such Indemnified Person from and against, any and all taxes (other
than taxes imposed on Bondholders solely as a result of their ownership of
Bonds) that may at any time be imposed on or asserted against any such Person
under existing law as of the Closing Date as a result of the sale of the RRB
Property to the Issuer, including any sales, gross receipts, general
corporation, tangible personal property, privilege or license taxes; provided,
however, that the Bondholders shall be entitled to enforce their rights against
the Seller under this Section 5.01(c) solely through a cause of action brought
for their benefit by the Trustee.
(d) Subject to Section 5.01(i), the Seller shall indemnify the Issuer,
the Trustee, the State of New Hampshire, the State Treasurer, agencies of the
State of New Hampshire and the Bondholders (each an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" for
purposes of this Section 5.01(d) and Section 5.01(i)) for, and defend and hold
harmless each such Indemnified Person from and against, any and all taxes that
may be imposed on or asserted against any such Indemnified Person under existing
law as of the Closing Date as a result of the issuance and sale by the Issuer of
the Bonds, or the other transactions contemplated herein, including any sales,
gross receipts, general corporation, tangible personal property, privilege or
license taxes; provided, however, that the Bondholders shall be entitled to
enforce their rights against the Seller under this Section 5.01(d) solely
through a cause of action brought for their benefit by the Trustee. The Seller
shall be reimbursed for any payments under this Section 5.01(d) from RRB Charge
Collections as an Operating Expense in accordance with the priorities set forth
in Section 8.02(d) of the Indenture.
(e) Subject to Section 5.01(i), the Seller shall indemnify the Issuer
and the Bondholders (each an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" for purposes of this Section
5.01(e) and Section 5.01(i)) for, and defend and hold harmless each such Person
from and against, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, actions, suits,
claims, damages, payments, costs or expenses of any kind whatsoever
(collectively, "LOSSES") that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
each such Indemnified Person as a result of (i) the Seller's
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willful misconduct or negligence in the performance of its duties or observance
of its covenants under this Agreement, or (ii) the Seller's breach in any
material respect of any of its representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement (other than the representations and warranties specified in Sections
3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.08(a), 3.08(b), 3.08(c) or 3.08(e), the breach
of which are subject to the repurchase obligation set forth in Section 5.01(b)),
except in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) to the extent of Losses either
resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified
Person or resulting from a breach of a representation and warranty made by such
Indemnified Person in any of the Basic Documents that gives rise to the Seller's
breach; provided, however, that the Bondholders shall be entitled to enforce
their rights against the Seller under this indemnification solely through a
cause of action brought for their benefit by the Trustee; provided, further,
that the Seller may, at its election and in full satisfaction of its obligations
under this Section 5.01(e), repurchase the RRB Property at the Repurchase Price,
in which case neither the Issuer nor any other Person shall have any other
claims, rights or remedies against the Seller under, arising from or with
respect to this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.01(h).
(f) Indemnification under Sections 5.01(c), 5.01(d), 5.01(e) and
5.01(h) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the
termination of this Agreement and shall include reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of investigation and litigation (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses), except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
(g) Without prejudice to any of the other rights of the parties, the
Seller will not be in breach of any representation or warranty as a result of a
change in law by means of a legislative enactment or constitutional amendment or
(if such means become available in the future) referendum or initiative
petition. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Seller
makes no representation or warranty that any amounts actually collected in
respect of the RRB Charge will in fact be sufficient to meet payment obligations
with respect to the Bonds or that the assumptions used in calculating the RRB
Charge will in fact be realized nor shall the Seller be obligated to reduce, or
accept a reduction of, any rates or charges to which it would otherwise be
entitled in respect of services rendered or to be rendered to customers in order
to permit the payment of the RRB Charge (other than as provided in the Finance
Order with respect to other components of the "stranded cost recovery charge"
(as defined in the Statute)).
(h) Subject to Section 5.01(i), the Seller shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Trustee, the State of New Hampshire, the State Treasurer, agencies
of the State of New Hampshire and any of their respective affiliates, officials,
officers, directors, employees, consultants, counsel and agents (each an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" for purposes of this Section 5.01(h) and Section 5.01(i))
against any and all Losses incurred by any of such Indemnified Persons as a
result of (i) the Seller's willful misconduct or negligence in the performance
of its duties or observance of its covenants under this Agreement or (ii) the
Seller's breach in any material respect of any of its representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement, except in the case of both clauses (i)
and (ii) to the extent of Losses either resulting from the willful misconduct or
gross negligence of such Indemnified Person or resulting from a breach of a
representation or warranty made
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by such Indemnified Person in any of the Basic Documents that gives rise to the
Seller's breach.
(i) The Seller shall not be required to indemnify any Indemnified
Person under Sections 5.01(c), 5.01(d), 5.01(e) or 5.01(h) for any amount paid
or payable by such Indemnified Person in the settlement of any action,
proceeding or investigation without the written consent of the Seller, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Promptly after receipt by an
Indemnified Person of notice of its involvement in any action, proceeding or
investigation, such Indemnified Person shall, if a claim for indemnification in
respect thereof is to be made against the Seller under this Section 5.01, notify
the Seller in writing of such involvement. Failure by an Indemnified Person to
so notify the Seller shall relieve the Seller from the obligation to indemnify
and hold harmless such Indemnified Person under this Section 5.01 only to the
extent that the Seller suffers actual prejudice as a result of such failure.
With respect to any action, proceeding or investigation brought by a third party
for which indemnification may be sought under this Section 5.01, the Seller
shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such action, proceeding or
investigation. Upon assumption by the Seller of the defense of any such action,
proceeding or investigation, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to
participate in such action or proceeding and to retain its own counsel. The
Seller shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Seller's choice at the
Seller's expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action, proceeding
or investigation for which a claim of indemnification is made against the Seller
under this Section 5.01 (in which case the Seller shall not thereafter be
responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the
Indemnified Person except as set forth below); provided, however, that such
counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person.
Notwithstanding the Seller's election to appoint counsel to represent the
Indemnified Person in an action, proceeding or investigation, the Indemnified
Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local
counsel), and the Seller shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of
such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Seller to
represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of
interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such
action include both the Indemnified Person and the Seller and the Indemnified
Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses
available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the
Seller, (iii) the Seller shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a
reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the
Seller shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Seller. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller shall not be
obligated to pay for the fees, costs and expenses of more than one separate
counsel for the Indemnified Persons (in addition to local counsel). The Seller
will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending
or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
indemnification may be sought under this Section 5.01 (whether or not the
Indemnified Person is an actual or potential party to such claim or action)
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release
of the Indemnified Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action,
suit or proceeding.
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(j) The remedies of the Issuer and the Bondholders provided in this
Agreement are each such Person's sole and exclusive remedies against the Seller
for breach of its representations and warranties in this Agreement.
Section 5.02. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF, OR ASSUMPTION OF THE
OBLIGATIONS OF, SELLER. Any Person (a) into which the Seller may be merged or
consolidated, (b) that may result from any merger or consolidation to which the
Seller shall be a party or (c) that may succeed to the properties and assets of
the Seller substantially as a whole, which Person in the case described in the
foregoing clause (c) executes an agreement of assumption to perform every
obligation of the Seller hereunder, shall be the successor to the Seller under
this Agreement without further act on the part of any of the parties to this
Agreement; provided, however, that (i) if the Seller is the Servicer, no
Servicer Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both,
would become a Servicer Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) the
Seller shall have delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate stating that such consolidation, merger or succession and such
agreement of assumption comply with this Section and that all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement relating to such transaction
have been complied with, (iii) the Seller shall have delivered to the Issuer and
the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel
(A) such consolidation, merger or succession and such agreement of assumption
comply with this Section and that all conditions precedent provided for in this
Agreement relating to such transaction have been complied and (B) either (1) all
filings to be made by the Seller, including filings with the NHPUC pursuant to
the Statute and filings under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code, have been
executed and filed that are necessary to preserve and protect fully the
interests of the Issuer and the Trustee in the RRB Property and reciting the
details of such filings or (2) no such action shall be necessary to preserve and
protect such interests and (iv) the Rating Agencies shall have received prior
written notice of such transaction. When any Person acquires the properties and
assets of the Seller substantially as a whole and becomes the successor to the
Seller in accordance with the terms of this Section 5.02 and execution by such
successor of an agreement of assumption to perform every obligation of the
Seller hereunder, then upon satisfaction of all of the other conditions of this
Section 5.02, the Seller shall automatically and without further notice be
released from all of its obligations hereunder.
Section 5.03. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF SELLER AND OTHERS. The
Seller and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Seller may rely in
good faith on the advice of counsel or on any document of any kind, prima facie
properly executed and submitted by any Person, respecting any matters arising
hereunder.
ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 6.01. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the
Seller and the Issuer, with ten Business Days' prior written notice given to the
Rating Agencies and the prior written consent of the Trustee, but without the
consent of any of the Bondholders, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or
supplement any provisions in this Agreement or for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or
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eliminating any of the provisions in this Agreement or of modifying in any
manner the rights of the Bondholders; provided, however, that such action shall
not, as evidenced by an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Issuer and the
Trustee, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any
Bondholder.
This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Seller and
the Issuer, with ten Business Days' prior written notice given to the Rating
Agencies and the prior written consent of the Trustee and the prior written
consent of the Holders of Bonds evidencing not less than a majority of the
Outstanding Amount of the Bonds affected thereby, for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Bondholders.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of Bondholders pursuant to
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or
consent, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance
thereof.
Prior to the execution of any amendment to this Agreement, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and rely upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.
The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment
which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this
Agreement or otherwise.
Section 6.02. NOTICES. Unless otherwise specifically provided
herein, all notices, directions, consents and waivers required under the terms
and provisions of this Agreement shall be in English and in writing, and any
such notice, direction, consent or waiver may be given by United States mail,
courier service, facsimile transmission or electronic mail (confirmed by
telephone, United States mail or courier service in the case of notice by
facsimile transmission or electronic mail) or any other customary means of
communication, and any such notice, direction, consent or waiver shall be
effective when delivered, or if mailed, three days after deposit in the United
States mail with proper postage for ordinary mail prepaid:
(a) if to the Seller, to
0000 Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
E-Mail: xxxxxxx@xx.xxx (email)
with a copy to:
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
c/o Northeast Utilities Service Company
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if by U.S. Mail:
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
if by courier:
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Assistant Treasurer - Finance
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
E-Mail: xxxxxxx@xx.xxx
(b) if to the Issuer, to
PSNH Funding LLC
c/o Public Service Company of New Hampshire
0000 Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
E-Mail: xxxxxxx@xx.xxx (email)
with a copy to:
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
c/o Northeast Utilities Service Company
if by U.S. Mail:
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
if by courier:
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Assistant Treasurer - Finance
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
E-Mail: xxxxxxx@xx.xxx
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(c) if to the Trustee, to
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 00 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: ABS Unit
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
(d) if to Moody's, to
Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: ABS Monitoring Department
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
(e) if to S&P, to
Standard & Poor's
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Asset Backed Surveillance Department
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
(f) if to Fitch, to
Fitch, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: ABS Surveillance
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
(g) as to each of the foregoing, at such other address as shall
be designated by written notice to the other parties.
Section 6.03. ASSIGNMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, except as provided in Section 5.02, this Agreement may not be
assigned by the Seller.
Section 6.04. LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES. The
provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Seller, the
Issuer, the Bondholders, the Trustee, the State of New Hampshire, the State
Treasurer, agencies of the State of New Hampshire and the other Persons
expressly referred to herein, and such Persons shall have the right to enforce
the relevant provisions of this Agreement, except that the Bondholders shall be
entitled to enforce their rights against the Seller under this Agreement solely
through a cause of action brought for their benefit by the Trustee. Nothing in
this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give to any
other Person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim in the RRB Property
or under
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or in respect of this Agreement or any covenants, conditions or provisions
contained herein.
Section 6.05. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 6.06. SEPARATE COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed
by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 6.07. HEADINGS. The headings of the various Articles and
Sections herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not define or
limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 6.08. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire, without reference to its
conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the
parties hereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws.
Section 6.09. ASSIGNMENT TO TRUSTEE. The Seller hereby acknowledges
and consents to any mortgage, pledge, assignment and grant of a security
interest by the Issuer to the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture for the benefit
of the Bondholders of all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and
under the RRB Property and the proceeds thereof and the mortgage, pledge,
assignment of, and grant of a security interest by the Issuer to the Trustee in,
any or all of the Issuer's rights and obligations hereunder to the Trustee.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Purchase and
Sale Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day
and year first above written.
PSNH FUNDING LLC,
Issuer
By:
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
Seller
By:
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Assistant Treasurer - Finance
S-1
