EXHIBIT 10.1
Execution Copy
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TRANSITION PROPERTY PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
between
SCE FUNDING LLC
Note Issuer
and
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
Seller
Dated as of December 11, 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS.......................................................................... 1
Section 1.01. Definitions............................................................. 1
Section 1.02. Other Definitional Provisions........................................... 4
ARTICLE II. Conveyance of Transition Property................................................... 5
Section 2.01. Conveyance of Transition Property....................................... 5
ARTICLE III. Representations and Warranties of Seller........................................... 5
Section 3.01. Organization and Good Standing.......................................... 5
Section 3.02. Due Qualification....................................................... 5
Section 3.03. Power and Authority..................................................... 6
Section 3.04. Binding Obligation...................................................... 6
Section 3.05. No Violation............................................................ 6
Section 3.06. No Proceedings.......................................................... 6
Section 3.07. Approvals............................................................... 7
Section 3.08. The Transition Property................................................. 7
(a) Information............................................................. 7
(b) Title................................................................... 7
(c) Transfer Filings........................................................ 8
(d) Financing Order and Issuance Advice Letters; Other Approvals............ 8
(e) Assumptions............................................................. 9
(f) Creation of Transition Property......................................... 9
Section 3.09. Outstanding Indenture................................................... 9
ARTICLE IV. Covenants of the Seller............................................................. 9
Section 4.01. Corporate Existence..................................................... 9
Section 4.02. No Liens................................................................ 10
Section 4.03. Delivery of Collections................................................. 10
Section 4.04. Notice of Liens......................................................... 10
Section 4.05. Compliance with Law..................................................... 10
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Section 4.06. Covenants Related to Transition Property................................ 10
Section 4.07. Protection of Title..................................................... 11
Section 4.08. Nonpetition Covenants................................................... 11
Section 4.09. Taxes................................................................... 12
ARTICLE V. The Seller........................................................................... 12
Section 5.01. Liability of Seller; Indemnities........................................ 12
Section 5.02. Merger or Consolidation of, or Assumption of the Obligations of, Seller. 14
Section 5.03. Limitation on Liability of Seller and Others............................ 15
ARTICLE VI. Miscellaneous Provisions............................................................ 15
Section 6.01. Amendment............................................................... 15
Section 6.02. Notices................................................................. 16
Section 6.03. Assignment.............................................................. 17
Section 6.04. Limitations on Rights of Others......................................... 17
Section 6.05. Severability............................................................ 17
Section 6.06. Separate Counterparts................................................... 17
Section 6.07. Headings................................................................ 17
Section 6.08. Governing Law........................................................... 18
Section 6.09. Assignment to Note Trustee.............................................. 18
Section 6.10. Limitation of Liability................................................. 18
Schedules
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Schedule 3.06 Proceedings
ii
TRANSITION PROPERTY PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT dated as of December 11, 1997, between SCE
FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
"Note Issuer"), and SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY,
a California corporation, as Seller (the "Seller").
WHEREAS the Note Issuer desires to purchase the Transition Property
created pursuant to the PU Code, the Financing Order and the Issuance Advice
Letter; and
WHEREAS the Seller is willing to sell such Transition Property to the
Note Issuer.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
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Section 1.01. Definitions. Whenever used in this Agreement, the
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following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
"Agreement" means this Transition Property Purchase and Sale
Agreement, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.
"Certificates" means the Series of Certificates issued under the Trust
Agreement whose Series Issuance Date is the date of this Agreement.
"Certificate Trustee" means the Person acting as certificate trustee
under the Trust Agreement.
"CPUC" means the California Public Utilities Commission or any
successor in interest.
"CPUC Regulations" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
Servicing Agreement.
"Customers" means existing and future Residential Customers and Small
Commercial Customers.
"Date of Breach" means, with respect to the repurchase obligation
specified in Section 5.01(b), the date of breach of a representation and
warranty that triggers such repurchase obligation.
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"Delaware Trustee" means the Person acting as Delaware trustee under
the Trust Agreement.
"Financing Order" means the order of the CPUC, Decision 00-00-000,
issued as of as of September 3, 1997, which became effective on October 9, 1997.
"FTA Charges" means the charges permitted to be levied upon the
Customers pursuant to the Financing Order.
"IED Bank Issuance Resolution" means Resolution No. B97-19 adopted by
the Infrastructure Bank on November 10, 1997.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of December 11, 1997, between
the Note Issuer and the Note Trustee, as the same may be amended and
supplemented from time to time.
"Infrastructure Bank" means the California Infrastructure and Economic
Development Bank or any successor in interest.
"Insolvency Event" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) the
filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises in respect of such Person or any substantial part of its property in an
involuntary case under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for
such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the
winding-up or liquidation of such Person's affairs, and such decree or order
shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or (b)
the commencement by such Person of a voluntary case under any applicable Federal
or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
or the consent by such Person to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by such Person to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such Person or for any
substantial part of its property, or the making by such Person of any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by such Person generally
to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of action by such
Person in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
"Issuance Advice Letter" means Advice 1272-E, dated December 4, 1997,
filed with the CPUC by the Seller pursuant to the Financing Order.
"Lien" means a security interest, lien, charge, pledge, equity or
encumbrance of any kind.
"Losses" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.01(e).
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"Note Issuer" has the meaning set forth in the heading of this
Agreement.
"Notes" means the Series of Notes issued under the Indenture whose
Series Issuance Date is the date of this Agreement.
"Note Trustee" means the Person acting as trustee under the Indenture.
"Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the chairman of
the board, the president, the vice chairman of the board, any vice president,
the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary or any assistant
secretary of the Seller.
"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 acceptable to the party receiving such opinion of
counsel.
"PU Code" means the California Public Utilities Code, as amended from
time to time.
"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)(ii) are applicable, two Business Days after the Date of Breach if
the Seller fails to make the deposit required by such Section or 90 days after
the Date of Breach if the Seller makes the deposit required by such Section,
(ii) if the terms of Section 5.01(b)(ii) are applicable, 30 days after the
Seller receives written notice from the Note Trustee or the Certificate Trustee
or otherwise becomes aware of such breach and (iii) if the terms of Section
5.01(b)(i)(A) and Section 5.01(b)(i)(B)(i) are applicable, 90 days after the
Date of Breach.
"Repurchase Price" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(b)(i).
"Residential Customers" means the existing and future residential
consumers of electricity, as identified in the Financing Order, located in the
service territory in which the Seller provided electricity services as of
December 20, 1995.
"Seller" means Southern California Edison Company and its successors
in interest to the extent permitted hereunder.
"Seller Mortgage" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.05.
"Servicer Default" means an event specified in Section 7.01 of the
Servicing Agreement.
"Servicing Agreement" means that certain Transition Property Servicing
Agreement dated as of the date hereof between Southern California Edison
Company, as Servicer, and the Note Issuer, as amended and supplemented from time
to time.
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"Small Commercial Customers" means the existing and future small
commercial consumers of electricity, as identified in the Financing Order,
located in the service territory in which the Seller provided electricity
services as of December 20, 1995.
"Statute" means Chapter 854, California Statutes of 1996_and Chapter
275, California Statutes of 1997, as further amended from time to time.
"STO" means the California State Treasurer's Office, as agent for sale
for the Certificates.
"Transition Costs" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section
840(f) of the PU Code.
"Transition Property" means the "Transition Property" contemplated by
the Financing Order and specifically described in the Issuance Advice Letter.
"Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Declaration and
Agreement of Trust dated as of December 11, 1997, among the Infrastructure Bank,
the Delaware Trustee and the Certificate Trustee, as the same may be further
amended and supplemented from time to time.
Section 1.02. Other Definitional Provisions.
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(a) Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(b) 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.
(c) 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".
(d) The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the
singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well
as to the feminine and neuter forms of such terms.
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ARTICLE II.
Conveyance of Transition Property
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Section 2.01. Conveyance of Transition Property. In consideration of
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the Note Issuer's delivery to or upon the order of the Seller of
$2,443,709,922.82, the Seller does hereby irrevocably sell, transfer, assign,
set over and otherwise convey to the Note Issuer, without recourse (subject to
the obligations herein), all right, title and interest of the Seller in and to
the Transition Property (such sale, transfer, assignment, set over and
conveyance of the Transition Property includes, to the fullest extent permitted
by the Statute, the assignment of all revenues, collections, claims, rights,
payments, money or proceeds of or arising from the FTA Charges pursuant to the
Financing Order and the Issuance Advice Letter). Such sale, transfer,
assignment, set over and conveyance is hereby expressly stated to be a sale and,
pursuant to Section 844(a) of the PU Code, shall be treated as an absolute
transfer of all of the Seller's right, title and interest (as in a true sale),
and not as a pledge or other financing, of the Transition Property. This is the
statement referred to in Section 844(a) of the PU Code. If such sale, transfer,
assignment, set over and conveyance is held not to be a true sale as
contemplated by Section 844(a) of the PU Code, then such sale, transfer,
assignment, set over and conveyance shall be treated as a pledge of the
Transition Property and the Seller shall be deemed to have granted a security
interest to the Note Issuer in the Transition Property. The Seller takes the
position that it has no rights in the Transition Property to which such a
security interest could attach because it has sold all rights in the Transition
Property to the Note Issuer pursuant to Section 844(a) of the PU Code.
ARTICLE III.
Representations and Warranties of Seller
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The Seller makes the following representations and warranties, as of
the Closing Date, on which the Note Issuer has relied in acquiring the
Transition Property. The representations and warranties shall survive the sale
of the Transition Property to the Note Issuer and the pledge thereof to the Note
Trustee pursuant to the Indenture.
Section 3.01. Organization and Good Standing. The Seller is duly
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organized and validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws
of the State of California, with the power and authority to own its properties
and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such
business is presently conducted, and had at all relevant times, and has, the
requisite power, authority and legal right to own the Transition Property.
Section 3.02. Due Qualification. The Seller is duly qualified to do
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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
would
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not be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Seller's
business, operations, assets, revenues, properties or prospects).
Section 3.03. Power and Authority. The Seller has the requisite
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power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to carry out its
terms; the Seller has full power and authority to sell and assign the
Transition Property to be sold and assigned to the Note Issuer and the Seller
has duly authorized such sale and assignment to the Note Issuer by all necessary
corporate action; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
has been duly authorized by the Seller by all necessary corporate action.
Section 3.04. Binding Obligation. This Agreement constitutes a
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legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller enforceable in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally from time to time in effect and to 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.
Section 3.05. No Violation. After giving effect to the release of
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the lien of the Trust Indenture dated as of October 1, 0000, xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Edison Company and Xxxxxx Trust and Savings Bank and Pacific-
Southwest Trust and Savings Bank (X.X. Xxxxxxx, successor trustee), as trustees,
as amended and supplemented (the "Seller Mortgage"), on the Transition Property,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
fulfillment of the terms hereof do not conflict with, 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 incorporation or bylaws of the
Seller, or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Seller is a
party or by which it shall be bound; nor result in the creation or imposition of
any Lien upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture,
agreement or other instrument; nor violate any law or any 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 set forth on Schedule 3.06,
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there are no proceedings or investigations pending or, to the Seller's
knowledge, 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
Note Issuer or, to the Seller's knowledge, any other Person: (i) asserting the
invalidity of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Trust Agreement or any of the
other Basic Documents or the Notes or the Certificates, (ii) seeking to prevent
the issuance of the Notes or the Certificates or the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Indenture, the Trust 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, the
Indenture, the Trust Agreement, any of
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the other Basic Documents or the Notes or the Certificates or (iv) which might
adversely affect the Federal or state income tax attributes of the Notes or the
Certificates.
Section 3.07. Approvals. No approval, authorization, consent, order
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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 Article
IV of the Servicing Agreement.
Section 3.08. The Transition Property. (a) Information. At the
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Closing Date, all information provided by the Seller to the Note Issuer with
respect to the Transition Property (including the Expected Amortization
Schedule, the Financing Order and the Issuance Advice Letter) is correct in all
material respects.
(b) Title. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the transfer
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and assignment herein contemplated constitute a sale of the Transition Property
from the Seller to the Note Issuer and that the beneficial interest in and title
to the Transition Property not be part of the debtor'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 Transition Property has been sold,
transferred, assigned or pledged by the Seller to any Person other than the Note
Issuer. At the Closing Date immediately prior to the sale hereunder and after
giving effect to the release of the lien of the Seller Mortgage, the Seller owns
the Transition Property, free and clear of all Liens and rights of others, no
offsets, defenses or counterclaims exist or have been asserted with respect
thereto and Southern California Edison Company, in its capacity as Seller or
Servicer, will not at any time assert any Lien against or with respect to any of
the Transition Property.
(c) Transfer Filings. At the Closing Date, the Transition Property
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has been validly transferred and sold to the Note Issuer, the Note Issuer shall
own all such Transition Property, free and clear of all Liens and rights of
others, except for any statutory lien in favor of the holders of the rate
reduction bonds issued pursuant to the Financing Order and the trustee or the
representative for such holders pursuant to Section 843(g) of the PU Code; and
all filings to be made by the Seller (including filings with the CPUC under the
PU Code) necessary in any jurisdiction to give the Note Issuer a first priority
perfected ownership or security interest in the Transition Property have been
made (subject to any statutory lien in favor of the holders of the rate
reduction bonds issued pursuant to the Financing Order and the trustee or the
representative for such holders pursuant to Section 843(g) of the PU Code). No
further action, other than any filings required by Sections 9-403(2)-(3), 9-306,
9-402(7) and 9-103 of the Uniform Commercial Code and Sections 843 and 844 of
the PU Code, is required to maintain such first priority perfected ownership or
security interest (subject to any statutory lien in favor of the holders of
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the rate reduction bonds issued pursuant to the Financing Order and the trustee
or the representative for such holders pursuant to Section 843(g) of the PU
Code).
(d) Financing Order and Issuance Advice Letters; Other Approvals. At
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the Closing Date, under the laws of the State of California and the United
States in effect on the Closing Date, (i) the Financing Order and the Issuance
Advice Letter pursuant to which the Transition Property has been created have
been duly authorized and adopted by the CPUC and are in full force and effect;
(ii) as of the issuance of the Certificates, the Certificates are entitled to
the protections provided in the first sentence and the penultimate sentence of
Section 841(c) and the first sentence of Section 842(d) of the PU Code and,
accordingly, the Financing Order and the Issuance Advice Letter are not
revocable by the CPUC; (iii) none of the State of California, the CPUC or the
Infrastructure Bank may revoke, limit, alter or modify the Transition Property,
the Financing Order or the Advice Letters relating thereto, and all rights
thereunder, in a manner adversely affecting the Noteholders or the
Certificateholders, other than a temporary impairment described in the following
sentence, until the Certificates, together with interest thereon, are fully
discharged, unless adequate provision shall be made by law for the protection of
the Note Issuer, the Trust and the Certificateholders; (iv) the process by which
the Financing Order and the IED Bank Issuance Resolution were adopted and
approved and the Issuance Advice Letter was filed, and the Financing Order, the
Issuance Advice Letter and the IED Bank Issuance Resolution themselves, comply
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and, prior to the discharge in
full of the Certificates unless adequate provision shall be made by law for the
protection of the Note Issuer, the Trust and the Certificateholders, no court or
other administrative body can order the revocation, alteration, limitation or
other impairment of the Financing Order, the Issuance Advice Letter, the IED
Bank Issuance Resolution, the Transition Property or the FTA Charges or any
rights arising under any of them or enjoin the performance of any obligations
thereunder; and (v) 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 instrumentality is required in
connection with the creation of the Transition Property, except those that have
been obtained or made. For purposes of clause (d)(iii) above, a "temporary
impairment" shall mean a breach by the State of California of its pledge
contained in Section 841(c) of the PU Code effecting a temporary impairment of
the Certificateholders' rights which under current law would be permitted if it
can be shown to be necessary to advance an important public interest; such a
public interest may arise in connection with a great public calamity, which
might, for example, include economic upheaval or natural disasters.
(e) Assumptions. At the Closing Date, the assumptions used in
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calculating the FTA Charges related to the Transition Property are reasonable
and made in good faith.
(f) Creation of Transition Property. Upon the effectiveness of the
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Issuance Advice Letter: (i) all of the Transition Property constitutes a current
property right; (ii) the Transition Property includes, without limitation, (A)
the right, title and interest in and to the FTA Charges, as adjusted from time
to time, (B) the right to be paid the total amounts set forth in the
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Issuance Advice Letter, (C) the right, title and interest in and to all
revenues, collections, claims, payments, money, or proceeds of or arising from
the FTA Charges set forth in the Issuance Advice Letter, and (D) all rights to
obtain adjustments to the FTA Charges pursuant to the Financing Order; and (iii)
the holders of the Transition Property are entitled to recover the Transition
Costs described in the Financing Order or the Issuance Advice Letter in the
aggregate amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes and the
Certificates, all interest thereon, the Overcollateralization Amount (as such
term is defined in the Servicing Agreement) relating to the Notes and all
related fees, costs and expenses in respect of the Notes and the Certificates
until they have been paid in full.
Section 3.09. Outstanding Indenture. On or prior to the Closing Date,
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the Lien of the Seller Mortgage on the Transition Property shall have been
released.
ARTICLE IV.
Covenants of the Seller
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Section 4.01. Corporate Existence. So long as any of the Notes are
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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
incorporation 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 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
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statutory lien under Section 843(g) of the PU Code, the Seller will not sell,
pledge, assign or transfer to any other Person, or grant, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien on, any of the Transition Property, or any interest
therein, and the Seller shall defend the right, title and interest of the Note
Issuer and the Note Trustee in, to and under the Transition Property, against
all claims of third parties claiming through or under the Seller.
Section 4.03. Delivery of Collections. If the Seller receives
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collections in respect of the FTA Charges or the proceeds thereof, the Seller
agrees to pay the Servicer all payments received by the Seller in respect
thereof as soon as practicable after receipt thereof by the Seller, but in no
event later than two Business Days after such receipt.
Section 4.04. Notice of Liens. The Seller shall notify the Note Issuer
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and the Note Trustee promptly after becoming aware of any Lien on any of the
Transition Property other than the conveyances hereunder or under the Indenture
or any statutory lien under Section 843(g) of the PU Code.
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Section 4.05. Compliance with Law. The Seller hereby agrees to comply
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with its organizational or governing documents and all laws, treaties, rules,
regulations and determinations of any governmental instrumentality applicable to
the Seller, except to the extent that failure to so comply would not adversely
affect the Note Issuer's or the Note Trustee's interests in the Transition
Property or under any of the Basic Documents or the Seller's performance of its
obligations hereunder or under any of the other Basic Documents to which it is
party.
Section 4.06. Covenants Related to Transition Property.
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(a) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Seller shall
treat the Notes as debt of the Note Issuer for all purposes.
(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Seller shall
indicate in its financial statements that it is not the owner of the Transition
Property.
(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Seller shall not
own or purchase any Notes or Certificates.
(d) The Seller agrees that upon the sale by the Seller of the
Transition Property to the Note Issuer pursuant to this Agreement, (i) to the
fullest extent permitted by law, including applicable CPUC Regulations, the Note
Issuer shall have all of the rights originally held by the Seller with respect
to such Transition Property, including the right to exercise any and all rights
and remedies to collect any amounts payable by any Customer in respect of such
Transition Property, notwithstanding any objection or direction to the contrary
by the Seller and (ii) any payment by any Customer to the Note Issuer shall
discharge such Customer's obligations in respect of such Transition Property to
the extent of such payment, notwithstanding any objection or direction to the
contrary by the Seller.
(e) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, (i) the Seller shall
not make any statement or reference in respect of the Transition Property that
is inconsistent with the ownership interest of the Note Issuer, and (ii) the
Seller shall not take any action in respect of the Transition 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
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such filings, including filings with the CPUC pursuant to the PU Code, 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 interests of
the Note Issuer in the Transition Property, including all filings required under
the Statute relating to the transfer of the ownership or security interest in
the Transition Property by the Seller to the Note Issuer. The Seller shall
deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Note Issuer file-stamped copies of, or
filing receipts for, any document filed as provided above, as soon as available
following such filing. The Seller shall institute any action
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or proceeding necessary to compel performance by the CPUC or the State of
California of any of their obligations or duties under the PU Code, the
Financing Order or the Issuance Advice Letter, 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 to protect the Note Issuer and the
Certificateholders 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. The costs of any such actions or
proceedings will be payable by the Seller.
Section 4.08. Nonpetition Covenants. Notwithstanding any prior
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termination of this Agreement or the Indenture, but subject to the CPUC's right
to order the sequestration and payment of revenues arising with respect to the
Transition Property notwithstanding any bankruptcy, reorganization or other
insolvency proceedings with respect to the debtor, pledgor or transferor of the
Transition Property pursuant to Section 843(e) and (g) of the PU Code, the
Seller shall not, prior to the date which is one year and one day after the
termination of the Indenture, acquiesce, petition or otherwise invoke or cause
the Note Issuer or the Trust to invoke the process of any court or government
authority for the purpose of commencing or sustaining a case against the Note
Issuer or the Trust under any Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
law or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator or other similar official of the Note Issuer or the Trust or any
substantial part of the property of the Note Issuer or the Trust, or ordering
the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Note Issuer or the Trust.
Section 4.09. Taxes. So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the
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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 applicable grace
periods, notices or other similar requirements, result in a lien on the
Transition 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.
ARTICLE V.
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 the
Agreement.
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(b) (i) In the event of a breach by the Seller of any
representation and warranty specified in Sections 3.08(d) or 3.08(f) that
has a material adverse effect on the Certificateholders, the Seller shall
repurchase the Transition Property from the Note Issuer at a purchase price
(the "Repurchase Price") equal to the then outstanding principal amount of
the Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of the Repurchase
Date; provided, however, that the Seller shall not be obligated to
-------- -------
repurchase the Transition Property if (A) within 90 days after the date of
the occurrence thereof 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 Certificateholders as a result of such breach and (B) either (i) if the
Seller had, immediately prior to the breach, a long term debt rating of at
least "A3" by Moody's and "BBB" by Standard & Poor's and the equivalent of
"BBB" by any other Rating Agency, the Seller enters into a binding
agreement with the Note Issuer to pay any amounts necessary so that all
interest payments due on the Notes during such 90-day period will be paid
in full, or (ii) if the Seller does not have such long term debt ratings,
the Seller deposits, within two Business Days after such breach, an amount
in escrow with the Note 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 Notes during such
90-day period. The Seller will not be in breach of any representation and
warranty as a result of a change in law by means of a legislative
enactment, constitutional amendment or voter initiative.
(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, 3.08(b) or 3.08(c)
that has a material and adverse effect on the Certificateholders, if within
30 days after the Seller receives written notice from the Note Trustee or
the Certificate Trustee or otherwise becomes aware of such breach, such
breach has not been cured and the Seller has not taken remedial action such
that there is not and will not be a material adverse effect on the
Certificateholders as a result of such breach, then the Seller shall
repurchase the Transition Property from the Note Issuer for the Repurchase
Price on the Repurchase Date;
(iii) Upon the payment by the Seller of the Repurchase Price pursuant to
this Section 5.01(b), neither the Note Issuer nor any other Person shall
have any other claims, rights or remedies against the Seller for a breach
of the foregoing representations and warranties.
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(c) The Seller shall indemnify the Note Issuer, the Trust, the Note
Trustee, the Certificate Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Infrastructure Bank,
the STO, the Noteholders and the Certificateholders and each of their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents for, and defend and hold harmless each
such Person from and against, any and all taxes (other than any taxes imposed on
Noteholders or Certificateholders solely as a result of their ownership of Notes
or Certificates, respectively) that may at any time be imposed on or asserted
against any such Person as a result of the sale of the Transition Property to
the Note Issuer, including any sales, gross receipts, general corporation,
tangible personal property, privilege or license taxes.
(d) The Seller shall indemnify the Note Issuer, the Trust, the Note
Trustee, the Certificate Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Infrastructure Bank,
the STO, the Noteholders and the Certificateholders and each of their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents for, and defend and hold harmless each
such Person from and against, any and all taxes (other than any taxes imposed on
Noteholders or Certificateholders solely as a result of their ownership of Notes
or Certificates, respectively) that may be imposed on or asserted against any
such Person under existing law as of the Closing Date as a result of the
issuance and sale by the Note Issuer of the Notes, the issuance and sale by the
Trust of the Certificates or the other transactions contemplated herein,
including any sales, gross receipts, general corporation, tangible personal
property, privilege or license taxes.
(e) The Seller shall indemnify the Note Issuer, the Trust, the Note
Trustee, the Certificate Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Infrastructure Bank,
the STO, the Noteholders and the Certificateholders and each of their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents for, and defend and hold harmless each
such Person from and against, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
claims, damages, payments, costs or expenses of any kind whatsoever
(collectively, "Losses") that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
any such Person as a result of (i) the Seller's willful misconduct, bad faith or
gross negligence in the performance of its duties or observance of its covenants
under this Agreement, or the Seller's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement or (ii) the Seller's breach of any of its
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement (other than the
representations and warranties specified in Sections 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05,
3.08(b), 3.08(c), 3.08(d) or 3.08(f) the breach of which are subject to the
repurchase obligation set forth in Section 5.01(b)).
(f) The Seller shall pay any and all taxes levied or assessed upon
all or any part of the Trust Estate based on existing law as of the Closing
Date.
(g) Indemnification under Sections 5.01(c) through 5.01(f) shall
survive the resignation or removal of the Note Trustee, the Certificate Trustee
or the Delaware Trustee and the termination of this Agreement and shall include
reasonable fees and expenses of investigation and litigation (including
attorneys fees and expenses).
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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) which may result from any merger or consolidation to which the
Seller shall be a party or (c) which may succeed to the properties and assets of
the Seller substantially as a whole, which Person in any of the foregoing cases
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)-------- -------immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no representation or warranty made pursuant to Article III shall
have been breached and (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 Note Issuer and the Note Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel each 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 Note Issuer and the Note Trustee an Opinion of Counsel either (A) stating
that, in the opinion of such counsel, all filings to be made by the Seller,
including filings with the CPUC pursuant to the PU Code, have been executed and
filed that are necessary to fully preserve and protect the interest of the Note
Issuer in the Transition Property and reciting the details of such filings, or
(B) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, 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. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the execution of the foregoing agreement of
assumption and compliance with clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above shall be
conditions to the consummation of any transaction referred to in clauses (a),
(b) or (c) above.
Section 5.03. Limitation on Liability of Seller and Others. The Seller
--------------------------------- -----------
and any director or officer or 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. Subject to Section 4.07, the Seller shall not be under any obligation
to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that shall not be incidental
to its obligations under this Agreement, and that in its opinion may involve it
in any expense or liability.
ARTICLE VI.
Miscellaneous Provisions
------------------------
Section 6.01. Amendment. The Agreement may be amended by the Seller
----------
and the Note Issuer, with prior written notice given to the Rating Agencies and
the prior written consent of the Note Trustee, but without the consent of any of
the Noteholders or Certificateholders, 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 eliminating any of the provisions in
this Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of
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the Noteholders or the Certificateholders; provided, however, that such action
-------- -------
shall not, as evidenced by an Officer's Certificate delivered to
the Note Issuer and the Note Trustee, adversely affect in any material respect
the interests of any Noteholder or Certificateholder.
This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Seller and
the Note Issuer, with prior written notice given to the Rating Agencies and the
prior written consent of the Note Trustee and the prior written consent of the
Holders of Notes evidencing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount
of the Notes [of all Series 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 Noteholders or
the Certificateholders; provided, however, that no such amendment shall (a)
-------- -------
increase or reduce in any manner the amount of, or accelerate or delay the
timing of, FTA Collections or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of the
Outstanding Amount of the Notes, the Holders of which are required to consent to
any such amendment, without the consent of the Holders of all the outstanding
Notes.
Promptly after the execution of any such amendment or consent, the
Note Issuer shall furnish written notification of the substance of such
amendment or consent to the Note Trustee, the Infrastructure Bank, the STO and
each of the Rating Agencies.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no such
amendment may amend or in any way modify the rights of the Infrastructure Bank
or the STO under this Agreement without their prior written consent.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of Noteholders 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 Note
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 Note Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any
such amendment which affects the Note Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities
under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 6.02. Notices. All demands, notices and communications upon or
--------
to the Seller, the Note Issuer, the Note Trustee or the Rating Agencies under
this Agreement shall be in writing, personally delivered, mailed or sent by
telecopy or other similar form of rapid transmission, and shall be deemed to
have been duly given upon receipt (a) in the case of the Seller, to Southern
California Edison Company, at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000,
Attention of Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, (b) in the case of the Note Issuer, to SCE Funding
LLC, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention of
Treasurer, (c) in the case of the Note Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office,
(d) in the case of the Certificate Trustee, to Bankers Trust Company of
California, N.A., c/o Bankers Trust Company, Corporate Trust and
15
Agency Services, at Four Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention of
Structured Finance Group, (e) in the case of the Infrastructure Bank, to
California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, c/o California Trade
and Commerce Agency, 000 X Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention
of Executive Director, (f) in the case of the STO, to the California State
Treasurer's Office, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention
of Deputy Treasurer, (g) in the case of Moody's, to Xxxxx'x Investors Service,
Inc., ABS Monitoring Department, 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, (h)
in the case of Standard & Poor's, to Standard & Poor's Corporation, 00 Xxxxxxxx
(00xx Xxxxx), Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention of Asset Backed Surveillance
Department, (i) in the case of Fitch, to Fitch Investors Service, L.P., Xxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention of Commercial Asset-Backed
Securities, (j) in the case of Duff & Xxxxxx, to Xxxx & Xxxxxx Credit Rating
Co., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention of Asset-Backed
Monitoring Group or (k) 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 Others. The provisions of this
--------------------------------
Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Seller, the Note Issuer, the Note
Trustee, the Trust, the Certificate Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the
Infrastructure Bank, the STO, the Noteholders and the Certificateholders and
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
Transition Property or under 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 California, without reference to its
conflict of law provisions, and
16
the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be
determined in accordance with such laws.
Section 6.09. Assignment to Note Trustee. The Seller hereby
---------------------------
acknowledges and consents to any mortgage, pledge, assignment and grant of a
security interest by the Note Issuer to the Note Trustee pursuant to the
Indenture for the benefit of the Noteholders of all right, title and interest of
the Note Issuer in, to and under the Transition Property and the proceeds
thereof and the assignment of any or all of the Note Issuer's rights and
obligations hereunder to the Note Trustee.
Section 6.10. Limitation of Liability. It is expressly understood and
------------------------
agreed by the parties hereto that (a) this Agreement is executed and delivered
by Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A., not individually or personally but
solely as Note Trustee on behalf of the holders of the Notes, in the exercise of
the powers and authority conferred and vested in it, (b) the representations,
undertakings and agreements herein made by the Note Trustee on behalf of the
holders of the Notes are made and intended not as personal representations,
undertakings and agreements by Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A., but
are made and intended for the purpose of binding only the holders of the Notes,
(c) nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating any liability on
Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A., individually or personally, to
perform any covenant either expressed or implied contained herein, except in its
capacity as Note Trustee, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by
the parties who are signatories to this Agreement and by any Person claiming by,
through or under such parties and (d) under no circumstances shall Bankers Trust
Company of California, N.A., be personally liable for the payment of any
indebtedness or expenses of the holders of the Notes or be personally liable for
the breach or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or covenant
made or undertaken by the Note Trustee under this Agreement; provided, however,
-------- -------
that this provision shall not protect Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A.
against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful
misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by
reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above
written.
SCE FUNDING LLC, Note Issuer,
by /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-------------------------------
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON
COMPANY, Seller,
by /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
------------------------------
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY OF
CALIFORNIA, N.A., not in
its individual capacity but
solely as Note Trustee,
by /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
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SCHEDULE 3.06
Proceedings
-----------
1. Petition for writ of review filed with the California Supreme Court by The
Utility Reform Network on November 24, 1997.
19
