FORM OF RATE STABILIZATION PROPERTY SERVICING AGREEMENT by and between RSB BONDCO LLC, Issuer and BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Servicer Dated as of ______ __, 2007
Exhibit
10.2
FORM
OF
by
and between
Issuer
and
BALTIMORE
GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
Servicer
Dated
as of ______ __, 2007
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
|
||
SECTION
1.01.
|
Definitions.
|
1
|
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
AND AUTHORIZATION
|
||
SECTION
2.01.
|
Appointment
of Servicer; Acceptance of Appointment.
|
2
|
SECTION
2.02.
|
Authorization
|
2
|
SECTION
2.03.
|
Dominion
and Control Over the Rate Stabilization Property
|
2
|
ARTICLE
III
ROLE
OF SERVICER
|
||
SECTION
3.01.
|
Duties
of Servicer.
|
3
|
SECTION
3.02.
|
Servicing
and Maintenance Standards
|
5
|
SECTION
3.03.
|
Annual
Reports on Compliance with Regulation AB
|
6
|
SECTION
3.04.
|
Annual
Report by Independent Registered Public Accountants.
|
6
|
SECTION
3.05.
|
Monitoring
of Third-Party Collectors
|
7
|
ARTICLE
IV
SERVICES
RELATED TO TRUE-UP ADJUSTMENTS
|
||
SECTION
4.01.
|
True-Up
Adjustments.
|
9
|
SECTION
4.02.
|
Limitation
of Liability.
|
14
|
ARTICLE
V
THE
RATE STABILIZATION PROPERTY
|
||
SECTION
5.01.
|
Custody
of Rate Stabilization Property Records.
|
14
|
SECTION
5.02.
|
Duties
of Servicer as Custodian
|
15
|
SECTION
5.03.
|
Effective
Period and Termination
|
16
|
i
ARTICLE
VI
THE
SERVICER
|
||
SECTION
6.01.
|
Representations
and Warranties of Servicer
|
16
|
SECTION
6.02.
|
Indemnities
of Servicer; Release of Claims
|
26
|
SECTION
6.03.
|
Binding
Effect of Servicing Obligations
|
18
|
SECTION
6.04.
|
Limitation
on Liability of Servicer and Others.
|
19
|
SECTION
6.05.
|
BGE
Not to Resign as Servicer
|
20
|
SECTION
6.06.
|
Servicing
Compensation
|
20
|
SECTION
6.07.
|
Compliance
with Applicable Law.
|
21
|
SECTION
6.08.
|
Access
to Certain Records and Information Regarding Rate Stabilization
Property
|
21
|
SECTION
6.09.
|
Appointments
|
22
|
SECTION
6.10.
|
No
Servicer Advances.
|
22
|
SECTION
6.11.
|
Remittances
|
22
|
SECTION
6.12.
|
Maintenance
of Operations
|
23
|
ARTICLE
VII
DEFAULT
|
||
SECTION
7.01.
|
Servicer
Default
|
23
|
SECTION
7.02.
|
Appointment
of Successor
|
25
|
SECTION
7.03.
|
Waiver
of Past Defaults
|
26
|
SECTION
7.04.
|
Notice
of Servicer Default
|
26
|
SECTION
7.05.
|
Cooperation
with Successor
|
26
|
ARTICLE
VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
|
||
SECTION
8.01.
|
Amendment.
|
28
|
SECTION
8.02.
|
Maintenance
of Accounts and Records..
|
29
|
SECTION
8.03.
|
Notices
|
29
|
SECTION
8.04.
|
Assignment.
|
30
|
SECTION
8.05.
|
Limitations
on Rights of Others..
|
30
|
SECTION
8.06.
|
Severability
|
30
|
SECTION
8.07.
|
Separate
Counterparts.
|
30
|
SECTION
8.08.
|
Headings.
|
30
|
SECTION
8.09.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
30
|
SECTION
8.10.
|
Assignment
to Indenture Trustee
|
31
|
SECTION
8.11.
|
Nonpetition
Covenants
|
31
|
SECTION
8.12.
|
Limitation
of Liability.
|
31
|
ii
EXHIBITS
AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit
A Form
of
Monthly Servicer’s Certificate
Exhibit
B Form
of
Certificate of Compliance
Exhibit
C Form
of
Servicer Certificate
Schedule
4.01(a)
Expected
Amortization Schedule
ANNEXES
Annex
I Servicing
Procedures
iii
This
RATE
STABILIZATION PROPERTY SERVICING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”),
dated
as of ______ __, 2007, is between RSB BONDCO LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, as issuer (the “Issuer”),
and
BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY (“BGE”),
a
Maryland corporation, as servicer (the “Servicer”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Rate Stabilization Law and the Initial Qualified Rate Order,
BGE, in its capacity as seller (the “Seller”),
and
the Issuer are concurrently entering into the Sale Agreement pursuant to which
(i) the Seller is selling and the Issuer is purchasing Initial Rate
Stabilization Property created pursuant to the Rate Stabilization Law and the
Initial Qualified Rate Order, and (ii) the Seller may sell Subsequent Rate
Stabilization Property to the Issuer;
WHEREAS,
in connection with its ownership of the Rate Stabilization Property, and in
order to collect the associated Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges, the Issuer
desires to engage the Servicer to carry out the functions described herein
(such
functions or similar functions currently performed by the Servicer for itself
with respect to its own charges to its residential electric customers) and
the
Servicer desires to be so engaged;
WHEREAS,
the Issuer desires to engage the Servicer to act on its behalf in submitting
True-Up Adjustments to the PSC and the Servicer desires to be so
engaged;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Definitions.
(a) Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in that certain Indenture (including Appendix
A
thereto)
dated as of the date hereof between the Issuer and __________, a _________
banking corporation, in its capacity as the indenture trustee (the “Indenture
Trustee”)
and in
its separate capacity as a securities intermediary (the “Securities
Intermediary”),
as
the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time
to time.
(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, Exhibit, Annex and Attachment
references contained in this Agreement are references to Sections, Schedules,
Exhibits, Annexes and Attachments 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.
(e) Non-capitalized
terms used herein which are defined in the Utilities Code shall, as the context
requires, have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Utilities Code, but
without giving effect to amendments to the Utilities Code after the date hereof
which have a material adverse effect on the Issuer or the Holders.
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
AND AUTHORIZATION
SECTION
2.01. Appointment
of Servicer; Acceptance of Appointment.
The
Issuer hereby appoints the Servicer, and the Servicer hereby accepts such
appointment, to perform the Servicer’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement on
behalf of and for the benefit of the Issuer or any assignee thereof in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and applicable Requirements of
Law.
This appointment and the Servicer’s acceptance thereof may not be revoked except
in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement.
SECTION
2.02. Authorization.
With
respect to all or any portion of the Rate Stabilization Property, the Servicer
shall be, and hereby is, authorized and empowered by the Issuer to (a) execute
and deliver, on behalf of itself and/or the Issuer, as the case may be, any
and
all instruments, documents or notices, and (b) on behalf of itself and/or the
Issuer, as the case may be, make any filing and participate in proceedings
of
any kind with any Governmental Authority, including with the PSC. The Issuer
shall execute and deliver to the Servicer such documents as have been prepared
by the Servicer for execution by the Issuer and shall furnish the Servicer
with
such other documents as may be in the Issuer’s possession, in each case as the
Servicer may determine to be necessary or appropriate to enable it to carry
out
its servicing and administrative duties hereunder. Upon the Servicer’s written
request, the Issuer shall furnish the Servicer with any powers of attorney
or
other documents necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to carry out
its
duties hereunder.
SECTION
2.03. Dominion
and Control Over the Rate Stabilization Property.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, subject to the terms of the Basic
Documents, the Issuer shall have dominion and control over the Rate
Stabilization Property, and the Servicer, in accordance with the terms hereof,
is acting solely as the servicing agent and custodian for the Issuer with
respect to the Rate Stabilization Property and the Rate Stabilization Property
Records. The Servicer shall not take any action that is not authorized by this
Agreement, that would contravene applicable Requirements of Law, that is not
consistent with its customary procedures and practices, or that shall impair
the
rights of the Issuer in the Rate Stabilization Property, in each case unless
such action is required by applicable Requirements of Law.
2
ARTICLE
III
ROLE
OF
SERVICER
SECTION
3.01. Duties
of Servicer.
The
Servicer, as agent for the Issuer, shall have the following duties:
(a) Duties
of Servicer Generally.
The
Servicer’s duties in general shall include management, servicing and
administration of the Rate Stabilization Property; obtaining meter reads,
calculating usage (including any such usage by Customers served by a Third-Party
Collector), billing, collections and posting of all payments in respect of
the
Rate Stabilization Property; responding to inquiries by Customers, Third-Party
Collectors, the PSC, or any other Governmental Authority with respect to the
Rate Stabilization Property; delivering Bills to Customers or Third-Party
Collectors; investigating and handling delinquencies (and furnishing reports
with respect to such delinquencies to the Issuer), processing and depositing
collections and making periodic remittances; furnishing periodic reports to
the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies; making all filings with
the PSC and the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation and all
filings pursuant to the UCC and taking such other action as may be necessary
to
perfect the Issuer’s ownership interests in and the Indenture Trustee’s first
priority lien on and security interest in the Rate Stabilization Property;
making all filings with the PSC and the Maryland State Department of Assessments
and Taxation and all filings pursuant to the UCC and taking such other action
as
may be necessary to perfect and maintain the perfection and first priority
of
the Indenture Trustee’s lien on and security interest in all Rate Stabilization
Bond Collateral; selling as the agent for the Issuer as its interests may appear
defaulted or written off accounts in accordance with the Servicer’s usual and
customary practices; taking all necessary action in connection with True-Up
Adjustments as set forth herein; and performing such other duties as may be
specified under the Applicable Qualified Rate Order to be performed by it.
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the duties of the Servicer set forth
in this Agreement shall be qualified in their entirety by applicable
Requirements of Law, as are in effect at the time such duties are to be
performed. Without limiting the generality of this Section
3.01(a),
in
furtherance of the foregoing, the Servicer hereby agrees that it shall also
have, and shall comply with, the duties and responsibilities relating to data
acquisition, usage and xxxx calculation, billing, customer service functions,
collections, payment processing and remittance set forth in Annex
I
hereto,
as it may be amended from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, the term
“usage” when used herein refers to kilowatt hour consumption.
(b) Reporting
Functions.
(i) Monthly
Servicer’s Certificate.
On or
before the twenty-fifth calendar day of each month (or if such day is not a
Servicer Business Day, on the immediately following Servicer Business Day),
the
Servicer shall prepare and deliver to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and
the
Rating Agencies a written report substantially in the form of Exhibit
A
hereto
(a “Monthly
Servicer’s Certificate”)
setting forth certain information relating to Estimated QRSC Collections by
the
Servicer during the Collection Period immediately preceding such date;
provided,
however,
that
for any month in which the Servicer is required to deliver a Servicer’s
Certificate pursuant to Section
4.01(c)(ii),
the
Servicer
3
shall
prepare and deliver the Monthly Servicer’s Certificate no later than the date of
delivery of such Servicer’s Certificate.
(ii) Notification
of Laws and Regulations.
The
Servicer shall immediately notify the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the
Rating Agencies in writing of any Requirements of Law hereafter promulgated
or
published that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on
the Servicer’s ability to perform its duties under this Agreement.
(iii) Other
Information.
Upon
the reasonable request of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or any Rating
Agency, the Servicer shall provide to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or
such
Rating Agency, as the case may be, any public financial information in respect
of the Servicer, or any material information regarding the Rate Stabilization
Property to the extent it is reasonably available to the Servicer, as may be
reasonably necessary and permitted by applicable Requirements of Law to enable
the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or the Rating Agencies to monitor the
performance by the Servicer hereunder. In addition, so long as any of the Rate
Stabilization Bonds of any Series are outstanding, the Servicer shall provide
the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, within a reasonable time after written
request therefor, any information available to the Servicer or reasonably
obtainable by it that is necessary to calculate the Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charges.
(iv) Preparation
of Reports.
The
Servicer shall prepare and deliver such additional reports as required under
this Agreement, including a copy of each Servicer’s Certificate described in
Section 4.01(c)(ii),
the
annual Certificate of Compliance described in Section
3.03,
and the
Annual Accountant’s Report described in Section
3.04.
In
addition, the Servicer shall prepare, procure, deliver and/or file, or cause
to
be prepared, procured, delivered or filed, any reports, attestations, exhibits,
certificates or other documents required to be delivered or filed with the
SEC
(and/or any other Governmental Authority) by the Issuer or the Sponsor under
the
federal securities laws or other applicable Requirements of Law or in accordance
with the Basic Documents, including, but without limiting the generality of
foregoing, filing with the SEC, if applicable, a copy or copies of (i) the
Monthly Servicer’s Certificates described in Section
3.01(b)
(under
Form 10-D or any other applicable form), (ii) the Servicer’s Certificates
described in Section
4.01(c)(ii)
(under
Form 10-D or any other applicable form), (iii) the annual statements of
compliance, attestation reports and other certificates described in Section
3.03,
and
(iv) the Annual Accountant’s Report (and any attestation required under
Regulation AB) described in Section
3.04.
In
addition, the appropriate officer or officers of the Servicer shall (in its
separate capacity as Servicer) sign any annual report on Form 10-K (and any
other applicable SEC or other reports, attestations, certifications and other
documents), to the extent that the Servicer’s signature is required by, and
consistent with, the federal securities laws and/or any other applicable
Requirements of Law, including Regulation AB.
4
(c) Opinions
of Counsel.
The
Servicer shall deliver to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee:
(i) promptly
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and of each amendment hereto,
promptly after the execution of the Sale Agreement and of each amendment thereto
and on each Subsequent Transfer Date, an Opinion of Counsel from external
counsel of the Issuer either (A) to the effect that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all filings, including filings with the PSC and the Maryland State
Department of Assessments and Taxation and all filings pursuant to the UCC,
that
are necessary under the UCC and the Rate Stabilization Law to fully preserve,
protect and perfect the Liens of the Indenture Trustee in the Rate Stabilization
Property have been authorized, executed and filed, and reciting the details
of
such filings or referring to prior Opinions of Counsel in which such details
are
given, or (B) to the effect that, in the opinion of such counsel, no such action
shall be necessary to fully preserve, protect and perfect such Liens; and
(ii) within
ninety (90) days after the beginning of each calendar year beginning with the
first calendar year beginning more than three (3) months after the date hereof,
an Opinion of Counsel from external counsel of the Issuer, dated as of a date
during such ninety (90)-day period, either (A) to the effect that, in the
opinion of such counsel, all filings, including filings with the PSC and the
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation and all filings pursuant
to the UCC, have been executed and filed that are necessary under the UCC and
the Rate Stabilization Law to fully preserve, protect and perfect the Liens
of
the Indenture Trustee in the Rate Stabilization Property, and reciting the
details of such filings or referring to prior Opinions of Counsel in which
such
details are given, or (B) to the effect that, in the opinion of such counsel,
no
such action shall be necessary to fully preserve, protect and perfect such
Liens.
Each
Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause
(i)
or
(ii)
above
shall specify any action necessary (as of the date of such opinion) to be taken
in the following year to preserve, protect and continue the perfection of such
Lien.
SECTION
3.02. Servicing
and Maintenance Standards.
On
behalf of the Issuer, the Servicer shall manage, service, administer and make
collections in respect of the Rate Stabilization Property with reasonable care
and in material compliance with applicable Requirements of Law, using the same
degree of care and diligence that the Servicer exercises with respect to similar
assets for its own account and, if applicable, for others; follow customary
standards, policies and procedures for the industry in Maryland in performing
its duties as Servicer; use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its
customary servicing procedures, to enforce, and maintain rights in respect
of,
the Rate Stabilization Property and to xxxx and collect the Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges; comply with all Requirements of Law applicable to and
binding on it relating to the Rate Stabilization Property; file all PSC notices
described in the Rate Stabilization Law and file and maintain the effectiveness
of UCC and Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation filings with
respect to the property transferred from time to time under the Sale Agreement,
and (f) take such other action on behalf of the Issuer to ensure that the Lien
of the Indenture Trustee on the Rate Stabilization Bond
5
Collateral
remains perfected and of first priority. The Servicer shall follow such
customary and usual practices and procedures as it shall deem necessary or
advisable in its servicing of all or any portion of the Rate Stabilization
Property, which, in the Servicer’s judgment, may include the taking of legal
action, at the Issuer’s expense but subject to the priority of payment set forth
in Section 8.02(e)
of the
Indenture.
SECTION
3.03. Annual
Reports on Compliance with Regulation AB.
(a) The
Servicer shall deliver to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating
Agencies, on or before the earlier of (a) March 31 of each year, beginning
March
31, 2008, or (b) with respect to each calendar year during which the Sponsor’s
annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed in accordance with the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the date on which the
annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed in accordance with the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, certificates from a
Responsible Officer of the Servicer (i) containing, and certifying as to, the
statements of compliance required by Item 1123 (or any successor or similar
items or rule) of Regulation AB, as then in effect and (ii) containing, and
certifying as to, the statements and assessment of compliance required by Item
1122(a) (or any successor or similar items or rule) of Regulation AB, as then
in
effect.
(b) The
Servicer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from each other
party participating in the servicing function any additional certifications
as
to the statements and assessment required under Item 1122 or Item 1123 of
Regulation AB to the extent required in connection with the filing of any annual
report on Form 10-K; provided, however, that a failure to obtain such
certifications shall not be a breach of the Servicer’s duties hereunder. The
parties acknowledge that the Indenture Trustee’s certifications shall be limited
to the Item 1122 certifications described in Exhibit
E
of the
Indenture.
SECTION
3.04. Annual
Report by Independent Registered Public Accountants.
(a) The
Servicer, at its own expense in partial consideration of the Servicing Fee
paid
to it, shall cause
a
firm of Independent registered public accountants (which may provide other
services to the Servicer or the Seller) to prepare annually, and the Servicer
shall deliver annually to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee
and the Rating Agencies on or before the earlier of (a) March 31 of each year,
beginning March 31, 2008, or (b) with respect to each calendar year during
which
the Sponsor’s annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed in accordance
with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the date on
which the annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed in accordance
with
the Exchange Act and the rule and regulations thereunder, a report addressed
to
the Servicer (the “Annual
Accountant’s Report”)
to the
effect that such firm has performed certain procedures, agreed between the
Servicer and such accountants, in connection with the Servicer’s compliance with
its obligations under this Agreement during the preceding twelve (12) months
ended December 31 (or, in the case of the first Annual Accountant’s Report to be
delivered on or before March 31, 2008, the period of time from the date of
this
Agreement until December 31, 2007), identifying the results of such procedures
and including any exceptions noted.
In the
event that the accounting firm
6
providing
such report requires the Indenture Trustee to agree or consent to the procedures
performed by such firm, the Issuer shall direct the Indenture Trustee in writing
to so agree; it being understood and agreed that the Indenture Trustee will
deliver such letter of agreement or consent in conclusive reliance upon the
direction of the Issuer, and the Indenture Trustee will not make any independent
inquiry or investigation as to, and shall have no obligation or liability in
respect of the sufficiency, validity or correctness of such
procedures.
(b) The
Annual Accountant’s Report shall also indicate that the accounting firm
providing such report is independent of the Servicer in accordance with the
Rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and shall include the
attestation report required under Item 1122(b) of Regulation AB (or any
successor or similar items or rule), as then in effect.
SECTION
3.05. Monitoring
of Third-Party Collectors.
From
time to time, until the Retirement of the Rate Stabilization Bonds, the Servicer
shall, in accordance with the Servicing Standard, take all actions with respect
to Third-Party Collectors required to be taken by the Servicer as set forth,
if
applicable, in any agreement with the Servicer and applicable Requirements
of
Law in effect from time to time and implement such additional procedures and
policies as are necessary to ensure that the obligations of all Third-Party
Collectors in connection with Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges are properly
enforced in accordance with, if applicable, the terms of any agreement with
the
Servicer and applicable Requirements of Law in effect from time to time. Such
procedures and policies shall include the following:
(a) Maintenance
of Records and Information.
In addition to any actions required by applicable Requirements of Law, the
Servicer shall:
(i) maintain
adequate records for promptly identifying and contacting each Third-Party
Collector;
(ii) maintain
records of end-user Customers which are billed by Third-Party Collectors to
permit prompt transfer of billing responsibilities in the event of default
by
such Third-Party Collectors;
(iii) maintain
adequate records for enforcing compliance by all Third-Party Collectors with
their obligations with respect to Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges,
including compliance with all Remittance Requirements, TPC Credit Requirements
and TPC Deposit Requirements; and
(iv) provide
to each Third-Party Collector such information necessary for such Third-Party
Collector to confirm the Servicer’s calculation of Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charges and remittances, including, if applicable, Charge-Off
amounts.
The
Servicer shall update the records described above no less frequently than
quarterly.
(b) Credit
and Collection Policies.
The
Servicer shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Requirements
of
Law, impose such terms with respect to credit and collection policies applicable
to Third-Party Collectors as may be reasonably necessary to
7
prevent
the then-current rating of the Rate Stabilization Bonds of any Series from
being
downgraded, withdrawn or suspended. The Servicer shall, in accordance with
and
to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, include and impose
the above-described terms in all instances in which BGE or Third-Party
Collectors issue single bills to BGE’s Customers that include Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges. The Servicer shall periodically review the need for
modified or additional terms based upon, among other things, the relative amount
of QRSC Payments received from Customers or through Third-Party Collectors
relative to the Periodic Billing Requirement, the historical payment and default
experience of Customers and each Third-Party Collector and such other credit
and
collection policies to which the Customers and Third-Party Collectors are,
or
may become, subject.
(c) Monitoring
of Performance and Payment by Third-Party Collectors.
In
addition to any actions required by applicable Requirements of Law, the Servicer
shall undertake to do the following:
(i) The
Servicer shall require each Third-Party Collector to pay all Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges (less an allowance for Charge-Offs) billed to such
Third-Party Collector in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
Requirements of Law (whether or not disputed). The Servicer shall monitor
compliance by each Third-Party Collector with all Remittance Requirements,
TPC
Credit Requirements and TPC Deposit Requirements and take prompt action to
enforce such requirements.
(ii) Where
a
Third-Party Collector is responsible for billing the Customers, the Servicer
shall, consistent with its customary billing practices, xxxx each Applicable
Third-Party Collector no less frequently than the billing cycle otherwise
applicable to such Customers.
(iii) The
Servicer shall work with Third-Party Collectors to resolve any disputes using
the dispute resolution procedures established by applicable Requirements of
Law,
in accordance with the Servicing Standard.
(d) Enforcement
of Third-Party Collector Obligations.
The
Servicer shall ensure that each Third-Party Collector remits all QRSC Payments
which it is obligated to remit to the Servicer. In the event of any default
by
any Third-Party Collector, the Servicer shall enforce all rights set forth
in
and take all other steps permitted by any applicable Requirements of Law as
it
determines, in accordance with the Servicing Standard, are reasonably necessary
to ensure the prompt payment of QRSC Payments by such Third-Party Collector
and
to preserve the rights of the Holders with respect thereto, including, where
appropriate, terminating the right of any Third-Party Collector to xxxx and
collect Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges or petitioning the PSC to impose
such other remedies or penalties as may be available under the circumstances.
Any agreement entered into between the Servicer and a defaulted Third-Party
Collector will be limited to the terms of this Agreement and will satisfy the
Rating Agency Condition. In the event the Servicer has actual knowledge that
a
Third-Party Collector is in default, including due to the downgrade by the
Rating Agencies of any party providing credit support for such Third-Party
Collector, the Servicer shall promptly notify a Responsible Officer
8
of
the
Indenture Trustee in writing of the same and, shall, if applicable, instruct
the
Indenture Trustee either to:
(i) withdraw
from such Third-Party Collector’s TPC Deposit Account and deposit into the
applicable Collection Accounts the lesser of (x) the amount of cash on deposit
in such TPC Deposit Account and (y) the amount of any Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges then due and payable by such Third-Party Collector;
or
(ii) make
demand under any letter of credit, guarantee or other credit support up to
the
lesser of (x) the amount of such letter of credit, guarantee or other credit
support and (y) the amount of any Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges then
due
and payable by such Third-Party Collector, and deposit the amounts received,
if
any, as a result of such demand into the applicable Collection
Accounts.
The
Indenture Trustee shall, within two (2) Business Days of receipt of such written
notice, withdraw such funds from the TPC Deposit Account or make demand under
such credit support, as applicable, and deposit such funds withdrawn or
received, as applicable, into the applicable Collection Accounts.
(e) Maintenance
of TPC Deposit Accounts.
The
Servicer shall cause the entity acting as Indenture Trustee to maintain one
or
more TPC Deposit Accounts as described in Section
8.02(g)
of the
Indenture. The Servicer shall provide written direction to the Indenture Trustee
regarding the allocation and release of funds on deposit in the TPC Deposit
Accounts, as permitted or required by the Indenture, this Agreement, or any
applicable Requirements of Law. The Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to
conclusively rely on any such written directions from the Servicer. The Servicer
will seek and use reasonable best efforts to obtain, from any Third-Party
Collector which wishes to satisfy its credit support requirements by making
a
deposit to a TPC Deposit Account, a written security agreement stating that
(i)
by making such deposit the Third-Party Collector has granted a security interest
in such deposit in favor of the Indenture Trustee, and (ii) the Indenture
Trustee, in holding such deposit as collateral, will have the rights and
remedies of a secured party under Article 9 of the UCC with respect to such
collateral, and the Servicer will promptly forward any such agreement to the
Indenture Trustee.
(f) Affiliated
Third-Party Collectors.
In
performing its obligations under this Section
3.05,
the
Servicer shall deal with any Third-Party Collectors which are Affiliates of
the
Servicer on terms which are no more favorable in the aggregate to such
affiliated Third-Party Collector than those used by the Servicer in its dealings
with Third-Party Collectors that are not Affiliates of the
Servicer.
ARTICLE
IV
SERVICES
RELATED TO TRUE-UP ADJUSTMENTS
SECTION
4.01. True-Up
Adjustments.
From
time to time, until the Retirement of the Rate Stabilization Bonds, the Servicer
shall identify the need for True-Up Adjustments for each Series and shall take
all reasonable action to obtain and implement such True-Up Adjustments, all
in
accordance with the following:
9
(a) Expected
Amortization Schedule.
The
Expected Amortization Schedule for the initial Series of Rate Stabilization
Bonds is attached hereto as Schedule
4.01(a).
In
connection with the Issuer’s issuance of any additional Series of Rate
Stabilization Bonds after the Closing Date, the Servicer, on or prior to the
Series Issuance Date therefor, shall revise the Expected Amortization Schedule
to add a new schedule for each new Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds and set
forth, as of each Payment Date through the latest Scheduled Final Payment Date
for any Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds, the aggregate principal amounts
of
the Rate Stabilization Bonds of all Series, including such additional Series,
expected to be outstanding on such Payment Date. If the Expected Amortization
Schedule is revised as set forth above, the Servicer shall send a copy of such
revised Expected Amortization Schedule to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee
and
the Rating Agencies promptly thereafter.
(b) True-Up
Adjustments.
(i) Semi-Annual
True-Up Adjustments and Filings.
Prior
to the
Scheduled Final Payment Date of the last Tranche of a Series, during the term
of
the Rate Stabilization Bonds, no later than forty-five (45) days before the
rolling six month anniversary date of the Series Issuance Date for each Series,
the Servicer shall: (A) update the data and assumptions underlying the
calculation of the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges, including projected
electricity usage during the next Calculation Period and interest and estimated
expenses and fees of the Issuer to be paid during such period; (B) determine
the
Periodic Payment Requirement and Periodic Billing Requirement for the next
12
Collection Periods based on such updated data and assumptions; (C) calculate
the
undercollections or overcollections for the previous Calculation Period,
including without limitation any undercollections or overcollections caused
by
Third-Party Collector defaults, by subtracting the Estimated QRSC Collections
for such previous Calculation Period from the Periodic Billing Requirement
for
such previous Calculation Period; (D) taking into account the then-current
Collections Curve and Charge-Offs, calculate the amount needed to correct such
undercollections or overcollections during the forthcoming 12 Collection
Periods; (E) sum the amount in step (D) with the scheduled Periodic Billing
Requirement for the upcoming 12 Collection Periods to determine an adjusted
Periodic Billing Requirement; (F) divide the amount calculated in step (E)
by
the appropriate forecasted Periodic Billing Requirement to determine the
adjusted Qualified Rate Stabilization Charge rate for the upcoming 12 Collection
Periods; (G) make all required notice and other filings with the PSC to reflect
the revised Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges; and (H) take all reasonable
actions and make all reasonable efforts to effect such Semi-Annual True-Up
Adjustment on the Semi-Annual True-Up Adjustment Date and to enforce the
provisions of applicable Requirements of Law.
(ii) Interim
True-Up Adjustments and Filings.
At any
time during the term of the Rate Stabilization Bonds, the Servicer shall
periodically compare the anticipated Unrecovered Balance, as of the next Payment
Date and after giving effect to payments to be made on such Payment Date, to
the
Projected
10
Unrecovered
Balance as of such Payment Date. As a result of such periodic comparison, (A)
the Servicer may make an InterimTrue-Up Adjustment to correct any
undercollection or overcollection if, in its sole and exclusive discretion,
an
Interim True-Up Adjustment is necessary in order to provide for timely payment
of the Rate Stabilization Bonds based on Rating Agency and Bondholder
considerations, and (B) the Servicer shall, no later than fifteen (15) days
prior to commencement of the next Collection Period, make all required notice
and other filings with the PSC to implement a mandatory Interim True-Up
Adjustment (1) if the Servicer determines collection of Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges as of the next Payment Date would result in a difference
greater than 5% in absolute value between (x) the outstanding principal amount
of the Rate Stabilization Bonds plus amounts on deposit in the applicable Excess
Funds Subaccount and (y) such Projected Unrecovered Balance as of such Payment
Date or (2) to meet a Rating Agency Requirement that any Tranche of Rate
Stabilization Bonds be paid in full by its Scheduled Final Payment Date. The
Servicer shall implement the revised Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges,
if
any, resulting from such Interim True-Up Adjustment on the Interim True-Up
Adjustment Date and shall otherwise take all reasonable actions and make all
reasonable efforts to effect such Interim True-Up Adjustment on the Interim
True-Up Adjustment Date and to enforce the provisions of applicable Requirements
of Law.
(iii) Non-Standard
True-Up Adjustments and Filings.
At any
time during the term of the Rate Stabilization Bonds, the Servicer shall take
all reasonable actions and make all required notice and other filings with
the
PSC to implement an amendment of the True-Up Adjustment Mechanism if it deems
such an amendment to be necessary or appropriate in order to address any
material deviations between Estimated QRSC Collections or Actual QRSC
Collections and the Periodic Payment Requirement. No such change shall cause
the
then-current credit ratings of the Rate Stabilization Bonds to be suspended,
withdrawn or downgraded.
(iv) Quarterly
True-Up Adjustments and Filings.
To the
extent that Rate Stabilization Bonds of any Series remain Outstanding after
the
Scheduled Final Payment Date of the last Tranche of such Series, during the
term
of the Rate Stabilization Bonds, no later than forty-five (45) days before
the
rolling three month anniversary date of the Series Issuance Date, the Servicer
shall: (A) update the data and assumptions underlying the calculation of the
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges, including projected electricity usage
during the next Calculation Period and interest and estimated expenses and
fees
of the Issuer to be paid during such period; (B) determine the Periodic Payment
Requirement and Periodic Billing Requirement for the next 12 Collection Periods
based on such updated data and assumptions; (C) taking into account the
then-current Collections Curve and Charge-Offs, calculate the undercollections
or overcollections for the previous Calculation Period, including without
limitation any undercollections or overcollections caused by Third-Party
Collector defaults, by subtracting the Estimated QRSC Collections for such
previous Calculation Period from the Periodic Billing Requirement for such
previous Calculation
11
Period
from the Periodic Billing Requirement for such previous Calculation Period;
(D)
calculate the amount needed to correct such undercollections or overcollections
during the forthcoming 12 Collection Periods; (E) sum the amount in step
(D)
with the scheduled Periodic Billing Requirement for the upcoming 12 Collection
Periods to determine an adjusted Periodic Billing Requirement; (F) divide
the
amount calculated in step (E) by the appropriate forecasted Periodic Billing
Requirement to determine the adjusted Qualified Rate Stabilization Charge
rate
for the upcoming 12 Collection Periods; (G) make all required notice and
other
filings with the PSC to reflect the revised Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charges; and (H) take all reasonable actions and make all reasonable efforts
to
effect such Quarterly True-Up Adjustment on the Quarterly True-Up Adjustment
Date and to enforce the provisions of applicable Requirements of
Law.
(c) Reports.
(i) Notification
of Amendatory Tariff Filings and True-Up Adjustments.
Whenever the Servicer files an Amendatory Tariff with the PSC, the Servicer
shall send a copy of such filing or notice (together with a copy of all notices
and documents which, in the Servicer’s reasonable judgment, are material to the
adjustments effected by such Amendatory Tariff or notice) to the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies concurrently therewith. If, for any
reason any revised Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges are not implemented
and
effective on the applicable date set forth herein, the Servicer shall notify
the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and each Rating Agency by the end of the second
Servicer Business Day after such applicable date.
(ii) Servicer’s
Certificate.
Not
later than five (5) Servicer Business Days prior to each Payment Date or Special
Payment Date, the Servicer shall deliver a written report, for each Series
of
Rate Stabilization Bonds, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C
hereto
(the “Servicer’s
Certificate”)
to the
Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies which shall include all
of
the following information (to the extent applicable and including any other
information so specified in the applicable Series Supplement) as to the Rate
Stabilization Bonds of such Series with respect to such Payment Date or Special
Payment Date or the period since the previous Payment Date, as
applicable:
(A) the
amount of the payment to Holders allocable to principal, if any;
(B) the
amount of the payment to Holders allocable to interest;
(C) the
aggregate Outstanding Amount of such Rate Stabilization Bonds, before and after
giving effect to any payments allocated to principal reported under clause
(A)
above;
(D) the
difference, if any, between the amount specified in clause
(C)
above
and the Outstanding Amount of such Rate Stabilization Bonds specified in the
related Expected Amortization Schedule;
12
(E) any
other
transfers and payments to be made on such Payment Date or Special Payment Date,
including amounts paid to the Indenture Trustee and to the Servicer;
and
(F) the
amounts on deposit in the applicable Capital Subaccount and the applicable
Excess Funds Subaccount, after giving effect to the foregoing payments.
(iii) Reports
to Customers.
(A) After
each revised Qualified Rate Stabilization Charge has gone into effect pursuant
to a True-Up Adjustment, the Servicer shall, to the extent and in the manner
and
time frame required by applicable PSC Regulations, if any, cause to be prepared
and delivered to Customers any required notices announcing such revised
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges.
(B) The
Servicer shall comply with applicable Requirements of Law with respect to the
identification of Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges on Bills, and, in the
Bills regularly sent to Customers or Third-Party Collectors, the Servicer will
separately identify the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges as being owned
by
the Issuer. Unless prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law, the Servicer
shall use reasonable efforts to cause each Applicable Third-Party Collector,
at
least once each year, to include notices in the bills sent by such Applicable
Third-Party Collector to Customers indicating additionally that the Qualified
Rate Stabilization Charges are not owned by such Applicable Third-Party
Collector (to the extent that such Applicable Third-Party Collector does not
include such information in the Bills regularly sent to Customers). Such notice
shall be included either as an insert to or in the text of the Bills delivered
to such Customers or shall be delivered to Customers by electronic means or
such
other means as the Servicer or the Applicable Third-Party Collector may from
time to time use to communicate with its respective Customers.
(C) Except
to
the extent that applicable PSC Regulations make the Applicable Third-Party
Collector responsible for such costs, or the Applicable Third-Party Collector
has otherwise agreed to pay such costs, the Servicer shall pay from its own
funds all costs of preparation and delivery incurred in connection with
clauses
(A)
and
(B)
above,
including printing and postage costs as the same may increase or decrease from
time to time.
(iv) Third-Party
Collector Reports.
The
Servicer shall provide to the Rating Agencies, upon request, any publicly
available reports filed by the Servicer with the PSC (or otherwise made publicly
available by the Servicer) relating to Third-Party Collectors and any other
non-confidential and non-proprietary information relating to Third-Party
Collectors reasonably requested by the Rating Agencies to the extent such
information is reasonably available to the Servicer.
13
SECTION
4.02. Limitation
of Liability.
The
Issuer and the Servicer expressly agree and acknowledge that:
(i) In
connection with any True-Up Adjustment, the Servicer is acting solely in its
capacity as the servicing agent hereunder.
(ii) Neither
the Servicer nor the Issuer nor the Indenture Trustee is responsible in any
manner for, and shall have no liability whatsoever as a result of, any action,
decision, ruling or other determination made or not made, or any delay (other
than any delay resulting from the Servicer’s failure to make any filings
required by Section
4.01
in a
timely and correct manner or any breach by the Servicer of its duties under
this
Agreement that adversely affects the Rate Stabilization Property or the True-Up
Adjustments), by the PSC in any way related to the Rate Stabilization Property
or in connection with any True-Up Adjustment, the subject of any filings under
Section
4.01,
any
proposed True-Up Adjustment, or the approval of any revised Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges and the scheduled adjustments thereto.
(iii) Except
to
the extent that the Servicer is liable under Section
8.01,
the
Servicer shall have no liability whatsoever relating to the calculation of
any
revised Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges and the scheduled adjustments
thereto, including as a result of any inaccuracy of any of the assumptions
made
in such calculation regarding expected energy usage volume, the Collections
Curve, Charge-Offs and estimated expenses and fees of the Issuer, so long as
the
Servicer has acted in good faith and has not acted in a grossly negligent manner
in connection therewith, nor shall the Servicer have any liability whatsoever
as
a result of any Person, including the Holders, not receiving any payment, amount
or return anticipated or expected or in respect of any Rate Stabilization Bond
generally.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section
4.02
shall
not relieve the Servicer of liability for any misrepresentation by the Servicer
under Section
6.01
or for
any breach by the Servicer of its other obligations under this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
V
THE
RATE
STABILIZATION PROPERTY
SECTION
5.01. Custody
of Rate Stabilization Property Records.
To
assure uniform quality in servicing the Rate Stabilization Property and to
reduce administrative costs, the Issuer hereby revocably appoints the Servicer,
and the Servicer hereby accepts such appointment, to act as the agent of the
Issuer as custodian of any and all documents and records that the Seller shall
keep on file, in accordance with its customary procedures, relating to the
Rate
Stabilization Property, including copies of any Qualified Rate Orders, Issuance
Advice Letters, Tariffs and Amendatory Tariffs relating thereto and all
documents filed with the PSC in connection with any True-Up Adjustment and
computational records relating thereto (collectively, the “Rate
Stabilization Property Records”),
which
are hereby constructively delivered to the Indenture Trustee, as pledgee of
the
Issuer (or, in the case of the Subsequent
14
Rate
Stabilization Property, will as of the applicable Subsequent Transfer Date
be
constructively delivered to the Indenture Trustee, as pledgee of the Issuer)
with respect to all Rate Stabilization Property.
SECTION
5.02. Duties
of Servicer as Custodian.
(a) Safekeeping.
The Servicer shall hold the Rate Stabilization Property Records on behalf
of the Issuer and maintain such accurate and complete accounts, records and
computer systems pertaining to the Rate Stabilization Property Records as shall
enable the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, as applicable, to comply
with this Agreement, the Sale Agreement and the Indenture. In performing its
duties as custodian,
the Servicer shall act with reasonable care, using that degree of care and
diligence that the Servicer exercises with respect to comparable assets that
the
Servicer services for itself or, if applicable, for others. The Servicer shall
promptly report to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies
any
failure on its part to hold the Rate Stabilization Property Records and maintain
its accounts, records and computer systems as herein provided and promptly
take
appropriate action to remedy any such failure. Nothing herein shall be deemed
to
require an initial review or any periodic review by the Issuer or the Indenture
Trustee of the Rate Stabilization Property Records. The Servicer’s duties to
hold the Rate Stabilization Property Records set forth in this Section
5.02,
to the
extent such Rate Stabilization Property Records have not been previously
transferred to a successor Servicer pursuant to Article
VII,
shall
terminate one year and one day after the earlier of the date on which (i) the
Servicer is succeeded
by a successor Servicer in accordance with Article
VII
and (ii)
no Rate Stabilization Bonds of any Series are Outstanding.
(b) Maintenance
of and Access to Records.
The Servicer shall maintain the Rate Stabilization Property Records at 000
X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000 or at such other office as
shall be specified to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee by written notice
at
least thirty (30) days prior to any change in location. The Servicer shall
make
available for inspection, audit and copying to the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee or their respective duly authorized representatives, attorneys or
auditors the Rate Stabilization Property Records at such times during normal
business hours as the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall reasonably request
and which do not unreasonably interfere with the Servicer’s normal operations.
Nothing in this Section
5.02(b)
shall
affect the obligation of the Servicer to observe any applicable Requirements
of
Law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the Customers, and the
failure of the Servicer to provide access to such information as a result of
such obligation shall not constitute a breach of this Section
5.02(b).
(c) Release
of Documents.
Upon instruction from the Indenture Trustee in accordance with the
Indenture, the Servicer shall release any Rate Stabilization Property Records
to
the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture Trustee’s agent or the Indenture Trustee’s
designee, as the case may be, at such place or places as the Indenture Trustee
may designate, as soon as practicable. Nothing in this Section
5.02(c)
shall
affect the obligation of the Servicer to observe any applicable Requirements
of
Law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the Customers, and the
failure of the Servicer to provide access to such information as a result of
such obligation shall not constitute a breach of this Section
5.02(c).
15
(d) Defending
Rate Stabilization Property Against Claims.
The
Servicer shall institute any action or proceeding necessary to compel
performance by each Third-Party Collector (at the earliest possible time) of
any
of their respective obligations or duties under applicable Requirements of
Law
with respect to the Rate Stabilization Property. In addition, the Servicer
shall
institute any action or proceeding necessary to compel performance by the PSC
or
the State of Maryland, or any political subdivision, agency or other
instrumentality of the State of Maryland, of any of their respective obligations
or duties under applicable Requirements of Law with respect to the Rate
Stabilization Property. The Servicer further agrees to take such legal or
administrative actions, including without limitation defending against or
instituting and pursuing legal actions and appearing or testifying at hearings
or similar proceedings, as may be reasonably necessary to block or overturn
any
attempts to cause a repeal of, modification of or supplement to the Rate
Stabilization Law or any Qualified Rate Order. In any proceedings related to
the
exercise of the power of eminent domain by any municipality to acquire a portion
of BGE’s electric distribution facilities, the Servicer shall assert that the
court ordering such condemnation must treat such municipality as a successor
to
BGE under the Rate Stabilization Law and Qualified Rate Order and that Customers
in such municipalities must remain responsible for payment of Qualified Rate
Stabilization Charges. The costs of any action described in this Section
5.02(d)
shall be
payable from the Collection Account as an Operating Expense in accordance with
Section
8.02(e)
of the
Indenture. The Servicer’s obligations pursuant to this Section
5.02(d)
shall
survive and continue notwithstanding that payment of such Operating Expense
may
be delayed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture (it being understood that
the
Servicer may be required initially to advance its own funds to satisfy its
obligations hereunder).
SECTION
5.03. Effective
Period and Termination.
The
Servicer’s appointment as custodian shall become effective as of the Closing
Date and shall continue in full force and effect until terminated pursuant
to
this Section
5.03.
If the
Servicer shall resign as Servicer in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement or if all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer shall have
been terminated under Section
7.01,
the
appointment of the Servicer as custodian shall be terminated effective as of
the
date on which the termination or resignation of the Servicer is effective.
Additionally, if not sooner terminated as provided above, the Servicer’s
obligations as Custodian shall terminate one year and one day after the date
on
which no Rate Stabilization Bonds of any Series are Outstanding.
ARTICLE
VI
THE
SERVICER
SECTION
6.01. Representations
and Warranties of Servicer.
The
Servicer makes the following representations and warranties, as of the Closing
Date, as of each Subsequent Transfer Date relating to the sale of Subsequent
Rate Stabilization Property, and as of such other dates as expressly provided
in
this Section
6.01,
on
which the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee are deemed to have relied in entering
into this Agreement relating to the servicing of the Rate
Stabilization Property. The representations and warranties shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the sale of any Rate Stabilization
Property and the pledge thereof to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the
Indenture.
16
(a) Organization
and Good Standing.
The
Servicer is duly organized and validly existing and is in good standing under
the laws of the State of Maryland, with the requisite corporate or other 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
to
execute, deliver and carry out the terms of this Agreement, and had at all
relevant times, and has, the requisite power, authority and legal right to
service the Rate Stabilization Property and to hold the Rate Stabilization
Property Records as custodian.
(b) Due
Qualification.
The
Servicer is duly qualified to do business and is 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 (including the
servicing of the Rate Stabilization Property as required by this Agreement)
shall require such qualifications, licenses or approvals (except where the
failure to so qualify would not be reasonably likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Servicer’s business, operations, assets, revenues or properties or
to its servicing of the Rate Stabilization Property).
(c)Power
and Authority.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized
by all necessary action on the part of the Servicer under its organizational
or
governing documents and laws.
(d) Binding
Obligation.
This
Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Servicer
enforceable against the Servicer in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and
other
laws relating to or affecting creditors’ 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.
(e) No
Violation.
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 organizational documents of the Servicer,
or
any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which the Servicer is a party
or by which it or any of its property is 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 (other than any Lien that may
be
granted under the Basic Documents or any Lien created pursuant to Section 7-542
of the Rate Stabilization Law); nor violate any existing Requirements of Law
applicable to the Servicer of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
over the Servicer or its properties.
(f) No
Proceedings.
There
are no proceedings or investigations pending or, to the Servicer’s knowledge,
threatened, before any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the
Servicer or its properties involving or relating to the Servicer or the Issuer
or, to the Servicer’s knowledge, any other Person: (i) asserting the invalidity
of this Agreement or any of the other Basic Documents, (ii) seeking to prevent
the issuance of the Rate Stabilization 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 could reasonably be expected
to
materially and adversely affect the performance by the Servicer of its
obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement, any
of
the other Basic Documents or
17
the
Rate Stabilization Bonds or (iv) seeking to adversely affect the federal income
tax or state income or franchise tax classification of the Rate Stabilization
Bonds of any Series as debt.
(g) Approvals.
No
approval, authorization, consent, order or other action of, or filing with,
any
Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery
by the Servicer of this Agreement, the performance by the Servicer of the
transactions contemplated hereby or the fulfillment by the Servicer of the
terms
hereof, except those that have been obtained or made, those that the Servicer
is
required to make in the future pursuant to Article
IV
and
those that the Servicer may need to file in the future to continue the
effectiveness of any UCC or Maryland State Department of Assessments and
Taxation filings.
(h) Reports
and Certificates.
Each
report and certificate delivered in connection with an Issuance Advice Letter
or
delivered in connection with any filing made to the PSC by the Servicer on
behalf of the Issuer with respect to the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges
or
True-Up Adjustments will constitute a representation and warranty by the
Servicer that each such report or certificate, as the case may be, is true
and
correct in all material respects; provided,
however,
that to
the extent any such report or certificate is based in part upon or contains
assumptions, forecasts or other predictions of future events, the representation
and warranty of the Servicer with respect thereto will be limited to the
representation and warranty that such assumptions, forecasts or other
predictions of future events are reasonable based upon historical performance
(and facts known to the Servicer on the date such report or certificate is
delivered).
SECTION
6.02. Binding
Effect of Servicing Obligations.
The
obligations to continue to provide service and to collect and account for
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges will be binding upon the Servicer and
any
successor entity, including any municipality or public entity, which is a
successor, to the Servicer, in whole or in part, and that provides electric
transmission and distribution services to a Person that was a residential
electric customer located within BGE’s service territory as it exists on the
date of adoption of the Applicable Qualified Rate Order, or that became a
residential electric customer within such area after that date and is still
located within such territory. Any Person (a) into which the Servicer may be
merged, converted or consolidated and which is a Permitted Successor, (b) that
may result from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Servicer
shall be a party and which is a Permitted
Successor, (c) that may succeed to the properties and assets of the Servicer
substantially as a whole and which is a Permitted Successor, (d) which results
from the division of the Servicer into two or more Persons and which is a
Permitted Successor, or (e) which otherwise is a Permitted Successor, which
Person in any of the foregoing cases executes an agreement of assumption to
perform all of the obligations of the Servicer hereunder, shall be the successor
to the Servicer 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 Section
6.01
shall
have been breached and 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 Servicer shall have delivered to the Issuer and the
Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from
external counsel stating that such consolidation, conversion,
merger, division
or succession and such agreement of assumption complies with this Section
6.02
and that
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement relating to
such transaction have
18
been
complied with, (iii) the Servicer shall have delivered to the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee
and the Rating Agencies an Opinion of Counsel from external counsel of the
Servicer either (A) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all filings
to
be made by the Servicer, including filings with the PSC and the Maryland State
Department of Assessments and Taxation pursuant to the Rate Stabilization Law
and the UCC, have been executed and filed and are in full force and effect
that
are necessary to fully preserve, protect and perfect the priority of the
interests of the Issuer and the Lien of the Indenture Trustee in the Rate
Stabilization 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, protect and continue the perfection of such interests or such Lien,
(iv) the Servicer shall have delivered to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee,
the
Rating Agencies and the PSC an Opinion of Counsel from independent tax counsel
stating that, for federal income tax purposes, such consolidation, conversion,
merger, division or succession and such agreement of assumption will not result
in a material federal income tax consequence to the Issuer or the Holders of
Rate Stabilization Bonds and (v) the Servicer shall have given the Rating
Agencies prior written notice of such transaction. When any Person (or more
than
one Person) acquires the properties and assets of the Servicer substantially
as
a whole or otherwise becomes the successor, by merger, conversion,
consolidation, sale, transfer, lease or otherwise, to all or substantially
all
the electric transmission and distribution business of the Servicer (or, if
electric transmission and distribution
are not provided by a single entity, provides electric delivery service directly
to customers taking services at facilities, premises or loads located in BGE’s
service area as it existed on the date of the adoption of the Qualified Rate
Order in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.02),
then
upon satisfaction of all of the other conditions of this Section
6.02,
the
preceding Servicer shall automatically and without further notice be released
from all its obligations hereunder.
SECTION
6.03. Limitation
on Liability of Servicer and Others.
Except
as otherwise provided under this Agreement, including but not limited to
Section
8.01,
neither
the Servicer nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the
Servicer shall be liable to the Issuer or any other Person for any action taken
or for refraining from the taking of any action pursuant to this Agreement
or
for good faith errors in judgment; provided,
however,
that
this provision shall not protect the Servicer or any such
person 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. The Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Servicer may rely in good faith on the advice of counsel reasonably acceptable
to the Indenture Trustee or on any document of any kind, prima facie properly
executed and submitted by any Person, respecting any matters arising under
this
Agreement.
Except
as
provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to Section
5.02(d),
the
Servicer shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend
any
legal action relating to the Rate Stabilization Property that is not directly
related to one of the Servicer’s enumerated duties in this Agreement or related
to its obligation to pay indemnification, and that in its reasonable opinion
may
cause it to incur any expense or liability; provided,
however,
that
the Servicer may, in respect of any Proceeding, undertake any action that is
not
specifically identified in this Agreement as a duty of the Servicer but that
the
Servicer reasonably determines is necessary or desirable in order to protect
the
rights and duties of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee under this Agreement
and the interests of the Holders and
19
Customers
under this Agreement. The Servicer’s costs and expenses incurred in connection
with any such proceeding shall be payable from the Collection Account as an
Operating Expense in accordance with Section
8.02(e)
of the
Indenture. The Servicer’s obligations pursuant to this Section
6.03
shall
survive and continue notwithstanding that payment of such Operating Expense
may
be delayed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture (it being understood that
the
Servicer may be required initially to advance its own funds to satisfy its
obligations hereunder).
SECTION
6.04. BGE
Not to Resign as Servicer.
Subject
to the provisions of Section
6.02,
BGE
shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it
as Servicer
under this Agreement unless BGE delivers to the Indenture Trustee and
the PSC
an
opinion of external counsel to the effect that BGE’s performance of its duties
under this Agreement shall no longer be permissible under applicable
Requirements of Law. No such resignation
shall become effective until a successor Servicer shall have assumed the
responsibilities and obligations of BGE in accordance with Section
7.02.
SECTION
6.05. Servicing
Compensation.
(a)
In
consideration for its services hereunder, until the Retirement of the Rate
Stabilization Bonds, the Servicer shall receive an annual fee (the “Servicing
Fee”)
in an
amount equal to:
(i) for
so
long as BGE is the Servicer, 0.05% of the aggregate initial principal amount
of
all Outstanding Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds, provided
that BGE
may seek approval from the PSC to recover from Customers, through the Financing
Credit Order in accordance with the Qualified Rate Order, any incremental costs
it incurs to service the Rate Stabilization Property to the extent such
incremental costs exceed 0.05% of the aggregate initial principal amount of
all
Outstanding Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds, and further provided
that
such excess amount shall neither be considered an Operating Expense nor be
paid
out of the Collection Account or included in the calculation of True-Up
Adjustments. In the event that the Servicing Fee exceeds the Servicer’s actual
incremental costs to service the Rate Stabilization Property, then the Servicer
will refund to Customers, in accordance with the Financing Credit Order, the
difference between such incremental costs and the Servicing Fee. The Servicing
Fee shall be modified, and this Section
6.05(a)
shall be
deemed to have been amended, without further act or deed by any Person to
reflect any such modification or amendment, to the extent provided in any
Qualified Rate Order issued by the PSC providing for the issuance of an
additional series of Rate Stabilization Bonds.
(ii) if
BGE is
not the Servicer, 1.25% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all
Outstanding Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds, provided,
however,
that
BGE may seek approval from the PSC for a higher fee under this Section
6.05(a)(ii)
if it
can reasonably demonstrate to the PSC that the services cannot be obtained
under
then-current market conditions for a fee of 1.25% of the aggregate initial
principal amount of all Outstanding Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds.
20
The
Servicing Fee owing in respect of each Series shall be calculated based on
the
initial principal amount of such Series and shall be paid [semi-annually] with
[one half] of the Servicing Fee being paid on each Payment Date.
(b) The
Servicing Fee set forth in Section
6.05(a)
and
allocable to each Series shall be paid to the Servicer by the Indenture Trustee,
on each Payment Date in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section
8.02(e)
of the
Indenture, by wire transfer of immediately available funds from the applicable
Collection Account to an account designated by the Servicer. Any portion of
the
Servicing Fee not paid on any such date should be added to the Servicing Fee
payable on the subsequent Payment Date. In no event shall the Indenture Trustee
be liable for the payment of any Servicing Fee or other amounts specified in
this Section
6.05;
provided
that
this Section
6.05
does not
relieve the Indenture Trustee of any duties it has to allocate funds for payment
for such fees under Section
8.02
of the
Indenture.
(c) Except
as
expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, the Servicer shall be required
to pay from its own account expenses incurred by the Servicer in connection
with
its activities hereunder (including any fees to and disbursements by
accountants, counsel, or any other Person, any taxes imposed on the Servicer
and
any expenses incurred in connection with reports to Holders) out of the
compensation retained by or paid to it pursuant to this Section
6.06,
and
shall not be entitled to any extra payment or reimbursement
therefor.
(d) The
foregoing Servicing Fees constitute a fair and reasonable price for the
obligations to be performed by the Servicer. Such Servicing Fee shall be
determined without regard to the income of the Issuer, shall not be deemed
to
constitute distributions to the recipient of any profit, loss or capital of
the
Issuer, shall not be considered an Operating Expense of the Issuer, and shall
be
subject to any limitations on such expenses set forth in the Applicable
Qualified Rate Order.
SECTION
6.06. Compliance
with Applicable Requirements of Law.
The
Servicer covenants and agrees, in servicing the Rate Stabilization Property,
to
comply in all material respects with applicable Requirements of Law applicable
to, and binding upon, the Servicer and relating to such Rate Stabilization
Property the noncompliance with which would have a material adverse effect
on
the value of the Rate Stabilization Property; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing is not intended to, and shall not, impose any liability
on the Servicer for noncompliance with any applicable Requirements of Law that
the Servicer is contesting in good faith in accordance with its customary
standards and procedures.
SECTION
6.07. Access
to Certain Records and Information Regarding Rate Stabilization
Property.
The
Servicer shall provide to the Indenture Trustee access to the Rate Stabilization
Property Records as is reasonably required for the Indenture Trustee to perform
its duties and obligations under the Indenture and the other Basic Documents,
and shall provide access to such records to the Holders as required by
applicable Requirements of Law. Access shall be afforded without charge, but
only upon reasonable request and during normal business hours at the respective
offices of the Servicer. Nothing in this Section
6.07
shall
affect the obligation of the Servicer to observe any applicable Requirements
of
Law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the Customers, and the
failure of the Servicer to provide access to such information as a result of
such obligation shall not constitute a breach of this Section
6.07.
21
SECTION
6.08. Appointments.
The
Servicer may at any time appoint any Person to perform all or any portion of
its
obligations as Servicer hereunder; provided,
however,
that,
unless such Person is an Affiliate of BGE, the Rating Agency Condition shall
have been satisfied in connection therewith; provided further
that the
Servicer shall remain obligated and be liable under this Agreement for the
servicing and administering of the Rate Stabilization Property in accordance
with the provisions hereof without diminution of such obligation and liability
by virtue of the appointment of such Person and to the same extent and under
the
same terms and conditions
as if the
Servicer alone were servicing and administering the Rate Stabilization Property.
The fees and expenses of any such Person shall be as agreed between the Servicer
and such Person from time to time and none of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee,
the Holders or any other Person shall have any responsibility therefor or right
or claim thereto. Any such appointment shall not constitute a Servicer
resignation under Section 6.04.
SECTION
6.09. No
Servicer Advances.
The
Servicer shall not make any advances of interest or principal on the Rate
Stabilization Bonds.
SECTION
6.10. Remittances.
(a)
On each
Servicer Business Day, with respect to each Series, the Servicer shall remit
to
the applicable General Subaccount of
the
applicable Collection Account for such Series the total Estimated QRSC
Collections for such Servicer Business Day in respect of all previously billed
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges (the “Daily
Remittance”),
which
Daily Remittance shall be calculated according to the procedures set forth
in
Annex
I
and
shall be remitted as soon as reasonably practicable but in no event later than
the second Servicer Business Day after such payments are estimated to have
been
received. Prior to each remittance to the applicable General Subaccount of
the
applicable Collection Account pursuant to this Section
6.10,
the
Servicer shall provide written notice to the Indenture Trustee of each such
remittance (including the exact dollar amount to be remitted).
The
Servicer shall also, promptly upon receipt, remit to the applicable Collection
Account any other proceeds of the Series Rate Stabilization Bond Collateral
which it may have received from time to time.
(b) If
the
Servicer remits Estimated QRSC Collections to the applicable General Subaccount
of the applicable Collection Account for such Series less frequently than on
each Servicer Business Day, then, in accordance with the Financing Credit Order,
the Servicer shall credit Customers, not less frequently than semi-annually,
with interest on the balance of such Estimated QRSC Collections, which interest
will be calculated in accordance with the Initial Qualified Rate Order,
provided
that
payment of such interest will be the sole financial responsibility of the
Servicer and shall neither be considered an Operating Expense nor be paid out
of
the Collection Account or included in the calculation of True-Up Adjustments.
(c) The
Servicer agrees and acknowledges that it holds all QRSC Payments collected
by it
and any other proceeds for the Series Rate Stabilization Bond Collateral
received by it in trust for the benefit of the Indenture Trustee and the Holders
and that all such amounts will be remitted by the Servicer in accordance with
this Section
6.10
without
any surcharge, fee, offset, charge or other deduction except as set forth
in
clause (d)
below.
The Servicer further agrees not to make any claim to reduce its obligation
to
remit all QRSC Payments collected by it in accordance with this Agreement except
as set forth in clause
(d)
below.
22
(d) On
or
before each Reconciliation Date, the Servicer will reconcile Actual QRSC
Collections with Estimated QRSC Collections in respect of each of the 12
Collection Periods beginning with the Collection Period that ended 15 months
prior to such Reconciliation Date (or from the first Series Issuance Date,
if
less than 15 months have elapsed). The Servicer shall calculate the amount
of
any Remittance Shortfall or Excess Remittance for the first Collection Period
of
the immediately preceding Reconciliation Period, shall allocate such Remittance
Shortfall or Excess Remittance to each outstanding Series ratably based on
the
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges billed for such Series for such
Reconciliation Period, and (A) if a Remittance Shortfall exists, the Servicer
shall make a supplemental remittance, to the applicable General Subaccount
of
the applicable Collection Account for each Series within two (2) Servicer
Business Days, or (B) if an Excess Remittance exists, the Servicer shall be
entitled either (i) to reduce the amount of each Daily Remittance which the
Servicer subsequently remits to the applicable General Subaccount of the
applicable Collection Account for application to the amount of such Excess
Remittance until the balance of such Excess Remittance has been reduced to
zero,
the amount of such reduction becoming the property of the Servicer or (ii)
so
long as such withdrawal would not cause the amounts on deposit in the applicable
General Subaccount or the applicable Excess Funds Subaccount for any Series
to
be insufficient for the payment of the next installment of interest on the
Rate
Stabilization Bonds or principal due at maturity on the next Payment Date or
upon acceleration on or before the next Payment Date, to be paid immediately
from such General Subaccount or Excess Funds Subaccount such Series’ allocable
share of the amount of such Excess Remittance, such payment becoming the
property of the Servicer. If there is a Remittance Shortfall, the amount which
the Servicer remits to the applicable General Subaccounts of the applicable
Collection Accounts on the relevant date set forth above shall be increased
by
the amount of such Remittance Shortfall, provided that
remittance of such increase will be the sole financial responsibility of the
Servicer and shall neither be considered an Operating Expense nor be paid out
of
the Collection Account or included in the calculation of True-Up
Adjustments.
(e) Unless
otherwise directed to do so by the Issuer, the Servicer shall be responsible
for
selecting Eligible Investments in which the funds in each Collection Account
shall be invested pursuant to Section
8.03
of the
Indenture.
SECTION
6.11. Maintenance
of Operations.
Subject
to Section
6.02,
BGE
agrees to continue to provide residential electric delivery service so long
as
it is acting as the Servicer under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
VII
DEFAULT
SECTION
7.01. Servicer
Default.
If any
one or more of the following events (a “Servicer
Default”)
shall
occur and be continuing:
(a) any
failure by the Servicer to remit to the Collection Account for any Series on
behalf of the Issuer any required remittance that shall continue unremedied
for
a period of five (5) Business Days after written notice of such failure is
received by the Servicer from the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee or after
discovery of such failure by an officer of the Servicer; or
23
(b) any
failure on the part of the Servicer or, so long as the Servicer is BGE, any
failure on the part of BGE, as the case may be, duly to observe or to perform
in
any material respect any covenants or agreements of the Servicer or BGE, as
the
case may be, set forth in this Agreement (other than as provided in clause
(a)
of this
Section
7.01)
or any
other Basic Document to which it is a party, which failure shall (i) materially
and adversely affect the rights of the Holders and (ii) continue unremedied
for
a period of sixty (60) days after the date on which (A) written notice of such
failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the
Servicer or BGE, as the case may be, by the Issuer (with a copy to the Indenture
Trustee) or to the Servicer or BGE, as the case may be, by the Indenture Trustee
or (B) such failure is discovered by an officer of the Servicer; or
(c) any
failure by the Servicer duly to perform its obligations under Section
4.01(b)
of this
Agreement in the time and manner set forth therein, which failure continues
unremedied for a period of five (5) days; or
(d) any
representation or warranty made by the Servicer in this Agreement or any Basic
Document shall prove to have been incorrect when made, which has a material
adverse effect on the Holders and which material adverse effect continues
unremedied for a period of sixty (60) days after the date on which (A) written
notice thereof, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been delivered
to
the Servicer (with a copy to the Indenture Trustee) by the Issuer or the
Indenture Trustee or (B) such failure is discovered by an officer of the
Servicer; or
(e) an
Insolvency Event occurs with respect to the Servicer or BGE;
then,
and
in each and every case, so long as the Servicer Default shall not have been
remedied, either the Indenture Trustee may, or shall upon the instruction of
Holders evidencing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the
Rate Stabilization Bonds of all Series, by notice then given in writing to
the
Servicer (and to the Indenture Trustee if given by the Holders) (a “Termination
Notice”),
terminate all the rights and obligations (other than the obligations set forth
in Section
8.01
and the
obligation under Section
7.02
to
continue performing its functions as Servicer until a Successor Servicer is
appointed) of the Servicer under this Agreement. In addition, upon a Servicer
Default described in Section
7.01(a),
the
Holders and the Indenture Trustee as financing parties under the Rate
Stabilization Law (or any of their representatives) shall be entitled to (i)
apply to the Circuit Court of Baltimore City for sequestration and payment
of
revenues arising with respect to the Rate Stabilization Property, (ii) foreclose
on or otherwise enforce the lien and security interests in any Rate
Stabilization Property and (iii) apply to the PSC for an order that amounts
arising from the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges be transferred to a
separate account for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with
the
Rate Stabilization Law. On or after the receipt by the Servicer of a Termination
Notice, all authority and power of the Servicer under this Agreement, whether
with respect to the Rate Stabilization Bonds, the Rate Stabilization Property,
the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges or otherwise, shall, without further
action, pass to and be vested in such successor Servicer as may be appointed
under Section
7.02;
and,
without limitation, the Indenture Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered
to
execute and deliver, on behalf of the predecessor Servicer, as attorney-in-fact
or otherwise, any and all documents and other instruments, and to do or
accomplish all other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the
purposes of such Termination Notice, whether to complete the transfer of the
Rate Stabilization Property Records
24
and
related documents, or otherwise. The predecessor Servicer shall cooperate with
the successor Servicer, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee in effecting the
termination of the responsibilities and rights of the predecessor Servicer
under
this Agreement, including the transfer to the Successor Servicer for
administration by it of all Rate Stabilization Property Records and all cash
amounts that shall at the time be held by the predecessor Servicer for
remittance, or shall thereafter be received by it with respect to the Rate
Stabilization Property or the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges. As soon
as
practicable after receipt by the Servicer of such Termination Notice, the
Servicer shall deliver the Rate Stabilization Property Records to the Successor
Servicer. In case a Successor Servicer is appointed as a result of a Servicer
Default, all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees
and expenses) incurred in connection with transferring the Rate Stabilization
Property Records to the successor Servicer and amending this Agreement to
reflect such succession as Servicer pursuant to this Section
7.01
shall be
paid by the predecessor Servicer upon presentation of reasonable documentation
of such costs and expenses. Termination of BGE as Servicer shall not terminate
BGE’s rights or obligations under the Sale Agreement (except rights thereunder
deriving from its rights as the Servicer hereunder).
SECTION
7.02. Appointment
of Successor.
(a) Upon
the
Servicer’s receipt of a Termination Notice pursuant to Section
7.01
or the
Servicer’s resignation or removal in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the predecessor Servicer shall continue to perform its functions
as
Servicer under this Agreement, and shall be entitled to receive the requisite
portion of the Servicing Fee, until a successor Servicer shall have assumed
in
writing the obligations of the Servicer hereunder as described below. In the
event of the Servicer’s removal or resignation hereunder, the Indenture Trustee
may at the written direction and with the consent of
the
Holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Rate
Stabilization Bonds shall appoint a successor Servicer with the Issuer’s prior
written consent thereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
and
the Successor Servicer shall accept its appointment by a written assumption
in
form reasonably acceptable
to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee and provide prompt written notice of
such assumption to the Issuer and the Rating Agencies. If within thirty (30)
days after the delivery of the Termination Notice, a Successor Servicer shall
not have been appointed, the Indenture Trustee may petition a court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint a successor Servicer under this Agreement. A Person
shall qualify as a Successor Servicer only if (i) such Person is permitted
under
PSC Regulations to perform the duties of the Servicer, (ii) the Rating Agency
Condition shall have been satisfied and (iii) such Person enters into a
servicing
agreement with the Issuer having substantially the same provisions as this
Agreement (as the Rate Stabilization Bond Servicer).
In no
event shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for its appointment of a Successor
Servicer. The Indenture Trustee’s expenses incurred under this Section
7.02(a)
shall be
at the sole expense of the Issuer and payable from the Collection Accounts
as
provided in Section
8.02
of the
Indenture.
(b) Upon
appointment, the Successor Servicer shall be the successor in all respects
to
the predecessor Servicer and shall be subject to all the responsibilities,
duties and liabilities arising thereafter relating thereto placed on the
predecessor Servicer and shall be
25
entitled
to the Servicing Fee and all the rights granted to the predecessor Servicer
by
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION
7.03. Waiver
of Past Defaults.
The
Holders evidencing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the
Rate Stabilization Bonds of all Series may, on behalf of all Holders, direct
the
Indenture Trustee to waive in writing any default by the Servicer in the
performance of its obligations hereunder
and its consequences, except a default in making any required deposits to the
Collection Account for any Series in accordance with this Agreement. Upon any
such waiver of a past default, such default shall cease to exist, and any
Servicer Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been remedied for
every purpose of this Agreement. No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent
or other default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION
7.04. Notice
of Servicer Default.
The
Servicer shall deliver to the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee, the PSC and the
Rating Agencies, promptly after having obtained knowledge thereof, but in no
event later than five (5) Business Days thereafter, written notice of any event
which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a
Servicer Default under Section
7.01.
SECTION
7.05. Cooperation
with Successor.
The
Servicer covenants and agrees with the Issuer that it will, on an ongoing basis,
cooperate with the Successor Servicer and provide whatever information is,
and
take whatever actions are, reasonably necessary to assist the successor Servicer
in performing its obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE
VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION
8.01. Servicer’s
Indemnification; Release of Claims.
(a) The
Servicer shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the extent of the
obligations specifically undertaken as the Servicer under this
Agreement.
(b) The
Servicer shall indemnify the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee (for itself and
for
the benefit of the Holders), and the Independent Managers and each of their
respective trustees, officers, directors, employees and agents (each, an
“Indemnified
Person”)
for,
and defend and hold harmless each such Indemnified Person from and against,
any
and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, payments and claims, and
reasonable costs or expenses, of any kind whatsoever (collectively,
“Losses”)
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnified Person as
a
result of (i) the Servicer’s willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence
in the performance of its duties or observance of its covenants under this
Agreement or its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement, (ii) the Servicer’s breach of any of its representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement, (iii) any litigation or related expenses
relating to the Servicer’s status or obligations as Servicer (other than any
proceeding the Servicer is required to institute under the Servicing Agreement)
or (iv) any finding that interest payable to a Third-Party Collector with
respect to disputed funds must be paid by the Issuer or from the Rate
Stabilization Property, except to the extent of Losses either resulting from
the
willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such Indemnified
Person
26
seeking
indemnification hereunder or resulting from a breach of a representation or
warranty made by such Indemnified Person seeking indemnification hereunder
in
any of the Basic Documents that gives rise to the Servicer’s
breach.
(c) For
purposes of Section
8.01(b),
in the
event of the termination of the rights and obligations of BGE (or any successor
thereto pursuant to Section
6.02)
as
Servicer pursuant to Section
7.01,
or a
resignation by such Servicer pursuant to this Agreement, such Servicer shall
be
deemed to be the Servicer pending appointment of a successor Servicer pursuant
to Section 7.02.
(d) Indemnification
under this Section
8.01
shall
survive any repeal of, modification of, or supplement to, or judicial
invalidation of, the Rate Stabilization Law or any Qualified Rate Order and
shall survive the resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee or any
Independent Manager or the termination of this Agreement and shall include
reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of investigation and litigation
(including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses).
(e) Except
to
the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or the other Basic Documents
(including the Servicer’s claims with respect to the Servicing Fee,
reimbursement for any Excess Remittance, reimbursement for costs incurred
pursuant to Section
5.02(d)
and the
payment of the purchase price of Rate Stabilization Property), the Servicer
hereby releases and discharges the Issuer, the Independent Managers, and the
Indenture Trustee and each of their respective officers, directors and agents
(collectively, the “Released
Parties”)
from
any and all actions, claims and demands whatsoever, whenever arising, which
the
Servicer, in its capacity as Servicer or otherwise, shall or may have against
any such Person relating to the Rate Stabilization Property or the Servicer’s
activities with respect thereto other than any actions, claims and demands
arising out of the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of the
Released Parties.
(f) Promptly
after receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice (or, in the case of the
Indenture Trustee, receipt of notice by a Responsible Officer only) of the
commencement of any action, proceeding or investigation, such Indemnified Person
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Servicer under
this Section
8.01,
notify
the Servicer in writing of the commencement thereof. Failure by an Indemnified
Person to so notify the Servicer shall relieve the Servicer from the obligation
to indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Person under this Section
8.01
only to
the extent that the Servicer 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
8.01,
the
Servicer shall be entitled to conduct and control, at its expense and with
counsel of its choosing that is reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified
Person, the defense of any such action, proceeding or investigation (in which
case the Servicer 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 that the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate
in such action, proceeding or investigation through counsel chosen by it and
at
its own expense. Notwithstanding the Servicer’s election to assume the defense
of any action, proceeding or investigation, the Indemnified Person shall have
the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Servicer
shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such
27
separate
counsel if (i) the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified
Person and the Servicer 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 Servicer, (ii) the Servicer 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, (iii) the Servicer shall authorize the Indemnified
Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Servicer or (iv) in
the
case of the Indenture Trustee, such action exposes the Indenture Trustee to
a
material risk of criminal liability or forfeiture or a Servicer Default has
occurred and is continuing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Servicer shall
not be obligated to pay for the fees, costs and expenses of more than one
separate counsel for the Indemnified Persons other than one local counsel,
if
appropriate.
ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SECTION
9.01. Amendment.
(a) This
Agreement may be amended in writing by the Servicer and the Issuer with the
prior written consent of the Indenture Trustee and the satisfaction of the
Rating Agency Condition. Promptly after the execution of any such amendment
or
consent, the Issuer shall furnish written notification of the substance of
such
amendment or consent to each of the Rating Agencies.
Prior
to
the execution of any amendment to this Agreement, the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely upon an Opinion
of
Counsel of external counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or
permitted by this Agreement and upon the Opinion of Counsel from external
counsel referred to in Section
3.01(c)(i).
The
Issuer and the Indenture Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter
into
any such amendment which affects their own rights, duties, indemnities or
immunities under this Agreement or otherwise.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section
9.01(a)
or
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Servicer and the Issuer may
amend Annex
I
to this
Agreement in writing with prior written notice given to the Indenture Trustee
and the Rating Agencies, but without the consent of the Indenture Trustee,
any
Rating Agency or any Holder, solely to address changes to the Servicer’s method
of calculating QRSC Payments as a result of changes to the Servicer’s current
computerized customer information system, including changes which would replace
the remittances of Estimated QRSC Collections contemplated by the estimation
procedures set forth in Annex I with remittances of Actual QRSC Collections
determined to have been actually received; provided
that any
such amendment shall not have a material adverse effect on the Holders of then
Outstanding Rate Stabilization Bonds.
(c) If
the
PSC adopts a rule or regulation the effect of which is to modify or supplement
any provision of this Agreement related to the TPC Credit Requirements and
the
TPC Deposit Requirements, this Agreement will be deemed so modified or
supplemented on the effective date of such rule or regulation in the manner
necessary to comply therewith without the
28
necessity
of any further action by any party hereto; provided
that (i)
the Rating Agency Condition has been satisfied, (ii) the Servicer shall have
notified the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of such modification or supplement
and delivered an Opinion of Counsel as described in the second paragraph of
Section
9.01(a)
and
(iii) neither the Issuer nor the Indenture Trustee shall be bound by any such
modification to the extent it affects their own rights, duties, indemnities
or
immunities under this Agreement or otherwise.
SECTION
9.02. Maintenance
of Accounts and Records.
(a) The
Servicer shall maintain accounts and records as to the Rate Stabilization
Property accurately and in accordance with its standard accounting procedures
and in sufficient detail to permit reconciliation between Actual QRSC
Collections received by the Servicer and Estimated QRSC Collections from time
to
time deposited in the Collection Accounts.
(b) The
Servicer shall permit the Indenture Trustee and its agents at any time during
normal business hours, upon reasonable notice to the Servicer and to the extent
it does not unreasonably interfere with the Servicer’s normal operations, to
inspect, audit and make copies of and abstracts from the Servicer’s records
regarding the Rate Stabilization Property and the Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charges. Nothing in this Section
9.02(b)
shall
affect the obligation of the Servicer to observe any applicable Requirements
of
Law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the Customers, and the
failure of the Servicer to provide access to such information as a result of
such obligation shall not constitute a breach of this
Section 9.02(b).
SECTION
9.03. Notices.
Unless
otherwise specifically provided herein, all demands, notices and communications
upon or to the Servicer, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or the Rating
Agencies under this Agreement shall be sufficiently given for all
purposes hereunder
if in writing and delivered personally, sent by documented delivery service
or,
to the extent
receipt is confirmed telephonically, sent by telecopy or other form of
electronic transmission:
(a) in
the
case of the Servicer, to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, at 000 X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000, Attention: _________, Telephone: ______,
Facsimile: _______;
(b) in
the
case of the Issuer, to RSB BondCo LLC at [_______________-, _________, Delaware
_____], Attention: _____, Telephone: ______, Facsimile: ______;
(c) in
the
case of the Indenture Trustee, to the Corporate Trust Office;
(d) in
the
case of the PSC, to ________, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: _______,
Telephone: ________, Facsimile: ________;
(e) in
the
case of Moody’s, to Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc., ABS Monitoring Department,
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Telephone: (000) 000-0000,
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000;
29
(f) in
the
case of Standard & Poor’s, to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a
division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Asset Backed Surveillance Department,
Telephone: (000) 000-0000, Facsimile: (000) 000-0000;
(g) in
the
case of Fitch, to Fitch Ratings, Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000,
Attention: ABS Surveillance, Telephone: (000) 000-0000, Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000; or
(h) as
to
each of the foregoing, at such other address as shall be designated by written
notice to the other parties.
SECTION
9.04. Assignment.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except as provided
in
Section
6.02
and as
provided in the provisions of this Agreement concerning the resignation of
the
Servicer, this Agreement may not be assigned by the Servicer.
SECTION
9.05. Limitations
on Rights of Others.
The
provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Servicer and
the
Issuer and, to the extent provided herein or in the Basic Documents, Customers,
the Indenture Trustee and the Holders, and the other Persons expressly referred
to herein, and such Persons shall have the right to enforce the relevant
provisions of this Agreement. 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 Rate Stabilization Property or Rate Stabilization
Bond Collateral or under or in respect of this Agreement or any covenants,
conditions or provisions contained herein.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for the avoidance
of
doubt, any right, remedy or claim to which any Customer may be entitled pursuant
to the Applicable Qualified Rate Order and to this Agreement may be asserted
or
exercised only by the PSC (or by the Attorney General of the State of Maryland
in the name of the PSC) for the benefit of such Customer.
SECTION
9.06. 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 remainder of
such
provision (if any) or the remaining provisions hereof (unless such a
construction shall be unreasonable), and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION
9.07. 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
9.08. 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
9.09. GOVERNING
LAW.
THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE
30
STATE
OF
MARYLAND, 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
9.10. Assignment
to Indenture Trustee.
(a) The
Servicer hereby acknowledges and consents to any mortgage, pledge, assignment
and grant of a security interest by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee for
the
benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture of any or all of the
Issuer’s rights hereunder and (b) in no event shall the Trustee have any
liability for the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other
obligations of the Issuer hereunder or in any of the certificates delivered
pursuant hereto, as to all of which any recourse shall be had solely to the
assets of the Issuer subject to the availability of funds therefor under
Section
8.02
of the
Indenture.
SECTION
9.11. Nonpetition
Covenants.
Notwithstanding any prior termination of this Agreement or the Indenture, the
Servicer, solely in its capacity as a creditor of the Issuer, shall not, prior
to the date which is one year and one day after the satisfaction and discharge
of the Indenture, acquiesce,
petition or otherwise invoke or cause the Issuer to invoke or join with any
Person in invoking the process of any court or Governmental Authority for the
purpose of commencing or sustaining an involuntary case against the Issuer
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 Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer
or
ordering the dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the
Issuer.
SECTION
9.12. Limitation
of Liability.
It is
expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that this Agreement is
executed and delivered by the Indenture Trustee, not individually or personally
but solely as Indenture Trustee in the exercise of the powers and authority
conferred and vested in it, and that the Indenture Trustee, in acting hereunder,
is entitled to all rights, benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities
accorded to it under the Indenture.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
31
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.
RSB
BONDCO LLC, as Issuer
|
|
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
|
BALTIMORE
GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, as Servicer
|
|
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
|
ACKNOWLEDGED
AND ACCEPTED:
|
|
__________,
as
Indenture Trustee
|
|
By:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
|
EXHIBIT
A
MONTHLY
SERVICER’S CERTIFICATE
See
Attached.
EXHIBIT
A
1
EXHIBIT
A
TO
RATE STABILIZATION PROPERTY
SERVICING
AGREEMENT
FORM
OF
MONTHLY SERVICER’S CERTIFICATE
(TO
BE
DELIVERED EACH MONTH PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.01(b)(i)
OF
THE
SERIES [ ] RATE STABILIZATION PROPERTY SERVICING AGREEMENT)
Series
[ ] Bonds
Baltimore
Gas and Electric Company, as Servicer
Pursuant
to the Series [ ] Rate
Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement dated as of __________, 2007 (the
“Series [ ] Rate Stabilization
Property Servicing Agreement”) between Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, as
Servicer, and RSB BondCo LLC, as Issuer, the Servicer does hereby certify as
follows:
SERIES
[ ] COLLECTION PERIOD:
________
Customer
Class
|
a.
Series [ ]
Qualified
Rate Stabilization
Charge
in
Effect
|
b.
Series [ ]
Billed
QRSCs
|
c.
Series [ ]
Estimated
QRSC
Collections
|
d.
Series [ ]
QRSC
Collections
Remitted
to
Trustee
|
Residential
Service
|
__
cents/kWh
|
Capitalized
terms used herein have their respective meanings set forth in the Series [
]
Rate Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement.
In
WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Monthly
Servicer’s Certificate this [ ]th day of _____,
______.
BALTIMORE
GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
as
Servicer
By
________________________
Title:
2
EXHIBIT
B
CERTIFICATE
OF COMPLIANCE
The
undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting
[__________]
of
[NAME
OF
SERVICER],
as
servicer (the “Servicer”)
under
the Rate Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement dated as of ______ __,
2007
(the “Servicing
Agreement”)
between the Servicer and RSB BondCo LLC (the “Issuer”)
and
further that:
1. A
review
of the activities of the Servicer and of its performance under the Servicing
Agreement during the twelve months ended [________],
[
]
has been
made under the supervision of the undersigned pursuant to Section
3.03
of the
Servicing Agreement; and
2. To
the
best of the undersigned’s knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has
fulfilled all of its obligations in all material respects under the Servicing
Agreement throughout the twelve months ended [________],[
_____],
except
as set forth on Annex
A
hereto.
Executed
as of this ______________ day of _________________, ____.
[NAME
OF SERVICER]
|
|
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
EXHIBIT
B
1
ANNEX
A
TO
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
LIST
OF SERVICER DEFAULTS
The
following Servicer Defaults, or events which with the giving of notice, the
lapse of time, or both, would become Servicer Defaults known to the undersigned
occurred during the year ended [__________]:
Nature
of Default
|
Status
|
EXHIBIT
B
2
EXHIBIT
C
SERVICER’S
CERTIFICATE
The
undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting
[__________]
of
[BALTIMORE
GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY],
as
servicer (the “Servicer”)
under
the Rate Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement dated as of ______ __,
2007
(the “Servicing
Agreement”)
between the Servicer and RSB BondCo LLC (the “Issuer”)
and
further that:
1. The
undersigned is responsible for assessing the Servicer’s compliance with the
servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB (the “Servicing
Criteria”).
2. With
respect to each of the Servicing Criteria, the undersigned has made the
following assessment of the Servicing Criteria in accordance with Item 1122(d)
of Regulation AB, with such discussion regarding the performance of such
Servicing Criteria during the fiscal year covered by the Sponsor’s annual report
on Form 10-K Report (such fiscal year, the “Assessment
Period”):
Servicing
Criteria
|
Applicable
Servicing
Criteria
|
|
Reference
|
Criteria
|
|
General
Servicing Considerations
|
||
1122(d)(1)(i)
|
Policies
and procedures are instituted to monitor any performance or other
triggers
and events of default in accordance with the transaction
agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(1)(ii)
|
If
any material servicing activities are outsourced to third parties,
policies and procedures are instituted to monitor the third party’s
performance and compliance with such servicing activities.
|
Not
applicable; no servicing activities were outsourced.
|
1122(d)(1)(iii)
|
Any
requirements in the transaction agreements to maintain a back-up
servicer
for pool assets are maintained.
|
Not
applicable; documents do not provide for a back-up
servicer.
|
1122(d)(1)(iv)
|
A
fidelity bond and errors and omissions policy is in effect on the
party
participating in the servicing function throughout the reporting
period in
the amount of coverage required by and otherwise in accordance
with the
terms of the transaction agreements.
|
Not
applicable; Qualified Rate Order imposes credit standards on Third-Party
Collectors who handle customer collections and govern performance
|
EXHIBIT
C
1
Servicing
Criteria
|
Applicable
Servicing
Criteria
|
|
Reference
|
Criteria
|
|
requirements
of utilities.
|
||
Cash
Collection and Administration
|
||
1122(d)(2)(i)
|
Payments
on pool assets are deposited into the appropriate custodial
bank accounts
and related bank clearing accounts no more than two business
days
following receipt, or such other number of days specified in
the
transaction agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(2)(ii)
|
Disbursements
made via wire transfer on behalf of an obligor or to an investor
are made
only by authorized personnel.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(2)(iii)
|
Advances
of funds or guarantees regarding collections, cash flows or
distributions,
and any interest or other fees charged for such advances, are
made,
reviewed and approved as specified in the transaction
agreements.
|
Applicable,
but no current assessment required; no advances by the Servicer
are
permitted under the transaction agreements.
|
1122(d)(2)(iv)
|
The
related accounts for the transaction, such as cash reserve
accounts or
accounts established as a form of overcollateralization, are
separately
maintained (e.g., with respect to commingling of cash) as set
forth in the
transaction agreements.
|
Applicable,
but no current assessment is required since transaction accounts
are
maintained by and in the name of the Indenture Trustee.
|
1122(d)(2)(v)
|
Each
custodial account is maintained at a federally insured depository
institution as set forth in the transaction agreements. For
purposes of
this criterion, “federally insured depository institution” with respect to
a foreign financial institution means a foreign financial institution
that
meets the requirements of Rule 13k-1(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange
Act.
|
Applicable,
but no current assessment required; all “custodial accounts” are
maintained by the Indenture Trustee.
|
1122(d)(2)(vi)
|
Unissued
checks are safeguarded so as to prevent unauthorized
access.
|
Not
applicable; all transfers made by wire transfer.
|
1122(d)(2)(vii)
|
Reconciliations
are prepared on a monthly basis for all asset-backed securities
related
bank accounts, including custodial accounts and related bank
clearing
accounts. These reconciliations are (A) mathematically accurate;
(B)
prepared within 30 calendar days after the bank statement cutoff
date, or
such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements;
(C)
reviewed and approved by someone other than the person who
prepared the
reconciliation; and (D) contain
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
EXHIBIT
C
2
Servicing
Criteria
|
Applicable
Servicing
Criteria
|
|
Reference
|
Criteria
|
|
explanations
for reconciling items. These reconciling items are resolved within
90
calendar days of their original identification, or such other number
of
days specified in the transaction agreements.
|
||
Investor
Remittances and Reporting
|
||
1122(d)(3)(i)
|
Reports
to investors, including those to be filed with the Commission,
are
maintained in accordance with the transaction agreements and applicable
Commission requirements. Specifically, such reports (A) are prepared
in
accordance with timeframes and other terms set forth in the transaction
agreements; (B) provide information calculated in accordance with
the
terms specified in the transaction agreements; (C) are filed with
the
Commission as required by its rules and regulations; and (D) agree
with
investors’ or the trustee’s records as to the total unpaid principal
balance and number of pool assets serviced by the
Servicer.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(3)(ii)
|
Amounts
due to investors are allocated and remitted in accordance with
timeframes,
distribution priority and other terms set forth in the transaction
agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(3)(iii)
|
Disbursements
made to an investor are posted within two business days to the
Servicer’s
investor records, or such other number of days specified in the
transaction agreements.
|
Applicable
|
1122(d)(3)(iv)
|
Amounts
remitted to investors per the investor reports agree with cancelled
checks, or other form of payment, or custodial bank
statements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
Pool
Asset Administration
|
||
1122(d)(4)(i)
|
Collateral
or security on pool assets is maintained as required by the transaction
agreements or related documents.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(4)(ii)
|
Pool
assets and related documents are safeguarded as required by the
transaction agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(4)(iii)
|
Any
additions, removals or substitutions to the asset pool are made,
reviewed
and approved in accordance with any conditions or requirements
in the
transaction agreements.
|
Not
applicable; no removals or substitutions of Rate Stabilization
Property
are contemplated or allowed under the transaction
|
EXHIBIT
C
3
Servicing
Criteria
|
Applicable
Servicing
Criteria
|
|
Reference
|
Criteria
|
|
documents.
|
||
1122(d)(4)(iv)
|
Payments
on pool assets, including any payoffs, made in accordance with
the related
pool asset documents are posted to the Servicer’s obligor records
maintained no more than two business days after receipt, or such
other
number of days specified in the transaction agreements, and allocated
to
principal, interest or other items (e.g., escrow) in accordance
with the
related transaction agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(4)(v)
|
The
Servicer’s records regarding the pool assets agree with the Servicer’s
records with respect to an obligor’s unpaid principal
balance.
|
Not
applicable; because underlying obligation (Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charge) is not an interest bearing instrument
|
1122(d)(4)(vi)
|
Changes
with respect to the terms or status of an obligor’s pool assets (e.g.,
loan modifications or re-agings) are made, reviewed and approved
by
authorized personnel in accordance with the transaction agreements
and
related pool asset documents.
|
Applicable;
assessment below
|
1122(d)(4)(vii)
|
Loss
mitigation or recovery actions (e.g., forbearance plans, modifications
and
deeds in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosures and repossessions, as
applicable) are initiated, conducted and concluded in accordance
with the
timeframes or other requirements established by the transaction
agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(4)(viii)
|
Records
documenting collection efforts are maintained during the period
any pool
asset is delinquent in accordance with the transaction agreements.
Such
records are maintained on at least a monthly basis, or such other
period
specified in the transaction agreements, and describe the entity’s
activities in monitoring delinquent pool assets including, for
example,
phone calls, letters and payment rescheduling plans in cases where
delinquency is deemed temporary (e.g., illness or
unemployment).
|
Applicable,
but does not require assessment since no explicit documentation
requirement with respect to delinquent accounts are imposed under
the
transactional documents due to availability of “true-up” mechanism.
|
1122(d)(4)(ix)
|
Adjustments
to interest rates or rates of return for pool assets with variable
rates
are computed based on the related pool asset documents.
|
Not
applicable; Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges are not interest
bearing
instruments.
|
EXHIBIT
C
4
Servicing
Criteria
|
Applicable
Servicing
Criteria
|
|
Reference
|
Criteria
|
|
1122(d)(4)(x)
|
Regarding
any funds held in trust for an obligor (such as escrow accounts):
(A) such
funds are analyzed, in accordance with the obligor’s pool asset documents,
on at least an annual basis, or such other period specified in
the
transaction agreements; (B) interest on such funds is paid, or
credited, to obligors in accordance with applicable pool asset
documents
and state laws; and (C) such funds are returned to the obligor
within 30
calendar days of full repayment of the related pool assets, or
such other
number of days specified in the transaction agreements.
|
Applicable;
Servicer maintains TPC deposit accounts in accordance with PSC
rules and
regulations.
|
1122(d)(4)(xi)
|
Payments
made on behalf of an obligor (such as tax or insurance payments)
are made
on or before the related penalty or expiration dates, as indicated
on the
appropriate bills or notices for such payments, provided that such
support
has been received by the servicer at least 30 calendar days prior
to these
dates, or such other number of days specified in the transaction
agreements.
|
Not
applicable; Servicer does not make payments on behalf of
obligors.
|
1122(d)(4)(xii)
|
Any
late payment penalties in connection with any payment to be made
on behalf
of an obligor are paid from the Servicer’s funds and not charged to the
obligor, unless the late payment was due to the obligor’s error or
omission.
|
Not
applicable; servicer cannot make advances of its own funds on behalf
of
customers under the transaction documents.
|
1122(d)(4)(xiii)
|
Disbursements
made on behalf of an obligor are posted within two business days
to the
obligor’s records maintained by the servicer, or such other number of days
specified in the transaction agreements.
|
Not
applicable; servicer cannot make advances of its own funds on behalf
of
customers to pay principal or interest on the bonds.
|
1122(d)(4)(xiv)
|
Delinquencies,
Charge-Offs and uncollectible accounts are recognized and recorded
in
accordance with the transaction agreements.
|
Applicable;
assessment below.
|
1122(d)(4)(xv)
|
Any
external enhancement or other support, identified in Item 1114(a)(1)
through (3) or Item 1115 of Regulation AB, is maintained as set
forth in
the transaction agreements.
|
Not
applicable; no external enhancement is required under the transaction
documents.
|
3. To
the
best of the undersigned’s knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer is in
compliance in all material respects with the applicable servicing criteria
set
forth
EXHIBIT
C
5
above
as
of and for the period ending the end of the fiscal year covered by the Sponsor’s
annual report on Form 10-K. [If
not
true, include description of any material instance of noncompliance.]
Executed
as of this ______________ day of _________________, ____.
BALTIMORE
GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
|
|
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title:
|
EXHIBIT
C
6
SCHEDULE
4.01(a)
EXPECTED
AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE
See
Attached.
SCHEDULE
4.01(a)
1
ANNEX
I
The
Servicer agrees to comply with the following servicing procedures:
SECTION
1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Capitalized
terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Rate Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement
(the “Agreement”).
(b) Whenever
used in this Annex
I,
the
following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
“Applicable
MDMA”
means
with respect to each Customer, the meter data management agent providing meter
reading services for that Customer’s account.
“Billed
QRSCs”
means
the amounts of Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges billed by the Servicer,
whether billed directly to Customers by the Servicer or indirectly through
Third-Party Collectors.
“Servicer
Policies and Practices”
means,
with respect to the Servicer’s duties under this Annex
I,
the
policies and practices of the Servicer applicable to such duties that the
Servicer follows with respect to comparable assets that it services for itself
and, if applicable, others.
SECTION
2. DATA
ACQUISITION.
(a) Installation
and Maintenance of Meters.
Except
to the extent that a Third-Party Collector is responsible for such services,
the
Servicer shall cause to be installed, replaced and maintained meters in such
places and in such condition as will enable the Servicer to obtain usage
measurements for each Customer at least once every Billing Period. To the extent
a Third-Party Collector is responsible for such services, but not performing
such services, the Servicer shall take all reasonably necessary actions to
obtain usage measurements for each Customer at least once every Billing Period.
(b) Meter
Reading.
At
least once each Billing Period, the Servicer shall obtain usage measurements
from the Applicable MDMA for each Customer; provided,
however,
that
the Servicer may estimate any Customer’s usage determined in accordance with
applicable PSC Regulations.
(c) Cost
of Metering.
The
Issuer shall not be obligated to pay any costs associated with the routine
metering duties set forth in this Section
2,
including the costs of installing, replacing and maintaining meters, nor shall
the Issuer be entitled to any credit against the Servicing Fee for any cost
savings realized by the Servicer or any Third-Party Collector as a result of
new
metering and/or billing technologies.
ANNEX
I
1
(d) PJM. The
Servicer shall take
all reasonable actions available under PSC Regulations or other rules or
regulations to obtain timely information from PJM, if any, which is necessary
for the Servicer to fulfill its obligations under the Servicing
Agreement.
SECTION
3. USAGE
AND XXXX CALCULATION.
The
Servicer (a) shall obtain a calculation of each Customer’s usage (which may be
based on data obtained from such Customer’s meter read or on usage estimates
determined in accordance with applicable PSC Regulations) at least once each
Billing Period; and (b) shall either (i) determine therefrom each Customer’s
individual Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges to be included on Bills issued
by it to such Customer or to the Applicable Third-Party Collector responsible
for billing such Customer, or (ii) where the Applicable Third-Party Collector
is
responsible for billing the Customers, allow the Applicable Third-Party
Collector, rather than the Servicer, to determine such Customers’ individual
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges to be included on such Customers’ Bills
based on billing factors provided by the Servicer, and, in such case, the
Servicer shall deliver to the Applicable Third-Party Collector such billing
factors as are necessary for the Applicable Third-Party Collector to calculate
such Customers’ respective Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges as such charges
may change from time to time pursuant to the True-Up Adjustments.
SECTION
4. BILLING.
The
Servicer shall implement the Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges as of the
Closing Date and shall thereafter xxxx each Customer or, with respect to
Customers billed by a Third-Party Collector, the Applicable Third-Party
Collector, for the respective Customer’s outstanding current and past due
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges accruing through the date on which such
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges may no longer be billed under the Tariff,
all in accordance with the following:
(a) Frequency
of Bills; Billing Practices.
In accordance with the Servicer’s then-existing Servicer Policies and Practices
for its own charges, as such Servicer Policies and Practices may be modified
from time to time, the Servicer shall generate and issue a Xxxx to each
Customer, or, where the Applicable Third-Party Collector is responsible for
billing the Customers, to the Applicable Third-Party Collector, for such
Customers’ Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges once every applicable Billing
Period, at the same time, with the same frequency and on the same Xxxx as that
containing the Servicer’s own charges to such Customers or Third-Party
Collectors, as the case may be. In the event that the Servicer makes any
material modification to these practices, it shall notify the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee, and the Rating Agencies prior to the effectiveness of any
such modification; provided,
however,
that
the Servicer may not make any modification that will materially adversely affect
the Holders.
(b) Format.
(i) Each
Xxxx
issued by the Servicer shall contain the charge corresponding to the respective
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges owed by such Customer for the applicable
Billing Period. The Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges shall be separately
identified as owned by the Issuer. Unless prohibited by applicable Requirements
of Law, the Servicer shall use
ANNEX
I
2
reasonable
efforts to cause each Applicable Third-Party Collector to provide Customers
with
the annual notice required by Section
4.01(c)(iii)(B)
of the
Servicing Agreement.
(ii) Where
a
Third-Party Collector is responsible for billing the Customers, the Servicer
shall deliver to the Applicable Third-Party Collector itemized charges for
such
Customer setting forth such Customers’ Qualified Rate Stabilization
Charges.
(iii) The
Servicer shall conform to such requirements in respect of the format, structure
and text of Bills delivered to Customers and Third-Party Collectors in
accordance with any applicable Requirements of Law. To the extent that Xxxx
format, structure and text are not prescribed by applicable Requirements of
Law,
the Servicer shall, subject to clauses
(i)
and
(ii)
above,
determine the format, structure and text of all Bills in accordance with its
reasonable business judgment, its Servicer Policies and Practices with respect
to its own charges and prevailing industry standards.
(c) Delivery.
The Servicer shall deliver all Bills issued by it (i) by United States mail
in
such class or classes as are consistent with the Servicer Policies and Practices
followed by the Servicer with respect to its own charges to its customers or
(ii) by any other means, whether electronic or otherwise, that the Servicer
may
from time to time use to present its own charges to its customers. Where a
Third-Party Collector is responsible for billing the Customers, the Servicer
shall deliver all Bills to the Applicable Third-Party Collector by such means
as
are prescribed by applicable PSC Regulations, or if not prescribed by applicable
PSC Regulations, by such means as are mutually agreed upon by the Servicer
and
the Applicable Third-Party Collector and are consistent with PSC Regulations.
The Servicer or each Third-Party Collector, as applicable, shall pay from its
own funds all costs of issuance and delivery of all Bills, including but not
limited to printing and postage costs as the same may increase or decrease
from
time to time.
SECTION
5. CUSTOMER
SERVICE FUNCTIONS.
The
Servicer shall handle all Customer inquiries and other Customer service matters
according to the same procedures it uses to service Customers with respect
to
its own charges.
SECTION
6. COLLECTIONS;
PAYMENT PROCESSING; REMITTANCE.
(a) Collection
Efforts, Policies, Procedures.
(i) The
Servicer shall use reasonable efforts to collect all Billed QRSCs from Customers
and Third-Party Collectors as and when the same become due and shall follow
such
collection procedures as it follows with respect to comparable assets that
it
services for itself or others, including with respect to the
following:
(A)
|
The
Servicer shall prepare and deliver overdue notices to Customers and
Third-Party Collectors in accordance with applicable PSC Regulations
and
Servicer Policies and Practices.
|
ANNEX
I
3
(B)
|
The
Servicer shall apply late payment charges to outstanding Customer
and
Third-Party Collector balances in accordance with applicable PSC
Regulations and as required by the Qualified Rate Order.
|
(C)
|
In
circumstances where the Servicer bills Customers directly, the Servicer
shall deliver oral and written final notices of delinquency and possible
disconnection in accordance with applicable PSC Regulations and Servicer
Policies and Practices.
|
(D)
|
The
Servicer shall adhere to and carry out disconnection policies and
termination of Third-Party Collector billing in accordance with applicable
Requirements of Law and the Servicer Policies and
Practices.
|
(E)
|
The
Servicer may employ the assistance of collection agents to collect
any
past-due Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges in accordance with
applicable Requirements of Law and Servicer Policies and
Practices.
|
(F)
|
The
Servicer shall apply Customer and Third-Party Collector deposits
to the
payment of delinquent accounts in accordance with applicable PSC
Regulations and Servicer Policies and Practices and according to
the
priorities set forth in Section
6(b)(ii),
(iii),
(iv)
and (v)
of
this Annex
I.
|
(ii) The
Servicer shall not waive any late payment charge or any other fee or charge
relating to delinquent payments, if any, or waive, vary or modify any terms
of
payment of any amounts payable by a Customer, in each case unless such waiver
or
action: (A) would be in accordance with the Servicer’s customary practices or
those of any successor Servicer with respect to comparable assets that it
services for itself and for others; (B) would not materially adversely affect
the rights of the Holders; and (C) would comply with applicable Requirements
of
Law; provided,
however,
that
notwithstanding anything in the Agreement or this Annex
I
to the
contrary, the Servicer is authorized to write off any Billed QRSCs, in
accordance with its Servicer Policies and Practices.
(iii) The
Servicer shall accept payment from Customers in respect of Billed QRSCs in
such
forms and methods and at such times and places as it accepts for payment of
its
own charges. The Servicer shall accept payment from Third-Party Collectors
in
respect of Billed QRSCs in such forms and methods and at such times and places
as the Servicer and each Third-Party Collector shall mutually agree in
accordance with any applicable Requirements of Law.
(b) Payment
Processing; Allocation; Priority of Payments.
(i) The
Servicer shall post all payments received to Customer accounts as promptly
as
practicable, and, in any event, substantially all payments shall be posted
no
later than three (3) Business Days after receipt.
(ii) Subject
to clause
(iii)
below,
the Servicer shall apply payments received to each Customer’s or each Applicable
Third-Party Collector’s account in proportion to the charges contained on the
outstanding Xxxx to such Customer or Applicable Third-Party
Collector.
ANNEX
I
4
(iii)
Any
amounts collected by the Servicer that represent partial payments of the total
Xxxx shall be allocated to gas and electric charges in accordance with
applicable PSC Regulations.
(iv)
With
respect to partial payments of the Electric Xxxx, such partial payments shall
be
allocated ratably, based on the amount owed for Billed QRSCs and other fees
and
charges, other than late charges, owed to the Servicer, and then to late
charges. If more than one Series of Rate Stabilization Bonds is outstanding,
the
Servicer shall allocate amounts owed to the Issuer ratably based on the total
amount of Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges on such xxxx which were billed
in
respect of each such Series.
(v) The
Servicer shall hold all over-payments for the benefit of the Issuer and BGE
and
shall apply such funds to future Xxxx charges in accordance with clauses
(ii)
and
(iii)
as such
charges become due.
(vi)
For
Customers on a Budget Billing Plan, the Servicer shall treat payments received
from such Customers as if such Customers had been billed for their respective
Qualified Rate Stabilization Charges in the absence of the Budget Billing Plan;
partial payment of a Budget Billing Plan payment shall be allocated according
to
clause
(iv)
and
overpayment of a Budget Billing Plan payment shall be allocated according to
clause
(v).
(c) Accounts;
Records.
The
Servicer shall maintain accounts and records as to the Rate Stabilization
Property accurately and in accordance with its standard accounting procedures
and in sufficient detail (i) to permit reconciliation between payments or
recoveries with respect to the Rate Stabilization Property and the amounts
from
time to time remitted to the Collection Accounts in respect of the Rate
Stabilization Property and (ii) to permit the QRSC Payments held by the Servicer
to be accounted for separately from the funds with which they may be commingled,
so that the dollar amounts of QRSC Payments commingled with the Servicer’s funds
may be properly identified and traced.
(d) Investment
of QRSC Payments Received.
Prior
to
each Daily Remittance, the Servicer may invest QRSC Payments received at its
own
risk and (except as required by applicable PSC Regulations) for its own benefit.
So long as the Servicer complies with its obligations under Section
6(c),
neither
such investments nor such funds shall be required to be segregated from the
other investments and funds of the Servicer.
(e) Calculation
Updates.
(i) Annually,
on or before ______ of each year, beginning on _____, 2008, the Servicer shall
update the Collections Curve and the Charge-Off percentage in order to be able
to calculate the Periodic Billing Requirement and to calculate any change in
the
Daily Remittances.
ANNEX
I
5
(ii) The
Servicer and the Issuer acknowledge that, as contemplated in Section
9.01(b)
of the
Agreement, the Servicer may make certain changes to its current computerized
customer information system, which changes, when functional, would affect the
Servicer’s method of calculating the Estimated QRSC Collections or Actual QRSC
Collections during each Collection Period. Should these changes to the
computerized customer information system become functional during the term
of
the Agreement, the Servicer and the Issuer agree that they shall review the
procedures used to calculate the Estimated QRSC Collections and Actual QRSC
Collections in light of the capabilities of such new system and shall amend
this
Annex
I
in
writing to make such modifications and/or substitutions to such procedures
as
may be appropriate in the interests of efficiency, accuracy, cost and/or system
capabilities; provided, however, that the Servicer may not make any modification
or substitution that will materially adversely affect the Holders. As soon
as
practicable, and in no event later than sixty (60) Business Days after the
date
on which all Customer accounts are being billed under such new system, the
Servicer shall notify the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies
of the same.
(iii) All
calculations of collections, each update of the Collections Curve or Charge-Off
percentage and any changes in procedures used to calculate the Estimated QRSC
Collections or Actual QRSC Collections pursuant to this Section
6(e)
shall be
made in good faith, and in the case of any update pursuant to clause
(i)
above or
any change in procedures pursuant to clause
(ii)
above,
in a manner reasonably intended to provide estimates and calculations that
are
at least as accurate as those that would be provided on the Closing Date
utilizing the initial procedures.
(f) Remittances.
(i) The
Issuer shall cause to be established the Collection Accounts in the name of
the
Indenture Trustee in accordance with the Indenture.
(ii) The
Servicer shall make remittances to the Collection Accounts in accordance with
Section
6.10
of the
Agreement.
(iii)
In
the
event of any change of account or change of institution affecting any Collection
Account, the Issuer shall provide written notice thereof to the Servicer not
later than five (5) Business Days from the effective date of such
change.
ANNEX
I
6