Exhibit 10.13
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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of October 20, 2004,
by and among
SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P.,
as Borrower,
the Lenders referred to herein,
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent,
Swingline Lender and an Issuing Lender,
FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Syndication Agent,
CALYON NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Syndication Agent,
CITICORP USA, INC.,
as Documentation Agent,
and
NATIONAL CITY BANK,
as Documentation Agent
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS........................................................1
SECTION 1.1 Definitions................................................1
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions..........................22
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms..........................................22
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms.................................................22
SECTION 1.5 Rounding..................................................23
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws..........................23
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day..............................................23
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts..................................23
ARTICLE II REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY........................................23
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans....................................23
SECTION 2.2 Swingline Loans...........................................24
SECTION 2.3 Revolver Letters of Credit................................26
ARTICLE III STAND-ALONE LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY...........................30
SECTION 3.1 Stand-Alone L/C Commitment................................30
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Stand-Alone Letters
of Credit..............................................30
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.............................31
SECTION 3.4 Stand-Alone L/C Participations............................31
SECTION 3.5 Stand-Alone Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower......32
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute......................................33
ARTICLE IV GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS..........................................33
SECTION 4.1 Procedure for Advances of Loans...........................33
SECTION 4.2 Repayment of Loans........................................35
SECTION 4.3 Evidence of Indebtedness..................................35
SECTION 4.4 Repayment; Limited Incurrence during Cleandown
Period.................................................36
SECTION 4.5 Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitment and the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment..........36
SECTION 4.6 Termination of Credit Facilities..........................37
SECTION 4.7 Interest..................................................37
SECTION 4.8 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation
of Loans...............................................38
SECTION 4.9 Fees......................................................39
SECTION 4.10 Manner of Payment.........................................39
SECTION 4.11 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds........................40
SECTION 4.12 Adjustments...............................................40
SECTION 4.13 Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions
of Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent......41
SECTION 4.14 Changed Circumstances.....................................42
SECTION 4.15 Increased Costs...........................................42
SECTION 4.16 Indemnity.................................................44
SECTION 4.17 Taxes.....................................................44
SECTION 4.18 Duty to Mitigate; Replacement of Lenders..................47
ARTICLE V CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING......................48
SECTION 5.1 Closing...................................................48
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions
of Credit..............................................48
SECTION 5.3 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit....................51
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER...................51
SECTION 6.1 Representations and Warranties............................51
SECTION 6.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc...........57
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES...............................57
SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements......................................58
SECTION 7.2 Officer's Compliance Certificate..........................59
SECTION 7.3 Other Reports.............................................59
SECTION 7.4 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters....................60
SECTION 7.5 Accuracy of Information...................................60
ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..........................................61
SECTION 8.1 Existence; Businesses and Properties......................61
SECTION 8.2 Insurance.................................................61
SECTION 8.3 Taxes.....................................................61
SECTION 8.4 Employee Benefits.........................................62
SECTION 8.5 Access to Premises and Records; Confidentiality...........62
SECTION 8.6 Compliance with Laws......................................62
SECTION 8.7 Additional Guarantors.....................................62
SECTION 8.8 Use of Proceeds...........................................63
SECTION 8.9 Partnership Documents.....................................63
SECTION 8.10 Compliance with Environmental and Safety Laws.............63
SECTION 8.11 Preparation of Environmental Reports......................63
SECTION 8.12 Corporate Identity........................................63
SECTION 8.13 Federal Reserve Regulations...............................64
SECTION 8.14 Available Cash Reserves...................................64
SECTION 8.15 Further Assurances........................................64
SECTION 8.16 Commodity Hedging Policy..................................64
ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL COVENANTS..............................................65
SECTION 9.1 Interest Coverage Ratio...................................65
SECTION 9.2 Leverage Ratio............................................65
ARTICLE X NEGATIVE COVENANTS................................................65
SECTION 10.1 Indebtedness..............................................65
SECTION 10.2 Liens.....................................................68
SECTION 10.3 Sale and Lease-Back Transactions..........................70
SECTION 10.4 Investments, Loans and Advances...........................70
SECTION 10.5 Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and
Acquisitions...........................................71
SECTION 10.6 Restricted Payments.......................................73
SECTION 10.7 Transactions with Affiliates..............................74
SECTION 10.8 Business of Borrower and Subsidiaries.....................74
SECTION 10.9 Material Agreements; Tax Status...........................75
SECTION 10.10 Lease Obligations.........................................75
SECTION 10.11 Priority Indebtedness.....................................76
SECTION 10.12 Certain Accounting Changes................................76
SECTION 10.13 Restrictive Agreements....................................76
ARTICLE XI DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.............................................76
SECTION 11.1 Events of Default.........................................76
SECTION 11.2 Remedies..................................................78
SECTION 11.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc...........79
ARTICLE XII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.........................................79
SECTION 12.1 Appointment and Authority.................................79
SECTION 12.2 Rights as a Lender........................................79
SECTION 12.3 Exculpatory Provisions....................................80
SECTION 12.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent......................80
SECTION 12.5 Delegation of Duties......................................81
SECTION 12.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent.......................81
SECTION 12.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and
Other Lenders..........................................82
SECTION 12.8 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.............82
SECTION 12.9 No Other Duties, etc......................................83
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS...................................................83
SECTION 13.1 Notices...................................................83
SECTION 13.2 Expenses; Indemnity.......................................84
SECTION 13.3 Right of Set-off..........................................86
SECTION 13.4 Governing Law.............................................87
SECTION 13.5 Consent to Jurisdiction...................................87
SECTION 13.6 Waiver of Jury Trial......................................87
SECTION 13.7 Reversal of Payments......................................87
SECTION 13.8 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.......................87
SECTION 13.9 Accounting Matters........................................88
SECTION 13.10 Successors and Assigns; Participations....................88
SECTION 13.11 Confidentiality...........................................91
SECTION 13.12 Amendments, Waivers and Consents..........................91
SECTION 13.13 Performance of Duties.....................................93
SECTION 13.14 All Powers Coupled with Interest..........................93
SECTION 13.15 Survival of Indemnities...................................93
SECTION 13.16 Titles and Captions.......................................93
SECTION 13.17 Severability of Provisions................................93
SECTION 13.18 Counterparts..............................................93
SECTION 13.19 Term of Agreement.........................................93
SECTION 13.20 USA Patriot Act...........................................94
SECTION 13.21 Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent
Effect of Covenants....................................94
SECTION 13.22 Entire Agreement..........................................94
EXHIBITS
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Exhibit A - Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B - Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C - Form of Notice of Account Designation
Exhibit D - Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit E - Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit F - Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Exhibit G - Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit H - Form of Guaranty Agreement
SCHEDULES
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Schedule 1.1(a) - Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 1.1(b) - Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 6.1(a) - Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification
Schedule 6.1(b) - Subsidiaries and Capitalization
Schedule 6.1(m) - Defaults
Schedule 6.1(n) - Employee Relations
Schedule 6.1(u) - Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations
Schedule 8.16 - Commodity Hedging Policy
Schedule 10.2 - Existing Liens
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 20, 2004,
by and among SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P., a limited partnership organized under the
laws of Delaware (the "Borrower"), the Lenders who are or may become a party
hereto, in their capacity as Lenders and in such other capacities as reflected
on the signature pages hereto and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Administrative Agent.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
May 8, 2003 (as amended, the "Original Credit Agreement"), by and among the
Borrower, the lenders party thereto (the "Original Lenders") and the
Administrative Agent, the Original Lenders extended certain credit facilities to
the Borrower pursuant to the terms thereof.
The Borrower has requested, and, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed, to amend and
restate the Original Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties
hereby agree that the Original Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated
as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Agreement
shall have the meanings assigned to them below:
"Administrative Agent" means Wachovia in its capacity as Administrative
Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 12.6.
"Administrative Agent's Office" means the office of the Administrative
Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section
13.1.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other than
a Subsidiary) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first
Person or any of its Subsidiaries. The term "control" means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of any other power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Aggregate Commitment" means the aggregate amount of the Lenders'
Commitments hereunder, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time
to time pursuant to the terms hereof. On the Closing Date, the Aggregate
Commitment shall be One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000).
"Agreement" means this Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as
further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Applicable Law" means all applicable provisions of constitutions,
statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses,
approvals, interpretations and orders of all Governmental Authorities and all
orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.
"Applicable Margin" means, for purposes of calculating (a) the Base Rate
and LIBOR Rate for purposes of Section 4.7(a) and (b) the Facility Fee for
purposes of Section 4.9(a), the corresponding percentage per annum as set forth
below determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the end of the fiscal
quarter immediately preceding the delivery of the applicable Officer's
Compliance Certificate as follows:
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LIBOR
RATE + BASE RATE + FACILITY FEE
LEVEL LEVERAGE RATIO (%) (%) (%)
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I Greater than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00 2.000 1.000 0.500
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II Greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00, 1.750 0.750 0.500
but less than 4.25 to 1.00
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III Greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00, 1.625 0.625 0.375
but less than 3.75 to 1.00
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IV Greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00, 1.375 0.375 0.375
but less than 3.25 to 1.00
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V Less than 2.75 to 1.00 1.250 0.250 0.375
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Adjustments, if any, in the Applicable Margin shall be made by the
Administrative Agent on the third (3rd) Business Day after receipt by the
Administrative Agent of quarterly financial statements for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and the accompanying Officer's Compliance Certificate setting forth
the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the most recent
fiscal quarter end. Subject to Section 4.7(c), in the event the Borrower fails
to deliver such financial statements and certificate within the time required by
Section 7.2, the Applicable Margin shall be the highest Applicable Margin set
forth above until the delivery of such financial statements and Officer's
Compliance Certificate.
"Application" means an application, in the form specified by the applicable
Issuing Lender from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to issue a
Letter of Credit.
"Assignment and Assumption" means an assignment and assumption entered into
by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose
consent is required by Section 13.10), and accepted by the Administrative Agent,
in substantially the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the
Administrative Agent.
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"Available Cash" means, with respect to any fiscal quarter of the Borrower:
(a) the sum of the following, without duplication, (i) all cash and cash
equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on hand at the end of such
quarter, (ii) all additional cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect
to such quarter resulting from borrowings hereunder and (iii) the amount of the
Revolving Credit Commitment available to be borrowed hereunder on the date of
determination of Available Cash, less
(b) the amount of cash reserves that is necessary or appropriate in the
reasonable discretion of the Board of Supervisors of the Borrower to (i) provide
for the proper conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(including reserves for future capital expenditures) subsequent to such quarter,
(ii) comply with Applicable Law or any loan agreement (including, but not
limited to, this Agreement), security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or
other agreement or obligation to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party
or by which it is bound or its assets are subject and which is permitted by the
terms hereof or (iii) provide funds for distributions to partners of the Parent
and the General Partner in respect of any one or more of the next succeeding
four fiscal quarters; provided that the Board of Supervisors shall not establish
cash reserves pursuant to clause (iii) if the effect of such reserves would be
that the Parent is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on
the Common Units with respect to such quarter; and provided, further, that
disbursements made or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the
end of such quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash
with respect to such quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established,
increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such
quarter if the Board of Supervisors of the Borrower so determines.
In addition, without limitation or duplication of the foregoing, Available
Cash for any fiscal quarter shall reflect reserves equal to (A) 50% of the
interest projected to be paid on the Senior Notes, the Refinancing Notes and any
Loans outstanding or projected to be outstanding hereunder in the next
succeeding fiscal quarter and (B) beginning with a date three fiscal quarters
before a scheduled principal payment date on the Senior Notes, the Refinancing
Notes or the Loans, 25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof due on any
such payment date in the third succeeding fiscal quarter, 50% of the aggregate
principal amount due on any such quarterly payment date in the second succeeding
fiscal quarter and 75% of the aggregate principal amount due on any quarterly
payment date in the next succeeding fiscal quarter and (C) the aggregate amount
deemed not to constitute Designated Net Proceeds pursuant to the further proviso
contained in the definition of "Designated Net Proceeds". The foregoing reserves
for amounts to be paid at any time shall be reduced by the amount of the Blocked
Portion then in effect.
"Base Rate" means, at any time, the higher of (a) the Prime Rate or (b) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take
effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate
or the Federal Funds Rate.
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the
Base Rate as provided in Section 4.7(a).
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"Blocked Portion" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.1(b).
"Board of Supervisors" means, with respect to the Parent or the Borrower,
as the case may be, such Board of Supervisors as defined in the Parent
Partnership Agreement or the Borrower Partnership Agreement, as applicable.
"Borrower" has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph
hereto.
"Borrower Partnership Agreement" means the Second Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Borrower, dated as of May 26, 1999, as
it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant
to the terms hereof.
"Business" means the businesses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
"Business Day" means (a) for all purposes other than as set forth in clause
(b) below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks
in Charlotte, North Carolina and New York, New York, are open for the conduct of
their commercial banking business, and (b) with respect to all notices and
determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on,
any LIBOR Rate Loan, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) and
that is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the
London interbank market.
"Capital Asset" means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
any asset that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for
as a capital asset on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.
"Capital Lease" means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
any lease of any property that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified
and accounted for as a capital lease on a Consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person,
including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and
any limited liability company membership interest.
"Change in Law" means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of
any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule,
regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or
in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.
"Change in Ownership" means the occurrence, at any time prior to the
Termination Date, of any of the following events: (a) any Person or group of
Persons, other than those Persons owning Capital Stock of the General Partner on
the Closing Date, shall acquire, directly or indirectly, (i) more than 50% of
the outstanding
4
Capital Stock of the General Partner entitled to vote in the election or removal
of the members of the Board of Supervisors or (ii) outstanding Capital Stock of
the General Partner entitled to more than 50% of the assets of the General
Partner upon the dissolution or liquidation thereof, (b) the General Partner
shall fail to own directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, 100% of
the general partner interests in each of the Parent and the Borrower, (c) a
majority of the seats (excluding vacant seats) on the Board of Supervisors of
the Parent or the Borrower should at any time after the Closing Date be occupied
by Persons who were not nominated by the General Partner, by a majority of the
Board of Supervisors of the Parent or the Borrower or by Persons so nominated or
(d) a change in control with respect to the General Partner, the Parent, or the
Borrower (or similar event, however denominated) should occur under and as
defined in any indenture or agreement in respect of Indebtedness in an aggregate
outstanding principal amount in excess of $10,000,000 to which the General
Partner, the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is party.
"Cleandown Period" means a period of thirty (30) consecutive days selected
by the Borrower during each Fiscal Year.
"Closing Date" means the date of this Agreement or such later Business Day
upon which each condition described in Article V shall be satisfied or waived in
all respects in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its sole
discretion.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, each as amended or supplemented from time to time.
"Commitment" means, as to any Lender, on a collective basis, such Lender's
Revolving Credit Commitment and Stand-Alone L/C Commitment, as set forth
opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, as the same may be
modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
"Commitment Percentage" means, as to any Lender at any time, the ratio of
(a) the amount of the Commitment of such Lender to (b) the Aggregate Commitment
of all of the Lenders.
"Commodity Hedging Agreement" means any agreement with respect to a
commodity swap or other agreement regarding the hedging of commodity purchase
and sale exposure executed in connection with hedging the commodity purchase and
sale exposure of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and any confirming letter
executed pursuant to such commodity hedging agreement, all as amended, restated
or otherwise modified.
"Common Units" means Common Units of the Parent representing limited
partner interests in the Parent.
"Consolidated" means, when used with reference to financial statements or
financial statement items of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, such statements
or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable principles of
consolidation under GAAP.
"Consolidated Billing Program" means an accounts receivable billing and
purchasing arrangement entered into between an ESCO and a utility provider
5
whereby the utility provider performs billing and collection services with
respect to the commodity component of gas or electricity owned by an ESCO and
delivered to the utility's customers.
"Contingent Obligation" means, with respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
any such Person pursuant to which such Person has directly or indirectly
guaranteed any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect,
contingent or otherwise, of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance
or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other
obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement
to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay,
or to maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into
for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness
or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against
loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, that the term
Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit
in the ordinary course of business.
"Covered Persons" has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of
Restricted Payment.
"Credit Facilities" means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit
Facility, the Revolver L/C Facility, the Stand-Alone L/C Facility, and the
Swingline Facility.
"Default" means any of the events specified in Section 11.1, which with the
passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would constitute
an Event of Default.
"Defaulting Lender" means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any
portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, participations in Revolver L/C
Obligations, participations in Stand-Alone L/C Obligations or participations in
Swingline Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of
the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay
over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required
to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless
such amount is the subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has been deemed
insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
"Designated Net Proceeds" means 100% of all proceeds in cash or cash
equivalents (including cash proceeds subsequently received in respect of noncash
consideration initially received), net of selling expenses (including reasonable
broker's fees or commissions, reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and
expenses incurred in connection therewith, transfer and similar taxes, the
Borrower's good faith estimate of income taxes incurred in connection with the
receipt of such proceeds and appropriate reserves to be provided by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP against any
liabilities associated with such sale, transfer or other disposition and
retained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary after such sale, transfer or
disposition), from any sale, transfer or other disposition (other than the sale
of inventory in the ordinary course) of any asset or assets of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary (including the sale or issuance of any Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary) to any Person in any transaction, transactions or related series of
transactions; provided, that the first $15,000,000 of
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such net proceeds received in any Fiscal Year (the "Exempt Proceeds") shall not
constitute Designated Net Proceeds; provided further, that if the Borrower shall
deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent
promptly following receipt of any such proceeds in any Fiscal Year in excess of
the Exempt Proceeds for such Fiscal Year certifying that the Borrower intends to
use any portion of such excess proceeds to acquire productive assets in the same
line of business as the assets sold within twelve (12) months of receipt
thereof, such portion shall not constitute Designated Net Proceeds except to the
extent not so used within such twelve (12) month period.
"Designated Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds" means 100% of all
insurance or condemnation proceeds received in cash or cash equivalents, net of
reasonable costs of proceedings in connection therewith and any settlement in
respect thereof, from any damage, destruction, condemnation or other taking
involving insurance or condemnation proceeds in excess of $100,000 with respect
to any single occurrence; provided, that the first $2,500,000 of such net
proceeds received in any Fiscal Year (the "Exempt Insurance/Condemnation
Proceeds") shall not constitute Designated Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds;
provided further, that if the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a
Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of
any such proceeds in any Fiscal Year in excess of the Exempt
Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds for such Fiscal Year certifying that the
Borrower intends to use any portion of such excess proceeds to restore, modify
or replace the properties or assets in respect of which such insurance or
condemnation proceeds were received within twelve (12) months of such receipt,
such portion shall not constitute Designated Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds
except to the extent not so used within such twelve (12) month period.
"Disputes" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.6.
"Dollars" or "$" means, unless otherwise qualified, dollars in lawful
currency of the United States.
"EBITDA" means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
Consolidated basis for any period, computed in accordance with GAAP, the
Consolidated net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period,
plus, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated net income and
without duplication, the sum of (a) income tax expense, (b) Interest Expense,
(c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) extraordinary losses during such
period and (e) other cash restructuring charges, in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $5,000,000 during the term of the Credit Facilities, minus, to the extent
added in computing such Consolidated net income and without duplication,
extraordinary gains during such period; provided, that (i) for the purposes of
determining EBITDA for any period during which a Permitted Business Acquisition
is consummated, EBITDA shall be adjusted in a manner reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent to give effect to the consummation of such Permitted
Business Acquisition on a pro forma basis in accordance with GAAP, as if such
Permitted Business Acquisition occurred on the first day of such period and (ii)
EBITDA shall exclude all unrealized gains and losses reported under Financial
Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133 in connection with forward
contracts, futures contracts or other derivatives or Commodity Hedging
Agreements in accordance with the Borrower's existing commodity hedging policy.
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"Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, and
(c) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the
Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any assignment of a Revolving Credit
Commitment, the Swingline Lender and the Revolver Issuing Lender, (iii) in the
case of any assignment of a Stand-Alone L/C Commitment, the Stand-Alone Issuing
Lenders, and (iv) unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, "Eligible Assignee" shall
not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
"Employee Benefit Plan" means any employee benefit plan within the meaning
of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) has at any time within the preceding six years
been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any current or former ERISA
Affiliate.
"Environmental and Safety Laws" means any and all federal, state and local
laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals,
interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities, relating to
the protection of human health (including, but not limited to employee health
and safety) or the environment, including, but not limited to, requirements
pertaining to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting,
investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the
rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any Person who together with the Borrower is
treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.
"ERISA Event" means (i) any "reportable event", as defined in Section 4043
of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Pension Plan;
(ii) the adoption of any amendment to a Pension Plan that would require the
provision of security pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307
of ERISA; (iii) the existence with respect to any Pension Plan of an
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or
Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (iv) the filing pursuant to
Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a
waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Pension Plan; (v) the
incurrence of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of any Pension Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the
Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan or Multiemployer
Plan; (vi) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a
plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any
Pension Plan or Pension Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Pension
Plan; (vii) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice
concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization,
within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or the institution of proceedings to
terminate, or the appointment of a trustee
8
with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC; (viii) the occurrence of a
"prohibited transaction" with respect to which the Borrower or any of its
subsidiaries is a "disqualified person" (within the meaning of Section 4975 of
the Code) and with respect to which the Borrower or any such subsidiary would be
liable for the payment of an excise tax and (ix) any other event or condition
which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan.
"ESCO" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which provides energy services
through a utility provider and participates in a Consolidated Billing Program in
the ordinary course of such Subsidiary's business.
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, for any day, the percentage
(expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including without limitation any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in
respect of Eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.
"Event of Default" means any of the events specified in Section 11.1;
provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any
other condition, has been satisfied.
"Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any
Lender, the Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by
or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on
or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes
imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any
political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, and (b) all franchise
taxes or branch taxes imposed upon any Lender or its applicable lending office,
or any branch or affiliate thereof, in each case imposed: (i) by the
jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, applicable lending office,
branch or affiliate is organized or is located, or in which its principal
executive office is located, or any nation within which such jurisdiction is
located or any political subdivision thereof; or (ii) by reason of any
connection between the jurisdiction imposing such tax and such Lender,
applicable lending office, branch or affiliate other than a connection arising
solely from such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations
under, or received payment under or enforced, this Agreement.
"Exempt Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds" has the meaning assigned such term
in the definition of Designated Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds.
"Exempt Proceeds" has the meaning assigned such term in the definition of
Designated Net Proceeds.
"Existing Letters of Credit" means all letters of credit identified on
Schedule 1.1(b).
9
"Extensions of Credit" means, as to any Lender at any time, (a) an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit
Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (ii) such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the Revolver L/C Obligations then outstanding, (iii)
such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then
outstanding and (iv) such Lender's Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage of the
Stand-Alone L/C Obligations then outstanding, or (b) the making of any Loan or
participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) representing the daily effective
federal funds rate as quoted by the Administrative Agent and confirmed in
Federal Reserve Board Statistical Release H.15 (519) or any successor or
substitute publication selected by the Administrative Agent. If, for any reason,
such rate is not available, then "Federal Funds Rate" means a daily rate which
is determined, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to be the rate at
which federal funds are being offered for sale in the national federal funds
market at 9:00 a.m. Rates for weekends or holidays shall be the same as the rate
for the most immediate preceding Business Day.
"Fee Letter" means the separate fee letter agreement executed by the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent and/or certain of its affiliates dated
September 28, 2004.
"Financial Officer" means, as to any Person, the chief financial officer,
the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person.
"Fiscal Year" means the 52-week fiscal year of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries ending on the last Saturday in September.
"Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the
District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, as recognized by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting
Standards Board, consistently applied and maintained on a consistent basis for
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries throughout the period indicated and (subject
to Section 13.9) consistent with the prior financial practice of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries.
"General Partner" means Suburban Energy Services Group LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company.
"General Partner Unit" means a unit representing a fractional part of the
General Partner's general partner interest in the Parent (which shall exclude
any limited partner or other interest that the General Partner may have from
time to time in the Parent).
"Governmental Approvals" means all authorizations, consents, approvals,
licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, all
Governmental Authorities.
10
"Governmental Authority" means any nation, province, state or political
subdivision thereof, and any government or any Person exercising executive,
legislative, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to
government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.
"Guarantee" of or by any Person means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the "primary obligor")
(excluding endorsements of checks for collection or deposit in the ordinary
course of business) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including
any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to
purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for
the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase property, securities or
services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the
payment of such Indebtedness or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity
capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary
obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness.
"Guaranty Agreement" means the Second Amended and Restated Guaranty
Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed by each Subsidiary of the
Borrower (other than any foreign Subsidiary and Suburban Sales and Service,
Inc.) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Guarantor" means each Subsidiary that is party to the Guaranty Agreement
on the Closing Date together with any Subsidiary who becomes a party to the
Guaranty Agreement after the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of
Section 8.7; provided, that Suburban Sales and Service, Inc. shall not be
required to become a Guarantor.
"Hazardous Materials" means any substances or materials (a) which are or
become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants,
contaminants, chemical substances or mixtures or toxic substances under any
Environmental and Safety Laws, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive,
flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful
to human health or the environment and are or become regulated by any
Governmental Authority, (c) the presence of which require investigation or
remediation under any Environmental and Safety Laws or common law, (d) the
discharge or emission or release of which requires a permit or license under any
Environmental and Safety Laws or other Governmental Approval, (e) which are
deemed to constitute a nuisance or a trespass which pose a health or safety
hazard to Persons or neighboring properties, (f) which consist of underground or
aboveground storage tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any
substance, or (g) which contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum
derived substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic
gas.
"Hedging Agreement" means any (a) interest rate swap agreement, (b)
interest rate cap agreement, (c) interest rate floor agreement, (d) interest
rate collar agreement, (e) interest rate option
11
or (f) other agreement, in each case, entered into with the intent to protect
any Person against fluctuations in interest rates of existing or expected
issuances of Indebtedness and entered into as a bona fide hedging agreement and
not for purposes of investment or speculation and any confirming letter executed
pursuant to such agreement, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication (a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or
advances of any kind (including repurchase obligations), (b) all obligations of
such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments or
letters of credit in support of bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments,
(c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily
paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement relating to property purchased by such Person, (e) all
obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of
property or services, (f) all obligations under Capital Leases of such Person,
(g) all obligations of others secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by)
any Lien on property or assets owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not
the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (h) all Guarantees of such
Person, (i) all obligations of such Person with respect to Swap Agreements and
Commodity Hedging Agreements (valued at the termination value thereof computed
in accordance with a method approved by the International Swap Dealers
Association and agreed to by such Person in the applicable Swap Agreement or
Commodity Hedging Agreement, if any), (j) all obligations of such Person as an
account party in respect of letters of credit (i) securing Indebtedness (other
than letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices) or (ii) obtained for any purpose not in the
ordinary course of business or not consistent with past practices and (k) all
obligations of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances; provided that
accounts payable to suppliers incurred in the ordinary course of business and
paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices shall not
constitute Indebtedness.
"Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes and Other Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
"Interest Expense" means, with respect to any period, the sum of, without
duplication, gross interest expense and capitalized interest of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for such period minus interest income of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP.
"Interest Period" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.7(b).
"Investment" means, as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect
purchase or other acquisition by such Person of Capital Stock or other
securities of any other Person, or any direct or indirect loan, advance or
capital contribution by such Person to any other Person and any other item which
would be classified as an "investment" on a balance sheet of such Person
prepared in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation any direct or
indirect contribution by such Person of property or assets to a joint venture,
partnership or other business entity in which such Person retains an interest
(it being understood that a direct or indirect
12
purchase or other acquisition by such Person of assets of any
other Person (other than Capital Stock or other securities) shall not constitute
an "Investment" for purposes of this Agreement).
"ISP98" means the International Standby Practices (1998 Revision, effective
January 1, 1999), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.
"Issuing Lender" means the Revolver Issuing Lender and/or any Stand-Alone
Issuing Lender, as applicable.
"L/C Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolver L/C Obligations and the
Stand-Alone L/C Obligations.
"Lender" means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender (including,
without limitation, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender unless the
context otherwise requires) set forth on the signature pages hereto and each
Person that hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to
Section 13.10.
"Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such
Lender maintaining such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Loans.
"Letters of Credit" means, collectively, the Revolver Letters of Credit and
the Stand-Alone Letters of Credit.
"Leverage Ratio" means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness as
of such date to (b) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of EBITDA of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ended most recently on or prior to such date, determined on a Consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP.
"LIBOR" means the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the
rate for deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 for a
period equal to the Interest Period selected which appears on the Telerate Page
Screen 3750 at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days
prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period (rounded upward, if
necessary, to the nearest one-one hundredth of one percent (1/100%)). If, for
any reason, such rate does not appear on Telerate Page Screen 3750, then "LIBOR"
shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of
the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least
$5,000,000 would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market
to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2)
Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for
settlement in immediately available funds by leading banks in the London
interbank market for a period equal to the Interest Period selected. Each
calculation by the Administrative Agent of LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding
for all purposes, absent manifest error.
"LIBOR Rate" means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
the following formula:
LIBOR Rate = LIBORs
----------------------------------
1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
13
"LIBOR Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the
LIBOR Rate as provided in Section 4.7(a).
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest, hypothecation or encumbrance of any kind in respect
of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to
own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital
Lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
"Loan" means any Revolving Credit Loan, or Swingline Loan made to the
Borrower pursuant to Article II, and all such Loans collectively as the context
requires.
"Loan Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Notes, the Applications, the Guaranty Agreement and each other document,
instrument, certificate and agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower,
its Subsidiaries or their counsel in connection with this Agreement or otherwise
referred to herein or contemplated hereby (excluding any Swap Agreement), all as
may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a materially adverse effect on the
business, assets, operations, prospects or financial condition of the Business,
the General Partner, the Parent, the Borrower or the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) any material impairment of the ability of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary to perform any of its Obligations under any Loan
Document or (c) any material impairment of the rights of or benefits available
to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents.
"Minimum Quarterly Distribution" has the meaning assigned thereto in the
Parent Partnership Agreement.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or
is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make
contributions within the preceding six (6) years.
"Notice of Account Designation" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section
4.1(b).
"Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1(a).
"Notice of Conversion/Continuation" has the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 4.8.
"Notice of Prepayment" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2(c).
"Obligations" means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter
arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after
the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b) the L/C
Obligations, (c) all Swap Obligations and (d) all other
14
fees and commissions (including attorney's fees), charges, indebtedness, loans,
liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Lenders or the Administrative
Agent, in each case under or in respect of this Agreement, any Letter of Credit
or any of the other Loan Documents of every kind, nature and description, direct
or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or
tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note,
and whether or not for the payment of money under or in respect of this
Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any of the other Loan Documents.
"Officer's Compliance Certificate" has the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 7.2.
"Original Credit Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the Statement of
Purpose.
"Other Taxes" means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any
payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution,
delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document.
"Parent" means Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., a limited partnership
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
"Parent Notes" means the 6.875% senior notes, due 2013, of the Parent
issued in the original principal amount of $175,000,000 pursuant to the
indenture dated as of December 23, 2003.
"Parent Debt Service" means all scheduled payments of principal, interest
and fees due on the Parent Notes.
"Parent Partnership Agreement" means the Second Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Parent dated as of May 26, 1999, as it
may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to
the terms hereof.
"Participant" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.10(d).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
agency.
"Partnership Documents" means the Parent Partnership Agreement and the
Borrower Partnership Agreement, in each case as in effect on the date hereof and
as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.
"Pension Plan" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer
Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of
the Code and which (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliates or (b) has at any time within the preceding six years been maintained
for the employees of the Borrower or any of their current or former ERISA
Affiliates.
15
"Permitted Banks" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.4(c).
"Permitted Business Acquisition" means any acquisition of all or
substantially all the assets of, or all the shares or other equity interests in,
a Person or division or line of business of a Person (or any subsequent
investment made in a previously consummated Permitted Business Acquisition) if
immediately after giving effect thereto: (a) no Event of Default or Default or
Senior Note Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom, (b) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in
accordance with applicable laws, (c) all the Capital Stock of any acquired or
newly formed corporation, partnership, association or other business entity is
owned directly by the Borrower or a domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and such
acquired or newly formed Subsidiary shall have entered into the Guaranty
Agreement, (d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a
pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation, with the
covenants contained in Article IX recomputed as at the last day of the most
recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as if such
acquisition had occurred on the first day of each relevant period for testing
such compliance, and, in the case of any transaction involving consideration
(whether cash or property, as valued at the time such transaction is
consummated) in excess of $5,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer to such effect,
together with all relevant financial information for such Subsidiary or assets
and calculations demonstrating such compliance, (e) any acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary shall not be liable for any Indebtedness (except for Indebtedness
permitted by Section 10.1) and (f) the Required Lenders shall have given their
prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, taking
into consideration the merits of the acquisition) in the case of (i) any
acquisition outside the business currently conducted by the Borrower involving
consideration (whether cash or property, as valued at the time each investment
is made) in excess of $5,000,000 and (ii) any acquisition if as a result thereof
the aggregate consideration (whether cash or property, as valued at the time
each investment is made) for all acquisitions (net of return of capital of (but
not return on) investments in such acquisitions) would be in excess of
$25,000,000.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, trust, business trust, joint venture, joint stock
company, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization,
Governmental Authority or any other form of entity or group thereof.
"Prime Rate" means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by Wachovia as its prime rate. Each change in the
Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such
change in the Prime Rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate
announced publicly by Wachovia as its Prime Rate is an index or base rate and
shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or
other banks.
"Refinancing Note Agreement" means one or more indentures or agreements
pursuant to which Refinancing Notes are issued.
16
"Refinancing Notes" means one or more series of notes issued by the
Borrower, the net proceeds of which are used by the Borrower to (a) redeem
Senior Notes or (b) refinance the Senior Note Payments.
"Register" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.10(c).
"Reimbursement Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolver Reimbursement
Obligations and the Stand-Alone Reimbursement Obligations.
"Related Parties" means, with respect to any Person, such Person's
Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such
Person and of such Person's Affiliates.
"Required Lenders" means, at any date, any combination of Lenders whose
Commitments aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Commitment
or, if the Credit Facilities have been terminated pursuant to the terms hereof,
any combination of Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the
aggregate Extensions of Credit; provided that the Commitment of, and the portion
of the Extensions of Credit, as applicable, held or deemed held by, any
Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of
Required Lenders.
"Reserve Items" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to any Person, any executive
officer or Financial Officer of such Person and any other officer or similar
official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such
Person in respect of this Agreement. Any document delivered hereunder that is
signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any Guarantor, as applicable,
shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary
corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Person and such
Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of
such Person.
"Restricted Payment" means with respect to the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries (the "Covered Persons"), (a) in the case of any Covered Person that
is a partnership, (i) any payment or other distribution, direct or indirect, in
respect of any partnership interest in such Covered Person, except a
distribution payable solely in additional partnership interests in such Covered
Person, and (ii) any payment, direct or indirect, by such Covered Person on
account of the redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any
partnership interest in such or any other Covered Person, except to the extent
that such payment consists of additional partnership interests in such Covered
Person; (b) in the case of any Covered Person that is a corporation, (i) any
dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect on account of any shares of
any class of stock of such Covered Person then outstanding, except a dividend
payable solely in shares of stock of such Covered Person, and (ii) any payment,
direct or indirect, by such Covered Person on account of the redemption,
retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any shares of any class of stock of
such Covered Person then outstanding, or of any warrants, rights or options to
acquire any such shares, except to the extent that such payment consists of
shares of Capital Stock of such Covered Person; and (c) in the case of any other
Covered Person, any payment analogous to the prepayments referred to in clauses
(a) and (b) above.
17
"Revolver Issuing Lender" means, with respect to Revolver Letters of
Credit, Wachovia, in its capacity as issuer thereof, or any successor thereto.
"Revolver L/C Commitment" means the lesser of (a) Fifteen Million Dollars
($15,000,000) and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
"Revolver L/C Facility" means the letter of credit facility established
pursuant to Section 2.3.
"Revolver L/C Obligations" means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of
(a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Revolver
Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Revolver
Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section
2.3(e).
"Revolver L/C Participants" means the collective reference to all of the
Lenders other than the Revolver Issuing Lender.
"Revolver Letters of Credit" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2.3(a).
"Revolver Reimbursement Obligation" means the obligation of the Borrower to
reimburse the Revolver Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(e) for amounts
drawn under Revolver Letters of Credit.
"Revolving Credit Commitment" means (a) as to any Lender, the obligation of
such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower hereunder, to
participate in Revolver Letters of Credit hereunder and to participate in
Swingline Loans hereunder, in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding not to exceed the amount so designated opposite such Lender's name
on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, as the same may be modified at any time or from time
to time pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) as to all Lenders, the aggregate
commitment of all Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, as such amount may be
modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The
Revolving Credit Commitment of all Lenders on the Closing Date shall be
Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000).
"Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage" means, as to any Lender at any
time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such
Lender to (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment of all Lenders.
"Revolving Credit Facility" means the revolving credit facility established
pursuant to Section 2.1(a).
"Revolving Credit Loan" means any of the revolving credit loans made by the
Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and all such loans
collectively as the context requires.
"Revolving Credit Note" means a promissory note made by the Borrower in
favor of a Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender,
substantially in the form of
18
Exhibit A, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any
substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension
thereof, in whole or in part.
"SCANA Litigation" means the lawsuit captioned Heritage Propane Partners,
L.P. v. SCANA Corporation et al., Civil Action 01-CP-40-3262, filed in the Court
of Common Pleas for Richland County, South Carolina, and all claims and
counterclaims related thereto.
"Senior Note Agreement" means, collectively, the note agreements pursuant
to which the Senior Notes were issued, dated as of February 28, 1996, as amended
by the Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated May 13, 1998, and the Amendment No. 2
thereto, dated March 29, 1999, Amendment No. 3 thereto, dated December 6, 2000,
Amendment No. 4 thereto, dated March 31, 2002, Amendment No. 5 thereto, dated
November 20, 2002, and as amended from time to time in accordance with Section
10.9.
"Senior Note Default" means any payment default or any other event or
condition with respect to the Senior Notes or any Refinancing Note the effect of
which is to cause, or permit the holder or holders of the Senior Notes or any
Refinancing Note or a trustee under any Refinancing Note Agreement (with or
without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) to cause the Senior
Notes or any Refinancing Note to become due prior to its stated maturity.
"Senior Note Payments" means the required annual principal payments on the
Senior Notes set forth in and pursuant to the terms of Section 4A of the Senior
Note Agreement.
"Senior Notes" means the 7.54% Senior Notes, due 2011, of the Borrower.
"Solvent" means, as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a particular
date, that any such Person (a) has capital sufficient to carry on its business
and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to
engage and is able to pay its debts as they mature, (b) owns property having a
value, both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value, greater than
the amount required to pay its probable liabilities (including contingencies),
and (c) does not believe that it will incur debts or liabilities beyond its
ability to pay such debts or liabilities as they mature.
"Stand-Alone Issuing Lender" means (a) with respect to Stand-Alone Letters
of Credit issued hereunder, (i) Wachovia, in its capacity as issuer thereof, or
any successor thereto, and (ii) any other Lender acceptable to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower which has agreed to issue Stand-Alone
Letters of Credit, and (b) with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit, the
Lender issuing such Existing Letter of Credit.
"Stand-Alone L/C Commitment" means (a) as to any Lender, the obligation of
such Lender to participate in Stand-Alone Letters of Credit hereunder in an
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount so
designated opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1(a), as the same may be
modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof and (b)
as to all Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Lenders to participate in
Stand-Alone Letters of Credit hereunder, as such amount may be modified at any
19
time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The Stand-Alone L/C
Commitment of all Lenders on the Closing Date shall be Seventy-Five Million
Dollars ($75,000,000).
"Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage" means, as to any Lender at any
time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment of such
Lender to (b) the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment of all Lenders.
"Stand-Alone L/C Facility" means the letter of credit facility established
pursuant to Article III.
"Stand-Alone L/C Obligations" means at any time, an amount equal to the sum
of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding
Stand-Alone Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under
Stand-Alone Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to
Section 3.5.
"Stand-Alone L/C Participants" means the collective reference to all of the
Lenders other than the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender.
"Stand-Alone Letters of Credit" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section
3.1 and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.
"Stand-Alone Reimbursement Obligation" means the obligation of the Borrower
to reimburse the Stand-Alone Issuing Lenders pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts
drawn under Stand-Alone Letters of Credit.
"Subsidiary" means as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such
corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the
time, directly or indirectly, owned by or the management is otherwise controlled
by such Person (irrespective of whether, at the time, capital stock or other
ownership interests of any other class or classes of such corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity shall have or might have
voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). Unless otherwise
qualified references to "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" herein shall refer to
those of the Borrower.
"Swap Agreement" means any (a) Hedging Agreement, (b) forward rate
agreement, (c) forward foreign exchange agreement, (d) currency swap agreement,
(e) cross-currency rate swap agreement, (f) currency option agreement or (g)
other agreement or arrangement, in each case, designed to alter the risks of any
Person arising from fluctuations in interest rates or currency values (including
such agreements entered into to swap obligations with a fixed rate of interest
to obligations with a floating rate of interest) and any confirming letter
executed pursuant to such agreement, all as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
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"Swap Obligations" means all payment and other existing and future
obligations owing by the Borrower to any Lender or the Administrative Agent
under any Swap Agreement to which a Lender or the Administrative Agent is a
party which is permitted under this Agreement.
"Swingline Commitment" means the lesser of (a) Seven Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
"Swingline Lender" means Wachovia in its capacity as swingline lender
hereunder.
"Swingline Loan" means the swingline loans made by the Swingline Lender to
the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2, and all such loans collectively as the
context requires.
"Swingline Rate" means the interest rate applicable to Swingline Loans, as
agreed upon from time to time by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
pursuant to a written side letter agreement.
"Swingline Facility" means the swingline facility established pursuant to
Section 2.2.
"Swingline Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of (a) the
resignation of Wachovia as Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 12.6
and (b) the Termination Date.
"Taxes" means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any
Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties
applicable thereto.
"Termination Date" means the earliest to occur of (a) October 20, 2008, (b)
the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitment by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 4.5(a), or (c) the date of termination by the Administrative Agent on
behalf of the Lenders pursuant to Section 11.2(a).
"Total Indebtedness" means, at any time, all Indebtedness of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries at such time (other than Indebtedness described under
clauses (i) and (j) of the definition of "Indebtedness"), determined on a
Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Uniform Customs" means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
Credits (1994 Revision), effective January, 1994, International Chamber of
Commerce Publication No. 500.
"UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New
York, as amended or modified from time to time.
"United States" means the United States of America.
"Wachovia" means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking
association, and its successors.
21
"Wholly-Owned" means, with respect to a Subsidiary, a Subsidiary all of the
shares of Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which are, directly or
indirectly, owned or controlled by the Borrower and/or one or more of its
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
"Withdrawal Liability" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result
of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms
are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions. With reference to this
Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in
such other Loan Document: (a) the definitions of terms herein shall apply
equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (b) whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms, (c) the words "include", "includes" and "including"
shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation", (d) the word
"will" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word
"shall", (e) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or
other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement,
instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements
or modifications set forth herein), (f) any reference herein to any Person shall
be construed to include such Person's successors and assigns, (g) the words
"herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and words of similar import, shall be
construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular
provision hereof, (h) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and
Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits
and Schedules to, this Agreement, (i) the words "asset" and "property" shall be
construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all
tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities,
accounts and contract rights, (j) the term "documents" includes any and all
instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial
statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or
electronic form, (k) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date
to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including;" the words
"to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding;" and the word "through" means "to
and including", and (l) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents
are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically or
completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all
financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations)
required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in
conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to
time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited
financial statements required by Section 7.1(b), except as otherwise
specifically prescribed herein.
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms.
Terms defined in the UCC in effect on the Closing Date and not otherwise
defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings
provided by those definitions. Subject to the foregoing, the term "UCC" refers,
22
as of any date of determination, to the UCC then in effect in the State of New
York.
SECTION 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the
Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the
appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place
more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and
rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if
there is no nearest number).
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly
provided herein, (a) references to formation documents, governing documents,
agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments
shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions,
supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such
amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are
not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Applicable Law
shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending,
replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Applicable Law.
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein
to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as
applicable).
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all
references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be
deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving
effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the
Application therefor, whether or not such maximum face amount is in effect at
such time.
ARTICLE II
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions (including without limitation
Section 4.4) of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations and
warranties set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving
Credit Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to, but not
including, the Termination Date as requested by the Borrower in accordance with
the terms of Section 4.1; provided, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of
all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to any amount
requested) shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment less the sum of (A)
all outstanding Swingline Loans and Revolver L/C Obligations and (B) the Blocked
Portion as of such date and (ii) the principal amount of outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans from any Lender to the Borrower shall not at any time exceed such
Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment less such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of Revolver L/C Obligations and outstanding Swingline
Loans. Each Revolving Credit Loan by a Lender shall be in a principal amount
equal to such Lender's
23
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of
Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit
Loans hereunder until the Termination Date.
(b) Blocked Portion of Revolving Credit Commitments. The Borrower may from
time to time deliver a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent designating a portion of the then-available Revolving
Credit Commitments as being unavailable except for the purpose of funding items
("Reserve Items") specified in such certificate that would have been reserved
against pursuant to the definition of "Available Cash" but for the specification
of such amounts in such certificate. The aggregate amount of Revolving Credit
Commitments unavailable as a result of the delivery of such certificates at any
time shall be referred to as the "Blocked Portion" in effect at such time. The
Blocked Portion shall be reduced from time to time upon receipt by the
Administrative Agent of a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower
certifying as to (a) the discharge of any portion of any Reserve Item, (b) the
establishment of a cash reserve in respect of any portion of any Reserve Item,
(c) the determination by the Board of Supervisors of the Borrower that any
reserve contemplated by clause (b) of the definition of "Available Cash" may be
reduced because the amount of the original reserve is no longer necessary or
appropriate by reason of a change in the anticipated timing or amount of the
item reserved against or (d) the delivery of a Notice of Borrowing for a
Revolving Credit Loan to be drawn under the Blocked Portion the proceeds of
which shall be used solely for the purpose of discharging any Reserve Item, each
of which reductions shall be in an amount equal to the amount of such discharged
portion, new cash reserve, adjustment to reserves or Revolving Credit Loan, as
applicable. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at no time
shall any Revolving Credit Loan be made or any certificate increasing the
Blocked Portion become effective if as a result of the making of such Revolving
Credit Loan or the effectiveness of such increase the aggregate principal amount
of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time would exceed the difference
between the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments in effect at
such time and the amount of the Blocked Portion in effect at such time.
SECTION 2.2 Swingline Loans.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions (including without
limitation Section 4.4) of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make
Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through,
but not including, the Swingline Termination Date; provided, that the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any
amount requested), shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit
Commitment less the sum of (A) all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and the
Revolver L/C Obligations and (B) the Blocked Portion as of such date; and (ii)
the Swingline Commitment. Each Lender acknowledges that the aggregate principal
amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, when
taken together with the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans made by the Swingline Lender, may exceed the Swingline Lender's
Revolving Credit Commitment.
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(b) Refunding.
(i) Swingline Loans shall be reimbursed fully by the Lenders on demand
by the Swingline Lender. Such reimbursements shall be made by the Lenders in
accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages and
shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the Lenders on the
books and records of the Administrative Agent; provided that no Lender shall be
required to reimburse any Swingline Loan if, after giving effect to such
reimbursement, the aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit
Loans outstanding would exceed such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment. Each
Lender shall fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of
Revolving Credit Loans as required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the
Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline Lender but in no event later than
2:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No
Lender's obligation to fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Lender's failure
to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor
shall any Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage be increased as a
result of any such failure of any other Lender to fund its Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand the
amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Lenders
are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or
required to be refunded. In addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the
Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained by the Borrower with the
Swingline Lender (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately
pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent
amounts received from the Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the
outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion
of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on
behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the
loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Lenders in
accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (unless
the amounts so recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower pertain to a Swingline
Loan extended after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default of which the Administrative Agent has received notice in the manner
required pursuant to Section 12.3(c) and which such Event of Default has not
been waived by the Required Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable).
(iii) Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to
refund Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.2 is
absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance
whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Article V. Further, each Lender agrees and acknowledges that if
prior to the refunding of any outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to this
Section 2.2, one of the events described in Section 11.1(i) or (j) shall have
occurred, each Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan
would have been made, purchase an undivided participating interest in the
Swingline Loan to be refunded in an amount equal to its Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loan. Each
Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately
available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the
Swingline Lender will deliver to such Lender a certificate evidencing such
participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for
25
such amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from
any Lender such Lender's participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the
Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender
will distribute to such Lender its participating interest in such amount
(appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period
of time during which such Lender's participating interest was outstanding and
funded).
SECTION 2.3 Revolver Letters of Credit.
(a) Revolver L/C Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions (including
without limitation Section 4.4) of this Agreement, the Revolver Issuing Lender,
in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 2.3(d),
agrees to issue standby letters of credit ("Revolver Letters of Credit") for the
account of the Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date to the date
which is five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable Termination Date in such
form as may be approved from time to time by the Revolver Issuing Lender;
provided, that the Revolver Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue any
Revolver Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (a) the
Revolver L/C Obligations would exceed the Revolver L/C Commitment or (b) the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, plus the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, plus the aggregate
amount of Revolver L/C Obligations would exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment
less the Blocked Portion. Each Revolver Letter of Credit shall (i) be
denominated in Dollars in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, (ii) be a standby
letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (iii) have a term of no more than one (1) year (subject to automatic
renewal for additional one (1) year periods under terms and conditions
satisfactory to the Revolver Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent), (iv)
expire on a date not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the
applicable Termination Date and (v) be subject to the Uniform Customs and/or
ISP98, as set forth in the Application or as determined by the Revolver Issuing
Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of
New York. The Revolver Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to
issue any Revolver Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict
with, or cause the Revolver Issuing Lender or any Revolver L/C Participant to
exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law. References herein to "issue"
and derivations thereof with respect to Revolver Letters of Credit shall also
include extensions or modifications of any existing Revolver Letters of Credit,
unless the context otherwise requires.
(b) Procedure for Issuance of Revolver Letters of Credit. The Borrower may
from time to time request that the Revolver Issuing Lender issue a Revolver
Letter of Credit by delivering to the Revolver Issuing Lender at the
Administrative Agent's Office an Application therefor, completed to the
satisfaction of the Revolver Issuing Lender, and such other certificates,
documents and other papers and information as the Revolver Issuing Lender may
request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Revolver Issuing Lender shall
process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and
information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its
customary procedures and, unless the Revolver Issuing Lender has received notice
(by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the
request of any Lender) prior to the proposed issuance date (i) directing the
Revolver Issuing Lender not to issue such Revolver Letter of Credit as a result
of the limitations set forth in Section 2.3(a), or (ii) that one or more of the
applicable conditions specified in
26
Section 5.3 is not then satisfied, shall promptly issue the Revolver Letter of
Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Revolver Issuing Lender be
required to issue any Revolver Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business
Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other
certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by
issuing the original of such Revolver Letter of Credit to the beneficiary
thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Revolver Issuing Lender and the
Borrower. The Revolver Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower a
copy of such Revolver Letter of Credit and promptly notify each Lender of the
issuance thereof and upon request by any Lender, furnish to such Lender a copy
of such Revolver Letter of Credit and the amount of such Lender's participation
therein.
(c) Commissions and Other Charges.
(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the
account of the Revolver Issuing Lender and the Revolver L/C Participants, a
letter of credit commission with respect to each Revolver Letter of Credit in an
amount equal to the product of (i) the average daily maximum amount available to
be drawn during the relevant quarter under such Revolver Letter of Credit and
(ii) the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans (determined on a per annum basis).
Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day
of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date. The Administrative Agent
shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the Revolver
Issuing Lender and the Revolver L/C Participants all commissions received
pursuant to this Section 2.3(c)(i) in accordance with their respective Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentages.
(ii) In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay
to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolver Issuing Lender, an
issuance fee with respect to each Revolver Letter of Credit in an amount equal
to the product of (i) the face amount of such Revolver Letter of Credit and (ii)
one eighth of one percent (0.125%). Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly
in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the
Termination Date and shall be non-refundable.
(iii) In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower
shall pay or reimburse the Revolver Issuing Lender for such normal and customary
costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Revolver Issuing Lender in
issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any
Revolver Letter of Credit.
(d) Revolver L/C Participations.
(i) The Revolver Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby
grants to each Revolver L/C Participant, and, to induce the Revolver Issuing
Lender to issue Revolver Letters of Credit hereunder, each Revolver L/C
Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and
purchases from the Revolver Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions
hereinafter stated, for such Revolver L/C Participant's own account and risk an
undivided interest equal to such Revolver L/C Participant's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage in the Revolver Issuing Lender's obligations and rights
under and in respect of each Revolver Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the
amount of each draft paid by the Revolver
27
Issuing Lender thereunder. Each Revolver L/C Participant unconditionally and
irrevocably agrees with the Revolver Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid
under any Revolver Letter of Credit for which the Revolver Issuing Lender is not
reimbursed in full by the Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such Revolver L/C Participant
shall pay to the Revolver Issuing Lender upon demand at the Revolver Issuing
Lender's address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such Revolver
L/C Participant's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such
draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
(ii) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any
Revolver L/C Participant to the Revolver Issuing Lender pursuant to Section
2.3(d)(i) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the
Revolver Issuing Lender under any Revolver Letter of Credit, the Revolver
Issuing Lender shall notify each Revolver L/C Participant of the amount and due
date of such required payment and such Revolver L/C Participant shall pay to the
Revolver Issuing Lender the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any
such amount is paid to the Revolver Issuing Lender after the date such payment
is due, such Revolver L/C Participant shall pay to the Revolver Issuing Lender
on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times
(ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate as determined by the Administrative
Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the
date on which such payment is immediately available to the Revolver Issuing
Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that
elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of
the Revolver Issuing Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section
2.3(d)(ii) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to
payment to the Revolver Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts described in
this Section 2.3(d)(ii), if the Revolver L/C Participants receive notice that
any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment
shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day,
such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.
(iii) Whenever, at any time after the Revolver Issuing Lender has made
payment under any Revolver Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolver
L/C Participant its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such payment in
accordance with this Section 2.3(d), the Revolver Issuing Lender receives any
payment related to such Revolver Letter of Credit, whether directly from the
Borrower or otherwise, or any payment of interest on account thereof, the
Revolver Issuing Lender will distribute to such Revolver L/C Participant its pro
rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received
by the Revolver Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Revolver
Issuing Lender, such Revolver L/C Participant shall return to the Revolver
Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed to it by the Revolver
Issuing Lender.
(e) Revolver Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. In the event of
any drawing under any Revolver Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to
reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for
in this Section 2.3(e) or with funds from other sources), in same day funds, the
Revolver Issuing Lender on each date on which the Revolver Issuing Lender
notifies the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft paid under any Revolver
Letter of Credit for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts
referred to
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in Section 2.3(c)(iii) incurred by the Revolver Issuing Lender in connection
with such payment. Unless the Borrower shall immediately notify the Revolver
Issuing Lender that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Revolver Issuing
Lender for such drawing from other sources or funds, the Borrower shall be
deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent
requesting that the Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the
Base Rate on such date in the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any
amounts referred to in Section 2.3(c)(iii) incurred by the Revolver Issuing
Lender in connection with such payment, and the Lenders shall make a Revolving
Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate in such amount, the proceeds of
which shall be applied to reimburse the Revolver Issuing Lender for the amount
of the related drawing and costs and expenses. Each Lender acknowledges and
agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with
this Section 2.3(e) to reimburse the Revolver Issuing Lender for any draft paid
under a Revolver Letter of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation,
non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.1(a) or Article V. If
the Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other
sources and shall fail to reimburse the Revolver Issuing Lender as provided
above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate
which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then
overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity,
by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full. Until each Lender
reimburses the Revolver Issuing Lender for any amount drawn under any Revolver
Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the
Revolver Issuing Lender.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations under this Section 2.3
(including without limitation the Revolver Reimbursement Obligation) shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of
any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or
have had against the Revolver Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Revolver
Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees that the Revolver
Issuing Lender and the Revolver L/C Participants shall not be responsible for,
and the Borrower's Revolver Reimbursement Obligation under Section 2.3(e) shall
not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents
or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove
to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the
Borrower and any beneficiary of any Revolver Letter of Credit or any other party
to which such Revolver Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims
whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Revolver Letter of
Credit or any such transferee. The Revolver Issuing Lender shall not be liable
for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or
delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any
Revolver Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions caused by the Revolver
Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower agrees
that any action taken or omitted by the Revolver Issuing Lender under or in
connection with any Revolver Letter of Credit or the related drafts or
documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and
in accordance with the standards of care specified in ISP98 or the Uniform
Customs, as the case may be, and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the
UCC, shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of
the Revolver Issuing Lender or any Revolver L/C Participant to the Borrower.
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ARTICLE III
STAND-ALONE LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 3.1 Stand-Alone L/C Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Stand-Alone Issuing Lenders, in reliance on the
agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agree to issue
standby letters of credit ("Stand-Alone Letters of Credit") for the account of
the Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date to the date which is five
(5) Business Days prior to the applicable Termination Date in such form as may
be approved from time to time by the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender;
provided, that the Stand-Alone Issuing Lenders shall have no obligation to issue
any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, the
Stand-Alone L/C Obligations would exceed the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment. Each
Stand-Alone Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars in a minimum
amount of $1,000,000 (other than any Existing Letter of Credit), (ii) be a
standby letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (iii) have a term of no more than one (1) year (subject to automatic
renewal for additional one (1) year periods under terms and conditions
satisfactory to the Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent),
(iv) expire on a date not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the
applicable Termination Date and (v) be subject to the Uniform Customs and/or
ISP98, as set forth in the Application or as determined by the applicable
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the
laws of the State of New York. No Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall at any time
be obligated to issue any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit hereunder if such
issuance would conflict with, or cause such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender or any
Stand-Alone L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law.
References herein to "issue" and derivations thereof with respect to Stand-Alone
Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any existing
Stand-Alone Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires. Each
Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a Stand-Alone Letter of Credit
issued and outstanding under this Agreement on and after the Closing Date.
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Stand-Alone Letters of Credit. The
Borrower may from time to time request that a Stand-Alone Issuing Lender issue a
Stand-Alone Letter of Credit by delivering to such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
and the Administrative Agent an Application therefor, completed to the
satisfaction of such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent,
and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent may request. Upon receipt
of any Application, the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall process such
Application and the related certificates, documents and other papers and
information delivered to it in accordance with its customary procedures and,
unless the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender has received notice (by
telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request
of any Lender) prior to the proposed issuance date (i) directing the applicable
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender not to issue such Stand-Alone Letter of Credit as a
result of the limitations set forth in Section 3.1, or (ii) that one or more of
the applicable conditions specified in Section 5.3 is not then satisfied, shall
promptly issue the Stand-Alone Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no
event shall any Stand-Alone Issuing Lender be required to issue any Stand-Alone
Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days after its receipt of the
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Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Stand-Alone
Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the
applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The applicable
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent a copy of such Stand-Alone Letter of Credit and the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Stand-Alone L/C Participant of
the issuance thereof and upon request by any Stand-Alone L/C Participant,
furnish to such Lender a copy of such Stand-Alone Letter of Credit and the
amount of such Lender's participation therein.
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.
(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and the Stand-Alone L/C Participants,
a letter of credit commission with respect to each Stand-Alone Letter of Credit
in an amount equal to the product of (i) the average daily maximum amount
available to be drawn during the relevant quarter under such Stand-Alone Letter
of Credit and (ii) the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans (determined on a per
annum basis). Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last
Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date. The
Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute
to the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender and the Stand-Alone L/C
Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) in
accordance with their respective Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentages.
(b) In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing
Lender, an issuance fee with respect to each Stand-Alone Letter of Credit issued
by it in an amount equal to the product of (i) the face amount of such
Stand-Alone Letter of Credit and (ii) one eighth of one percent (0.125%) per
annum. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last
Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date and shall be
non-refundable.
(c) In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower shall
pay or reimburse the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender for such normal and
customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Stand-Alone
Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise
administering any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.4 Stand-Alone L/C Participations.
(a) Each Stand-Alone Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby
grants to each Stand-Alone L/C Participant, and, to induce each Stand-Alone
Issuing Lender to issue Stand-Alone Letters of Credit hereunder, each
Stand-Alone L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby
accepts and purchases from each Stand-Alone Issuing Lender, on the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated, for such Stand-Alone L/C Participant's own
account and risk an undivided interest equal to such Stand-Alone L/C
Participant's Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage in each Stand-Alone Issuing
Lender's obligations and rights under and in respect of each Stand-Alone Letter
of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by such Stand-Alone
Issuing Lender thereunder. Each Stand-Alone L/C Participant unconditionally and
irrevocably agrees with each Stand-Alone Issuing Lender that, if a draft is
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paid under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit for which such Stand-Alone Issuing
Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, such Stand-Alone L/C Participant shall pay to such Stand-Alone
Issuing Lender upon demand at such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender's address for
notices specified herein an amount equal to such Stand-Alone L/C Participant's
Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part
thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
(b) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any
Stand-Alone L/C Participant to the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment
made by such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit,
such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall notify each Stand-Alone L/C Participant of
the amount and due date of such required payment and such Stand-Alone L/C
Participant shall pay to such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender the amount specified on
the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to such Stand-Alone Issuing
Lender after the date such payment is due, such Stand-Alone L/C Participant
shall pay to such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender on demand, in addition to such
amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal
Funds Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent during the period from and
including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is
immediately available to such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction
the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed since the due
date and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the applicable
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section
3.4(b) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to
payment to the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts
described in this Section 3.4(b), if the Stand-Alone L/C Participants receive
notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day,
such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any
Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.
(c) Whenever, at any time after any Stand-Alone Issuing Lender has made
payment under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit and has received from any
Stand-Alone L/C Participant its Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage of such
payment in accordance with this Section 3.4, such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
receives any payment related to such Stand-Alone Letter of Credit, whether
directly from the Borrower or otherwise, or any payment of interest on account
thereof, such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender will distribute to such Stand-Alone L/C
Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any
such payment received by such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall be required to be
returned by such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender, such Stand-Alone L/C Participant
shall return to such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously
distributed to it by such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender.
SECTION 3.5 Stand-Alone Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. In the
event of any drawing under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees
to reimburse, in same day funds, the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender on
each date on which such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower of the
date and amount of a draft paid under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit for the
amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section
3.3(c) incurred by such Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
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in connection with such payment. If the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the
applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender as provided above, the unreimbursed amount
of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any
outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts
become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until
payment in full. Until each Lender reimburses the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing
Lender for any amount drawn under any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit, interest in
respect of such Lender's Stand-Alone L/C Commitment Percentage of such amount
shall be solely for the account of the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender.
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations under this
Article III (including without limitation the Stand-Alone Reimbursement
Obligation) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances
and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the
Borrower may have or have had against any Stand-Alone Issuing Lender or any
beneficiary of a Stand-Alone Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower
also agrees that the Stand-Alone Issuing Lenders and the Stand-Alone L/C
Participants shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower's Stand-Alone
Reimbursement Obligation under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other
things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon,
even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or
forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any
Stand-Alone Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Stand-Alone Letter
of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against
any beneficiary of such Stand-Alone Letter of Credit or any such transferee. No
Stand-Alone Issuing Lender shall be liable for any error, omission, interruption
or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Stand-Alone Letter of Credit, except for
errors or omissions caused by the Stand-Alone Issuing Lender's gross negligence
or willful misconduct. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by
the applicable Stand-Alone Issuing Lender under or in connection with any
Stand-Alone Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the
absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and in accordance with the
standards of care specified in ISP98 or the Uniform Customs, as the case may be,
and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the UCC, shall be binding on the
Borrower and shall not result in any liability of any Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
or any Stand-Alone L/C Participant to the Borrower.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1 Procedure for Advances of Loans.
(a) Requests for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the Administrative
Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B
(a "Notice of Borrowing") not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day
as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3)
Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, of its intention to borrow,
specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B)
the amount of such borrowing, which shall be (x) with respect to LIBOR Rate
Loans and Base Rate Loans, in an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, and (y) with respect to Swingline
Loans in an aggregate principal
33
amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof, (C)
whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan, (D) in the
case of a Revolving Credit Loan, whether the Loans are to be LIBOR Rate Loans or
Base Rate Loans, and (E) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the duration of the
Interest Period applicable thereto. A Notice of Borrowing received after 11:00
a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing.
(b) Disbursement of Loans. Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed
borrowing date, each Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds
immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such
borrowing date. Unless the Swingline Lender has received notice (by telephone or
in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any
Lender) prior to 12:00 noon on the proposed borrowing date (i) directing the
Swingline Lender not to make such Swingline Loan as a result of the limitations
set forth in Section 2.2(a), or (ii) that one or more of the applicable
conditions specified in Section 5.3 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing
date, the Swingline Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds
immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Loans to be
made to the Borrower on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing
requested pursuant to this Section 4.1 in immediately available funds by
crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower
identified in the most recent notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C
hereto (a "Notice of Account Designation") delivered by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 4.13, the
Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the
proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan requested pursuant to this Section 4.1 to
the extent that any Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent
its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan. Revolving Credit Loans
to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the
Lenders as provided in Section 2.2(b).
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SECTION 4.2 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Repayment on Termination Date. On the Termination Date, the Borrower
shall repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans
in full, and (ii) to the extent the Swingline Termination Date has not occurred,
all Swingline Loans together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon.
(b) Mandatory Repayment of Obligations. If at any time, as the case may be,
(i) the outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans plus the sum
of (A) all outstanding Swingline Loans and Revolver L/C Obligations and (B) the
Blocked Portion as of such date exceeds the Revolving Credit Commitment, the
Borrower shall repay immediately upon notice from the Administrative Agent, by
payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, the
aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and Revolver L/C
Obligations in an amount equal to such excess with each such repayment applied
first to the principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, second to the
principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and third, with respect
to any Revolver Letters of Credit then outstanding, a payment of cash collateral
into a cash collateral account opened by the Borrower with the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders (such cash collateral to be applied in
accordance with Section 11.2(b)), and (ii) the outstanding principal amount of
all Stand-Alone L/C Obligations exceeds the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment, the
Borrower shall, immediately upon notice from the Administrative Agent, make a
payment of cash collateral into a cash collateral account opened by the Borrower
with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders (such cash
collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b)) in an amount equal
to such excess. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required
to be paid pursuant to Section 4.16.
(c) Optional Repayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time
repay the Loans, in whole or in part, upon at least three (3) Business Days'
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans
and one (1) Business Day irrevocable notice with respect to Base Rate Loans and
Swingline Loans, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (a "Notice of
Prepayment"), specifying (i) the date and amount of repayment, (ii) whether the
repayment is of a Revolving Credit Loan, a Swingline Loan or a combination
thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each and
(iii) if such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan, whether such Loan is a LIBOR Rate
Loan or a Base Rate Loan. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify each Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount
specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such
notice. Partial repayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $3,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans
and Base Rate Loans and $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess
thereof with respect to Swingline Loans. Each such repayment shall be
accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.16.
(d) Limitation on Repayment of LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrower may not repay
any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto unless such repayment is accompanied by any amount required
to be paid pursuant to Section 4.16.
SECTION 4.3 Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Extensions of Credit. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender
shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender
and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts
or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be
conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made
by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any
failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or
otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount
owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the
accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of
the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of
the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon
the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower
35
shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a
Revolving Credit Note, which shall evidence such Lender's Revolving Credit
Loans, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules
to its Revolving Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its
Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) Participations. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in
subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in
accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases
and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline
Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained
by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in
respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent
shall control in the absence of manifest error.
SECTION 4.4 Repayment; Limited Incurrence during Cleandown Period. During
each Fiscal Year, the Borrower shall select a Cleandown Period. On the first day
of each Cleandown Period, the Borrower shall repay the Extensions of Credit then
outstanding to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and Revolver L/C Obligations to an
amount not exceeding $15,000,000. For the duration of each such Cleandown
Period, the Borrower shall not request, create or incur any Revolving Credit
Loans, Swingline Loans or Revolver Letters of Credit to the extent that the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline
Loans and Revolver L/C Obligations (after giving effect to any amount requested,
created or incurred) would exceed $15,000,000.
SECTION 4.5 Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the
Stand-Alone L/C Commitment.
(a) Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least
three (3) Business Days prior irrevocable written notice to the Administrative
Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, (i) at any time, the
entire Revolving Credit Commitment or the entire Stand-Alone L/C Commitment or
(ii) portions of the Revolving Credit Commitment or the Stand-Alone L/C
Commitment, from time to time, in each case, in an aggregate principal amount
not less than $2,000,000 or any whole multiple in excess thereof.
(b) Repayment of Excess Obligations. Each permanent reduction permitted
pursuant to this Section 4.5 and, as applicable, Section 4.6 shall be (i) with
respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment, accompanied by a payment of
principal sufficient to reduce the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans,
Swingline Loans and Revolver L/C Obligations, after such reduction to the
Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced, and if the Revolving Credit
Commitment as so reduced is less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding
Revolver L/C Obligations, the Borrower shall be required to deposit in a cash
collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the
aggregate then undrawn and
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unexpired amount of such Revolver L/C Obligations, and (ii) with respect to the
Stand-Alone L/C Commitment, if the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment as so reduced is
less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding Stand-Alone L/C Obligations,
the Borrower shall be required to deposit in a cash collateral account opened by
the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and
unexpired amount of such Stand-Alone L/C Obligations. Any reduction of the
Revolving Credit Commitment to zero (i) shall be accompanied by payment of all
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans and the furnishing of
cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for all Revolver L/C
Obligations, and (ii) shall result in the termination of the Revolving Credit
Commitment and the Revolving Credit Facility. If the reduction of the Revolving
Credit Commitment requires the repayment of any LIBOR Rate Loan, such repayment
shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.15.
Any reduction of the Stand-Alone L/C Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by
the furnishing of cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for
all Stand-Alone L/C Obligations and shall result in the termination of the
Stand-Alone L/C Commitment and the Stand-Alone L/C Facility. All such cash
collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b).
SECTION 4.6 Termination of Credit Facilities. The Credit Facilities shall
terminate and each of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Stand-Alone L/C
Commitment shall be automatically reduced to zero on the Termination Date.
SECTION 4.7 Interest.
(a) Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.7,
at the election of the Borrower, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of (i)
each Revolving Credit Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate or the LIBOR
Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (ii) each Swingline Loan shall bear
interest at the Swingline Rate. The Borrower shall select the rate of interest
and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any LIBOR Rate Loan at the time a
Notice of Borrowing is given pursuant to Section 4.1(a) or at the time a Notice
of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.8. Any Loan or any
portion thereof as to which the Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate
as provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan.
(b) Interest Periods. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, the
Borrower, by giving notice at the times described in Section 4.7(a), shall elect
an interest period (each, an "Interest Period") to be applicable to such Loan,
which Interest Period shall be a period of one (1), two (2), three (3), or six
(6) months; provided that:
(i) the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or
conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately successive
Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on
which the next preceding Interest Period expires;
(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding
Business Day; provided, that if any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate
Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of
the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such
Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;
(iii) any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan that
begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there
is no numerically
37
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period)
shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of
such Interest Period;
(iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date; and
(v) there shall be no more than ten (10) Interest Periods outstanding
at any time.
(c) Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, (i) the Borrower shall no longer have the option to request
LIBOR Rate Loans or Swingline Loans, (ii) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans shall
bear interest at a rate per annum two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then
applicable to LIBOR Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period
and thereafter at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then
applicable to Base Rate Loans, (iii) all outstanding Swingline Loans shall bear
interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate
then applicable to Swingline Loans and (iv) all outstanding Base Rate Loans,
Revolver Reimbursement Obligations and Stand-Alone Reimbursement Obligations
shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of
the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans. Interest shall continue to accrue
on the Obligations after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition
seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any act or law pertaining to
insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, federal or foreign.
(d) Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall
be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, with
the first such payment due on December 31, 2004. Interest on each LIBOR Rate
Loan shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable
thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end
of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period. All interest
rates, fees and commissions provided hereunder shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed.
(e) Maximum Rate. In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate
of all amounts deemed interest hereunder charged or collected pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable
Law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination,
deem applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the
Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest
applicable rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to
the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law and the Lenders shall at the
Administrative Agent's option promptly refund to the Borrower any interest
received by Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or shall apply such
excess to the principal balance of the Obligations. It is the intent hereof that
the Borrower not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative
Agent nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in
any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the
Borrower under Applicable Law.
SECTION 4.8 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans.
Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the
Borrower shall have the option to (a) convert at any time all or any portion of
its outstanding Base Rate Loans in a
38
principal amount equal to $3,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess
thereof into one or more LIBOR Rate Loans or (b) upon the expiration of any
Interest Period, (i) convert all or any part of its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans
in a principal amount equal to $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in
excess thereof into Base Rate Loans or (ii) continue such LIBOR Rate Loans as
LIBOR Rate Loans. Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as
provided above, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable
prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit E (a "Notice of Conversion/
Continuation") not later than 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days before the day
on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective
specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any
LIBOR Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest
Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation
(which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such Loans to be
converted or continued, and (D) the Interest Period to be applicable to such
converted or continued LIBOR Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify the Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation.
SECTION 4.9 Fees.
(a) Facility Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Lenders, a non-refundable facility fee at a rate per annum
equal to the Aggregate Commitment times the Applicable Margin, regardless of
usage. The facility fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of
each calendar quarter during the term of this Agreement, with the first such
payment due on December 31, 2004 and on the Termination Date. Such facility fee
shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders pro rata in
accordance with the Lenders' respective Commitment Percentages.
(b) Administrative Agent's and Other Fees. To compensate the Administrative
Agent for structuring and syndicating the Loans and for its obligations
hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its
account, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
SECTION 4.10 Manner of Payment. Each payment by the Borrower on account of
the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other
amounts payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made not later than
1:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the
Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office for the account of the
Lenders (other than as set forth below) pro rata in accordance with their
respective applicable Commitment Percentages, in Dollars, in immediately
available funds and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction
whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. on such
day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 11.1, but
for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding
Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed to have been
made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. Upon receipt by the
Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall
distribute to each Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its pro
rata share of such payment in accordance with such Lender's applicable
Commitment Percentage and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each
Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agent's fees
or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any
39
amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17 or 13.2 shall
be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender.
Subject to Section 4.7(b)(ii), if any payment under this Agreement shall be
specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on
the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall
in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such
payment.
SECTION 4.11 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the
Borrower shall fail to pay any of the Obligations when due and the Obligations
have been accelerated pursuant to Section 11.2, all payments received by the
Lenders upon the Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the
Obligations shall be applied:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees,
indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the
Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and each Issuing Lender in their
capacity as such (ratably among the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders
in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause First payable
to them);
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees,
indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the
Lenders, including attorney fees (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the
respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them);
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued
and unpaid interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (ratably among
the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause
Third payable to them);
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid
principal of the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and any Swap Obligations
(including any termination payments and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon)
(ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in
this clause Fourth held by them);
Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable
Issuing Lenders, to cash collateralize the aggregate undrawn and unexpired
amount of the then outstanding Revolver Letters of Credit and Stand-Alone
Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 11.2(b) (ratably among the Issuing Lenders
in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth held by
them); and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been
indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by
Applicable Law.
SECTION 4.12 Adjustments. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of
setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal
of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in
such Lender's receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its
Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than
pursuant to Sections 4.15, 4.16, 4.17 or 13.2) greater than its pro rata share
thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion
shall (a)
40
notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face
value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other
Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the
benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in
accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on
their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that
(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of
the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be
rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery,
without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply
to (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the
express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as
consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its
Loans or participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit to any assignee
or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to
which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).
The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may
effectively do so under Applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a
participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the
Borrower and each Guarantor rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the
Borrower or such Guarantor in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 4.13 Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of
Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent. The obligations of the Lenders
under this Agreement to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of
Credit are several and are not joint or joint and several. Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to a
proposed borrowing date that such Lender will not make available to the
Administrative Agent such Lender's ratable portion of the amount to be borrowed
on such date (which notice shall not release such Lender from its obligations
hereunder), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
portion available to the Administrative Agent on the proposed borrowing date in
accordance with Section 4.1(b) and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a
corresponding amount. If such amount is made available to the Administrative
Agent on a date after such borrowing date, such Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent on demand an amount, until paid, equal to the product of
(a) the amount not made available by such Lender in accordance with the terms
hereof, times (b) the daily average Federal Funds Rate during such period as
determined by the Administrative Agent, times (c) a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of days that elapse from and including such borrowing date
to the date on which such amount not made available by such Lender as required
by the terms hereof shall have become immediately available to the
Administrative Agent and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the
Administrative Agent with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 4.13
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent
by such Lender within three (3) Business Days of such borrowing date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount made available by
the Administrative Agent with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable
to Base Rate Loans hereunder, on demand, from the Borrower. The failure of
41
any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by
the Borrower shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any,
hereunder to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on such
borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other
Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing
date.
SECTION 4.14 Changed Circumstances.
(a) Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If with respect to any
Interest Period the Administrative Agent or any Lender (after consultation with
Administrative Agent) shall determine that, by reason of circumstances affecting
the foreign exchange and interbank markets generally, deposits in eurodollars,
in the applicable amounts are not being quoted via Telerate Page 3750 or offered
to the Administrative Agent or such Lender for such Interest Period, then the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower.
Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such
circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate
Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan
as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended, and the Borrower shall repay in full
(or cause to be repaid in full) the then outstanding principal amount of each
such LIBOR Rate Loans together with accrued interest thereon, on the last day of
the then current Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan or convert
the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base
Rate Loan as of the last day of such Interest Period.
(b) Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If, after the date hereof, the
introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central
bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration
thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or any of their respective Lending
Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful
or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending
Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate
Loan, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent
and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the
other Lenders. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower
that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to
make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan or
continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended and thereafter the
Borrower may select only Base Rate Loans hereunder, and (ii) if any of the
Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain a LIBOR Rate Loan to the end of
the then current Interest Period applicable thereto as a LIBOR Rate Loan, the
applicable LIBOR Rate Loan shall immediately be converted to a Base Rate Loan
for the remainder of such Interest Period.
SECTION 4.15 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit,
compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of,
deposits with or for
42
the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in
by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or
any Issuing Lender;
(ii) subject any Lender or any Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind
whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any
participation in a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change
the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or such Issuing Lender in
respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section
4.17 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of any Excluded Tax
payable by such Lender or such Issuing Lender); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Lender or the London interbank
market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR
Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making, converting into or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan (or of
maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to
such Lender or such Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining
any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to
issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or
receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of
principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or
such Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall promptly pay to any such Lender or such
Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or any Issuing Lender determines
that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Issuing Lender or any
lending office of such Lender or such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's holding
company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's capital or
on the capital of such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's holding company, if
any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the
Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or
the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, to a level below that which
such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's
holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into
consideration such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's policies and the policies
of such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's holding company with respect to
capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower shall promptly pay to
such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount
or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Lender or such
Lender's or such Issuing Lender's holding company for any such reduction
suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing
Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender
or such Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified
in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 4.15 and delivered to the Borrower shall
be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such
Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
43
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any
Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 4.15 shall not
constitute a waiver of such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's right to demand
such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to
compensate a Lender or an Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 4.15 for any
increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than three (3) months prior
to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be,
notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs
or reductions and of such Lender's or such Issuing Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such
increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the three-month period
referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect
thereof).
SECTION 4.16 Indemnity.
The Borrower hereby indemnifies each of the Lenders against any loss or expense
which may arise or be attributable to each Lender's obtaining, liquidating or
employing deposits or other funds acquired to effect, fund or maintain any Loan
(a) as a consequence of any failure by the Borrower to make any payment when due
of any amount due hereunder in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, (b) due to any
failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert on a date specified
therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or (c)
due to any payment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan on a date
other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor. The amount of such loss
or expense shall be determined, in the applicable Lender's sole discretion,
based upon the assumption that such Lender funded its Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London interbank market and
using any reasonable attribution or averaging methods which such Lender deems
appropriate and practical. A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis
for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall
be forwarded to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be
conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
SECTION 4.17 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any
Obligations shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding
for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be
required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other
Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as
necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.17) the
Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely
pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in
accordance with Applicable Law; provided, no such additional amount shall be
required to be paid to any Lender under clause (i) above except to the extent of
any change after the date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the
signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or after the effective date of the
Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender (in the
case of each other Lender) in any such requirement for a deduction, withholding
or payment from that in effect at the date hereof or at the date of such
Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, in respect of payments to such Lender.
44
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions
of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Lender, within thirty (30)
days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on
or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.17) paid by the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be,
and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with
respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were
correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.
A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the
Borrower by a Lender or an Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a
Lender or an Issuing Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority,
the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a
certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing
such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of
such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption
from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other
Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed
and executed documentation prescribed by Applicable Law as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In
addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent,
shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or
reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable
the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender
is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a
resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver
to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall
be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign
Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter
upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such
Foreign Lender is lawfully able to do so), whichever of the following is
applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN
claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United
States is a party,
(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
45
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the
exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a
certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a "bank" within
the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a "10 percent shareholder"
of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a
"controlled foreign corporation" described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code
and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
(iv) any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for
claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax
duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be
prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding
or deduction required to be made.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or
an Issuing Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a
refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the
Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts
pursuant to this Section 4.17, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to
such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional
amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 4.17 with respect to the Taxes
or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of
the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant
Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower,
upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing
Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any
penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental
Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender in
the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender is
required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph
shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any
Issuing Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information
relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other
Person.
(g) Failure to Provide Documentation. For any period with respect to which
a Lender has failed to provide the Borrower with the appropriate form,
certificate or other document described in subsection (e) of this Section 4.17
(other than if such failure is due to a change in the applicable law, or in the
interpretation or application thereof, occurring after the date on which a form,
certificate or other document originally was required to be provided or if such
form, certificate or other document otherwise is not required under subsection
(e) of this Section 4.17), such Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification
or payment under subsection (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4.17 with respect
to Taxes imposed by the United States by reason of such failure; provided,
however, that should a Lender become subject to Taxes because of its failure to
deliver a form, certificate or other document required hereunder, the Borrower
shall take such steps as such Lender may reasonably request to assist such
Lender in recovering such Taxes.
(h) Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of
the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained
in this Section 4.17 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and
the termination of the Commitments.
46
SECTION 4.18 Duty to Mitigate; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests
compensation under Section 4.15, or requires the Borrower to pay any additional
amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender
pursuant to Section 4.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to
designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder
or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices,
branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or
assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section
4.15 or Section 4.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not
subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise
be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such
designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under
Section 4.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any
Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to
Section 4.17, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans
hereunder, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to
such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and
delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions
contained in, and consents required by, Section 13.10), all of its interests,
rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an
assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another
Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that
(i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the
assignment fee specified in Section 13.10,
(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the
outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit
funded by such Lender which have not been reimbursed pursuant to the terms
hereof, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to
it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under
Section 4.16) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and
accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts),
(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for
compensation under Section 4.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to
Section 4.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or
payments thereafter, and
(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if,
prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the
circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation
cease to apply.
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ARTICLE V
CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING
SECTION 5.1 Closing. The closing shall take place at the offices of Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, L.L.P., Charlotte, North Carolina at 9:00 a.m. on
October 20, 2004, or on such other date and at such other place as the parties
hereto shall mutually agree.
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The
obligations of the Lenders to close this Agreement and to make the initial Loan
and issue the initial Letters of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of each
of the following conditions:
(a) Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement and any
other Loan Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to
the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto, shall be in full force and
effect and no default shall exist thereunder, and the Borrower shall have
delivered original counterparts thereof to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Closing Certificates; etc.
(i) Officer's Certificate of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent
shall have received a certificate from the chief executive officer or chief
financial officer of the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, to the effect that all representations and warranties of
the Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true,
correct and complete; that the Borrower is not in violation of any of the
covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; that, after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and that the Borrower has
satisfied each of the closing conditions.
(ii) Partnership Documents; Secretary's Certificates. The
Administrative Agent shall have received (A) a certificate of the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and each Guarantor dated the Closing Date
and certifying with respect to the Borrower and each Guarantor (1) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of the organizational documents and all
amendments thereto of each of them, certified as of a recent date by the
appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of organization, (2) that
attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the partnership agreement,
by-laws or equivalent document of each of them in effect on the Closing Date and
at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in
clause (3) below, (3) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of
resolutions duly adopted by the respective governing boards of each of them
authorizing, as applicable, the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents to which it is party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings
hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or
amended and are in full force and effect, (4) that the organizational documents
of each of them have not been amended since the date of the last amendment
thereto shown on the certificate of good standing attached thereto and (5) as to
the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan
Document, Partnership Document or any other document delivered in connection
herewith on its behalf; and (B) a certificate of another
48
officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of such Secretary or
Assistant Secretary executing the certificate pursuant to (A) above.
(iii) Certificates of Good Standing. The Administrative Agent shall
have received long-form certificates as of a recent date of the good standing of
the Borrower and each Subsidiary under the laws of their respective
jurisdictions of organization and a certificate of the relevant taxing
authorities of such jurisdictions certifying that such Person has filed required
tax returns and owes no delinquent taxes.
(iv) Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received
favorable opinions of counsel to the Borrower addressed to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Loan
Documents and such other matters as the Lenders shall request.
(v) Tax Forms. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of
the United States Internal Revenue Service forms required by Section 4.17(e).
(vi) Insurance Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
received a detailed schedule of the Borrower's insurance then in effect, stating
the names of the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance,
the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered
thereby.
(c) Consents; Defaults.
(i) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. All necessary approvals,
authorizations and consents, if any be required, of any Person, including,
without limitation, board approvals of the Parent and the General Partner, as
applicable, and of all Governmental Authorities and courts having jurisdiction
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents shall have been obtained.
(ii) No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding, investigation,
regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed
before any Governmental Authority to enjoin, restrain, or prohibit, or to obtain
substantial damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or which, in the Administrative Agent's
discretion, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and such other Loan Documents.
(iii) No Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.
(d) Financial Matters.
(i) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have received
the most recent audited Consolidated financial statements and unaudited
consolidated financial
49
statements for the period ended June 26, 2004 of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
(ii) Payment at Closing; Fee Letters. There shall have been paid by
the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the fees set forth or
referenced in Section 4.9 and any other accrued and unpaid fees or commissions
due hereunder (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses), and to
any other Person such amount as may be due thereto in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, including all taxes, fees and other charges in
connection with the execution, delivery, recording, filing and registration of
any of the Loan Documents.
(e) Miscellaneous.
(i) Notice of Borrowing; Notice of Account Designation. The
Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower
in accordance with Section 4.1(a), and a Notice of Account Designation
specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any loans made after
the Closing Date are to be disbursed.
(ii) Proceedings and Documents. All opinions, certificates and other
instruments and all proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Lenders.
The Lenders shall have received copies of all other instruments and other
evidence as the Lender may reasonably request, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lenders, with respect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the taking of all actions in connection therewith.
(iii) Continuation of the Existing Loans. (A) All outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans under the Original Credit Agreement (the "Existing
Revolving Credit Loans") made by any Original Lender who is not a Lender
hereunder shall be repaid in full and the commitments and other obligations and
rights (except as expressly set forth in the Original Credit Agreement) of such
Original Lender shall be terminated, (B) all Existing Revolving Credit Loans not
being repaid under item (A) above, shall be, from and after the Closing Date,
Revolving Credit Loans hereunder and the Administrative Agent shall make such
transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of
such Revolving Credit Loans, together with any Revolving Credit Loans funded
hereunder on the Closing Date, reflect the Revolving Credit Commitments of the
Lenders hereunder, (C) all outstanding Acquisition Loans (as defined in the
Original Credit Agreement) under the Original Credit Agreement shall be repaid
in full and the commitments and other obligations and rights (except as
expressly set forth in the Original Credit Agreement) of the Original Lenders in
connection with the Acquisition Loans shall be terminated, (D) all of the
Existing Letters of Credit shall be, from and after the Closing Date, Stand
Alone Letters of Credit hereunder, (E) all accrued but unpaid interest due on
the Existing Revolving Credit Loans and the Acquisition Loans to the Closing
Date shall be paid in cash in full on the Closing Date, (F) all accrued but
unpaid fees under the Original Credit Agreement owing to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders under the Original Credit Agreement to the Closing Date
shall be paid in cash in full on the Closing Date, and (G) all outstanding
promissory notes issued by the Borrower to the Original Lenders under the
Original Credit Agreement shall
50
be deemed canceled and the originally executed copies thereof shall be promptly
returned to the Administrative Agent who shall forward such notes to the
Borrower.
SECTION 5.3 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the
Lenders to make any Extension of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing or issue date, as
applicable:
(a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties contained in Article VI or otherwise made by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in any Loan Document shall be true and correct, in all material
respects, on and as of such borrowing or issuance date with the same effect as
if made on and as of such date.
(b) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing hereunder (i) on the borrowing date with respect to such Loan
or after giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date or (ii) or the issue
date with respect to such Letter of Credit or after giving affect to such
Letters of Credit on such date.
(c) Officer's Compliance Certificate; Additional Documents. The
Administrative Agent shall have received the current Officer's Compliance
Certificate and each additional document, instrument, legal opinion or other
item of information reasonably requested by it.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER
SECTION 6.1 Representations and Warranties. To induce the Administrative
Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make
the Extensions of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the
Administrative Agent and Lenders both before and after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated hereunder that:
(a) Organization; Power; Qualification. Each of the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries, the Parent and the General Partner is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own its properties
and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted
and is duly qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in
which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires
such qualification and authorization, except where the failure to so qualify
would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The jurisdictions in which the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries are organized and qualified to do business are
described on Schedule 6.1(a).
(b) Ownership.
(i) Each Subsidiary of the Borrower is listed on Part I of Schedule
6.1(b). The capitalization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries consists of the
number of shares of stock or other ownership interests, authorized, issued and
outstanding, of such classes and series, with
51
or without par value, described on Part I of Schedule 6.1(b). All outstanding
shares or other ownership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable. The shareholders or other equity owners of
its Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the number of shares or other ownership
interests owned by each are described on Part I of Schedule 6.1(b). There are no
outstanding warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other
rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into,
exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of capital
stock or other ownership interests of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, except
as described on Part I of Schedule 6.1(b).
(ii) The sole general partner of the Parent is the General Partner,
which owns 224,625 General Partner Units, representing in the aggregate a 1.0%
general partner interest in the Parent. The sole general partner of the Borrower
is the General Partner, which owns a 1.0101% general partner interest in the
Borrower. The only limited partner of the Borrower is the Parent, which owns a
98.9899% limited partner interest in the Borrower and the Borrower does not have
any partners other than the General Partner and the Parent. Each General Partner
Unit is entitled to share pro rata with the Common Units in all distributions by
the Parent.
(c) Authorization of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing. Each of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries has the right, power and authority and has taken
all necessary corporate and other action to authorize the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which
it is a party in accordance with their respective terms. This Agreement and each
of the other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the duly
authorized officers of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto,
and each such document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Borrower or its Subsidiary party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from
time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights in
general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) Compliance of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing with Laws, Etc.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of
the Loan Documents to which each such Person is a party, in accordance with
their respective terms, the borrowings hereunder and the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of
notice or otherwise, (i) require any Governmental Approval or violate any
Applicable Law relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles
of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which
such Person is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any
Governmental Approval relating to such Person, or (iii) result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now
owned or hereafter acquired by such Person other than Liens arising under the
Loan Documents.
(e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries (i) has all Governmental Approvals required by any Applicable
Law for it to conduct its business, each of which is in full force and effect,
is final and not subject to review
52
on appeal and is not the subject of any pending or, to the best of its
knowledge, threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding, and (ii) is in
compliance with each Governmental Approval applicable to it and in compliance
with all other Applicable Laws relating to it or any of its respective
properties, except, in each case, to the extent such non-compliance would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the
General Partner and the Parent has duly filed or caused to be filed all material
federal, state and local tax returns required by Applicable Law to be filed, and
has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, all federal, state,
local and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or
levies upon it and its property, income, profits and assets which are due and
payable, other than those the validity of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary,
the General Partner or the Parent is contesting in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and with respect to which the Borrower, such Subsidiary, the General
Partner or the Parent shall, to the extent required by GAAP, have set aside on
its books adequate reserves. No Governmental Authority has asserted any Lien or
other claim against the Borrower or Subsidiary thereof with respect to unpaid
taxes which has not been discharged or resolved. The charges, accruals and
reserves on the books of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries in respect of
federal, state, local and other taxes for all Fiscal Years and portions thereof
since the organization of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries are in the
judgment of the Borrower adequate, and the Borrower does not anticipate any
additional taxes or assessments for any of such years.
(g) Intellectual Property Matters. Each of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries owns or possesses rights to use all franchises, licenses,
copyrights, copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent
applications, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights,
copyrights and rights with respect to the foregoing which are required to
conduct its business. No event has occurred which permits, or after notice or
lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such
rights, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is liable to any
Person for infringement under Applicable Law with respect to any such rights as
a result of its business operations.
(h) Environmental and Safety Matters. Each of the Business, the Borrower,
each Subsidiary, the General Partner and the Parent has complied in all respects
with all Environmental and Safety Laws except for violations that either alone
or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect. None of the Business, the Borrower, any Subsidiary, the General
Partner or the Parent has received notice of any failure so to comply which
alone or together with any other such failure could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Business, the Borrower, any
Subsidiary, the General Partner or the Parent manages or handles any hazardous
wastes, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, toxic substances or toxic
pollutants referred to in or regulated by Environmental and Safety Laws in
violation of such laws or of any other applicable law where such violation could
reasonably be expected to result, individually or together with other
violations, in a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Borrower,
none of the Business, the Borrower, any Subsidiary, the General Partner or the
Parent has any liabilities or contingent liabilities relating to environmental
or employee health and safety matters (including
53
on-site or off-site contamination) which, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) ERISA.
(i) The Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate is in material compliance
with all applicable provisions of ERISA and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder and no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service
to be so qualified, and each trust related to such plan has been determined to
be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code.
(iii) Except where the failure of any of the following representations
to be correct in all material respects could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has: (A)
engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Section 406 of ERISA
or Section 4975 of the Code, (B) incurred any liability to the PBGC which
remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums and there are no premium
payments which are due and unpaid, (C) failed to make a required contribution or
payment to a Multiemployer Plan, or (D) failed to make a required installment or
other required payment under Section 412 of the Code.
(j) Margin Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is
engaged principally or as one of its activities in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" (as each
such term is defined or used in the regulations of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any of the Loans will be
used for purchasing or carrying margin stock in violation of, or for any purpose
which violates, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of such Board of
Governors.
(k) Government Regulation. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof
is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company"
(as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended) and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is, or after giving
effect to any Extension of Credit will be, subject to regulation under the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or the Interstate Commerce Act, each
as amended, or any other Applicable Law which limits its ability to incur or
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) Agreements. (i) None of the Business, the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries, the General Partner nor the Parent is a party to any agreement or
instrument or subject to any restriction in its partnership or corporate
organizational documents that (i) will have the effect of prohibiting or
restraining, or will impose adverse conditions upon, any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or the payment of dividends or the making of any loans,
investments or transfers by any Subsidiary to or in the Borrower or (ii) has
resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
54
(m) No Defaults. None of the Business, the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries, the General Partner or the Parent is in default in any manner, and
there is no event or condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute such a default or event of default, under any provision of any Senior
Note, any Refinancing Note, the Senior Note Agreement, any Refinancing Note
Agreement, or any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing
Indebtedness, any Contingent Obligation set forth on Schedule 6.1(m) or any
other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or
any of its properties or assets are or may be bound, where such default could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Employee Relations. None of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is,
except as set forth on Schedule 6.1(n), party to any collective bargaining
agreement nor has any labor union been recognized as the representative of its
employees. There are no strikes against the Business, the Borrower or any
Subsidiary pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, other
than strikes which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments
made to employees of the Business, the Borrower, each Subsidiary, the General
Partner and the Parent have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards
Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters except for violations
that either alone or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from the Business, the
Borrower, any Subsidiary, the General Partner and the Parent, or for which any
claim may be made against the Business, the Borrower, any Subsidiary, the
General Partner or the Parent, on account of wages and employee health and
welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on
the books of the Business, the Borrower, such Subsidiary, the General Partner or
the Parent, as applicable, in compliance with GAAP.
(o) Burdensome Provisions. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof
is subject to any Governmental Approval or Applicable Law which is so unusual or
burdensome as in the foreseeable future could be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not presently
anticipate that future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any
statutes, orders, rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so
burdensome as to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) Financial Statements. The audited Consolidated balance sheets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of September 27, 2003 and the related
statements of income and partners' capital and cash flows for the Fiscal Years
then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and
each Lender, are complete and correct and fairly present the assets, liabilities
and financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates,
and the results of the operations and changes of financial position for the
periods then ended. All such financial statements, including the related
schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness, obligation or other unusual
forward or long-term commitment which is not fairly reflected in the foregoing
financial statements or in the notes thereto.
55
(q) No Material Adverse Change. Since September 27, 2003 there has been no
material adverse change in the properties, business, operations, prospects, or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, and no event has occurred or condition arisen that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) Solvency. As of the Closing Date and after giving effect to each
Extension of Credit made hereunder, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a
consolidated basis, will be Solvent.
(s) Titles to Properties. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has
such title to the real property owned by it as is necessary or desirable to the
conduct of its business and valid and legal title to all of its material
personal property and assets, including, but not limited to, those reflected on
the balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to
Section 6.1(p), except those which have been disposed of by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries subsequent to such date which dispositions have been in the
ordinary course of business, of assets or properties no longer used or usable in
the conduct of its business or as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder.
(t) Liens. None of the properties and assets of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary thereof is subject to any Lien, except Liens permitted pursuant to
Section 10.2. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any
state which names the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their
respective trade names or divisions as debtor and which has not been terminated,
has been filed in any state or other jurisdiction and neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary thereof has signed any such financing statement or any security
agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any such financing
statement, except to perfect those Liens permitted by Section 10.2. The
Obligations hereunder are senior unsecured obligations of the Borrower which
rank pari passu with the Senior Notes.
(u) Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations. Schedule 6.1(u) is a complete
and correct listing of all Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000.
(v) Litigation. Except for the SCANA Litigation, there are no actions,
suits or proceedings pending nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
against or in any other way relating adversely to or affecting the Borrower or
any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties in any court or
before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority,
except for actions, suits or proceedings that, if adversely determined, could,
individually or in the aggregate, not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect. The information regarding the SCANA Litigation
contained in the materials filed by the Parent with the Securities Exchange
Commission is true and correct in all material respects.
(w) Absence of Defaults. No event has occurred or is continuing which
constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or which constitutes, or which
with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute, a default
or event of default by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof under any
judgment, decree or order by which the Borrower or its
56
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or which would
require the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to make any payment thereunder prior to
the scheduled maturity date therefor.
(x) Senior Note Agreement. No default or event of default, or event or
condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a
default or event of default with respect to the Borrower exists under the Senior
Note Agreement.
(y) Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All written information,
reports and other papers and data produced by or on behalf of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary thereof and furnished to the Lenders were, at the time the same
were so furnished, complete and correct in all
material respects; provided, that any projections or pro forma financial
information contained in any of the foregoing are represented and warranted only
to have been based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the
management of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to be reasonable at the time
prepared. No document furnished or written statement made to the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in connection
with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any of the
Loan Documents contains or will contain any untrue statement of a fact material
to the creditworthiness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or omits or will
omit to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein
not misleading. The Borrower is not aware of any facts which it has not
disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent having a Material Adverse
Effect, or insofar as the Borrower can now foresee, could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. All
representations and warranties set forth in this Article VI and all
representations and warranties contained in any certificate, or any of the Loan
Documents (including but not limited to any such representation or warranty made
in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations
and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties
made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the
Closing Date, shall survive the Closing Date and shall not be waived by the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf
of the Lenders or any borrowing hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES
Until all the Obligations have been finally and indefeasibly paid and
satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.12, the Borrower will furnish or
cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and to the Lenders at their
respective addresses as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a), or such other office as
may be designated by the Administrative Agent and Lenders from time to time:
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SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements.
(a) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in any event
within fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters
(or, if such date is earlier, five (5) days after the date of any required
public filing by the Parent of Form 10-Q for such fiscal quarter with the
Securities and Exchange Commission), an unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and
unaudited Consolidated statements of income, partners' capital and cash flows
for the fiscal quarter then ended and that portion of the Fiscal Year then
ended, all in reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by the Borrower
in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing disclosure of the effect
on the financial position or results of operations of any change in the
application of accounting principles and practices during the period, and
certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower to present fairly in
all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of their respective dates and the results of operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended, subject to
normal year end adjustments.
(b) Annual Financial Statements of Borrower. As soon as practicable and in
any event within ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year (or, if
such date is earlier, five (5) days after the date of any required public filing
by the Parent of Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year with the Securities and Exchange
Commission), an unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal Year and unaudited Consolidated
statements of income, partners' capital and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then
ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in
comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and
prepared by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing
disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of operations of
any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during the
period, and certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower to present
fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of their respective dates and the results of operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended.
(c) Annual Financial Statements of Parent. As soon as practicable and in
any event within ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year (or, if
such date is earlier, five (5) days after the date of any required public filing
by the Parent of Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year with the Securities and Exchange
Commission), an audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its
Subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal Year and audited Consolidated
statements of income, partners' capital and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then
ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in
comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public
accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, if
applicable, containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or
results of operation of any change in the application of accounting principles
and practices during the year, and accompanied by a report thereon by such
certified public accountants that is not qualified with respect to scope
limitations imposed by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to
58
accounting principles followed by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries not in
accordance with GAAP.
(d) Annual Projections. Within thirty (30) days following the request of
the Administrative Agent, financial projections of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the ensuing four (4) fiscal quarters, such projections to
include, on a quarterly basis, projected income statements, statements of cash
flows and balance sheets, accompanied by a certificate from the chief financial
officer of the Borrower to the effect that, to the best of such officer's
knowledge, such projections are good faith estimates (utilizing reasonable
assumptions) of the financial condition and operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period.
SECTION 7.2 Officer's Compliance Certificate. At each time financial
statements are delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) ,(b) or (c), a certificate
of the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit F attached hereto (an "Officer's Compliance Certificate").
SECTION 7.3 Other Reports.
(a) Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all reports, if any, submitted
to the Parent, the Borrower or their respective Board of Supervisors by their
independent public accountants in connection with their auditing function,
including, without limitation, any management report and any management
responses thereto;
(b) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all
periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the
General Partner, the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities
and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of or
all the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange,
or distributed to the holders of Common Unit, as the case may be;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of any statement, report, certificate or
other material under Section 5A of the Senior Note Agreement that has not
otherwise been delivered to the Lenders, a copy of each such statement, report,
certificate or other material, which shall in the case of officers' and
accountants' certificates be addressed to the Lenders and provide the analogous
information and certifications in respect of the Loan Documents;
(d) written notice of any action or decision by the Board of Supervisors of
the Parent to change the amount of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution or not to
pay all or any portion of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, which notice shall
be delivered within three (3) Business Days after such action or decision;
(e) such information and documents relating to the SCANA Litigation as may
be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, to the extent such
information or documents are not protected by either the attorney-client or
attorney work product privileges; provided that the Borrower shall deliver to
the Administrative Agent copies of all filings made by any Person with the court
in connection with the SCANA Litigation within five (5) Business Days of such
filing; and
59
(f) such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and
financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including,
without limitation, any financial or actuarial reports or filings made with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender
may reasonably request.
SECTION 7.4 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters. Prompt (but in no event
later than ten (10) days after an officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge
thereof) telephonic and written notice of:
(a) the commencement of all proceedings and investigations by or before any
Governmental Authority and all actions and proceedings in any court or before
any arbitrator against or involving the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or
any of their respective properties, assets or businesses, which, if adversely
determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any notice of any violation received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
thereof from any Governmental Authority including, without limitation, any
notice of violation of Environmental and Safety Laws which in any such case
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any labor controversy that has resulted in a strike or other work
action against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any attachment, judgment, lien, levy or order exceeding $10,000,000
that may be assessed against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof;
(e) any Default, Event of Default or Senior Note Default;
(f) any event which makes any of the representations set forth in Section
6.1 inaccurate in any respect; and
(g) any other development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.5 Accuracy of Information. All written information, reports,
statements and other papers and data furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower
to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (other than financial forecasts)
whether pursuant to this Article VII or any other provision of this Agreement,
or any other of the Loan Documents, shall be, at the time the same is so
furnished, complete and correct in all material respects to the extent necessary
to give the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (a) with respect to financial
statements and reports, complete, true and accurate knowledge of the subject
matter based on the Borrower's knowledge of the financial condition of the
Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries for the date or period to which such financial
statements or reports relate and, (b) with respect to all
60
other written information, reports, statements and other papers and data,
complete, true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter based on the
Borrower's knowledge thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Obligations have been finally and indefeasibly paid and satisfied
in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the
manner provided for in Section 13.12, the Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 8.1 Existence; Businesses and Properties.
(i) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and
keep in full force and effect its legal existence and qualify and remain
qualified as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction in which the failure to do so
would have a Material Adverse Effect, except as otherwise permitted by Section
10.5.
(ii) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew
and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises,
authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the
conduct of its business; maintain and operate such business in substantially the
manner in which it is presently conducted and operated; and at all times
maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and
keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to
time make, or cause to be made, all needed and proper repairs, renewals,
additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all
times.
SECTION 8.2 Insurance. Keep its insurable properties adequately insured at
all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such other
insurance, to such extent and against such risks, including fire and other risks
insured against by extended coverage, as is customary with similarly situated
companies in the same or similar businesses, including public liability
insurance against claims for personal injury or death or property damage
occurring upon in, about or in connection with the use of any properties owned
occupied or controlled by it and maintain such other insurance as may be
required by Applicable Law; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 8.2
shall preclude the Borrower or any Subsidiary from being self-insured to the
extent customary with similarly situated companies in the same or similar
businesses.
SECTION 8.3 Taxes. Pay and discharge promptly when due all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its
income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become
delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and
supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, would give rise to a Lien upon such
properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that such payment and
discharge shall not be required with respect to any such tax, assessment,
charge, levy or claim so
61
long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in respect thereof shall be
maintained in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 8.4 Employee Benefits. Comply in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and furnish to the Administrative
Agent as soon as possible after, and in any event within 10 days after any
Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason
to know that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any
other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in
liability of the Borrower in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000, a
statement of a Financial Officer setting forth details as to such ERISA Event
and the action, if any, that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 8.5 Access to Premises and Records; Confidentiality. Maintain
financial records in accordance with GAAP, and upon reasonable notice permit
representatives of the Lenders to have access to such financial records and the
premises of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at reasonable times and to make such
excerpts from such records as such representatives deem necessary in connection
with their evaluation of the Borrower's ability to repay the Loans or any
Subsidiary's ability to perform its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement.
Each Lender agrees to keep all information obtained by it pursuant to this
Section 8.5 and all other non-public information delivered to it by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement confidential except to the extent
that (i) disclosure is made, subject to this confidentiality agreement, to
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives of such
Lender or to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (ii) disclosure of
such information is made pursuant to applicable law, regulations, subpoena,
judicial process or the like or at the request of any regulatory authority to
which it is subject or to its counsel or auditors or in any legal proceeding
arising out of this Agreement, (iii) such information is or becomes publicly
available other than by such Lender's breach of this Section 8.5, (iv)
disclosure is made to an actual or prospective assignee or participant pursuant
to Section 13.10 or (v) such information becomes available to such Lender from a
third party which, by making such information available, has not, to such
Lender's knowledge, breached any obligation of confidentiality it may owe.
SECTION 8.6 Compliance with Laws. Comply with all applicable laws, rules
and regulations, and all orders of any Governmental Authority, applicable to it
or any of its property, business, operations or transactions (including ERISA
and all Environmental and Safety Laws), except where the failure so to comply
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and
provide prompt written notice to the Lenders following the receipt of any notice
of any violation of any such laws, rules, regulations or orders from any
Governmental Authority charged with enforcing the same where such violation
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 8.7 Additional Guarantors. Notify the Administrative Agent if at
any time the Borrower or any Subsidiary determines to acquire or form any Person
which would upon such acquisition or formation constitute a domestic Subsidiary
and to cause any such newly acquired or formed domestic Subsidiary to become a
guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement
62
by the execution of documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent immediately upon such acquisition or formation.
SECTION 8.8 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans and Letters of
Credit (a) for working capital and general partnership purposes of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, and (b) for payment of fees and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement.
SECTION 8.9 Partnership Documents. Perform and comply with, and cause each
of the General Partner and the Parent to perform and comply in all material
respects with all its obligations under each of the Partnership Documents to
which it is a party and enforce and cause each of the General Partner and the
Parent to enforce, in all material respects, each such Partnership Document
against each other party thereto.
SECTION 8.10 Compliance with Environmental and Safety Laws. Comply, and use
reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons occupying its
properties to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental and Safety
Laws and environmental permits applicable to its operations and properties;
obtain and renew all material environmental permits necessary for its operations
and properties; and conduct any necessary remedial action in accordance with
Environmental and Safety Laws; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any remedial action to
the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by
proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained under GAAP with
respect to such circumstances.
SECTION 8.11 Preparation of Environmental Reports. If a Default caused by
reason of a breach of Sections 6.1(h) or 8.10 shall have occurred and be
continuing, at the request of the Required Lenders through the Administrative
Agent, provide to Lenders within forty-five (45) days after such request, at the
expense of the Borrower, an environmental site assessment report for the
properties which are the subject of such Default prepared by an environmental
consulting firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent and consented to by the
Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),
indicating the presence or absence of hazardous materials and the estimated cost
of any compliance or remedial action in connection with such properties.
SECTION 8.12 Corporate Identity. Do or cause to be done (or refrain from
doing or causing to be done, as the case may be) all things necessary to ensure
that the separate legal identity of the Borrower will at all times be respected
and that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will be liable for any
obligations, contractual or otherwise, of the General Partner, the Parent or any
other entity in which the General Partner or the Parent owns any equity
interest, except as permitted under Section 10.6(b) or Section 10.7. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Borrower will (a) observe, and cause the General
Partner and the Parent to observe, all requirements, procedures and formalities
necessary or advisable in order that the Borrower will for all purposes be
considered a validly existing partnership separate and distinct from the General
Partner, the Parent and their other subsidiaries, (b) not permit any commingling
of the assets of the General Partner, the Parent or any of their other
subsidiaries with assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which would prevent
the assets of the General Partner, the Parent or
63
any of their subsidiaries from being readily distinguished from the assets of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (c) take reasonable and customary actions
to ensure that creditors of the General Partner, the Parent and their other
subsidiaries are aware that each such Person is an entity separate and distinct
from the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 8.13 Federal Reserve Regulations. In the event the Borrower or any
Subsidiary shall use any proceeds of Loans to acquire or carry any Margin Stock,
the Borrower will not at any time thereafter permit more than 25% of the value
of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to the provisions of
Section 10.2 or 10.5 to be Margin Stock.
SECTION 8.14 Available Cash Reserves. Maintain an amount of cash reserves
that is necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the Board of
Supervisors of the Borrower to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the
business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including reserves for future
capital expenditures) subsequent to such quarter, (ii) comply with applicable
law or any loan agreement (including, but not limited to, this Agreement),
security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation
to which the Borrower or any, Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or
its assets are subject and (iii) provide funds for distributions to partners of
the Parent and the General Partner in respect of any one or more of the next
four quarters; provided that disbursements made or cash reserves established,
increased or reduced after the end of any quarter but on or before the date of
determination of Available Cash with respect to such quarter shall be deemed to
have been made, established, increased or reduced for purposes of determining
Available Cash, within such quarter if the Board of Supervisors of the Company
so determines. In addition, without limitation or duplication of the foregoing,
Available Cash for any fiscal quarter shall reflect an amount of cash reserves
equal to the reserves required pursuant to the last paragraph of the definition
of "Available Cash".
SECTION 8.15 Further Assurances. Make, execute and deliver all such
additional and further acts, things, deeds and instruments as the Administrative
Agent or any Lender may reasonably require to document and consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to vest completely in and insure the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders their respective rights under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 8.16 Commodity Hedging Policy. The Borrower shall not amend the
Borrower's commodity hedging policy in place as of the Closing Date as set forth
on Schedule 8.16 in any manner that increases the risk exposure of the Borrower
(including, without limitation, any increase of the limits thereunder) without
the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
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ARTICLE IX
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been finally and indefeasibly paid and
satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.11, the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis will not:
SECTION 9.1 Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the ratio of EBITDA to Interest
Expense as of the end of any fiscal quarter for the four-quarter-period ending
as of such date to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.
SECTION 9.2 Leverage Ratio. Permit the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any
fiscal quarter to be greater than 4.50 to 1.00.
ARTICLE X
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been finally and indefeasibly paid and
satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 14.11, the Borrower will not, and
will not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 10.1 Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness for borrowed money existing on the date hereof in an
aggregate principal amount not in excess of $100,000;
(b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
(c) in the case of the Guarantors, the Guarantees under the Guaranty
Agreement and the Senior Note Agreement and any Refinancing Note Agreement;
(d) in the case of the Borrower, the Senior Notes and Refinancing Notes in
an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the aggregate principal amount of
the Senior Notes redeemed using the net proceeds of such Refinancing Notes;
provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, no Refinancing Notes shall be issued (and no Indebtedness
shall be incurred under any Refinancing Note Agreement) unless: (i) concurrently
with the issuance of any Refinancing Notes, Senior Notes in a principal amount
equal to the principal amount of such Refinancing Notes shall have been redeemed
and canceled, at a price not in excess of 100% of the principal amount thereof
(plus any premium in respect of such redemption to the extent paid with the
proceeds of the contemporaneous issuance of Common Units of the Parent), (ii)
the terms of the Refinancing Notes and the Refinancing Note Agreement shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders (provided, however,
65
that the terms of the Refinancing Notes and the Refinancing Note Agreement shall
be deemed to be satisfactory to the Required Lenders if the Refinancing Notes
are issued with substantially the same terms as the Senior Notes (other than any
changes thereto that are not adverse in any respect to the interests of the
Lenders)), (iii) the interest rate of the Refinancing Notes shall be a fixed,
non-increasing interest rate per annum not in excess of the rate payable in
respect of the Senior Notes, payable on a principal amount of the Refinancing
Notes not in excess of the gross proceeds of the sale thereof and interest on
the Refinancing Notes shall be payable not more frequently than interest is
payable on the Senior Notes and (iv) the Refinancing Notes shall mature not
earlier than the maturity date of the Senior Notes and shall not have a shorter
weighted average maturity than the Senior Notes. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Section 10.1(d) to the contrary, the Borrower may incur
Indebtedness in the form of Refinancing Notes the net proceeds of which are used
to refinance the Senior Note Payments; provided that (i) the aggregate principal
amount of such notes shall not exceed the principal amount of the Senior Note
Payments being refinanced thereby, (ii) such notes shall mature not earlier than
the date that is two years after the Termination Date, and (iii) such notes
would not violate the provisions of the Senior Note Agreement or any Refinancing
Note Agreement at the time in effect;
(e) [Intentionally Omitted]
(f) [Intentionally Omitted]
(g) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to any
Subsidiary or the Borrower, as the case may be;
(h) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owed to any Person
providing worker's compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits
or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person;
(i) Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of
performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar
obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including
those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the
ordinary course of business, and any extension, renewal or refinancing thereof
to the extent not provided to secure the repayment of other Indebtedness and to
the extent that the amount of refinancing Indebtedness is not greater than the
amount of Indebtedness being refinanced;
(j) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial
institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient
funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is
extinguished within two (2) Business Days of its incurrence;
(k) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the date hereof and
Indebtedness of a corporation merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower
or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, which Indebtedness in each case exists
at the time of such acquisition, merger,
66
consolidation or conversion into a Subsidiary and is not created in
contemplation of such event and where such acquisition, merger or consolidation
is otherwise permitted by this Agreement; provided that the aggregate principal
amount of Indebtedness under this paragraph (k) shall not at any time exceed
$5,000,000;
(l) Indebtedness incurred, issued or assumed by the Borrower (i) to finance
the acquisitions, improvements or repairs (to the extent such improvements and
repairs may be capitalized on the books of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP)
of, or additions to, the property and assets of the Borrower, or (ii) to
replace, extend, renew, refund or refinance any such Indebtedness; provided
that:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred in
connection with any such replacement, extension, renewal, refunding or
refinancing shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness so
replaced, extended, renewed, refunded or refinanced;
(ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under
this clause (l) and outstanding at any time shall not exceed (A) $25,000,000
plus (B) an amount equal to the aggregate net proceeds received by the Borrower
as consideration for the issuance by the Borrower of additional partnership
interests or as a capital contribution in each case for the purpose of financing
such acquisitions, improvements, repairs or additions less (C) any amount of
excess proceeds used to permanently reduce the Commitments pursuant to Section
4.5;
(iii) such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien on the property or assets
so acquired, improved or repaired and does not include a negative pledge on any
other assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(m) obligations described under clause (j) of the definition of
"Indebtedness" in an aggregate stated amount at any time outstanding, not in
excess of $5,000,000;
(n) obligations under Commodity Hedging Agreements respecting actual
volumes of propane inventory of the Borrower incurred in accordance with the
Borrower's commodity hedging policy, previously approved by the Lenders;
(o) Indebtedness incurred in connection with Hedging Agreements entered
into with respect to the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with a
counterparty and upon terms and conditions (including interest rate) reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that any counterparty that is
a Lender shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(p) Indebtedness incurred in connection with Swap Agreements entered into
with respect to the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than Hedging
Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(o)) in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $15,000,000 (valued at the termination value thereof computed in
accordance with a method approved by the International Swap Dealers Association
and agreed to by such Person in the applicable Swap Agreement, if any) on any
date of determination; and
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(q) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower in an aggregate principal
amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $5,000,000; provided, however,
that no Indebtedness may be incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist if
such insurance, creation, assumption or existence would violate the provisions
of the Senior Note Agreement or any Refinancing Note Agreement at the time in
effect.
SECTION 10.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on
any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any Person,
including any Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it or any income or
revenues or rights in respect or any thereof, or sell or transfer any account
receivable or any right in respect thereof, except:
(a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower existing on the date hereof
and set forth in Schedule 10.2; provided that such Liens shall secure only those
obligations that they secure on the date hereof and shall not apply to any other
property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(b) any Lien arising as a result of a transaction permitted under Section
10.5(e);
(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(j); provided that (i) such Lien
is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition and
(ii) such Lien does not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary;
(d) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) incurred and pledges and
deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, retiree health benefits
and other social security benefits and deposits securing liability to insurance
carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such
obligations;
(e) Liens securing the performance of bids, tenders, leases, contracts
(other than for the repayment of borrowed money), statutory obligations surety,
customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of a like nature, incurred as an
incident to and in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics',
materialmen's and vendors' liens, incurred in good faith in the ordinary course
of business and securing obligations which are not yet due or which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings as to which the Borrower or a
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have, to the extent required by GAAP, set
aside on its books adequate reserves;
(g) Liens securing the payment of taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies, either (i) not delinquent or (ii) being contested in good
faith by appropriate legal or administrative proceedings and as to which the
Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have, to the extent required
by GAAP, set aside on its books adequate reserves;
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(h) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, provisions,
covenants, conditions, waivers, restrictions on the use of property or
irregularities of title (and with respect to leasehold interests, mortgages,
obligations, liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or
permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner of the
leased property, with or without consent of the lessee) which do not in the
aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or assets or
materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;
(i) Liens on the property or assets of any Subsidiary in favor of the
Borrower or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(j) extensions, renewals and replacements of Liens referred to in
paragraphs (a) through (i) of this Section 10.2; provided that any such
extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property or
assets (or improvements thereon) covered by the Lien extended, renewed or
replaced and that the obligations secured by any such extension, renewal or
replacement Lien shall be in an amount not greater than the amount of the
obligations secured by the Lien extended, renewed or replaced;
(k) attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(l) leases or subleases of equipment to customers that do not materially
interfere with the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole;
(m) Liens consisting of interests of lessors under Capital Leases permitted
hereunder;
(n) any Lien created to secure all or any part of the purchase price, or to
secure Indebtedness incurred or assumed to pay all or any part of the purchase
price or cost of construction, of property acquired or constructed by the
Borrower or a Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided, that (i) any such Lien
shall be confined solely to the item or items of such property (or improvement
therein) so acquired or constructed and, if required by the terms of the
instrument creating such Lien, other property (or improvement thereon) which is
an improvement to such acquired or constructed property, (ii) any such Lien
shall be created contemporaneously with, or within ten (10) Business Days after,
the acquisition or construction of such property, and (iii) such Lien does not
exceed an amount equal to 85% (100% in the case of Capital Leases) of the fair
market value of such assets (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Supervisors of the Borrower) at the time of acquisition thereof;
(o) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(l);
(p) Liens securing Indebtedness (including interests of lessors under
Capital Leases) permitted by Section 10.1, so long as immediately after giving
effect thereto, the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens
shall not exceed 2.5% of Total Assets (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement);
and
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(q) Liens on accounts receivable granted by any ESCO in connection with a
Consolidated Billing Program.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary to, create, assume or incur any Lien upon or with respect to any of
its proprietary software developed by or on behalf of the Borrower or its
Affiliates and necessary and useful for the conduct of the Business.
SECTION 10.3 Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into any arrangement,
directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any
property, real or personal used or useful in its business, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property
which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
property being sold or transferred, in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$25,000,000.
SECTION 10.4 Investments, Loans and Advances. Directly or indirectly
purchase or own any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest
in, or make any capital contribution to, any Person, or make or permit to remain
outstanding any loan or advance to, or guarantee, endorse or otherwise be or
become contingently liable, directly or indirectly, in connection with the
obligations of any Person, or make any other Investment, except:
(a) Investments (i) arising out of loans and advances to employees incurred
in the ordinary course of business, (ii) arising out of extensions of trade
credit or advances to third parties in the ordinary course of business and (iii)
acquired by reason of the exercise of customary creditors' rights upon default
or pursuant to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of a debtor;
(b) Guarantees that constitute Indebtedness to the extent permitted by
Sections 9.2 and 10.1 and other Guarantees that are not Guarantees of
Indebtedness and are undertaken in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Investments in (collectively, "Cash Equivalents")
(i) marketable obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the
United States of America, or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States of America, in each case maturing within
one year or less from the date of acquisition thereof;
(ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United
States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and having as at such date the highest rating obtainable from either
Standard & Poor's Rating Group or Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.;
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(iii) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of
creation thereof and having as at the date of acquisition thereof one of the two
highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Rating Group or Xxxxx'x
Investors Service, Inc.;
(iv) certificates of deposit maturing one year or less from the date
of acquisition thereof issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or
Canada or issued by the United States branch of any commercial bank organized
under the laws of any country in Western Europe or Japan, with capital and
stockholders' equity of at least $500,000,000 (or the equivalent in the currency
of such country), (A) the commercial paper or other short term unsecured debt
obligations of which are as at such date rated either A-2 or better (or
comparably if the rating system is changed) by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or
Prime-2 or better (or comparably if the rating system is changed) by Xxxxx'x
Investors Service, Inc. or (B) the long-term debt obligations of which are as at
such date rated either A or better (or comparably if the rating system is
changed) by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or A-2 or better (or comparably if
the rating system is changed) by Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. ("Permitted
Banks");
(v) Eurodollar time deposits having a maturity of less than 270 days
from the date of acquisition thereof purchased directly from any Permitted Bank;
(vi) bankers' acceptances eligible for rediscount under requirements
of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and accepted by
Permitted Banks;
(vii) to the extent permitted under the Senior Note Agreement, money
market funds having assets of not less than $500,000,000;
(viii) obligations of the type described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
(iv) or (v) above purchased from a securities dealer designated as a "primary
dealer" by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or from a Permitted Bank as
counterparty to a written repurchase agreement obligating such counterparty to
repurchase such obligations not later than fourteen (14) days after the purchase
thereof and which provides that the obligations which are the subject thereof
are held for the benefit of the Borrower or a Subsidiary by a custodian which is
a Permitted Bank and which is not a counterparty to the repurchase agreement in
question;
(d) liabilities with respect to any Swap Agreements or Commodities Hedging
Agreements; and
(e) investments made by a Subsidiary in the Borrower.
SECTION 10.5 Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions.
Merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to
merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose
of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or any substantial
part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or purchase, lease
or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any
substantial part of the assets of, or any division or line of business of, any
other Person, except that this Section 10.5 shall not prohibit;
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(a) the purchase and sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the acquisition of facilities and equipment
in the ordinary course of business;
(b) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no
Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing
(i) the merger of any Subsidiary into the Borrower in a transaction in
which the Borrower is the surviving Person, or the merger or consolidation of
any Subsidiary with and into any other Wholly-Owned domestic Subsidiary, in each
case in a transaction in which no Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary
receives any consideration; and
(ii) the merger of any other Person with and into the Borrower or a
Subsidiary if the Borrower or such Subsidiary is the surviving entity and after
giving effect to such transaction (A) the Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in
the Senior Note Agreement) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be not
less than the Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement)
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries immediate, prior to such transaction, (B)
substantially all the assets and business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
shall be located in the United States and (C) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such
transaction, with the covenants contained in Article IX recomputed as of the
last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of each
relevant period for testing such compliance, and the Borrower shall have
delivered to the Administrative Agent an Officer's Compliance Certificate to
such effect, together with all relevant financial information and calculations
demonstrating such compliance;
(c) Permitted Business Acquisitions and other investments permitted by
Section 10.4;
(d) sales, leases or other dispositions of equipment or real property of
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries determined by the Board of Supervisors of the
Borrower or senior management of the Borrower to be no longer useful or
necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(e) sales, leases or other dispositions of property for consideration
(i) at least 80% of which consists of cash and the remainder of which
consists of investments permitted under Section 10.4, or
(ii) consisting of cash and one or more Permitted Business
Acquisitions which the Board of Supervisors of the Borrower shall have
determined, as evidenced by a resolution thereof, have in the aggregate a fair
market value not less than the fair market value of the property being sold,
leased or otherwise disposed of; provided that (A) no issuance of the Capital
Stock (or of any warrant, right or option to purchase or otherwise acquire any
such Capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any such
Capital Stock) of any Subsidiary may be made to any Person other than the
Borrower or a Wholly-Owned domestic Subsidiary
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except for the purpose of qualifying directors or in satisfaction of pre-emptive
rights of holders of minority interests which are triggered by an issuance of
Capital Stock to the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned domestic Subsidiary and (B) no
sale may be made of the Capital Stock (or of any warrant, right or option to
purchase or otherwise acquire any such Capital Stock or any security convertible
into or exchangeable for any such Capital Stock) of any Subsidiary except in
connection with a sale, transfer or other disposition in which (1)
simultaneously with such sale, transfer or disposition, all the Capital Stock
and Indebtedness of such Subsidiary at the time owned by the Borrower and any
other Subsidiary shall be sold, transferred or disposed of as an entirety; (2)
in the case of any such transaction involving value of $1,000,000 or more, the
Board of Supervisors of the Borrower shall have determined, as evidenced by a
resolution thereof, that the proposed sale, transfer or disposition of such
Capital Stock and Indebtedness is in the best interests of the Borrower; (3)
such Capital Stock and Indebtedness are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed
of to a Person for cash or other consideration that would constitute an
investment permitted under Section 10.4 and, in the case of any such transaction
involving value of $1,000,000 or more, on terms reasonably determined by the
Board of Supervisors of the Borrower to be adequate and satisfactory; (4) the
Subsidiary being disposed of shall not have any continuing investment in the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary not being simultaneously disposed of; and (5)
such sale, transfer or other disposition shall not otherwise be prohibited by
this Agreement; and
(f) sales of accounts receivable by any ESCO in connection with a
Consolidated Billing Program.
SECTION 10.6 Restricted Payments. Directly or indirectly declare, order,
pay, make or set apart any sum for any Restricted Payment, except that:
(a) the Borrower may declare or order, and make, pay or set apart, once
during each fiscal quarter, a Restricted Payment in an amount not exceeding the
sum of an amount to be distributed by the Parent to its partners promptly upon
receipt from the Borrower plus an amount equal to the proportionate distribution
from the Borrower to the General Partner in respect of such distribution,
(b) the Borrower may declare or order, and make, pay or set apart,
Restricted Payments to the General Partner and the Parent to fund the payment by
them of tax liabilities, legal, accounting and other professional fees and
expenses, compensation, fees and expenses of the Elected Supervisors of the
Parent (as defined in the Parent Partnership Agreement) and indemnification of
and contribution to all Persons entitled to indemnification or contribution
under Section 8.14 of the Parent Partnership Agreement (as in effect on the
Closing Date), any fees and expenses associated with registration statements
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequent ongoing public
reporting requirements, and other liabilities, obligations or costs of the
General Partner or the Parent in each case to the extent actually incurred by
the General Partner or the Parent, as applicable, in connection with, arising
from, or relating to the Business or the Parent's ownership of Capital Stock of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and
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(c) the Borrower may declare or order, and make, pay or set apart,
Restricted Payments to the Parent at such times and in such amounts as necessary
to fund the Parent Debt Service;
provided that
(i) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments declared or ordered,
or made, paid, or set apart in any fiscal quarter shall not exceed Available
Cash for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter and
(ii) no Default or Event of Default then exists and is continuing, or
would be caused by such Restricted Payment, and the Borrower and it Subsidiaries
shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the covenants contained in
Article IX recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal
quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as if such action had occurred on
the first day of each relevant period for testing such compliance, and the
Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer's
certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to
such effect on the date such Restricted Payment is declared or ordered, together
with all relevant financial information and calculations demonstrating such
compliance.
The Borrower will comply with the reserve provisions required under the
definition of Available Cash. The Borrower will not, in any event, directly or
indirectly declare, order, pay or make any Restricted Payment except in cash.
The Borrower will not permit any Subsidiary to declare, order, pay or make any
Restricted Payment or to set apart any sum or property for any such purpose
other than to (i) the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and (ii) so long
as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would
be caused thereby, all holders of Capital Stock of or other equity interests in
such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis.
SECTION 10.7 Transactions with Affiliates. Sell or transfer any assets to,
or purchase or acquire any assets from, or otherwise engage in any material
transaction with, any Affiliate except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary than those that would prevail in an
arm's-length transaction with a Person which was not an Affiliate and in a
transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the
reasonable requirements at the time of the Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided
that this Section 10.7 shall not apply to (a) Restricted Payments permitted
under Section 10.6, (b) indemnification of and contribution to all Persons
entitled to indemnification or contribution under Section 7.14 of the Borrower
Partnership Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date) to the extent such
indemnification or contribution arises from business or activities in connection
with the Business (including securities issuances in connection with funding the
Business) or (c) transactions between the Borrower and any Wholly-Owned domestic
Subsidiary, or between Wholly-Owned domestic Subsidiaries or between
Wholly-Owned foreign Subsidiaries.
SECTION 10.8 Business of Borrower and Subsidiaries.
Engage at any time in any business or business activity other than the business
currently conducted by it and business activities reasonably incidental thereto,
except to the extent resulting from any acquisition permitted under Section
10.5.
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SECTION 10.9 Material Agreements; Tax Status.
(a) (i) Directly or indirectly, make any payment, retirement, repurchase or
redemption on account of the principal of or directly or indirectly prepay or
defease any Indebtedness prior to the stated maturity date of such Indebtedness
(other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, Senior Notes redeemed with
the proceeds of Refinancing Notes or as required under Section 4C of the Senior
Note Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date or any analogous provision under
any Refinancing Note Agreement to the extent there is no increase in the amount
required to be redeemed), (ii) make any payment or prepayment of any such
Indebtedness that would violate the terms of this Agreement or of such
Indebtedness, any agreement or document evidencing, related to or securing the
payment or performance of such Indebtedness or any subordination agreement or
provision applicable to such Indebtedness or (iii) pay in cash any amount in
respect of any Indebtedness that may at the Borrower's option be paid in kind;
provided that nothing in this Section 10.9 shall prohibit the termination of any
Swap Agreement.
(b) Amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Lenders, or grant any
waiver or release under (if such action shall be adverse to the Lenders), any
Partnership Document, the Senior Notes, the Senior Note Agreement, any
Refinancing Notes or any Refinancing Note Agreement or terminate in any manner
any Partnership Document, it being understood, without limitation, that no
modification that reduces principal, interest or fees, premiums, make-wholes or
penalty charges, or extends any scheduled or mandatory payment, prepayment or
redemption of principal or interest, or makes less restrictive any agreement or
waives any condition precedent or default, or entails the incurrence of
additional Indebtedness by the Borrower under the Senior Notes, the Senior Note
Agreement, any Refinancing Notes or any Refinancing Note Agreement shall be
adverse to the Lenders for purposes of this Agreement; provided, that with
respect to the incurrence of additional Indebtedness, subsequent to such
additional Indebtedness, the Borrower shall remain in compliance with Sections
9.1, 9.2 and 10.11 and such additional Indebtedness shall be on terms and
conditions no more restrictive than the terms and conditions contained in the
Senior Note Agreement.
(c) Permit any Subsidiary to enter into any agreement or instrument that by
its terms restricts the payment of dividends or the making of cash advances by
such Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect
parent of such Subsidiary, other than those set forth in the Loan Documents.
(d) Permit the Parent or the Borrower to be treated as an association
taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for Federal
income tax purposes.
SECTION 10.10 Lease Obligations.
Permit the aggregate obligations that are due and payable during any fiscal
year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under leases (other than obligations
under Capital Leases) to exceed $30,000,000 during such fiscal year.
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SECTION 10.11 Priority Indebtedness. The Borrower will not permit Priority
Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) at any time to exceed 25%
of Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement).
SECTION 10.12 Certain Accounting Changes. Change its Fiscal Year end, or
make any change in its accounting treatment and reporting practices except as
required by GAAP.
SECTION 10.13 Restrictive Agreements. Enter into any Indebtedness which
contains any covenants (including, without limitation, a negative pledge on
assets) more restrictive than the provisions of Articles VIII, IX and X.
ARTICLE XI
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 11.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an
Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be
voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
Governmental Authority or otherwise:
(a) Default in Payment of Principal of Loans and Reimbursement Obligations.
The Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan or
Reimbursement Obligation when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of
acceleration or otherwise).
(b) Other Payment Default. The Borrower shall default in the payment when
and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) of
interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or the payment of any other
Obligation, and such default shall continue unremedied for three (3) Business
Days.
(c) Misrepresentation. Any representation or warranty made or deemed to be
made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement, any Loan
Document or any amendment hereto or thereto, shall prove to have been incorrect
or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made.
(d) Default in Performance of Certain Covenants. The Borrower shall default
in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained in
Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.4(e) or Articles IX or X of this Agreement.
(e) Default in Performance of Other Covenants and Conditions. The Borrower
or any Subsidiary thereof shall default in the performance or observance of any
term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than
as specifically provided for otherwise in this Section 11.1) or any other Loan
Document and such default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after
written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative
Agent.
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(f) Indebtedness Cross-Default. The Parent, the Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries shall (i) default in the payment of any Indebtedness (other than
that evidenced by the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation; but including,
without limitation, the Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Notes or any
Refinancing Notes), the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in
excess of $10,000,000 beyond the period of grace if any, provided in the
instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii)
default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition
relating to any Indebtedness (other than that evidenced by the Loans or any
Reimbursement Obligation; but including, without limitation, the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Senior Notes or any Refinancing Notes) the aggregate
outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $10,000,000, or
contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating
thereto or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or
holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, any such Indebtedness
to become due prior to its stated maturity (any applicable grace period having
expired).
(g) Other Cross-Defaults. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance, of any
obligation or condition of any material contract or agreement unless, but only
as long as, the existence of any such default is being contested by the Borrower
or such Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate
reserves in respect thereof have been established on the books of the Borrower
or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP.
(h) Change in Ownership. A Change in Ownership shall occur.
(i) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. The Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof
shall (i) commence a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or
hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any
other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, winding up or composition for adjustment of debts, (iii) consent
to or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner any petition filed
against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv)
apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner,
the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian,
trustee, or liquidator of itself or of a substantial part of its property,
domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they
become due, (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
(vii) take any corporate action for the purpose of authorizing any of the
foregoing.
(j) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall be
commenced against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in any court of
competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief under the federal bankruptcy laws (as
now or hereafter in effect) or under any other laws, domestic or foreign,
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or adjustment of
debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or
the like for the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or for all or any
substantial part of their respective assets, domestic or foreign, and such case
or proceeding shall continue undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60)
consecutive days, or an order granting the
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relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an
order for relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.
(k) Failure of Agreements. Any provision of this Agreement or any provision
of any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on
the Borrower or any Subsidiary party thereto or any such Person shall so state
in writing, other than in accordance with the express terms hereof or thereof.
(l) ERISA Event. The occurrence of any ERISA Event that, when taken
together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, results in or could
reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its ERISA
Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000.
(m) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes the
aggregate amount of all such judgments to exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year
shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by any court
and such judgment or order shall continue undischarged or unstayed for a period
of thirty (30) days.
SECTION 11.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with the
consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the
request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to
the Borrower:
(a) Acceleration; Termination of Credit Facilities. Declare the principal
of and interest on the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations at the time
outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the Administrative
Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including,
without limitation, all L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the
then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required
thereunder) and all other Obligations (other than Swap Obligations), to be
forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which are expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facilities
and any right of the Borrower to request borrowings or Letters of Credit
thereunder; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified
in Section 11.1(i) or (j), the Credit Facilities shall be automatically
terminated and all Obligations (other than Swap Obligations) shall automatically
become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of
any kind, all of which are expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or in
any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect
to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an
acceleration pursuant to Section 11.2(a), require the Borrower at such time to
deposit in a cash collateral account with the Administrative Agent an amount
equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of
Credit; ; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
Section 11.1(i) or (j), the obligation of the Borrower to cash collateralize
such Letters of Credit shall automatically become effective without further
action of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. Amounts held in such cash
collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative
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Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the
unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or
been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the other Obligations.
After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon,
the Reimbursement Obligation shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations
shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral
account shall be returned to the Borrower.
(c) Rights of Collection. Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its
other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Borrower's Obligations.
SECTION 11.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. The
enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the
exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy
shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which
shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given
hereunder or under the Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist in law
or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the
part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or
privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall
be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing
between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their
respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge
any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to
constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.
ARTICLE XII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 12.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and each of the
Issuing Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Wachovia to act on its behalf as the
Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes
the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such
powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or
thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The provisions of this Article XII are solely for the benefit of the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, and neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party
beneficiary of any of such provisions.
SECTION 12.2 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative
Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a
Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the
Administrative Agent and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless otherwise
expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person
serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such
Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act
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as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally
engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other
Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder
and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
SECTION 12.3 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not
have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in
the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties,
regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise
any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly
contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent
is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such
other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for
herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent
shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of
its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is
contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan
Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to
disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of their Affiliates
that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative
Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such
other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the
Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the
circumstances as provided in Section 13.11 and Section 11.2) or (ii) in the
absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative
Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until
notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the
Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Lender.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to
ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in
or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the
contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or
thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set
forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity,
enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction
of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other than to
confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent.
SECTION 12.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying
upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document
or other writing (including any
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electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution)
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise
authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon
any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been
made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying
thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of
a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be
fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, the
Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such
Lender or such Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have
received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Lender prior to
the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The
Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the
Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall
not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the
advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 12.5 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any
and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any
other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may
perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or
through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this
Article XII shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the
Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective
activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided
for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
SECTION 12.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation
to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such
notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in
consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank
with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an
office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed
by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days
after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then
the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing
Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set
forth above provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower
and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then
such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such
notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that
in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on
behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders under any of the Loan Documents,
the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral
security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and
(2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to
or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender
and each Issuing Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders
appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this
paragraph. Upon the acceptance of a successor's appointment as Administrative
Agent
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hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired)
Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged
from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this
paragraph). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent
shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed
between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions
of this Article XII and Section 13.12 shall continue in effect for the benefit
of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective
Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of
them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
(b) Any resignation by Wachovia as Administrative Agent pursuant to this
Section 12.6 shall also constitute its resignation as an Issuing Lender and as
Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor's appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become
vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, (b) the retiring Issuing Lender and
Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and
obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor
Issuing Lender shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of
Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other
arrangement satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Lender to effectively assume
the obligations of the retiring Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of
Credit.
SECTION 12.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each
Lender and each Issuing Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of
their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will,
independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and
information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its
own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished
hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 12.8 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the
pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial
proceeding relative to the Borrower or any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent
(irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then
be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on
the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such
proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and
interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other
Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable
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compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other
amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.3(c)(i),
3.3(a), 4.9 and 13.2) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event
that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Administrative Agent under Sections 4.9 and 13.2.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent
to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
SECTION 12.9 No Other Duties, etc. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, none of the syndication agents, documentation agents,
co-agents, book manager, lead manager, arranger, lead arranger or co-arranger
listed on the cover page or signature pages hereof shall have any powers, duties
or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or
an Issuing Lender hereunder.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.1 Notices.
(a) Method of Communication. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing, or by
telephone subsequently confirmed in writing. Any notice shall be effective if
delivered by hand delivery or sent via telecopy, recognized overnight courier
service or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be presumed to be
received by a party hereto (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by hand or
sent by telecopy, (ii) on the next Business Day if sent by recognized overnight
courier service and (iii) on the third Business Day following the date sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested. A telephonic notice to the
Administrative Agent as understood by the Administrative Agent will be deemed to
be the controlling and proper notice in the event of a discrepancy with or
failure to receive a confirming written notice.
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(b) Addresses for Notices. Notices to any party shall be sent to it at the
following addresses, or any other address as to which all the other parties are
notified in writing.
If to the Borrower: Suburban Propane, L.P.
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
000 Xxxxx 00 West
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: A. Xxxxx X'Xxxxxxxx
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopy No.: 000-000-0000
With copies to: Weil, Gotshal & Xxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopy No.: 000-000-0000
If to Wachovia as Wachovia Bank, National Association
Administrative Agent: Charlotte Plaza, CP-8
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Syndication Agency Services
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopy No.: 000-000-0000
With copies to: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, L.L.P.
Hearst Tower, 47th Floor
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopy No.: 704-331-7598
If to any Lender: To the Address set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto.
(c) Administrative Agent's Office. The Administrative Agent hereby
designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent
office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the
Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agent's Office referred to herein,
to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed and
Letters of Credit issued.
SECTION 13.2 Expenses; Indemnity.
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(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates
(including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the
Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the Credit
Facilities, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration
of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications
or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Issuing Lender in connection with the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand
for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender (including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or any Issuing Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection
of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, including its rights under this Section 13.2, or (B) in connection
with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such
out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or
negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each Issuing
Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person
being called an "Indemnitee") against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from,
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including
the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred
by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by
the Borrower or any Guarantor arising out of, in connection with, or as a result
of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or
any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by
the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any
Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom
(including any refusal by any Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under
a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do
not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual
or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property
owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any liability
under Environmental and Safety Laws related in any way to the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on
contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the
Borrower or any Guarantor, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party
thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by
final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the
Borrower or any Guarantor against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such
Indemnitee's obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the
Borrower or such Guarantor has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in
its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any
reason fails to pay any amount required under paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Section 13.2 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent
thereof), any Issuing Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each
Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such
sub-agent), any Issuing Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such
Lender's Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount,
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or any Issuing Lender
in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing
acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or Issuing Bank in
connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this
paragraph (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.13.
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim
against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other
Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the
use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above
shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of
any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications,
electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, except for damages which are determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 13.2 shall be payable
promptly after demand therefor.
SECTION 13.3 Right of Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and
each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from
time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and
apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever
currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline
Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower
or any Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such
Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document to such Lender, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender,
irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Lender or the Swingline
Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Guarantor may be
contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender, such
Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender different from the branch or office
holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each
Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and their respective
Affiliates under this
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Section 13.3 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other
rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or
their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender, each Issuing Lender and the
Swingline Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
SECTION 13.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
unless otherwise expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 13.5 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
New York County, New York, in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out
of any dispute in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such
rights and obligations. The Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the service
of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or proceeding
brought by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or
thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of
itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1. Nothing in this
Section 13.5 shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to
serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect
the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to bring any action or
proceeding against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any other
jurisdictions.
SECTION 13.6 Waiver of Jury Trial.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CLAIM OR
OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR
CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT ("DISPUTES") IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE
PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
SECTION 13.7 Reversal of Payments. To the extent the Borrower makes a
payment or payments to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders or the Administrative Agent receives any payment or proceeds of the
collateral which payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or
required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to
the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative
Agent.
SECTION 13.8 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.
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(a) The Borrower recognizes that, in the event the Borrower fails to
perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this
Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Lenders.
Therefore, the Borrower agrees that the Lenders, at the Lenders' option, shall
be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case
without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower (on behalf of
itself and its Subsidiaries) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a
remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan
Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or
exemplary damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in
connection with any Dispute.
(c) The parties agree that they shall not have a remedy of punitive or
exemplary damages against any other party in any Dispute and hereby waive any
right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages they have now or which may arise
in the future in connection with any Dispute.
SECTION 13.9 Accounting Matters. All financial and accounting calculations,
measurements and computations made for any purpose relating to this Agreement,
including, without limitation, all computations utilized by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary thereof to determine compliance with any covenant contained herein,
shall, except as otherwise expressly contemplated hereby or unless there is an
express written direction by the Administrative Agent to the contrary agreed to
by the Borrower, be performed in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the
Closing Date. In the event that changes in GAAP shall be mandated by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board, or any similar accounting body of
comparable standing, or shall be recommended by the Borrower's certified public
accountants, to the extent that such changes would modify such accounting terms
or the interpretation or computation thereof, such changes shall be followed in
defining such accounting terms only from and after the date the Borrower and the
Required Lenders shall have amended this Agreement to the extent necessary to
reflect any such changes in the financial covenants and other terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
SECTION 13.10 Successors and Assigns; Participations.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the
Borrower nor any Guarantor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance
with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 13.10, (ii) by way of
participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section
13.10 or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to
the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section 13.10 (and any other attempted
assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any
Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this
Section 13.10 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby,
88
the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or
more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at
the time owing to it); provided that
(i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount
of the assigning Lender's Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in
the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender with respect
to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose
includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not
then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning
Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment
and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the
Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is specified in the Assignment and
Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each
of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consent (each such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);
(ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a
proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(iii) any assignment of a Revolving Credit Commitment must be approved
by the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Revolver Issuing
Lender unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender with a
Revolving Credit Commitment (whether or not the proposed assignee would
otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee);
(iv) any assignment of a Stand-Alone L/C Commitment must be approved
by the Administrative Agent and each Stand-Alone Issuing Lender unless the
Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender (whether or not the
proposed assignee would otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and
(v) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing
and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a
Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative
Questionnaire.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to paragraph (c) of this Section 13.10, from and after the effective date
specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder
shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.14, 4.15,
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4.16, 4.17 and 13.2 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to
the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of
rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this
paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such
Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with
paragraph (d) of this Section 13.10.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as
an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte,
North Carolina, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a
register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the
Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in
the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register
pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or
notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any
Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower's
Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such
Lender's rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such
Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall
remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of
such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other
Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a
participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to
enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may
provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree
to any amendment, modification or waiver or modification described in the
Section 13.12 that directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (e)
of this Section 13.10, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 and 4.17 to the same
extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 13.10. To the extent permitted by law,
each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.4 as
though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to
Section 4.12 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be
entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.15 and 4.17 than the
applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the
participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to
such Participant is made with the Borrower's prior written consent. A
Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be
entitled to the benefits of Section 4.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the
participation sold to such Participant
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and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with
Section 4.17(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure
obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or
assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no
such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.
SECTION 13.11 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined
below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates'
directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel
and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure
is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and
instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested
by, or required to be disclosed to, any rating agency, or regulatory or similar
authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by
applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d)
to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies
under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement
with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or any action or proceeding relating
to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a
Lender or the Administrative Agent) or the enforcement of rights hereunder or
thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the
same as those of this Section 13.11, to (i) any Purchasing Lender, proposed
Purchasing Lender, Participant or proposed Participant or (ii) any actual or
prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction
relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the
Borrower, (h) to Gold Sheets and other similar bank trade publications, such
information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in
such publications, or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly
available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 13.11 or (y)
becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential
basis from a source other than the Borrower. For purposes of this Section 13.11,
"Information" means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary
relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses,
other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or
any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower
or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified
at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the
confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 13.11 shall be
considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
SECTION 13.12 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Except as set forth below
or as specifically provided in any Loan Document, any term, covenant, agreement
or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended
or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if,
such amendment, waiver or consent is in
91
writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the
consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and,
in the case of an amendment, signed by the Borrower; provided, that no
amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any
Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 13.2) or the amount of Loans of any
Lender without the written consent of such Lender;
(b) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document
for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders
(or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document or extend the
Termination Date without the written consent of each Lender directly affected
thereby;
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on,
any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second
proviso to this Section 13.12) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or
under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender
directly affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required
Lenders shall be necessary (i) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay
interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.7(c) during the continuance of an
Event of Default, or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any
defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to
reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee
payable hereunder;
(d) change Section 4.10 or Section 4.11 in a manner that would alter the
pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of
each Lender;
(e) change any provision of this Section 13.12 or the definition of
"Required Lenders" or any other provision hereof specifying the number or
percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights
hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the
written consent of each Lender; or
(f) release any Guarantor from its obligations under a Guaranty Agreement
without the written consent of each Lender unless the Capital Stock, or all or
substantially all the assets, of such Guarantor are sold in a transaction
permitted by this Agreement;
provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by each Stand-Alone Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders
required above, affect the rights or duties of any Stand-Alone Issuing Lender
under this Agreement or any Application relating to any Stand-Alone Letter of
Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall,
unless in writing and signed by the Revolver Issuing Lender in addition to the
Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Revolver Issuing
Lender under this Agreement or any Application relating to any Revolver Letter
of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent
shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the
Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender
under this Agreement; (iv) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders
required above, affect the rights or
92
duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document; and (v) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges
thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have
any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder,
except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended
without the consent of such Lender.
SECTION 13.13 Performance of Duties. The Borrower's obligations under this
Agreement and each of the Loan Documents shall be performed by the Borrower at
its sole cost and expense.
SECTION 13.14 All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and
other authorizations granted to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and any
Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any
provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed
coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the
Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied or the Credit Facilities have not been
terminated.
SECTION 13.15 Survival of Indemnities.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities to which
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of
this Article XIII and any other provision of this Agreement and the Loan
Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders against events arising after such
termination as well as before.
SECTION 13.16 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles,
Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Agreement are
for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this
Agreement.
SECTION 13.17 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent
of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 13.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding
upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 13.19 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in effect from
the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations shall
have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full. No
termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the
parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision
of this Agreement which survives such termination.
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SECTION 13.20 USA Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender
hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA
Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001))
(the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies the Borrower and Guarantors, which information includes the name and
address of the Borrower and each Guarantor and other information that will allow
such Lender to identify the Borrower or such Guarantor in accordance with the
Act.
SECTION 13.21 Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of
Covenants.
(a) In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this
Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall
control.
(b) The Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that each covenant
contained in Articles VIII, IX or X shall be given independent effect.
Accordingly, the Borrower shall not engage in any transaction or other act
otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX or X if,
before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Borrower shall or
would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX or X.
SECTION 13.22 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by
evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the
parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.
[Signature pages to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first
written above.
SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P., as Borrower
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, as Lender, as Swingline
Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Syndication
Agent and Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
CAYLON NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Syndication Agent and Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
CITICORP USA, INC., as Documentation
Agent and Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
NATIONAL CITY BANK, as Documentation
Agent and Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
XXXXXXX XXXXX CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
BANK LEUMI USA, as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
FIRSTRUST BANK, as Lender
By:
--------------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
