Exhibit 4.1
Page | ||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 2 | |
SECTION 1.01. Definitions | 2 | |
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 2 | |
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction | 2 | |
ARTICLE II THE SYSTEM RESTORATION BONDS | 3 | |
SECTION 2.01. Form | 3 | |
SECTION 2.02. Denominations of System Restoration Bonds | 3 | |
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Delivery | 4 | |
SECTION 2.04. Temporary System Restoration Bonds | 5 | |
SECTION 2.05. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange of System Restoration Bonds | 5 | |
SECTION 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen System Restoration Bonds | 7 | |
SECTION 2.07. Persons Deemed Owner | 8 | |
SECTION 2.08. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest; Interest on Overdue Principal; Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest Rights Preserved | 8 | |
SECTION 2.09. Cancellation | 9 | |
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Amount; Authentication and Delivery of System Restoration Bonds | 9 | |
SECTION 2.11. Book-Entry System Restoration Bonds | 12 | |
SECTION 2.12. Notices to Clearing Agency | 13 | |
SECTION 2.13. Definitive System Restoration Bonds | 13 | |
SECTION 2.14. CUSIP Number | 14 | |
SECTION 2.15. Letter of Representations | 14 | |
SECTION 2.16. Tax Treatment | 14 | |
SECTION 2.17. State Pledge | 15 | |
SECTION 2.18. Security Interests | 16 | |
ARTICLE III COVENANTS | 17 | |
SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest | 17 | |
SECTION 3.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency | 17 | |
SECTION 3.03. Money for Payments To Be Held in Trust | 17 | |
SECTION 3.04. Existence | 19 | |
SECTION 3.05. Protection of System Restoration Bond Collateral | 19 | |
SECTION 3.06. Opinions as to System Restoration Bond Collateral | 20 | |
SECTION 3.07. Performance of Obligations; Servicing; SEC Filings | 20 | |
SECTION 3.08. Certain Negative Covenants | 23 | |
SECTION 3.09. Annual Statement as to Compliance | 24 | |
SECTION 3.10. Issuer May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms | 25 | |
SECTION 3.11. Successor or Transferee | 26 |
Page | ||
SECTION 3.12. No Other Business | 27 | |
SECTION 3.13. No Borrowing | 27 | |
SECTION 3.14. Servicer’s Obligations | 27 | |
SECTION 3.15. Guarantees, Loans, Advances and Other Liabilities | 27 | |
SECTION 3.16. Capital Expenditures | 27 | |
SECTION 3.17. Restricted Payments | 27 | |
SECTION 3.18. Notice of Events of Default | 28 | |
SECTION 3.19. Further Instruments and Acts | 28 | |
SECTION 3.20. [Reserved] | 28 | |
SECTION 3.21. Inspection | 28 | |
SECTION 3.22. Sale Agreement, Servicing Agreement, Administration Agreement and Intercreditor Agreement Covenants | 29 | |
SECTION 3.23. Taxes | 31 | |
ARTICLE IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | 31 | |
SECTION 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance | 31 | |
SECTION 4.02. Conditions to Defeasance | 33 | |
SECTION 4.03. Application of Trust Money | 34 | |
SECTION 4.04. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent | 35 | |
ARTICLE V REMEDIES | 35 | |
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default | 35 | |
SECTION 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 36 | |
SECTION 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Indenture Trustee | 37 | |
SECTION 5.04. Remedies; Priorities | 39 | |
SECTION 5.05. Optional Preservation of the System Restoration Bond Collateral | 40 | |
SECTION 5.06. Limitation of Suits | 41 | |
SECTION 5.07. Unconditional Rights of Holders To Receive Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest | 42 | |
SECTION 5.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 42 | |
SECTION 5.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 42 | |
SECTION 5.10. Delay or Omission Not a Waiver | 42 | |
SECTION 5.11. Control by Holders | 42 | |
SECTION 5.12. Waiver of Past Defaults | 43 | |
SECTION 5.13. Undertaking for Costs | 43 | |
SECTION 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 44 | |
SECTION 5.15. Action on System Restoration Bonds | 44 | |
ARTICLE VI THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE | 44 | |
SECTION 6.01. Duties of Indenture Trustee | 44 | |
SECTION 6.02. Rights of Indenture Trustee | 46 | |
SECTION 6.03. Individual Rights of Indenture Trustee | 48 | |
SECTION 6.04. Indenture Trustee’s Disclaimer | 48 |
Page | ||
SECTION 6.05. Notice of Defaults | 48 | |
SECTION 6.06. Reports by Indenture Trustee to Holders | 49 | |
SECTION 6.07. Compensation and Indemnity | 50 | |
SECTION 6.08. Replacement of Indenture Trustee and Securities Intermediary | 51 | |
SECTION 6.09. Successor Indenture Trustee by Merger | 52 | |
SECTION 6.10. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee | 53 | |
SECTION 6.11. Eligibility; Disqualification | 54 | |
SECTION 6.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer | 54 | |
SECTION 6.13. Representations and Warranties of Indenture Trustee | 54 | |
SECTION 6.14. Annual Report by Independent Registered Public Accountants | 54 | |
SECTION 6.15. Custody of System Restoration Bond Collateral | 55 | |
ARTICLE VII HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS | 55 | |
SECTION 7.01. Issuer To Furnish Indenture Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 55 | |
SECTION 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 55 | |
SECTION 7.03. Reports by Issuer | 56 | |
SECTION 7.04. Reports by Indenture Trustee | 57 | |
ARTICLE VIII ACCOUNTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND RELEASES | 57 | |
SECTION 8.01. Collection of Money | 57 | |
SECTION 8.02. Collection Account and REP Deposit Accounts | 58 | |
SECTION 8.03. General Provisions Regarding the Collection Account | 62 | |
SECTION 8.04. Release of System Restoration Bond Collateral | 63 | |
SECTION 8.05. Opinion of Counsel | 64 | |
SECTION 8.06. Reports by Independent Registered Public Accountants | 64 | |
ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 65 | |
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 65 | |
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 66 | |
SECTION 9.03. PUCT Condition | 68 | |
SECTION 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 69 | |
SECTION 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Indenture | 69 | |
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 69 | |
SECTION 9.07. Reference in System Restoration Bonds to Supplemental Indentures | 69 | |
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS | 69 | |
SECTION 10.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc | 69 | |
SECTION 10.02. Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee | 71 | |
SECTION 10.03. Acts of Holders | 72 | |
SECTION 10.04. Notices, etc., to Indenture Trustee, Issuer and Rating Agencies | 73 | |
SECTION 10.05. Notices to Holders; Waiver | 73 | |
SECTION 10.06. Rule 17g-5 Compliance | 74 | |
SECTION 10.07. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 74 |
Page | ||
SECTION 10.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 74 | |
SECTION 10.09. Successors and Assigns | 74 | |
SECTION 10.10. Severability | 74 | |
SECTION 10.11. Benefits of Indenture | 75 | |
SECTION 10.12. Legal Holidays | 75 | |
SECTION 10.13. GOVERNING LAW | 75 | |
SECTION 10.14. Counterparts | 75 | |
SECTION 10.15. Recording of Indenture | 75 | |
SECTION 10.16. Issuer Obligation | 75 | |
SECTION 10.17. No Recourse to Issuer | 76 | |
SECTION 10.18. Basic Documents | 76 | |
SECTION 10.19. No Petition | 76 | |
SECTION 10.20. Securities Intermediary | 77 |
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES | |
EXHIBIT A | Form of System Restoration Bonds |
EXHIBIT B | Form of Series Supplement |
EXHIBIT C | Servicing Criteria to be Addressed by Indenture Trustee in Assessment of Compliance |
APPENDIX | |
APPENDIX A | Definitions |
TIA Section | Indenture Section | |
310 | (a)(1) | 6.11 |
(a)(2) | 6.11 | |
(a)(3) | 6.10(b)(i) | |
(a)(4) | N.A. | |
(a)(5) | 6.11 | |
(b) | 6.11 | |
311 | (a) | 6.12 |
(b) | 6.12 | |
312 | (a) | 7.01 and 7.02 |
(b) | 7.02(b) | |
(c) | 7.02(c) | |
313 | (a) | 7.04 |
(b)(1) | 7.04 | |
(b)(2) | 7.04 | |
(c) | 7.04 | |
(d) | N/A | |
314 | (a) | 3.09, 4.01, and 7.03(a) |
(b) | 3.06 and 4.01 | |
(c)(1) | 2.10, 4.01, 8.04(b) and 10.01(a) | |
(c)(2) | 2.10, 4.01, 8.04(b) and 10.01(a) | |
(c)(3) | 2.10 4.01 and 10.01(a) | |
(d) | 2.10, 8.04(b) and 10.01(b) | |
(e) | 10.01(a) | |
(f) | 10.01(a) | |
315 | (a) | 6.01(b)(i) and (ii) |
(b) | 6.05 |
TIA Section | Indenture Section | |
(c) | 6.01 (a) | |
(d) | 6.01(c)(i)‑(iii) | |
(e) | 5.13 | |
316 | (a) (last sentence) | Appendix A – definition of “Outstanding” |
(a)(1)(A) | 5.11 | |
(a)(1)(B) | 5.12 | |
(a)(2) | N/A | |
(b) | 5.07 | |
(c) | Appendix A – definition of “Record Date” | |
317 | (a)(1) | 5.03(a) |
(a)(2) | 5.03(c)(iv) | |
(b) | 3.03 | |
318 | (a) | 10.07 |
(b) | 10.07 | |
(c) | 10.07 |
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
THE SYSTEM RESTORATION BONDS
COVENANTS
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
REMEDIES
SECTION 5.07. Unconditional Rights of Holders To Receive Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, the Holder of any System Restoration Bond shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, (a) to receive payment of (i) the interest, if any, on such System Restoration Bond on the due dates thereof expressed in such System Restoration Bond or in this Indenture or (ii) the unpaid principal, if any, of the System Restoration Bonds on the Final Maturity Date therefor and (b) to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 5.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Indenture Trustee or any Holder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or has been determined adversely to the Indenture Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Indenture Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 5.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Indenture Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 5.10. Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. No delay or omission of the Indenture Trustee or any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Indenture Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Indenture Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 5.11. Control by Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds of an affected Tranche shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee with respect to the System Restoration Bonds of such Tranche or Tranches or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Indenture Trustee with respect to such Tranche or Tranches; provided that:
(i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and shall not involve the Indenture Trustee in any personal liability or expense;
(ii) subject to other conditions specified in Section 5.04, any direction to the Indenture Trustee to sell or liquidate any System Restoration Bond Collateral shall be by the Holders representing the applicable percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds as provided in Section 5.04;
(iii) if the conditions set forth in Section 5.05 have been satisfied and the Indenture Trustee elects to retain the System Restoration Bond Collateral pursuant to Section 5.05, then any direction to the Indenture Trustee by Holders representing less than 100 percent of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds to sell or liquidate the System Restoration Bond Collateral shall be of no force and effect; and
(iv) the Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Indenture Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction;
provided, however, that, the Indenture Trustee’s duties shall be subject to Section 6.01, and the Indenture Trustee need not take any action that it determines might involve it in liability or might materially adversely affect the rights of any Holders not consenting to such action. Furthermore and without limiting the foregoing, the Indenture Trustee shall not be required to take any action for which it reasonably believes that it will not be indemnified to its satisfaction against any cost, expense or liabilities.
SECTION 5.12. Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to the declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the System Restoration Bonds as provided in Section 5.02, the Holders representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds of an affected Tranche, together with the PUCT, may waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a Default (a) in payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the System Restoration Bonds or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each System Restoration Bond of all Tranches affected. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 5.13. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any System Restoration Bond by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Indenture Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Indenture Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.13 shall not apply to (a) any suit instituted by the Indenture Trustee, (b) any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, in each case holding in the aggregate more than ten (10) percent of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds or (c) any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of (i) interest on any System Restoration Bond on or after the due dates expressed in such System Restoration Bond and in this Indenture or (ii) the unpaid principal, if any, of any System Restoration Bond on or after the Final Maturity Date therefor.
SECTION 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead or in any manner whatsoever, claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Indenture Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
SECTION 5.15. Action on System Restoration Bonds. The Indenture Trustee’s right to seek and recover judgment on the System Restoration Bonds or under this Indenture shall not be affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under or with respect to this Indenture. Neither the Lien of this Indenture nor any rights or remedies of the Indenture Trustee or the Holders shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Indenture Trustee against the Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the System Restoration Bond Collateral or any other assets of the Issuer.
ARTICLE VI
The Indenture Trustee
SECTION 6.01. Duties of Indenture Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Indenture Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Indenture Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Indenture Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Indenture Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Indenture Trustee and conforming on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Indenture Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own bad faith, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 6.01;
(ii) the Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by the Indenture Trustee unless it is proved that the Indenture Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Indenture Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it hereunder.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Indenture Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 6.01.
(e) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Indenture Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.
(f) Money held in trust by the Indenture Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by the Indenture Trustee except to the extent required by law or the terms of this Indenture or the Intercreditor Agreement.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Indenture Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayments of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Indenture Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 6.01 and to the provisions of the TIA.
(i) In the event that the Indenture Trustee is also acting as Paying Agent or System Restoration Bond Registrar hereunder, the protections of this Article VI shall also be afforded to the Indenture Trustee in its capacity as Paying Agent or System Restoration Bond Registrar.
(j) Except for the express duties of the Indenture Trustee set forth in the Basic Documents, the Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation to administer, service or collect Transition Property or to maintain, monitor or otherwise supervise the administration, servicing or collection of the Transition Property.
(k) Under no circumstance shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for any indebtedness of the Issuer, the Servicer or the Seller evidenced by or arising under the System Restoration Bonds or the Basic Documents. None of the provisions of this Indenture shall in any event require the Indenture Trustee to perform or be responsible for the performance of any of the Servicer’s obligations under the Basic Documents.
(l) Commencing with March 15, 2020, on or before March 15th of each fiscal year ending December 31, the Indenture Trustee shall (i) deliver to the Issuer a report (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and addressed to the Issuer and signed by an authorized officer of the Indenture Trustee) regarding the Indenture Trustee’s assessment of compliance, during the immediately preceding fiscal year ending December 31, with each of the applicable servicing criteria specified on Exhibit C hereto as required under Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB and (ii) deliver to the Issuer a report of an Independent registered public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Issuer that attests to and reports on, in accordance with Rules 1-02(a)(3) and 2-02(g) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, the assessment of compliance made by the Indenture Trustee and delivered pursuant to clause (i).
(m) The Indenture Trustee shall not be required to take any action it is directed to take under this Indenture if the Indenture Trustee determines in good faith that the action so directed is inconsistent with the Indenture, any other Basic Document or Applicable Law, or would involve the Indenture Trustee in personal liability.
(n) The Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages, except for its own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
(o) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for failure to perform its duties hereunder if such failure is a direct result of another party’s failure to perform its obligations hereunder.
(p) Any discretion, permissive right or privilege of the Indenture Trustee hereunder shall not be deemed to be or otherwise construed as a duty or obligation.
(q) The Indenture Trustee’s receipt of publicly available reports hereunder shall not constitute notice of any information contained therein or determinable therefrom, including but not limited to a party’s compliance with covenants under the Indenture.
(r) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 3.22(d), 3.22(e) or 9.01(a), in no event shall the Indenture Trustee be required to determine if an amendment to this Indenture or another Basic Document would (i) increase ongoing Qualified Costs or (ii) require the consent of PUCT, and the Indenture Trustee shall rely solely on written notice from the Issuer (which may be in the form of an Officer’s Certificate) as to such determinations.
SECTION 6.02. Rights of Indenture Trustee. (a) The Indenture Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in relying on any document (including electronic documents and communications delivered in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Indenture Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document.
(b) Before the Indenture Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require and shall be entitled to receive an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer (at no cost or expense to the Indenture Trustee) that such action is required or permitted hereunder. The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Indenture Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys or a custodian or nominee, and the Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the supervision of, any such agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder. The Indenture Trustee shall give prompt written notice to the Rating Agencies of the appointment of any such agent, custodian or nominee to whom it delegates any of its express duties under this Indenture provided, that the Indenture Trustee shall not be obligated to give such notice (i) if the Issuer or the Holders have directed the Indenture Trustee to appoint such agent, custodian or nominee (in which event the Issuer shall give prompt notice to the Rating Agencies of any such direction) or (ii) of the appointment of any agents, custodians or nominees made at any time that an Event of Default on account of non-payment of principal or interest on the System Restoration Bonds or insolvency of the Issuer has occurred and is continuing.
(d) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Indenture Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
(e) The Indenture Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or Opinion of Counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the System Restoration Bonds shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Indenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to (i) take any action or exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture or any other Basic Document at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture or (ii) institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or thereunder or in relation hereto or thereto or to investigate any matter, at the request, order or direction of any of the Bondholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture and the Series Supplement or otherwise, unless it shall have grounds to believe in its discretion that security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby is to its satisfaction assured to it.
(g) In no event shall the Indenture Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer systems and services; it being understood that the Indenture Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(h) The Indenture Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or the Indenture Trustee has received written notice thereof pursuant to Section 10.04(a)(i).
SECTION 6.03. Individual Rights of Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of System Restoration Bonds and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Indenture Trustee. Any Paying Agent, System Restoration Bond Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent or agent appointed under Section 3.02 may do the same with like rights. However, the Indenture Trustee must comply with Sections 6.11 and 6.12.
SECTION 6.04. Indenture Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation (other than as set forth in Section 6.13) as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the System Restoration Bonds, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the System Restoration Bonds, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuer in the Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the System Restoration Bonds or in the System Restoration Bonds other than the Indenture Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Indenture Trustee shall not be responsible for the form, character, genuineness, sufficiency, value or validity of any of the System Restoration Bond Collateral, or for or in respect of the System Restoration Bonds (other than the certificate of authentication for the System Restoration Bonds) or the Basic Documents and the Indenture Trustee shall in no event assume or incur any liability, duty or obligation to any Holder, other than as expressly provided in this Indenture. The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for the default or misconduct of the Issuer, the Seller, or the Servicer under the Basic Documents or otherwise, and the Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation or liability to perform the obligations of such Persons.
SECTION 6.05. Notice of Defaults.
(a) If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture Trustee shall mail to the PUCT, each Rating Agency and each Bondholder notice of the Default within ten (10) Business Days after such Default was actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee (provided that the Indenture Trustee shall give the Rating Agencies prompt notice of any payment default in respect of the System Restoration Bonds). Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any System Restoration Bond, the Indenture Trustee may withhold the notice if a Responsible Officer in good faith determines that prompt notice of the Default is not likely to be material to Holders and the Default is likely to be cured and therefore that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders. Except for an Event of Default under Sections 5.01(i) or (ii) that occur at a time when the Indenture Trustee is acting as the Paying Agent, and except as provided in the first sentence of this Section 6.05, in no event shall the Indenture Trustee be deemed to have knowledge of a Default.
(b) If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture Trustee shall promptly, but no more frequently than monthly, mail to the PUCT notice of any legal fees or other expenses incurred by the Indenture Trustee in defending or prosecuting any actual or threatened litigation, including any administrative proceeding, in respect of the System Restoration Bonds or the System Restoration Bond Collateral.
SECTION 6.06. Reports by Indenture Trustee to Holders.
(a) So long as System Restoration Bonds are Outstanding and the Indenture Trustee is the System Restoration Bond Registrar and Paying Agent, upon the written request of any Holder or the Issuer, within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the end of each calendar year, it shall deliver to each relevant current or former Holder such information in its possession as may be required to enable such Holder to prepare its federal income and any applicable local or State tax returns. If the System Restoration Bond Registrar and Paying Agent is other than the Indenture Trustee, such System Restoration Bond Registrar and Paying Agent, within the prescribed period of time for tax reporting purposes after the end of each calendar year, shall deliver to each relevant current or former Holder such information in its possession as may be required to enable such Holder to prepare its federal income and any applicable local or State tax returns.
(b) On or prior to each Payment Date or Special Payment Date therefor, the Indenture Trustee will deliver to the PUCT and each Holder of the System Restoration Bonds on such Payment Date or Special Payment Date a statement as provided and prepared by the Servicer which will include (to the extent applicable) the following information (and any other information so specified in the Series Supplement) as to the System Restoration Bonds with respect to such Payment Date or Special Payment Date or the period since the previous Payment Date, as applicable:
(i) the amount of the payment to Holders allocable to principal, if any;
(ii) the amount of the payment to Holders allocable to interest;
(iii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds, before and after giving effect to any payments allocated to principal reported under clause (i) above;
(iv) the difference, if any, between the amount specified in clause (iii) above and the Outstanding Amount specified in the related Expected Amortization Schedule;
(v) any other transfers and payments to be made on such Payment Date or Special Payment Date, including amounts paid to the Indenture Trustee and to the Servicer; and
(vi) the amounts on deposit in the Capital Subaccount and the Excess Funds Subaccount, after giving effect to the foregoing payments.
(c) The Issuer shall send a copy of each of the Certificate of Compliance delivered to it pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Servicing Agreement and the Annual Accountant’s Report delivered to it pursuant to Section 3.04 of the Servicing Agreement to the Rating Agencies, the Indenture Trustee and to the Servicer for posting on the 17g-5 Website in accordance with Rule 17g-5 under the Exchange Act. A copy of such certificate and report may be obtained by any Holder by a request in writing to the Indenture Trustee.
(d) The Indenture Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the System Restoration Bonds shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability with respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
SECTION 6.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Indenture Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Indenture Trustee’s compensation shall not, to the extent permitted by law, be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Indenture Trustee for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Indenture Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Indenture Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents (each an “Indemnified Person”) against any and all cost, damage, loss, liability, tax or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, the fees of experts and agents and any reasonable extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by it in connection with the administration and the enforcement of this Indenture, the Series Supplement and the Basic Documents, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise of the Indenture Trustee’s rights, powers and obligations under this Indenture, the Series Supplement and the Basic Documents and the performance of its duties hereunder and obligations under or pursuant to this Indenture, the Series Supplement and the Basic Documents and the costs of defending any claim or bringing any claim to enforce the Issuer’s indemnification obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall not be required to indemnify the Indemnified Person for any amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in the settlement of any action, proceeding or investigation without the prior written consent of the Issuer which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of the commencement of any action, proceeding or investigation, such Indemnified Person shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Issuer under this Section 6.07, notify the Issuer in writing of the commencement thereof. Failure by an Indemnified Person to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer from the obligation to indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Person under this Section 6.07. With respect to any action, proceeding or investigation brought by a third party for which indemnification may be sought under this Section 6.07, the Issuer shall be entitled to conduct and control, at its expense and with counsel of its choosing that is reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, the defense of any such action, proceeding or investigation (in which case the Issuer shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by such Indemnified Person except as set forth below); provided that such Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such action, proceeding or investigation through counsel chosen by it and at its own expense. Notwithstanding the Issuer’s election to assume the defense of any action, proceeding or investigation, such Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Issuer shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the Issuer and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer, (ii) the Issuer shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iii) the Issuer shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall not be obligated to pay for the fees, costs and expenses of more than one separate counsel for the Indemnified Person other than one local counsel, if appropriate. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Indenture Trustee through the Indemnified Person’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith. The rights of the Indenture Trustee set forth in this Section 6.07 are subject to and limited by the priority of payments set forth in Section 8.02(e).
The payment obligations to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.07 shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and the Series Supplement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee. When the Indenture Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 5.01(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
SECTION 6.08. Replacement of Indenture Trustee and Securities Intermediary.
(a) The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Issuer subject to clause (c) below. The Holders of a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds may remove the Indenture Trustee with thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by so notifying the Indenture Trustee and may appoint a successor Indenture Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Indenture Trustee if:
(i) the Indenture Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.11;
(ii) the Indenture Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent;
(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Indenture Trustee or its property;
(iv) the Indenture Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting; or
(v) the Indenture Trustee fails to provide to the Issuer any information reasonably requested by the Issuer pertaining to the Indenture Trustee and necessary for the Issuer or the Depositor to comply with its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and Regulation AB and such failure is not resolved to the Issuer’s and the Indenture Trustee’s mutual satisfaction within a reasonable period of time.
Any removal or resignation of the Indenture Trustee shall also constitute a removal or resignation of the Securities Intermediary.
(b) If the Indenture Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Indenture Trustee for any reason (the Indenture Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Indenture Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Indenture Trustee and Securities Intermediary.
(c) A successor Indenture Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment as the Indenture Trustee and as the Securities Intermediary to the retiring Indenture Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Indenture Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Indenture Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Indenture Trustee and Securities Intermediary, as applicable, under this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreement. No resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.08 shall become effective until acceptance of the appointment by a successor Indenture Trustee having the qualifications set forth in Section 6.11. Notice of any such appointment shall be promptly given to each Rating Agency by the successor Indenture Trustee. The successor Indenture Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Indenture Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Indenture Trustee (including unless otherwise agreed by the successor Indenture Trustee, all REP Deposit Accounts held by the Indenture Trustee) to the successor Indenture Trustee.
(d) If a successor Indenture Trustee does not take office within sixty (60) days after the retiring Indenture Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Indenture Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of a majority in Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee.
(e) If the Indenture Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.11, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Indenture Trustee and the appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee.
(f) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 6.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Indenture Trustee.
SECTION 6.09. Successor Indenture Trustee by Merger. If the Indenture Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Indenture Trustee; provided, however, that if such successor Indenture Trustee is not eligible under Section 6.11, then the successor Indenture Trustee shall be replaced in accordance with Section 6.08. Notice of any such event shall be promptly given to each Rating Agency by the successor Indenture Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the System Restoration Bonds shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Indenture Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver the System Restoration Bonds so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the System Restoration Bonds shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Indenture Trustee may authenticate the System Restoration Bonds either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Indenture Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the System Restoration Bonds or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Indenture Trustee shall have.
SECTION 6.10. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction in which any part of the trust created by this Indenture or the System Restoration Bond Collateral may at the time be located, the Indenture Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the trust created by this Indenture or the System Restoration Bond Collateral, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, such title to the System Restoration Bond Collateral, or any part hereof, and, subject to the other provisions of this Section 6.10, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Indenture Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 6.11 and no notice to Holders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required under Section 6.08. Notice of any such appointment shall be promptly given to each Rating Agency and the PUCT by the Indenture Trustee.
(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:
(i) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Indenture Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Indenture Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Indenture Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Indenture Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the System Restoration Bond Collateral or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Indenture Trustee;
(ii) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and
(iii) the Indenture Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.
(c) Any notice, request or other writing given to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article VI. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Indenture Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Indenture Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Indenture Trustee.
(d) Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Indenture Trustee, its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Indenture Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.
SECTION 6.11. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Indenture Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1) and § 310(a)(5) and Section 26(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act. The Indenture Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition and it shall have a long term debt rating of “Baa3” or better by Moody’s and “BBB-” or better by Standard & Poor’s. The Indenture Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b), including the optional provision permitted by the second sentence of TIA § 310(b)(9); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 6.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Indenture Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). An Indenture Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
SECTION 6.13. Representations and Warranties of Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the Indenture Trustee is a national banking association duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States;
(b) the Indenture Trustee has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Indenture and the Basic Documents to which the Indenture Trustee is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance by it of this Indenture and such Basic Documents; and
(c) No consent, license, approval or authorization of, or filing or registration with, any governmental authority, bureau or agency is required to be obtained that has not been obtained by the Indenture Trustee in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Indenture Trustee of this Indenture and the Basic Documents to which the Indenture Trustee is a party.
SECTION 6.14. Annual Report by Independent Registered Public Accountants. In the event the firm of Independent registered public accountants requires the Indenture Trustee to agree or consent to the procedures performed by such firm pursuant to Section 3.04(a) of the Servicing Agreement, the Indenture Trustee shall deliver such letter of agreement or consent in conclusive reliance upon the direction of the Issuer in accordance with Section 3.04(a) of the Servicing Agreement. In the event such firm requires the Indenture Trustee to agree to the procedures performed by such firm, the Issuer shall direct the Indenture Trustee in writing to so agree; it being understood and agreed that the Indenture Trustee will deliver such letter of agreement in conclusive reliance upon the direction of the Issuer, and the Indenture Trustee makes no independent inquiry or investigation to, and shall have no obligation or liability in respect of, the sufficiency, validity or correctness of such procedures.
SECTION 6.15. Custody of System Restoration Bond Collateral. The Indenture Trustee shall hold such of the System Restoration Bond Collateral (and any other collateral that may be granted to the Indenture Trustee) as consists of instruments, deposit accounts, negotiable documents, money, goods, letters of credit, and advices of credit in the State of New York. The Indenture Trustee shall hold such of the System Restoration Bond Collateral as constitute investment property through the Securities Intermediary (which, as of the date hereof, is U.S. Bank National Association). The initial Securities Intermediary, hereby agrees (and each future Securities Intermediary shall agree) with the Indenture Trustee that (a) such investment property shall at all times be credited to a Securities Account of the Indenture Trustee, (b) the Securities Intermediary shall treat the Indenture Trustee as entitled to exercise the rights that comprise each Financial Asset credited to such Securities Account, (c) all property credited to such Securities Account shall be treated as a Financial Asset, (d) the Securities Intermediary shall comply with entitlement orders originated by the Indenture Trustee without the further consent of any other person or entity, (e) the Securities Intermediary will not agree with any person other than the Indenture Trustee to comply with entitlement orders originated by such other person, (f) such Securities Accounts and the property credited thereto shall not be subject to any Lien or right of set-off in favor of the Securities Intermediary or anyone claiming through it (other than the Indenture Trustee), and (g) such agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York. The Indenture Trustee shall hold any System Restoration Bond Collateral consisting of money in a deposit account and shall act as a “bank” for purposes of perfecting the security interest in such deposit account. Terms used in the two preceding sentences that are defined in the UCC and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the UCC. Except as permitted by this Section 6.15, or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall not hold System Restoration Bond Collateral through an agent or a nominee.
ARTICLE VII
Holders’ Lists and Reports
SECTION 7.01. Issuer To Furnish Indenture Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Indenture Trustee (a) not more than five (5) days after the earlier of (i) each Record Date and (ii) six (6) months after the last Record Date, a list, in such form as the Indenture Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Bondholders as of such Record Date, (b) at such other times as the Indenture Trustee may request in writing, within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than ten (10) days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that so long as the Indenture Trustee is the System Restoration Bond Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.
SECTION 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Indenture Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Indenture Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Indenture Trustee in its capacity as System Restoration Bond Registrar. The Indenture Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in such Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the System Restoration Bonds. In addition, upon the written request of any Holder or group of Holders of Outstanding System Restoration Bonds evidencing not less than 10 percent of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds, the Indenture Trustee shall afford the Holder or Holders making such request a copy of a current list of Holders for purposes of communicating with other Holders with respect to their rights hereunder.
(c) The Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the System Restoration Bond Registrar shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
SECTION 7.03. Reports by Issuer.
(a) The Issuer shall:
(i) so long as the Issuer or the Depositor is required to file such documents with the SEC, provide to the Indenture Trustee, within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer or the Depositor may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) provide to the Indenture Trustee and file with the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Issuer with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(iii) supply to the Indenture Trustee (and the Indenture Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders described in TIA § 313(c)), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Issuer pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 7.03(a) as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.
Except as may be provided by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Issuer may fulfill its obligation to provide the materials described in this Section 7.03(a) by providing such materials in electronic format.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Indenture Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Indenture Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Indenture Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
(b) Unless the Issuer otherwise determines, the fiscal year of the Issuer shall end on December 31 of each year.
SECTION 7.04. Reports by Indenture Trustee. If required by TIA § 313(a), within sixty (60) days after March 30 of each year, commencing with March 30, 2020, the Indenture Trustee shall mail to each Bondholder as required by TIA § 313(c) a brief report dated as of such date that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Indenture Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b); provided, however, that the initial report so issued shall be delivered not more than twelve (12) months after the initial issuance thereof.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed by the Servicer with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any, on which the System Restoration Bonds are listed. The Issuer shall notify the Indenture Trustee in writing if and when the System Restoration Bonds are listed on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE VIII
Accounts, Disbursements and Releases
SECTION 8.01. Collection of Money. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Indenture Trustee may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect, directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other intermediary, all money and other property payable to or receivable by the Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture and the other Basic Documents. The Indenture Trustee shall apply all such money received by it as provided in this Indenture. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, if any default occurs in the making of any payment or performance under any agreement or instrument that is part of the System Restoration Bond Collateral, the Indenture Trustee may take such action as may be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, subject to Article VI, including the institution and prosecution of appropriate Proceedings. Any such action shall be without prejudice to any right to claim a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and any right to proceed thereafter as provided in Article V.
SECTION 8.02. Collection Account and REP Deposit Accounts.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall open or cause to be opened with the Securities Intermediary located at the Indenture Trustee’s office located at the Corporate Trust Office, or at another Eligible Institution, one or more segregated trust accounts in the Indenture Trustee’s name for the deposit of Estimated SRC Collections, SRC Collections and all other amounts received with respect to the System Restoration Bond Collateral (the “Collection Account”). The Collection Account will consist of three subaccounts: a general subaccount (the “General Subaccount”), an excess funds subaccount (the “Excess Funds Subaccount”) and a capital subaccount (the “Capital Subaccount” and, together with the General Subaccount and the Excess Funds Subaccount, the “Subaccounts”). Each Subaccount shall have a separate subaccount (each, a “Cash Subaccount”) where cash allocated to the related Subaccount will be held. Only cash shall be allocated to a Cash Subaccount and no other System Restoration Bond Collateral shall be allocated to a Cash Subaccount. References to any Subaccount shall be deemed to include the related Cash Subaccount. For administrative purposes, the Subaccounts may be established by the Indenture Trustee as separate accounts. Such separate accounts will be recognized individually as a Subaccount and collectively as the “Collection Account.” Prior to or concurrently with the issuance of System Restoration Bonds, the Member shall deposit into the Capital Subaccount an amount equal to the Required Capital Level. All amounts in the Collection Account not allocated to any other subaccount shall be allocated to the General Subaccount. Any cash transferred to, or arising under, a Subaccount will be held in the related Cash Subaccount. Prior to the Initial Payment Date, all amounts in the Collection Account (other than funds deposited into the Capital Subaccount, up to the Required Capital Level and any Capital Subaccount Investment Earnings) shall be allocated to the General Subaccount. All references to the Collection Account shall be deemed to include reference to all subaccounts contained therein. Withdrawals from and deposits to each of the foregoing subaccounts of the Collection Account shall be made as set forth in Section 8.02(d) and (e). The Collection Account shall at all times be maintained in an Eligible Account, under the sole dominion and exclusive control of the Indenture Trustee, through the Securities Intermediary, and only the Indenture Trustee shall have access to the Collection Account for the purpose of making deposits in and withdrawals from the Collection Account in accordance with this Indenture. Funds in the Collection Account shall not be commingled with any other moneys. All moneys deposited from time to time in the Collection Account, all deposits therein pursuant to this Indenture, and all investments made in Eligible Investments as directed in writing by the Issuer with such moneys, including all income or other gain from such investments other than Capital Subaccount Investment Earnings, shall be held by the Indenture Trustee in the Collection Account as part of the System Restoration Bond Collateral as herein provided. The Securities Intermediary shall have no liability in respect of losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any Eligible Investment prior to its stated maturity or its date of redemption or the failure of the Issuer or the Servicer to provide timely written investment direction.
(b) The Securities Intermediary hereby confirms that (i) the Collection Account (other than each Cash Subaccount) is, or at inception will be established as, a “securities account” as such term is defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC, (ii) it is a “securities intermediary” (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a) (14) of the UCC) and is acting in such capacity with respect to such accounts, (iii) the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties is the sole “entitlement holder” (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the UCC) with respect to such accounts and no other Person shall have the right to give “entitlement orders” (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(8)) with respect to such Collection Account and (iv) the Securities Intermediary agrees to comply with “entitlement orders” originated by the Indenture Trustee with respect to the Collection Account without further consent of the Issuer or any other Person. The Securities Intermediary hereby further agrees that each item of property (whether investment property, financial asset, security, instrument or cash) received by it will be credited to the Collection Account (and that all cash will be credited to the related Cash Subaccount). Such property, other than cash, shall be treated by it as a Financial Asset. The Indenture Trustee shall cause the Securities Intermediary to hold any System Restoration Bond Collateral consisting of money in the applicable Cash Subaccount and the Securities Intermediary hereby confirms that each Cash Subaccount is a “deposit account” within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(29) of the UCC. The Securities Intermediary further confirms that for purposes of perfecting the security interest in such deposit account, it shall (i) act as the “bank” within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(8) of the UCC and (ii) comply with instructions originated by the Indenture Trustee directing disposition of the funds in the Cash Subaccount without further consent of the Issuer or any other Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for purposes of the UCC, New York State shall be deemed to be “securities intermediary jurisdiction” within the meaning of Section 8-110(e) of the UCC of the Securities Intermediary and “bank’s jurisdiction” within the meaning of Section 9-304(a) of the UCC of the Securities Intermediary acting as the “bank” and the Collection Account (as well as the securities entitlements related thereto) shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. The Securities Intermediary represents and agrees that (i) the “account agreement” (within the meaning of the Hague Securities Convention establishing the Collection Account is governed by the law of the State of New York and that the law of the State of New York shall govern all issues specified in Article 2(1) of the Hague Securities Convention and (ii) at the time of entry of such account agreement, the Securities Intermediary had one or more offices (within the meaning of the Hague Securities Convention) in the United States of America which satisfies the criteria provided in Article 4(1)(a) or (b) of the Hague Securities Convention.
(c) The Indenture Trustee shall have sole dominion and exclusive control over all moneys in the Collection Account through the Securities Intermediary and shall apply such amounts therein as provided in this Section 8.02. The Indenture Trustee shall also pay from the Collection Account any amounts requested in writing to be paid by or to the Servicer pursuant to Section 6.11(c)(ii) of the Servicing Agreement.
(d) SRC Collections shall be deposited in the General Subaccount as provided in Section 6.11 of the Servicing Agreement. All deposits to and withdrawals from the Collection Account, all allocations to the subaccounts of the Collection Account and any amounts to be paid to the Servicer under Section 8.02(c) shall be made by the Indenture Trustee in accordance with the written instructions provided by the Servicer in the Monthly Servicer’s Certificate, the Servicer’s Certificate or upon other written notice provided by the Servicer pursuant to Section 6.11(a) of the Servicing Agreement, as applicable.
(e) On each Payment Date, the Indenture Trustee shall apply all amounts on deposit in the Collection Account, including all Investment Earnings thereon, to pay the following amounts, solely in accordance with the Servicer’s Certificate, in the following priority:
(i) all amounts owed by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee (including legal fees and expenses and outstanding indemnity amounts) shall be paid to the Indenture Trustee (subject to Section 6.07) in an amount not to exceed annually the amount set forth in the Series Supplement or such greater amount as approved by the PUCT in the Financing Order;
(ii) the Servicing Fee with respect to such Payment Date and all unpaid Servicing Fees for prior Payment Dates shall be paid to the Servicer;
(iii) the Administration Fee for such Payment Date shall be paid to the Administrator and the Independent Manager Fee for such Payment Date shall be paid to the Independent Managers;
(iv) all other ordinary and periodic Operating Expenses for such Payment Date not described above shall be paid to the parties to which such Operating Expenses are owed;
(v) Periodic Interest for such Payment Date, including any overdue Periodic Interest (together with, to the extent lawful, interest on such overdue Periodic Interest at the applicable System Restoration Bond Interest Rate), with respect to the System Restoration Bonds shall be paid to the Holders of System Restoration Bonds;
(vi) principal due and payable on the System Restoration Bonds as a result of an Event of Default or on the Final Maturity Date of the System Restoration Bonds shall be paid to the Holders of System Restoration Bonds;
(vii) Periodic Principal for such Payment Date, including any overdue Periodic Principal, with respect to the System Restoration Bonds shall be paid to the Holders of System Restoration Bonds, pro rata;
(viii) any other unpaid fees, expenses and indemnity amounts owed to the Indenture Trustee;
(ix) any other unpaid Operating Expenses and any remaining amounts owed pursuant to the Basic Documents;
(x) the amount, if any, by which the Required Capital Level exceeds the amount in the Capital Subaccount as of such Payment Date shall be allocated to the Capital Subaccount;
(xi) provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that AEP Texas is required to make a contribution to the Capital Subaccount greater than 0.5% of the initial outstanding principal balance of the System Restoration Bonds, release to AEP Texas an amount calculated at an annual rate per annum equal to AEP Texas’ rate of return on equity most recently approved by the Texas commission prior to the required Capital Contribution on the amount contributed to the Capital Subaccount in excess of 0.5% of the initial outstanding principal balance of the System Restoration Bonds;
(xii) if there is a positive balance after making the foregoing allocations, an amount not to exceed the lesser of such balance and the investment earnings on the Capital Subaccount shall be paid to the Issuer; provided that no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing;
(xiii) the balance, if any, shall be allocated to the Excess Funds Subaccount for distribution on subsequent Payment Dates; and
(xiv) after principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all the System Restoration Bonds, and all of the other foregoing amounts, have been paid in full, including, without limitation, amounts due and payable to the Indenture Trustee under Section 6.07 or otherwise, the balance (including all amounts then held in the Capital Subaccount and the Excess Funds Subaccount), if any, shall be paid to the Issuer, free from the Lien of this Indenture and the Series Supplement.
All payments to the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds pursuant to clauses (v), (vi) and (vii) above shall be made to such Holders pro rata based on the respective amounts of interest and/or principal owed, unless, in the case of System Restoration Bonds comprised of two or more Tranches, the Series Supplement provides otherwise. Payments in respect of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on any Tranche of System Restoration Bonds will be made on a pro rata basis among all the Holders of such Tranche. In the case of an Event of Default, then, in accordance with Section 5.04(c), moneys will be applied pursuant to clauses (v) and (vi), in such order, on a pro rata basis, based upon the interest or the principal owed.
The amounts paid during any calendar year pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (viii) may not exceed the amounts approved in the Series Supplement unless the PUCT approves a different aggregate amount for such payments.
(f) If on any Payment Date funds on deposit in the General Subaccount are insufficient to make the payments contemplated by clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 8.02(e) above, the Indenture Trustee shall (i) first, draw from amounts on deposit in the Excess Funds Subaccount and (ii) second, draw from amounts on deposit in the Capital Subaccount, in each case, up to the amount of such shortfall in order to make the payments contemplated by clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 8.02(e). In addition, if on any Payment Date funds on deposit in the General Subaccount are insufficient to make the allocations contemplated by clause (x) above, the Indenture Trustee shall draw from amounts on deposit in the Excess Funds Subaccount to make such allocations.
(g) Pursuant to the written direction of the Servicer, the Issuer shall open, with the Securities Intermediary at the Indenture Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office, or at another Eligible Institution, one or more segregated non-interest-bearing trust accounts in the Indenture Trustee’s name (each a “REP Deposit Account”), each such account for the benefit of one Depositing REP with respect to the System Restoration Bonds. Pursuant to and in accordance with the Financing Order, amounts received from any REP as a security deposit with respect to the System Restoration Bonds shall be deposited into the applicable REP Deposit Account. The REP Deposit Accounts shall at all times be maintained in an Eligible Account and only the Indenture Trustee shall have access to the REP Deposit Accounts for the purpose of making deposits in and withdrawals from the REP Deposit Accounts in accordance with this Indenture, the Servicing Agreement and the Financing Order. Funds in the REP Deposit Accounts shall not be commingled by the Issuer with any other moneys, and shall not be commingled by the Indenture Trustee. All or a portion of the funds in the REP Deposit Accounts shall be invested in Eligible Investments and reinvested by the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the written direction of the Servicer or the REP making the deposit. All income or other gain from investments of moneys deposited in any REP Deposit Account shall be deposited by the Indenture Trustee into such REP Deposit Account, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to such REP Deposit Account. In addition, each Depositing REP shall be responsible for the payment of income taxes with respect to such investments, and the Indenture Trustee shall not be required to provide any tax reporting with respect to any REP Deposit Account unless so requested by the applicable REP. The Indenture Trustee shall not in any way be held liable for the selection of Eligible Investments for the REP Deposit Accounts or for investment losses incurred thereon. The Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of timely and specific written investment direction from the Servicer and appropriate documents from the applicable REP. Absent written direction from the Servicer, funds shall remain uninvested. The Indenture Trustee shall release property from any REP Deposit Account only as and to the extent directed by the Servicer pursuant to the Financing Order and the Servicing Agreement.
SECTION 8.03. General Provisions Regarding the Collection Account.
(a) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all or a portion of the funds in the Collection Account shall be invested in Eligible Investments and reinvested by the Indenture Trustee upon Issuer Order; provided, however, that (i) such Eligible Investments shall not mature or be redeemed later than the Business Day prior to the next Payment Date or Special Payment Date, if applicable, for the System Restoration Bonds and (ii) such Eligible Investments shall not be sold, liquidated or otherwise disposed of at a loss prior to the maturity or the date of redemption thereof. All income or other gain from investments of moneys deposited in the Collection Account shall be deposited by the Indenture Trustee in such Collection Account, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to such Collection Account. The Issuer will not direct the Indenture Trustee to make any investment of any funds or to sell any investment held in the Collection Account unless the security interest Granted and perfected in such account will continue to be perfected in such investment or the proceeds of such sale, in either case without any further action by any Person, and, in connection with any direction to the Indenture Trustee to make any such investment or sale, if requested by the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall deliver to the Indenture Trustee an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer (at the Issuer’s cost and expense) to such effect. In no event shall the Indenture Trustee be liable for the selection of Eligible Investments or for investment losses incurred thereon. The Indenture Trustee shall have no liability in respect of losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any Eligible Investment prior to its stated maturity or its date of redemption or the failure of the Issuer or the Servicer to provide timely written investment direction. The Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of written investment direction pursuant to an Issuer Order.
(b) Subject to Section 6.01(c), the Indenture Trustee shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in the Collection Account resulting from any loss on any Eligible Investment included therein except for losses attributable to the Indenture Trustee’s failure to make payments on such Eligible Investments issued by the Indenture Trustee, in its commercial capacity as principal obligor and not as trustee, in accordance with their terms.
(c) If (i) the Issuer shall have failed to give written investment directions for any funds on deposit in the Collection Account to the Indenture Trustee by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as may be agreed by the Issuer and Indenture Trustee) on any Business Day; or (ii) a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the System Restoration Bonds but the System Restoration Bonds shall not have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 5.02, then the Indenture Trustee shall, to the fullest extent practicable, invest and reinvest funds in such Collection Account in the money market fund (described under clause (d) of the definition of “Eligible Investments”) specified in the most recent written investment directions delivered by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee with respect to such type of Eligible Investments; provided that if the Issuer has never delivered written investment directions to the Indenture Trustee or if the money market fund specified in the most recent written investment directions no longer exists, the Indenture Trustee shall not invest or reinvest such funds in any investments.
(d) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Servicer may, pursuant to the Servicing Agreement, select Eligible Investments on behalf of the Issuer.
SECTION 8.04. Release of System Restoration Bond Collateral.
(a) So long as the Issuer is not in default hereunder and no Default hereunder would occur as a result of such action, the Issuer, through the Servicer, may collect, sell or otherwise dispose of written-off receivables, at any time and from time to time in the ordinary course of business, without any notice to, or release or consent by, the Indenture Trustee, but only as and to the extent permitted by the Basic Documents; provided, however, that any and all proceeds of such dispositions shall become System Restoration Bond Collateral and be deposited to the General Subaccount immediately upon receipt thereof by the Issuer or any other Person, including the Servicer. Without limiting the foregoing, the Servicer, may, at any time and from time to time without any notice to, or release or consent by, the Indenture Trustee, sell or otherwise dispose of any System Restoration Bond Collateral previously written-off as a defaulted or uncollectible account in accordance with the terms of the Servicing Agreement and the requirements of the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.
(b) The Indenture Trustee may, and when required by the provisions of this Indenture shall, execute instruments to release property from the Lien of this Indenture, or convey the Indenture Trustee’s interest in the same, in a manner and under circumstances that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture. No party relying upon an instrument executed by the Indenture Trustee as provided in this Article VIII shall be bound to ascertain the Indenture Trustee’s authority, inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any moneys. The Indenture Trustee shall release property from the Lien of this Indenture pursuant to this Section 8.04(b) only upon receipt of an Issuer Request accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer (at the Issuer’s cost and expense) and (if required by the TIA) Independent Certificates in accordance with TIA §§ 314(c) and 314(d)(1) meeting the applicable requirements of Section 10.01.
(c) The Indenture Trustee shall, at such time as there are no System Restoration Bonds Outstanding and all sums payable to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 or otherwise have been paid, release any remaining portion of the System Restoration Bond Collateral that secured the System Restoration Bonds from the Lien of this Indenture, release to the Issuer or any other Person entitled thereto any funds or investments then on deposit in or credit to the Collection Account and, subject to the instructions of the Servicer, shall release the REP Deposit Accounts in accordance with Section 8.02.
SECTION 8.05. Opinion of Counsel. The Indenture Trustee shall receive at least seven (7) days’ notice when requested by the Issuer to take any action pursuant to Section 8.04, accompanied by copies of any instruments involved, and the Indenture Trustee shall also require, as a condition to such action, an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee, stating the legal effect of any such action, outlining the steps required to complete the same, and concluding that all conditions precedent to the taking of such action have been complied with and such action will not materially and adversely impair the perfection or priority of the remaining security for the System Restoration Bonds or the rights of the Holders in contravention of the provisions of this Indenture and the Series Supplement; provided, however, that such Opinion of Counsel shall not be required to express an opinion as to the fair value of the System Restoration Bond Collateral. Counsel rendering any such opinion may rely, without independent investigation, on the accuracy and validity of any certificate or other instrument delivered to the Indenture Trustee in connection with any such action.
SECTION 8.06. Reports by Independent Registered Public Accountants. As of the Closing Date, the Issuer shall appoint a firm of Independent registered public accountants of recognized national reputation for purposes of preparing and delivering the reports or certificates of such accountants required by this Indenture and the Series Supplement. In the event such firm requires the Indenture Trustee to agree to the procedures performed by such firm, the Issuer shall direct the Indenture Trustee in writing to so agree; it being understood and agreed that the Indenture Trustee will deliver such letter of agreement in conclusive reliance upon the direction of the Issuer, and the Indenture Trustee makes no independent inquiry or investigation to, and shall have no obligation or liability in respect of, the sufficiency, validity or correctness of such procedures. Upon any resignation by, or termination by the Issuer of, such firm the Issuer shall provide written notice thereof to the Indenture Trustee and shall promptly appoint a successor thereto that shall also be a firm of Independent registered public accountants of recognized national reputation. If the Issuer shall fail to appoint a successor to a firm of Independent registered public accountants that has resigned or been terminated within fifteen (15) days after such resignation or termination, the Indenture Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of such failure in writing. If the Issuer shall not have appointed a successor within ten (10) days thereafter the Indenture Trustee shall promptly appoint a successor firm of Independent registered public accountants of recognized national reputation; provided that the Indenture Trustee shall have no liability with respect to such appointment. The fees of such Independent registered public accountants and its successor shall be payable by the Issuer as an Operating Expense.
ARTICLE IX
Supplemental Indentures
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
(a) Without the consent of the Holders of any System Restoration Bonds but with prior notice to the Rating Agencies, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, and, if the contemplated amendment may in the judgment of the PUCT increase ongoing Qualified Costs, with the consent of the PUCT pursuant to Section 9.03 (which consent shall not be required with regard to the Series Supplement), at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof), in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(i) to correct or amplify the description of any property, including, without limitation, the System Restoration Bond Collateral, at any time subject to the Lien of this Indenture, or better to assure, convey and confirm unto the Indenture Trustee any property subject or required to be subjected to the Lien of this Indenture and the Series Supplement, or to subject to the Lien of this Indenture and the Series Supplement additional property;
(ii) to evidence the succession, in compliance with the applicable provisions hereof, of another person to the Issuer, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer herein and in the System Restoration Bonds;
(iii) to add to the covenants of the Issuer, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer;
(iv) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Indenture Trustee;
(v) to cure any ambiguity or mistake, to correct or supplement any provision herein or in any supplemental indenture, including the Series Supplement, which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or in any supplemental indenture, including the Series Supplement, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture; provided that (i) such action shall not, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds and (ii) the Rating Agency Condition shall have been satisfied with respect thereto;
(vi) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the System Restoration Bonds and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Article VI;
(vii) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or under any similar or successor federal statute hereafter enacted and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the TIA;
(viii) to evidence the final terms of the System Restoration Bonds in the Series Supplement;
(ix) to qualify the System Restoration Bonds for registration with a Clearing Agency;
(x) to satisfy any Rating Agency requirements;
(xi) to make any amendment to this Indenture or the System Restoration Bonds relating to the transfer and legending of the System Restoration Bonds to comply with applicable securities laws; or
(xii) to conform the text of this Indenture or the System Restoration Bonds to any provision of the registration statement filed by the Issuer with the SEC with respect to the issuance of the System Restoration Bonds to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the System Restoration Bonds.
The Indenture Trustee is hereby authorized to join in the execution of any such supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.
(b) The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, may, also without the consent of any of the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds, with the consent of the PUCT pursuant to Section 9.03, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds under this Indenture; provided, however, that (i) such action shall not, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel of nationally recognized counsel of the Issuer experienced in structured finance transactions, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders and (ii) the Rating Agency Condition shall have been satisfied with respect thereto.
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, also may, with the consent of the PUCT pursuant to Section 9.03, with prior notice to the Rating Agencies and with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds of each Tranche to be adversely affected, by Act of such Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding System Restoration Bond of each Tranche affected thereby:
(i) change the date of payment of any installment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any System Restoration Bond of such Tranche, or reduce the principal amount thereof, the interest rate thereon or premium, if any, with respect thereto, change the provisions of this Indenture and the Series Supplement relating to the application of collections on, or the proceeds of the sale of, the System Restoration Bond Collateral to payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the System Restoration Bonds, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any System Restoration Bond or the interest thereon is payable;
(ii) reduce the percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds or of a Tranche thereof, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture;
(iii) reduce the percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds required to direct the Indenture Trustee to direct the Issuer to sell or liquidate the System Restoration Bond Collateral pursuant to Section 5.04;
(iv) modify any provision of this Section 9.02 except to increase any percentage specified herein or to provide that those provisions of this Indenture or the other Basic Documents referenced in this Section 9.02 cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding System Restoration Bond affected thereby;
(v) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture in such manner as to affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, due on any System Restoration Bond on any Payment Date (including the calculation of any of the individual components of such calculation) or change the Expected Amortization Schedule or Final Maturity Date of any Tranche of System Restoration Bonds;
(vi) decrease the Required Capital Level;
(vii) permit the creation of any Lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the Lien of this Indenture with respect to any part of the System Restoration Bond Collateral or, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated herein, terminate the Lien of this Indenture on any property at any time subject hereto or deprive the Holder of any System Restoration Bond of the security provided by the Lien of this Indenture;
(viii) cause any material adverse federal income tax consequence to the Seller, the Issuer, the Managers, the Indenture Trustee or the then existing Holders; or
(ix) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the provisions of this Indenture regarding payment or application of funds.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 9.02, the Issuer shall mail to the Rating Agencies a copy of such supplemental indenture and to the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds to which such supplemental indenture relates either a copy of such supplemental indenture or a notice setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
SECTION 9.03. PUCT Condition. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.01 or 9.02, no supplemental indenture (other than the Series Supplement) shall be effective unless the process set forth in this Section 9.03 has been followed.
(a) At least thirty-one (31) days prior to the effectiveness of any such supplemental indenture and after obtaining the other necessary approvals set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02, as applicable, except for the consent of the Indenture Trustee and the Holders if the consent of the Holders is required or sought by the Indenture Trustee in connection with such supplemental indenture, the Issuer shall have delivered to the PUCT’s executive director and general counsel written notification of any proposed supplemental indenture, which notification shall contain:
(i) a reference to Docket No. 49308;
(ii) an Officer’s Certificate stating that the proposed supplemental indenture has been approved by all parties to this Indenture; and
(iii) a statement identifying the person to whom the PUCT or its staff is to address any response to the proposed supplemental indenture or to request additional time.
(b) The PUCT or its staff shall, within thirty (30) days of receiving the notification complying with Section 9.03(a) above, either:
(i) provide notice of its determination that the proposed supplemental indenture will not under any circumstances have the effect of increasing the ongoing Qualified Costs related to the System Restoration Bonds,
(ii) provide notice of its consent or lack of consent to the person specified in Section 9.03(a)(iii) above, or
(iii) be conclusively deemed to have consented to the proposed supplemental indenture,
unless, within thirty (30) days of receiving the notification complying with Section 9.03(a) above, the PUCT or its staff delivers to the office of the person specified in Section 9.03(a)(iii) above a written statement requesting an additional amount of time not to exceed thirty (30) days in which to consider whether to consent to the proposed supplemental indenture. If the PUCT or its staff requests an extension of time in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, then the PUCT shall either provide notice of its consent or lack of consent or notice of its determination that the proposed supplemental indenture will not under any circumstances increase ongoing Qualified Costs to the person specified in Section 9.03(a)(iii) above no later than the last day of such extension of time or be conclusively deemed to have consented to the proposed supplemental indenture on the last day of such extension of time. Any supplemental indenture requiring the consent of the PUCT shall become effective on the later of (i) the date proposed by the parties to such supplemental indenture and (ii) the first day after the expiration of the thirty (30)-day period provided for in this Section 9.03(b), or, if such period has been extended pursuant hereto, the first day after the expiration of such period as so extended.
(c) Following the delivery of a notice to the PUCT by the Issuer under Section 9.03(a) above, the Issuer shall have the right at any time to withdraw from the PUCT further consideration of any notification of a proposed supplemental indenture. Such withdrawal shall be evidenced by the prompt written notice thereof by the Issuer to the PUCT, the Indenture Trustee and the Servicer.
SECTION 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article IX or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent have been satisfied. The Indenture Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Indenture Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith with respect to each Tranche of System Restoration Bonds affected thereby, and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and immunities under this Indenture of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment of this Indenture and every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect so long as this Indenture shall then be qualified under the TIA.
SECTION 9.07. Reference in System Restoration Bonds to Supplemental Indentures. System Restoration Bonds authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article IX may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall so determine, new System Restoration Bonds so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Trustee in exchange for Outstanding System Restoration Bonds.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
SECTION 10.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc.
(a) Upon any application or request by the Issuer to the Indenture Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee (i) an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with and (iii) (if required by the TIA) an Independent Certificate from a firm of registered public accountants meeting the applicable requirements of this Section 10.01, except that, in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that each signatory of such certificate or opinion has read or has caused to be read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such signatory, such signatory has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such signatory to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such signatory, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
(b) (i) Prior to the deposit of any System Restoration Bond Collateral or other property or securities with the Indenture Trustee that is to be made the basis for the release of any property or securities subject to the Lien of this Indenture, the Issuer shall, in addition to any obligation imposed in Section 10.01(a) or elsewhere in this Indenture, furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each person signing such certificate as to the fair value (within ninety (90) days of such deposit) to the Issuer of the System Restoration Bond Collateral or other property or securities to be so deposited.
(ii) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signer thereof as to the matters described in clause (i) above, the Issuer shall also deliver to the Indenture Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the same matters, if the fair value to the Issuer of the securities to be so deposited and of all other such securities made the basis of any such withdrawal or release since the commencement of the then-current fiscal year of the Issuer, as set forth in the certificates delivered pursuant to clause (i) above and this clause (ii), is ten percent or more of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds, but such a certificate need not be furnished with respect to any securities so deposited, if the fair value thereof to the Issuer as set forth in the related Officer’s Certificate is less than the lesser of (A) $25,000 or (B) one percent of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds.
(iii) Whenever any property or securities are to be released from the Lien of this Indenture other than pursuant to Section 8.02(e), the Issuer shall also furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each person signing such certificate as to the fair value (within ninety (90) days of such release) of the property or securities proposed to be released and stating that in the opinion of such person the proposed release will not impair the security under this Indenture in contravention of the provisions hereof.
(iv) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signatory thereof as to the matters described in clause (iii) above, the Issuer shall also furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the same matters if the fair value of the property or securities with respect thereto, or securities released from the Lien of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 8.02(e)) since the commencement of the then-current calendar year, as set forth in the certificates required by clause (iii) above and this clause (iv), equals 10 percent or more of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds, but such certificate need not be furnished in the case of any release of property or securities if the fair value thereof as set forth in the related Officer’s Certificate is less than the lesser of (A) $25,000 or (B) one percent of the then Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds.
(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10.01, the Indenture Trustee may (A) collect, liquidate, sell or otherwise dispose of the Transition Property and the other System Restoration Bond Collateral as and to the extent permitted or required by the Basic Documents and (B) make cash payments out of the Collection Account as and to the extent permitted or required by the Basic Documents.
SECTION 10.02. Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of a Responsible Officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters (including financial and capital markets), upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Servicer or the Issuer and other documents necessary and advisable in the judgment of counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel.
Whenever in this Indenture, in connection with any application or certificate or report to the Indenture Trustee, it is provided that the Issuer shall deliver any document as a condition of the granting of such application, or as evidence of the Issuer’s compliance with any term hereof, it is intended that the truth and accuracy, at the time of the granting of such application or at the effective date of such certificate or report (as the case may be), of the facts and opinions stated in such document shall in such case be conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer to have such application granted or to the sufficiency of such certificate or report. The foregoing shall not, however, be construed to affect the Indenture Trustee’s right to rely conclusively upon the truth and accuracy of any statement or opinion contained in any such document as provided in Article VI.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 10.03. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and except as herein otherwise expressly provided such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Indenture Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 10.03.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any manner that the Indenture Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of System Restoration Bonds shall be proved by the System Restoration Bond Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any System Restoration Bonds shall bind the Holder of every System Restoration Bond issued upon the registration thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Indenture Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such System Restoration Bond.
SECTION 10.04. Notices, etc., to Indenture Trustee, Issuer and Rating Agencies.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other documents provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to or filed with:
(i) the Indenture Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuer shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing by facsimile transmission, first-class mail or overnight delivery service to or with the Indenture Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office,
(ii) the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, to the Issuer addressed to: AEP Texas Restoration Funding LLC at 539 N. Carancahua Street, Suite 1700, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401, Attention: Manager, Telephone: (361) 881-5399, Facsimile: (361) 880-6128, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Indenture Trustee by the Issuer. The Issuer shall promptly transmit any notice received by it from the Holders to the Indenture Trustee, or
(iii) the PUCT by the Seller, the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, to the PUCT addressed to: 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, Attention of Executive Director and General Counsel, telephone: (512) 936-7040, facsimile: (512) 936-7036.
(b) Notices required to be given to the Rating Agencies by the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall be in writing, facsimile, personally delivered or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested to:
(i) in the case of Moody’s, to: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., ABS/RMBS Monitoring Department, 25th Floor, 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich, New York, New York 10007, Email: ServicerReports@moodys.com (all such notices to be delivered to Moody’s in writing by email), and solely for purposes of Rating Agency Condition communications: abscormonitoring@moodys.com;
(ii) in the case of Standard & Poor’s, to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc., Structured Credit Surveillance, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, Telephone: (212) 438-8991, Email: servicer_reports@spglobal.com (all such notices to be delivered to Standard & Poor’s in writing by email); and
(iii) as to each of the foregoing, at such other address as shall be designated by written notice to the other parties.
Any notice, report or other communication given hereunder may be in writing and addressed as follows or to the extent receipt is confirmed telephonically sent by Electronic Means to the address provided above.
SECTION 10.05. Notices to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears on the System Restoration Bond Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall conclusively be presumed to have been duly given.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Indenture Trustee but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such a waiver.
In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event of Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to the Rating Agencies, failure to give such notice shall not affect any other rights or obligations created hereunder, and shall not under any circumstance constitute a Default or Event of Default.
SECTION 10.06. Rule 17g-5 Compliance. The Indenture Trustee agrees that any notice, report, request for satisfaction of the Rating Agency Condition, document or other information provided by the Indenture Trustee to any Rating Agency under this Indenture or any other Basic Document to which it is a party for the purpose of determining or confirming the credit rating of the System Restoration Bonds or undertaking credit rating surveillance of the System Restoration Bonds shall be provided, substantially concurrently, to the Servicer for posting on a password-protected website (the “17g-5 Website”). The Servicer shall be responsible for posting all of the information on the 17g-5 Website.
SECTION 10.07. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof that is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the TIA, such required provision shall control.
The provisions of TIA §§ 310 through 317 that impose duties on any person (including the provisions automatically deemed included herein unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.
SECTION 10.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 10.09. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture and the System Restoration Bonds by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Indenture Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 10.10. Severability. Any provision in this Indenture or in the System Restoration Bonds that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision (if any) or the remaining provisions hereof (unless such construction shall be unreasonable), and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.11. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the System Restoration Bonds, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Holders, and any other party secured hereunder, and any other Person with an ownership interest in any part of the System Restoration Bond Collateral, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 10.12. Legal Holidays. In any case where the date on which any payment is due shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the System Restoration Bonds or this Indenture) payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date on which nominally due, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such nominal date.
SECTION 10.13. GOVERNING LAW. THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND SECTIONS 9-301 THROUGH 9-306 OF THE NY UCC), AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS; PROVIDED THAT THE CREATION, ATTACHMENT AND PERFECTION OF ANY LIENS CREATED HEREUNDER IN TRANSITION PROPERTY, AND ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE AND THE HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION PROPERTY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
SECTION 10.14. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 10.15. Recording of Indenture. If this Indenture is subject to recording in any appropriate public recording offices, such recording is to be effected by the Issuer and at its expense accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel at the Issuer’s cost and expense (which shall be external counsel of the Issuer) to the effect that such recording is necessary either for the protection of the Holders or any other Person secured hereunder or for the enforcement of any right or remedy granted to the Indenture Trustee under this Indenture.
SECTION 10.16. Issuer Obligation. No recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee on the System Restoration Bonds or under this Indenture or any certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith, against (i) any owner of a membership interest in the Issuer (including AEP Texas) or (ii) any shareholder, partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer, director or employee of the Indenture Trustee, the Managers or any owner of a membership interest in the Issuer (including AEP Texas) in its respective individual capacity, or of any successor or assign of any of them in their respective individual or corporate capacities, except as any such Person may have expressly agreed in writing. Each Holder by accepting a System Restoration Bond specifically confirms the nonrecourse nature of these obligations, and waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the System Restoration Bonds.
SECTION 10.17. No Recourse to Issuer. Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or the Series Supplement to the contrary, Holders shall look only to the System Restoration Bond Collateral with respect to any amounts due to the Holders hereunder and under the System Restoration Bonds and, in the event such System Restoration Bond Collateral is insufficient to pay in full the amounts owed on the System Restoration Bonds, shall have no recourse against the Issuer in respect of such insufficiency. Each Holder by accepting a System Restoration Bond specifically confirms the nonrecourse nature of these obligations, and waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the System Restoration Bonds.
SECTION 10.18. Basic Documents. The Indenture Trustee is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreement and the Servicing Agreement and to execute and deliver any other Basic Document which it is requested to acknowledge and, upon receipt of an Issuer Request, to modify the Intercreditor Agreement in order to add as parties thereto any other trustees for holders of transition bonds issued by Affiliates of AEP Texas so long as such modification, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Indenture Trustee, does not materially and adversely affect any Holder’s rights in and to any Tranche of System Restoration Bonds, or otherwise hereunder. Such request shall be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel of external counsel of the Issuer, upon which the Indenture Trustee may rely conclusively with no duty of independent investigation or inquiry, to the effect that all conditions precedent for an amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement have been satisfied. The Intercreditor Agreement shall be binding on the Holders.
SECTION 10.19. No Petition. The Indenture Trustee, by entering into this Indenture, and each Holder, by accepting a System Restoration Bond (or interest therein) issued hereunder, hereby covenant and agree that they shall not, prior to the date which is one year and one day after the termination of this Indenture, acquiesce, petition or otherwise invoke or cause the Issuer or any Manager to invoke the process of any court or government authority for the purpose of commencing or sustaining a case against the Issuer under any insolvency law or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Issuer. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, such Holder or the Indenture Trustee (A) from taking or omitting to take any action prior to such date in (i) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by or on behalf of the Issuer under or pursuant to any such law or (ii) any involuntary case or proceeding pertaining to the Issuer which is filed or commenced by or on behalf of a Person other than such Holder and is not joined in by such Holder (or any Person to which such holder shall have assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed any part of the obligations of the Issuer hereunder) under or pursuant to any such law, or (B) from commencing or prosecuting any legal action which is not an involuntary case or proceeding under or pursuant to any such law against the Issuer or any of its properties.
SECTION 10.20. Securities Intermediary. The Securities Intermediary, in acting under this Indenture, is entitled to all rights, benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities accorded U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as Indenture Trustee under this Indenture.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Securities Intermediary have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and duly attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
AEP TEXAS RESTORATION FUNDING LLC, as Issuer | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee and as Securities Intermediary | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
STATE OF [______] | ) | |
) ss: | ||
COUNTY OF [______] | ) |
On the ____ day of [_____], 2019, before me, ________________, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared __________________________, personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person and officer whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that such person executed the same in such person’s authorized capacity, and that by the signature on the instrument U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, and the entity upon whose behalf the person acted, executed this instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary Public | ||
My commission expires: __________________ |
STATE OF [______] | ) | |
) ss: | ||
COUNTY OF [______] | ) |
On the ____ day of [_____], 2019, before me, ___________________, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared __________________________, personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his capacity as a manager of AEP Texas Restoration Funding LLC, and that by his signature on the instrument AEP Texas Restoration Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the entity upon whose behalf such person acted, executed this instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary Public | ||
My commission expires: __________________ |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
REGISTERED No. _____ | $________ |
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
CUSIP NO.
THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND (“THIS TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND”) WILL BE PAID IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF. THE HOLDER OF THIS SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND HAS NO RECOURSE TO THE ISSUER HEREOF AND AGREES TO LOOK ONLY TO THE SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND COLLATERAL, AS DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, FOR PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNTS DUE HEREUNDER. ALL OBLIGATIONS OF THE ISSUER OF THIS TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND UNDER THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE WILL BE RELEASED AND DISCHARGED UPON PAYMENT IN FULL HEREOF OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 3.11(b) OR ARTICLE IV OF THE INDENTURE. THE HOLDER OF THIS TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND HEREBY COVENANTS AND AGREES THAT PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE (1) YEAR AND ONE (1) DAY AFTER THE PAYMENT IN FULL OF THE TRANCHE [ - ] SYSTEM RESTORATION BONDS, IT WILL NOT INSTITUTE AGAINST, OR JOIN ANY OTHER PERSON IN INSTITUTING AGAINST, THE ISSUER ANY BANKRUPTCY, REORGANIZATION, ARRANGEMENT, INSOLVENCY OR LIQUIDATION PROCEEDINGS OR OTHER SIMILAR PROCEEDING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PRECLUDE, OR BE DEEMED TO ESTOP, SUCH HOLDER (A) FROM TAKING OR OMITTING TO TAKE ANY ACTION PRIOR TO SUCH DATE IN (I) ANY CASE OR PROCEEDING VOLUNTARILY FILED OR COMMENCED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE ISSUER UNDER OR PURSUANT TO ANY SUCH LAW OR (II) ANY INVOLUNTARY CASE OR PROCEEDING PERTAINING TO THE ISSUER WHICH IS FILED OR COMMENCED BY OR ON BEHALF OF A PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH HOLDER AND IS NOT JOINED IN BY SUCH HOLDER (OR ANY PERSON TO WHICH SUCH HOLDER SHALL HAVE ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE CONVEYED ANY PART OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ISSUER HEREUNDER) UNDER OR PURSUANT TO ANY SUCH LAW, OR (B) FROM COMMENCING OR PROSECUTING ANY LEGAL ACTION WHICH IS NOT AN INVOLUNTARY CASE OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR PURSUANT TO ANY SUCH LAW AGAINST THE ISSUER OR ANY OF ITS PROPERTIES.
AEP TEXAS RESTORATION FUNDING LLC SYSTEM RESTORATION BONDS,
TRANCHE [ - ].
INTEREST RATE | ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | FINAL MATURITY DATE |
AEP Texas Restoration Funding LLC, a limited liability company created under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein referred to as the “Issuer”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [ ], or registered assigns, the Original Principal Amount shown above [in semi-annual installments] on the Payment Dates and in the amounts specified on the reverse hereof or, if less, the amounts determined pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Indenture, in each year, commencing on the date determined as provided on the reverse hereof and ending on or before the Final Maturity Date shown above and to pay interest, at the Interest Rate shown above, on each __________ and __________ or if any such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, commencing on [ ] and continuing until the earlier of the payment in full of the principal hereof and the Final Maturity Date (each a “Payment Date”), on the principal amount of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond (hereinafter referred to as this “Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond”). Interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond will accrue for each Payment Date from the most recent Payment Date on which interest has been paid to but excluding such Payment Date or, if no interest has yet been paid, from the date of issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis of [specify method of computation]. Such principal of and interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond shall be paid in the manner specified on the reverse hereof.
The principal of and interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond are payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. All payments made by the Issuer with respect to this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond shall be applied first to interest due and payable on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond as provided above and then to the unpaid principal of and premium, if any, on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, all in the manner set forth in the Indenture.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond set forth on the reverse hereof, which shall have the same effect as though fully set forth on the face of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Indenture Trustee whose name appears below by manual signature, this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be signed, manually or in facsimile, by its Responsible Officer.
Date: | AEP TEXAS RESTORATION FUNDING LLC | |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
INDENTURE TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Dated: __________ ___, ____
This is one of the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds, designated above and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
REVERSE OF SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND* 1
This Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of System Restoration Bonds of the Issuer (herein called the “System Restoration Bonds”), issued and which System Restoration Bonds are issuable in one or more Tranches, and the System Restoration Bonds consists of [ ] Tranches, including this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond (herein called the “Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds”), all issued and to be issued under that certain Indenture dated as of September 18, 2019, (as supplemented by the Series Supplement (as defined below), the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and [U.S. Bank National Association], in its capacity as indenture trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”, which term includes any successor indenture trustee under the Indenture) and in its separate capacity as a securities intermediary (the “Securities Intermediary”, which term includes any successor securities intermediary under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and obligations thereunder of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds. For purposes herein, “Series Supplement” means that certain Series Supplement dated as of [_____] [_], 2019, between the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee. All terms used in this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond that are defined in the Indenture, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.
The Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds, the other Tranches of System Restoration Bonds (all of such Tranches being referred to herein as “System Restoration Bonds”) are and will be equally and ratably secured by the System Restoration Bond Collateral pledged as security therefor as provided in the Indenture.
The principal of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond shall be payable on each Payment Date only to the extent that amounts in the Collection Account are available therefor, and only until the outstanding principal balance thereof on the preceding Payment Date (after giving effect to all payments of principal, if any, made on the preceding Payment Date) has been reduced to the principal balance specified in the Expected Amortization Schedule which is attached to the Series Supplement as Schedule A, unless payable earlier because an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Indenture Trustee or the Bondholders representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds have declared the System Restoration Bonds to be immediately due and payable in accordance with Section 5.02 of the Indenture (unless such declaration shall have been rescinded and annulled in accordance with Section 5.02 of the Indenture). However, actual principal payments may be made in lesser than expected amounts and at later than expected times as determined pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Indenture. The entire unpaid principal amount of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond shall be due and payable on the Final Maturity Date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the entire unpaid principal amount of the System Restoration Bonds shall be due and payable, if not then previously paid, on the date on which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Indenture Trustee or the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds have declared the System Restoration Bonds to be immediately due and payable in the manner provided in Section 5.02 of the Indenture (unless such declaration shall have been rescinded and annulled in accordance with Section 5.02 of the Indenture). All principal payments on the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds shall be made pro rata to the Tranche [ - ] Holders entitled thereto based on the respective principal amounts of the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds held by them.
*The form of the reverse of a System Restoration Bond is substantially as follows, unless otherwise specified in the Series Supplement.
Payments of interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond due and payable on each Payment Date, together with the installment of principal or premium, if any, shall be made by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person whose name appears as the Registered Holder of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond (or one or more Predecessor System Restoration Bonds) on the System Restoration Bond Register as of the close of business on the Record Date or in such other manner as may be provided in the Indenture or the Series Supplement, except that if this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond is held in Book-Entry Form, payments will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by the Holder of the applicable Global System Restoration Bond evidencing this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond unless and until such Global System Restoration Bond is exchanged for Definitive System Restoration Bonds (in which event payments shall be made as provided above), and except for the final installment of principal and premium, if any, payable with respect to this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond on a Payment Date which shall be payable as provided below. Any reduction in the principal amount of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond (or any one or more Predecessor System Restoration Bonds) effected by any payments made on any Payment Date shall be binding upon all future Holders of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and of any System Restoration Bond issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted hereon. If funds are expected to be available, as provided in the Indenture, for payment in full of the then remaining unpaid principal amount of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond on a Payment Date, then the Indenture Trustee, in the name of and on behalf of the Issuer, will notify the Person who was the Registered Holder hereof as of the Record Date preceding such Payment Date by notice mailed no later than five (5) days prior to such final Payment Date and shall specify that such final installment will be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and shall specify the place where this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond may be presented and surrendered for payment of such installment.
The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the System Restoration Bond Interest Rate to the extent lawful.
This System Restoration Bond is a “transition bond” as such term is defined in the Securitization Law. Principal and interest due and payable on this System Restoration Bond are payable from and secured primarily by Transition Property created and established by the Financing Order obtained from the Public Utility Commission of Texas pursuant to the Securitization Law. Transition Property consists of the rights and interests of the Seller in the relevant Financing Order, including the right to impose, collect and recover certain charges (defined in the Securitization Law as “transition charges”, including such charges as set forth in Section 36.403(f)) to be included in regular electric utility bills of existing and future electric service customers within the service territory of AEP Texas Central Company, a Texas electric utility, or its successors or assigns, as more fully described in the Financing Order.
The Securitization Law provides that: “Transition bonds are not a debt or obligation of the state and are not a charge on its full faith and credit or taxing power. The state pledges, however, for the benefit and protection of financing parties and the electric utility, that it will not take or permit any action that would impair the value of transition property, or, except as permitted by Section 39.307, reduce, alter, or impair the transition charges to be imposed, collected, and remitted to financing parties, until the principal, interest and premium, and any other charges incurred and contracts to be performed in connection with the related transition bonds have been paid and performed in full. Any party issuing transition bonds is authorized to include this pledge in any documentation relating to those bonds.”
The Issuer and AEP Texas hereby acknowledge that the purchase of this System Restoration Bond by the Holder hereof or the purchase of any beneficial interest herein by any Person are made in reliance on the foregoing pledge.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, the transfer of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond may be registered on the System Restoration Bond Register upon surrender of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond for registration of transfer at the office or agency designated by the Issuer pursuant to the Indenture, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by (a) a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee duly executed by the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, with such signature guaranteed by an institution which is a member of one of the following recognized Signature Guaranty Programs: (i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP); (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP); (iii) The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) in such other guarantee program acceptable to the Indenture Trustee, and (b) such other documents as the Indenture Trustee may require, and thereupon one or more new Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds of Minimum Denominations and in the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be charged for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, but the transferor may be required to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer or exchange, other than exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.04 or 2.06 of the Indenture not involving any transfer.
Each System Restoration Bond holder, by acceptance of a System Restoration Bond, covenants and agrees that no recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee on the System Restoration Bonds or under the Indenture or any certificate or other writing delivered in connection therewith, against (i) any owner of a membership interest in the Issuer (including AEP Texas) or (ii) any shareholder, partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer or employee of the Indenture Trustee, the Managers or any owner of a membership interest in the Issuer (including AEP Texas) in its respective individual or corporate capacities, or of any successor or assign of any of them in their individual or corporate capacities, except as any such Person may have expressly agreed in writing. Each Holder by accepting a System Restoration Bond specifically confirms the nonrecourse nature of these obligations, and waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the System Restoration Bonds.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond is registered (as of the day of determination) as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of the System Restoration Bonds under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer with the consent of the Bondholders representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of all System Restoration Bonds at the time outstanding of each Tranche to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Bondholders representing specified percentages of the Outstanding Amount of the System Restoration Bonds, on behalf of the Holders of all the System Restoration Bonds, to waive compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond (or any one of more Predecessor System Restoration Bonds) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and of any System Restoration Bond issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond. The Indenture also permits the Indenture Trustee to amend or waive certain terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture without the consent of Holders of the System Restoration Bonds issued thereunder.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness of the Issuer on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and (b) certain restrictive covenants and the related Events of Default, upon compliance by the Issuer with certain conditions set forth herein, which provisions apply to this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond.
The term “Issuer” as used in this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond includes any successor to the Issuer under the Indenture.
The Issuer is permitted by the Indenture, under certain circumstances, to merge or consolidate, subject to the rights of the Indenture Trustee and the Bondholders under the Indenture.
The Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds are issuable only in registered form in denominations as provided in the Indenture and the Series Supplement subject to certain limitations therein set forth.
This Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, the Indenture and the Series Supplement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law provisions (other than Section 5-1401 of the New York general obligations law AND SECTIONS 9-301 THROUGH 9-306 OF THE NY UCC), and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws; provided that the creation, attachment and perfection of any Liens created under the Indenture in Transition Property, and all rights and remedies of the Indenture Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Transition Property, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond at the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, by entering into the Indenture, and the Holders and any Persons holding a beneficial interest in any Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, by acquiring any Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond or interest therein, (i) express their intention that, solely for the purpose of federal taxes and, to the extent consistent with applicable state, local and other tax law, solely for the purpose of state, local and other taxes, the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds qualify under applicable tax law as indebtedness of the sole owner of the Issuer secured by the System Restoration Bond Collateral and (ii) solely for purposes of federal taxes and, to the extent consistent with applicable state, local and other tax law, solely for purposes of state, local and other taxes, so long as any of the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds are outstanding, agree to treat the Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bonds as indebtedness of the sole owner of the Issuer secured by the System Restoration Bond Collateral unless otherwise required by appropriate taxing authorities.
9
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM | as tenants in common
|
TEN ENT | as tenants by the entireties
|
JT TEN | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | __________________________Custodian _____________________ (Custodian) (minor) |
Under Uniform Gifts to Minor Act (____________________________) (State) |
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
ASSIGNMENT
Social Security or taxpayer I.D. or other identifying number of assignee ____________
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned2 hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(name and address of assignee)
the within Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond and all rights thereunder, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints ______ , attorney, to transfer said Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: | Signature Guaranteed: | ||
2 SYSTEM RESTORATION BOND: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name of the registered owner as it appears on the face of the within Tranche [ - ] System Restoration Bond in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
NOTE: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an institution which is a member of one of the following recognized Signature Guaranty Programs: (i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP), (iii) the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) or (iv) such other guarantee program acceptable to the Indenture Trustee.
Tranche | Initial Principal Amount | System Restoration Bond Interest Rate | Scheduled Final Payment Date | Final Maturity Date |
AEP TEXAS RESTORATION FUNDING LLC, as Issuer | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE
DATE | TRANCHE | TRANCHE | TRANCHE | TRANCHE | TRANCHE | |||||||||||||||
Issuance Date | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
________ ___, 200_ | ||||||||||||||||||||
________ ___, 200_ | ||||||||||||||||||||
________ ___, 200_ | ||||||||||||||||||||
________ ___, 200_ |
Reg AB Reference | Servicing Criteria | Applicable Indenture Trustee Responsibility |
General Servicing Considerations | ||
1122(d)(1)(i) | Policies and procedures are instituted to monitor any performance or other triggers and events of default in accordance with the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(1)(ii) | If any material servicing activities are outsourced to third parties, policies and procedures are instituted to monitor the third party’s performance and compliance with such servicing activities. | |
1122(d)(1)(iii) | Any requirements in the transaction agreements to maintain a back-up servicer for pool assets are maintained. | |
1122(d)(1)(iv) | A fidelity bond and errors and omissions policy is in effect on the party participating in the servicing function throughout the reporting period in the amount of coverage required by and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(1)(v) | Aggregation of information, as applicable, is mathematically accurate and the information conveyed accurately reflects the information. | |
Cash Collection and Administration | ||
1122(d)(2)(i) | Payments on pool assets are deposited into the appropriate custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts no more than two business days of receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X |
1122(d)(2)(ii) | Disbursements made via wire transfer on behalf of an obligor or to an investor are made only by authorized personnel. | X |
1122(d)(2)(iii) | Advances of funds or guarantees regarding collections, cash flows or distributions, and any interest or other fees charged for such advances, are made, reviewed and approved as specified in the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(2)(iv) | The related accounts for the transaction, such as cash reserve accounts or accounts established as a form of overcollateralization, are separately maintained (e.g., with respect to commingling of cash) as set forth in the transaction agreements. | X |
1122(d)(2)(v) | Each custodial account is maintained at a federally insured depository institution as set forth in the transaction agreements. For purposes of this criterion, “federally insured depository institution” with respect to a foreign financial institution means a foreign financial institution that meets the requirements of Rule 13k-1(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act. | X |
1122(d)(2)(vi) | Unissued checks are safeguarded so as to prevent unauthorized access. | |
1122(d)(2)(vii) | Reconciliations are prepared on a monthly basis for all asset-backed securities related bank accounts, including custodial accounts and related bank clearing accounts. These reconciliations (A) are mathematically accurate; (B) are prepared within 30 calendar days after the bank statement cutoff date, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements; (C) are reviewed and approved by someone other than the person who prepared the reconciliation; and (D) contain explanations for reconciling items. These reconciling items are resolved within 90 calendar days of their original identification, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | |
Investor Remittances and Reporting | ||
1122(d)(3)(i) | Reports to investors, including those to be filed with the Commission, are maintained in accordance with the transaction agreements and applicable Commission requirements. Specifically, such reports (A) are prepared in accordance with timeframes and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements; (B) provide information calculated in accordance with the terms specified in the transaction agreements; (C) are filed with the Commission as required by its rules and regulations; and (D) agree with investors’ or the trustee’s records as to the total unpaid principal balance and number of pool assets serviced by the servicer. | |
1122(d)(3)(ii) | Amounts due to investors are allocated and remitted in accordance with timeframes, distribution priority and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements. | X |
Reg AB Reference | Servicing Criteria | Applicable Indenture Trustee Responsibility |
1122(d)(3)(iii) | Disbursements made to an investor are posted within two business days to the servicer’s investor records, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X |
1122(d)(3)(iv) | Amounts remitted to investors per the investor reports agree with cancelled checks, or other form of payment, or custodial bank statements. | X |
Pool Asset Administration | ||
1122(d)(4)(i) | Collateral or security on pool assets is maintained as required by the transaction agreements or related documents. | |
1122(d)(4)(ii) | Pool assets and related documents are safeguarded as required by the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(iii) | Any additions, removals or substitutions to the asset pool are made, reviewed and approved in accordance with any conditions or requirements in the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(iv) | Payments on pool assets, including any payoffs, made in accordance with the related pool asset documents are posted to the servicer’s obligor records maintained no more than two business days after receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements, and allocated to principal, interest or other items (e.g., escrow) in accordance with the related pool asset documents. | |
1122(d)(4)(v) | The servicer’s records regarding the pool assets agree with the servicer’s records with respect to an obligor’s unpaid principal balance. | |
1122(d)(4)(vi) | Changes with respect to the terms or status of an obligor's pool assets (e.g., loan modifications or re-agings) are made, reviewed and approved by authorized personnel in accordance with the transaction agreements and related pool asset documents. | |
1122(d)(4)(vii) | Loss mitigation or recovery actions (e.g., forbearance plans, modifications and deeds in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosures and repossessions, as applicable) are initiated, conducted and concluded in accordance with the timeframes or other requirements established by the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(viii) | Records documenting collection efforts are maintained during the period any pool asset is delinquent in accordance with the transaction agreements. Such records are maintained on at least a monthly basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements, and describe the entity’s activities in monitoring delinquent pool assets including, for example, phone calls, letters and payment rescheduling plans in cases where delinquency is deemed temporary (e.g., illness or unemployment). | |
1122(d)(4)(ix) | Adjustments to interest rates or rates of return for pool assets with variable rates are computed based on the related pool asset documents. | |
1122(d)(4)(x) | Regarding any funds held in trust for an obligor (such as escrow accounts): (A) such funds are analyzed, in accordance with the obligor’s pool asset documents, on at least an annual basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements; (B) interest on such funds is paid, or credited, to obligors in accordance with applicable pool asset documents and state laws; and (C) such funds are returned to the obligor within 30 calendar days of full repayment of the related pool assets, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(xi) | Payments made on behalf of an obligor (such as tax or insurance payments) are made on or before the related penalty or expiration dates, as indicated on the appropriate bills or notices for such payments, provided that such support has been received by the servicer at least 30 calendar days prior to these dates, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(xii) | Any late payment penalties in connection with any payment to be made on behalf of an obligor are paid from the servicer’s funds and not charged to the obligor, unless the late payment was due to the obligor’s error or omission. | |
1122(d)(4)(xiii) | Disbursements made on behalf of an obligor are posted within two business days to the obligor’s records maintained by the servicer, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(xiv) | Delinquencies, charge-offs and uncollectible accounts are recognized and recorded in accordance with the transaction agreements. | |
1122(d)(4)(xv) | Any external enhancement or other support, identified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) or Item 1115 of Regulation AB, is maintained as set forth in the transaction agreements. |
21