Investing activities:
The decrease in net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, was the result of a decrease in investments in renewable energy tax credit investment funds and a decrease in capital expenditures. The decrease in investments in renewable energy tax credit funds was the result of the timing of tax credit equity investments in the current period, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The Company has entered into an agreement to make additional tax credit equity investments in the current year; however, the timing of such investments is variable and outside of the Company’s control. The decrease in capital expenditures was primarily due to a lower level of distribution expansion projects in the current period, as compared to the same period in the prior year.
Financing activities:
The increase in net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, was attributable to the prior year benefit provided by the issuance of $500 million aggregate principle amount of senior notes, an increase in repurchases of our common stock during the current period, as compared to the same period in the prior year, and the current period redemption of $300 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, partially offset by net repayments on our revolving credit facility in the prior year.
Unsecured revolving credit facility:
On June 15, 2021, the Company entered into a new credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a five-year $1.8 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) arranged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which is scheduled to mature in June of 2026. The Credit Agreement includes a $200 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $75 million sub-limit for swing line borrowings. As described in the Credit Agreement governing the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may, from time to time, subject to certain conditions, increase the aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility by up to $900 million, provided that the aggregate amount of the commitments does not exceed $2.7 billion at any time.
In conjunction with the closing of the Credit Agreement, the Company’s previous credit agreement, which was originally entered into on April 5, 2017, was terminated (the “Terminated Credit Agreement”), and all outstanding loans and commitments under the Terminated Credit Agreement were terminated and replaced by the loans and commitments under the Credit Agreement.
As of June 30, 2021, we had outstanding letters of credit, primarily to support obligations related to workers’ compensation, general liability and other insurance policies, in the amount of $84.0 million, reducing the aggregate availability under the Credit Agreement by that amount. As of June 30, 2021, we did not have any outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Senior Notes:
On June 15, 2021, we redeemed our $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 at a redemption price of $300 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the date of redemption.
As of June 30, 2021, we have issued and outstanding a cumulative $3.9 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes, which are due between 2022 and 2031, with UMB Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank as trustees. Interest on the senior notes, ranging from 1.750% to 4.350%, is payable semi-annually and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor under our senior notes.
Debt covenants:
The indentures governing our senior notes contain covenants that limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to, among other things, create certain liens on assets to secure certain debt and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions, and limit our ability to merge or consolidate with another company or transfer all or substantially all of our property, in each case as set forth in the indentures. These covenants are, however, subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. As of June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with the covenants applicable to our senior notes.
The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.50:1.00 and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.50:1.00. The consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio includes a calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and non-cash share-based compensation expense to fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest expense, capitalized interest and rent expense. The consolidated leverage ratio includes a calculation of adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and non-cash share-based compensation expense. Adjusted debt includes outstanding debt, outstanding stand-by letters of credit and similar instruments, five-times rent expense and excludes any premium or discount recorded in conjunction with the issuance of long-term debt. In the event that we should default on any covenant contained within the Credit Agreement, certain actions may be taken, including, but not limited to, possible termination