MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
                           666 Grand Avenue, Suite 500
                             Des Moines, Iowa 50309





September 17, 2008

Mr. Mayo A. Shattuck III
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
750 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202


Dear Mayo:

     This letter agreement sets forth the agreement among MidAmerican Energy
Holdings Company or its affiliate (collectively, "Purchaser"), and Constellation
Energy Group, Inc. (the "Company"), pursuant to which the parties will pursue a
proposed transaction which includes the principal terms described in Exhibit A
annexed hereto (the "Proposed Transaction").

1. Publicity; Public Filings. Purchaser and the Company will consult with each
other before issuing, and provide each other the reasonable opportunity to
review, comment upon and concur with, any press release or other public
statements with respect to this letter agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such
public statement prior to such consultation, unless required by applicable law
or the rules of a national securities exchange. In the event that any party
concludes that it is required by law or relevant stock exchange rules to make a
public statement with respect to this letter agreement or the transactions
contemplated herby or make any public filing with respect thereto, including any
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such party will immediately
provide to the other parties hereto for review a copy of any such press release,
statement or filing, and will not issue any such press release, or make any such
public statement or filing, prior to such consultation and review, unless
required by applicable law or the rules of a national securities exchange.

2. Definitive Agreement; Diligence Access. (a) Purchaser and the Company will
immediately commence good faith negotiations with a view to agreeing upon a
definitive merger agreement, definitive preferred stock investment agreement and
articles supplementary and other definitive agreements relating to the Proposed
Transaction and related transactions on a basis consistent with the terms and
conditions set forth on Exhibit A and which are otherwise mutually acceptable to
the parties in their respective sole discretion. It is the parties intention to
work expeditiously toward execution of a definitive merger agreement, the other
definitive agreements and definitive ancillary documents as soon as reasonably
possible, and in any event prior to 5:00





p.m. (New York City time) on Friday, September 19, 2008. Purchaser agrees that
it will not require a financing condition in the definitive purchase agreement.

(b) Commencing immediately, the Company will, and will cause their respective
Representatives to, provide full and immediate access to their respective
properties, assets, records and employees for the purposes of allowing Purchaser
and its Representatives to conduct due diligence with respect to the business of
the Company and the related transactions, but only to the extent that the
Company may do so without violating applicable laws or violating any
non-waivable obligations to third parties. Purchaser's investigation shall be
conducted in a manner that minimizes interference with the operation of the
business of the Company.

3. Exclusivity. During the period commencing immediately on the date of
execution of this letter agreement and ending on the earlier of the date of
execution of a definitive merger agreement and 5:00 p.m. New York City time,
September 19, 2008 (the "Exclusivity Period"), none of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys,
accountants, investment bankers and other agents or representatives
(collectively, "Representatives") will, directly or indirectly, solicit,
encourage, cooperate with, approve or permit any offers, bids or indications of
interest, or initiate or engage in negotiations with any person other than
Purchaser, with respect to the business of the Company or any part thereof or
any other transaction which would conflict with the intent of this letter
agreement, including without limitation any (i) direct or indirect acquisition
or purchase by any person or entity of more than 10% of the voting securities
of, or equity interest in, the Company or any of its material subsidiaries or
(ii) merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, or any recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving the Company or any material subsidiary thereof
(collectively, "Alternative Transactions"). The Company and its Representatives
shall immediately cease any ongoing discussions or negotiations with any third
party with respect to any Alternative Transaction. Except as permitted by
Paragraph 2 of this letter agreement, none of the Company or its Representatives
shall furnish, or authorize or permit any of their respective Representatives to
furnish, any information concerning this letter agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby to any person or entity or any non-public information
regarding the Company's business or any part thereof to any person or entity. In
the event that any person or entity should seek to initiate negotiations
relative to an Alternative Transaction or any other material transaction
regarding the Company's business or any part thereof, the Company shall
immediately notify Purchaser of such contact and the material terms and
conditions of any offer.

4. Fees and Expenses. Subject to the prior receipt of the Board Approval (as
defined below in Paragraph 5), by no later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on
September 18, 2008, the Purchaser shall have received from the Company the sum
of $25,000,000, in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
account designated in writing by the Purchaser to the Company, which payment
shall be non-refundable under any and all circumstances. In exchange, the
Purchaser agrees that it will be responsible for its own costs and expenses in
connection with this letter agreement and the drafting, negotiation and
execution of the definitive agreements, including all fees and expenses of its
attorneys, accountants, consultants, investment bankers, finders or brokers.


                                     - 2 -





5. Non-Binding Purchase and Sale Commitment; Termination. The parties
acknowledge and agree that they have not reached agreement upon, and this letter
does not reflect, all matters upon which agreement must be reached in order for
the proposed acquisition to be consummated. Moreover, this letter agreement does
not obligate either party to negotiate, execute or consummate a definitive
merger agreement or other definitive agreements relating to the Proposed
Transaction. A binding commitment with respect to the Proposed Transaction (or
any related transaction) will result only from the execution of a definitive
merger agreement, a definitive preferred stock investment agreement and other
ancillary definitive agreements with respect thereto, subject to such conditions
as may be contained therein, and remains subject to the prior approval of the
Company's board of directors and the exercise by the board of its fiduciary
obligations. Nonetheless, Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 and this Paragraph 5 of this
letter agreement are intended to constitute binding obligations of the parties
hereto. Except for Paragraph 4 and this Paragraph 5 of this letter agreement
which shall survive, this letter agreement shall terminate (i) in the event the
Board of Directors of the Company does not approve this letter agreement by 9:00
a.m. New York City time on September 18, 2008 (the "Board Approval") or (ii) in
the event the Board Approval is received, upon the expiration of the Exclusivity
Period, unless such period is mutually extended by the parties hereto. This
letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the state of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed
within such state.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


                                     - 3 -





Please confirm that you are in agreement with the foregoing by signing the
enclosed copy of this letter agreement and returning it to the undersigned
before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, September 17, 2008.

                              Very truly yours,

                              MIDAMERICAN ENERGY HOLDINGS COMPANY


                              By:/s/ Gregory E. Abel
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:   Gregory E. Abel
                                 Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer



Accepted and Agreed as of September17, 2008:

CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.


By:/s/ Mayo A. Shattuck III
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Name:   Mayo A. Shattuck III
   Title:  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


                                     - 4 -





                                    Exhibit A
                                    ---------
                           Principal Transaction Terms
                           ---------------------------



- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCK:
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Issuer:                            Constellation Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland
                                   corporation ("CEG" or the "Company")
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Purchaser:                         MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
                                   ("Purchaser")
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Type of Security:                  Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par
                                   value $0.01 per share (the "Series A
                                   Preferred Stock").
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Securities to be Purchased:        Purchaser would invest an aggregage of
                                   $1 billion (the "Invested Amount") in
                                   exchangefor shares of Series A Preferred
                                   Stock at purchase price of $100,000 per
                                   share upon the execution of the definitive
                                   purchase agreement and the receipt of any
                                   required regulatory approvals.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Terms of Series A Preferred        Dividends
Stock:                             ---------

                                   8% per annum payable in cash, cumulative and
                                   compounding quarterly, payable when and as
                                   authorized by the Board of Directors of the
                                   Company (the "Board of Directors") and prior
                                   and in preference to any other series or
                                   class of stock of the Company; restriction on
                                   payment of dividends on capital stock in any
                                   year unless all dividends on the Series A
                                   Preferred Stock have been paid in full. Such
                                   dividends shall be payable on the date prior
                                   to the payment date of the Company's regular
                                   quarterly dividend.

                                   Mandatory Conversion
                                   --------------------

                                   Upon the occurrence of a Conversion Date (as
                                   defined below), the Series A Preferred Stock
                                   shall automatically convert into: (i) a
                                   number of shares of the Company's Common
                                   Stock equal to 19.9% of the Company's
                                   outstanding Common Stock on the date the
                                   Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
                                   is executed and (ii) $1 billion aggregate
                                   principal amount of the Company's 14% Senior
                                   Notes having the terms described below under
                                   "Terms of 14% Senior Notes". "Conversion
                                   Date" shall mean the first to occur of: (i)
                                   the date that is 6 months following the
                                   Purchaser's exercise of the Limited Due
                                   Diligence Termination Right (as defined
                                   below) if the Company has not redeemed the
                                   Series A Preferred Stock by such date, (ii)
                                   the date the Merger Agreement is terminated
                                   (other than upon exercise of the Limited Due
                                   Diligence Termination Right or due to a
                                   breach of the agreement by the Purchaser) and
                                   (iii) the drop dead date of the Merger
                                   Agreement,
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   including any extension thereof by the
                                   Company or the Purchaser.

                                   Treatment of Dividends on Conversion
                                   ------------------------------------

                                   Upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
                                   Stock, any accrued but unpaid dividends
                                   thereon would be paid to the holder of the
                                   converted shares in cash.

                                   Liquidation Preference
                                   ----------------------

                                   Upon the occurrence of a Liquidation Event
                                   (as hereinafter defined), the holders of
                                   Series A Preferred Stock would be entitled to
                                   receive, in preference to the holders of the
                                   Common Stock and the holders of any other
                                   capital stock of the Company, an amount in
                                   cash equal to the Invested Amount plus all
                                   accrued but unpaid dividends thereon (the
                                   "Liquidation Preference").

                                   "Liquidation Event" would mean, (i) any
                                   liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
                                   Company or (ii) a consolidation, merger,
                                   reorganization or other form of acquisition
                                   of the Company (including through a stock
                                   purchase) or a sale of all or substantially
                                   all of its assets, except in cases where the
                                   stockholders of the Company immediately prior
                                   to such transaction own more than 50% of the
                                   voting stock of the Company or, if
                                   applicable, the resulting or surviving
                                   corporation, immediately following such
                                   transaction; provided, however, that the
                                   consummation of the transactions contemplated
                                   by the Merger Agreement shall not be deemed
                                   to constitute a Liquidation Event.

                                   Redemption at Option of Holder
                                   ------------------------------

                                   At any time on or after the second
                                   anniversary of the initial issuance date of
                                   the Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of
                                   the Series A Preferred Stock would be
                                   entitled to require the Company to redeem the
                                   Series A Preferred Stock at an aggregate
                                   redemption price equal to the Liquidation
                                   Preference of the Series A Preferred Stock.

                                   Redemption at Option of the Company
                                   -----------------------------------

                                   During the 6 month period following
                                   Purchaser's exercise of the Limited Due
                                   Diligence Termination Right, the Company
                                   shall have the right to redeem the Series A
                                   Preferred Stock at an aggregate redemption
                                   price equal to the Liquidation Preference of
                                   the Series A Preferred Stock.

                                   Voting Rights
                                   -------------

                                   Except as set forth below, holders of Series
                                   A Preferred Stock would not be entitled to
                                   vote on any matters presented to the holders
                                   of Common Stock.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   Without the approval of the holders of a
                                   majority of the outstanding shares of Series
                                   A Preferred Stock, the Company would not, and
                                   would not permit any subsidiary to:

                                   1.   in the case of the Company, alter or
                                        amend the preferences, privileges or
                                        rights of the Series A Preferred Stock
                                        or create any class of shares senior to
                                        or pari passu with the Series A
                                        Preferred Stock in any respect;

                                   2.   liquidate or dissolve or file a
                                        voluntary petition for bankruptcy or
                                        adopt any plan for any of the foregoing;

                                   3.   amend the Company's or any subsidiary's
                                        Charter or Bylaws or equivalent
                                        organizational documents;

                                   4.   increase the amount of the Company's
                                        regular quarterly cash dividend, pay any
                                        special dividend or distribution or
                                        otherwise repurchase or redeem any
                                        equity securities, other than as
                                        required by the terms of equity
                                        securities outstanding on the date of
                                        issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock
                                        or in the case of the Company, authorize
                                        or issue any shares of capital having a
                                        right to dividends (other than Common
                                        Stock) or redemption;

                                   5.   permit the Company or any of its
                                        subsidiaries to incur any indebtedness
                                        for borrowed money, other than the
                                        incurrence by the Company of senior
                                        unsecured debt ranking pari passu with
                                        the Company's existing senior unsecured
                                        debt in the ordinary course of business
                                        consistent with past practice and the
                                        Company's current business plan and
                                        Baltimore Gas & Electric Company ("BGE")
                                        may issue new debt consistent with both
                                        its past practices and regulatory
                                        approvals;

                                   6.   take any action that require common
                                        shareholder approval if the dividend has
                                        not been paid for two consecutive
                                        quarters, excluding the election of
                                        directors and the ratification of the
                                        Company's independent auditors; or

                                   7.   other mutually agreed covenants.

                                   Adjustments
                                   -----------

                                   The number of shares of Common Stock issuable
                                   upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
                                   Stock shall be appropriately adjusted to give
                                   effect to any stock split, recapitalization,
                                   stock dividend or similar event.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Information Rights:                At any time that the Company is not required
                                   to file periodic reports with the SEC, the
                                   Company would be required to provide the
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   Purchaser the following information:

                                   1.   consolidated unaudited monthly financial
                                        statements prepared in accordance with
                                        US GAAP (including an income statement,
                                        balance sheet, and cash flow statement,
                                        with comparisons to budget and prior
                                        year) within 30 days of month-end,
                                        consolidated unaudited quarterly
                                        financial statements prepared in
                                        accordance with US GAAP (including an
                                        income statement, balance sheet, and
                                        cash flow statement, with comparisons to
                                        budget and prior year) within 30 days of
                                        quarter-end, and annual consolidated
                                        audited financial statements within 90
                                        days of fiscal year-end (certified by a
                                        "Big 4" accounting firm);

                                   2.   customary notices of material events
                                        (e.g., litigation, etc.); and

                                   3.   such other information and access as the
                                        Investors may reasonably request.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Registration Rights:               At the expense of the Company, the
                                   Purchaser would have the following demand and
                                   piggyback registration rights as to the
                                   Series A Preferred Stock (and the securities
                                   issuable upon conversion thereof): up to two
                                   (2) demand rights, unlimited S-3
                                   registrations; and unlimited piggyback
                                   rights; standard underwriting control
                                   arrangements and lockup.

                                   Contemporaneously with the issuance of the
                                   Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A
                                   Preferred Stock, the Company shall file and
                                   as promptly as practicable thereafter have
                                   declared effective, a resale registration
                                   statement on Form S-3 (or any successor
                                   form).
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Board of Directors; Board          For so long as the Purchaser or its
Observer:                          affiliates owns at least 33.3% of the shares
                                   of Series A Preferred Stock originally issued
                                   to it or 50% of the shares of Common Stock
                                   issued to Purchaser or its affiliates upon
                                   conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock,
                                   the Purchaser shall have the right to
                                   nominate to the Board of Directors one
                                   individual to the Board of Directors. The
                                   size of the board will be increased as
                                   necessary to provide for the foregoing board
                                   seat, and the individual designated by the
                                   Purchaser will be appointed to the Board of
                                   Directors to occupy such seat. So long as the
                                   Purchaser is entitled to nominate one member
                                   to the Board of Directors, such nominee would
                                   have the right to be a member of each
                                   committee of the Board of Directors
                                   established from time to time, subject to the
                                   terms of applicable law. The Board of
                                   Directors shall take all necessary actions to
                                   cause the Purchaser nominee to be appointed
                                   to the Board of Directors.

                                   If the Purchaser chooses not to exercise its
                                   right to nominate a member to the Board of
                                   Directors, the Purchaser shall have the right
                                   to designate one person as an observer, which
                                   person would have
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   the right to attend and participate in all
                                   meetings of, and receive all material
                                   distributed to, the Board of Directors,
                                   subject to customary exceptions. Observer
                                   rights extend to committees.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Closing Conditions:                The purchase of the Series A Preferred Stock
                                   would be subject to customary conditions to
                                   closing, including negotiation, execution and
                                   delivery of definitive agreements setting
                                   forth the foregoing terms and containing
                                   customary representations, warranties,
                                   covenants and conditions, including the
                                   receipt of any required governmental consents
                                   and approvals, the waiver by each executive
                                   officer of the right to receive replacements
                                   options pursuant to such executive officer's
                                   severance agreements upon the consummation of
                                   the Merger and the execution of the Merger
                                   Agreement by each of the parties thereto.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Transferability:                   The Series A Preferred Stock (and Common
                                   Stock and 14% Senior Notes issued upon
                                   conversion thereof) shall be freely
                                   transferable, subject to compliance with
                                   applicable securities laws.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Terms of the 14% Senior Notes      Issuer
                                   ------

                                   The 14% Senior Notes shall be issued by the
                                   Company.

                                   Guarantors
                                   ----------

                                   The 14% Senior Notes shall be guaranteed by
                                   the Company's subsidiaries, other than BGE.

                                   Interest Rate
                                   -------------

                                   The principal amount of the 14% Senior Notes
                                   shall accrue interest at an annual rate of
                                   14%. During the continuance of an Event of
                                   Default, interest shall accrue at a rate 3%
                                   greater than otherwise applicable. Interest
                                   shall be payable monthly in cash.

                                   Maturity Date
                                   -------------

                                   The 14% Senior Notes shall mature and be due
                                   and payable in full on the first anniversary
                                   of the original issuance date of the notes.

                                   Ranking
                                   -------

                                   The 14% Senior Notes shall rank pari passu
                                   with the senior most unsecured debt of the
                                   Company.

                                   Covenants
                                   ---------

                                   The 14% Senior Notes will include negative
                                   covenants restricting the Company from
                                   incurring senior or pari passu debt and the
                                   Company's subsidiaries from incurring any
                                   debt, or the Company or its subsidiaries from
                                   making restricted payments, engaging in
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   fundamental changes (i.e., mergers, sales of
                                   assets, etc.) and other customary
                                   restrictions; provided, however, that the
                                   Company may refinance debt maturing within 6
                                   months and the Company's subsidiaries may
                                   refinance existing debt, in each case, in
                                   principal amounts and at rankings not to
                                   exceed the existing principal amount or
                                   rankings of the debt refinanced and Baltimore
                                   Gas & Electric Company may issue new debt
                                   consistent with both its past practices and
                                   regulatory approvals. The 14% Senior Notes
                                   will include customary affirmative covenants
                                   like information covenants.

                                   Events of Default
                                   -----------------

                                   Customary events of default including a cross
                                   default on debt of the Company and its
                                   subsidiaries.

                                   Change of Control Offer
                                   -----------------------

                                   Upon a change of control (other than
                                   resulting from the Merger (as defined
                                   below)), the Company shall be required to
                                   offer to purchase the Notes at 101% of the
                                   outstanding aggregate principal amount
                                   thereof plus any unaccrued but unpaid
                                   interest thereon.

                                   Expenses and Indemnification
                                   ----------------------------

                                   Customary provisions providing for
                                   reimbursement of expenses and indemnification
                                   of the Holder.

                                   Governing Law and Jurisdiction
                                   ------------------------------

                                   New York law and New York courts
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
MERGER AGREEMENT
- ----------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Structure:                         A wholly owned subsidiary of Purchaser shall
                                   merge with and into the Company with the
                                   Company as the surviving corporation (the
                                   "Merger").
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Merger Consideration:              $26.50 per share of Common Stock.  All
                                   outstanding preferred stock of the Company,
                                   other than the Series A Preferred Stock,
                                   shall be redeemed upon the closing of the
                                   Merger.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Representations and Warranties:    The Merger Agreement will contain
                                   representations and warranties reasonably
                                   acceptable to Purchaser.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Closing Conditions:                The Merger Agreement will contain customary
                                   closing conditions reasonably acceptable to
                                   Purchaser. The Merger will not be subject to
                                   a financing condition. Closing conditions
                                   will include (i) the senior unsecured debt of
                                   the Company must be rated investment grade
                                   with no less than a stable outlook by
                                   Moody's, S&P and
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   Fitch, (ii) that as of the closing date the
                                   Purchaser would not be entitled to exercise
                                   the Limited Due Diligence Termination Right
                                   (assuming such right was exercisable as of
                                   the closing date, the determination period
                                   runs from the June 30, 2008 to the closing
                                   date and that an adverse net economic change
                                   in excess of $400 million shall be deemed to
                                   be material for purposes of the closing
                                   condition) and (iii) the absence of a
                                   material adverse effect.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Regulatory Approvals:              The Company and the Purchaser will agree to
                                   cooperate to obtain all required regulatory
                                   approvals; provided, however, that in no
                                   event shall the Purchaser or Company agree
                                   to, without the prior written consent of the
                                   other party (which consent may be withheld in
                                   such party's sole discretion), (i) capital
                                   expenditures, (ii) rate reductions or (iii)
                                   actions otherwise, individually or in
                                   aggregate, having an adverse effect on either
                                   the Purchaser or the Company, in each case in
                                   excess of an amount deemed acceptable to the
                                   Purchaser in its reasonable discretion.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Non-Solicitation; Special          From and after the date of the Merger
Meeting                            Agreement, the Company shall be bound by a
                                   non-solicitation/no shop clause reasonably
                                   acceptable to Purchaser. Therefore, if the
                                   Company receives an unsolicited bona-fide
                                   acquisition proposal (to be defined in the
                                   Merger Agreement) prior to obtaining
                                   stockholder approval for the Merger, which
                                   constitutes a Superior Proposal (to be
                                   defined in the Merger Agreement), the Company
                                   may engage in discussions with and share
                                   information with the proposing party. The
                                   Company shall promptly notify the Purchaser
                                   of the material terms of any such proposal
                                   (including the identity of the party making
                                   the proposal) and keep the Purchaser informed
                                   on a current basis as to any significant
                                   changes or developments with respect to any
                                   proposal or other written or oral inquiries.

                                   The Company may not terminate the Merger
                                   Agreement in order to accept a Superior
                                   Proposal prior to the holding of the
                                   stockholder meeting to approve the
                                   Merger and the other transactions
                                   contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

                                   Following a stockholder vote rejecting the
                                   Merger and assuming stockholder approval of
                                   the Merger has not been obtained, the Company
                                   may terminate the Merger Agreement in order
                                   to accept a Superior Proposal, but only if
                                   (i) the Company nor its representatives have
                                   breached the non-solicitation covenants, (ii)
                                   the Company has provided the Purchaser with
                                   5-business days advance notice in writing of
                                   its intent to do so and such Superior
                                   Proposal remains a Superior Proposal at the
                                   end of such 5-business day period and (iii)
                                   the Company has paid the Termination Fee to
                                   the Purchaser.

                                   The Company shall be required to call and
                                   hold a Special Stockholders Meeting as
                                   promptly as practicable following the
                                   execution of the Merger Agreement for the
                                   purposes of obtaining
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                   stockholder approval of the Merger and the
                                   other transactions contemplated by the Merger
                                   Agreement. The Company shall file the
                                   preliminary proxy statement relating to the
                                   Special Stockholders Meeting as promptly as
                                   practicable (but in any event within 30 days)
                                   following the execution of the Merger
                                   Agreement.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Covenants:                         The Company will agree to operating covenants
                                   during the pendency of the Merger Agreement
                                   reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, including
                                   a restriction on the payment of dividends and
                                   a prohibition on the issuance of capital
                                   stock.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
D&O Indemnification;               The Purchaser will agree to continue the
Insurance:                         indemnification and exculpation provisions
                                   currently contained in the Company's articles
                                   of incorporation or bylaws and shall agree to
                                   continue the current D&O policy for the
                                   benefit of the Company's officers and
                                   directors for a period of 6 years following
                                   the closing of the Merger; provided, however,
                                   that the Purchaser shall not be required to
                                   pay premiums in excess of 150% of the current
                                   premiums paid by the Company.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Termination Fee:                   In consideration for the purchase of the
                                   Series A Preferred Stock and the execution of
                                   the Merger Agreement, in the event the Merger
                                   Agreement is terminated for any reason,
                                   including without limitation, upon a
                                   withdrawal of the Board's recommendation of
                                   the transactions contemplated by the Merger
                                   Agreement, the occurrence of the drop dead
                                   date, a termination to accept a Superior
                                   Proposal, a breach of the Merger Agreement by
                                   the Company or otherwise, other than upon
                                   exercise of the Limited Due Diligence
                                   Termination Right or due to a breach of the
                                   agreement by the Purchaser, the Company shall
                                   pay a termination fee of $175 million to the
                                   Purchaser contemporaneously with the
                                   termination of the Merger Agreement.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Limited Due Diligence              For a period of 14 days following the later
Termination Right                  of the execution of the Merger Agreement and
                                   the date the Company and the Purchaser agree
                                   that the Purchaser and its representatives
                                   have been given full access to the Company's
                                   books and records relating to the retail and
                                   wholesale businesses, trading records and
                                   appropriate personnel, the Purchaser shall
                                   have the right to terminate the Merger
                                   Agreement if the Purchaser determines, in its
                                   sole discretion, that since June 30, 2008
                                   either the retail and/or wholesale businesses
                                   or assets have materially deteriorated. The
                                   parties agree that an adverse change in the
                                   net economic value of such businesses or
                                   assets in excess of $200 million shall be
                                   deemed to be material for purposes of the
                                   Limited Due Diligence Termination Right.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Non-Survival:                      The representations and warranties shall not
                                   survive the closing of the Merger.
- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------





- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Remedies:                          The Purchaser shall be entitled to seek
                                   specific performance of the Company's
                                   obligations under the agreement. The
                                   Company's sole and exclusive recourse against
                                   the Purchaser and its affiliates shall be
                                   limited to a right to offset against any
                                   obligations under the Series A Preferred
                                   Stock or the securities issuable upon
                                   conversion thereof.
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Drop Dead Date:                    9 months following the execution of the
                                   Merger Agreement, which date may be
                                   extended by the Purchaser or the Company for
                                   up to 3 months.
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Governing Law for Merger:          Maryland
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