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EXHIBIT 10.58
SITE AGREEMENT
By and Between
NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION
and
HUNTLEY POWER LLC
Dated May 11, 1999
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SITE AGREEMENT
This Site Agreement is entered into on May 11, 1999(the "Agreement") by
and between Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation ("Seller") a New York corporation,,
and Huntley Power LLC ("Buyer"), a Delaware limited liability company
(individually each a "Party" and collectively the "Parties").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Seller and NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NRG") have
entered into an Asset Sales Agreement dated December 23, 1998, for the sale of
certain of Seller's electric generating assets;
WHEREAS, NRG has assigned all of its right and obligation under the Asset
Sales Agreement to Buyer;
WHEREAS, Seller intends to continue to operate Seller's transmission and
distribution businesses from their present locations;
WHEREAS, in the Asset Sale Agreement, Seller has agreed to transfer to
Buyer certain designated real and personal properties, contracts, and licenses
constituting certain of Seller's electric generating assets and has retained
certain designated real and personal properties, contracts and licenses
associated with Seller's transmission and distribution businesses;
WHEREAS, Seller requires access to parts of the electric generating
assets acquired by Buyer and Buyer requires access to parts of the transmission
and distribution assets retained by Seller to conduct their respective
businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to define the continuing responsibilities and
obligations that each has to the other with respect to access to, the use of,
and the services to be provided for and in respect to the property, assets and
facilities of the other.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, covenants
and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Parties agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Wherever used in this Agreement with initial capitalization,, the
following terms shall have the meanings specified or referred to in this Article
1. Any term with initial capitalization not defined herein, has the meaning set
forth in the ASA or the Interconnection Agreement.
1.2 "Asset Sales Agreement" or "ASA" shall mean the Asset Sales
Agreement dated as of December 23, 1998, between Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation and NRG.
1.3 "Black Start Capability" shall mean the ability of a generating
unit or station to go from a shutdown condition to an operating condition and
start delivering power without assistance from the electric system.
1.4 "Closing(s)" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.5 "Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.6 "Delivery Point" shall the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.7 "Distribution System" shall mean Niagara Mohawk's distribution
equipment operated for delivery of electric energy to interconnected customers
unless otherwise noted.
1.8 "Easement" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.9 "Electric System Bulletin No. 756" or "ESB 756" shall mean Niagara
Mohawk Power Corporation's Electric System Bulletin 756, dated December 1997,
attached as Schedule B to this Agreement, as it may be amended or revised from
time to time.
1.10 "Energy Management System" or "EMS" shall mean Seller's computer
based system used primarily for the real time operation of Seller's existing
power generation, transmission and distribution facilities.
1.11 "Environmental Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
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1.12 "Excluded Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.13 "FERC" shall mean the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
1.14 "Good Utility Practice" shall mean any of the practices, methods
and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the electric
industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and
acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known
at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the
desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices,
reliability, safety and expedition. Good Utility Practice is not intended to be
limited to the optimum practice, method, or act, to the exclusion of all others,
but rather to be acceptable practices, methods, or acts generally accepted in
the region and consistently adhered to by the Seller. Good Utility Practice
shall include, but not be limited to, North American Electric Reliability
Council ("NERC"), Northeast Power Coordinating Council ("NPCC"), and New York
Power Pool ("NYPP") or successor organizations policies, criteria, guidelines,
rules and standards, as they may be amended or reused from time to time.
1.15 "Hazardous Substances" shall have the meaning set forth in the
ASA.
1.16 "Interconnection Agreement" shall mean a separate Interconnection
Agreement(s) dated as of April 20, 1999, between Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation and Buyer pertaining to the electric generating facilities included
in the Purchased Assets.
1.17 "Interconnection Facility" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Interconnection Agreement.
1.18 "Interconnection Point" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Interconnection Agreement.
1.19 "Maintain" shall mean construct, reconstruct, install, inspect,
repair, replace, operate, patrol, maintain, use, modernize, expand, upgrade,
modify or other similar activities.
1.20 "Metering Point" ("MP") shall mean the location of instrument
transformers used to measure current and voltage for the purpose of power and
energy metering. These locations are shown, in part, on the interconnection
diagrams included in Appendix A.
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1.21 "NYPP" shall mean New York Power Pool or its successor.
1.22 "NYPP Tariff" shall mean the New York Power Pool's Open Access
Transmission Tariff as filed with FERC on ________________, or revised amended
from time to time.
1.23 "NERC" shall mean North American Electric Reliability Council.
1.24 "NPCC" shall mean Northeast Power Coordinating Council, a regional
reliability coordination body.
1.25 "Primary Systems" shall mean bulk power equipment such as
transformers, circuit breakers, rigid or strain bus and other equipment
operating at or above 600 volts.
1.26 "Purchased Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.27 "Qualified Personnel" shall mean individuals (i) who meet the
standards and requirements set forth at 29 C.F.R. Section 1910.269(a)(2) (1998),
as amended; and (ii) if performing switching, tagging or grounding of electrical
equipment, who are appropriately trained and meet the qualifications and
requirements to switch, tag and ground electrical equipment as set forth in
"Switching and Tagging Rules" attached as Schedule H to this Agreement and
"Testing and Grounding for the Protection of Employees" attached as Schedule I
to this Agreement.
1.28 "Release" shall have the meaning set forth in the ASA.
1.29 "Revenue Metering Point" shall mean the location on the power
system where electrical measurements of power and energy supplied or received in
all four quadrants (kW, kWH, kVAR, kVARH, etc.) are determined for the purpose
of reconciliation between the parties. These quantities are either measured
directly by instrumentation installed at the metering point or determined
indirectly through the application of compensation factors to the measurements
made by instrumentation installed in proximity to the revenue metering point,
which is generally shown as the Delivery Point on the interconnection diagrams
in Appendix A.
1.30 "Revenue Meters" shall mean all kWH, kVAH, and kVARH meters pulse
isolation relays, pulse conversion relays, associated totalizing and Remote
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Access Pulse Recorder (RAPR) equipment required to measure the transfer of
energy between the Parties.
1.31 "Right of Way Access" shall mean the existing gates, roadways,
paths or other means of access required to gain entry to the Transmission or
Distribution System assets located on or within the property or facilities of
the other Party.
1.32 "Routine Inspection and Maintenance" shall mean any inspection
and/or work required pursuant to Good Utility Practice on either Party's
property or facilities to ensure and maintain reliable substation, transmission,
and distribution operations.
1.33 "Secondary Systems" shall mean control or power circuits that
operate below 600 volts, ac or dc, including but not limited to any hardware,
control or protective devices, cables, conductor, electric raceways, secondary
equipment panels, transducers, batteries, chargers, and voltage and current
transformers where signals or energy may be used by Buyer and/or Seller.
1.34 "Separation Document" shall mean such documents or exhibits
delineated as such and which have been provided to and adopted by Buyer which
describe the Purchased Assets and Excluded Assets and define and identify the
ownership and dispatch points of demarcation of said assets.
1.35 "Service Point" shall mean the point of connection between the
facilities of Seller and the equipment of Buyer.
1.36 "Shared-Use Equipment" shall mean that equipment that Buyer and
Seller may jointly operate for the benefit of their respective operations as is
identified in Schedule A to this Agreement.
1.37 "Site" shall mean the location of all the plant equipment and real
property associated with each electric generating facility included in the
Purchased Assets.
1.38 "Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan" or "SPCC" shall
mean a plan developed in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 112 to be implemented
for onshore facilities that includes physical structures and other measures to
respond to and to prevent spills of oil or hazardous substances from reaching
navigable waters.
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1.39 "Stormwater Management" shall mean physical structures and other
measures used to collect, store, treat, or dispose of water as a result of rain,
snow, or other precipitation, including snow melt runoff, surface runoff and
drainage.
1.40 "Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan" or "SWPPP" shall mean a
plan developed in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 122 to be implemented to
control and monitor stormwater discharges associated with industrial or
construction activities.
1.41 "Switching and Tagging Rules" shall mean the document attached as
Schedule H to this Agreement and as may be amended from time to time.
1.42 "SPDES" shall mean State Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems
permit.
1.43 "Testing and Grounding for the Protection of Employees" shall mean
the document attached as Schedule I to this Agreement and as may be amended from
time to time.
1.44 "Transmission System" shall mean Niagara Mohawk's transmission
system including any modifications subsequent to the date of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
TERM AND DELINEATION OF ASSETS
2.1 This Agreement shall become effective as of the Closing Date, and
shall continue in full force and effect for 40 years (the "Term"). Upon notice
by either Party at the end of the thirty-eighth (38) year of a desire to extend
this Agreement, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to extend this
Agreement on mutually agreeable terms.
2.2 The points of demarcation between the Purchased Assets and the
Excluded Assets are the service points as set forth in Schedule A of this
Agreement.
2.3 Seller shall own the grounding grid, ductbanks, cable raceway, and
drains within the boundaries of Seller's property. Buyer shall own the grounding
grid, ductbanks, cable raceway, and drains within the boundaries of Buyer's
property. For Seller's equipment located on Buyer's property, Seller shall own
the connection to Buyer's ground grid and drains. Seller shall own the cables
attached to Seller's
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equipment regardless of location. For Buyer's equipment located on Seller's
property, Buyer shall own the connection to Seller's ground grid and drains.
Buyer shall own the cables attached to Buyer's equipment regardless of location.
Both Buyer and Seller shall be responsible for ensuring continuity of the above
items on and between their respective properties.
2.4 Seller shall own the fencing that immediately surrounds Seller's
property or equipment unless otherwise specified. Buyer shall own all other
fencing on the site. In the event that the parties share a common fencing
location, the Buyer shall own the fence and provide the Seller with all
necessary access to Seller's property and equipment.
2.5 The Parties agree to work cooperatively over time to supplement
the Separation Document, as necessary, and to take such other reasonable steps
to further clarify the delineation between the Purchased Assets and the Excluded
Assets.
ARTICLE 3
SITE ACCESS
3.1 The Parties acknowledge that each has granted permanent Easements
to the other to access, and maintain facilities, systems, and equipment, located
on or in the property or the facilities of the other.
3.2 Each Party shall permit and provide access to all properties and
facilities as may be necessary to enable the other to maintain its respective
facilities, systems equipment, and property. Each Party shall provide or require
such access in a manner so as not to interfere with the ongoing business
operations, rights, and obligations of the other.
3.3 Consistent with Article 3.5 below, Seller shall have the right to
enter Buyer's property and facilities at any time with notice to Buyer (except
in emergency) to Maintain Seller's facilities, systems, equipment, and property
as necessary. However, Seller will not have the right to access, operate, modify
or otherwise disturb facilities, systems or equipment owned by the Buyer unless
otherwise provided for in this Agreement.
3.4 Consistent with Article 3.5 below, Buyer shall have the right to
enter Seller's property and facilities at any time with notice (except in
emergency) to Seller to Maintain Buyer's facilities, systems, equipment and
property as necessary.
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However, Buyer will not have the right to access, operate, modify or otherwise
disturb facilities, systems or equipment owned by the Seller unless otherwise
provided for in this Agreement.
3.5 Each Party shall provide to the other all such keys, access codes,
or other access methods necessary to effectuate the rights of access
contemplated by this Article 3. Each Party shall limit access to energized areas
the other's facilities, systems, equipment and property to Qualified Personnel.
3.6 Seller shall conform to Buyer's reasonable site security and
safety procedures before Seller's personnel enter Buyer's property facilities or
for routine measurements, inspections, meter reads and other non-disruptive work
that does not require system or equipment outages. Buyer shall conform to
Seller's reasonable site security and safety procedures before Buyer's personnel
enter Seller's facilities or property for routine measurements, inspections,
meter reads and other nondisruptive work that does not require system or
equipment outages. Except as provided in Article 14, for work that will require
system or equipment outages or that is reasonably expected to impact the
security or normal operation of Seller's electric system or Buyer's electric
generation activities, the Party desiring to perform the work shall provide the
other Party verbal or electronic advance notice at least three (3) business days
in advance of the date such work is to commence. Seller shall provide such
notice to Buyer's shift supervisor (or equivalent). Buyer shall provide such
notice to Seller's dispatch personnel (or equivalent). The Parties shall use
theft best efforts to schedule their work so as not to interfere with the
operations of the other Party.
3.7 Should either Party decide permanently to abandon the use of any
Easement or portion thereof, such Party shall give the other Party written
notice of such intent and shall cause a release of said Easement or any portion
thereof to be properly recorded.
3.8 The Parties may mutually agree to relocate any or all of the
Easement locations provided, however, that the Party requesting the relocation
shall: (i) pay all reasonable costs and expenses associated with the relocation;
and, (ii) execute or obtain in a form reasonably satisfactory to the other Party
and suitable for recording, all instruments necessary to establish the new
Easement location. Both Parties agree to use their best efforts to establish a
mutually agreeable location if requested by a Party.
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3.9 Buyer shall permit Seller access to the site to perform any
required environmental remediation for any liabilities retained by the Seller.
Such work is to be accomplished consistent with Article 3.5.
ARTICLE 4
MAINTENANCE
4.1 Except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement or in the
Interconnection Agreement, each Party shall Maintain its own property (including
removal of waste and trash), systems, facilities equipment and points of access
regardless of location.
4.2 Buyer shall be responsible for Routine Inspection and Maintenance
of all common use roadways and plant accesses in a safe and efficient manner and
pursuant to Good Utility Practice.
4.3 Seller shall provide Routine Inspection and Maintenance for Buyer
as set forth in Schedule F to this Agreement.
4.4 Buyer shall provide Routine Inspection and Maintenance for
Seller's as set forth in Schedule C to this Agreement.
4.5 If the Routine Inspection and Maintenance to be performed will
result in a modification of the facility system or equipment or the construction
of a new facility, the Party desiring to perform such Routine Inspection and
Maintenance shall provide the other Party with the notice and description of the
planned work and otherwise comply with the provisions of set forth in Article 6.
4.6 Where any ground grid, grounding, ductbanks, cable raceways,
drains or fences are jointly used, each Party is responsible for maintaining
these jointly used items that it owns for the mutual benefit of the parties.
Both Parties will share the cost of any improvements to such jointly used items
initiated for the benefit of both Parties on a pro rata basis.
ARTICLE 5
EQUIPMENT TESTING
5.1 Upon Seller's written request, Buyer shall, quarterly, or when
problems exist with equipment or systems, without cost to Seller, test,
calibrate, verify or
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validate the telemetering, data acquisition, protective relay, fire protection,
control equipment or systems, or other equipment or software connected to or
otherwise affecting the operation of Seller's Transmission or Distribution
System. Buyer shall conduct all such tests, calibrations, verifications and
validations in accordance with Good Utility Practice and ESB 756 and shall
promptly provide Seller with copies of the results of any such test,
calibration, verification or validation. If Buyer is unable or unwilling to
conduct any such test, calibration, verification or validation requested by
Seller, Seller shall have the right to take any and all actions, consistent with
Good Utility Practice, to protect and ensure the safe and reliable operation of
its Transmission and Distribution Systems including disconnecting Buyer's
facility, systems or equipment from those systems.
5.2 This Article 5 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility or
such equipment testing contemplated by Section 5.1 of the Interconnection
Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
NEW CONSTRUCTION, MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATIONS
6.1 Each Party shall use the best efforts to give the other Party at
least one (1) year's advance written notice of any plan to construct new
facilities or to modify or alter any facility, system or equipment that is the
object of this Agreement and to provide sufficient description (including all
drawings and specifications) of such plans as to enable the other Party to
reasonably determine whether the planned activity is likely to impact adversely
its operations. If the new construction, modification or alteration is the
result of a requirement or order of a government authority and one (1) year
advance notice cannot be given, each Party shall use its best effort to give the
other Party such advance written notice as is reasonably possible. To the extent
possible, the Parties agree that any such modification, construction or
alteration will be scheduled to coincide with planned outages.
6.2 If a Party reasonably determines that the new construction,
modification or alteration planned by the other Party is likely to adversely
impact its operations, it shall, within sixty (60) days of receipt of notice
under Article 6.0, give the other Party written notice of and the basis for that
conclusion. Upon delivery and receipt of such notice, the Parties shall
negotiate in good faith to mitigate the identified likely. adverse impact of any
planned new construction modification, or alteration.
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6.3 The Parties acknowledge that it is the intent of this Agreement to
bring all facilities systems equipment, located and in use at the electric
generating station(s) to which this Agreement relates into full compliance, over
time, with ESB 756. Accordingly, whenever a Party proceeds with a modification
or alteration to or new construction of any facilities systems equipment, it
shall implement such new construction modification, or alteration in full
compliance with ESB 756. Seller shall have the right to review and accept or
reject any such new construction, modification, or alteration, or any changes or
circumstances that might reasonably be expected to affect its Transmission or
Distribution System or the Interconnection Facility.
6.4 Each Party shall, promptly upon completion of any new construction
of or modification or alteration to any facility, system, or equipment shared
with the other Party, provide the other Party with all appropriate documentation
in the form of written test records, operation and maintenance procedures,
material lists or descriptions and a duplicate set of the most current drawings
of such newly constructed, modified or altered facility, equipment or systems
which could reasonably be expected to affect the operations of the other Party,
and including for shared use equipment only, at a minimum, one or more of the
following, as applicable:
System One-Lines - Single page format drawings used for dispatch
and operation purposes.
One-Line Drawings - Prints which provide a higher level of detail
than system one-line drawings and identify on a
line basis current and voltage transformer
locations, protection relay types, and meter and
control connections.
Three-Line Drawings - Prints which provide the highest level of detail
for the facilities in a three-line format with
specific current and voltage transformer
connections, relay and meter terminations.
Schematic Drawings - Prints which provide information on apparatus
controls, switch developments, etc.
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Connection Wiring Drawings - Prints which describe the physical layout, relay,
terminal block and device locations, wiring and
other construction details.
Other Physical Drawings - Prints which include information on foundations,
equipment, layouts grounding, panel
constructions, etc.
6.5 This Article 6 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility.
ARTICLE 7
INSPECTIONS
7.1 Each Party shall, at its own expense, have the right to inspect or
observe the maintenance activities, equipment tests, installation, construction,
or other modifications to the other Party's facilities, systems, or equipment
which might reasonably be expected to affect adversely the observing Party's
operations. The Party desiring to inspect or observe shall give the other Party
written notice of its desire to inspect or observe. When such notice is given,
the Parties shall coordinate their activities so as to reasonably accommodate
the noticing Party's right to inspect or observe.
7.2 If the inspecting/observing Party identifies any deficiency or
defect which might reasonably be expected to impact adversely the operations of
the inspecting/observing Party, said Party shall notify the other Party of the
deficiency or defect. Upon receipt of such a notice of deficiency or defect, the
Party owning the facility, system or equipment shall, in good faith, make any
corrections necessitated by Good Utility Practice. If a Party is unable or
unwilling to make such corrections, necessitated by Good Utility Practice, the
other Party shall have the right to take such measures, consistent with Good
Utility Practice, necessary to ensure that its own facilities, systems and
equipment are secure and safe.
7.3 This Article 7 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility.
ARTICLE 8
TRANSMISSION. DISTRIBUTION AND
TELECOMMUNICATION STRUCTURES
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8.1 The Parties acknowledge that certain structures located at the
site (including those associated with transmission, distribution and
telecommunications activities) are essential both to Buyer's generation
operations and Seller's distribution and transmission operations. The Party
owning such structures shall Maintain them pursuant to Good Utility Practice.
The Parties shall, within ninety (90) days of the Closing, jointly undertake an
initial inspection of all such structures. After the initial inspection, the
Parties shall establish a mutually agreeable schedule for further regular
inspections of such structures.
8.2 The Party owning such transmission, distribution or
telecommunication structures shall prepare a written report summarizing each
inspection and describing any loose hardware, foundation problems, guy, shield
or ground wire deficiencies, corrosion or other observed defects. A copy of each
such report shall be provided promptly to the other Party. The Party owning the
structure shall be responsible for correcting any noted deficiency, corrosion,
or observed defects within 12 months of the date of the inspection during which
the deficiency, corrosion or defect was identified or in such shorter time as
may be dictated by Good Utility Practice.
8.3 Each Party shall, after providing advance written notice to and
obtaining approval from the other Party, such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld, at its own expense, have the right to modify, add or upgrade
communication equipment including but not limited to antennae, wave guides and
cables on the other Party's transmission, distribution or telecommunication
structures, provided that said upgrades have no long term adverse impact upon
the other Party's operations and shall not require the other Party to incur any
costs, unless compensated.
8.4 This Article 8 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility.
ARTICLE 9
INFORMATION REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIONS
9.1 The Parties agree that from time to time Seller may request and
Buyer shall promptly provide accurate, complete, and reliable information needed
by Seller for the operation, maintenance, planning of its Transmission or
Distribution System. Such information may include, but may not be limited to,
metered values for MW, Mvar, voltage, current, amp, frequency, breaker status
indication, or any other information reasonably required by Seller for reliable
operation of its Transmission or Distribution System pursuant to Good Utility
Practice. Such information, reports
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or data shall be gathered for electronic transmittal to Seller using the EMS
where available.
9.2 Buyer shall cooperate with Seller in the investigation of any
disturbance or misoperation to the Transmission or Distribution System that may
occur. Buyer shall provide equipment, operational data (such as relay targets),
fault recorder data, and other such data as is needed to assist the Seller in
determining the root cause of any such disturbance or misoperation. Each Party
shall be responsible for its own costs related to any such investigation.
9.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any
obligation set forth in this Agreement for Buyer to provide information,
reports, or data to Seller shall be subject to the following limitations: (i)
such information, reports, or data shall be subject to the confidentiality
provisions of the ASA; (ii) Buyer shall be required to provide such information,
reports or data only to the extent Seller reasonably requires such information
to operate, maintain, or plan its Transmission or Distribution System pursuant
to Good Utility Practice and to verify conformance with ESB 756; and (iii)
Seller shall use any information provided by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement
only for the purposes of operating, maintaining and planning its Transmission or
Distribution System pursuant to Good Utility Practice.
9.4 If Buyer concludes that a request to provide any information,
report, or data requested by Seller is covered by any of the limitations set
forth in Article 9.2, Buyer shall promptly advise Seller in writing of that fact
and the basis for its conclusion. Buyer shall, nevertheless, provide Seller with
the requested information, report or data if Seller advises Buyer in writing
that such information, report or data: (i) comprises real time generating
information; (ii) is required as a result of, or to enable Seller in a timely
fashion, to respond to or prevent, any emergency condition; (iii) is required to
enable Seller in a timely fashion to maintain the safety and reliability of the
Transmission or Distribution System or to avoid endangering life or property; or
(iv) is otherwise required by Seller before a dispute between the Parties
regarding the appropriateness of Seller's request can be resolved in order for
Seller to operate, Maintain, or plan the Transmission or Distribution System
pursuant to Good Utility Practice. The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith
to expedite a mutually acceptable resolution of any dispute arising under this
Article.
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ARTICLE 10
NOTICE OF ALARMS OR PROBLEMS
10.1 Each Party shall provide the other with prompt notice of any
alarms, identified actual or potential problems, any safety issue or any other
issue that may have an immediate adverse effect on the other's facilities,
system or equipment located on or in each other's property or facility, the
Interconnection Facility as identified in the Interconnection Agreement or the
switchyard immediately serving the Buyer's equipment. This notice shall be
verbal and provided immediately upon identification of such an event.
ARTICLE 11
LOCAL SERVICE
11.1 The Parties agree that, due to the integration of certain control
schemes, revenue metering applications, and communication networks, among other
things, it is cost effective to provide each other with certain local services
as set forth herein. The Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure that
such local services provided by one Party to the other Party shall be available
at all times and on the terms and conditions specified herein.
11.2 Each Party agrees to provide the other with such current,
potential, metering and contact outputs as are required for the operation of
protection and control systems as set forth on Schedule C and F to this
Agreement.
11.3 Seller shall install, at Seller's expense, revenue meters to
provide data required by Seller at all Service Points mutually agreed upon prior
to closing. After closing, metering will be provided consistent with tariffs for
Seller's supply customers.
11.4 Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Buyer and Seller
shall agree upon an equitable allocation of charges for electric service for all
Shared Use Equipment. Seller shall provide to Buyer such other service as set
forth in Schedule F to this Agreement.
11.5 Buyer shall provide Seller with ac and de service power in the
quantities, levels, and locations as exists prior to Closing and as set forth in
Schedule C to this Agreement.
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11.6 Buyer shall provide Seller with heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, lighting, and other building services for relay, control and
communications room, offices, control houses or other related transmission or
distribution areas or spaces within Buyer's facilities set forth in Schedule C
to this Agreement.
11.7 Buyer shall provide Seller, at no cost to Seller, with
uninterrupted, dedicated cable connection and access for Seller's
telecommunications equipment.
11.8 Buyer shall provide Seller, with such office, storage and building
spaces as set forth in Schedule C to this Agreement.
11.9 Buyer shall provide Seller and Maintain for Seller's benefit such
fire protection systems as exist at the Site at the time of Closing which are
required to protect Seller's assets located in Buyer's facilities, and water or
CO2 systems, as applicable and in accordance with National Fire Protection
Association codes, up to Seller's property line or easement, whichever is closer
to Seller's equipment and facilities. Such systems shall include, but not be
limited to, all necessary control and supply equipment so as to perform as a
fully functional system.
11.10 Unless specified herein or otherwise agreed to, each of these
services will be provided on an actual cost basis. In each instance, Seller
shall have the right to audit Buyer's books and records to verify the cost
determination.
ARTICLE 12
REMOTE TERMINAL UNITS (RTUs)
12.1 Each Party shall, unless prohibited by regulation, make available
to the other, at no cost, all data with respect to any on-Site RTU that the
other Party requests, that is necessary to operate equipment or systems or to
respond to any regulatory inquiries.
12.2 The Parties agree when replacement of an on-Site RTU is required
due to technical obsolescence, catastrophic failure, or otherwise by mutual
agreement, that: (i) Buyer shall be responsible for all hardware and
installation costs for RTUs used solely for the operation of Buyer's facilities;
(ii) Buyer shall be responsible for RTU hardware and installation costs for RTUs
owned by Seller that are used for interconnection data telemetry to the Seller's
EMS pursuant to ESB 756; and, (iii) Seller shall be responsible for all RTU
hardware and installation costs for RTUs owned by Seller which are used solely
for the operation of Seller's Transmission or
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Distribution System. Separate RTUs shall be installed at Buyer's expense for
each Party's use under (i) and (ii) above.
12.3 Each Party shall maintain their respective RTUs in good working
condition so as not to compromise the other Party's ability to obtain data
pursuant to Article 12.0 or to compromise the other Party's operational control
of its facilities, systems or equipment.
ARTICLE 13
PROTECTION RELAYS
13.1 On-Site protection relays required by ESB 756 for over current,
under and over voltage, under and over frequency and other protection relays as
may be required by Seller shall be owned by the Buyer. If Seller reasonably
determines that a protection relay is needed and requests Buyer to install such
a relay at a location where one does not exist, Buyer shall do so promptly at
its own cost. Seller will provide Buyer with the required settings for all
protection relays and Buyer shall comply with the settings provided by Seller.
13.2 This Article 13 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility. -
ARTICLE 14
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
14.1 Seller shall provide Buyer with prompt verbal or electronic
notification of Transmission System or Distribution System emergencies which may
reasonably be expected to affect Buyer's immediate operation of its facilities.
This notification shall be to the station shift supervisor or equivalent
14.2 Buyer shall provide Seller with prompt verbal or electronic
notification of generation equipment emergencies which may reasonably be
expected to affect Seller's operations. This notification shall be to the
Niagara mohawk shift operator or equivalent.
14.3 If, in the good faith judgment of a Party, an emergency endangers
or could endanger life or property, the Party recognizing the emergency shall
take such action as may be reasonable and necessary to prevent, avoid, or
mitigate injury, danger, or loss. If, however, the emergency involves electrical
equipment associated
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with the Transmission or Distribution System, Buyer shall notify Seller's
dispatch personnel (or equivalent) prior to performing any switching operations.
ARTICLE 15
SAFETY
15.1 Each Party shall be solely responsible for and assume all
liability for the safety and supervision of its own employees, agents,
representatives, and subcontractors.
15.2 Each Party shall comply with the Switching and Tagging Rules and
the Testing and Grounding for Protection of Employees procedures at (i) all
Primary and Secondary System equipment interconnections or Service Points and on
all of Seller's facilities, systems, equipment and property to which Buyer or
Seller has access pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) when operating the switch
which is the first means of disconnect on the Buyer's side of the
Interconnection Facility.
15.3 Buyer shall be responsible for all switching, tagging and
grounding of Buyer's facilities, systems, equipment, and property. Seller shall
Maintain and be responsible for all switching, tagging and grounding of Seller's
facilities, systems, equipment and property.
15.4 Each Party shall be responsible for and shall train, test, and
certify its own Qualified Personnel to perform relevant work under this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES
16.1 Each Party shall provide the other Party with immediate verbal
notification and then follow up by written notification within 24 hours of
occurrence of any Release of Hazardous Substances or any type of remediation
activity that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the other Party.
16.2 If applicable, Buyer shall allow Seller to use at no cost existing
groundwater monitoring wells located at the Site for conducting Seller's
remediation and monitoring of environmental conditions on Seller's property.
Buyer shall be responsible for the repair and maintenance of existing
groundwater monitoring wells at the Site.
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16.3 Seller will have the right to discharge at no cost stormwater
runoff from Seller's property across Buyer's property under the authority of the
Buyer's SPDES permit where such permits exist.
16.4 Each Party shall be responsible for the storage and off-site
disposal of all Hazardous Waste generated by the use, operation, maintenance,
relocation or removal of its equipment that are located on the property or at
any facility of the other Party.
16.5 Neither Party shall make changes to the site topography or
accesses, including but not limited to grading or drainage, that could
reasonably be expected to affect the other Party's facilities or common use
drainage or pollution controls systems, without the prior written consent of the
other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
16.6 Buyer shall incorporate into its own emergency planning documents
including but not limited to SPCC and SWPPP plans, Hazardous Substances
contingency planning and emergency response contingencies relating to Seller's
facilities, systems and equipment which are located on Buyer's property or
within Buyer's facilities.
16.7 Neither Party shall knowingly take any actions which might
reasonably be expected to have an adverse environmental impact upon the
operations of the other Party without prior written notification and agreement
between the Parties.
16.8 Buyer shall grant to Seller such reasonable requests for an
easements for drainage of stormwater from land retained by Seller across Buyers'
property. These easements shall include the right to use Buyer's property
(including trench drains, valves, pipelines, leach fields, oil water separator,
wastewater treatment facility, and other fixtures), equipment or portions of the
Buyer's property, as applicable, for drainage, discharge, retention, or
percolation of stormwater runoff:
16.9 Seller shall comply with the requirements of: (i) Buyer's SPCC
plan that applies to discharges from Seller's retained properties; and (ii)
Buyer's SPDES permit that applies to discharges from Seller's retained land.
ARTICLE 17
AUDITS
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17.1 Upon written request, each Party shall have the right to audit the
other's accounts and records pertaining to transactions under this Agreement.
Any audit requested pursuant to this Article shall be conducted at a mutually
acceptable time at the offices where such accounts and records are maintained.
Any audit undertaken pursuant to this Article shall be limited to those portions
of such accounts and records of the audited Party that relate to services
provided to the auditing Party. Upon request, the auditing Party shall promptly
provide the audited Party with the audit report and all supporting materials. To
the extent that audited information includes information deemed confidential by
the audited Party, the auditing Party shall at its sole expense, retain an
independent auditor to perform the audit, and the confidentiality provisions of
the ASA shall apply to such auditor.
ARTICLE 18
COST RESPONSIBILITIES AND BILLING PROCEDURES
18.1 Each Party shall provide the other with an invoice for all
payments - due for reimbursable services provided to the other Party under this
Agreement during the preceding calendar month on or before the 10th business day
of the calendar month. Unless services are provided on a lump sum basis, each
invoice shall describe the services performed or provided. Each invoice shall be
paid within thirty (30) days of the date of issuance. All payments shall be made
in U.S. dollars and in immediately available funds payable to the other Party,
or by wire transfer to a bank named by the invoicing Party. In the event that
payment is not received by the date due, that payment shall bear the interest at
the Citibank prime rate for U.S. currency as established from time to time from
and including the date on which payment was due but excluding the date the
payment is actually received. Payment of invoices by either Party shall not
relieve the paying Party from any responsibilities or obligations it has under
this Agreement; nor shall it constitute a waiver of any claims arising
hereunder.
18.2 If either Party in good faith, disputes any part of an invoice
issued by the other Party, the disputing Party shall immediately notify the
other Party and provide a written explanation of the basis for such dispute. The
undisputed portion of the invoiced amount shall be paid by the disputing Party
by the due date of the invoice. If any amount withheld under dispute is
ultimately determined to be due, it shall be paid within one (1) day of such
determination with interest at the Citibank prime rate for U.S. currency as
established from time to time from and including the date any such underpayment
or overpayment was originally due but excluding the date on which such
underpayment or overpayment is paid. No payment obligation
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shall be subject to this Article unless a notice of dispute is given with
respect thereto within 30 days of the date payment of the invoice is due.
18.3 This Article 18 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility.
ARTICLE 19
DOCUMENTATION
19.1 Each Party shall provide the other Party with all appropriate
documentation including but not limited to written test records, operation and
maintenance procedures, drawings, material lists, descriptions, or calibrations
whenever a Party makes an alteration, change, or modification to its property,
facilities, systems or equipment that could reasonably be expected to affect the
operations of the other Party.
19.2 This Article 19 shall not apply to the Interconnection Facility.
ARTICLE 20
SELLER'S RIGHT TO OPERATE
20.1 Seller shall have the right to operate Buyer's dc power systems,
components of protection and metering circuits, EMS equipment, secondary circuit
components, communication equipment, and building facilities, software,
documentation, and structural components associated with the foregoing, as are
necessary for Seller, in Seller's reasonable determination, to operate and/or
maintain its Transmission and Distribution Systems if: Buyer or Buyer's
assignee, successor, transferee or other entity legally responsible for Buyer's
obligations shall cease operations at the Site or fail to comply with any
material obligations or duties set forth in this Agreement, which cessation or
failure has or reasonably threatens to have a material adverse affect on the
operation of Seller's Transmission or Distribution System. Before Seller may
exercise its rights under this Article, Seller shall give Buyer or Buyer's
assignee, successor, transferee or other entity legally responsible for Buyer's
obligations under this Agreement written notice of Seller's intent to exercise
its rights under this Article. Such notice shall specify the actual or alleged
failure of Buyer or Buyer's assigns, successor, transferee's or other legally
responsible entity to comply with such obligations or duties. Seller shall then
be entitled to exercise its rights under this Article only if Buyer or Buyer's
assignee, successor transferee or other legally responsible entity fails remedy
such failure within (i) ten (10) days after the receipt of such notice, or (ii)
such longer period, not to exceed sixty (60) days after
23
the receipt of such notice, as is necessary to remedy the failure if the failure
cannot be reasonably remedied within ten (10) days and Buyer or Buyer's
assignee, successor or transferee commences action to remedy such failure within
ten (10) days and takes, or permits Seller to take, interim measures to minimize
the adverse impacts of the failure on the Transmission and/or Distribution
System. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in the Seller's judgment exercised
pursuant to Good Utility Practice, Seller concludes that the failure endangers
life or property or impair or create a significant risk to the safety,
reliability, stability, or integrity of the Transmission System or Distribution
System, then, consistent with Article 14, Seller may implement its rights under
this Article as necessary in its judgment to avert such condition.
ARTICLE 21
DAMAGE TO SYSTEMS. FACILITIES. EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY
21.1 Each Party shall be responsible to the other for any physical
damage or destruction it causes to the facilities, systems, equipment or
property, of the other Party.
21.2 The Party causing physical damage to or destruction of shared use
cables, facilities, systems, or equipment or other shared .use property shall be
responsible for all repair and/or replacement costs. If neither Party is
responsible for any such damage or destruction, all repair and/or replacement
costs shall be shared by both Parties on a pro rata basis based upon theft usage
of said cables, facilities, systems, equipment or other shared use property.
21.3 Degradation to or routine replacement of shared use cables,
facilities, systems, equipment or other shared use property at the Site shall be
evenly divided between the Parties for replacement of corrective costs up to
$25,000 per incident. Costs in excess of $25,000 per incident shall be shared
pro rata between the Parties based upon usage of such shared use cables,
facilities, systems, equipment or other shared use property.
21.4 The obligations under this Article shall not be limited in any way
by any limitation on either Party's insurance.
ARTICLE 22
PERSONAL INJURY, INDEMNIFICATION
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22.1 The obligations under this Article shall not be limited in any way
by any limitation on either Party's insurance.
22.2 To the fullest extent allowed by law, each Party shall indemnify,
defend, and save harmless the other party, its agents and employees, from and
against any loss, damage, liability, cost, suit, charge, expense, or cause of
action, whether unconditionally certain or otherwise, as they exist on the
effective date of this Agreement or arise at any time thereafter, (including but
not limited to fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the indemnified
Party in any action or proceeding between the Party indemnifying and the
indemnified Party or between the indemnified Party and any third party or
otherwise) arising out of any damage or injury to its property or property of
third parties (including real property, personal property and environmental
damages), or persons, (including injuries resulting in death), directly or
indirectly caused by or arising out of or in any way connected with this
Agreement, or the work performed hereunder, or any facilities, systems,
equipment or property used by the other Party, its agents, employees,
contractors, and suppliers; provided however, each Party shall be liable for all
claims of the Party's own employees arising out of any provision of the Workers'
Compensation Law.
22.3 In the event that the claims, damages, losses, judgments, or
settlements are the result of the negligence of both Parties, each Party shall
be liable to the extent or degree of their respective negligence, as determined
by mutual agreement of both Parties, or in the absence thereof, as determined by
adjudication of comparative negligence.
22.4 The indemnifying Party shall take prompt action to defend and
indemnify the other Party against claims, actual or threatened, but in no event
later than notice by the indemnified Party to the indemnifying Party of the
service of a notice, summons, complaint, petition or other service of a process
against the indemnified Party alleging damage, injury, liability, or expenses
attributed in any way to this Agreement, the work, acts, fault, negligence,
equipment, materials, systems, facilities, personnel, or property of the
indemnifying Party, it's agents, employees, contractors or suppliers. The
indemnifying Party shall defend any such claim or threatened claim, including as
applicable, engagement of legal counsel, to respond to, defend, settle, or
compromise any claim or threatened claim.
22.5 The indemnifying Party understands and agrees that it is
responsible for any and all costs and expenses incurred by indemnified Party to
enforce this indemnification provision.
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22.6 The obligations set forth in this Article 22 shall survive
completion of any work, labor or services which is the subject matter of this
Agreement and shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 23
INSURANCE
23.1 Each Party shall maintain at its own cost and expense, fire,
liability, worker's compensation, and other forms of insurance relating to their
property, facilities, systems, equipment in the manner, and amounts, and for the
durations set forth in Schedule L to this Agreement.
23.2 Each Party shall promptly provide the other Party with either a
Certificate of Insurance or Evidence of Insurance letter for all coverages as
set forth in Schedule L to this Agreement, at the following address:
For Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation:
Attn: Risk Management, Bldg. A-1
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13202
For Buyer:
Attn: Lee Carlson
NRG Energy, Inc.
1221 Nicollet Mall
Suite 700
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 373-5306
Facsimile: (612) 373-8804
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Such certificates or letters, and any renewals or extensions thereof, shall
provide that at least ninety (90) days prior written notice shall be given to
the other Party in the event of any cancellation or diminution of coverage and
shall outline the amount of deductibles or self-insured retention which shall be
for the account of that Party. Any waiver of right of subrogation
responsibilities should be noted on the certificate.
23.3 Each Party shall be named as additional insureds on the general
liability insurances policies set forth in Schedule L to this Agreement as
regards liability under this Agreement; and each Party shall on behalf of
itself, its parents, affiliates, overseers, and assigns, waive its rights of
recovery against the other for any loss or damage covered by such policy.
23.4 The failure of either Party to comply with the requirements of
this Article 23, or the complete or partial failure of an insurance carrier to
protect or indemnify fully the other Party, or the inadequacy of the insurance,
shall not in any way lessen or affect the obligations or liabilities of each
Party to the other.
23.5 In the event either Party uses contractors or sub-contractors in
connection with this Agreement, the using Party shall require all such
contractors and sub-contractors to provide the same insurance coverages as
required in Schedule L to this Agreement.
23.6 If any insurance coverage required in Schedule L to this Agreement
is not secured, maintained or is canceled before expiration of this Agreement,
and the Party obligated by this Agreement to obtain and/or to maintain such
insurance fails immediately to procure other insurance, the other Party has the
right to procure such insurance and to charge the cost thereof to Party failing
to obtain, maintain or replace such insurance.
23.7 Each Party shall furnish the other's Risk Management department
with copies of any accident or incident report(s) it receives from any insurance
carrier covering accidents or incidents occurring in connection with, as a
result of, or arising out of this Agreement.
23.8 Nothing contained in this Article 23 shall be construed as
limiting the extent of the either Party's responsibility for payment of damages
resulting from this Agreement, or limiting, diminishing, or waiving either
Party's obligation to indemnify, defend, and save harmless the other Party as
provided by this Agreement.
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23.9 As set forth in Schedule L, each Party may elect to self-insure
specified portions of the insurance obligations set forth in Schedule L to this
Agreement provided such Party meets and complies with the requirements for
self-insurance set forth in Schedule L.
ARTICLE 24
CLAIMS
24.1 Each Party shall provide reasonable assistance and cooperation to
the other in the investigation, processing and disposition of any and all
claims, actions and lawsuits, known or unknown, that relate to the Purchased
Assets as of the date of Closing. Such claims shall include claims arising out
of actions or activities occurring at the Purchased Assets prior to Closing,
which have been instituted against Seller within the applicable statue of
limitations under New York Law. Such assistance and cooperation shall include,
but shall not be limited to, participation in pre-trial discovery, inspections,
document production, pre-trial testimony and testimony at trial.
ARTICLE 25
FORCE MAJEURE
25.1 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Buyer
and Seller shall not be liable in damages or otherwise or responsible to the
other for its failure to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement
if and only to the extent that they are unable to so perform or are prevented
from performing by an event of force majeure.
25.2 The term "force majeure" as used herein, means those causes beyond
the reasonable control of the Party affected, which by the exercise of
reasonable diligence that Party is unable to prevent, avoid, mitigate, or
overcome, including the following: any act of God, labor disturbance, act of the
public enemy, war, insurrection, riot, fire, storm or flood, explosion, breakage
or accident to machinery or equipment, order, regulation or restriction imposed
by governmental military or lawfully established civilian authorities, or any
other cause of a similar nature beyond a Party's reasonable control.
25.3 If a Party shall rely on the occurrence of an event or condition
described above as a basis for being excused from performance of its obligations
under this Agreement, then the Party relying on the event or condition shall:
(i)
28
provide prompt written notice of such force majeure event to the other Party
giving an estimation of its expected duration and the probable impact on the
performance of its obligations hereunder; (ii) exercise all reasonable efforts
to continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (iii) expeditiously
take action to correct or cure the event or condition excusing performance;
provided that settlement of strikes or other labor disputes will be completely
within the sole discretion of the Party affected by such strike or labor
dispute; (iv) exercise all reasonable efforts to mitigate or limit damages to
the other Party; and (v) provide prompt notice to the other Party of the
cessation of the event or condition giving rise to its excuse from performance.
All performance obligations hereunder, shall be extended by a period equal to
the term of the resultant delay.
ARTICLE 26
GOVERNING LAW. DISPUTES
26.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the
Parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles
of conflicts of law. Any law suits arising under this Agreement shall be
instituted in the Federal and State courts of New York located in the City of
Syracuse, County of Onondaga and each party hereby irrevocably submits to the in
personam jurisdiction of such courts. Each Party herein waives its respective
right to a jury trial with respect to any litigation between the Parties arising
under or in connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE 27
ASSIGNMENT/CHANGE IN CORPORATE IDENTITY
27.1 This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned without the prior
written consent of the other Party, said consent not to be unreasonably
withheld. Any assignment of this Agreement in violation of the foregoing shall
be, at the option of the non-assigning Party, void. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Buyer or its permitted assignee may assign, transfer, pledge or
otherwise dispose of its right and interests hereunder to a trustee or lending
institution (s) for the purposes of financing or refinancing the Purchased
Assets, including upon or pursuant to the exercise of remedies under such
financing or refinancing, or by way of assignments, transfers, conveyances of
dispositions in lieu thereof; provided, however, that no such assignment or
disposition shall relieve
29
or in any way discharge Buyer or such assignee from the performance of its
duties and obligations under this Agreement. Seller agrees to execute and
deliver such documents as may be reasonably necessary to accomplish any such
assignment, transfer, conveyance, pledge or disposition of rights hereunder for
purposes of the financing or refinancing of the Purchased Assets, so long as
Seller's rights under this Agreement are not thereby altered, amended,
diminished or otherwise impaired.
27.2 Except as set forth in this Article 27, no assignment or transfer
of rights or obligations under this Agreement by Buyer shall relieve Buyer from
full liability and financial responsibility for the performance thereof after
any such transfer or assignment unless and until the transferee or assignee
shall agree in writing to assume the obligations and duties of Buyer under this
Agreement and Seller has consented in writing to such assumption; said consent
not to be unreasonably withheld.
27.3 Except as set forth in this Article 27, no assignment or transfer
of rights or obligations under this Agreement by Seller shall relieve Seller
from full liability and financial responsibility for the performance after any
such transfer or assignment unless and until the transferee or assignee shall
agree in writing to assume the obligations and duties of Seller under this
Agreement and Buyer has consented in writing to such assumption; said consent
not to be unreasonably withheld.
27.4 If either Party terminates its existence as a corporate entity,
and by merger, acquisition, sale, consolidation, or otherwise, or if all or
substantially all of such Party's assets are transferred to another person or
business entity without complying with this Article 27, the other Party shall
have the right, enforceable in a court of competent jurisdiction, to enjoin the
Party's successor from using the property in any manner inconsistent with this
Agreement
ARTICLE 28
CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
28.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Parties from utilizing
the services of contractors and subcontractors as they deem appropriate,
provided, however, the Parties agree that, where applicable, all said
subcontractors shall comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
30
28.2 The creation of any subcontract relationship shall not relieve the
hiring Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement. Each Party shall be
fully responsible to the other Party for the acts and/or omissions of any
contractor or subcontractor it hires as if no contract or subcontract had been
made. Any obligation imposed by this Agreement upon the Parties, where
applicable, shall be equally binding upon and shall be construed as having
application to any contractor or subcontractor.
28.3 No contractor or subcontractor is intended to be or shall be
deemed a third-Party beneficiary of this Agreement.
28.4 To the fullest extent permitted by law, Buyer shall require its
contractor and subcontractors to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Seller,
its parent and affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents, and
assigns from and against any and all claims and/or liability for damage to
property, injury to or death of any person, including Seller's employees,
Buyer's employees and their affiliates' employees, or any other liability
incurred by Seller or its parent or affiliates including all expenses, legal or
otherwise, to the extent caused, by any act or omission, negligent or otherwise,
by said contractor or subcontractor and/or its officers, directors, employees,
agents, and assigns arising out of or connected with the operation of Seller's
and its affiliates or Buyer's and its affiliates' facilities, equipment, and
property described in this Agreement, regardless of whether caused in part by a
Party indemnified hereunder.
28.5 To the fullest extent permitted by law, Seller shall require its
contractors and subcontractors to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Buyer,
its parents and affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents, and
assigns from and against any and all claims and/or liability for damage to
property, injury to or death of any person, including Seller's employees,
Buyer's employees and their affiliates' employees, or any other liability
incurred by Buyer or its parent or affiliates including all expenses, legal or
otherwise, to the extent caused, by any act or omission, negligent or otherwise,
by said contractor or subcontractor and/or its officers, directors, employees,
agents, and assigns arising out of or connected with the operation of Seller's
and its affiliates or Buyer's and its affiliates' facilities, equipment, and
property described in this Agreement, regardless of whether caused in part by a
Party indemnified hereunder.
28.6 The obligations under this Article 27 shall not be limited in any
way by any limitation on any such contractor's or subcontractor's insurance.
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ARTICLE 29
LABOR RELATIONS
29.1 Each Party agrees immediately to notify the other verbally and
then in writing, of any labor dispute or anticipated labor dispute which may
reasonably be expected to affect the operations of the other Party.
ARTICLE 30
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
30.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating any
relationship between Seller and Buyer other than that of independent
contractors.
ARTICLE 31
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
31.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law and notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, except for any third-party indemnity
obligations set forth in Article 22, neither Seller nor Buyer, nor their
respective officers, directors, agents, or employees, successors or assigns,
shall be liable to the other Party or its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, agents, employees, successors or assigns, for claims,
suits, actions or causes of action for incidental, punitive, special, indirect,
multiple or consequential damages (including attorney's fees or litigation
costs) connected with or resulting from performance or non-performance of this
Agreement, or any actions undertaken in connection with or related to this
Agreement, including without limitation any such damages which are based upon
causes of action for breach of contract, tort (including negligence and
misrepresentation), breach of warranty, strict liability, statute, operation of
law, or any other theory of recovery. The provisions of this Article 31 shall
apply regardless of fault and shall survive termination, cancellation,
suspension, completion or expiration of this Agreement.
31.2 The remedies set forth in this Agreement are the exclusive
remedies for the liabilities of each Party arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 32
NOTICES
32.1 Unless otherwise provided in is Agreement, all notices, requests,
claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be given (and will be deemed to have been duly given if so given) by hand
delivery, cable, telecopy (confirmed in writing) or telex, or by mail
(registered or certified, postage prepaid) to the respective Party as follows:
For Seller:
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, New York 13202
Attention:
Facsimile: (315) _________
For Buyer:
Huntley Power LLC
C/o NRG Energy, Inc.
Suite 700
1221 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Attn: Craig Mataczynski
Facsimile: (612) 373-5430
Facsimile:
or such other address as is furnished in writing by such Party. Unless otherwise
provided in this Agreement, notice is deemed to have been given as of the date
so mailed.
ARTICLE 33
HEADINGS
33.0 The descriptive headings of the Articles of this Agreement are
inserted for
33
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 34
WAIVER
34.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any failure of a
Party to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition herein
may be waived by the Party entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written
instrument signed by the Party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure
to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement, or
condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure.
ARTICLE 35
COUNTERPARTS
35.1 This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of
which will be considered one and the same Agreement and each of which will be
deemed an original.
ARTICLE 36
SEVERABILITY
36.1 In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are held
to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the
Parties shall, to the extent possible, negotiate an equitable adjustment to the
provisions of this Agreement, with a view toward effecting the purpose of this
Agreement, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions
hereof shall not be affected thereby.
ARTICLE 37
AMENDMENT
37.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented only by
written agreement of both Seller and Buyer.
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ARTICLE 38
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
38.1 This Agreement and the Schedules attached thereto, constitute the
entire understanding between the Parties, and supersede any and all previous
understandings, oral or written, which pertain to the subject matter contained
herein or therein. if there is any conflict between this Agreement and either
the Interconnection Agreement or the ASA, both the Interconnection Agreement and
the ASA have precedence over this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Buyer have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
NIAGARA MOHAWK
HUNTLEY POWER LLC POWER CORPORATION
By: /s/ Craig A. Mataczynski By: /s/ Thomas H. Baron
Name: Craig A. Mataczynski Name: Thomas H. Baron
-------------------------------
Title: President Title: Sr. Vice President,
------------------------------ Field Operations